“When burdened by the feeling that there are too many photographs in the world, I ask myself if there are too many flowers.”

“Commonplaces never become tiresome. It is we who become tired when we cease to be curious and appreciative. We find that it is not a new scene which is needed, but a new viewpoint.”

VIsting the Hockney Photographs exhibition at the RPS in Bath in 1984 was during one of the most formative weeks of my life. Not only was this my first photo exhibition, but also the first time I walked round Bristol and Bath.

“How much you should worry about being an outsider depends on the quality of the insiders.” Paul Graham

“Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible.”

2023 has been such a good year for new releases a record breaking number of albums have made the coveted list.

Rick Rubin on creativity, Thomas Heatherwick on the “blandemic”, Brian Eno on sculpting sound, 40 photos which changed fashion, why technology never gives us a shorter working week and Craig Mod celebrates grace.

There’s a buzz in the circles I drift around in about this book. It’s a series of short notes on the creative process bound in a minimally designed cover that asks to be held.

A DO/Interesting taster, you may not like Elon Musk but you can still learn from him, Monument by Trent Parke, The Great British Colouring Book and new websites for The Perfect Bottle and Lauren Dunleavy.

Too many buzzwords, slowing down, the iconic portraits of Jane Bown, a new colosseum for Bath Rugby, ditching the process, what questions do people ask and a new website for Humble Bee Films.

We were at the end of a fascinating tour around Vitsœ’s airy home in the heart of England. While savouring a chocolate brownie made by their in-house chef their MD, Mark Adams, shared the most important thing he has learned in business. The confidence and tenacity to say “no.”

“I like elements which are hybrid rather than ‘pure,’ compromising rather than ‘clear,’ distorted rather than ‘straightforward.’ … I am for messy vitality over obvious unity.”

“The best place to have or develop ideas is a small town. It has to be a big enough place to run into smart people but quiet enough to allow you to escape back into your own mind.”

Talking to someone with simulated eyes overlaid on the screen would feel unnatural and just plain wrong. Eyes are an integral part of non-verbal communication and the goggles create an intrusive barrier between people.

Art which plays with convention encourages us to look at things differently. To challenge us to change our approach. To get us out of a rut. To try something different. To experiment.

“When the world demands toxic productivity, contemplation is a radical act.” Grenfell by Steve McQueen, a thank you letter to Vitsoe, Brutiful Brutalism and rediscover the lost art of the insult.

“I don’t think I’m alone in feeling adrift on the internet right now.”

“That’s why the time to resist is at the point you find yourself going along with conventional wisdom. It’s uncomfortable to be the outsider. But the only opportunity you have to think is before you join the herd. Once you’ve joined, it’s too late.”

Photographing James and his vibraphone on Level 8 of a Bristol car park. When I photograph I travel light. One camera. One lens. No studio lights. Only natural light.

This month - allergy to originality, the lure of free teddy bears, a curious story about WD-40, Alec Soth’s A Pound of Pictures, Nick Cave’s wise advice to a 13 year old and more.