Sunset over Mudeford Quay
I live very near to this location so on a cold early evening I took my tripod, camera and a selection of ND filters to the edge of the Quayside.The tide was going out and moving at some pace so I put on an ND 10 filter to smooth out the fast flowing water together with an ND 4 graduated filter to control the sunset and bring some foreground detail out without needing to fix too much in the editing. At ISO 100 and f/22 an 8 second exposure did the trick.
EXIF: Canon 60D, ISO 100, 17mm, 0ev, f/22, 8.0s
A Touch of Spring
White Daffodil
This was taken back in Spring 2012 whilst I was shooting in a wood that has a great reputation for wild bluebells. It was growing wild but stood out for me as it seemed perfectly formed, flawless almost. It was also at the peak of it’s bloom and looking so proud.
By getting in close I was able to drop the background out of focus, and by exposing for the very bright petals it has created a background with zero distraction to the main subject.
It’s making me want Spring to come around again soon.
Canon 60D: EXIF ISO100, 85mm, 0ev, f/5,6, 1/50
Dolphin in Black and White
This is a re-edit of a photograph I published over a year ago. I’ve always loved this photo as I feel fortunate to have captured this beautiful creature in such favourable conditions – swimming wild in calm waters just a few miles off the coast of Vilamoura in Portugal.
My recent addiction to Black and White images prompted the re-edit and I like the results. Bearing in mind that most of his body is under water is a clue to just how calm the water was that day. I’d happily spend the rest of my days photographing wildlife like this.
Edited in Aperture 3. EXIF: ISO400, 90mm, 0ev, f/5.6, 1/1000
The Tree
This tree caught my eye as it made an imposing shape against a clear blue sky on a crispy Winter morning. Probably a more imposing figure in it’s glory days, it still made a shot worth taking. I didn’t have my DSLR with me on the day so my Samsung Galaxy S3 took the picture and I subsequently edited it in Aperture 3.
For what it’s worth the EXIF is: ISO80, 4mm, 0ev, f/2.6, 1/558
The location is the grounds of Wroxall Abbey, now a hotel but formerly the family country seat of Sir Christopher Wren – the most famous architect of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
Focus on Black and White
I seem to have found myself editing into Black and White. I post regularly to Streamzoo and my content seems to show a journey from vivid colours, through experimentation with HDR to now being firmly settled in the world of monochrome.
I’m not complaining, maybe Black and White is now “my thing”. It certainly makes me think differently about the shots I take, knowing that that texture, light and composition have to be spot on to make the end result even remotely interesting. I also enjoy the editing, there just seem to be so many possibilities to take the image in any direction you choose.
So let’s see how long it lasts, but for now I’m sharing an old photograph but a favourite. This chap came back to life because I wanted to see what a monochrome version of the image would be like. He is currently my wallpaper on my iPad and has been for some time. Hope you like it too.
Edited in Aperture 3. ISO 100, 190mm, 0ev, f/7.1, 1/400
The Gherkin
This building is 180 metres tall and it’s official name is 30 St Mary Axe in London. The building gained it’s name before construction started due to it’s unorthodox appearance on the drawing board. Construction actually started in 2001 and completed in December 2003, officially opening in May 2004. Located on the former site of the Baltic Exchange the building dominates the surrounding area and is a significant feature of the City of London landscape.
Coliseum, Rome
Photographed by many and from every conceivable angle. So for this shot I decided to crop with the sky to the top left and then in the post edit to go with a high contrast black and white. The long exposure I used also helped tocreate the mysterious effect with the clouds and…….. hey presto!
To me this shot starts to capture the moody look I associate with an amphitheatre that has, after all, a pretty gory history.
Life’s a Beach
So, I was walking along Manly Beach with camera at the ready and watching out for people surfing that might make an interesting shot.
When I came across this surf rescue board carefully resting on it’s side with the waves in the background I felt this encapsulated all that was great about this place – safe and relaxing.
Manly Beach is a beautiful place and one where all your cares and worries melt away as soon as you step off the ferry. I thoroughly recommend it if you are visiting Sydney and if the choice is between Bondi or Manly then in my opinion there simply is no choice to be made.
EXIF: Canon 60D, ISO100, 300mm, 0ev, f/10, 1/125
Sydney Harbour Bridge in Monochrome
I walked over the Sydney Harbour bridge at dusk and whilst I was primarily taking the normal tourist snaps I was also determined to get something a bit more interesting that showed the amazing engineering of this structure. I think the light has worked well on this shot but the sweeping arch converging to a point in the distance gives the picture an interesting perspective. The bridge is not an easy place to shoot as the constant vibration from the traffic needs to be managed, tripods won’t work so a deep breath whilst waiting for the moment of quiet is the way to go – especially at 1/30th.
EXIF: Canon 60D, ISO100, 75mm, 0ev, f/5.6, 1/30
Sydney Opera House in Monochrome
I took so many pictures of the opera house and there are many that I like, but this close crop worked well and then I suddenly took it to monochrome and the detail in the surface came to life. I should use monochrome more often, note to self.
EXIF: Canon Powershot sx220 HS, ISO 1600, 5mm, 0ev, f/3.1, 1/25
Two Swans
It was as if I asked these two to pose for the camera, love the way they both look straight at me for this one.
Also the water droplets have been caught in the light nicely.
EXIF: ISO100|135mm|0ev|f7.1|1/500
Golden Brown….
It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining on her blonde hair, the tan was natural as was her smile.
I took this photograph in Rome, near to the Trevi Fountain.
By using a 300mm Focal Length on an APS sensor I was able to obtain sharp focus on the subject whilst isolating her from the background.
EXIF: ISO 100, f/7.1, 1/125
Water, water, everywhere….
Slow Shutter image of a Waterfall
When I took this image i wasn’t expecting too much from it. I took a number of pictures with different shutter speeds and looking to capture differing flows of the water. I framed the picture very deliberately to get the angles working with the differing water cascades.
Bournemouth Pier @ Night
A couple of night photography shots of Bournemouth Pier. The first is the Pier Theatre with the lights from the theatre reflected on the water. The longer exposure created a blurring effect for the reflections.
The second is taken on the pier and uses the covered part of the walk way that is lit up. The photo gives perspective as the walkway tapers off and the focus softens with distance.
Another Lilly Picture
It is the time for these rather interesting flowers to bloom so why not take advantage of them. Yes, I have processed this one to add some extra interest to what is a naturally beautiful plant but it kind of works.
This was taken on a fairly long exposure in order to get a decent depth of field.
White Lilly in Bloom
P-P-P-Pick Up a Penguin
Another up close and personal shot, this time of a penguin. I like the detail on this one, the focus is pin sharp where it counts and it highlights some great texture – particularly in the fur and the beak.
Closer and Close
This bloom is perhaps the size of your thumb. I’ve zoomed in to pick out some of the detail and dropped the background completely out of focus to concentrate on the subject. I’m certain I can find more perfect examples to photograph but it is perhaps the imperfections, as in life, that make the subject that little more interesting.
Lilly about to bloom
This is the first of the Lilies from this plant that is ready to flower, time for some time lapse photography perhaps!
I like the texture here and of course the colour, the depth of field is keeping interest in the main subject.
Lemurs in a Row
Ok, so yet another Lemur picture but this is the one they seem to like the most on Flickr so I thought I would share. No more Lemurs after this.
It’s not easy getting animals to all pose the same way, the same distance apart and at the right moment to turn to their left. But these guys were promised fame and fortune, and here it is….
