Mike Deere

Checked you haven't accidentally set this somewhere in the blue end?

Hot damn son. F#&king awesome. Just got one a few days ago, only had a chance to test it out in my flat so far. Got a wedding on the weekend and hopefully some time next week to put it through it's paces, I'll report back.

New drivetrain on the hardtail. The most satisfyingly precise, crisp and light shifting I've experienced in my life... Set up perfectly first go without even having to tweak a thing in the street. Bliss.

I've not posted any photos in a while. Truth is, I shoot loads but get really uninspired and lethargic about sitting in front of a computer editing them. It's the one part of the job where I lack the enthusiasm and to some extent continuity. Because of that, I started procrastinating in Lightroom looking for ways to group otherwise unrelated photos into Collections and started spotting patterns... Some formed interesting series of the same or similar subjects, or developed themes. It's this process that made me realise I was creating that "Sense of Place" series a while back. This time round though, I spotted an increasingly frequent use of single point perspective compositions. Maybe I've been watching too many Wes Anderson films. Either way, I'm interested if that's something that appeals to people or if I'm just going off on one! Thoughts?

Tom Day is too funking good

MPB is always my first port of call. They seem to have a few: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/used-lenses/used-canon-fit-lenses/

Friend of mine had that Sigma, it's terrible. You'd have to stop it down to f/8 to get anywhere remotely near sharp and even then it wasn't as good as other lenses. I'd say get the Canon.

There are a million fake Lowepro bags out there, although that one is slightly cheaper here: http://www.7dayshop.com/products/7dayshop-photographers-rucksack-camera-and-laptop-version-black-SLRPROBAG1 Saying that, the quality of the materials is shocking to say the least. Lowepro don't use great materials as it is, so you can imagine what the rip-offs are like to cut costs. I'd recommend scouring eBay for a second hand Crumpler or Kata bag. Both those are built like tanks and go for decent prices on eBay.

I used to get bothered by stuff like that, but then I realised that I was thinking about it the wrong way round. It's not about things that people do that annoy you, but how you are annoyed by the things that other people do. You then realise that you don't need to be annoyed, as everyone has their own little quirks and ways of doing things. When you embrace that, you lead a much happier life

This.

Yeah, it did quite a bit to be honest. I could easily spend a couple of days again running round there finding angles. We were also quite restricted by time and what works were going on for decommissioning, the place seemed busier closed than it would have been while still generating!

Was on The One Show last night photographing Didcot Power Station. It's on iPlayer, about half way through the programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04httcf/the-one-show-29092014 It's not distracting at all being filmed while trying to shoot photographs, honest

There's something about First Snow by Chris SU that does it for me.

Tea every day. Coffee is horrific.

Get involved! Cameras are ridiculous now, even at low price points. What paper was it? Had a half page in The Times a few weeks ago, but no idea about anything more recent?

If anyone's interested, been meaning to do this blog post for two months near enough! http://mikedeere.com/photographing-sewers/

Been busy it seems! Loving the Battersea ones Been lacking that kinda motivation lately.

Amen. Especially the Brown one.

I do still wonder how the hell I got that job. Pays well and loads of perks too, although it is tougher than it sounds.

I'm normally more of a golden ales kinda guy, but it's definitely worth giving some darker stuff a go too. Had some of these for NYE http://harviestoun.com/our-beers/ola-dubh-18 Although if you're after something a little less intimidating, give SA Brains Boilermaker a go. It's in the Tesco 4 bottles for £6 offer and is beautiful.

I have three jobs. Primarily I'm a self employed photographer. I then have a second dream job as a chocolate taster. I also have a zero hour contract at a cinema 5 mins from my flat, as I can do more or less hours as and when I want/need it's perfect for how varied/seasonal photography can be. I'm aiming to drop this again soonish though.

Pretty stoked, got my first covershot Click to embiggen.

Here you go http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/get-a-huge-45-x-30-40-x-30-poster-print-for-7-98-delivered-photobox-usually-24-99-1732885

Good deal! Train enthusiasts really take care of their gear it's gotta be said. Remember seeing a spotter on a platform a few months back with a D100. It looked like it'd just come out the box.

Thanks amigos There's a little more about it here: http://mikedeere.com/professional-photographer-of-the-year-2013-overall-winner/ Surreal feeling this morning when I walked in at my part time job (I work 8hrs a week as a chocolate taster... well, why have one dream job when you can have two?) all ready to break the news to them, only to be greeted by a round of applause from my colleagues who'd followed the news online over the weekend.