Very Nearly Made It

I nearly managed an image a day for this month and if wasn't for the power outage I would have done so which is a tad annoying. Ho Hum! Try again next month.

At least this life saver had not been vandalised but I did wonder how much good you would be as a potential rescuer by the time you'd run up the cliff, grabbed it and then run back down again? I guess there must be a reason for it being up so high.

CM2008

Gives You Wings

I could do with this lot after the day I've had!

Rising raw material costs that are out of this world coupled with exchange rates affecting the prices still further has left me with a very bleak outlook today.

Things are swinging around to the point where our manufacturing in this country is becoming viable again but now there are no workers with the skills to do the work, especially in my line. This is all just as I said it would be a few years ago, how short sighted we (as in businesses in general & mostly middle men looking for a huge profit) have been!

All we can do is hope for survival.

CM2008

Regroup, Rethink

First apologies for not having posted yesterday. This was not for lack of an image though.

I was just uploading this image, whilst snow was pouring down outside and then the electric cut off due to problem somewhere and it's only just been restored after nearly 24 hrs!

So after my thoughts of Monday I've had a rethink and decided I can only do my best and keep trying to incorporate new skills along the way. Hopefully my photography and processing will continue to improve.

CM2008

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

The more I learn about Photoshop the less I feel I know and I'm finding it frustrating.

I thought I was quite happy with the methods I've been using but there's always that feeling there might be a better way, a higher quality image might result, so you try try again and then can't decide which is best anyway!

It could just be that it's Monday, my most hated day of the week!

CM2008

New Shoes

A miserable day weather wise today. I listened to the rain in the early hours and it didn't stop until late this afternoon, it scuppered my plans for photography today.

So it was time to try something else and for those of you who don't like Photoshop this is not one for you! Constructed from multi layers and masks with a blur, solid colour tone then finally another image put in to add some texture. It was my first attempt at the textured layer and I'm not sure I pulled it off completely but it's quite pleasing to me.

Oh and just in case you think I'm revealing a hidden side to my nature, they're not mine, you can't get them in a size ten ;-)

CM2008

Affinity

Another Saturday nearly over. Once work was over I could finally relax.

Spent the afternoon wandering around the town centre, stopped for coffee, popped in and gloated at my eldest son as he was still working ;O) My wife bought a new pair of shoes which much like handbags makes her very happy?? And my youngest had his guitar restrung and tuned. Fish n Chips for tea, a few glasses of wine and I'm pretty much done :O)

The image today, the sun sets over Duxford. I've an affinity with this place and the air war of WWII in general that I really have never been able to explain to myself-do I need to?

CM2008

Friday Theme

I was having one of those days that turned into one of those weeks and I'm glad it's nearly over. Roll on Saturday lunchtime, no more work and big fat bacon rolls :O)

The image tonight is an entry for the regular Photo Friday theme. I've been working on my processing methods too using the tutorials over on Chromasia. This one has been processed on the channel mixer which is not my usual B&W method but for portraits at least I have to say I much prefer it.

CM2008

Power To The People

I came across this image whilst flicking through some folders today and I'd shot it back in July.

It reminded me of another radio debate I heard this week about wind farms. The objections, for the most part, were pretty silly ie; don't like to look at them! Well I don't mind them in fact I think they look nice. There are some that can't really disturb anyone, like Scroby Sands for instance and they look pretty cool in a photograph too.

It comes down to this, we need to find another source of energy and if they work then why not? They are certainly no more ugly than the pylons which we have spread all across the country (and need of course). Your mileage may vary as they say.

CM2008

Murphy's Law

After yesterday's rant I've not a lot to say today. It was one of those days where everything you touch doesn't seem to go right and takes twice as long as you thought it should.

A bit of Beach debris today for your perusal, hope you like it. Comments as always welcome.

CM2008

Uphill Struggle

I was listening to the radio at work today and there was a debate on the closure of local Post Offices.

Now I've never met anyone who thought that it was a good idea to close any. However they had this chap on from The Metropolitan Institute of Business (forgive me if the name isn't 100% correct). He seemed to think that anywhere outside London was in fact a rural village and we all go down to the (thatched cottage) Post Office for a bit of a chin wag. His answer to those that have lost their local Post Offices and are finding it difficult to get to another one? Move to the inner city. I kid you not, he also suggested that we let them close and join the WI (for ladies, although he probably didn't know that) or some such other social group instead. Obviously no one goes there to get their pension, pay a bill, get car tax, buy a stamp, post a parcel...........I could go on but you get the picture, his ignorance made my blood boil as he told a 73 year old woman with a bad hip to get on a bus costing £3 and travel 5 miles to go get her pension!

Rant over then, oh and there's an image today too ;O)

CM2008

A Very Blustery Day

A proper Autumnal day today, I finished work a little later too and drove home in the dark which of course most of us will be doing every day come the end of the month. I love autumn and it's colours, I even like winter up until Christmas but I hate the long nights.

Anyhow I shot this yesterday whilst the sun was still shining and thought it just about summed up today-if that makes sense?

CM2008

Over My Shoulder

Apart from going to work Saturday I've had a bit of a lazy weekend. We did go out this afternoon though, I took my camera of course and maybe have a couple of shots I might use.

This young man over my shoulder here took the old Fuji with him, it was great to see him clicking away and frankly he got some great shots. I hope he sticks with it, he's got a good eye, better than mine in many respects.

This is another from Duxford a few weeks back and the idea was looking back in time as the place in general, especially behind the scenes really hasn't changed much in over 60 years. One foot in the past as always, can't see me changing now!

CM2008

Not Forgotten

Just two more grand prix for this year left, I shall be up early tomorrow to watch the race live from China. I have to say I don't really care too much who wins the championship, I'm not much of a Hamilton Fan, I'm a DC fan and from 15th I'm not expecting much. Of course DC is retiring this year, I may be defecting to Mark Webber next year.

I wonder what this chaps story was, he looked very deep in thought and I wish I could have known what he was thinking.

CM2008

Little Ray of Sunshine

One of my "Little Rays of Sunshine" arrived home today after a week away on a training course. I know he's here because there's a trail of debris around the house already! It's good to have him back home though ;O)

I'm hoping to get out this weekend, with the camera of course, supposed to be good weather and I'd like to try and capture some autumn colours whilst I can.

CM2008

Room 101

I've been working very hard today, I can say I've earned my newly acquired shares in the RBS and any other bank good old Gordon has decided to give my money to. Wonder how much my shares will be worth-what do you mean I don't get any??!! I could go on but my blood pressure might go through the roof........

This guy and his faithful friend were scouring the beach for interesting looking stones and shells which he'll probably polish up and sell, good luck to him, beats working for a living.

CM2008

One Hundred, Not Out!!

I feel I've reached a milestone today, this is my one hundredth post on Random Ramblings! In one hundred images (and thousands more unseen by you all) I feel my photography and processing has moved on a great deal. For sure it's still hit and miss sometimes but in general terms I feel I've made great strides.

So instead of my usual drivel I thought I'd say a few thank yous. Firstly to my family who put up with all of this and me in general, carrying my camera most everywhere I go, putting up with the now familiar call "hold on, just want to get a shot of this". All the friends whom when I see them give words of encouragement and tell me how much they enjoy the images and the ramblings, it's nice and very encouraging to hear.

Last but by no means least I have to thank my old friend Craig over at id7 who encouraged me (and still does encourage me all the way) to start up the blog and move back over to an SLR. You've made me "think" about photography again instead of randomly pressing the shutter and it's been fantastic, made me realise how much I've missed it! So thanks again old pal, without you this would never have happened, here's to thousands more images for us both ;O)

CM2008

Watch & Learn

I've been to college tonight, which I have to say is usually a bit dull but tonight our tutor was off ill and we had someone else who was very enthusiastic. She was the type that you could get going on any subject and then she'll go off on a tangent about a something completely different which made the evening pass much more quickly! It took me back to school days when you could get certain teachers talking about something and do no work for the entire lesson, some things never change you know ;O)

I shot a few frames of these two and I could tell from the others that Dad was obviously showing off his fishing prowess to his son but to know avail, I have one where the boy is looking completely the other way whilst Dad shows him how to cast! Us Dad's don't have it easy you know!

Cm2008

Drifting Away

I've been very busy today, work seems to have picked up all of a sudden. Plus I've been photographing products for the web site/catalogue and now have a couple of hundred raw files to process! Still keeps me out of trouble.

In the meantime I've been working through those tutorials I mentioned and learning quite a bit which is always good. There is certainly more than one way to skin a cat with Photoshop!

CM2008

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Well I wish it had been but in actual fact I've been rather busy today, cleaning, tidying and generally sorting stuff out. Sorted out loads of stuff for the school jumble and still appear to have no more room on my shelves!

My eldest is on his way to Sheffield, as I write, for a training course, so I wish him a safe journey and hope all goes well this week son.

This was shot at Duxford and another taken from the hip which left the focus rather soft but I still like it.

CM2008

Crashed Together

I'm glad the working week is over for me!

Might get up early tomorrow and watch the Grand Prix live from Japan, I hope the championship goes to the wire again this year.

This image is an attempt (and one of several versions) at an HDR image but only constructed from one RAW file, so not a true HDR. I quite like it, not sure if I should have cropped the right hand side into the post?

CM2008

Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil

It's been one of those weeks at work, where you work your backside off for very little in return, satisfaction wise I mean. Getting nowhere fast they call it and I'm glad the week is almost over!

Another from Superbus and I like these three, doesn't quite fit with the title but what the hell, it's close enough! The characters in the background etc add interest for me too.

Let me know your thoughts as always!

On another note I've just taken out a subscription to the Chromasia online tutorials and whilst I've only had a quick look so far they seem very informative and worthwhile indeed. Take a look by clicking the banner at the bottom of the page.

CM2008

Self Defence

What a day! Started first thing with an email asking why an order that was promised a week ago hadn't been sent yet. Well I didn't make the promise and I didn't even have the job a week ago! Sheesh, it's the sort of thing that really winds me up and it was downhill from there on in, I was glad to lock the door today.

This is another shot from my hols, not much more to say about it really. I've spent the evening messing around with pseudo HDR's and I've a lot to learn! I'm not even sure it's a method I'll use very often but I'm the kinda guy that just HAS to know, know what I mean? I'm going to head over to Chromasia and take some tutorials so I can understand this method a little better!

CM2008

Grounded

Took the car in for a service and MOT today, all was fine but I always leave a garage with the feeling I've just been fleeced, know what I mean?

I've posted a shot of the Sally B before, the only flying B-17 in the UK and one of only two in Europe. She's been grounded all of this year though with engine trouble despite a generous donation from a Norfolk landowner. sure hope they manage to get her sorted for next year!

CM2008

I See No Ships

Very quick post today as it my youngest son's birthday and we're off out for dinner.

Happy Birthday Thomas!!!! :O)

This is the other shot I spoke of the other day and I really couldn't see a way around the guy in the background but I still like it for the expression on the old boy's face.

CM2008

On the Buses

Well I've had the tooth extracted by a barbarian it would seem and frankly it bloody hurts! Still I'm sure that everyone has had enough of me whinging by now so I'll shut up about it.

This shot was taken just as the buses were departing at the end of the day and I caught the reflection in the front of the American building. I like it but it did end up a little noisy for my liking-ho hum.

CM2008

Tesco Towers

Well we enjoyed our kid free evening, nice dinner, glass of wine and generally peace and quiet!

Popped out shopping today to get some things for our youngest's birthday and we got him......yeah right as if you're not reading it just to try and find out! LOL

I took the camera with me and really didn't use it much but I shot a few on the way back to the car. This, as many will know, was the Shredded Wheat factory that has been in the town since the 1920's which now stands empty.

The site has been acquired by Tesco, they've already leveled the old Polycell factory (including the old film studios) and are halfway through the Roche building. At least some of this site is listed and will remain. They're planning even more shops etc where all the people who lost their jobs can spend their wages, oh hold on they don't have any! I don't know what they plan to do with the silos I just hope it's something worthwhile. I'd like to see something that reflected the site's past and all that have worked there but short of that perhaps a gallery at the top there would be cool, displaying local artist's work. There has to be better ideas than the those that came to fruition for the old De Havilland site, the buildings there becoming KFC and the Police station, what great reminders of aviation eh? A force that for the most part spend their time on the ground and a bird that can't really fly! Oooh I'm really having a rant today but it's something that really gets to me, things will always change but not always for the better.

Oh and I'm off to have that tooth removed tomorrow so I may not be posting, see how I'm feeling!

Comments welcome as always, good, bad or even about this site and not the photograph, have a rant on my blog why don't you?

CM2008

Bus Crazy

Good grief, we've had a house full of teenagers since last night, was I really like that? We took them bowling last night and then to Pizza Hut, have you any idea how much these animals can eat? :O)

Well it's nearly over thankfully and our two are off to Brixton tonight to see a band that I've never heard of (shows I'm getting old). So we'll be going from nut house to peace and quiet (well asides the nail biting until they return)!!

Another shot, obviously, from Duxford's Superbus. I like the different people in this one, especially the guy on the left who probably thought he'd ruined my shot but actually he made it for me!

CM2008

Duxford or Bust

Another very quick post today as we're taking my youngest and some friends bowling as a Birthday treat and they're staying over, oh what joy!

A bit of a fun image today from one of our recent Duxford trips

CM2008

Turning Tide

I had to come home from work a little early today as I was feeling a bit Tom & Dick and I feel guilty about it. I wish I wasn't blessed with a conscience sometimes, I haven't had a whole day off sick for over six years! I bend over backwards to help others out in all sorts of ways usually for little or no thanks so I made myself a little promise today; as work still dribbles through the door I said to myself that if this job ends after 21 years of struggling, I'm not going to work for anyone else ever again!

This is another shot from the East beach in Cromer, I like it, the way the tide is on the turn and the waves are rolling in on an arc and leading my eye round. Comments welcome, good or bad, as usual.

CM2008

Sign of the Times

Very quick post today as I have visitors!

The sign says it all!

CM2008