There are some exciting things happening in Leeds at the moment. The first of a few blog posts to share our finds.. The Village Bookstore. Newly opened in the Corn Exchange in a lovely bright and relaxed space. In their own words they are an.. “art book store, gallery and publishing house … We offer a curated selection of contemporary artist books, creative magazines and self-published zines from independent publishers”.

Thinking of today’s festivities I was reminded of the book ‘Haunted Air’ by Ossian Brown, published in 2010, it contains a collection of found Halloween photographs c1875-1955. It’s simple in design and you feel like you are leafing through the photos themselves. Illustrating a bygone Halloween without mass produced plastic bloodshed, the monochrome homemade costumes and anonymous forgotten people make it a beautiful and haunting book.

I’m just back from three lovely weeks in Norway, with lots of holiday photos to sort and a few blog posts to write – I’ve made a small start by scanning my polaroids.

With the last batch of 600 film all gone from the polaroid factory prices are rising fast. Although I have some left I don’t think I will buy anymore unless the impossible project do the impossible and bring it back.. here’s hoping.

Gardens at Blois, Loire

• More polaroids taken in France

I always wanted a Polaroid camera, one of the models that allows focus and depth of field. I have been given a Polaroid 680. Its a lovely balance between shooting digital and film. I have to think carefully about every shot but have the instant gratification of that special one-off picture.

These pre-fab homes in York may soon be up for demolition to make way for modern housing. Built in 1975/76 the 100 buildings are known as ‘Discus Bungalows’. The wide structures are hard to photograph but I wanted to capture the unusual buildings before they are gone. I think they are lovely and particularly like the individual colours and open communal gardens.

• Discus Bungalow redevelopment takes a step closer from City of York Council
• Richard Heep’s Pre-fab Photos
• PREFABS: Factory homes for post-War England from English Heritage
• Palaces for the People: Prefabs in Post-war Britain the book that appears to be very hard to get hold of – I’m still trying.

I’ve just got back from working in Portugal. There wasn’t much time for sightseeing but, where I could, I photographed the tiles (Azulejo) that adorn the exteriors of many buildings. Azulejo was introduced to Portugal, via Spain, by the Moors in the 15th century. This tradition has continued and I was pleased to find modern tiles around the area of Tavira in the Algarve.

• Full set of images in my Portuguese Tiles set on Flickr
• Azulejos de Portugal group photos on Flickr
• The history of Azulejo from Wikipedia

The paper mill looked as though it hadn’t been touched since the last bell went. I had never appreciated how much work went into making paper, this was a huge operation. I really enjoyed the areas that gave you a glimpse of the people that worked there such as offices, lockers, mess rooms and canteens.

• Full set of images in my Abandoned Paper Mill set on Flickr