Feminism Friday: Doctorin' the TARDIS

As the break in season six of 'New Who' drew to a close back in August, in my excitement at the return of the Doctor, I wrote a guest post for Bad Reputation on why I thought that Doctor Who is a feminist show. I rattled on about the programme's best strong female characters - Sarah-Jane Smith, Ace, Amy Pond and River Song - mentioned that the show didn't conform to the usual gender stereotypes, and reminded everyone that the Doctor didn't actually have to take a human male form. During the episodes which followed, it's almost as if the show's writers were determined to prove me wrong.

In the first episode back, River Song spouted some terrible lines that insinuated she was somewhat obsessed with losing weight and going shopping. Although this was probably designed to illustrate that, at that point in time, the character was considerably younger than the River we've all grown to love, I'm sure the writers could have illustrated this in some other way. A way that better fitted the 'before' and 'after' that we'd already been shown. In addition, Amy Pond looked like she was really going places, and was being developed really interestingly as a character, until she got left on earth for a bit and seemed to forget all the fantastic stuff she's capable of doing. Sarah Ditum blogged yesterday about her disappointment in Amy Pond going from Space Samurai to Supermodel within a couple of episodes. OK, so it wasn't the same Amy as the one who'd spent 36 years alone waiting for the Doctor and Rory to return, but to do that with a character - to make her able to build her own sonic screwdriver one minute, and then be advertising perfume the next - what does that say about women? That we're really only worth something if we look gorgeous? I do hope that they're going somewhere rather spectacular with this Petrichor perfume ad. I'm hoping Moffat has a plan.

[And yes, the title of this post is purely so that I can justify a little Timelords action.]

Body-positive charity burlesque!

There are plenty of burlesque and cabaret nights to choose from in the capital, but the stages at many of them are often only filled with a certain type of woman. Not everyone is a toned size 10 and not everyone wants to be either, but some burlesque nights do still seem to be all about the male gaze. To me, burlesque isn't just about the glittertits. So, when I was asked to appear in in an event (as my burlesque alter-ego Miss Lolly Pops) where a bunch of girls would take their knickers off on stage for them to be auctioned for charity, I was rather skeptical. However, as it was being organised by some friends of mine (including the delectable Honey Schnapps, pictured), I decided to ask for more information. It turned out that Barelesque was devised for the female gaze and will be 100% body-positive to boot! There will be singing and dancing plus sexy people getting their kit off, and this sumptuous night of sin promises to be practically guilt-free too as it’s all for an extremely virtuous cause.

On 12th October, the Barelesque stage will feature a beautiful variety of female bodies - tall, short, petite, curvy, dark and pale - plus the night will include performances from a slam diva poet, male and female burlesque artists and even an opera singer! All this will take place under the watchful eye of Mat Fraser, MC of legendary shows at many famous venues including New York’s Slipper Room. As well as the performances, there will be a charity auction, where the audience will be able to bid for the underwear displayed by Barelesque's naughty lingerie models. There will be seven Deadly Sins to tempt you, and three Virtues to keep you sweet. All money raised - from ticket sales, the lingerie auction and also sales of Rubyyy Jones' famous cuntcakes - will go to the Albert Kennedy Trust. The Trust supports young LGBT people aged between 16 and 25 who are homeless or who live in a hostile environment. Many of the young people supported by the charity have been rejected by their families or bullied at school for coming out.

The seriously sexy performers, all of whom have donated their services for free to help Barelesque raise money for this good cause, include: Alison Brumfitt, a notorious performance poet and slam diva; Michelle Crozier, a decadent opera diva; British Heart, a legendary burlesque boy; Honey Schnapps, a badass burlesque girl; Rubyyy Jones, an award-winning erotic artist, writer and performer; and Barelesque's own very naughty lingerie models, who will be auctioning their underwear to the highest bidder. And, yes, I shall be there as one of Barelesque's three Virtues... Hope.

Barelesque will take place on Wednesday 12th October 2011 at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY. Tickets are £10 until 30th September and £12 thereafter, available from Ticketweb. Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Image of Honey Schnapps by The Hourglass, Avarice by Sarah Hepworth and Charity by Christopher Andreou.

Note to self...

We all want to help our friends in times of need. Some of us will always be there to listen and offer advice when asked, time and time again, simply because we want to. Because we care about the people close to us and their problems. Occasionally though, this can result in us forgetting to look after ourselves. When it gets to the point where you're feeling bad for not being able to be there for someone and it starts to affect your own emotional well-being, the time has come to take a step back and think of number one. Remember that you're not a counsellor or a therapist. You're not a mental health professional. You don't have to do this and you're not actually going to be any good at it if you're a bit of a mess yourself.

Sometimes we have to say no, and then take some time for ourselves. It's just not possible to support others all the time. If they're true friends, they'll understand... and, when you need it most, they'll hopefully be there for you too.

The Alternative A-to-Z of Sex: Instinct

This series is labelled 'alternative' because it's not about the first thing that would pop into most people's heads when given the subject of sex and a single letter of the alphabet. It's designed to make you think and to still be mostly safe for work. So far it has contained many things that are far more important for good sex than many people would have you think. Forget those lists of positions and oral tips "to blow his mind" in mainstream magazines. The Rarely Wears Lipstick Alternative A-to-Z of sex is a different beast entirely. Today, I is for instinct.

No matter how good or bad you think your instincts are, you'd be a fool not to trust them. If something doesn't feel quite right, you really should be listening to that little voice inside and asking yourself whether or not you should be doing it. Don't question your instincts, but question the things your instincts warn you about. If that partner seems wrong in some way, ask yourself why. If something you try out in bed feels strange, stop or change it until you find something you're happy with. No one curses themselves for trusting their instincts, but many who don't listen to them often wish they had.

Recommendation: Lyla by LELO

Ever since I attended one of Coco de Mer's salons last year, I have wanted to own a LELO Pleasure Object. When Sam Roddick passed various sample vibrators around the group at her workshop, I marvelled at just how different they were to anything else in the shop, and also any I had used before. They were beautifully designed quality items that were sensuous to use - even when just testing the vibrations in the palm of your hand whilst sat in a room full of strangers! The firm yet tactile finish felt luxurious, the buttons were inviting to use, and several experienced women in the room mentioned that they already owned a LELO massager and they would most definitely recommend them. High praise indeed.

So, when I received an email recently asking if I'd like to join their affiliate programme, I thought long and hard about it. My main problem with the idea was that I don't carry traditional paid-for advertising on Rarely Wears Lipstick and so all my recommendations come in the form of reviews of products I have already used. Sadly, I did not yet own anything made by LELO, so I thought I would ask if there was any chance of acquiring one of their personal massagers for review purposes. To my great delight, not only did the lovely people at LELO agree to this, but they were also just about to launch a rather exciting new range: Insignia SenseMotion.

These waterproof couples’ massagers each have a wireless remote that features motion-sensor technology, much like the type of thing you'd find in an iPhone or Nintendo Wii controller. This means the vibrations can be controlled by a slight movement of the hand or flick of the wrist, rather than just by pressing buttons. LELO's SenseMotion press release says that: "SenseMotion offers an unprecedented way to interact with personal massagers, as users tilt, shake or turn the wireless controller to vary vibration patterns as freely as they choose". In addition, the controller itself vibrates - a function that you can also switch off, if desired - and is synchronised with the massager, so that the person holding the controller can feel the vibrations their partner is experiencing.

There are three products in the range - available in three colours - each with a different design and intended application. Tiani is designed for women to wear during intercourse, Oden is designed for men to wear, but I chose the interesting variety offered by the Lyla. An egg-like massager that can be used externally or worn internally by women, it promises "discreet yet powerful vibrations [...] potential to control from distance bring untold possibilities in couples’ play". How could I possibly resist?

When my Lyla arrived, I experienced the sort of delight I often get when I lay my hands on a new gadget. Despite the fact that they are essentially a gadget themselves, this part of the 'technojoy' rarely happens with me for vibrators as they are usually packaged rather cheaply, but this was much more like unwrapping a quality item like a smartphone. After plugging the massager in to charge, I settled down to read the instructions and familiarise myself with the controller. After all, no one wants a rather intense personal moment spoiled as they fumble to find the right button, right? Thankfully the instructions are clear and the controller itself takes batteries, so I was able to get to grips with most of the settings before trying out the wireless functionality.

Like the rest of the SenseMotion range, the Lyla has two vibration modes that are operated simply by moving the wireless controller, and an additional six modes that use the 3-button interface which appears across the Insignia range. This provides a massive amount of variation in the sensations Lyla can provide and so I would be amazed if there was anyone out there who couldn't find a vibration setting they liked. If you are a fan of using a buzz to get you off, then this toy would most definitely be for you! However, this is only the beginning. Once you activate the main part of the massager, linking it wirelessly to the remote, things just get better.

The vibrations that you feel from the massager are the same as those from the remote, only quieter. Because of this, it is a much better couples' toy than the traditional wireless controller variety, as the person selecting the vibration setting can feel what the other person is feeling. This would give couples a much better idea of what works well for their partner, without having the added complication of positioning and angling the vibrations themselves. You control where you want the vibrations, and they decide how intense they are. I found the SenseMotion modes extremely playful and fun and thought they could definitely inspire some beautifully exploratory and sensual sex.

As well as being a fantastic toy for use with other people, I thought that Lyla also excelled for solo use. The six traditional vibration settings offer a wide variety of sensations - with intensity easily adjusted up or down - and the motor in the remote can be switched off or on. This allows for self-play either with internal and external vibrations together, or simply with your favourite setting on the massager and the silenced remote put to one side until you're done.

Basically, this little beauty is several toys in one. Several very good toys. I didn't think I'd ever find anything as satisfying as my embarrassingly ugly Bedside Bullet, but LELO have managed something much better and it's gorgeous too. After wasting money on several cheaper vibrators whilst trying to find The One, I can now see that I should just have saved up and bought from LELO in the first place. Whether you're with partners or alone, I think that you'll find they have rather hit the spot with Insignia SenseMotion.

Competition time: And the winner is...

Thanks very much to everyone who entered the Playful Promises Pin-Up Panties competition. I really loved reading through all your fantastic stories but, after the first few were posted, I realised it was going to be impossible for me to judge this myself because so many of my lovely friends had chosen to submit entries. Knowing who had written each story was clearly going to affect my judgement, and so I decided that what I needed was a guest judge to make the decision on my behalf. That way I could ensure that each entry was judged on the story itself, rather than who wrote it. All fine in theory, but who could I trust to make an objective choice? It needed to be someone who is caring, un-shockable and who understands that it is possible to really need a pair of super sexy panties.

My first and only choice for the job was Urban Tantra Master London Faerie. As the the founder of sex-positive spaces After Pandora and Sacred Pleasures, Faerie is open-minded enough to be able to judge without prejudice. So, yesterday I anonymised all the entries, emailed them over to The Pot and the Faerie's reply was this: "I made a shortlist: 1, 2, 3 and 7. Then I read them again and I asked myself who REALLY needs these pants. I decided no. 7 was the most in need. I also liked the fact that she shared the link with others 'against her best interests'. That definitely works for me".

So the winner is Sophie Orbaum! Sophie chose the snake charmer panties and so a pair of those will be heading her way very soon. I do hope they help her charm some very impressive snakes.

Feminism Friday: Gender stereotypes are GREAT

Gender stereotypes and advertising go together so well, don't they? After all, if people complain about them it just generates more publicity, right? OK, so that may not be how advertising agencies actually work, but sometimes I really do wonder. Over on The Guardian's Women's Blog this week, Bim Adewunmi points out the lack of women in the posters for the new "GREAT Britain" campaign. This is indeed a fair point (and I totally agree with her when she says they missed a trick by not using an image of the Duchess of Cambridge). However, the thing that most stands out to me in the poster they feature is that it sums up shopping with a gender stereotype. Yes, it is pretty much the only mention of women in the campaign, but there is a bigger story about the campaign itself. David Cameron told us we live in "Broken Britain", and now he's announcing to the rest of the world that it's "GREAT Britain"? No, I don't really care that much for the campaign at all, but the tired old use of gender stereotyping did bug me quite a bit.

Selecting an image of a high-heeled shoe to illustrate shopping is really quite lazy. Why not some generic yet classy shopping bags? Or a bright and airy mall interior? Instead it looks like they've just assumed shopping is "what girls do" and then selected the first Sex-and-the-City-esque image that came up on Google. If you want to get people to spend more money, Mr Cameron, perhaps you should appeal to PEOPLE to do that? Mind you, I am grateful for one thing. At least they didn't go with anything along the lines of the image that the Daily Fail use to advertise their Femail section. A stiletto and lipstick? Yes, because you're worth it, dear.

The Alternative A-to-Z of Sex: Honesty

Honesty may be the best policy when it comes to relationships, at least as far as I'm concerned, but it's also a pretty important component of sex. Right from the moment we find ourselves sexually attracted to someone, dishonesty can cause all sorts of problems if it's left to seep in. We need to be honest about who we're attracted to and whether or not we plan on acting on our impulses. We need to be honest about contraception choices, our sexual history and whether or not we've been tested. Once we've hooked up with someone, we also need to remember that our sexual partners are not mind-readers and so we need to remember to tell them what we like and dislike sexually. This doesn't always have to be verbal, but some form of honest communication certainly helps when perfecting that extra special form of physical fun.

As well as honesty regarding orgasms and what does/doesn't work for you, it helps to be honest about the ridiculous stuff that happens because, after all, sex isn't always serious. If you can't laugh off those embarrassing noises then you'll never relax enough to give yourself over to enjoying really great orgasms. Sex is hot, messy, silly, frantic, sensual, noisy and often really rather hilarious. It's often at its most perfect when it's imperfect. So, in order to fully enjoy sex, we need to be honest both with ourselves and each other.

Competition time: The circus is in town!

What better way to start a new week here at Rarely Wears Lipstick, than with a competition?Not just any old giveaway either, this is one where you can get you hands on some absolutely gorgeous knickers and inject a little bit more glamour into your life. I know you're all amazingly glamorous anyway but, if you're anything like me, you may need that little bit of extra help on a Monday! As featured in the rather exotic issue 4 of Playful Promises Magazine, these Circus Pin-Up Panties are just the sort of thing to brighten your (or a loved one's) day, as they don't only look cute in their gorgeous gift tin, but they also look pretty amazing once you've wiggled into them too.

The lovely people over at Playful Promises are going to give one lucky winner a choice between three gorgeous styles. If your entry is chosen, you can decide to be one of the following: a feisty Ring Mistress (ooh er!) in sexy black satin with buttons, lace and ruching to emphasise your delightful behind; a sultry Snake Charmer (pictured) in purple and black with gorgeous little bows; or an outrageous Tiger Tamer in hot pink with a naughty heart-shaped lace-covered cut out on your posterior. Tempted? I thought you might be.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me which circus siren you would like to be and when you would wear the panties. It can be anything from a true tale of a party you're attending with a hot date, to a fantasy scenario where your sexy new circus skills are somehow appreciated by that stranger you've been eyeing up on the train to work every day. Cheeky or raunchy, cute or outrageous, I need you to tell me a very short story that leaves me in no doubt as to why you really need these knickers in your life. You have until 5.30pm on Friday, when I shall choose the tale that moves me the most. Entertain, amuse, titillate or plead - the choice is yours. Don't forget to make sure you leave an email address so that I can get in touch to tell you if you've won. Good luck!

Feminism Friday: Sexist Slogans

Every now and again, someone tweets a link to something for sale on the internet which makes me do a double-take. Recently we've seen a girls' t-shirt with the slogan "I'm too pretty to do homework", and then Topman takes things a step further by comparing women to dogs and also making a list of 'excuses' for domestic violence into something that's apparently wearable. I don't know which is more annoying: a) the fact that a large company can get clothing like this all the way through to the point of sale without anyone pointing out that it's a load of sexist shit that should never have left the brain of the moron who came up with it, or b) some idiots still buy slogan t-shirts! Seriously people, what the fuck?

Image via Topman.

The Alternative A-to-Z of Sex: Gratification

It seems that the world is obsessed with instant gratification these days. We want it all, and we want it now. Give us those orgasms and don't take too long about it, goddamit! Deliver that newly purchased sex toy immediately or I shall take my business elesewhere next time! We've all become petulant and demanding. But what about deferred gratification? The ability to patiently wait for or work towards something you want is often considered to be a virtue, but this is rarely thought about when it comes to sex. The joy of anticipation as you wait to spend time with a lover can deliver a great deal of pleasure when you realise that the waiting itself actually adds something wonderful to the experience. A long-awaited dirty weekend can be even more delightful than a quickie, seeing a lover wearing something sexy that you spent a long time choosing for them can be amazing, and saving money for something expensive to enhance your sex life can bring more than simply a smile. Whether it's a gorgeous toy from Lelo, an accessory or two from Coco de Mer, or a beautiful handmade book of erotica produced by author Scarlett French, a thing of beauty is most definitely a joy forever. So, take your time and savour. Some things really are worth the wait.

Image by Scarlett French.

Kiss and make up

Make up is fascinating stuff. There is a strange kind of freedom in it being socially acceptable to apply a painted mask to your face before you head off into the outside world each day, but it is also rather odd that this is only widely acceptable within certain gendered restrictions. Adult women without make up are sometimes frowned upon, and men with even the slightest hint of eyeliner or lip gloss wouldn't be able to show their face in most work places. Although many feminists frown on the use of make up - or, more specifically, the social pressure on women to wear it - I have no such qualms because I realise that wearing cosmetics is a choice. Like many things, a lot of women don't realise it is a choice or don't yet have the courage to challenge the norm, but I have met many successful and beautiful women who get on just fine without the stuff. Hopefully many more will realise this over time.

In addition, I totally agree with Laura Barnett who pointed out in a post about make up in The Guardian's Women's Blog last month that she believed most women don't go through this expensive routine simply to please men. They apply the stuff for themselves, or in order to impress other make-up-wearing females. As a teenager, I used to hate cosmetics and would rarely wear anything on my face other than moisturiser. Then I tried mascara and discovered I had very long lashes which hardly show normally because the tips are blonde. Then I discovered concealer for my spots and powder to dull the shine of my freshly moisturised skin. Then I found out that eyeshadow in the right shade made my eyes stand out and, when I dyed my hair red, darkening my eyebrows with brown pencil made me look a bit more... finished. Every little thing I have tried over the years has now been condensed into a short morning or evening routine that helps me to prepare myself for what's to come. It's five minutes of painting that, like a child with a colouring-in book, helps me to switch my brain off a bit and focus. I don't have to do all the steps, but even just doing one thing is as much a part of my morning now as having breakfast.

I have to admit though, one part of my make up regime could indeed be a response to the reactions of others, including men. Part of the reason I rarely wear lipstick is because I get fewer kisses when I'm wearing something that will leave its mark. To be honest, it's also because I like it perfect and am too lazy to reapply throughout the day - I already spend quite enough time looking in the mirror as it is! - but the lack of kisses was the last straw. This is, however, still a purely selfish reason. If I wear my MAC Ruby Woo lippy, it's because I want to get noticed, hide my tiredness, or compliment my outfit - if I don't, it's because I'm lazy. Either way, it's a little feminist 'fuck you' to anyone who tells me what to do with my face. My make up is still a choice, which makes it even more of a shame when it's not to some people.

Feminism Friday: "Absolutely no regrets"

Every now and again, I am reminded how wonderful Madonna is. Recently I found a link to scans of the pages of her Sex book on Tumblr and spent a while marvelling at how bold she was back in 1992. Despite the fact that I have my own copy in storage somewhere and so have seen the text and images many times before now, every time I look at the book it means more because I have related to it in a new way at different points in my life. I never saw them as shocking or offensive but, now that I have reached my late 30s, the themes covered in the book make far more sense to me. Even though it may have initially seemed that she was simply out to shock, Madonna's book shows a personal exploration of sexuality, desire and the female body that was both brave and educational. At the time, despite the book's success, the media and general public reacted quite badly to its publication. "Mad Fan Al" sums it up beautifully in an Amazon review, stating:

"Middle America was on a clean up campaign which many, including Madonna, saw as an infringment on the country's celebrated freedom of speech and expression beliefs. She added to the debate by producing a book of her own Erotic fantasies which portrayed her take on sexuality and sex in a way SHE wanted it to be seen. She wanted to portay her own ideals of sex from the stand point of a straight, white woman and not as the object of some male, media hungry tycoon exploiting women the way the pornographic industry had done for decades. This was all good, outstanding actually, but most people (including the male dominated media) missed it and her point totally. The press actually felt extremely threatened by her and labelled her as anything from a tramp to a whore and everything in between, she was in reality a sexual woman in control."

Despite this, Madonna refused to apologise for the book and one of my favourite parts of the whole incident was when she wrote and released the song Human Nature, explaining how she felt about reactions to things she'd said and done. "Would it sound different if I were a man?" she asked us. Quite probably. At the peak of her career, Madonna was a strong woman who was a bold innovator, made her own choices, spoke her mind and regretted nothing. There is still a lot we can learn from her.

Image via Wikipedia.

What I Wore Today

Much as I love blogs where glamorous folk post photographs of what they're wearing, most of the time I lose interest after a while because they are more about following fashion than simply wearing clothes. Every day seems to be like something out of the pages of a style magazine for these people and it can all get a bit 'samey'. Then the intriguing Poppy Dinsey, of @PoppyD Twitter fame, made a new year's resolution in 2010 that caused a bit of a stir. A simple vow to wear something different every day and upload photos to a blog turned into something rather unusual... a real fashion blog about actual clothes rather than just trends. As Poppy wasn't a "fashion blogger" as such, she had no qualms about uploading occasional photos of her wearing baggy t-shirts, gym clothes, pyjamas or a kigu* which meant that site caught on in a way that many fashion blogs don't. The key things were that a) it was a lot of fun, and b) we all got to have our own little window into Poppy's life.

Being the smart lady that she is, Poppy soon realised that there was more that could be done with the concept. Everyone who visited What I Wore Today was loving the idea of looking at a stranger's daily outfit choices, plus most of them would have found the site via some sort of social network so... why not combine the two? If people could join the site to upload their own outfits, befriend other users, comment on favourite outfits and even tag items with links to where they bought them, how awesome would that be? Well, she's only gone and done it! The new WIWT is in beta right now, so you can sign up to get an account and start sharing your outfits with the rest of the world. Whether you like fashion, clothes or simply a nice bit of people-watching, WIWT is really rather fun. And it's not just for girls either.

*The photo accompanying this post is of me wearing own kigu.

The Alternative A-to-Z of Sex: First

In sex, there's always a first. What people think of most often when you say 'first' is the person you lost your virginity to, but there are many more firsts than that. From the first time you tried something out on yourself to the first time you tried it with a partner, our sexual lives are filled with times where the excitement levels far exceeded the available skills. A first time can be fun or fraught with problems. Sometimes you remember it clearly, other firsts are quickly forgotten.

Of course there's also the issue of who comes first. Whether it's teenagers in a race to the finish, long-term lovers carefully co-ordinating their climaxes, or a dominant telling their submissive the rules, who comes first is often considered and rarely completely ignored. And... who makes the first move? Well, it can colour your entire relationship from that moment on. Who says being first doesn't matter?

Image via sebastien.barre's Flickr photostream.

Photography for beginners

I wrote about my own photographic journey last year, but I've only ever given advice when someone has asked for it. After spending a day with my trusty Lomo LC-A and comparing notes with a friend on Twitter who was wondering why her shots always ended up disappointing, I decided to jot down a few things that I've learned over the last few years. So, if you're a beginner and want to start giving your photographs a bit more consideration, here are a few things that might help.

First of all, remember that you don't have to have amazing equipment to shoot a good photo. Just learn how the camera you have works and, once you know its limitations, you will be able to get better shots. Most people realise that adding 'effects' can give cameraphone shots more depth, but things like walking right up to the subject instead of using your digital zoom also help a massive amount. Take lots of photos and learn from your mistakes, and also look at shots you like to work out why you like them. Join Flickr, share your images, join groups, ask questions, take up challenges... it all helps and the learning sinks in when you're having fun!

Next, take a bit of time to learn a bit about how your camera works, as this will help you understand how it sees things (the three elements that make up an image are very useful). Check the instructions to see how to change the white balance, then make sure it's set up properly so that your shots don't have an ugly colour cast. Remember that you can focus on something by pushing the shutter release down halfway, then recompose the shot before taking it (e.g. so your subject doesn't have to be in the middle of the frame). Also, don't snap so fast that the autofocus doesn't have time to kick in! Oh, and switch off the automatic flash because it doesn't actually reach very far. You should always try a shot without it first, just to see what happens. I've seen people snap through windows or at concerts with the flash on and wonder why their shot won't come out.

As far as composition goes, as I briefly mentioned in the last paragraph, don't frame everything in the centre. The rule of thirds is useful to know, but remember that you can break it and still get great shots. Don't be afraid to get in close and fill the frame with your subject, but always physically get closer rather than using the zoom wherever possible. Also, go for a different viewpoint occasionally to mix things up. Look down, look up or shoot from the hip to get something a little bit different. If you don't try, you'll never know what works.

The 10 golden rules of Lomography are a great start to get you enjoying taking photographs and realising that it's not the end of the world when they don't come out. Sometimes shots don't work, and that's OK too.

Feminism Friday

Every week, I seem to encounter something that niggles at my inner feminist, so I've decided that this sort of thing probably deserves a regular spot on my blog. Either it's something infuriating which illustrates people's misunderstanding of feminism, strong women who say they are definitely not a feminist, or simply another reason why feminism is still relevant in 2011. Whatever your understanding of the finer points of the feminist movement, surely most rational intelligent human beings agree that, ideally, all people should be able to go through life without their gender having a negative effect on their day-to-day life and experiences? Whether or not you believe that gender differences are often down to nurture rather than nature, it is difficult to ignore all the evidence that shows women getting a bit of a rough deal. However, what is mentioned less often is that much of this also has a great effect on men too.

Take societal expectations of childcare responsibilities which affect women's career progression and pay, for example. This also has an affect on men who would like to care for their children but feel unable to, due to the fact that they are the higher earner or because many things - from maternity leave to baby changing facilities - are set up for mothers to be the primary care givers. At first glance, it looks like only women get a raw deal there, but the negative gender stereotypes can have effects in both directions. In my opinion, feminism's point is that everyone should be treated the same way, regardless of gender. You many not like the name, but the idea's a good one, right?

Image via natashalcd's Flickr photostream.