First off, apologies for writing about the exams and revision etc again, just can't help it. It is the number one priority for many students right now, including myself, hence this blog post (as the ultimate procrastination?). Now lets get to it...

Here is a little "app" that I put together in Excel. It is not the prettiest looking but it is simple and everyone can open it. It has only one function: to help you visualise your revision progress, so you know what needs doing the most. Initially I only did it for my own revision, but then I thought it might be helpful so I thought I would share it here (y)

You can download it right here, just click "Download File" below for the .xlsx spreadsheet file.If you found it helpful, feel free to share with your friends. You could even buy me a drink after exams if you are feeling generous :)

Scroll down a bit for instructions.

Just a short blog to warn fellow photographers to be careful where they leave their lenses this summer.

My friend Oli has a lens which is quite old and it has gone a bit mouldy unfortunately (Yes, lenses get mouldy like bread does if left for too long in the dark) He left it with the front lens cap off in his room, hoping to get some sun into the lens to kill off the mould to stop it getting worse . However it was a rare afternoon in Durham which the sun was blazing! The sunlight was pretty much shining straight into the lens  and just like Physics back at school, a lens + light = FIRE! According to Oli, "smoke was pouring out" and it burnt through the rear lens cap! (see photo above) 

If you dont use your kit often, it is recommended to get your kit and lenses out from storage every now and then to avoid mould and other problems (or to clean them, or the guilty pleasure of admiring their glow in the light *blush*), be VERY CAREFUL if you leave them in the sun though. They can probably set fire to most things if the light was right and they were left for too long, as my friend Oli found out the hard way.

Photo credits: Oliver Grimmett, check out his work here - www.olivergrimmett.co.uk

Thought I would share a few personal tips that I find useful during revision, or even just work in general.

1) Discouragements from leaving the work station
What I mean is, make it as hard as possible for you to get up to grab some water or food or notes, so that you are sat down, ready to go and some revision would eventually happen! Personally I have my notes spread all over the floor around my desk/chair with bottles of water at the ready so I don't usually need to get up for a couple of hours at a time. (Tie yourself to the chair if needs be, I wouldn't recommend tape, it leaves a right mess)