The Wonder of FLICKR

...and now textured
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

It's amazing where Flickr can take you... I'd commented on some textured shots from http://www.flickr.com/people/augcott/ and she replied with some comments about the textures and how good they were as they were free.... I checked them out and they were excellent. They're from "skeletall mess" (strange name) on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/skeletalmess/

So I had a play with one of my most recet uploads, a shot of Ben winning his race int he Cubs Swimming gala (we're now the district champions) and this is the end result of applying 3 textures at varying opacities and blending modes. I like the effect.

Mexican Jumping Bean.... Hatched

Mexican Jumping Bean.... Hatched
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

The Mexican jumping bean I've had on my desk for the last 5 months (bought as a souvenir when I was re-routed home from Cincinnati via Dallas, Texas) finally hatched... the little moth flew off when I opened the lid, circled a light bulb and then got zapped by the insecticutor !! 5 months in a bean 30 seconds flying and then a milisecond of a million volts !!

I love the perfect little hole that he dug out of the bean.

When I brought htis back home my kids (and wife didn't believe me that there was anything in side., but there again I am known for practical jokes) I had to show them this Wikipedia article for them to believe me... nad now with it hatching out it proves the point !!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_bean

Green

Green
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

From my recent trip to Germany. The Green of the Europcar desk at Frankfurt airport was so vibrant I had to take a shot of it.

The other shots from my trip are here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marklandon/sets/72157623681000324/

My particular favourite is the 5 second exposure on the travelator at Heathrow giving a "warp effect"

Lines

Lines
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

I just loved the symetry and contrast of this view from my front door. I find myslef looking at scenes and thinking that'd make a great photo.

I need to start carrying my camera with me more to take opportunistic shots like this more often.... this time I was lucky as I only had to go inside and get it out of the dining room.

40 Today !! (well last week)

40 Today !!
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

I'm behind on my blog as can be seen by the fact that my 40th was actually over a week ago but it's been a whirlwind !!

I was made to wear a flashing badge to work by my cruel kids to proclaim to all I'm past it !! (but secretly I enjoyed the attention) then it was a family meal and cake that evening.

I already had my main present (me to me) from a few weeks back !!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marklandon/4279405334/ but there were still a few nice present to open.

Friday saw the celebrations continue with a day off and a fantastic surprise from my gorgeous wife. Lunch at the fantastic 3 michelin star restaurant "The Waterside". I can do nothing other than rave about it and thoroughly recommend it. http://www.waterside-inn.co.uk/

Then on saturday it was mountain biking in the morning, joint 40th birthday party with my best friend int he evening with fine wines and entertainment round at his house.... followed by some brilliant chinese lanterns.

I've been playing with proshow producer software recently and this is the result posted to you tube. It's a really incredible peice of software, really easy to use and create some stunning results. I look forwards to playing with it more in the future

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La5uelflZF0

Red or Blue ?

Red or Blue ?
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

If you are ever in need of inspiration for a theme or a shot just use flickr to get some ideas.

The February theme for our work Photo competition was Red. I use Flickriver (http://flickriver.com/photos/tags/red/interesting/) to search for tags and inteesting photos of "red" and heh presto loads of ideas. I finally went with this shot becasue it was so simple.

The depth of field and bokeh was easy to produce with a 100mm macro lens fully open @ f/2.8 and the shooting on a tripod made composition easy to set up with the rule of thirds in mind.

I found out yesterday that I placed third in the competition.

As always the procesing was done from RAW in Lightroom 2 with some simple exposure adjustemnts and increase in clarity and blacks to give a snap to the red colour.

Carnedd Llewellyn Summit Ridge HDR

Carnedd Llewellyn Summit Ridge HDR
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

For my annual climbing trip I decided to take my big hefty SLR with me to get some nice mountain shots. I was inspired by reading this article.... http://www.alexandrebuisse.org/writings/articles/A-guide-to-digital-mountain-climbing-photography

Whilst my picture isn't quite up to the same standard as some of these it did do justice to a fantastic day out int he mountains, climbing Broad Gully on Pen Yr Ole Wen in Snowdonia followed by a brillaint ridge walk in perfect Alpine conditions along the Carneddau.

The other shots from the trip can be seen here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marklandon/sets/72157623447587058/

Textures, Shapes, Colours : A Photowalk Montage

Textures, Shapes, Colours : A Photowalk Montage
Originally uploaded by Mark1970Vintage

It's been a while since I've blogged and am trying to catch up.....This montage is from a lunchtime photowalk in February around my work with the Photography club. There were various themes and I chose to focus (pun intended) on shapes/patterns, colours and textures. This is the result compiled together as a montage.

I've had lots of positive comments from people at work about it :-)