If you get a chance click on this link and have a look at the 30 photos that changed the world. Very thought provoking. There are also some incredible photos in the "photo lists" on the right hand side of this page too, all well worth a look.
http://www.photographyschoolsonline.net/blog/2010/30-photos-that-changed-the-world/
Oh I am rubbish, you'll have to cut and paste the link rather than click, sorry!
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Greenhead Park
Once I had finished with my first stranger photo took some of the park. The weather is glorious today and it was a joy to be outside!
100 Strangers
In the interest of keeping me on my toes and making me work a bit harder at this whole photography thing I have joined a group on Flickr, the photo sharing website, called 100 strangers. The plan is you approach one hundred strangers engage them in conversation and ask if you can take their photo. I had expected to be really nervous and wasn't sure how to go about it but decided that people in a park are generally relaxing and have a few minutes spare so are more approachable than someone dashing around town. I was just standing admiring some fantastic flowers, more of those later, when an elderly lady asked one of the park keepers what they were, he told her they were a type of fritilary that looked beautiful but had a bit of a weird smell. She said she couldn't smell it, I could and joined the conversation - the flowers smell like cannabis! The old lady left and I sensed my opportunity, explained what I wanted and it turns out that Tony knows Flickr well as his partner is a member of the Huddersfield group and he was more than happy to be my first stranger! It's a small world isn't it?
one down 99 to go!
one down 99 to go!
Friday, 16 April 2010
Lightshow courtesy of Iceland
For everyone who has had their weekend buggered up by this I can only apologise. To everyone else, did you see that sunset? Steve's away walking and this evening is the only one where we have no guests, so the only chance I will get to take photos of the sunset whilst all this icelandic, volcanic ash is in our upper atmosphere. Silly to waste that opportunity.
This, as they say in the trade, is soc - straight out of camera. In other words, I took the photo and have done nothing to it in Lightroom. How amazing is that sky?
Sunsets need silhouettes!
Elland never looked better.
One with the wide angle lens - love how the ring road is just that when its dark and the street lights are lit, a big circle of light.
Sunset, sliver of moon and pole star? You have to look to see it, just below the moon, I have no idea if its the pole star but it is a star and not a satellite!
Post Edit: Have it on good authority that that "star" is in fact Venus! Thanks Mumx
This, as they say in the trade, is soc - straight out of camera. In other words, I took the photo and have done nothing to it in Lightroom. How amazing is that sky?
Sunsets need silhouettes!
Elland never looked better.
One with the wide angle lens - love how the ring road is just that when its dark and the street lights are lit, a big circle of light.
Sunset, sliver of moon and pole star? You have to look to see it, just below the moon, I have no idea if its the pole star but it is a star and not a satellite!
Post Edit: Have it on good authority that that "star" is in fact Venus! Thanks Mumx
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Sunday in London
After the Tate we spent a long time looking for Borough Market, eventually found it but by the time we had my poor foot was in ribbons - great big huge blister on my little toe, in spite of an emergency sock purchase! Hobbled about a bit and then limped to the tube and back to our room for a rest! Found a lovely pub Saturday evening, just off Kensington High Street, which probably explains why one pint of larger and a regular glass of wine cost £9.60!! Then went for a thai which was fantastic.
Sunday morning decided that a change of footwear would help with the blister which had replaced my little toe and we set off for Covent Garden. Much more confident on the tube today and even managed to rejig our plans to cope with a non running tube! Had scrambled eggs, toast and coffee at Le Pain Quotidien which was lovely although made the mistake of thinking it was warm enough to sit outside, sadly it wasn't and we had to eat and drink quickly before it all went cold!
Loads going on in Covent Garden and it was a great place to while away an hour or two shopping for presents for the kids.
Have to admit that some of these aprons made me chuckle. One in particular seemed rather apt... I'll leave you to work out which!
We decided to walk from Covent Garden, through Soho and China Town to Oxford Street, the Photographers Gallery is just off Oxford Street. At this point my foot is holding up well and although uncomfortable nothing a brave little soldier couldn't handle!
China Town was really bustling and I could happily have swapped to the zoom lens and taken up a position for an hour or so to do some candid street photography. Sadly Steve wasn't big on that plan.
Steve and I used to go to a restaurant in China Town on work nights out that was called "wonkies". The service was very strange, lots of little chinese men shouting orders at one another and you - when you sat down they flung out menus and little pots of jasmine tea and then came back 30 seconds later demanding to know "what you want"!! I ate there several times and only once got food poisoning, which I think is pretty good going! I have never been so ill, you really don't need the details! We were delighted to find it so that I could take a photo so it is immortalised on my blog!
Coming out of China Town was the street with all the theatres - it almost certainly has a name, have no idea what it is!
We called into Starbucks on Oxford Street for a coffee and a cup cake, all that walking meant I was in danger of creating a calorie deficit, I am almost sure!
The Photographers Gallery was interesting and had the Deutsche Borse 2010 photography prize exhibition, so it was great to have the opportunity to see that.
From there we walked to Carnaby Street. It was buzzing! The whole place has a fantastic feel to it.
How fab is that for a shop front?
Even though I was hobbling about I still had to ogle shoes.
And this is the final photo from our weekend in London and probably my favourite of the weekend!
Sunday morning decided that a change of footwear would help with the blister which had replaced my little toe and we set off for Covent Garden. Much more confident on the tube today and even managed to rejig our plans to cope with a non running tube! Had scrambled eggs, toast and coffee at Le Pain Quotidien which was lovely although made the mistake of thinking it was warm enough to sit outside, sadly it wasn't and we had to eat and drink quickly before it all went cold!
Loads going on in Covent Garden and it was a great place to while away an hour or two shopping for presents for the kids.
Have to admit that some of these aprons made me chuckle. One in particular seemed rather apt... I'll leave you to work out which!
We decided to walk from Covent Garden, through Soho and China Town to Oxford Street, the Photographers Gallery is just off Oxford Street. At this point my foot is holding up well and although uncomfortable nothing a brave little soldier couldn't handle!
China Town was really bustling and I could happily have swapped to the zoom lens and taken up a position for an hour or so to do some candid street photography. Sadly Steve wasn't big on that plan.
Steve and I used to go to a restaurant in China Town on work nights out that was called "wonkies". The service was very strange, lots of little chinese men shouting orders at one another and you - when you sat down they flung out menus and little pots of jasmine tea and then came back 30 seconds later demanding to know "what you want"!! I ate there several times and only once got food poisoning, which I think is pretty good going! I have never been so ill, you really don't need the details! We were delighted to find it so that I could take a photo so it is immortalised on my blog!
Coming out of China Town was the street with all the theatres - it almost certainly has a name, have no idea what it is!
We called into Starbucks on Oxford Street for a coffee and a cup cake, all that walking meant I was in danger of creating a calorie deficit, I am almost sure!
The Photographers Gallery was interesting and had the Deutsche Borse 2010 photography prize exhibition, so it was great to have the opportunity to see that.
From there we walked to Carnaby Street. It was buzzing! The whole place has a fantastic feel to it.
How fab is that for a shop front?
Even though I was hobbling about I still had to ogle shoes.
And this is the final photo from our weekend in London and probably my favourite of the weekend!
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Tate Modern
The Tate Modern Gallery was the one thing on Steve's list for the weekend that was a must do and whilst the art installations may have left us cold - one was a huge heap of clothing in front of a statue, Steve took one look and said "that's not art. That's Emily's bedroom!" - the building itself was fantastic and a photographers dream. It used to be a power station which will give you some idea of the scale. Loads of light and glass and colour.
We came in onto the first floor, the other entrance was on the ground floor with a massive window over it creating some great light and dark areas.
Looking up towards the main entrance.
I just loved the colour everywhere.
I even got a bit arty, although never sure if this kind of thing has worked!
Calling this "escalator up" on this I really like how the lights and the womans face coming down on the other escalator are out of focus - this was the plan!
There is a story to this one. Mum had a very nice camera and had stood little girl next to the buggy, brushed her hair, made her stand nicely, walked away and just as she turned round her reluctant model legged it! I had wanted to catch her taking the photo and got this instead!
Really like the glass and the light in this.
Lots going on everywhere you looked too which I liked.
The views from the balcony outside the Tate cafe were fantastic.
Very pleased with how this one came out, not least because I took it through a window! think the bridge looks fab.
We came in onto the first floor, the other entrance was on the ground floor with a massive window over it creating some great light and dark areas.
Looking up towards the main entrance.
I just loved the colour everywhere.
I even got a bit arty, although never sure if this kind of thing has worked!
Calling this "escalator up" on this I really like how the lights and the womans face coming down on the other escalator are out of focus - this was the plan!
There is a story to this one. Mum had a very nice camera and had stood little girl next to the buggy, brushed her hair, made her stand nicely, walked away and just as she turned round her reluctant model legged it! I had wanted to catch her taking the photo and got this instead!
Really like the glass and the light in this.
Lots going on everywhere you looked too which I liked.
The views from the balcony outside the Tate cafe were fantastic.
Very pleased with how this one came out, not least because I took it through a window! think the bridge looks fab.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Saturday in London
Woke up to fantastic sunshine. Had put together a rough plan of where we wanted to go so first stop the tube to Mansion House - weird as Kensington High street had been heaving, Mansion house tube station is in the City, which basically closes for the weekend - no people and nothing open. Walked to St Pauls and ate breakfast sat outside enjoying the sun shine and the smell of the grape hyacinths.
How clear is that sky! When I took the photo Steve said "I want to be able to see all four engines!" As I was only using my 50mm lens wasnt sure that was even possible but look, there they are!
As lovely as it is from the outside nothing prepares you for inside St Pauls. If only I could have taken photos, although they are quite right to refuse permission, its a church after all and I was surprised to see how many people were prepared to flaunt the rules.
We walked the 270 steps to the whispering gallery, it is worth doing even if you aren't a big fan of heights, Steve was a bit weak knee'ed when we came back down so I took him for coffee via the crypts - saw Nelsons tomb which was very impressive. Fab coffee and cake - and not over priced either, very impressed!
From St Pauls its a short walk to the Millenium Bridge and across there to the Tate Modern.
This photo has been worked a bit and I think it needs re-doing, the crowd in the front were very dark and the sky was very bright so I have tried to give it balance and not done it skillfully. Think there might be a second edit to this one.
The bridge itself is magnificent and gives a great vantage point between St Pauls and the Tate.
A view across the river Thames.
Em phoned for a chat as we were crossing the bridge so I took the opportunity to grab a couple more photos!
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre from the Millenium Bridge.
One of my favourite photos of the weekend - looking back across the bridge to St Pauls. How pin sharp is that fab 50mm?!
How clear is that sky! When I took the photo Steve said "I want to be able to see all four engines!" As I was only using my 50mm lens wasnt sure that was even possible but look, there they are!
As lovely as it is from the outside nothing prepares you for inside St Pauls. If only I could have taken photos, although they are quite right to refuse permission, its a church after all and I was surprised to see how many people were prepared to flaunt the rules.
We walked the 270 steps to the whispering gallery, it is worth doing even if you aren't a big fan of heights, Steve was a bit weak knee'ed when we came back down so I took him for coffee via the crypts - saw Nelsons tomb which was very impressive. Fab coffee and cake - and not over priced either, very impressed!
From St Pauls its a short walk to the Millenium Bridge and across there to the Tate Modern.
This photo has been worked a bit and I think it needs re-doing, the crowd in the front were very dark and the sky was very bright so I have tried to give it balance and not done it skillfully. Think there might be a second edit to this one.
The bridge itself is magnificent and gives a great vantage point between St Pauls and the Tate.
A view across the river Thames.
Em phoned for a chat as we were crossing the bridge so I took the opportunity to grab a couple more photos!
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre from the Millenium Bridge.
One of my favourite photos of the weekend - looking back across the bridge to St Pauls. How pin sharp is that fab 50mm?!
Weekend in London
Steve and I had a fantastic weekend in London and were so lucky that the sun shone. Not so great was the hideous blister I managed to inflict on my poor toe - stupid, stupid woman who elected for style over comfort, and not that much style either.
We got the train from Leeds to Kings Cross, ate Revels and read - bliss compared to our usual Friday afternoon.
See don't we looked relaxed! He is getting good at this photo lark too isn't he - another one I like enough to show people!
I forgot to add the photo that I took from the train - I love looking at photo blogs and two of my faves are by American Army wives, who specialise in beautiful portrait photos, so only rarely take landscape photos and when they do its lovely to see where they live and the things they maybe see and take for granted (as we all do when its on our doorstep!) I decided that this blog would be a good place to do the same, random photos of the UK that maybe aren't earth shatteringly brilliant but are of here! Gad, thats a heap of waffle, hope you understand.
See not earth shattering is it, but its from a train so it gets some kudos for being in focus surely?!
We got to Kings Cross and 4pm and then had the underground to contend with, didn't take any photos as was more stressed about finding which line we needed to be on. It was really hot and by the time we had walked from Kensington High Street tube to our accommodation we were ready for a rest.
Accommodation, what can I say? All a bit strange really. Basically its a normal house just off Kensington High Street, so there's an oxymoron before you start as clearly there is no such thing, any house off KHS is as far from normal as you can hope to get. Will do a google search to see if I can get an idea of the sort of money this place would have cost. So its a "normal" house, not a b&b or small hotel and basically what they are doing is letting out their en suite bedrooms but doing it on the cheap. Don't get me wrong the room was very comfortable and functional but it lacked the professional finish especially in the bathroom. London has very hard water and as a result everything was marked with limescale. I used to live in Kent, it is annoying - but it can be cleaned off and if you are charging £110 a night for a bedroom (no breakfast!) then you really should be cleaning it off. You also need to think about what your guests need - our room had 2 wall sockets, both hidden behind the bedside tables, neither had an adaptor so at most we could plug in the hair dryer and the kettle or charge the phone and the camera battery but not all at once. Aesthetics are clearly important to the people that own the place and they have taken precedence over functionality - it annoys the hell out of me when there isn't a mirror anywhere near a wall socket so drying your hair is very hit and miss. Of more importance because they aren't flagging up that they offer accommodation there isn't a single fire extinguisher or piece of information on what to do in the event of a fire and I am certain they have not been assessed by the fire brigade - if there was a fire and some one lost their life they would end up in prison, it just isn't worth the risk in my opinion.
Sorry if that sounded like a great big moan but it annoys me that we work so hard to offer our guests what we do! Like I said the room was very nice...
His Grandmother is Chinese and there was a strong influence throughout.
I am going to try and download pictures from my mobile of Friday evening so will do that as another post.
We got the train from Leeds to Kings Cross, ate Revels and read - bliss compared to our usual Friday afternoon.
See don't we looked relaxed! He is getting good at this photo lark too isn't he - another one I like enough to show people!
I forgot to add the photo that I took from the train - I love looking at photo blogs and two of my faves are by American Army wives, who specialise in beautiful portrait photos, so only rarely take landscape photos and when they do its lovely to see where they live and the things they maybe see and take for granted (as we all do when its on our doorstep!) I decided that this blog would be a good place to do the same, random photos of the UK that maybe aren't earth shatteringly brilliant but are of here! Gad, thats a heap of waffle, hope you understand.
See not earth shattering is it, but its from a train so it gets some kudos for being in focus surely?!
We got to Kings Cross and 4pm and then had the underground to contend with, didn't take any photos as was more stressed about finding which line we needed to be on. It was really hot and by the time we had walked from Kensington High Street tube to our accommodation we were ready for a rest.
Accommodation, what can I say? All a bit strange really. Basically its a normal house just off Kensington High Street, so there's an oxymoron before you start as clearly there is no such thing, any house off KHS is as far from normal as you can hope to get. Will do a google search to see if I can get an idea of the sort of money this place would have cost. So its a "normal" house, not a b&b or small hotel and basically what they are doing is letting out their en suite bedrooms but doing it on the cheap. Don't get me wrong the room was very comfortable and functional but it lacked the professional finish especially in the bathroom. London has very hard water and as a result everything was marked with limescale. I used to live in Kent, it is annoying - but it can be cleaned off and if you are charging £110 a night for a bedroom (no breakfast!) then you really should be cleaning it off. You also need to think about what your guests need - our room had 2 wall sockets, both hidden behind the bedside tables, neither had an adaptor so at most we could plug in the hair dryer and the kettle or charge the phone and the camera battery but not all at once. Aesthetics are clearly important to the people that own the place and they have taken precedence over functionality - it annoys the hell out of me when there isn't a mirror anywhere near a wall socket so drying your hair is very hit and miss. Of more importance because they aren't flagging up that they offer accommodation there isn't a single fire extinguisher or piece of information on what to do in the event of a fire and I am certain they have not been assessed by the fire brigade - if there was a fire and some one lost their life they would end up in prison, it just isn't worth the risk in my opinion.
Sorry if that sounded like a great big moan but it annoys me that we work so hard to offer our guests what we do! Like I said the room was very nice...
His Grandmother is Chinese and there was a strong influence throughout.
I am going to try and download pictures from my mobile of Friday evening so will do that as another post.
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