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When I joined the Masters Course just over two years ago I was not prepared for the friendships that would come into and enrich my life as a result. The one that has had the biggest impact on me is my pinhole friend Donald Tainsh that I met at a Dry Plate Workshop in Glasgow. There are many qualities that I admire about him, a few of them being: his kindness, his wit, his technical and photography skills and his humility.  To help me with my studies Donald not only imparted much valuable pinhole advice but he offered me a spare tripod that he owned to aid in my dry plate adventures. Instead of taking the tripod for nothing I insisted upon a barter deal. Since then I have met up with Donald and his lovely wife Maggie to take photographs: Maggie forgiving us of our analogue obsession waiting patiently at a close by café! Donald and Maggie also came to the preview of my Masters Show. It was here that he admired one of my pinhole prints and offered to buy it. Rather than take the cash I suggested another swap; my pinhole image for one of his. Today we met in Edinburgh to close our deal.   The early morning drive to Banchory was consumed by mixed emotions of anxiety, happiness and sadness. I was anxious for two reasons:
The morning rehearsal saw the composer David Ward, myself and my companion Andrew in the front row being treated to a private recital. When making the video I only had a computer simulation of the music to work with so I was excited to hear the musicians. The intimacy of our private premiered performance was indeed overwhelming. It was a surreal experience. It goes without saying that I was moved to the core. The afternoon performance to an audience did nothing to diminish this emotion. Feedback from the attendees was positive with many kind words said. The whole experience has been amazing. I have enjoyed very much working with David Ward, Rohan de Saram, Suren de Saram, Kausikan Rajeshkumar and Mark Hope. Accomplished professionals who have treated me kindly and taught me much. |