Meet the Directors (Number 4): Bob

I think it's fair to say that none of us four directors are naturally effusive people and inclined to talk about ourselves too much. I'm probably more open in my blip journal than most but I've required a fair bit of nudging to put this piece together. I'm currently director without portfolio. It wasn't long after the successful Blipfuture campaign that I came off my beloved bike at some speed, over the handlebars and into a drystone wall, suffering a fairly serious bang to the head in the process. Although I'm well along the path to recovery, it's been a frustratingly up and down business. 

My fellow directors encouraged me to take a backseat to helping to run things here while I got back on my feet, and I was very grateful for that. That detached position grants me license to tell you what an amazing job they are doing. They are the three most hard working, competent and committed people I've ever had the privilege of working with. I would like to go on but I know they would edit this if I dished out the fulsome praise that they properly deserve! We all have day jobs and running this place takes a lot of time and effort  It's quite a responsibility. It's probably just as well that none of us knew exactly what we were letting ourselves in for at the outset!

I owe a huge debt to Blipfoto, which is why I felt the need to do whatever possible to keep the site alive when its existence came under threat. I felt the need to return something to the community which has given me so much support, inspiration and encouragement for my photography. I was hoping to bring to the table my skills and experience as a software developer, which is how I've always earned a living, but events of the last year have suggested that I might be a bit long in the tooth for that lark now. My role here from the beginning has been more on the creative side of things, and generally showing lots of enthusiasm (I do enthusiasm quite well!), so I can see myself becoming an official blip evangelist! 

Like many I'm sure, I was introduced to blipping through a friend. Runningbear is now just a very occasional blipper but one with a lot to answer for! I was soon hooked by the sense of community, and the rest - as they say - is history. I discovered black and white photography here, learning about processing from other blippers, first applying the techniques I discovered to landscapes, to the street, and then to portraiture. My main journal (Earthdreamery) was in danger of becoming overrun with portraits so I started a separate one, not actually intending to post every day. I called it "A Thousand Faces", in the expectation of it being a very long term project but it's so turned out that I've not missed a single day in over three years, not even from my hospital bed. Once past a thousand it needed renaming. I've eventually settled on Face By Face.

I can honestly say that I still get a thrill out of posting my two blips for each day, even if sometimes I'm a bit late in doing so. I love that it forces me outside on those occasions when I feel like hiding away. I love that it's always encouraging me to see familiar things in new ways. I love that it gives me a reason to meet new people every single day. I love that we all got together as a community to keep Blipfoto alive. This place has become an integral part of my life. Thank you for your part in that.

I had no plan as to what to use for today's post. I don't like planning! This moment arrived as I was attempting a self-portrait in front of this mirror window. She came and stood right in front of me, looking for a customer who'd left without her glasses. It seems appropriate because I actually have felt a bit invisible recently, and on the periphery of things ... but I'm working my way back. 

Just finally, this completes the introductions to the directors. Sorry it's been a few weeks since our last post, but rest assured we'll be in touch again soon with news about a new recruit to the team at Blip Central and the reintroduction of membership fees.