Craig's random ramblings

Leaving a Light On

2010-02-22T11:30:00.000-08:00

I finally took the plunge of moving the blog and this is my last post here on blogger.

Honestly I feel a little sad about it, this is where it all started, it was a whole new photographic journey (with some moaning ramblings too) but I feel the time is right to move on. Whilst I've been complimented on my blogger template it is rather limited despite being able to customize the CSS.

I won't be pulling this version, who knows maybe I'll wish to return at some point. I won't however be dual posting, or even triple posting with the AM3 version. The main reasons for moving were to have a blog that I could make more my own and to simplify the process.

So all that leaves me to say is a HUGE thank you to all those that have followed me, left comments and encouraged me to improve/continue especially at the times I really didn't feel like doing so, you have no idea how much that all means. I sincerely hope that you follow me over and continue to look. You can find my new home right here!

So for that last time, let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2010

Raw Revisited

2010-02-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

The last few days, in what spare time I've had, I have been making a huge effort to reduce the amount of unprocessed RAW files residing on my hard drive.

Some have been deleted, some are family stuff, some are images I wish to keep but wouldn't necessarily blog and some have surprised me in that I really quite liked them having overlooked them many times. The batch I've been working on are from summer 2008 which shows you how far I am behind!

Let me know your thoughts as always.

On another note I am considering moving the blog to a new location. If I can export all of my work from the blogger version then I'll do it but at the moment it's a big IF I think. I'm not willing to move and start afresh or manually migrate over 350 posts! I'll keep you posted.

CM2010

A Little Further Back

2010-01-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

I've deliberated over this shot for a few days.

Most of the pp was done in a short space of time but I've stared at it for what seems like hours ever since, making minor adjustments here and there.

There were two reasons why I've hesitated to post it, the first is that it's the same scene as last time (hence the title) and second (more importantly) I can't figure out if the boats on the left are a complete distraction. My lot reckon no but I'm not so sure! I liked it enough in the end to post it, I think the tone will not be to everyone's taste but it's what I was aiming for, the full colour version was ok but a bit "Chocolate Box" for my liking.

Your honest opinions are welcome.

CM2010

Prick Up Your Ears

2010-01-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

Well I am still here as you can see!

Thanks to all the kind words of encouragement from everyone from all sorts of sources. I don't want to stop, just move forward in some way and I think I know what I need to do.

In the meantime you'll have to keep putting up with some old shots. The textures on this were a last minute idea (as they often are with me) they seemed to add to the scene without removing anything-if you see what I mean?

If you can get the connection between the title and the image your mind is probably as warped as mine :D

CM2010

Tidal Waves

2010-01-19T14:34:00.000-08:00

I thought about deleting this blog at the weekend.

Not to give up but sometimes I feel I'm not moving forwards, not challenging myself enough. My thinking was that perhaps if I started afresh I might be more inspired to improve somewhat.

Whilst I ponder on that thought here's another shot along a beach, I went a bit further on the pp work on this one, let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2010

At Peace

2010-01-16T08:07:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post, I've not a lot to say today :)

One of favourite shots from last summer not perhaps because there was anything remarkable about the image but it reflected the way I was feeling at the time. I've mentioned before I know but when walking along the beach on a day such as this was I feel at peace with myself and the world around me, a feeling I don't really get anywhere else.

Right I'm off to cook dinner and open a bottle of something, which comes a close second to the above in some respects ;)

CM2009

Slumped In The Slips

2010-01-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all the kind comments yesterday on my little friend, I told him and he seemed happy, his tail was wagging anyway ;)

We woke up to more snow again this morning but I'm hoping we've seen the last of it, rain is forecast for the weekend and a positively balmy 6 degrees! When the snow falls the world is beautiful place, almost magical but as you get older you realise it has it's downsides too. My youngest reckons I'm a good candidate for the "Grumpy Old Men" TV show :O)

So this is a shot of three benches on my local cricket ground, in a few short months the sun will be shining and the benches will be full of people enjoying the match with a cool drink or two, not a moment too soon will it be!

CM2009

Terry

2010-01-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

My little fat friend Terry, I can't tell you how much I love this little fellow.

He loved the snow, some of it was deeper than he is tall in places but he had a great time as you can see. Not my normal sort of post but I couldn't resist sharing this one with you :)

CM2009

At The Helm

2010-01-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

I've been mulling over some of my older shots from back in the summer and came across this.

I've posted a couple of the old boat before but I liked this one. PP is a mixture of the original shot and some tone mapped details.

At the helm? More a question to myself than about the boat I guess ;)

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

No Entry

2010-01-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

We're still bitterly cold here in Merry Olde England!

I wouldn't moan but then I wouldn't be English ;) The roads really are dire and as far as I can see nothing has been done to make them any better. Still some car owners had the foresight to get that special optional extra "Supergrip", the guy who overtook me on a country lane covered in ice tonight certainly had it! Boy I wish I'd forked out the extra ££s

Another image from way back when the sun was high in the sky and a T shirt was sufficient apparel.

CM2009

Barbed

2010-01-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

Posting two days in a row? It's just like the good old days.

This an alternative view of Felbrigg House and I guess you'll either love it or hate it :-/

Other than that I don't think I have a lot to say, being back to work has numbed my brain more than usual ;0)

CM2010

Wide Fred Sprost

2010-01-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

Happy new year to you all.

As you can see I didn't get all that shooting/posting done over the holidays. I didn't do much of anything photography wise, so much for those plans. This is a shot I took just before and whilst there's no snow here at the moment it's bitterly cold with snow forecast. Spring can turn up any time it feels like it as far as I'm concerned!

Oh and the title? It was something I heard a weather forecaster say when I was a kid, poor fellow probably never lived it down :)

CM2010

This Way For Peace

2009-12-24T01:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve already!

I feel I'm not prepared at all, I still have shopping to do and other jobs that must be done. So in true professional, procrastinating style I sat here and processed an image instead!

I shot this yesterday whilst out walking and I must admit I'm not sure about it. I shot a few other frames but shots of the church covered in show was doing nothing for me this morning, pretty though it was.

Let me know you thoughts as always and let me take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Christmas. Whilst we enjoy ourselves let us not forget those who may not be so fortunate.

CM2009

Before The Show

2009-12-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

I must admit I'm feeling a bit flat on the photography front.

Other things have occupied my time and the upshot is that the camera has hardly left the bag over the last few weeks. I hope to get out over the holidays and be able to shoot some new material but in the meantime I still have al ot of files still to work through, when I can find the time.......

I shot this whilst waiting for a fireworks display during Cromer's carnival week. Everyone was crowding onto the pier to find a good spot so I took the opportunity to take my camera and tripod down onto the beach and get some long exposures, I still got back in time for the display-oooooooh aaaaaaaaaaah ;)

CM2009

Celebrate!

2009-12-07T22:57:00.000-08:00

Well that's it, over the hill, all washed up!

Yup I'm 40 today so this old can of beer seemed appropriate :) I shall enjoy one or two tonight and in reality the age doesn't really bother me, I don't feel any different ;)

CM 2009

20p View

2009-11-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

Blah blah blah.........................or I've nothing new to say since last time.

Work has been crazier if anything but I'm sure you're sick of me talking about it. I've blogged just to give my brain a rest from thinking about it! I sure am looking forward to some time off over Christmas, I've just got to convince the family that the black Christmas tree is in fact a cool idea ;)

As for the image, not a lot to say about that really either, it is what it is!

CM2009

Time

2009-11-22T13:26:00.000-08:00

It's been another week since I last posted.

It's all been work, work, work, evenings & weekends but last weekend I was trying to be efficient and clear some RAW files from my hard drive, either by processing them or just deleting them because I knew I would never use them.

I didn't get through many but it's a start eh? Anyhoo I came across this one which quite liked and seeing the little time I've had over recent weeks it seemed most appropriate!

CM2009

Wire

2009-11-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

This weeks See It Sunday theme is wire.

I didn't think I had anything for that but then I remembered some shots I took way back in March of this year and came up with this. Other than that I don't think there's much more I have to say about it really.

CM2009

Remembrance

2009-11-10T23:25:00.000-08:00

Armistice day

I don't think there's anything more to say except we will remember them.

CM2009

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

2009-11-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

Long Time Passing........

Lest We Forget.

CM2009

Golden Age

2009-11-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has been reading for more than a day or so will realise I have a head stuck in the past.

Mostly it's the 40's but I just like old stuff in general. I like to rescue things, fix them, restore them and of course photograph them. Perhaps it's my age making things worse? In a few short weeks I shall be 40, life has whizzed by so far so fast that perhaps I am looking at "the good old days" with ever more rose tinted spectacles?

I was going to say that maybe I'll have a mid life crisis soon but I've had a look around and the evidence of cupboards full of model kits, balsa wood gliders, a 1980's BMX and all sorts of other retro junk here in my office tell me that I haven't actually grown up yet so I'm at no risk whatsoever ;O) Phew!!

The above image sparked this off, I think this old train is suited well to the textures treatment but I have chucked in an extra twist on this one.

Let me know your thoughts as ever.

CM2009

I'd Rather Be Beside

2009-11-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

Work has been unrelenting lately and shows no signs of slowing down.

Don't get me wrong folks, I know this is a good thing especially in the current climate but a whole day off would be nice and I haven't had one for quite a while. So I'd rather be here (or there, in the image) eating a bag of hot fish n chips and watching the sun go down ;O)

CM2009

Ghost Train

2009-10-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

I was hoping for a better day and it started out pretty well..........

I was doing a job I have done literally thousands of times over the last twenty odd years. I won't go into detail but it involves a large kitchen knife and rolling an item to trim off the excess. I slipped and put the knife into my middle finger of my left hand with all the pressure of my right arm. Stupid! Now a million jobs are far more difficult or impossible.

Don't get me wrong, I know it'll heal up but it did make me think about the disabilities that people cope with on a permanent basis. It's amazed me just how much I use that digit, even typing this is difficult. I remember my brother losing his big toe through an infection and telling me how it affected your balance greatly. He eventually lost his leg below the knee and had a terrible time trying to adjust, never really did. Sometimes when we're having a bad day and moaning about it (just as I was yesterday) we should really stop and think for a moment.....

The image then. We were lucky enough to take a steam train ride whilst away this year, it was fantastic, I felt like a five year old. I shot quite a few frames and this was one. It was suggested to me a while back that textured images are sometimes used as an excuse to cover up a bad image, I don't agree, this frame was just fine. I just happen to like to use textures now and again, with Halloween coming up this weekend I thought this had an appropriately ghostly feel ;)

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

After The Rain

2009-10-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

It's Monday, what more can I say?

I'm not one to moan (hold on, yes I am) but something today really ticked me off. I can't go on without mentioning names etc so I won't, here's hoping tomorrow is a better day!

The image then; the only day we had any rain whilst away this year was our last day there. It wasn't much but sent everyone dashing for cover which cleared the crowded pier in an instant. Just after it stopped I took the opportunity to click a couple of frames, I would have preferred it to be devoid of people altogether but I guess you have to get up early for that!

CM2009

Steady As

2009-10-25T11:49:00.000-07:00

A bit of a washout weekend really.

A silly reoccurring dream saw me awake at stupid o'clock on Saturday morning and at work at just gone 6am. Then home to my ill wife and felt a bit rough myself (thanks Jo for sharing with us ;). Had lots planned for today but with one thing or another I seemed to accomplish very little!

Another shot from along the Norfolk coast then, just walking along the beach and came across these. Not much more to say about it really.

CM2009

In The Frame

2009-10-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

So I said that I would be processing some images on my last post.

Well I did but then some twerp managed to cut through the telephone line and the lines were down for two days for the whole village!!

I shot several frames at this scene whilst I still had a little light and was able to hand hold (left the tripod back at the house). Then all these folks turned up so I shot some more and was glad I did so. I had a further dilemma in as much as I couldn't decide between this version and B&W, they have a completely different feel to each other, if you're interested you can see the B&W version here.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

In Pursuit of Perfection

2009-10-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

I knew I hadn't blogged for a while , maybe a few days, a week perhaps. Well it came as a shock to me that it had in fact been 18 days!!

I've just been busy at home and definitely work too, it's gone crazy and being a very small place we're struggling to keep up at the moment!

So onto the image then, nothing remarkable about it in photography terms I know. I was asked not such a short time ago (in fact it was quite a long time ago) if I thought I could make an artist's watercolour box. Based on an antique design but with an extra drawer so it could hold tubes of colour as well as pans of colour in the top section. It will be on display in Ace Arts shop towards the end of this of this week. Oh yes and I did make the brushes too!

As for the title; Perfection it is not and that's the point. I strive for perfection in almost everything I do usually to my detriment, especially when making something. I never meet that goal, the perfectionists curse! Perhaps one day I shall achieve that aim but I doubt it, there will always be something I will wish I had done better, whether that be making something, taking and processing photographs or washing the car! I'm still trying to work out if this is a good or bad frame of mind to be in?

I'm going to try and process some more stuff tonight so hopefully it won't be too long before I post some real photography ;)

CM2009

Felbrigg

2009-10-01T14:13:00.000-07:00

A quick post tonight as I've been dashing around all over the place and I'm beat!

This is Felbrigg Hall which is a National Trust property just outside of Cromer. A fascinating place with wonderful gardens and woodland walks too, well worth a visit.

Let me know your thoughts as ever, they're much appreciated.

CM2009

High n Dry

2009-09-30T15:04:00.000-07:00

So the government propose to remove hospital parking charges within three years?

Wow, well done Gordy, they'll be back to what they used to be which is free! Honestly having just spent an unscheduled trip to the hospital A&E this evening and having to park outside some distance away because I had no cash on me it can't come soon enough. I do hate the way they talk as if they're doing us a big favour by giving us back what we had in the first place!!

Back on Blakeney Marsh today and another boat. Not left abandoned this time though, this one appeared to be someone's home and despite being high and dry when I was there I guess that all the ropes and chains mean the tide gets up here at some point.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Last Bus To Vectis

2009-09-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

I'm still thinking about yesterday's rant so I don't have a new one for today.

Despite the fact that I still have lots on I'm trying to make an effort to post on a more regular basis. I've a lot of images backed up that I really would like to get posted. In fact I have a small problem, I've mentioned before that I hold on to far too many RAW files and now the camera has clicked passed 9999 images and started counting again!! Duplication is going to become a problem!!

I attracted some curious stares on Sunday as I lay down on the floor quite a bit looking for a different angle. One chap actually stopped me saying he'd never thought of getting down that low and asked to have a look at the frame, which was in fact this frame. He liked it and I did too so here it is :)

CM2009

Brushing Up

2009-09-28T14:23:00.000-07:00

I heard of a new council scheme today, at the moment in Exeter but it's sure to spread rapidly if it's implemented.

What is this scheme? Well all of those out of town supermarkets that were opposed at the time but the council allowed anyway, now they wish to tax the free car parking spaces provided at these places.

The reason? To save the environment and to encourage us back to the high street. Now the last time I looked at a bus timetable (some time ago I admit) where I live I could either get the one bus a week that goes to the town I wish to visit (I'd have to take a day off of work to do so because it's in the week) or I could get another bus and change three times to make what is a five minute journey by car. In other words I'm unlikely to take public transport. Now shopping in local or high street stores is something that I try to do often, especially independent shops but let's face facts high council business rates have forced most of them out of business already!

Perhaps I do not explain myself very well but the bottom line as I see it is that this is just another tax on us and I'm sick of being taxed to death! They know full well that nothing will change and most people will still go to the supermarkets, either the shop will charge for parking or they'll put goods up and pay for it that way. I pay road tax, tax on my petrol, tax on my insurance premium, an MOT charge, VAT on service and spares-you get the picture!

Talking of pictures :) we went out for the day to Duxford and the bus show yesterday so in a break from the Norfolk images here's one from there. No problem catching a bus here ;O)

CM2009

Day & Night

2009-09-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to apologise again. You know where I've been and yes I am the slowest decorator in the world!

It stems from the fact that I decide to change everything even those fixtures I was sure were permanent last time and I would never have to change them again ;) Also the perfectionist in me comes to the fore as it does quite often and I spend a silly amount of time trying to get the little things just right, ho hum.

Underneath Cromer pier then in this shot. Many happy times spent here with friends, searching for shells etc on scavenger hunts by day and some evenings too making sure the girls didn't get scared in the dark ;O)

CM2009

No Turning Back

2009-09-15T14:58:00.001-07:00

A little later than planned here's the street shot I promised last time out.

I've really not had the time for posting and indeed comments so apologies to you if I haven't got around to your blog the last few days. I have far too much on the brain so I must confess I just took an evening off, perhaps that's not the right approach, who knows, I just needed to switch off for a while.

I realise that street stuff isn't everyone's cup of tea but I saw it, shot it and liked it. Let me know what you think, good or bad.

CM2009

Helter Skelter

2009-09-10T15:24:00.000-07:00

Well I guess apologies are in order for my lack of posting. It's not like I don't have the shots to post either!!

Work has been crazy since returning and has shown no signs of relenting (which is a good thing) and the home stuff is just chaos frankly with not a lot of progress, hopefully that will move forward this weekend.

So with all that dashing around and feeling stressed I though I'd take a moment to post something calming. In terms of pp I've hardly changed anything on this. Next time I think it'll be some street stuff ;O)

CM2009

Worlds Apart

2009-09-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

We've just spent the evening at a hog roast works gathering in Highgate so big thanks to my boss for an enjoyable evening.

On another note I'd like to thank the little s*%t that stole from my car this week. Thinking, probably, that he/she had stolen a mobile phone and a measly £1 coin what you actually got was a £1 shaped token to use in a supermarket trolley and a remote control for a car stereo which is completely useless to you, well done, your parents must be so proud!!!!

This is another shot from my hols, the title may have different meanings for you depending on how you look at it.

CM2009

Sea Breeze

2009-09-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Back to work this week, it's strange how quickly you can become accustomed to doing your own thing every day. I can honestly say I didn't miss work!

Another from my hols then, just something I saw whilst walking along the beach in the blistering heat, yes I really did say that about an August holiday in England.

That's about all, I'm bushed for today, let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Documented Demise

2009-08-30T16:56:00.000-07:00

Just one day of holidays left and it's back to work for me.

All the house stuff is on hold waiting for the plasterer to come and do his thing so we have to live with the devastation for now.

This is another, obviously, of the boat at Blakeney, just by chance I discovered that this boat has a Flickr group all to itself! You can watch its slow decline in a stream of many images. I knew it must have been photographed before but had no idea to this extent!

On another issue I'm entering a very small comp on Bank Holiday Monday and the theme is "A Water Scene" it's 1 o'clock in the morning as I write and I'm still undecided but this could well be in there. I only get to enter two prints and it's quite difficult knowing, with such a broad scope, just what the judges will consider fits the bill. If you've any ideas before I enter by 11.30 in the morning let me know!

CM2009

Rescue Me

2009-08-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

My lounge looks post apocalyptic and I'm sitting here covered in dust, if I get wet I'll set!

Yup it's decorating time although it looks more like devastation at the moment and I'm waiting for the plasterer to come and tell me the damage, IE how much smooth walls will cost me.

Meanwhile I found a few moments to process another image from Blakeney and it's the same boat as the last post. When I see something like this I don't think of the rotting hulk out there on the marsh (or the rusty car, scooter, falling down building etc) I see something that was once beautiful, lovingly crafted by hand and I have the irresistible urge to fix things-I don't suppose I'm the only one though!

Your thoughts are appreciated as always.

CM2009

All Aboard The Skylark

2009-08-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

Well I'm back from my hols then but still another week off of work :)

We had a great week, superb weather and far too much food and drink. My shutter went off an insane amount of times, so many I'm not sure I wish to type it for fear it may become more real!

So you'd have thought it would have been easy to find something to post but you'd be wrong. I have deliberated over various shots yesterday evening and most of today. Whenever I shoot and review stuff at home there's always something you wish you had done differently. I guess that in some ways it's a good thing, you keep pushing yourself to improve but it's frustrating all the same, especially when it's not easy to go back for another shoot.

This shot was taken at Blakeney, I spotted this wreck from some distance and knew I had to get over there, after walking quite some distance I realised the ground was far too marshy to cross and I had to double back, ho hum. I wanted to get lower really and did manage it a couple of times (I may post one or two more of this) but the ground was so boggy you have to be careful where you trod let alone lay down.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

Oh and the title, I think you have to have grown up in the 70's in the UK to know......

CM2009

Checklist!

2009-08-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

Right so I'm off on my hols, we'll go to Smugglers Top or Kirren Island and solve a mystery or two-or perhaps I read too much Enid Blyton when I was small ;O)

Lenses cleaned and packed
Batteries charged
Charger packed
CF cards
Hard drive
Card reader
Lap top

I have a few clothes somewhere.......feel as though I've forgotten something..........oh wife n kids, CHECK!! :O) The mighty Tez is staying home with a house sitter but shhhhh we haven't told him yet.

I just couldn't resist another from Flying Legends, I have one one that's totally different that I may post when I return but being as I shall have a whole new bunch of shots who knows?

Catch up to you all soon.

CM2009

Big Beautiful Doll

2009-08-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a hectic week so I apologise for the lack of posts. I have only one week of work left until holidays and as usual it's crazy busy trying to get everything done before we close.

Should I apologise for posting another image from Flying Legends? I feel as though I should but I must admit that the process has been a pleasant one and the images have certainly captured imaginations everywhere judging by the responses.

So I'm off to finish off that bottle of white that's calling me, let me know what you think, good, bad & ugly.

Oh and the title is the name of the Mustang, not the big fellow giving me the stare!

CM2009

Ship Shape

2009-08-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

We've just arrived back from a HAG BBQ. For those of you who don't know what that is it's a combined Hen and Stag do. So I would just like to say thanks to Hilary and Jeff for inviting us, it was great to see you and meet everyone. Good luck for monday, good job the best man has a couple of days to recover!! :)

On another serious note I've just read some terrible news, fellow blogger/twitter/facebook friend Tammy Warren has had a fall from her horse and as I write is being flown to hospital. Those of you that know her either personally or, as I do, through her blogs A Cricket In The Garden or Standing Still please hold her and her family in your thoughts and prayers. My thanks to Marcel for letting us all know and keeping us informed too.

The image is again from Flying Legends but I guees the title has a double meaning today and I hope Tammy is ok and ship shape again very soon.

You can see the original version here by the way.

CM2009

School Time

2009-07-29T14:12:00.000-07:00

I can tell that my holidays are nearly here because work is busy, beyond flat out! Always seems to be the way, a mad rush to get everything done in time. I'm not complaining mind, with the current economic climate we're pretty lucky.

I resisted the urge to go back to the Duxford images today......just!

This is an image shot back in June during the village's Gardens Open day and is our local school which had opened it's own gardens too. It's an interesting place, not only is it an excellent school but it's also a listed building.

The original school was hit by a V1 flying bomb in 1944 just a few yards from my house and this school was built further down the road post war. Being one of the first to be constructed to an experimental design it became listed in 1993.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Paella; Weekend indulgence......

2009-07-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

So I thought I would post something completely and utterly different today. I joked with a pal of mine that I would post the recipe after he called me a show off, after I thought it might make a change.

My wife looked at me like I had lost the plot when I changed lenses and popped the nifty fifty on whilst I was cooking but what the hey eh?

A disclaimer first; this recipe is in no way authentic, has been cobbled together from all sorts of ideas so I apologise in advance to any Spanish readers! Also if it makes you ill, it was your own fault because I'm still standing ;) This will feed 4-6 people.

You Will Need

60ml Olive Oil

1 large red pepper, 1large yellow pepper (cut in strips)

1 onion & 1 red onion (roughly chopped)

4 chicken breasts (cut into smallish cubes)

200g Chorizo sausage (cut into slices or as you like it)
One pack of back or streaky bacon (roughly chopped)

200g mushrooms (sliced)

Garlic cloves, crushed (I started with three, I now use five :)

1 tablespoon of lemon zest

700g of tomatoes (roughly chopped)

1 tablespoon of rosemary

2 tablesoons of italian parsley

1/4 teaspoon of saffrom threads (in reality I use more to get that yellow colour) dissolved in 60ml of boiling water.

500g rissotto rice

500ml chicken stock (use a good liquid stock)

White wine (1/4 to 1/2 of a bottle)

Now I use a large wok to cook this in because I haven't found a paella dish anywhere big enough!

Heat the oil and pop in the onions & peppers, cook until soft and remove. Whilst they're cooking I usually start the chicken off in another pan to save time (once cooked switch off and leave until needed)

Now cook the chorizo until golden and remove, then do the same with the bacon.

Cook the mushrooms, garlic and lemon for about five minutes then add the onions/peppers and the tomatoes, cook until the tomatoes have softened.

Now add the chicken/chorizo/bacon/parsley/rosemary and the rice, pour in a good glass and a half of white wine and stir.

Once the wine has been absorbed start add the stock a ladle full at a time. Traditionally paella is not stirred but I continue to stir mine throughout. Keep simmering and adding stock until all the liquid is absorbed. The rice should be creamy but still have a slight bite, if you find it needs more liquid add some more wine ;)

Now serve onto plates or bring the dish to the table and let everyone help themselves. Serve with lemon wedges if desired.

I don't think I'll be doing this often because 1, it's a photo blog 2, it took me ages to write ;-) (now double the time because blogger decided to ask me to sign in after pressing publish and lost most of what I had written).

CM2009

Safe Return

2009-07-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

I've spent my evening up to my elbows in dirt fixing the brakes on my son's car. I also spent a whole Saturday afternoon two weeks ago doing the same.

This has taught me three things;

If you're replacing one wheel cylinder do the other one whilst you're at it because two weeks later it'll fail.
I'm really not a fan of Peugeot's policy to use many different components on the same year and model of car!
Last, I'm too getting too old for this stuff, I used to do it for fun and now can't remember why!!

So this is the last in the series of three I had in mind. It's not the image I was going to use but that one didn't meet my expectations. I wanted to get across a feeling of relief and joy of a loved one returning safely but I'm unsure as to whether I've achieved that aim. I can say though that I liked this image just because and that's a good enough reason for me to post it.

Ever conscience of boring myself and you this will be the last from here for a while and I'll stay away from the textures too. I do feel that they suited these subjects though.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Terra Firma

2009-07-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

I don't think I have a lot to say today, in fact I haven't had a good old moan for ages eh? Never fear, I'm sure something will crop up soon enough ;-)

I would like to say thanks for all the great comments and responses to the last two images, it's really great when others like what you've done.

I was/am very undecided about this one. I'd planned this as a follow on of the post before last with a third to follow. With that in mind I wanted to keep that sort of feeling going with this one but I also liked the straight version. In the end, obviously, I plumped for this one but you can see the straight version here if you wish to. Let me know which you prefer, if any at all!!

CM2009

Whispers In The Wind

2009-07-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Whispers in the wind
Bygones in the breeze
Sometimes you may hear them in the bowing of the trees

More than sixty years of skies have passed
Yet still the signs exist
Rusty hangers and crumbling nissen huts
Appear through morning mist

Off you set upon your round
Putters and irons close to hand
But there’s something different about this land

Airstrip on the edge
And criss crossed paths you find
Windsock flapping in the breeze
All echoes left behind

So when you reach the eighteenth hole
And before the nineteenth beckons
Spare a thought for those who have passed
For without them
These days may never have happened

Whilst the images were all shot at Duxford the inspiration was taken from Earls Colne airfield which is now a golf and sports complex in Essex, yet from the air you can still see they were there.

CM2009

One Ship Still Missing

2009-07-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

As you may have read we went off yesterday to the Flying Legends airshow.

The weather stayed fine (in fact I've never had a bad day for this show) and the show was fantastic. Almost three hours of magnificent flying, too many highlights to mention.

I knew that my longest lens was nowhere near long enough for good aerial shots (not that it stopped me trying) so we got there earlier and went on the flight line walk. It was full of folks in period dress and they made for a great photo op. I shot several hundred frames, most of which are just for me but I did capture some that I will post and this is the first. I didn't go for the posed shots, they don't really interest me. This young lady really looked the part and I managed to capture this shot, she seemed to have a distant, lonely look, despondent even.

I didn't feel that full colour was appropriate for the mood. As a side note, on a WWII airfield with aircraft and people to match it was still difficult to get a frame without something modern in it!

So let me know what you think as always.

CM2009

P.S. small update, I've just entered this shot into Photo Friday because this is one of my favourite spots to be! :)

Can Hardly Wait!

2009-07-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

I've had a real busy week with no time for processing and/or posting but that's the way it goes I suppose!

This weekend however we're off to Flying Legends at Duxford held by The Fighter Collection and they blog too here. As the title says, I can hardly wait and having missed last year's show I'm chomping at the bit to get there this year. This is the largest gathering of piston engined aircraft in Europe and in my opinion the best.

So in view of all that here's an older image with a little updated pp work. I don't suppose I'll get many great shots, especially flying shots, this weekend as I don't have a long lens but maybe on the flight line walk........ :)

CM2009

A Different Take

2009-07-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

I've had one of those weeks that I guess everybody has from time to time.

You couldn't say it was a disaster but it was full of niggles, nothing went smoothly put it that way. I suppose the hot weather hasn't helped, people would rather be somewhere else (me included) and everyone gets a little irritable (also me included). Just the morning to go and then I can relax, perhaps it will be a better week next week, not that I'm wishing the sun away!

Getting away from textures today back to something relatively straight and like the beach huts a few days ago what post processing work there is was done in Lab Colour mode. I find it quite a pleasing way to work, I'm going to go into it a little more over the weekend. Mind you that was the plan last weekend and I got waylaid by the textures :)

We'll see!

CM2009

Heart Of The Village

2009-07-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

It's still scorchio (The Fast Show:) here in the south of England, I like it but I'd rather be on my hols enjoying it that's for sure!

This is another textured image and that's three in a row which is a bit unprecedented for me. It's been interesting to note people's opinions to this type of image. Some worried that it's not "within the rules" so to speak.

Personally I have no rules, I just like images in all sorts of forms. If there's one thing I have learnt on this blogging/photographic journey is I must stay true to myself and do what appeals to me, of course it's very gratifying when others like it too I can't deny. What I'm trying to say is if YOU like it then that's enough. I found myself at some point along this road producing images that I thought would appeal to others, what happened was I stopped enjoying it.

Anyway, this is an older image again and definitely inspired by the images of Michael Regnier used in the tutorial over at Chromasia and if you like these type of images I strongly recommend you go have a look. I was inspired by one image in particular and whilst I'm nowhere near the level of finesse shown there I hope I've produced something pleasing to the eye, it is to mine which illustrates my point above :) This is where I live and consider myself pretty darn lucky to.

Let me know your thoughts as always, they're much appreciated.

CM2009

Crossed Lines

2009-06-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Phew what a scorcher today, 32 outside and it hasn't cooled down much now.

The batteries seem to be failing in my keyboard so I'll be brief! This is an older image that I was never quite sure of, it had sense of foreboding but not enough, I had another crack at it this evening and came up with this.....

CM2009

Dusty (ish)

2009-06-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Another really muggy, sticky day here in the East of England, I reckon I lost a few pounds just mowing the lawn, which is probably a good thing :)

I've been awaiting the new Textures Part Two tutorial from Chromasia and now it's been published it was well worth the wait, I can recommend it without reservation. Anyone who's been following me for a while will know that I do like to dabble with textures every now and then. So with new information I produced the above image.

The original was not technically any good at all, although I have to say I liked it in a way, my wife called it her Dusty Springfield look :) Reading the new tutorial gave me an idea for this image however. I realise, as always, that it may not be to every one's taste much like HDR is or is not but I'd appreciate your thoughts either way. You can bet there will be more to come soon enough as it's it's really captured my imagination ;-)

CM2009

Feeling Hut Hut Hut

2009-06-27T13:02:00.001-07:00

Blimey Guv, what a storm we're having here!

I just managed to save the PSD file for this image before the electric went off! We all sat and ate our paella by candle light which was pretty good I have to say :) both the boys were here, which is often not these case these days, so that was great :)

This is another image processed using Lab Colour (sorry color) mode, I'm yet to work through part two so more to come I'd say!

Let me know your thoughts as always, they're much appreciated.

CM2009

Shower of Inspiration

2009-06-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

We've had everything except snow here today. Wind, rain, lightning & thunder which then cleared to leave a beautiful summer's evening!

Still this gave me a chance to try something else and I popped outside in the rain and snapped a few frames :)

I follow quite a few blogs amongst which is Chromasia & it's associated tutorials and picked up on an interview with Dave which I found most interesting and inspiring, you can hear the podcast here. After this I headed over and took a look through the tutorial regarding working in lab colour mode, something I'd skipped over before but hadn't really given it a go. I'm working on one image that I might post but I also processed the above with this method.

Let me know what you think as always. I can highly recommend Chromasia, whether you'd like to learn more about the vast application that is Photoshop or if you just like great images, if you skip back a few there's a series of three infrared shots that I really enjoyed.

CM2009

Hill House

2009-06-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

I must admit I'm still reeling from the card cloning scam and have to say my bank couldn't care less, they can't even give you times of transactions because "their computers don't work that way" I kid you not folks.

Harping on about it won't help but just be careful folks, I thought I was. Watch out for mobile top ups on your account, mine were 02 but it would seem they use most companies to check if the card is working, it's easy to do......

The image then. Again shot whilst we were walking around looking at the gardens a week ago Sunday. I go past this house every day but I've never taken much notice of it, I think it's attached to a business based on the site but the house seems run down and empty. Rather strange since property of this sort is snapped up round here, perhaps I'll make an offer-oh no, got no money ;-/

CM2009

Blind Faith

2009-06-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

Well it's Father's day and it started out ok. A quick check of our bank account this morning though revealed all was not well, one of our cards has been cloned!

Yup they cleaned us out, I'm sooo angry, we had to spend hours checking through transactions, phoning the bank, cards cancelled etc and now have no money and even if we did no access to it. Chip and Pin, safety in numbers, what a load of old codswallop!! I know I'm not the only one, so many friends getting in touch to say they'd had the same happen. I noticed because not only did they go spending our money in an electrical store they had the cheek to take whatever it was back and get a refund!!

Oh ranting about it won't help, I just hope we get it all back but as they seemed to shopping locally it's pretty hard to prove who spent what.

Still I watched the British Grand Prix, went for a nice walk, took some photos and cooked up a nice dinner which we enjoyed with both of our boys so all's not lost :)

This image comes from Gardens Open day last week, we climbed the very narrow staircase up the tower and came out into the light only to find a very narrow foot way and low walls. My wife clung on for dear life (I kid you not) whilst I shot some frames and this guy sat on the roof of the staircase cool as a cucumber reading his paper!

CM2009

Grow; Old but Never Up

2009-06-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well it was Gardens Open day here in the village this weekend just gone and despite living here for fifteen years we'd never gone and had a look around the various gardens and thought it was high time we did just that!

It also proved to be good inspiration for photography as we got to see the village from aspects never seen before, including a rather hair raising trip up the church tower, more to come on that.

One of the gardens we walked into was a complete surprise as it was filled with an enormous railway layout! There were four older gents there running these beautiful models around, one was actually coal fired and every few circuits had to be stoked up, amazing! Anyone who knows me knows I love this sort of thing, I refuse to grow up and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one :)

I have another couple from here that I might post.....

CM2009

Like Yer Hat

2009-06-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

It has to be said that I don't feel like blogging much at the moment, in fact I don't really feel like picking up the camera even.

We've all felt like this at some time or other and probably more than a few times. It's best to wait and not force the issue otherwise they'll be no enjoyment in it which, for me at least, is what it's all about. I have a lot of shots in the can but can't work up any desire to work on them, it'll come back, soon I hope once I've got some other projects completed and off of my mind!

So having said that I'm blogging, go figure. I was flicking through some older RAW files and came across this. It always made me smile but I'd never processed it. I know it's not a great photograph but it is a great expression and I remember the moment clearly, the sudden realisation that the lens was pointing at him and his hat just as I clicked the shutter. As I lowered the camera I looked beyond him and pointed at something else, seemed to put his mind at rest
;-)

CM2009

All Mod Cons

2009-06-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

We poppped out on Sunday to attend a fun day in support of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) organised by Predator Motorsport. It was a fantastic day out with plenty going on and all in aid of a good cause.

There were lots of bike and cars on display round by Predator's building and some of the Welwyn Stags Scooter Club had turned out with some gorgeous scoots. It was good to see them and bump into some old faces. The scooters are something still close to my heart and whilst I sold my Vespa last year (because it was going to be a money pit) the desire to get another Lambretta is still very much alive if only finance would allow, next year perhaps ;-)

Anyway this is a shot of one of the Lammys, an Li125 Special. I was a bit disappointed with the shots I got to be honest but just like the car show I was talking about a while ago with all the scoots being so close together and all the people milling around it's hard to get a good shot!

CM2009

Cool In The Shade

2009-06-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

That's it, holiday over and back to work in the morning so roll on August for two weeks off then!

I spent my last day on my own apart from Tez (who frankly wasn't much help) re-pointed the patio, planted up some tubs, pots and baskets, trimmed back some shrubs etc. All sounds like hard work but it's nice to get the jobs done and it was another glorious day, too good to be inside.

I shot this a couple of weeks back on just such a day. I paused for a moment whilst walking, looked up through the trees at the brilliant sunshine streaking through, the hedgerows had a heady scent all around me and all was right with the world.

CM2009

Walk & Talk In Four Four Time

2009-05-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well I did take my camera with me on the London ghost walk last night and to be honest I really didn't shoot a lot.

I thought I might shoot some more afterwards but there really wasn't much time and the streets were quite rowdy, there had been a football game I think (that's not a jest, I really don't follow or watch the sport at all).

Whilst we waited outside the tube station I did shoot a couple of frames, this being one. I've borrowed the title from a song but I'm going to let you guess what it is, can you?

CM2009

Pedal Through The Metal

2009-05-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

I'm a few days into my holiday, I think I may have started to relax!

I spent all day in the garden yesterday weeding the borders etc, has to be the worst part of gardening but I feel better for getting it done and it's a good job I did because it rained all night long!

I don't know what the rest of the week holds yet except that we're off on a ghost walk around London tomorrow evening which should be fun. Now do I take the camera? Not for ghost catching you understand, I really don't know why people think orbs are anything other than dust! I might get the airbrush out and do a little model making later on this week, it's a hobby I've neglected for quite some time.

This is an image that I've thought about posting for a while but had never really got around to doing anything with it so having a little time an my hands this morning I thought I'd have a bash at it. I was going to leave it pure B&W but let some colour seep through at the last minute to give a hint of those rusty tones.

CM2009

To The Point

2009-05-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

CM2009

Oi! You Looking at my Bird?

2009-05-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Some images are serious, convey a meaning or message that you wish to get across. Some are just humorous and I hope this is one of those? If you're not from the UK you might not get the title, not sure :-/ made me smile anyway :)

CM2009

Dirty Magazine

2009-05-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

I'm nearly there, just one more day and then a week off :)

It'll be a heavy day tomorrow but it'll be worth it and then I'll have time to cut the grass, clean the car, paint the fence-hold on a minute it's starting to sound like work!! ;-)

This is another image from Languard Fort, underground in the magazine where all the shells would have been kept then sent up to the guns via an ingenious shell lift system. Apart from that I don't think I've got much else to say about it or indeed anything else.

CM2009

Fun Fair No Go Go!

2009-05-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Things are reaching fever pitch, I'm rushing around trying to get stuff finished before my week off and my brain is working twice as fast. I actually had a dream last night about a solution to a problem and it actually worked! First time for everything.

It'll take me most of the week to relax and then I'll be back to work, it's always the same so I might as well just accept it now, I'm crackers :-/

So on top of this I felt compelled to blog, I guess that whilst you're in this state of mind you get stuff done.

This is the pier at Felixstowe. I had read before I travelled that the pier had become derelict and whilst I was sad that this might be the case I thought it would make a good photo op. However it's not, the front section is still open with the usual £1 a go amusements ( remember the days when a small bag of 2p's would last hours?), the rest is just fenced off. There used to be a huge slide and other rides on here when I was a kid, hours of fun were had on those long hot summer evenings now it's just left to rot until it falls down I guess, a rescue plan was abandoned I read somewhere. Perhaps an MP could declare it a second home, be fixed up in no time ;-)

CM2009

Ye Olde Watering Hole

2009-05-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

As you can see I did find the time for a little blogging this evening!

One thing with not blogging regularly over the last week or so is that I have had the chance to blow off any steam about current affairs.

All this lark about MP's and their expense claims, I could really go into one about it but then that could get me in trouble so I'll just say that this; it's affirmed exactly what I thought of them all in the first place! Know what I mean?

The image today is my local pub. Now I'm certainly no regular but it a nice place to go and unwind, have a pint, a nice meal and even a good conversation, just as a good pub should be ;-)

CM2009

Along The Towpath

2009-05-17T05:32:00.000-07:00

So where the heck have I been?

It's been a week and a half I tell you. I've had two members of staff off sick for most of the week, one has returned the other is still off. Now these things certainly can't be helped but did I mention that there are only three of us to start with?

It always seems to be the case that leading up to holidays we seem to become busier than usual and then a spanner gets thrown in the works to boot. On top of this I've a couple of personal projects that are consuming my spare time and the net result is that photography and blogging have had to take a back seat. I guess that in the overall scheme of things it's not very important but it is important to me, I fear this next week may well be the same however, we'll see how it pans out! It's frustrating because I already have the shots but not the time to work on them.

I was also side swiped by the print issue that I spoke about, now my screen may not be calibrated perfectly but this print was way off, it made me feel that all the posts I've ever done were in vain. However after chatting with a friend last night it would seem the print was off and I've requested it to be printed again. We'll wait and see......

So I'm sorry for not posting on a regular basis and not commenting much either, I'm sure that you've all had periods like this so I hope you understand.

Oh, I haven't mentioned the image at all! This was taken along the canal towards Ware and again I've let the barest of colour creep through on the opacity slider.

CM2009

Standoff

2009-05-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

I've had one of those days where you couldn't say everything went wrong but it didn't exactly go to plan either, too many things on the old grey matter! I've a week off soon and I'm looking forward to that immensely. :)

We went to Living Crafts at Hatfield House over the weekend. It was a nice day out and filled with lots of craftspeople making a myriad of different things which is right up my street. I took the camera along but I wasn't really in the frame of mind for images again. I did see these four though and thought it ironic that the dogs seemed quite friendly but the owners decidedly stony faced!

CM2009

The Last Defender#Take Two

2009-05-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Phew, it's been a busy day, a busy weekend actually.

Apart from my usual break to watch the Grand Prix of course, can't miss that! What a fairytale season it's been so far for Jenson Button eh? Well deserved too, he's had a rough few years!

I deliberated hard over this post as to whether I should post a straight B&W or this textured version. First because I like to vary my work and second because I'm always conscience of the fact you might get bored. In the end though I preferred the textured version as it has more atmosphere for me. I tried to imagine a wartime photograph that had been kept in a wallet or carried around in some way for the last sixty odd years, have I achieved that look or gone over the top?

As a side note I think I may have a screen calibration problem. I had the "A Postcard From Hertford" image from the other day printed. I used a reputable lab that's had very good reviews and when I received the print I was pretty happy-until I got it home and compared it to the version on my screen. It's too dark, a lot of the foreground highlight detail has been lost. Now did the lab get it wrong or is my screen not set up properly? I know that I've noticed a difference when I've viewed the blog on other screens but I put it down to cheap screens.

My question is does anyone know a good way to calibrate your screen without spending a fortune to do it?

CM2009

When The Boat Comes In

2009-05-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

Despite it being a short week I feel tired tonight, it's been a hectic couple of weeks so a short post tonight!

This was just one of those moments in time, a quick click of the shutter before it was gone. No time to compose or remove distractions. I just loved it for the two turned heads and bacon rolls at the same angle and in the same hand.

I'd just like to say; No1 you need a haircut and you're running a high risk of me doing it for you! No2, that's a darn silly hat!

Love you boys :)

CM2009

A Postcard From Hertford

2009-05-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Funny old things bank holidays aren't they? The Monday feels like Sunday, the Tuesday then feels like Monday and despite have an extra day you seem to achieve less than you would on an ordinary weekend! It's a conundrum for sure! :-/

This is an image from our recent walk along the canal through Hertford and it's another that changed direction whilst processing. I did not intend to add any textures but as I went along the older the scene felt, looking akin to something that had been hand tinted until I arrived at what you see here.

I guess it could open the whole debate of photography becoming digital art but such things in my own work don't concern me and each to their own I say. That's not to say you shouldn't voice your opinion, I'm always happy to have a friendly debate :)

CM2009

The Last Defender

2009-05-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

So that's another bank holiday over in flash then, I bet if I was at work the it'd still be morning!

I did get the chance to go out shooting this morning, I was offered the chance by a fellow photographer to go and shoot on a country estate where he works. It was a very interesting visit, I was shooting with a particular project in mind which is not for the blog and I haven't had the chance to look through them yet. I hope I might get the chance to go back and shoot some more in the future, I could see some subjects that would work for my own interests and the blog, we'll see!

Back to Languard Fort for today's shot. This was one of those images that you start off with a vision for and halfway through you change direction, does that happen to you? I had a clear idea that this would be B&W and I was thinking of adding a texture too. Halfway through I changed my mind to colour and ended up with something rather different!

This fort fought off the last invasion of England by the Dutch in 1667. The two towers you can see here were built much later and were used in WWII to defend the port against German E Boats. These towers are not actually accessible to the public which is a shame, I used to climb them when I was a kid!

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Passing Fashion

2009-05-03T12:29:00.000-07:00

We spent the day out at Duxford today. It was their Spring Car Show, they hold lots of different events there throughout the year and it's nice to go along and see something different.

They also had some military vehicles displaying, after which you could take a trip in an armoured personnel carrier so Thomas and I took a ride. It was a bit hairy and you had to hold on for dear life but it was fun. There are some fetching photos of us both in hard hats and rubber goggles which I hope never see the light of day!

I have to say I wasn't feeling that inspired when it came to photography. I'm not the biggest fan of car photos but there were some gorgeous cars there including my favourite TVR's (what a sound they make :))))) but these sort of events are not good for images I find. There's always something distracting in the frame, lots of people for a start and if you manage to get a clear shot then you've other cars close by, buildings etc in the background. I think I only have two shots that were ok and may or may not blog them-we'll see!

I mentioned some time ago that us chaps seem to spend a while waiting for our female counterparts. So sitting outside the loos :) I noticed that there was a constant flow of people in and out of the building. I have admired and been inspired by a series of images by my old pal at ID7 called "The Passerby Series" so this is my take on that and tipping my cap to him and his work. Go check them out!

CM2009

Nessy Returns

2009-05-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

Well how many posts that have this part of the estuary in can you stand before you stop visiting?

The truth is that this in response to some critique on the last image that included Nessy here. As you might know this blog runs in two places and on AM3 there's a critique area in the forums, if you haven't visited yet do so! It's a great place to get some constructive but friendly feedback on your images with a view to improving.

I mentioned there that I had another shot that didn't include the distracting tower in the corner of the shot. I said in the forum that I probably wouldn't post the shot but I'm pretty happy with the way this turned out so I thought why not?

Let me know your thoughts as always and if you have the time how it compares to the previous shot? There's only two minor things that are bugging me with this version; There's some slight lens distortion that I can't seem to correct well and Nessy seems a little stark against the sky, almost as if this is a tone mapped HDR but it's not. These are just niggles and not enough to stop me liking it.

CM2009

Fading Memories#Take Two!

2009-04-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

I hope you'll forgive me for posting the same image twice but whilst I liked certain aspects of the edit from yesterday something was bothering me.

It didn't meet my expectations, I had a vision in my minds eye when I took that shot. I was sitting having a cup of tea several hundred yards away, the memories were racing around my head and I could see the potential for the shot so much so that I could hardly wait to get over there. All in all yesterday's didn't have the quality of finish I had been expecting or wanting so I started from scratch this evening, came up with this and I'm much happier.

Please let me know your thoughts, if you'd be so kind, on this new version and your preference between the two.

Just a note on the title; My thinking was that the memories were still just as fresh in my mind as they'd always been but the evidence on the landscape was fading away. I hope that makes sense :)

CM2009

Fading Memories

2009-04-28T13:39:00.000-07:00

I really can't seem to find the time at the moment to get these shots processed and posted.

It's something I feared would happen as soon as I backed off from posting every day. You get out of the habit, what with the lighter evenings and other things occupying my grey cells at the moment I'm finding it hard to apply myself!

Still it's not the end of the world I guess, it's just a tad frustrating because I've got quite a stock of images that I think will work out and I need to get them done before I forget they're there ;-)

This is another shot from Felixstowe in the mouth of the river Orwell. Those posts in the foreground used to have a small jetty on them, I can remember walking along it when I was five or six and now it's just these posts remaining. I can remember it so clearly, the smell of salty air, wind in my hair and the wide grin on my great uncle's face as he told me even more tall tales. I still miss him after all these years.

CM2009

Weeks End

2009-04-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those days when all we've done is jobs around the house and garden.

I'm sure you know what I mean, pruning plants, fixing the gate, washing, ironing etc etc. It made me wonder after you've done all of these jobs when is there actually time to sit back and enjoy it all?

So in honour of taking some time out to enjoy life and I realise that Sunday is technically the start of the week but I thought I'd post this relaxing shot :)

CM2009

Going, Going, Gone?

2009-04-25T02:17:00.000-07:00

I've been a bad blogger!

Life really has got in the way this week, parents evening, youth club and I've had some other stuff on my mind concerning work and some new stuff I'm working on.

I'm helping to choose the "Best Watercolour" today in a local art exhibition which we've provided some sponsorship for. I'm really quite nervous about it but I guess it'll be ok in the end, most things make me nervous!

The image today is from Panshanger Aerodrome and you might remember I posted some images from here a while back. It's again reported this week that it may face closure because of a proposed housing development. It's very wrong in my eyes, not only is this land green belt (and what is the point of green belt if it can be moved or changed?) but it's also historic. It will also mean the closure of a successful business training pilots. I'm not going to bang on about it here but if you care to you can have your say on the local authority website.

Right I'd better be on my way.

CM2009

Oh and you might have noticed that I'm beta testing Fotomoto which seems a good service for selling images. Not that I'm expecting to sell many or indeed any, you never know though!

Home From Home

2009-04-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Another glorious spring day here today, it would seem spring is the new summer!

Thanks to those of you that left comments on your increasing stash of images yesterday, it was nice to know I'm not alone. Some of you seem to be very organized though, not really acceptable, you're making the rest of us look bad!! ;-)

This is another shot from Languard fort. I tried to imagine it in its heyday, it must have been quite impressive. These rooms on the upper levels with large mouldings, arched windows and each with a fireplace I'm guessing would have been for officers but I don't know for sure. Some of the rooms on the lower levels with wash rooms and multiple showers seemed like the regulars soldiers quarters. I've some more images to come of those places, well if they work out of course.

I converted this to B&W but let the barest of colour back through on the opacity. Also, usually, I try to avoid symmetry but I think it suited this subject. I'd be interested in your thoughts on all aspect as usual.

CM2009

Northerly Aspect

2009-04-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Do you know (well why would you) that I've something topping 3000 unprocessed RAW files?

Some are multiples from slightly different angles of shots that I've already posted. Some are just rubbish, some just "nice" pictures that I might like to look at but will never blog. Then there's family stuff that I'll get around too at some point (so I tell myself) and there are those that I thought I might blog but then get buried somewhere. I come across them from time to time and think "oh yeah I was going to post that" but I always seem to be concentrating on the latest batch of shots.

So I was just wondering if any of you are in this position? Do those files just keep mounting up? Or are you very good, being ruthless with those shots you know you probably will not use? It'd be interesting to know.

As for today's image, it's nothing special I guess but I departed from my usual method of B&W processing. It's looking north along the Suffolk coast line.

CM2009

Smile

2009-04-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

So there I was, just minding my own business, having a day out. I look up and this guy's pointing a camera at me! I mean the cheek of it, you can't just go pointing your camera at anyone you like you know, the audacity!

My tongue is firmly in my cheek of course and I couldn't resist seeing who was quickest on the draw, I mean shutter. I wonder If I'm on his blog? lol ;-)

This image means nothing other than it made me smile and if it raises a smile with you too then that's all the better.

CM2009

All At Sea

2009-04-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

We were picking our youngest son up from his guitar lesson a week or so ago. (You can skip to the end now if you wish)!

We were chatting with the shop owner whilst we waited and remarked that he seemed quite busy. He surprised us by saying that a couple of years ago he would have had five members of staff plus him and had to let them all go as trade decreased. He went on to say how the supermarkets and not just the internet are killing retail shops, especially those that are small independent ones. They're selling goods like Cd's and DVDs for less than retail because it draws you in. Once they've killed the competition of course they can charge you what they like and you can lump it.

I know I've banged on about this before so I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself but ask yourself how many shops (especially small locals) and doorstep services have disappeared in your lifetime? Do you still have a milkman? They're few and far between, I walked by my local dairy a couple of months back, it's empty, closed and that dairy employed around twenty workers. I can remember having a baker deliver to our house, we weren't affluent, it was just normal! We had a local butcher, greengrocer, hardware they're all gone.

I'm a drop in the ocean but I continue to buy my goods locally if at all possible. You might see signs in the supermarket telling you the goods are produced by local farmers but how much did they pay the farmer? The shop owner told us about a documentary on the subject, they pushed the price of a lettuce down to one penny-grown, picked, washed, wrapped and boxed ready for the shelf, they make 6000% profit at least and when you understand this you begin to realise how they can sell you other goods at a loss.

He's asked the local council to hold a farmers market once per month but they say there's no demand (despite the fact a neighbouring town has one) well I'd rather give my money to the farmer. Every little helps as they say, you just have to think about who it's helping?

The above all stemmed from this image, believe it or not! There were lots of closed down places along the seafront and it seemed a sad shadow of what it used to be which drew my mind back to that conversation.

I'd struggled with this image, processing it three times before I arrived at anything near something I liked. Still I wasn't happy and passed it to a good friend for advice. He pushed it further than I had the confidence too, I think I have a problem in as much as I try to preserve all the little details. So I took his advice and applied it in my own way, so thanks pal, something learned again.

Let me know your thoughts as always and sorry for ranting on ;O)

CM2009

From The Deep

2009-04-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

Back to work after the Easter break today, enough said really eh?

I've been deliberating between two shots to post this evening and then two versions of each shot to boot!

So as you can see I chose this one, you've got to admit that piece of wood does seem to have a face doesn't it? Or is it just me?

CM2009

Within These Walls

2009-04-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

A rather frustrating day all in all. With half of the day seemingly wasted away doing very little we decided to take a walk along a nearby canal.

Simple enough you might think but having not actually been before and following completely ambiguous footpath signs it took us quite a while to find the path we were looking for. This left me with a thumping headache but it was pleasant enough in the end and the day was rounded out with a nice Jambalaya cooked by my good self :-)

This is a shot from Languard Fort which I mentioned the other day. Other than that I don't think I have much to say about it other than I like it-for the moment!

Your thoughts are most welcome as always.

CM2009

The End Of Felix's Foot

2009-04-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

I've been absent for a few days again. I've been lacking inspiration, I've probably got quite a few bloggable (real word?) shots still but I didn't feel like anything was worthwhile.

So given the long weekend I planned a trip out to look at something different and we went off to the Suffolk coast. The weather looked dubious but we took a chance and we were lucky, had great weather all day long whilst it rained all day at home!

Felixstowe was the destination, not an obvious choice I suppose but this old place holds many happy memories for me. Many a weeks holiday was spent here staying at my great uncle's house. Some of my earliest memories are sitting in the garden, still in my pyjamas, and eating my cereal at the garden table. He'd have me going that his job was to put the plug in and out so the tide could rise and fall, you'll believe anything when your five eh?

I also wanted to visit because Languard Fort has been opened to the public, well has been for some time but I haven't been back for some time! A really interesting place and you're left free to roam around all the rooms, passages ways etc. If you're the area it's well worth the visit, some images to come from there.

After this we went for a walk from the docks, along the shore and onto Languard Common and I shot this along the way. I deliberated hard over this one as to colour or B&W but the latter won over.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

4am 1909?

2009-04-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

I thought the 4amproject was a new concept but going through an old shoe box I found this. It seems my great Grandfather was taking part 100 years ago, so I thought I'd scan it to show you.

OK I'm just pulling your leg! This is the last shot that I'm posting from the 4th and whilst the straight shot, which you can see here, was ok I thought it rather plain and boring lacking the atmosphere of the first shot I posted on the 4th. So I played around somewhat and came up with this. I realise it's not to everyone's taste but I like to produce a textured image once in a while and on top of that it summed up the way I was feeling at this particular time.

Let me know your thoughts, good, bad or ugly.

CM2009

Bear Necessities for 4am

2009-04-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

I was getting my gear together for the 4am project. I wanted everything set up so I could just grab my gear and be out of the door as quickly as possible.

Being paranoid I thought I'd test everything was ok and play around with long exposures before I went. Winnie here sits on the bedroom window sill, he's one of many bears that have infiltrated the house. He looks cute and fluffy by day but every night his shadow look sinister against the wall, sometimes if I wake in the night I'm sure I see that shadow move................... :-/

Ok, Ok, it's a silly post, I was goaded into it, honest I was guv!

CM2009

4am Project

2009-04-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

So I was out and about in the wee small hours and I wasn't the only one!

I was taking part in the 4amproject you'll remember from a few posts back and the above is my effort. I do have a couple of others that I may post in the coming days but for today that's about all because I'm really, really tired!

CM2009

Outstanding In His Field

2009-04-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

So not long to go until the 4am project, have you got your subject picked out?

Keeping away from tone mapping today, I shot this last weekend whilst out walking with Tez. I didn't intend to go through this field but living where we do there were lots of bangs going off and the little fellow was so scared he started heading for home.

Now most of these bangs are these new bird scarers that fire off a "shot", have you seen any? Powered by gas and timed to go off twice every so often they make a pretty substantial noise. Now this year we seem to have a new model, the things look like canons from a war ship and you can actually feel the shock wave in the air. What was wrong the old fashioned scarecrow eh?

Not only that but the field I saw this new model in (not the field in the image) seems to be growing Brussel sprouts this year, now we all know that these are only for use by evil school cooks just to get their own back on children! They serve no other purpose if you ask me, why do they need protecting? ;-)

Let me know your thoughts as always, whether that be the image or your views on evil veg!

CM2009

Try & Try Again

2009-04-02T12:53:00.000-07:00

You know I've hardly slept for three or four nights in a row (I'm so tired I can't remember how many). That bug I had left me with one of those irritating coughs that start up every time you lay your head down. I'm just whinging of course, there are people far worse off that don't moan about their lot.

I've posted a very very similar shot to this before. I worked on this one over the weekend not really intending to post it. I opened it back up this evening and tweaked a couple of things and saved it, whilst doing so I looked at the older one, it was pretty awful now I look back. Do any of you do that? Post something then look back and wonder what you were thinking? I do, quite a bit!

So I thought this one worked out ok, you can see the completely uninteresting original here of today's shot.

You honest thoughts and opinions are welcome as always.

CM2009

By Any Other Name

2009-03-31T13:33:00.000-07:00

Phew I've just sat down after two hours of ironing, what a modern man I am!

Other than that I don't have much to say, I've a gripe I'm saving up because it goes with an image I haven't processed yet, it might not work, who knows? You'll have to wait and see, or not as the case may be.

So this is obviously another from the same series as yesterday's that I'd taken a second look at over the weekend. The consensus around here was that the bar in the foreground is not a distraction but personally I can't make my mind up about it? So let me know what you think about that?

I remember writing at the time I first posted some from this series about what a gentle pace of life seems to exist on the waterways. Perhaps I was being romantic but it took me back to younger days when life did not seem so frantic. I don't know if I said this at the time but it brought back a specific period in time; Wednesday afternoons, school would finish early, there were no cars to speak of really, we all walked home (no really we did), shops closed early and I remember distinctly the sound of silence mixed with summer sun. I could go on and bore you but let me leave you with this question; When did you last hear nothing but peace and quiet?

CM2009

Raising The Level

2009-03-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

So I've been absent for the last few days, did you miss me? Did you notice might be more appropriate!

I needed a break, posting every day since October had taken over and left me feeling that I simply HAD to post so I forced myself to take a few days off and feel better for it. I didn't stop taking pictures mind you, or visiting your blogs, although I might not have left a comment I was still looking ;O)

The thing is I really enjoy images, taking them, processing, blogging and looking at others work too. If I have to back off every now and then to keep that enjoyment then that's what I have to do but I'll try not to do it too often.

There's also a feeling that I need to better myself every time, which in theory isn't a bad thing but in reality there will always be some images that are better than others. There will always be some that I hate a few days (minutes?) later. So I guess all I can do is try to improve overall.

So with all that said here's a real old one that I'd not processed before and looked at over the weekend. Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009

Fixed To The Spot

2009-03-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

I've had one of those days where the goal posts kept on moving and therefore I didn't seem get very far with anything, most frustrating!

Thanks for all the opinions on yesterdays post, it would appear divided but I think I already knew it was too busy. I'm going to go back and get some different shots, take my tripod and take my time. Try and fit in more of the subject whilst keeping some of the surrounding to give context.

So today's shot I've again had for quite a while but only just came across it again. I think I'd struggle to say just what it is I like, something about this chap and the mannequins behind him. Also the dotted lines running across reminded me of one of those kids toys you get where you spin the three sections and make up funny looking figures with different heads etc, know what I mean?

As a side note I've noticed whenever I catch myself in a frame I always stick my left leg out at a funny angle when shooting, arty eh? LOL

CM2009

P.S. that "Love Shack" from a few posts back.....they pulled it down, so I was wrong, good job I shot it when I did then!

The Lost Gardens

2009-03-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

Another Wednesday so it's been youth club tonight, still not many more until the summer break and then I can get out walking with my dog and my camera, looking forward to that :-)

Not far from my house in the middle of a farmers field there's a small copse of trees, if you venture inside and climb the small bank you'll find this. It's what remains of part of a garden and a swimming pool and a strange shaped pool at that. don't actually know what house it belonged to (because I haven't asked as I'm sure I could find out) and it's not really that old as I have a photograph of it being built (not one of mine, I'm not that old ;-) I shall have to ask some questions about it.

I'm not sure if this actually works. It is tone mapped and I like the tonality of the pool but I think maybe the whole thing is too busy. It's actually a very old raw file that I hadn't worked on, perhaps I should go back with my tripod and try again?

Let me know what you think.

CM2009

Up Above The Streets & Houses.....

2009-03-24T13:49:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling a little off colour this evening so I'm going to be quick.

This image has nothing to do with Rainbow but the theme tune was running through my head the whole time whilst processing this one, now I can't get it out of there!! If you don't know what the Rainbow tv show is go look it up :)

As a side note I've been told that the page is slow to load and it has been for me too but I'm pretty sure it's a blogger problem because I've noticed it with other blogger pages. If you're viewing the main site and it's slow click on the heading of the post you wish to look at, that should load pretty quickly.

CM2009

Carved by Nature

2009-03-23T14:24:00.000-07:00

I was going to have a moan about the current story of politicians and their second homes scandal today but we all knew they'd been ripping us off for years anyway eh?

I had another tone mapped image I could have posted today but as I said previously I don't want to bore you or I.

I enjoy tone mapped images, creating them and looking at them but my interests are wide and varied. In short I don't want this to turn into a blog with nothing but tone mapped or HDR images. There's nothing wrong with that, just in case I cause offence, I just want to keep things varied on my blog.

So this image would have been easy to tone map but I took a different route. I was conversing with a fellow blogger the other day about a feeling of peace and almost belonging. I love all sorts of places, I love where I live but the ocean is the place I feel most at peace. Away from the worries of frantic everyday life, work, bills etc when I get back to the sea it feels like my soul has been cleansed. That might sound twee but that's the best way I can explain it so there!! ;O)

I love the way the sea has carved this groin over the years and left these parts looking like two ankles below powerful calves. I don't think I could have ever carved this so perfectly if I tried.

So let me know what you think as always.

CM2009

Mothering Sunday

2009-03-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

Ok so I guess that it's a bit late in the day for this (10.24pm as I write) but better late than never.

A departure for me too I suppose but an appropriate image for the day.

So for all Mum's, past, present and future this image is for you :O)

CM2009

Whispering Grass

2009-03-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ok a real quick post tonight folks.

It's been one of those days of dashing around everywhere and I'm going to put my feet up :O)

This is another tone mapped image and probably the last one done in this way I'll post for a while, wouldn't want you or I getting bored now!

It was just another of those problem images that I'd held onto because I couldn't strike a balance that I liked but the tone mapping has brought about that balance in my mind at least.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

CM2009