A Musical Weekend

Saturday found me speeding along snowy roads in glorious sunshine towards Steel Rigg car park on Hadrian's Wall for a photo shoot with Adrian Nation organised for him by Northern Lights Music.

200 yards from the meeting place I came into mist and this was the view from the car park...

Fortunately we all agreed that the mist was beautiful so we went no further than the woods beside the car park for a few shots.

Shortly the mist blew over and we headed along the wall past towering crags to the famous Sycamore Gap just as the sun set. The combination of weather and winter light couldn't have been better and Adrian's brand new (very expensive) shoes were, fortunately, up to the task.

After a family Christmas lunch in Glasgow it was back to speeding along again to get to The Cluny Newcastle for a double header with Adrian being ably supported by young nu-folk band "Holy Moly & The Crackers".

It was a great evening with great performances from all. Watch out for Holy Moly - they're good fun, very talented musicians and they're on the way up.

Adrian seemed to really enjoy his set too. Fantastic playing and singing and beautiful songs. See you when you're back up this way Adrian.

Lots more photos to come soon...

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This Month Last Year

Watching Nature
This Month Last Year

Dec. 2010 - Different Views of Winter

The winter snows started in November last year and by December opinions were hardening as the folk of the village tried to get on with their lives. It's a love-hate thing: Those who felt the cold were soon wishing for a thaw, farmers ran out of feed as sheep were struggling to find grass beneath the frozen snow and day after day the roads were treacherous as commuters and couriers battled on.

I could see the hardships facing others but I couldn't help being elated every time I stepped out of the door. The frozen landscape is a truly beautiful spectacle and we had plenty of bright, cold days which brought out the best of the conditions. Familiar landscapes like Dunstanburgh Castle take on a different aspect and even the beach was frozen with the sand forming amazing tiny ice sculptures at the high tide line.

Close to home, icicles caught the sunrise on the gutters of the house while Daisy frolicked through the snow enjoying her first winter with a natural relish.

All images have previously appeared on my other blog Northumberland360.com

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

Ian & Nikki, The Treehouse, 26th November

Ian & Nikki had their close family round them for their wedding in The Treehouse at The Alnwick Garden. We spent time photographing in the afternoon (before the ceremony) while we had daylight as it would be dark by 4:30pm when the ceremony was scheduled.

Ben was to the ring bearer and he was great fun keeping everyone relaxed and smiling.

If you time it right, fountains of The Great Cascade will perform for you...

It was quiet around the gardens and we were able to visit several locations without any bystanders.

Ian wanted a shot with the stone lion on Lion Bridge so we headed off to the river below The Castle...and then we waited for the sun to set and the wedding to begin.

Nikki had hand-embroidered this cushion for the rings and it was lovely delicate work. The flowers were by "Flowers by Julie" in Alnwick

Ben seemed to think I was taking too many photos of him but he was such a star!

The wedding itself was in The Roost which is room off the main treehouse and it's supported entirely by a beech tree which rises through the middle!

The ring cushion and ring-bearer did their job perfectly

At the moment there is a spectacular lighting display in The Gardens so we went back up for a few more shots with the cascade and trees beautifully lit.

The Treehouse is surely a unique venue and at this time of year, with the early darkness, you get even longer to appreciate it when it's lit up.

Ian & Nikki - It was a great day and I really enjoyed being there for you. Your full collection will be ready soon. Best wishes Andy x

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

Best of October

October was the usual very mixed bag of fine blue-sky days, miserable greyness and beautiful autumn colours inland. Here (a month late) are my favourite photos from October 2011. All images have previously appeared on my other blog Northumberland360.com

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life

Terry Docherty's Hand-Made Guitars

Terry Docherty is a Northumbrian luthier who makes guitars and citterns which are sold throughout the world. I met Terry through the local folk scene and he was generous enough to set up my vastly inferior instruments making them sound and play so much better.

The two instruments featured below are brand new and one is already on its way to America.

The woods seemed like a natural place to take a pair of hand-made instruments and the autumn colours were too good to ignore.

Terry's website is at TerryDochertyGuitars.com

and here's the man himself giving me a tune.

Northumberland Photo Training - Teaching the Art of Natural Photography
andy craig photography - Family Portraits and Wedding Photography
one-eyed-hound.com - Dog Photography ...it's a dog's life