Kate Reilly James

I did something really scary today, way scarier than when a mahoosive house spider dropped on my daughters leg mid-shower the other morning before school…..

I took some pics and put them on my social media. I know, it sounds pathetic, especially because I practise the art of pic-sharing online most days thanks to Instagram and being a birrof a narcissist….no really, I am. I love a good selfie, B&W street scene, and pre-planned Insta-story as much as the next weirdo, but today’s pics were a bit different.

About 18 months ago I mislaid my beloved Nikon DSLR after a weekend away with my arsehole of an ex. You’ve no idea how gutting it was to find I had safely stored the SD cards containing pics of him grinning at Nou Camp, but lost the sodding camera.

Anyway, I finally replaced the camera this week (I know, I rock at procrastination) with a base model Canon instead, and its freaking awesome. I’ve not got much idea what I’m doing other than point and shoot at this stage, but taking a wander around the docks, Liverpool today while eldest curly kid was at a party, was pretty awesome.

I took a fashion illustration class earlier this month over at Unit 51, Baltic Triangle and spent a blissful Saturday afternoon re-learning how to draw figures (in various sassy poses) under the expert watchful eye of Pro Illustrator and Photographer, Kitty Fuller.

After much scribbling, hatching, shading (and me generally mumbling ffs), Kitty (also known as Sarah) noticed that I had an affinity for a long, straight line and that linear was my design style. It struck a chord with me and I was determined to find a subject for my first shoot with the Canon, that offered up the same look and feel.

Imagine my delight at being able to freely photograph Stanley Dock on a grey, drab Sunday afternoon! No really, I was totally chuffed. Some of the warehouse buildings as well as the old Heritage Market and Ten Streets earmarked site are symmetrical heaven! Typically I had filled a SD card within a few minutes, but these are the four images I really quite like.

The scary part in all this? Is actually sharing the pictures. Art is such a personal thing. One person may rave about a pic which can be quite easily labelled shite by another, so I’ve made a conscious decision to shoot and share the scenes, people, events and things I love, and not what’s commercially ‘In’ to impress the digital masses.

If you’re an experienced tog and want to share some tips on how to get the best from your Canon, please do drop me a line, you’ll find me on katereillyjames@gmail.com equally if you want to send some constructive criticism or a high five my way, that’s cool too.

Here’s to many weeks and months of taking pics and finding my ‘style’. Apologies in advance for being a camera bore, but I faffing love this city and sharing it with the tinterweb might just be my new favourite thing. (Apart from collecting Nikes of course)…..(and those processo freezies from Aldi)…….(and Maoam).

x