You may have noticed that things here have gone a bit quiet recently, for that I apologise.

In an effort to rejuvenate my content production, I’ve started a new blog which I feel showcases my photos better and is easier to use.

You can find it here: http://simonbray.tumblr.com/

Thanks.x

Cambodia: Srey Neth from timmatsui.com on Vimeo.

My good friend Ben Cooley runs a charity called Hope for Justice. Thier mission statement is taken from Psalm 72:

‘He will rescue them from oppression and violence for precious is their blood in his sight.’

They are putting on a huge event at the Manchester Apollo on June 4th, designed to inspire and equip the nation to stand for justice. Tony Campolo, Ben Cantelon and Graham Kendrick will all be there offering their support.

Visit here for tickets and more information: The Stand. June 4th. Manchester Apollo

This is a shameful copy of a photo taken by my friend Steve Broadbank. I wanted to see if I could replicate his excellent shot. Thank you Steve for the inspiration.

Cornwall is the best place to be if the sun is shining.

However you regard Waitrose, there’s no denying that their latest advertising campaign speaks the truth.

They are right. Everyone does deserve quality food. Unfortunately, I don’t think they mean EVERYONE. I think they mean Britain’s middle classes, a selection of people who fall into the richest in the world. Somehow I don’t think Waitrose is doing all it can to make sure to provide quality food for EVERYONE who deserves it, which is EVERYONE. So next time you’re in your local waitrose (or any supermarket), save a bit of change for those who haven’t got the luxury of choosing what they eat and give it to a charity such as Tearfund or Christian Aid or Oxfam who do their utmost to help the EVERYONE that Waitrose (and many others) forgot.

Each candidate had to pronounce vows just like a couple do at a marriage ceremony, reading from a sheet and declaring their faith after prompting from the Bishop. It all seemed very ritualistic, like a set process. How did we get from John the Baptist washing people of their sin in a river to this? It appeared regulated, and somewhat forced (although I am not doubting the conviction of the candidates to be baptised), it lacked spontaneity and passion, surely at this amazing point in our relationship with Christ we should want to embrace him and to declare it from the rooftops.

Please don’t misunderstand me, I am not disagreeing with the act involved here, this public declaration of faith should celebrated, but more the circumstance and environment in which it all took place. Maybe it’s purely the atmosphere of the church, maybe it’s the underlying ‘Britishness’ of everyone involved or maybe over the course of 2000 years, we’ve managed to suck the life out of this glorious act and fill it with set narratives and regulation.

It’s part of Vinelife Ventures, a project being undertaken by the lifegroup members of Vinelife Church, Manchester.

Each group has been given £50 and the challenge to use their entrepreneurial skills to generate small businesses, from which 100% of the proceeds will go to The Reckoning, a charity which supports people in the developing world and enables them to start their own small businesses with a view to becoming self-sufficient.

You can help by purchasing a Photo Print, for yourself or as a gift for a friend, a family member, a church or your workplace.

The 8”x6” photo prints will be fully mounted (10”x12”) and ready to put on your wall or give to a loved one.

Simply browse both pages of photos, click an item to see it in full and then click on the enlarged photo to access the webstore.

Or simply visit the webstore here: http://vinelifeventures.bigcartel.com/product/mounted-photographic-print

100% of proceeds will go to The Reckoning.

I’m still working out how to use my new camera, so I spent an hour or so photographing my surroundings, but I couldn’t resist trying something a bit more creative!

I only ever went here once. I know I’m not a woman, and the person I took wasn’t a woman either, but in the circumstances it was the best I could do.

Having been to a gig in Leeds, me and my friend Colin were walking home in the rain. Outside the hospital we were confronted by a wet, drunk Irish man, wearing soaking socks with sandals. He tried to explain that his wife was dying, that he didn’t know where she was and he didn’t know what to do.

After trying to coax as much information from his as possible, we thought it best to try and find her, there was no way I was going to leave him in the rain.

Not knowing where A&E was, or where the man’s wife was, we thought it best to find anyway into the hospital possible, so we snuck in the entrance to the womens hospital as the automaitc doors (closed at night) opened when someone left.

What followed was an excruciating 10 minute amble down seemingly endless corridors, constantly trying to reassure our new rambling friend that everything was going to be ok and that we knew where we were going.

Not knowing what we were going to find, we bravely entered the A&E lounge and approached the desk to enquire about the man’s wife. The relief on his face to see he sitting in the waiting area was priceless. They were so happy to be reunited and to know each other was ok.

That was our evenings work done, needless to say, we found our way out a lot easier than we’d found our way in!

TED is a foundation for Ideas that are worth hearing about, a platform for inspirational people to portray their message. There are so many talks I could link to, but having just watched this one, this is as good as any. Well worth 20 minutes of you time:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html