Why I Still Shoot Film

Something inspiring happens when I shoot using analogue cameras. Loading film takes me back to the time I spent studying photography, learning the art and science. I whiled away afternoons in the darkroom with smelly chemicals and looking on in delight as images gradually appeared, as if by magic.  

I take the discipline of shooting on film seriously. It brings a whole new perspective to my photography. It forces me to slow down, which is a good thing in this day and age. Graininess and little imperfections on the images are charming and turn each photograph into something organic and unique.

Simply put, shooting film takes me off into a different world, a world which is out of the ordinary.

New Faces of Spring Fling 2015

Since moving to Dumfriesshire in November 2013, I have bought every issue of Dumfries and Galloway Life that has been on sale. Reading the magazine is a wonderful way of finding out about everything happening in the region, especially for us newbies to the area.

Another great thing about living in this region is Spring Fling, Scotland's Premier Art and Craft Open Studios Event and in the latest issue of D&G Life, (April 2015) on page 92-94 there is a lovely introduction to the new faces of Spring Fling. See if you can spot the photograph Fragile Nature, as I am one of the new artists selected to take part. I'm over the moon!

Preparations are underway to make sure everything is ready and I'm looking forward to throwing open the studio doors and welcoming visitors. 

Please save the dates...23-25th May 2015. 

More details about Spring Fling 2015 and all the artists taking part here. 

Laura x

The Yellow Door

I'm a bit late blogging about my recent exhibition at The Yellow Door, but I wanted to share a few photos from the Private View, and to tell you a little bit about this special place in Dumfries where I have been volunteering for the last few months.

The Yellow Door was launched as a permanent shop and gallery in April 2014 for a group of artists, designers, makers and writers from Dumfries and the surrounding area to display and sell their work. The new space accommodates a vibrant programme of exhibitions, and small creative and literary workshops and events.

The Gallery showcases an excellent selection of paintings, sculpture, ceramics, hand-made prints, writing, photography, illustrations, crafts, antiques, fine art and the most fabulous handmade hats!

Email theyellowdoordumfries@gmail.com to be added to their mailing list, or sign up to the newsletter on the facebook page here to stay up to date with what's happening and be invited along to some super events behind The Yellow Door.


Laura x

LHM Fine Art Photography News

It's been a busy few weeks here at LHM Fine Art Photo HQ, so I thought I'd share a wee update on what's been happening since my last blog post...

I had a successful weekend exhibiting artwork at Shambellie Walled Garden, with a wonderful preview evening hosted by Sheila Cameron. Other artists exhibiting at the event were Archie McCall, Hugh McIntyre, Philippa Sinclair and Charlotte Long. We all had a great time in the garden with really great weather. Thanks to those of you who came along to the event over the weekend and purchased my art. 

I have recently completed two commissions. One to design a book cover which I absolutely loved. It was challenging and completely different from past commissions, but spending time reading a draft copy of the book and working out the style and feel for the front cover was very satisfying. I'll be sharing links and more details about the book hopefully before the end of December when it is published. 

Another commission was to photograph some beautiful pottery by Archie McCall. Here's a sneak peek at some of his lovely pots. I met Archie at his Spring Fling Open Studio last year, which was wonderful and a real high-light of the event. His work is inspiring and his studio, set in his garden is both charming and enlightening. 

In other news, very excited to share that I've been accepted as an artist member and volunteer at The Yellow Door Shop and Gallery in Dumfries, I really love the creative space and their events and preview evenings are very enjoyable. Watch this space for details of events from the gallery and do go along if you get the chance. I'll be having an exhibition at The Yellow Door in the New Year too. More about that soon.

And, last but certainly not least....I'm delighted that I have been awarded a Licentiateship with The Royal Photographic Society The Society's distinctions are internationally respected and sought after by photographers. Preparations are now underway for my application for Associateship! 

Well, I think that brings you up to date. I'll be on location in Morocco for a while but will post more updates and images on my return.

Many thanks for looking, please do leave any comments and feedback below, I'd love to hear from you.

Laura xx

Nexus - The Journey

I look for the beautiful and the good in everything. I've never been one who finds it easy to express myself freely in words and so my camera has become the tool to help communicate my own thoughts and feelings. 

My work often takes me off into other worlds far away. In these out-of-the-ordinary places I find myself inspired by the magic of forests and enchanted places. I search for doorways between two worlds, nexus points which seem to almost suspend time, a moment of revelation, a flash of inspiration...

And dare you enter through these gates

To seek another world beyond?

And will you leave these life estates,

To dabble in the Lucid Bond?

But thus compelled to venture forth

Each step more certain, more secure,

Dare you push the iron girth

To enter into life more pure?

Only the strong in heart and mind

May enter through this nexus point

Thus move between two worlds combined 

And sweet release do then appoint.

Taken from 'The Journey' by Laura Hudson Mackay, poetry Hudson Mackay Collaboration

LHM Fine Art - Website Update

Hello, it has been a mixed up weekend so far, as due to illness we have sadly had to cancel plans at the last minute to head up north in Herman our campervan. We were very much looking forward to a lovely weekend out and about with friends in the fresh Scottish air with a wedding ceilidh to join in too!

But, there is some good news... at long last the finishing touches have been added to my website and I can now share it with you!  Check it out here...

Laura Hudson Mackay Photography

There are now five galleries in total, which include images of places been and people met along the way. There are a number of flower and still life photographs, many not seen before. There are also some images from my popular and ongoing 'In Arabian Nights' collection, which I will add more to soon.

Other new additions are a link to my facebook and Twitter pages.  I'd love you to visit and give me your feedback. Please feel free to say 'hello' and leave a comment.

Thank you for looking!


Laura x

Places and Spaces

I'm always on the look out for interesting places to hang my work for sale. Having just moved to South West Scotland, I'm looking to organise exhibiting my artwork as much as possible. Excitingly, the first exhibition I have planned is for the month of July 2014 and at Hullabaloo, in Dumfries! I'll be posting more about the exhibition nearer the time, but I'm looking forward to it. Hullabaloo is a great space, the food is delicious and the setting, a converted 18c Mill, which also houses the Robert Burns Film Theatre (the smallest in Scotland) is on the banks of the River Nith. 

If you are the owner/manager of a place which would like to host an exhibition or commission me to create a special image for your wall. Please send me an email, I'd love to say "Hello".

If you have a photograph by LHM, then please email me a picture of it hanging in your home or restaurant, I'd love to add your images to this collection. 

Love, Laura 
email: info@hudsonmackay.com

Hasselblad - Vintage Love

I love photography, I live and breathe it. 

So I'm delighted to introduce the latest edition to my camera collection.... A Hasselblad 500c from 1957, Isn't it gorgeous?

I've cleaned the camera, its lenses and numerous, beautiful accessories. I've read all the original manuals, still in perfect condition that were tucked neatly in the front pocket of the leather kit bag. The 120 roll film has arrived, so ready to go! 

It has been a while since I used film. At college I managed to source a Large Format 5x4 camera and the most sturdy tripod to be found to take the weight of it. Both of these things could hardly be carried, but the results from the camera were worth all the effort of lugging the equipment around.

It will take more than a couple of rolls of film to get used to this Medium Format camera, there will no doubt be more than a few mistakes, but images that happen to be blurry or imperfect, that are shot on film, can turn out to be beautiful mistakes.

Another consideration is that in these days of digital photography, buying film and having it processed isn't cheap, every time the shutter is clicked it will cost. That all being said, I'm delighted with this new addition and have already begun getting to grips with analogue again.

I'm also working towards a new exhibition (more details coming soon) and I plan to shoot a collection of images using these wonderful vintage cameras.

Small Faces of Toledo, Spain

On our travels this summer, driving from Scotland to the Sahara desert, we stopped off for two nights at a beautiful campsite in Toledo. Campground El Greco was only a short walk away from the old town of Toledo and we enjoyed wandering around the medieval streets, stopping off every now and again at pavement cafes to people watch over liquid refreshment. 

Late in the afternoon, to escape the heat, we walked around the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes. I spent a few quiet moments exploring alone while my other half read up on the history of the place. 

I noticed how excessively lavish the decoration was, no square inch was lacking in complicated and lacy carving. There were many carvings of children, animals and plant life. I became fascinated with them and spent the rest of the afternoon searching the walls to capture them with my camera.

Oh, to live in a Windmill...

Life back at LHM Photo HQ is pretty dull after our wonderful adventures this summer, driving in Herman our VW Campervan from Scotland to the Sahara and back again. We are already planning our next journey...Scotland to Dakar maybe??

Here on my photo blog, I'll be posting many images of our journey, and to begin with, a collection of windmills...my ideal home.

Ever since I saw Windy Miller in his windmill in Camberwick Green, Trumptonshire, I've fancied living in one.

These windmills are in the Spanish town of Consuegra, a beautiful little place we stumbled upon on our travels from Toledo to Cordoba.

Our home in Scotland is currently on the market and yes, I would love to live in a windmill.

Fine Art Photography Exhibition at Little Botanica

I've had a lovely morning sipping delicious tea whilst hanging a display of my Fine Art Flower Photographs (aka Lolliography) at the gorgeous venue Little Botanica, 741, Pollokshaws Road on the Southside of Glasgow. 

Little Botanica is passionate about floristry, and they are also keen on a good cuppa and a big bit of cake! 

If you are nearby, do pop in for a pot of tea, you will find a whole host of beautiful things at Little Botanica, where they create stunning wedding flowers for your big day and even host tea tasting events! 

All the photographs are signed by the artist (me) and for sale. They make perfect gifts, so choose your favourite from the collection, there are roses, daisies, orchids and bunches of other flowers too!