I love taking pictures of fireworks, it's a shame that it usually only comes around once a year. My formula is to to put the focus to manual and set it to infinity (there isn't time or anything for the camera to focus on). Initially I set the exposure to manual and then the time to 1 second and the aperture to f8. After taking few shots I review what I have taken, If the firework is too bright I change the aperture f16 to saturate the colours. If the firework size is too small I increase the time, if it is too large I reduce the time. I am then free to to concentrate on when the next firework is due to explode by the trail of the rocket going up. i take hundreds of shots to get a few good ones as it free!
Monday, 7 November 2011
Friday, 4 November 2011
Kilham Morning
However the next morning I knew it would be another misty morning with a good sunrise so it was off at 7 am to go over to Kilham (fog hollow) to make up for yesterday's missed opportunity. Of the pictures taken this was one of the best with the church above the mist and the soft morning light creating layers in the landscape. I sent it in to the local television programme Look North where it was chosen as the picture of the day.
Misty morning 3
I had to go to work today on such a stunning morning. I could have stopped a dozen times to take photos but that would have made me an hour late so I restricted it to this one scene.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Vate
This is where the use of the software tries to achieve the image in the mind's eye. Sometimes this picture whivch you originally imagined changes during the process to something completely new.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Thursday 28th July
Sat for, what was for me, ages (well, 15 minutes) for the train to appear from the tunnel. No patience me!!
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Eliza again
When I took this I already had this picture of a burnt out mono in my mind. It took photoshop for me to realise the seen image.
Old barn with storm
The moment is here, the moment passes. 30 seconds later the barn was in shadow and raindrops were falling.
fungus
Driving to work on a back road one day I saw this fine fungus out of the corner of my eye. The advantages of living in rural East Yorkshire include the ability to put on the brakes, pull over and have time to compose a shot.
shadow
The same evening. Never forget to cast your eyes upward from time to time to see that extra interesting picture.
Pocklington churchyard 2
On a night out in Pocklington, always ensure that you keep your photographic brain at the very least on standby and that you have a camera handy.
lissett memorial
There's always a new angle to explore. i must have been past here a dozen times in all weathers, mainly because I think it is a marvellous memorial. Today the wild spring flowers provide a great foreground to emphasise the rural position.
Friday, 27 May 2011
blue door
Sometimes things just sort of fascinate you and blue doors do it for me. I cannot resist photographing old peeling distressed blue doors which I love to highlight by desaturating the rest of the image. We all need our quirks / signature images.
Friday, 29 April 2011
Tulip Development
The (almost) original, the first reworking and the second (and possibly) final development of this picture of the heart (or sexy bits) of a tulip. The main idea was to concentrate the attention on the stamen by increasing the blur and darkening down the surrounding area whilst increasing the sharpness and contrast of the area of interest. Which of these you prefer is up to your preference.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Burton Agnes Manor House Undercroft
I am trying out duotoning to add mood to monochrome. With the right image and the careful choice of tone I think in enhances the picture. Given the wrong tone it could well ruin it! This undercroft of the old Norman Manor House next to Burton Agnes Hall is a lovely subject although the vast contrast in light is a real problem. Next time I shall take the tripod (I was in the middle of an 8 mile walk when I stopped for this shot) and try High Dynamic Range (not something I am very skilled at. However the best way to learn is to do!
View from Bassett Brow
One of the joys of photography is its ability to recall the feelings and sights of great moments. Walking over the top of Bassetts Brow near Settrington brings you this vista looking over towards Malton and the far North York Moors. Adding the two walking companions personalises the moment forever.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Bridlington morning
If you try to take a picture every day for a year, some days the weather, or more accurately the light, is against you. Sometime the mojo is rather weak and you just can't seem to see a photo anywhere. However, there is always photoshop and a bit of post prouction imagination.
All Saints Kilham 2
The need to fit the presentation to the subject matter to enhance the mood is shown well here. This is a timeless picture which probably hasn't changed much in the last 100 years. So why not try to emulate the pictures of 100 years ago.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
skeleton leaf
Holly leaves which have overwintered on the ground or in leaf mould can be reduced to a skeleton state which can lend themselves to great photos. Just be very gentle with them and have fun playing with the light source to optimise the shadows.
It is always good to look at other people's work to get inspiration but you should always try to put your own spin on the image to mke it yours.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Rebirth
One of my goals for 2011 is to get a photo into the readers photos of the Guardian weekend magazine. Sometimes the set subject is so obscure that I have no chance of even entering. A couple of weeks ago the subject was "rebirth" and I thought this was a suitable piture of a new rhubarb leaf poking out of a mass of old decaying stalks. Having duly sent it off I sat and waited but alas it only made the shortlist.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2011/mar/05/readers-pictures-rebirth?INTCMP=SRCH#/?picture=372282638&index=5
Ah well, keep trying
Saturday, 26 February 2011
soul window
I need a portrait image for a competition but I don't do portraits, so I have done this. Hopefully the judge will see what I saw!
Saturday, 19 February 2011
piggy bank
There are pictures all around. It took a bit of finding to get the best angle of this piggy bank. Whether this is the best that can be done is a moot point as this is the angle which I think captures the expression and appeal of the object.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
feeding frenzy
Does a photograph need to be sharp? If so, how much of it needs to be sharp?
Answer: As much or as little as YOU as the photographer want.
Answer: As much or as little as YOU as the photographer want.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
ice crystals 2
Ice crystals on the car windscreen. The sun caught them and five minutes later they were gone. Sic transit gloria mundi.
Above Bishop Wilton 3
Another view from the same location highlighting a small area of the suns light and the far power station (Eggborough I think)
Friday, 7 January 2011
Above Bishop Wilton 2
Sometimes light is the most transient and beautiful. I always carry a camera because remember, the best camera in the world is the one you have with you. Any other is useless.
Stanage edge 4
If you can't get it in with one photo, take several and merge the. This is two pictures merged with Panorama maker. It does tend to give you a curved horizon but I often feel that this is sometimes an advantage such as here.
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