New shot ...

Heres another image from a recent shoot. If youre interested in a family style shoot with me, dont hesitate to get in touch. Theyre fun, reasonably priced and Ill even provide the biccies !

Image copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Wont Get Fooled Again

The CSI franchise is more or less the only thing on TV that I watch avidly ...... and with theme tunes by 'The Who' you cant really go wrong.... heres my favourite...



Hopefully Pete Townsends tinitus wont get the better of him, because to see 'The Who' live is a real treat and one I want to repeat.....

Family photoshoots ....

Are you looking to capture some special moments of you and youre family... ? If so, Im your man !! I have some great introductory deals at the moment, so should you be looking for a shoot tailored to you and yours, please get in touch.

                                                                                         Image copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

old work....

Heres a favourite shot of mine from a shoot with Monika I did a while back ....

Image Copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Boston MFA

As noted in my previous post, Im currently in Boston MA. I spent a wonderful couple of hours at the Museum of Fine Art today (the weather drove me indoors), and enjoyed viewing works by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Henry Moore.
However, the two pieces that really blew my mind where 'Venus' by Fernando Botero and the rather long winded 'Endlessly Repeating Twentieth Century Modernism 2007' by Josia McElheny (below).

The museum is fascinating and is a must see if you're ever in Beantown.

Boston MA

Im currently in Boston, MA midway through a trip down the New England coast. I'm putting together some articles for magazines I occasionally freelance for and I'm having a wonderful time.
Over the years Ive been lucky enough to visit the US on a lot of occasions, since getting married in Vegas a while back, and have stayed in places like Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu and San Francisco. I had until this weekend thought that knowhere could hold a candle to San Franscisco (a place unlike any other... I truly have left my heart in San Franscisco) but Boston is running it a very close second. Where SF has a wonderfully relaxed and multi-cultural vibe, Boston feels like a comfortable pair of slippers. The people here are unbelievably friendly and whilst having a big city feel it lacks the pretension of its near neighbour New York. The history and heritage of the city is evident around every corner (following the Freedom Trail is fascinating) and the sporting heritage here needs to be seen to be believed (Fenway Park is a must see)...
I will post a fair few photos from my trip on here over the coming weeks, but here are a couple to whet your appetites...

Images Copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

Ovation Music Showcase - Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

Heres a shot from the latest show I had the priviledge of attending.... the Ovation Music Management Showcase at the Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton. Four great unsigned local bands were on the menu: Elle Diablo, Hinge, Heresy and The Whiskey Syndicate. I had a great night and hopefully this will be the first of many showcases put on by Ovation.

Image copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Raemonn & UXL: Academy 3, Birmingham

'Interesting' gig on friday night.... Raemonn and local band UXL at the Academy 3 in Brum.... read my review and look at some pretty pictures here ... http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/live-rock-reviews/raemonn_academy2_26feb2010

Image copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Just the greatest ...

The best song, by the best band... ever.... period.

New....

Image copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

huh ...

Its nearly MARCH already..... berluddy hell !

Wishbone Ash, Robin 2, Bilston.

I visited the Robin 2 for the first time last friday... what a great venue !!
I was there to review 'Martin Turners Wishbone Ash' for Midlands Rocks.... You can check out the review and Claires awesome photos here....http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/live-rock-reviews/wishbone-ash-bilston

What a week....

Well... that was a crazy week ! I've driven to Hull (definately not Hell.... I like it there) and back, been to a surprisingly good gig (more about that later), and been stranded in Dublin due to the weather in Birmingham....
With regard to Dublin, I didnt get to see much of the place (a bit like Dubai a few weeks ago, when I flew 3000 miles to spend 24 hours in the city:0( ). However I did have what was probably the greatest carvery Ive ever had the pleasure of feasting upon whilst there (In Dublin, not Dubai). If youre ever in the city, and find yourself in need of a bite to eat to soak up the 'refreshments', go here... http://www.sinnotts.ie/ ... I really was in culinary heaven ....

Cobra Starship.....

Caught Cobra Starship at the Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton this week. Wasnt really my thing, but the kids at the show loved it, which hopefully comes across in my friend Angela's review here ... http://www.brumlive.com/ . My photos were rubbish ... trying to dodge flying 16 years isnt conducive to getting good images as you can see from the shot below....

Image Copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Some random stuff...

Here are a few random images from recent gigs Ive shot...

Not for reproduction. All images copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Melissa Auf Der Maur

I'd forgotten what a sensational artist Melissa Auf Der Maur is until the other day when I dragged one of her CD's out of my collection and gave it a spin.....


Also, check this link out .... another stunning video by Melissa that youtube kindly refuse to let me embed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdRvcoD1uMY

Something new....

Not for reproduction. Image Copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

New work.... courtesy of my little lensbaby....

All image copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

Gandhi ?

What with all the recent economic and political upheaval, not to mention uncertainty in the world today, I have been giving a lot more thought to my own political and social beliefs of late. Whilst ive always been pretty steadfast in my own beliefs, ive never really been able to align myself with mainstream political values. I may have fairly right wing feelings towards some aspects of life, but also some fairly socialist views on others ,which is why I probably dont identify with any of the current political parties in the UK. So a friend of mine suggested I visit this site http://politicalcompass.org/index and take a short survey to get some sort of overall impression on where I stand on numerous issues. The survey asks a series of simple questions relating to Economic, Political, Moral, Sexual and Religious values, and then provides a personalised 'score' based on the responses.
Apparently Im a left wing libertarian with very similar beliefs to Gandhi... which is fine by me. Anyway here is my 'result' chart.....

Dirty Little Rabbits

I've seen loads of rock bands over the years.... from goth to thrash, gloomy shoe gazing grunge to glam rock cheese and most, if not all of them, have been great. But rarely have I seen or heard a band that has impressed me as much as the Dirty Little Rabbits did when supporting Lacuna Coil at the Academy in Birmingham this week.
Possibly best known as Sean 'Slipknot' Crahan's other band (but certainly no side project), they put on a show that left me grinning for hours. I downloaded their EP 'Simon' as soon as I got home and it hasnt left the turntables in Colson towers since. They are more or less the band I've been wanting to hear for years.
As youve no doubt realised, Im not the most eloquent of chaps, and to accurately describe the bands sound is by no means easy, so Ill leave it to Jordan Richardson of Blog Critic to describe their sound in this fantastic review of their recent EP.... http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-dirty-little-rabbits-simon/
And in the meantime, here are a couple of my shots from the bands gig in Birmingham on Monday. Finally, please please please do yourselves a favour and check out the bands site.... you wont be dissapointed... http://www.dirtylittlerabbits.com/

All images copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

Lacuna Coil / Dirty Little Rabbits / Dommin: Birmingham 02 Academy 010210

My latest live gig review etc can be found here .... http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/live-rock-reviews/lacuna-coil-birmingham .....
In addition to Lacuna Coil, I also got to see Dirty Little Rabbits.... an awesome band from the states... I will write more about them soon ...
In the meantime... pop on over the Midlands Rocks and see what the fuss is all about.....

Oh, and thanks Hannah for the Cutting Crew knowledge ... :0)

Alex Moir, Yeah Sparrow and Kings of Spain - 310110

I had the pleasure of shooting a small gig at the Hare and Hounds in Birmingham last night. Three acoustic acts were on the menu. To read a review of the show pop on over here.... http://www.brumlive.com/ but here are a couple of shots to wet your appetites....

All images copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

Smashing Pumpkins

For this post, my video of the week is 'Zero' by the Smashing Pumpkins..... stunning music.

Midlands Rocks Radio Show

Heres the link to the latest 'Midlands Rocks Radio Show'..... Check it out.

http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/radio-show-podcast

Bellagio sunset....

This is the Bellagio hotel, from the top of the Paris hotel in LV...

Image Copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

I LOVE Las Vegas

If youve had the misfortune of spending more than about 10 seconds in my company, you'll no doubt have been bored rigid by me waxing lyrical about Las Vegas. I absolutely adore the place so I thought i'd write a few words and upload a few pictures from one of my trips there.
I first went to Vegas in 2002 when my wife and I got married. I didnt know anything about the place before we went, but I can still remember my breath being taken away by my first view of the strip.
Since then weve gone back at least once every year and have seen some of the greatest shows on the planet, eaten in the some of the best restaurants and won enough money to pay for a holiday or two (and lost a fair bit to). Weve also met a lot of wonderful people to.
It really is a magical place that exudes a feeling that anything is possible and hopefully I will continue to go back there regularly for a long, long time to come.
Anyway, here are a few shots....

All images copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

A walk in the woods....

Went for another stroll today....this time to an Arboretum not to far from my place. Here are few shots ......

All images copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Cadburys and my Grandad...

Even if you live in a cave, Im sure that over the last few days you will have seen the copious amounts of press generated by the proposed sale of Cadburys to American plastic cheese maker Kraft.

Now I have a personal interest in this story as my Grandad worked for the company for most of his life (as a taster ... jammy bugger)....as well as living in Bournville. Some of my fondest memories of the time spent with my grandparents revolved around Cadburys and the all encompassing feeling of community in the area. So Im sure I have no need to say quite how sad I feel about the likely sale of the company. I know in the modern world these things happen (due to greed... plain and simple), but I feel that in this case there is so much heritage that is likely to be lost (even the sign posts at Bournville station are painted Cabdury purple) that it really is a significant nail in the coffin of this (once envied, and now derided) country.

Which brings me onto the main thread of this post. Something fundamental needs to change with regard to the political and economic outlook in our country. Now Im no economist (as my A level economics teacher will no doubt agree), but surely the endless quest for growth regardless of consequence needs to change. Im aware of numerous companies who in the desire for growth prior to the reccession employed more and more people than really neccessary... only to make countless employees redundant when the sand upon which our economy is so ‘soundly’ based got washed away and they found that all of a sudden work dissapeared.

And the very fact that the financial sector is our economy quite simply scares me. And yes, before I forget, the bid for Cadurys is apparently being financed by RBS !! So if jobs are lost, and what truly is a British Institution dissapears... it’ll be our money that has paid for it...... oh what a pleasure it is to be governed by such geniuses (and if you think a change of government will make one iota of difference, think again ..)

I could waffle on for ages and no doubt make a complete fool of myself so heres a link to a post I read today..... I think it sums up perfectly what Im trying (and failing) to say...
http://blogs.birminghampost.net/business/2010/01/a-cadburys-chocolate-teapot-uk.html

Anyway, this post is for my Grandad, who once a month took me to the Cadburys Chocolate shop and bought me a bag of broken biscuits, and taught me how to bowl on the greens in Bournville. Cheers old boy and ‘Vive la revolution’ .....

Latest shoot ...

Here is a new image from this weekends shoot... Im very pleased with it !

 

All images copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

Song of the week....

Saw these chaps in the states a while back..... 'Awesome' doesnt quite do them justice...
'Year Long Disaster' ... download their album now.

My cats harder than your cat .....

This is Daisy.... she wear's the trousers in our house....

Nikki is a bit good with the shears.....

A few weeks ago, Nikki (the wonderful lady who takes on the not inconsiderable task of cutting my hair) asked if I would help her enter the 'American Crew Face Off' hairstyling competition. After getting over the initial dissapointment of realising that she didnt want me to model for her, but take the pictures .... I did.
Here are the entries, which did really well ... and were exhibited somewhere up north....

And.... if you ever find yourself in Kidderminster needing a haircut .... just look for Nikkis Hair Salon on Comberton Hill.... shes great and has yet to cut my ears off !

All images Copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

The Dirty Glass

So heres a video from a band Im going to see in Boston later this year. I'd never heard of the Drop Kick Murphys until two or three years ago, until a friend of mine played me a track or two (cheers Framey)....  Anyway.... check em out.... you wont be dissapointed (or maybe you will.... but if your are, you have no taste !)..

New Work....

Heres some more work for your wall.... feel free to drop me a line if you would like to purchase one of the shots below. Prints available in a number of sizes and finishes ....

All images Copyright Virtuous Circle Photography / John Colson

A reminder of warmer times.....

Its a little bit chilly at the moment... so, just to remind you of a summer's day ... here's a fluffy bee I photographed last year.

Image Copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

Would you hang this on your wall ?

I love this shot.... would hang it on my wall tommorow... but is it just my poor taste in home furnishings and inability to use my camera, or is it actually not that bad ?

Image Copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography / John Colson

Midlands Rocks Radio Show

Midlands Rocks Radio Show: "The Midlands Rocks Radio Show brings you the best in BLUES, ROCK and METAL across the Midlands in the UK. Chat, interviews, cracking tunes and previews of the best bands heading your way in the Midlands over the coming weeks. This show features The Black Spiders, The Answer, Exit State, Zico Chain plus all the best gigs coming to town. www.midlandsrocks.co.uk [http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk]"

A snowy stroll ....

With the weather as it is at the moment, a lunchtime stroll in the nature reserve behind my house was too much of an opportunity to pass up.... so here are some shots from snowy Kidderminster .....

All images copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography/JohnColson

Jolly nice chaps...

http://www.myspace.com/vincentandtheonepotts

Check em out.... some great noise to be heard.....

Wildhearts at the Wulfrun

So, as promised, heres a short note regarding the recent 'Wildhearts Christmas Show' at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton.
What a night !!! I have been following The Wildhearts (http://www.thewildhearts.com/) for what seems like a few millennia (in reality nearly 20 years). They're a great band who's songwriting and musical ability deserves much greater recognition. They were ably supported by The Loyalties and AntiProduct.... two great bands in there own right.
The show was fantastic and to read my full review and see a few piccies, trot on over to http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/.
In the meantime, here are a couple of shots from the show.....

All images Copyright VirtuousCirclePhotography/John Colson