(and for those who know my sense of humour this is the dark side not the far side!)

Early on in the photography course I exchanged emails with a fellow student where we agreed we were being drawn to the “dark side” of photography. Del may wish to comment ( ) however I [...]]]>

(and for those who know my sense of humour this is the dark side not the far side!)

Early on in the photography course I exchanged emails with a fellow student where we agreed we were being drawn to the “dark side” of photography. Del may wish to comment ( ) however I saw this as being drawn towards increasing processing of images.  For some years my photography has been as much a “matter of record” rather than overly creative.  Certainly the course has changed my views on what I will and won’t photograph.  However I am not really drawn into highly processed images in the main.

The fact that I can create the images around this page (& I am prepared to show them here!) suggests that I have some interest in this genre however I would still prefer to see a good unprocessed image.  However there is real work involved in creating such images.  Firstly there must be an appropriate image to work on (I hope these are not too bad).  After that the work starts.  Tastes are so varied that there will always be voices suggesting this or that tweak to just finish an image off – maybe that is why I prefer “real” images – the discussion is then quite limited!

I guess I quite like all the images here though possibly not in their current form.  They are ones I felt had some potential but maybe not quite in their original form.

The bottom image is a little different to the others in that it illustrates a section of my learning image manipulation which I’ve found very useful.  The way it now is represents an impossible image in that the “obvious” bright area bottom right could not create the equally obvious shadows that can be seen (it actually has three differently placed and differing effect graduated filters on it).

Will I do more of this?  Unlikely for now.  However one aspect of this processing does draw me.  Acknowledging conversations about the subject and its value black and white treatment in varying forms does draw me (& that includes some level of sepia and the like).  I plan the next blog to be on that subject and the way the weather is at present it might be quite soon!.

The course I am doing has made me look at photography and my photography quite differently.  Driving can now be quite awkward – I sometimes see things I want to take a picture of .

A little while ago the week’s assignment was to find “colour” – bright and not necessarily identifiable.  Two of the images [...]]]>

The course I am doing has made me look at photography and my photography quite differently.  Driving can now be quite awkward – I sometimes see things I want to take a picture of .

A little while ago the week’s assignment was to find “colour” – bright and not necessarily identifiable.  Two of the images here are ones I used on the course directly. Of the three remaining,  two are related to course ones and, with the final one, were ones I got yesterday.

The top image is similar to the course one but has a little more in.  When I took it for the course the sun was on it but as it had been dry there were no fresh water streaks on it and I like this one too.

Close to the spot I took that I also took this one and it was used for the course.  It is a very tight crop but I liked the combinations of texture, sharpness and colour.

I like this blue one in some ways.  It is just so blue.  I would not have dreamed of taking such an image even a couple of months ago.

I guess I find decay interesting photographically and so rust can draw me.  The sun was on this and it stood out well.

Finally – a self portrait in a manner of speaking.  I used this object on the course but decided to introduce a different aspect here.  I like the idea of shadow photography at times.  Whatever else my style is wider than it was .

The photography course that I am doing is extremely rewarding and without it the images for this photo shoot would be quite different.  I now look at things with a somewhat different eye.  Someone has suggested I am getting a ‘house style’ but I haven’t spotted it for myself yet!

This was from a [...]]]>

The photography course that I am doing is extremely rewarding and without it the images for this photo shoot would be quite different.  I now look at things with a somewhat different eye.  Someone has suggested I am getting a ‘house style’ but I haven’t spotted it for myself yet!

This was from a short stroll along the beaches at Preston and Paignton in Devon.  I was hoping for some good seas but the water was quite calm although it was windy and, at times, cloudy.

Walking around the harbour I found this one.

The geometry and the colours appealed.  Seaweed on the tyres, rust on the metal and sun on part of it.

I did manage a conventional image of the pier however – this is a stitch from three images created with Hugin.  It should make it on to Commons in due course.

And finally

There should be a competition for this one. What would you like a Talking Telescope to say to you?

Hopefully I will not be here when this is published.  I should be walking on the  South West Coast path at the time.  I wanted to try a post that was automated as much as anything.  I hope there will be some interesting images from [...]]]> (Well I am doing a French course at present )

Hopefully I will not be here when this is published.  I should be walking on the  South West Coast path at the time.  I wanted to try a post that was automated as much as anything.  I hope there will be some interesting images from the walks which I will get on here as soon as I can when I am back.

For now though some things I’ve found recently.

It was not as good as last time (I’ll post those images another time maybe) but we did catch dawn & some early light.  Some of the images may get used on the photography course as one of [...]]]> The forecast was for a clear dawn so it was up early and out to catch some dawn light.

It was not as good as last time (I’ll post those images another time maybe) but we did catch dawn & some early light.  Some of the images may get used on the photography course as one of our next tasks is taking pictures in difficult light conditions.

Hound Tor

Well I guess everyone has to have a “first” blog sometime & this one is mine.

The forecast for Thursday (8th) was good so I headed for the moors in the afternoon to catch some sunshine & photos.  As the weather was good it was no surprise that there were quite a few [...]]]>

Hound Tor

Well I guess everyone has to have a “first” blog sometime & this one is mine.

The forecast for Thursday (8th) was good so I headed for the moors in the afternoon to catch some sunshine & photos.  As the weather was good it was no surprise that there were quite a few people around (although I guess Hey tor would have been worse!).

Greator Rocks

I walked around Hound Tor largely to avoid the tourists & headed for Greator Rocks.  I’ve always loved these rocks ever since I was a kid & scrambled on them.  The afternoon light on them looked good and there were few folk there.

I caught one or two images for my photo course there (maybe on here another day!) and then moved around to the old medieval village there.  Wikipedia has some info on it.

Medieval Village at Hound Tor

Wandering back around Hound Tor it was clear that the fine day had brought out not just tourists but some fairly enthusiastic and skilled climbers.  A couple of guys were tackling a tricky pitch climbing free – the look on his face says it all!

Comments/brick bats welcome – hopefully this will have something other than the “vanilla” theme soon but the temptation to get something up and running was too great.  Thanks.

Climber on Hound Tor