Over here we have an organisation called English Heritage that deal with what's called Listed Buildings - old buildings that are either very interesting or of historical importance. At the moment they are producing a website of all 370,000 listed buildings in the UK for reference purposes, and in doing this will be putting pictures of each one with a description. Well, after seeing an article in the local rag I applied to them and am now officially a volunteer photographer for them!!! Wahey!!! OK, there's quite a few of us and it's on a voluntary basis, but it's a very respected organisation over here and will look great on my CV (resume). Essentially they supply the film (nope, NO digital! ARGH!), processing and lists of buildings (which technically can be buildings, barns, bridges, milestones etc) and pay my expenses, so I just go out and snap for a coupla days a month..... hell, what could be easier and more fun?!? Mikey is one happy little God. (",)

Awww.....that sounds fun! Lucky you.....I'm jealous!

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

Neat! Can we come and help?

Great! That sounds like a lot of fun and a worthy mission to be a part of. Unfortunately in the US, at least my part of it, we tend to knock down neat old buildings to put on parking lots and such. That's kinda what got me started on shooting some of the stuff I shoot. I know in 10 years or so, they'll be gone! So if I want to see them later, I need to photograph them now! Downtown Nashville used to have so many wonderful old buildings, now I bet 60% of the reallt neat ones that I saw in my childhood are gone. I envy the fact that our neighbors across the pond still have buildings that have been standing for decades and some for centuries.... Jack

that is because Americans are like magpies, they just love shiny new things.it takes a huge signature drive to get any building perserved as a historical landmark.in calif. if you can prove that a building has historical providence, no matter what kind of building, the state has to preserve it.

Congrats to the new job

Ok Mike, I just have to ask. Does this give you special
access to these buildings in order to photograph them?
Like, access during normally closed hours so you don't
have to fight with crowds, or access to closed off parts
of buildings?

Sounds like a very cool gig indeed.

Cool, great news ; )

elusive.chaos

"You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star...." (Nietzsche)

Excellent stuff Mike! Like Artemia, I hope this means you get official access onto these sites...in best Mony-Python voice now "You lucky bastard!" lol, but genuine pleasure at your news, from your antipodean irritant! :-)>

he he, Punks, you had me saying that line in it's true style just for effect!!! Thanks all, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to getting my first list of 'targets' and getting started!!! (",)

Congrats pal, would love to do similar things too. Did I got it right, they pay your expenses too? Mean gas, hotels(if needed)? HUH. I would pay to get even that list and now you're getting everything for free. Imagine the shooting-experience you will get. .n

Kewlness, Mikey!!! Have fun! :-) (*