Stubblog

Open Source Web Design - a whole array of free, open source web page designs. Spoke POV - I'm not one for riding a bike, but these things are pretty cool ... DIY Studio - A whole site dedicated to DIY photography equipment.

One of the things I promised to do during 2006 was to become a better photographer, and I've posted recently about some kit that I'd made to help that along. I've also launched this week my new website, www.stuartgrimshaw.co.uk to publicise my work. It mainly focuses on a project of mine to take sports photographs in and around Sheffield, and sell them to the players, the idea being that it will fund more equipment (such as lenses & filters). My cousin Jon Hodd does something similar with www.point2pointing.co.uk and that's where I got my inspiration from. Stuart Grimshaw Photography lets team managers or secretaries book a photo session for their team, during practice, training or even social events such as prize giving ceremonies, prices start from £50, which includes a team photo, individual photographs taken during the shoot start from just £5. It's still early days yet, but hopefully it will be an interesting and entertaining venture ... -S

One of the things I set out to do in 2006 was improve as a photographer, and one of the milestones was to sell my 1st photo. Well, that happened this week. It's not a special photo, and I didn't make a vast some from it, but it's still pretty exciting. All my stock images so far are of landscapes, which are pretty much two a penny and hard to sell, so I've built myself a light tent, in order to take photos of things I think will be more sellable. Also, Spore looks like it's going to be awesome.

The best bits from my del.ico.us bookmarks this week:

• http://www.diyplanner.com/templates/official/classic Old style templates to help you organise yourself.
• http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent The DIY instructions I followed to build my light tent, not used it in anger yet, but there are a few images on my Flickr stream.
• MC Hammer's Blog ... needs no further introduction.

One of the biggest buzz's around the whole web2.0 thing is creating a social aspect to whatever your site is. Outside in the real world one of the more sociable things to do is go for a pint with your mates. Some bright spark in the states has hit upon an idea to mix the two, www.coatr.com. Pity it's limited to the States, perhaps the one country that brews the worst beer in the world.