When I broke my leg playing football not knowing pain like it I tried to find information about how long the pain would last... Only that it would take 4-12 weeks to heal. This and the fact I was unable to do a photography booking led me to write a blog/diary about my experience.

I broke my leg the 30th August and it hurt like nothing I'd experienced before. I kind of suspected it was broken as soon as it happened. Despite wearing shinpads.

I'd had a bad sprain 12 years ago but this was way more intense. Super strong painkillers didn't touch it.

The first emergency plaster weighed a ton and wasn't covered completely not to restrict swelling so Any movement, including trying to get to the bathroom was agony. I'm not too proud to say I peed in a bottle and even took 1 diocalm so that I wouldn't have to go to the downstairs toilet. Luckily the neighbours lent me a toilet frame which was a godsend but of course took some time before my normal movements restored.

The next day I got a better cast but still no weight could be put on it. Pain was still bad but it was marginally lighter. Still being over the knee moving about was a challenge and had the additional ignominy of needing a Zimmer frame.

No one tells you about the pain and how long it lasts. I would say it was 2 weeks to the day before I would say it was bearable. Still awkward and hard to get comfortable and sleep however. The additional pain was the daily heperin injections in my stomach. Stung like a bee for 20-30 mins but better than an amputation.

I disliked being weighed on or seeing jobs I just did not get done. I did figure a way to clip a bag to my frame for carrying some stuff. 17 days before I had the strength to get up the stairs on my ass and a raucous time to bath. My tightly fitted leg prophylactic 3 different stool attempts I managed to get in and wash myself in some shallow bubble water. I was sore that night from the additional moving.

 I had lost weight already too, less appetite and lack of movement I could see and feel my thigh muscles wasting yet my right good leg was still struggling to stand for more than 5 minutes.

Sleep was sporadic and I'd be forced to nap frequently during the day.

I did feel sorry for myself of course but I actually had a lot of thoughts about old and unfit people who break a leg. I'd consider myself fit but I have really struggled with the pain and doing basic things like getting dressed.

I started writing this down thinking it might be whimsical. I guess I just wanted to note to myself how painful a leg break is. Maybe it's true you can't appreciate something until you've experienced it. 

I have appreciated how lucky I am. 

I wonder how anyone on their own could be expected to look after themselves following an injury like this?

I'm thank you for the love and support (literally in the case of the toilet frame, perching stool (mom), wheeled Zimmer (step mom) and though it didn't fit the leg condom from Sheila)

I can't wait to be back walking the dog and doing normal things.

Day 20 despite Reggie jumping off my leg when the girls left for school I feel some real progress. I managed to get outside on my own and read a book about managing a dysfunctional team, given to me by my old boss and something I had been putting off reading after the first few chapters. I was also able to get a system of getting upstairs unaided too. I am yearning for my bed. 

Day 24 first night in my own bed. I've got the knack of getting up the stairs on my backside and lifting myself up using the banister and door frame at the top of the stairs, crutches to my bedroom.  Took longer to drift off but more comfortable overall.

Day 26 a real bath. I.e. not needing a stool. Again only because of upper body strength leg 75 degrees with my leg Johnny on. I didn't put enough water for a real soak and my back was to the taps so not ideal. But still I feel clean which was a nice feeling. Needed a little assistance getting the condom off but the rest I managed. Can't wait until Wednesday... I do hope they'll take the cast off. Actually hardly any pain today.

Except the injections which are going to run out the day before my next appointment due to 2 being bent!!

I do feel really positive about my leg for the first time since day 14. 

Day 27 - After doing a few hours in meetings on Friday the pain was low enough for me to get the laptop out and do some work. Again thankful I bought a recliner sofa. A laptop is an oxymoron. It's not good for your lap, for one the vents are on the bottom and it froze after 30 mins sat on a cushion. Felt good to be productive again however.

Day 29. Deja voux hospital visit. Why I have to check in and then wait Then go to xray... But still it has to be done. Had a nice apprentice radiographer and told healing progress is good. They granted my wish to remove my cast switching to a boot support. It's painful but not the break, more the muscles I have used for 4 weeks. My knee and Achilles especially. Another 3 weeks is the prognosis but I can partially bear weight.

It does also mean my protest beard will come off. It has grown on me. It's marmite in terms of who likes it and who doesn't. It's a bit itchy and I don't like the white hairs!

Helping write a catalogue at work, a little bit last minute and creeping deadlines. My boss needed a few shots of students using ICT. This was a struggle getting permission from schools so I did it myself with my daughters and used our demo/training room. Hopefully she's pleased with my results.

My friend Mark reviews bands, gigs and albums. He got guest list entry at Guildhalls in Gloucester but needed a lift. His photos needed a boost as the low light of concerts mean that lesser cameras struggle. Wanting an excuse to use my new 70D I took my camera. With a little confusion at the door our names weren't on the paper plate!! We got in pretty near the front. The support Willow Robinson was good and Kula Shaker were as good as their hayday.

http://soundblab.com/reviews/gigs/9533-kula-shaker-guildhall-gloucester-may-13-2016

Well not officially. I was a guest rather than booked. Though as no other photographer was arranged and the best effort, camera wise, by the guests was a mobile phone I was pleased I took my DSLR and was able to capture a few special moments of the day.

Having not been paid, I didn't do things like for example speaking to the priest beforehand to check if it was ok to take photos during the ceremony or confirm that he'd be ok with taking some post ceremony at the baptism font.

This is a lesson learnt for all you would be professionals... I did take a few sneaky ones using my telephoto lens and high ISO of the parents, and Godparents saying their promises about renouncing the devil etc only to be told off by one of the regular parishioners that it was "illegal" to take photos inside a church. I know my rights and it is not illegal at all, it's a public place and I wasn't even using a flash. I wasn't about to argue, I wasn't being paid to start fights with old biddies in a church. Annoying though because prior to the ceremony one of the congregation, a lovely older lady was really interested in my lens and impressed with the couple of test shots I did of the stain glass windows. She was telling me about how she bought a DSLR for when she went to the 2012 Olympics. Hey ho, I put my camera away like a good boy.

The actual baptism bit where they dowse the baby with holy water came up. The priest encouraged children to come close and watch and then bit off the head of one of the guests taking a photo with his phone "They'll be plenty of time for photos later".

When the baptism had ended I thought as the guests were all leaving I'd ask the mother of the young lady who's daughter was getting Christened if she wanted any photos by the font. It took a few minutes to gather people up by which time an usher, well, ushered us out of the church saying the communion ceremony was about to begin and we had to leave. Unperturbed I managed to get some group shots and a couple of the parents and grandparents outside the church by the main entrance, though the wind was bitter. I was fairly pleased with the results and as you'll see in my special events folder a few are uploaded there.

The other thing I would have done if I'd been booked would be insisting the baby's dummy was taken out. Bless her not a tear when the water was poured over her and I'm sure she could have lasted 5 minutes without it for some nicer photos but mom wasn't that keen.

It's a cold autumn night, the rain has pretty much stopped and this is the last opportunity to go to Monmore Green to get free entry to the greyhound racing (tickets I'd won.)

My wife wasn't fussed about going and Andy, a friend and work colleage had been saying we needed to go there to take some photos.

After signing a blank piece of paper to say we wouldn't sell the pictures we took we got ready. Thinking we'd get access all areas pass we were quickly disappointed to find we just were allowed to go to the same places as the punters, and no flash allowed.

  The flood lighting wasn't that bright either, though we decided not to bother with the tripod, partly as we couldn't have it on or near the trackside wall which meant only stepts to put it on. We left the shutter open long enough to capture some motion, and there was no way to truly capture them in clarity without flash. We wacked the ISO up to 400 (I think Andy went even higher), and got ready. Of course for the first race we were in the wrong position to see the start or finish but were ready on the last bend.

Trying to catch them cross the finish line was nearly impossible. They were gone before I could press the trigger.

At such low light, even high ISO we struggled to get the sharp images we'd hoped for. It was a good experience, and I'm glad I took it in RAW format to be able to get some exposure recovery. This did leave a few a little grainy but  it shows how the pros really need the expensive lenses to cope with such difficult lighting conditions and speed of subject.

We said we'd go back again, one of the lunchtimes maybe.

Thanks Andy again for coming along.

Last Saturday I joined my friend Andy Evans (no relation) to shadow him on his night photography course he'd started doing. He was looking for constructive feedback and I was looking for an excuse to do light trails and use my tripod for a change.

Immediately there was a problem after he set us our first task of taking some shots on auto. As soon as I took the picture my canon errored with Error 99, turn off your camera remove and reseat your battery and turn back on. This error had happened once before and I'd read it could be corrosion on the lens or camera body where the lens attached. I tried a different lens same error.

To cut a long story short it was a frustrating night, taking 1 picture in probably 5 attempts, rebooting as advised then getting a couple more.

I did manage to get a few long exposure shots, and pleased with some of the light trails by Selfridges in Birmingham.

I have since found a great page for anyone else who might have this same error on their canon. My problem, I deduced the next morning was the 8GB TDK memory card. Replaced it with another 4 GB sandisk and no error.

Error 99

Ihttp://www.richardsnotes.org/archives/2005/04/29/50mm-lens-contact-points/

My wife's boss wanted me to work some magic on her wedding photos. She was very impressed with the results especially the ones where I made objects colour leaving the rest in black and white.

The one she was most impressed with was where one of the guests had a shopping carrier bag in her hand. I managed to clone it out, check out photo editing  link on the left.

My latest project was to make my wife's friend's last minute wedding photos, taken by guests rather than a pro a bit more special. Using various techniques I achieved this and have put a couple of them in the special events link. I didn't upload anymore as I don't have copyrights to them.

This is another service I offer, you send me the photos, with the photographer's permission and I make them look like they had the pro treatment (blurred background, black and white mix, framing vignetting, matte borders etc.)

Last Friday was my friend's wedding.  Initially I was going to be her photographer but she wanted me to enjoy the day and not stress so hired another one.

I still took my camera and long lens with the view of taking less formal shots, of the guests and angles the other photographer didn't take.

I had a really good time and enjoyed the photography though glad I wasn't the main photographer as I can see how stressful it can be. I was hoping to get some tips from him but to be honest all I saw were errors and how he could have done things better. Like for the group shots he had them just under a tree, half in the shade. He didn't make the most of the priory ruins outside the registry office either.

I decided I would just burn the pictures to disc for my friend pro-bono. I know this wedding cost a lot. She was really pleased saying they were amazing. Considering how bright the day was I was too happy with the results.

I've uploaded them under Photos > Special Events.

Her florist and dress maker wanted copies of mine too, which might drum up some future business.

After the cake was cut, we had to dash off for my cousin's 18th birthday party. A Moulin Rouge themed party. It was excellent. I didn't take my DSLR because she already had a pro cameraman taking shots of guests as they came in, and didn't want to seem pervy, with so many people dressed up in basques etc... I have uploaded a couple anyway.

Missing... a round object usually seen in the sky around this time of year, goes by the name of the Sun!!

My cousin Laura is an amazing singer, she's so talented and it wont be long before she plucked into stardom. She is part of a duet called the Lady and the Sax. Check them out on youtube!!!

  She was there at her sister's pre-prom party and whilst I was waiting for the girls to arrive took a couple of shots with her duet partner/boyfriend. He was impressed as was his manager who is using one of them for some fliers. Last weekend I was going to take some pictures for them in Birmingham's waterfront but as the title suggests the rain scuppered those plans. It's re-scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and I'm really excited about it. Photos will no doubt be uploaded here soon.

http://www.youtube.com/user/THELADYANDTHESAX

I guess another sign that the Americans are taking over... proms are really big over here, and high school proms are no exception. I remember when you saw a limo it was likely to be someone famous, but now it's probably a gaggle of 16 year olds on their way to their prom, dressed up to the nines and causing their parents to take out a second mortgage for this one night.

My uncle Keith rang me yesterday to say am I still doing photography, have a backdrop etc. I said yes, and that I've been asking his daughter's and wife to let me take some shots of them for ages. He is planning a pre-prom get together at his house and was going to suggest I go to take some photos of the 6 girls attending.

I'm really excited about this opportunity, and could be a great boost for my portfolio. It does coincide with a leaving party at my work but I'm going to juggle my time so that I can do both things. Who said men can't multi task!!

I've not long been back from my yearly trip to Bulgaria. I managed to finish my book from Scott Kelby and really enjoyed it. I was quite pleased with the lessons it taught me (too many to mention here) I highly recommend it.

One of the things he did say, was "Go to a wedding with a DSLR camera and long lens and you're bound to get asked by someone to photograph their upcoming wedding. Usually they want it free of charge, or really cheap."

I took my DSLR to my friend's daughter's 1st birthday party, mainly because I forgot my point and click. She was pleased with the results and guess what? She wants me to photograph her upcoming wedding!! I am a fair bit daunted at the prospect. I've read up quite a bit on wedding photography and it's not easy... I did say I'd do it with our shared friend Paul, who's been doing photography for 10 years and a few years weekend wedding photography as a professional assistant.

Waiting for my car to pass the MOT I was reading about setting up your brand for your photography if you're looking to take it more seriously.

It was a really useful article and I was inspired to create this web site.

I'd set up a personal web site about a year ago, with the aim for looking for work once my job at Hewlett Packard was finished. It made sense to link it in a similar way to encourage people to take me on.

I shared it on my Facebook wall and within hours a colleague of mine wanted me to do a session for his 14 month old son. I've worked with him for years and he didn't know I was in to photography. Result!