As i have neglected this blog for so long i felt the need to update with my latest picture, In fact my flickr stream is sadly lacking too but not for the fact im not taking pictures.
Im actually not taking pictures I feel like sharing with everyone, Im not taking "public" pictures at the moment which was a surprise to me and also a revelation.
When i picked up my 400D my main goal was to be able to take better pictures of family and friends and maybe take a picture or two that said something to others out there that didn't know me. I wished to be more technically competent yet also be able to capture people with a natural look and not just the stiff posed deer in the headlights look and with a lot of pictures im taking now im actually doing just that.
I know i have quite a way to go but i have relaxed into the pictures a little more now, They don't have to be pixel perfect technically superior pieces of "ART" i can actually take a snapshot again which to me seems to say i have gone on to another stage of shooting, One where I actually can make the camera do what i wish most of the time without having to RTFM and i can also play a little more with the subject and make them enjoy having their picture taken like my son who is still smiling in the picture and not looking bored at me while i adjust/tweak/changelens/batteryfiddle etc etc.
So here is to the exciting times ahead where i try to find thing i can and want to share with the public again instead of just for and of family and friends.
Friday 18 December 2009
Friday 16 October 2009
Voyeuristic intentions.
People watching is fun !
No honestly it is, Im not confident enough to stick my camera in peoples faces yet i find some of the street reportage style work posted on flickr great.
I have a limited number of shots that i have taken while people watching but i seem to miss the "decisive moment" as it were and think to myself wow that would of made a great picture, I guess its all in the timing and the ability to predict the event and my timing is still a little off.
I am working on it though so i expect there will be a few more pictures in my portfolio of street scenes if i can get my timing right.
Anyway here is a link to Stephen Wright's flickr stream who does manage to get the timing right and he has a great ability to predict the picture before it happens.
No honestly it is, Im not confident enough to stick my camera in peoples faces yet i find some of the street reportage style work posted on flickr great.
I have a limited number of shots that i have taken while people watching but i seem to miss the "decisive moment" as it were and think to myself wow that would of made a great picture, I guess its all in the timing and the ability to predict the event and my timing is still a little off.
I am working on it though so i expect there will be a few more pictures in my portfolio of street scenes if i can get my timing right.
Anyway here is a link to Stephen Wright's flickr stream who does manage to get the timing right and he has a great ability to predict the picture before it happens.
Tuesday 15 September 2009
The race
Yes its that time of year again when the summer starts to end and the nights draw in, People often get discouraged in their photography towards the winter and you really shouldn't as with autumn just around the corner the trees are starting to look great with all the greens yellows browns and reds.
Find an established old woodland and break out that flash to get some great shots of the many varied fungi that will be making its appearance shortly as it gets damper, The morning light is easier to catch too as it pops its head up later and later in the day so you can practice those misty morning sunrise shots just remember to wrap up warm !
Find an established old woodland and break out that flash to get some great shots of the many varied fungi that will be making its appearance shortly as it gets damper, The morning light is easier to catch too as it pops its head up later and later in the day so you can practice those misty morning sunrise shots just remember to wrap up warm !
Thursday 25 June 2009
Not all it seems
After getting excited at finding these little caterpillars and taking a few pictures i decided to try and find out about them and what kind of moth/butterfly they would turn out to be, It turns out they are not what they seem as they are the larvae stage of the Sawfly and they wont be turning into anything nice and pretty (depending on your viewpoint) so im still looking for a couple of real caterpillars to make a chrysalis and show the kids...Bah !
Sunday 21 June 2009
Fixing a 430 EX
Whilst playing with my flash + umbrella + light stand i managed to drop my 430 on the carpeted floor which I didn't think had caused any damage.
Sadly this wasnt the case as when i turned off the flash and then turned it back on again it gave a scary sounding grinding noise and wouldnt switch mode, I realised this was due to the motor not operating as it should so with all due care ( and thoughts of zapping myself silly with the inner workings of a strobe) I removed the 8 screws hiding under the circular parts on the sides of the head which allowed the case to come apart.
A little slight pressure on the front of the flash (with the fresnel screens removed) and i heard a little click as the motor re-engaged and with a quick test i was ready to put it all back together again.
PHEW another strobe saved ! its all working as it should again.
Sadly this wasnt the case as when i turned off the flash and then turned it back on again it gave a scary sounding grinding noise and wouldnt switch mode, I realised this was due to the motor not operating as it should so with all due care ( and thoughts of zapping myself silly with the inner workings of a strobe) I removed the 8 screws hiding under the circular parts on the sides of the head which allowed the case to come apart.
A little slight pressure on the front of the flash (with the fresnel screens removed) and i heard a little click as the motor re-engaged and with a quick test i was ready to put it all back together again.
PHEW another strobe saved ! its all working as it should again.
Thursday 4 June 2009
The importance of notes
Once again i have fallen foul of my own short-sightedness/laziness as I have been out taking pictures without notes, So what ? you may ask.
Take this picture as an example while taking the four or five different angles it wouldnt of hurt to take a picture of the label that was at the base of the plant and i would of been able to tell you the common and latin name of this beautiful plant, I could of added the names to the tags in Flickr helping out some other lazy person with a shot of the same flower and maybe even driven some views to my account as they searched for pictures of the same, As it is its just a pretty flower that i do not know the name of.
All that for the sake of a few seconds to take a picture or make a note, No contest really is there ?
Take this picture as an example while taking the four or five different angles it wouldnt of hurt to take a picture of the label that was at the base of the plant and i would of been able to tell you the common and latin name of this beautiful plant, I could of added the names to the tags in Flickr helping out some other lazy person with a shot of the same flower and maybe even driven some views to my account as they searched for pictures of the same, As it is its just a pretty flower that i do not know the name of.
All that for the sake of a few seconds to take a picture or make a note, No contest really is there ?
Saturday 23 May 2009
Lightbox !
So anyway adding more to the DIY lightbox topic, I found the walls made from white tissue x2 are very thin and fragile so im going to try to update it next week when i have time with some tracing paper or greaseproof paper and take some test shots to see if there is any sort of colour cast or any problems.
The lightbox is fun to use and I have a queue of items that need to be photographed so if anyone is watching my Flickr stream i will say sorry now as it may get a little lightbox heavy as i play with the materials its made from and the actual lightsources used for illumination.
The lego picture is rather grey at one side due to the single lightsource but overall im happy with how this first image turned out.
The lightbox is fun to use and I have a queue of items that need to be photographed so if anyone is watching my Flickr stream i will say sorry now as it may get a little lightbox heavy as i play with the materials its made from and the actual lightsources used for illumination.
The lego picture is rather grey at one side due to the single lightsource but overall im happy with how this first image turned out.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
DIY Lightbox
I thought i would get off my lazy behind and make a lightbox with the basic design coming from Strobist.com
Mine is very similar and gives nice results ready to shift some stuff that I no longer use with a view to buying some nice new Lee ND filters.
Hopefully the photographs will make people spend more as they look better and it only cost me about £3 as I had most of the items anyway so its a win win situation.
The Sigma lens im selling is a great lens if you have plenty of light or you compensate to allow for it, Sharp and light enough to carry about all day for a walk around lens.
So people make yourself a light box even if its just to have a play about with as its fun and cheap to do and you never know when you might need to take a few "product/stock" shots.
Mine is very similar and gives nice results ready to shift some stuff that I no longer use with a view to buying some nice new Lee ND filters.
Hopefully the photographs will make people spend more as they look better and it only cost me about £3 as I had most of the items anyway so its a win win situation.
The Sigma lens im selling is a great lens if you have plenty of light or you compensate to allow for it, Sharp and light enough to carry about all day for a walk around lens.
So people make yourself a light box even if its just to have a play about with as its fun and cheap to do and you never know when you might need to take a few "product/stock" shots.
Thursday 30 April 2009
Exploring Blue and Green
Flickr has this strange algorithm that can grab one of your pictures and throw it into explore, While it has no bearing on subject,composition focus or technical ability people still seem to chase after the mystical HDR bokeh loving Donkey that is the explore picture picker.
Im happy if real people like my pictures and if a picture does make explore (like this one) i just hope it draws more people towards my stream and garners me more comments which helps me progress as a photographer.
More comments = happy me !
Im happy if real people like my pictures and if a picture does make explore (like this one) i just hope it draws more people towards my stream and garners me more comments which helps me progress as a photographer.
More comments = happy me !
Monday 20 April 2009
Chinese imports
Out in Clumber park and on the lake was this great Mandarin duck, Part of the British wildlife yet was an original import from China.
As my photography progresses so does my knowledge in wildlife so it seems to be a hobby that just keeps expanding my knowledge in more ways than one.
As my photography progresses so does my knowledge in wildlife so it seems to be a hobby that just keeps expanding my knowledge in more ways than one.
Wednesday 15 April 2009
Hide and seek
A trip to Clumber park to scout out the location and see what was there as I hadn't been for a long time, Last time I went to take pictures there was with my trusty film camera many years ago.
In fact now I think about it I didn't even have kids back then I just wish I had the money to carry on processing film and buying lenses back then, Thank god for digital as it has been great to try different techniques and angles and getting feedback instantly so I can learn and move forward in my photography.
I myself am happy with my progress and I know im slowly getting more consistent with my pictures, Hopefully I can continue slowly improving over time and you will see how I do here.
In fact now I think about it I didn't even have kids back then I just wish I had the money to carry on processing film and buying lenses back then, Thank god for digital as it has been great to try different techniques and angles and getting feedback instantly so I can learn and move forward in my photography.
I myself am happy with my progress and I know im slowly getting more consistent with my pictures, Hopefully I can continue slowly improving over time and you will see how I do here.
Thursday 9 April 2009
Delivery of snow !
Had a quick google for my images and came across this one that has been used by BBC Derby, I submitted it but didn't realise they had used it !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/image_galleries/weather_2009_01_gallery.shtml?22
http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/content/image_galleries/weather_2009_01_gallery.shtml?22
Creativity: Learn to filter your world
While looking for inspiration and learning i came across a wonderful lesson which I am going to have a go at as my creativity sometimes gets filtered out in the technical aspects of photography.
I have also bookmarked this blog as there are some great travel photography ideas on there.
Creativity: Learn to filter your world
Posted using ShareThis
I have also bookmarked this blog as there are some great travel photography ideas on there.
Creativity: Learn to filter your world
Posted using ShareThis
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Waiting
A trip to the coast to take a few sea shots with sunsets long exposures and general coastal views was a waste of time yesterday as the clouds and mist never cleared leaving me with a dark grey day.
I did however come across the RNLI training on Skegness beach while my kids played on the pier amusements so the day wasn't a total loss.
Waves were a little rough and i was amazed at how close the main boat was able to get to the beach at one point im sure you could of walked up and got on to it without getting up to your waist in water.
I did however come across the RNLI training on Skegness beach while my kids played on the pier amusements so the day wasn't a total loss.
Waves were a little rough and i was amazed at how close the main boat was able to get to the beach at one point im sure you could of walked up and got on to it without getting up to your waist in water.
Friday 3 April 2009
Winds of change
Ahh well after being contacted by Nottingham County Council for use of this image on thier bus shelters I have been informed it isnt going to be used after all, It seems it cant be placed in Nottingham so they no longer want to use it.
Never mind im currently in talks with someone else who wants to use one or more of my images so lets hope that one pans out.
Never mind im currently in talks with someone else who wants to use one or more of my images so lets hope that one pans out.
Thursday 2 April 2009
Nice green tan
I have just rediscovered a place near me that has a wonderfully varied habitat and is just on my doorstep, Its amazing how we tend to look further away for something interesting to shoot and we don't look around our own home town and im as guilty as anyone.
I guess i need to seek a little more locally and learn to keep my eyes open more for these little parks, Nature spots and even places in the urban landscape we pass and try not to take notice of as it is so commonplace to us, Approach your home town as if you were a tourist i seem to remember someone writing someplace !
Anyway this place is called Portland park and is near a town called Kirkby in Ashfield and it has places to walk, sit and observe with lots of wildlife like frogs, Birds, Squirrels and suchlike im sure i will have fun there in the coming months unless i forget its there again...
I guess i need to seek a little more locally and learn to keep my eyes open more for these little parks, Nature spots and even places in the urban landscape we pass and try not to take notice of as it is so commonplace to us, Approach your home town as if you were a tourist i seem to remember someone writing someplace !
Anyway this place is called Portland park and is near a town called Kirkby in Ashfield and it has places to walk, sit and observe with lots of wildlife like frogs, Birds, Squirrels and suchlike im sure i will have fun there in the coming months unless i forget its there again...
Monday 30 March 2009
Rother valley flyer
After spending some time at Rother Valley in Rotherham I figured what the "L" part of my lens means, Leap in the air !
Every time I pointed it in the direction of a boarder they leapt, Jumped and twisted on command, i must visit there more often.
This is the first time i have had the 100-400 lens out to shoot any sport and I have to say the focal length is great for this type of sport and its not too heavy to carry and walk about with which was one of my main concerns when i got the lens.
Every time I pointed it in the direction of a boarder they leapt, Jumped and twisted on command, i must visit there more often.
This is the first time i have had the 100-400 lens out to shoot any sport and I have to say the focal length is great for this type of sport and its not too heavy to carry and walk about with which was one of my main concerns when i got the lens.
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Tit
After reading a few different articles and looking at other peoples photographs I have decided to stop marking my pictures with a watermark.
I mean its not hard to clone or crop my small watermark out yet a large one ruins pictures for the viewers which is defeating the object of actually wanting others to view them, I may change my mind in the future and i reserve that right.
I am also playing with my permissions and licences at the moment and i will have to see how that one works out.
I mean its not hard to clone or crop my small watermark out yet a large one ruins pictures for the viewers which is defeating the object of actually wanting others to view them, I may change my mind in the future and i reserve that right.
I am also playing with my permissions and licences at the moment and i will have to see how that one works out.
Tuesday 24 March 2009
L of a Heron
Had a chance to try out my new Canon 100-400mm L zoom today and even with a little user error im very pleased with the clarity, Colour and contrast of it.
I managed to get a few good pictures and a lot of great information on how to use the lens and how far i could push the IS which is one of the things i wanted to try to play with.
Great zoom lens hope i get some more chances to use it very soon.
I managed to get a few good pictures and a lot of great information on how to use the lens and how far i could push the IS which is one of the things i wanted to try to play with.
Great zoom lens hope i get some more chances to use it very soon.
Wednesday 18 March 2009
Droplets
Just out this morning playing with my new Canon 100mm Macro lens and i must say it is really sharp and great to use, Im sure that as i play more with this lens i will get some great results from it.
I havent had time to set it up on a tripod yet and get full depth of field out of it but im sure it will impress me just as much, This is a quick grab with the web blowing about in the wind so any softness is due to the bad technique not the lens.
I havent had time to set it up on a tripod yet and get full depth of field out of it but im sure it will impress me just as much, This is a quick grab with the web blowing about in the wind so any softness is due to the bad technique not the lens.
Monday 16 March 2009
Sam the Suffolk Sheep
So I have this fairly innocent sheep called Sam sat in my pictures and it seems to get a steady stream of hits from Italy, Germany and England.
No nothing kinky just people looking for Suffolk Sheep and i cant seem to find out why all i know is this seems to be the most popular breed of sheep for some reason.
Of course if anyone does know why there is so much interest please let me know !
No nothing kinky just people looking for Suffolk Sheep and i cant seem to find out why all i know is this seems to be the most popular breed of sheep for some reason.
Of course if anyone does know why there is so much interest please let me know !
Friday 13 March 2009
Hello World ?
So in an effort to try to understand my photography im using this Blog as a thinking tool, Im not sure what may be posted but hopefully i can get a reader or two in time and i may just progress with my photography.
I have just got two new lenses and they do the complete opposite of one another so it might be fun to do a rolling review as I use them.
Why start a Blog on Friday the 13th of all days ? Well as 13 has always been my lucky number its as good a time as any I suppose.
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