John’s Blog

Interesting article.
How to Be a Curious Photographer

We were at the tennis again today. The security men reminded me of MIB

We also saw Alex Bogdanovic and I thought this picture was quite good

Today we went to a local outdoor store and purchased two plastic ponchos to keep the rain off during the Nottingham Open this week. Then on to Patchings where Maria finshed two bears. I walked round the grounds and took some pictures with the Olympus 70-300mm lens.

 

On the way to Patchings during the festival we noticed a oil seed rape field with loads of poppies. What happens at harvest time? Can they separate the seeds or is the crop contaminated?
Today when we had the time I stopped off and spent a happy hour with a camera, whilst I was there at least two other groups also came to take photos.

 

As you can see from the overgrown state of our garden - I use the chair.

We had a wonderful time last night at the NIA, pity that it took so long to get out of the car park.
Today’s photo is inspired by DSLR User Magazine, February issue. Here is a link to their masterclass video DSLR TV - Kitchen Macro Masterclass. I found some strawberries in the fridge, picked the best one and spend some time setting up the environment. The A4 coloured card and papers I got from the PayPerBox stall at the Patchings Festival came in handy. I photoshopped in the highlights on the spoon handle, otherwise exactly as taken. I’m happy with this for a first attempt - now to choose some perfect fruit.
Olympus E3 and 70-300mm lens set at 149mm, 2.0 sec at F16, ISO 100, side light from window at left with flash on background and very slight flash on camera (-3ev).

We are going out tonight so after a day’s work there is not much time to take a photograph. I went into the garden and saw this mobile (wind chimes) that Maria put up. Framing it with the clear sky as background seemed to work.

Dave came to do the garden on Saturday and the lawn mower broke when Dave tried to mow the long wet grass, so we are left with some tall grass and some shorter. I’ve tried to use the lines in the lawn to point to the subject of the blue pot and ball. I like the way the blue is echoed by the plant on the left. The teracotta plant pot gives a balance to the picture. I’m not happy with the upper right corner.

Today Stephen Ashurst asked me to sit for a demonstration protrait.

Here is the result (zoomed in to head and shoulders)

Today I went to Patching to blow up the balloons, then shopped at our local Farmers Market. On the way back from the Farmers Market I dropped in at the local nature watch SWAT area - canal basin off Lambourn Drive and had a look. Saw Jo Davies there broadcasting.

I then went to Attenborough Nature Reserve - a wonderful place based upon old gravel pits. Saw lots of birds there but particularly liked this gosling - there were about 26 goslings shepherded by a few adults - like a play school.