Woklife

Phuket Surf Competition

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:08:45 -0800

Back to the Kalim surfing competition which happened a few weeks ago. This is another attempt to get-to-grips with Dynamic Photo HDR software, which I've been having varying success with.

Unfinished Statue

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:57:50 -0800

Another shot from the Mingmongkol Buddha construction site. This statue is integrated into the back of the main buddha image and, like yesterdays shot, I'm guessing this statue represents one of the buddha's students. I should think this buddha will end-up gold plated and looking more like this one when complete.

More from Mingmongkol buddha

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:45:50 -0800

I know my last entry was from the surfing competition and I said something like "more to follow"... but I haven't had a chance to play around with Dynamic-Photo HDR to, 1) increase the image sizes (currently I can't create and HDR's at a reasonable resolution) and 2) work-out why I'm getting so much grain in my results. I've got as far as determining that these are common problems and there are solutions (nice to know). So in the mean-time I'll revert to non-HDR photos from Phuket's Mingmongkol Buddha. I've posted before from the construction site of this 45 metre marble buddha, but earlier this month I returned to get an update on the progress.

Now, I wish I knew what this bronze guardian type statue represents, but my ignorance on all things Buddhist is now apparent. All I can say is that you can see the marble Mingmongkol in the background. I'll endeavor to get some more information for my next post.

UPDATE: I've just been informed that often a large Buddha image will be accompanied by (usually) five of the Buddha's best students, and this bronze statue is most probably one of those.

Into the storm

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:57:23 -0800

Phuket's biggest surfing competition is on over the weekend; the Kalim Surfing Contest 2008. Today I managed to get a couple of hours watching the contest from the beach. My lens wasn't suffice to capture any wave-riding action, but I managed to snap away a few beach shots before a monsoon rainstorm hit. Here's a competitor heading into the storm for his session.

UPDATE: I wasn't happy with the original HDR processing so I've just uploaded a new version of this photo.

Bang Tao Fishing Village, Phuket in HDR

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:13:26 -0800

It was inevitable; everyone's doing it and I was going to do it too sooner or later. HDR that is. I woke surprisingly early and decided today was the day. Tripod in hand I headed to my nearest beach, Bang Tao, and set about looking for a suitable scene to capture in HDR. I had a basic understanding of what was needed; multiple exposures bracketed of the same scene. I went about snapping away for an hour and then made my way back to the computer (via a breakfast stop). I wasn't sure which bit of software to use, and in the end I went for Dynamic Photo HDR by Media Chance. It's good. Simple. I had my first HDR image rendered in less than 15 minutes.

Well, here it is. My first HDR. It's a house I drive past everyday and always wanted to photograph. The result is really grainy though (even at this screen resolution), and I think I've found out why. Until 5 minutes ago I wasn't aware my camera had auto exposure bracketing; a real useful feature. So I'd been snapping away at second intervals and of course the wind blows and tree's and water move and when you put them all together there are discrepancies. So now I know for next time. I decided to post it anyway, and I'm positive I will be trying this some more.

On your marks. Get set. Go.

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

I'm sure there are many great titles which could be applied to this photo, and this certainly isn't the greatest. If anyone has a better suggestion, please comment.

It was taken earlier this year on Koh Yao Noi; a 30 min boat journey from Phuket. Some friends and I were exploring the island on motorbikes for half a day when we came to this beach. I didn't even notice the sunbather at first, but having just gone through the shots from that day I found this one, cropped it and posted it to my blog. Enjoy.

Petronas Twin Towers

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:17:28 -0800

Here's the final installment from my shots of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Petronas Close Up

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:01:29 -0800

Here's another shot from my trip to Kuala Lumpur; a close-up of one of the Petronas Towers.

Kuala Lumpur by night

Fri, 7 Mar 2008 11:05:23 -0800

As promised here's a shot of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur. It was taken from the hotel I was staying in (but unfortunately this wasn't the view from my room, I had to walk to the end of the corridor). It's taken me a while to get this shot up online... that was due to being stupidly busy with the release of pixyBlog; hurrah!

The old and the new

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 11:47:29 -0800

I spent the weekend in Kuala Lumpur and was able to get half-a-day walking around the city taking pics. Some shots of the Petrona Towers coming-up, but first-off here's an un-named high-rise reflected in a bigger and newer un-named high-rise. This was my first time in KL, and this shot sums-up the impression I got about the architecture of the city; a lot of impressive new buildings alongside some very old and decrepit ones. I took over a hundred shots, so I'll try and post some examples of old and new in the next few posts.

Monkey Business

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Another shot from my trip to Trang, Thailand. On returning from a boat trip to Koh Libong my friends and I were greeted by the resort owner who was shouting "quick, quick come and see the coconut show!". Intrigued to know what a "coconut show" was (I've witnessed fire shows, king-cobra shows and others here in Thailand, but never a coconut show) we quickly followed to find three men with three monkeys on long leashes. The monkeys were climbing to the top of the palms and, with their hands, twisting the coconuts until they fell to the ground. I guess they had been working for about an hour as the ground was littered with coconuts. After the last coconut had fallen the resort owner gave a few hundred baht (~$6) to the handlers and that was that.

It was getting late and the light was failing, so the only shot I was able to get was this one. The expression of the monkey looking-up at his "handler" is rather sad. I'm not going to comment on animal welfare here in Thailand, not right now at least.

Super 4 cornering in Pak Meng, Trang

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:00:55 -0800

Here's a shot from a motorbike trip I took to Trang, Thailand over the weekend. There were three of us making the trip from Phuket to Trang and we stopped to take some motion shots on a nice corner in Pak Meng. This was the best of the bunch... my friend on a Honda CB400 (aka "Super 4").

The Jump

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0800

...and the final shot from my motocross series.

The Start

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:25:05 -0800

Yet another shot from the weekends trial bike competition; the race to the first corner after the starting pistol.

Steady 77

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:58:35 -0800

Yet another post from the motorbike competition... still a couple more to come :-)

Onlookers

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Quite a turnout for the motocross event on Sunday... including a lot of kids admiring those men and their flying machines.

Bang Tao Motorcross Competition 2008

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:00:26 -0800

On Sunday it was the local trial-bike competition in Bang Tao, Phuket. A lot of fun to watch, but I don't think it was the most serious of races. Some entrants had all the kit; back-brace, knee-pads and padded suit, gloves, trial bike... and other entrants wore jeans & a jacket and were riding nothing more than a road scooter with mud tyres.

More shots to come... but here's one of the more serious riders.

Phang Nga Island

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0800

One of the many limestone islands in Phang Nga Bay, Thailand.

Railay Bay

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Here's a view of Railay Beach in Thailand. It was quite a treck to get to this view point.

Bow seat

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Here's my brother enjoying the best seat on the yacht.

Bavaria 39

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Sunset in Phang Nga bay.

Bang Mau

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:29:25 -0800

Here's Mauricio after a snorkelling session in one of the bays.

Khun Rat

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:10:54 -0800

My first post of the year. I had some much needed time-off over the Christmas break and was able to recharge the batteries somewhat. Some friends and I chartered a yacht in Phang Nga Bay (Thailand) and went sailing for a few days. We opted to have an experienced skipper join us, and here he is, Khun Rat, at the helm of our Bavaria 39 cruiser. More shots to follow.

Sunset at Laem Singh Villa

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Sunset at the same place as yesterdays shot.

Laem Singh Villa

Sat, 8 Dec 2007 09:14:21 -0800

A villa at Laem Singh Beach, Phuket. Mmmmm, infinity pool.

Bell at Mingmongkol Buddha Phuket

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:20:47 -0800

Here's a bell at the construction site of the 45m Mingmongkol Buddha statue in the south of Phuket, Thailand. More shots to follow of the actual buddha being made... but for now just the bell.

More beach volley

Mon, 5 Nov 2007 12:42:09 -0800

More from the Swatch FIVB Beach Volley World Tour 07 at Karon beach over the weekend. The Americans won the womans event... not so sure about the mens.

Swatch FIVB - Beach Volley World Tour 07

Sat, 3 Nov 2007 12:16:48 -0800

I know, I know, I haven't posted in ages... thanks Kevin for bringing that up. I could give a long list of excuses, but when I think about them now none seem worthy. Well, I did manage to get out today. In Karon beach (Phuket, Thailand) the Swatch beach volley world tour has come for 3 days. I only managed to catch 20 minutes of the woman's semi final between Germany and the USA (the current champs), then the monsoon rains came and I had to pack-up and run to my car. I will post another shot from the game tomorrow. BTW, the USA won; finals tomorrow.

Maheno Wreck, Fraiser Island

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:00:00 -0800

Last shot from my Australia archives (for now at least). I should be able to get out with my camera in the next week or so and get some "fresh" work up. The last few photos I've posted are from my EOS 5 days with Velvica slide flim. I had to get them scanned-in and they're all a bit grainy, this one especially so (how I love digital). This is the Maheno Wreck on Fraiser Island, Queensland... only accessable by 4x4.

Pelicans at Noosa

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:00:00 -0800

Taken around the same time as yesterdays shot, here are some of the many resident Pelicans staying around our campsite in Noosa.

Kayaking in Noosa

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:00:00 -0800

More from the archives. Here's a photo from Noosa in Queensland, Australia. Noosa a pretty expensive (and beautiful) place to stay in Oz, but there is a campsite in a prime location on the waters edge which is where we stayed for a few nights.

Sunset on Big Buddha Beach

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:02:27 -0800

Another shot to keep the blog ticking-over. I still haven't managed to get out with my camera, so this one's from a while back. It's Big Buddha Beach at the north end of Koh Samui, Thailand. It's a great sunset spot and I have fond memories of sipping cocktails while watching the day turn to night.

Will he make it?

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:17:14 -0800

The last of my shots from the Fat Face sponsored high jump challenge. This guy came 2nd over all and I think the record was 4.6m. To make the impact softer for the riders they had a diver place a tube releasing air under the landing zone. There's a cool video available on the Fat Face site for those interested.

An explosive high

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:49:04 -0800

Similar to yesterday's shot, but this time with fireworks they set-off from the base of the jump. I wasn't expecting the fireworks otherwise I would have had taken the shot from a different angle, and I didn't get another chance as the fireworks seemed to be one off (or perhaps they broke). Couple more posts to come from the wakeboarding high jump contest.

How high can you go?

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:18:08 -0800

So it was the Fat Face high jump event at our local wakeboarding lake two weekends ago. I got to the lake late afternoon after the qualifying had already taken place and everyone was waiting around for the main event. It was being filmed by Fat Face for promotional reasons and they had quite a bit of pyrotechnics to play with. For this reason they wanted to postpone the final until it got dark; about 10:00pm at this time of year. I was positioned next to another photographer and also one of the film cameras and no-one really knew what was going to happen in terms of light; it was almost pitch black then. The first boarder came round and before he hit the jump a few gas flames illuminated the sky but too early and not nearly enough to illuminate the rider in-flight, even despite the multiple flash guns firing. Us photographers looked at our camera backs and then at each other; sure enough faint and hazy shots which were useless. The video guy could get nothing as well... so all-in-all it was a bit of a cock-up. After a couple more riders hit the jump I gave-up and resorted to long exposures from the side angle, but with no tripod. This shot being one of the better ones; the rider is first illuminated by my flash just off the ramp and later illuminated by another photographers flash just above the bar. A couple more of these to come in the next few days.

Wakeboarder

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:10:52 -0800

My sisters boyfriend is into his extreme sports and I got invited to a wakeboarding event at the lake he used to work at. Before the actual event (which I'll post more from tomorrow) there were a few riders blasting about on the cableski and I took a few shots... this being one.

A real punter

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:15:47 -0800

The last of the rowing regatta shots I'll post here. I think you could hire this guy to punt you around the river for an hour or so, while you (and him) sip wine and enjoy the days racing.

Confused rowers

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:58:40 -0800

Contintuing with my photos from Henley Regatta; here's a couple who looked decidely lost and confused amongst all the other boats on the river.

Bi Via

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:43:05 -0800

A shot from Henley Regatta at the weekend. There were boats of all shapes and sizes, this guy was being dwarfed by a large pleasure boat. A bit chaotic for the river police, but I only saw one person fall-in; a drunk Australian guy in tiny rubber dinghy.

Tuba guy

Mon, 9 Jul 2007 15:24:19 -0800

It's Henley Regatta time-of-year again in rainy Berkshire. I was there last year and took a few pics of boating folk from the banks of the river... and this year I did pretty much the same. I had my new Canon 70-200mm to play with this year though which was a pleasure to use and made me extra trigger happy (it's my first "L" lens :-). Here's a guy from one of the bands playing in one of the members only areas.

The corpses bride

Sun, 8 Jul 2007 14:34:03 -0800

Here's Abi; the beautiful bride whose wedding I was assisting in photographing. At the beginning of the day we had a bit of a discussion about where to take the group photos. The days organiser, who was also a keen photographer, insisted (she's a prison warden!) that we weren't to have the graveyard as the backdrop. Unfortunately the (most beautiful and old) graveyard surrounded the whole church which only left the driveway (which was full of cars) or the flint walls of the church itself. We ended-up with the flint wall and of course it made for a terrible backdrop... well I know for next time. Here is a shot of Abi with the graveyard as the backdrop.

Bride and Groom

Sun, 8 Jul 2007 14:17:35 -0800

Here's Abi and Simon, the bride and groom of the recent wedding I helped photograph.

Bubble Gun

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:00:54 -0800

Another long spell without a post. I've been rather busy with getting the new version of pixyBlog out, which is now running much more smoothly and I have a minute to get this shot online.

This is Eleanor; my sister-in-law's sister's daughter (is there a better term then that?). Her mum recently got married and my Dad and I were asked to do the photos for the wedding. The first time I'd ever photographed a wedding and it's a lot harder than I had thought... I certainly earned my dinner. All the shots came out fine, no disasters, so we passed the test and they have an album to remember their special day.

On leaving the church, after the ceremony, all the kids lined up with these bubble shooters to get the newly weds. That was fine, but when it came to doing the traditional group photos for the wedding there's hardly a shot which doesn't contain at least one kid holding their bright pink bubble guns.

Octoshell

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 13:25:48 -0800

The last of the rowing shots from Dorney Lake. Yesterday my sister-in-law's sister got married and my Dad and I were asked to do the photos for the wedding. I've just downloaded them from my memory cards and there are some good ones. So hopefully between the two of us there will be enough to for an album. Will post some up here in the coming days.

On the whistle

Tue, 5 Jun 2007 12:00:00 -0800

Continuation from yesterdays shot, here's the start of the race.

It would have been possible to take this shot, jumped on my bike and cycled to the finish line (2000 metres down the lake) and picture the result... which would have been cool, but alas I didn't. Next time!

Before the whistle

Mon, 4 Jun 2007 13:26:36 -0800

Another shot from the regatta at Dorney Lake. This is (I think) the start of mens coxless pairs semi-final. There's another shot I'll post tomorrow just as they start-off.

Eric Kelley's got some great sporting shots up at the moment - worth checking out his photoblog.

Rowing Men

Sun, 3 Jun 2007 00:05:36 -0800

It wasn't planned, but today I ended up going to the Metropolitan Amateur Regatta at Dorney Lake. My brother was helping-out there and being a scorcher day and all I headed on down. I managed to snap away for a while so should be able to update my site for the next few days (it's been lacking some entries of late).

It's a two day rowing regatta with over 900 entries from as far away as South Africa. I think the regatta has a bit of prestige as it is being held at Dorney Lake where the 2012 Olympic rowing will be done.

Sunset at Karon

Thu, 10 May 2007 18:00:00 -0800

A shot from a while ago that I never got round to posting, mainly because it was shot as a portrait and I try and refrain from posting portraits on this blog (they never look as good on my monitor). Anyhow, I cropped off the top of the lookout tower and I'm satisfied it works as a landscape too... so here it is [taken on Phuket last year].

Crazy London cabby!

Wed, 9 May 2007 13:56:35 -0800

The last of my Legoland shots I think I'll post. Here's my nepthew driving a London black cab with his icecream eating buddy in the back.

St Mary Axe and Big Ben

Tue, 8 May 2007 18:26:37 -0800

The last of my shots from mini-London in Legoland. The city of London in miniland was awesome... the guys whos 'job' it is to build miniland have a good life.

Picadilly Circus

Sun, 6 May 2007 21:10:55 -0800

Well almost (again). This is a another shot from last weeks venture to Legoland, Windsor. There's an area in the park called Miniland which has an awesome mini-London including Big Ben, London Eye, Covent Garden, Wemberely Stadium, Buckingham Palace, plus plus plus. Anyhow here's a view of Picadilly Circus completely made from lego bricks. I think I had more fun in Miniland then my nepthew.

Mount Rushmore

Thu, 3 May 2007 20:25:04 -0800

Well not quite. I had a trip to Legoland in Windsor today. My nepthew has been visiting for the last couple of days and we had a family + friends outing to the land of lego bricks. I'd never been before and was pleasantly surprised... it's really well done... worth the £31 pound entrance fee (I guess). All those childhood memories building castles and James Bond lairs came rushing back.

As for this shot. It's right at the entrance to the park, just over 1m in height and the ex-presidents speak to you ;-)

Hambleden Lock

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:33:04 -0800

The destination for my bike ride at the weekend was Hambleden Lock. When I was taking this shot I was reminded of one of my first posts on this photoblog of taken in Venice (I prefer that one).

Follow the road between two yellow fields. That's how the song goes... right?

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:37:00 -0800

Taken the same time as yesterdays shot, here's the same field featured in one of my earlier posts (albeit at another time of year). While taking this shot a geared-up cyclist (donning high-vis lycra shorts & top) stopped to chat about photography and specifically asked if I was using a UV filter. I said I was and he informed that was good coz rapeseed transmits a whole lot on the UV level of the spectrum... did you know that?

Mellow Yellow

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 20:15:21 -0800

I managed to get out on my bike today and headed down towards Henley. Great cycling weather; sunny with a few clouds to break-it-up and a nice breeze. My standard route to Henley follows one of the many Sustrans cycle routes and passes through a vast rapeseed field. I stopped and took a few shots, this being one of a few I shall post here.

Krabi Sea Gypsies

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:47:13 -0800

Phang Nga Bay in Krabi, Thailand, lies between the island of Phuket and the west coast of mainland Thailand. Most of the bay and its spectacular limestone islands are protected by the National Parks dept of Thailand, which forbids any development. They do however allow the bay's original inhabitants to live on an impressive network of both stilted and floating buildings which extend from a single island.

Singapore skyline

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:48:34 -0800

The island state of Singapore. A cool place to visit (and shop) for a while, but not sure if I could ever live there. It's gotta be one of the cleanest cities in the world and everything works; underground, taxis, malls, bars, clubs, hotels etc... and the airports just great; there's a gym, cinema, free internet everywhere, tons of gadget shops, and even beds to sleep on while you're waiting for a connection. Maybe I'm being a bit cynical, but there's something falsely utopian about it all; it's too clean, everything runs too well. Still, I'm always happy when I fly into Singapore.

Railay sunset

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:43:04 -0800

After a tiring, but excellent days rockclimbing at Railay beach in Thailand we sat down for an evening meal while the sun set. We were quite the international group and our waitress was having some difficulty understanding our order.

Very little post processing on this shot; just cropped a little.

Smoking Monk

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 16:03:26 -0800

For the next few days I've decided that I will go through my old slides from my EOS 5 days. I know that I'm not going to be able to get out and shoot something, plus I've been meaning to put some of my older stuff online.

So this shot is from November 2002 when I visited Angkor Wat. I can't remember the guys name, but he was a monk-in-training and after taking this picture he ended-up being my guide for the rest of the day. The shot was originally a portrait, but for online I've decided to crop it to fit the screen.

Behind the fence

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:06:26 -0800

Without meaning to I found myself back at the same place where are took these two shots. I'm not sure what it is about this fence and the railway bridge but I stopped again and took lots of shots. I quite like this one... when I'm out with my camera I'm always trying to tell myself "think simple... simple, simple, simple". Straight lines, intersecting angles, solid structures; I think it's the engineer coming out in me.

Slough Trading Estate

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 15:44:29 -0800

From my bike ride yesterday, here's an entrance into the rather large Slough Trading Estate. Made famous recently by BBC's The Office, the business park is one of the largest in Europe. During the summer holidays from University I often found work in the estate working at various factories but most memorably for me was Mars. I used to do shift work on the conveyor belt packing Mars bars into boxes, 8 at a time... Oh the joyous memories!

Dorney Lake

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 19:50:27 -0800

I haven't posted anything for over a month. That's appalling! No excuses really, been busy with work, I've had a wedding to attend and the worst thing is I've spent 3 of those weeks traveling around Asia which should have been a prime occasion for contributing to this blog. I packed all my camera bits, even making sure that I could fit everything into one bag (2 x laptops and an SLR camera + bits) so that I could get past those #%?$* at Heathrow security. I managed to take a couple of snaps at the wedding and that's about it. Oh well, it was mainly a business trip and time was against me.

I did however manage to get out today. Again I was on my bike and ventured towards the beautiful town of Slough. I'm not going to post any shots from today however (probably tomorrow), this one is from a while back but is also on the same route. It's Dorney Lake, the new purpose built rowing lake where the London 2012 Olympics will be held (rowing, that is). There was no one using it when I was there so I just snapped away.

The Hunt

Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:19:11 -0800

My Grandfather, Sid Munday, recently passed away at a grand old age of 95. He was quite the artist and his house was a testament to it. Walls, doors, whole bathrooms were painted with landscapes, seascapes and flowers. There were oil paintings, watercolours and wood carvings all around the rooms, and up until failry recently every family member would recieve a hand-painted birthday card each year.

This is one of his larger oil paintings which stood above the fireplace. I photographed a fraction of his work after the funeral last week, these can be seen here.

Courcheval télécabine

Thu, 8 Feb 2007 17:20:26 -0800

The last shot I will be posting from my snowboarding holiday in Courcheval. I needn't of bothered travelling to the French Alps to go boarding... we had 4-6 inches of snow last night here, I think that's more then there was on the slopes their ;-)

Misty Valley

Wed, 7 Feb 2007 16:50:03 -0800

Again, the same valley as the last two posts, this time a little further down the mountain towards Meribel. You can see that the snow's very patchy and we really were lucky that we were able to ski/board all week. Maybe one more 3 Valleys shot to come tomorrow.

Shall we go?

Tue, 6 Feb 2007 20:10:04 -0800

Looking down into the same valley as yesterday's shot... This was taken on the way down to Meribel from the peak at Saulire.

Peak in the 3 Valleys

Mon, 5 Feb 2007 11:42:41 -0800

I've just got back from a good weeks snowboarding in The Three Valleys, French Alps (staying at Courchevel). It was a last minute thing when another member of my family couldn't make it and there was a free ticket going - how could I say no? We were quite lucky with the snow as it hasn't been a great season in the Alps so far. It snowed a couple of days before we arrived and that managed to last us the week, although patches were beginning to appear on the last few days.

I've found it's not so easy to take your SLR +++ out with you while boarding so I only managed to take my camera out for two of the days, this shot was taken on the last day when Dad and I tried to visit as many view points as possible. I get confused which one this is, it may be Caron but don't quote me on that. I took 3 shots from around the same position and this one had the best composition but only had 3 cabins in shot which unbalanced the photo some what, so I added one from another of the shots. Can you tell which one I photoshopped in? Toning wise; I took out most of the blues from the photo and added an orange warming filter.

Ford Escort RS2000

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:14:57 -0800

Another shot from yesterdays rally driving; this being the same corner but coming down the hill. I had about 15 minutes between my turns in driving to run up to the nearest corner and grab some shots of the other drivers. Out of all the shots I took the panning one's with a lower shutter speed turned out the best.

The school had a couple of these rally specs Escort RS2000's and also a Subaru Imprezza to play with, although the Subaru's were more $$$ and I guess would have been too much for a first-timer like me.

Escort Mark II - London Rally School

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:56:15 -0800

No posts for a while... I've been extremely busy what with Christmas & New Year + getting the second release of pixyBlog out that the first time I've picked-up the camera was today. So, a belated Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to one and all.

Today I finally managed to attend the London Rally School. My Dad and I were given a days Rallying as a birthday present last summer, but we never found time to go last year. It was an excellent day and would recommend it to anyone. In the morning there was a quick intro and then we were taken out for one-on-one instruction on a small coned course in the Escort Mark II; handbrake and pendulem turns mostly. Then after lunch we were let loose on the 'Special Stage' which consists of a timed race on a larger track; tree's to avoid, hairpins to navigate - all-in-all a very fun day. Will post another shot tomorrow.

Scary woods

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 17:39:22 -0800

Taken around the same time as yesterdays shot, here's the woodland just before the motorway bridge. On a normal day it wouldn't look like anything special, but with the fog everywhere is transformed. I am quite pleased with how the post-processing turned out; I wanted to make a scary looking Blair Witch woods beyond the gate, and to me it looks quite scary. Don't ask me how I achieved it though, I must have dragged almost every adjustment bar there is in Image > Adjustments menu ;-)

Misty Motorway

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:50:32 -0800

Winters definitely arrived today. It's been cold and misty all day and for the first time this year I've been wearing two jumpers! Managed to get out just before dark to take the dog round our local dog-eating park. I took the camera with me as I thought I could get some misty tree shots, but decided to post this one from a footbridge crossing motorway instead. Maybe misty tree's tomorrow.

Birds in Flight

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 18:27:08 -0800

I was cycling along the towpath and could see about 100 gulls ahead all waiting on the River bank (are these gulls? I've never been much of an ornithologist). There was no-one else around and an idea quickly hatched that I would run up to the birds, scare them all into flight and get some dramatic national geographic-esque shots of Birds in Flight.

Easier said than done, plus I hadn't really thought it through. I ditched my bike, got out the camera and started briskly walking towards the gulls, sure enough the first few started to fly-off but by the time I had sorted the camera they were already settled on the opposite bank. No problem, still quite a few left to get those shots I was hoping for. I started walking forward now with my camera in position, this meant I wasn't quite so brisk and the gulls just casually flew-off one-by-one to the opposite bank. Not at all the mass hysteria I had ~~planned~~ wished to create... this continued until the last of the gulls was on the opposite bank.

On returning home and loading my shots the my computer the best I had is this shot; it's a quarter crop from the original and not really what I was after, but on turning it into a black & white and toying with a few of the adjustment bars in Photoshop I've decided to post it here.

I've been thinking about this, and in hindsight I think you would need another person to run-up fast behind the gulls to scare them all at once while you were all set-up ready to shoot - it's a two man job.

Finally, if you are interested, Time magazine has just released their Best Photographs of 2006 - they are all a bit bleak IMO.

Windsor Town Bridge

Sun, 17 Dec 2006 18:31:56 -0800

A beautiful winters day today; I went off cycling down the Thames towards Windsor. Arriving at Windsor Town Bridge there is a new lens/eye thing on a metal post which I'm guessing was put there for tourists to look through, although at the angle its been placed the view is of a coffee shop and not the Castle. Or maybe it's for people to make faces through and have some fun. Whatever it's purpose (if it does indeed have one) there were people looking at it, through it, taking pictures of it and taking pictures through it - me being one of them.

Day break at Kovalam

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:41:11 -0800

Another beach shot from Kovalam, India. This was taken the same morning as the previous two, but I thought that it was quite different from those + I like the colours, the arch the tide makes and generally the simplicity of the shot.

Trivandrum fishing village

Wed, 6 Dec 2006 11:24:50 -0800

A couple of bays down from Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam, there is a small fishing village. At one end of the bay is a large Mosque, at the other a equally large Church. When I visited on a Sunday morning there was no fishing going on and half the people I met were in their 'Sunday best' for the morning service.

Sacred Goat

Mon, 4 Dec 2006 17:03:20 -0800

One morning while staying at Kovalam beach I woke early and went for a cliff-top walk. Goats, cows and chickens all run around freely and this one chose the best place to chillout in the morning sun. You can see the lighthouse from Lighthouse Beach (aptly named) - the same place as yesterdays shot.

Beach volleyball at Kovalam

Sun, 3 Dec 2006 20:36:07 -0800

For the last couple of days in India I stayed in the tourist area of Kovalam Beach near Trivandrum. Right in front of the restaurant I was dining at a game of beach volley was been played in the fading light of the day.

Trivandrum traffic

Sat, 2 Dec 2006 11:19:43 -0800

I arrived back from India yesterday and my body's still five and a half hours ahead - I've been awake since at 4am this morning. Here's a couple crossing MG Road in Trivandrum, Kerala. I have been visiting various technology parks in India, the first being Technopark in Kerala.

Cockmarsh, near Winter Hill

Fri, 3 Nov 2006 20:11:18 -0800

This shot was taken at about the same time as this one. Winter hill, Ashley Hill and around Cockmarsh are one of my favorite mountain biking routes around Maidenhead - there pretty much the hilliest areas we've got.

Red Arrows performance in Cornwall

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 17:39:49 -0800

This shot was taken by my Dad while on holiday in Cornwall this summer. I was going to post it along with my other Red Arrow shots from the Farnborough airshow, but it was taken on his film camera and the digital image came from the CD accompanying the prints and was really grainy. I just got round to processing it with the help of the excellent Noise Ninja and so here it is. The background is still it a bit stripy, but it's dinner time and enoughs enough :-)

CBD from Mrs Macquaries Point

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:44:17 -0800

To accompany yesterdays shot, here's a similar view but in daylight. This shot was taken from Mrs Macquaries Point; a landmark of the city and also the haunt for many a photographer taking shots for tourists. From the point you have a view of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and downtown CBD.

Sydney CBD skyline

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 18:22:19 -0800

Here's downtown Sydney at sunset. The shot was taken from the Manly ferry on the way into the city. I've decided to post some shots I took a few years back - partly coz I have nothing new to post, but also I want to archive some pictures I took back then on my photoblog.

Cookham train bridge

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 19:47:36 -0800

This is the first shot I've posted for a month! That's a sign of how busy I've been. The only reason I have anything to post today is because no one else was around to walk the dog; so I went out with the dog and my camera to the Thames at Cookham (again).

This is the train bridge near Cockmarsh. It was a lovely crisp day and I think I've got another shot I'll post tomorrow.

Rowing Club

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 17:39:56 -0800

While walking along the river bank I past Maidenhead Rowing Club and sneaked inside one of their garages to take this shot.

Remembering Skindles

Sat, 23 Sep 2006 18:19:22 -0800

This shot was taken around the same time as yesterdays, and on the same bank of the Thames. I played around in Photoshop converting the original to a black and white using a simple technic I read in Adobe Photoshop CS for Photographers.

On the opposite side of the river is Skindles Hotel, one of Maidenhead's famed buildings which is now due to be redeveloped into plush apartments. Skindles has a lively history being the party place for the rich and famous.

The Thames at Maidenhead

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 21:04:54 -0800

It was a really wet day in Maidenhead, I spent most of it working at my computer and listening to the wind and rain outside. An hour or so before sunset the sky cleared and I guessed that the light was going to be good for taking pictures.

I've been meaning to take some shots of the Thames around Maidenhead Bridge, so I headed that way. This shot was taken just to the right of the bridge and I'm pleased enough with the result to post it here :-) I think I have another couple of shots from my sesssion today, so I'll be posting these over the next few days.

Oh, and in the background you can just make out the railway bridge designed by Britain's famous Victorian engineer, Brunel.

Sam and his blue tractor II

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:37:58 -0800

Here's another shot of Sam, and again with his new blue tractor. The boys left this afternoon, but will no doubt come and visit again soon.

Sam and his blue tractor

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 17:08:00 -0800

Last time the nepthews stayed for the weekend I only managed to take a picture of Bobby. They're here again this weekend, and here's a picture of Sam and his new blue tractor (a present from Grandma). It may look as if he has some strange power over gravity, but actually the tractor has been launched up the driveway by Granddad. Sam and Bobby are here til tomorrow, so I may post another shot of one or both of them then.

Maidenhead underpass

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 18:50:44 -0800

I haven't posted a shot in almost two weeks, kinda lame I know - I just haven't been in the mood to go out taking pictures. I'm thinking I should have a go at some domestic photography; creating something cool to photograph in-the-house. Although one of the reasons I enjoy taking photos is that it gets me out-and-about... is this a catch 22?

Whatever... here's a shot from a while back which I've been umming-and-arring about posting, but now feel the urge to keep my photoblog ticking-over and have thus posted it.

Stairway to the clouds

Sat, 2 Sep 2006 11:07:48 -0800

On my walk to the castle I passed a metal workers yard with this spiral staircase protruding from the roof of a shipping container. The shots a little grainy, but I just wanted to post it :-)

Uphill Village

Fri, 1 Sep 2006 16:52:33 -0800

This shot was taken at the same time as yesterdays, this being the view from the church above Uphill Village and to the right is the coastal town of Weston-super-Mare.

Uphill Village church

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 17:48:03 -0800

After a heavy night at the Beachcomber's Inn (the nearest bar to our campsite in Blean) I awoke at daybreak and needed to walk-off my fuzzy head. I set-off with my camera towards what I thought was a castle (or fort) atop a distant hill. It took 3 hours to get there, a place called Uphill Village, and when I did I found the castle to be this quaint old church. It was a great sky for taking pictures and I may post another shot tomorrow.

Eye of Boots

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 20:53:53 -0800

This shot was taken in Windsor highstreet, the eyelashes are actually wire spikes to stop birds landing (and crapping) on the sign.

Night frisbee in Diamond Farm caravan park

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 19:13:49 -0800

Just got back from the long bank-holiday weekend which I spent camping with friends. It was a great weekend eating cheese and cream teas in Cheddar, touring Wookey Hole caves and general having a bit of fun in the countryside. With not too much going on around the campsite we had to make our own entertainment, luckily Chris bought his glow-in-the-dark frisbee, seen here in the fading light.

Dolomites II

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 17:07:06 -0800

Last of the shots I think I'll post from the Dolomites skiing trip in March. Should be posting some more recent shots from my upcoming camping trip to Cheddar Gorge next.

Dolomites

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 18:02:52 -0800

The second of the shots from this years ski trip to the Dolomites range in Northern Italy. I did actually manage to get out today with the camera, so I should be posting a more up-to-date shot in a couple of days.

Reaching for the sky

Mon, 21 Aug 2006 20:16:16 -0800

I haven't been able to get out all last week, so to keep the photoblog ticking-over I've decided to go back to the shots I took during the family ski holiday at the beginning of the year. I haven't processed any yet, so for the next few days I'll be posting snowy pictures (feels a little like watching a Christmas movie during the summer).

Anyhow... Here's cousin Chris pulling off a tail-grab from the kicker which we spent half a day building. Looking on are girlfriend Hannah and cousin David.

Sunday afternoon in the park

Mon, 14 Aug 2006 21:59:04 -0800

I came across a brass band playing in Forbury Gardens while cycling around Reading at the weekend. There was quite a mixture of people who had stopped to listen dispite the drizzling rain.

Uncaged and dangerous

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 01:07:32 -0800

I eventually managed to escape the house today and cycled off to Reading town. Wasn't the nicest of days for a ride, but I needed some exercise and a change of scenery. I rode around the town, took some pictures at a bandstand in the park (may post one tomorrow), and popped in to the remains of the old Abbey.

I'm sure there's a better title for this picture, but it's 1am and my brains not going to try any longer. Went a little to extremes with those Photoshop adjustment bars, but sometimes it's fun to play a little. The shot was taken on the canal in the town centre.

Dandy Lion

Tue, 8 Aug 2006 19:15:08 -0800

Adding to my Nature category, here's a shot from Ockwells Park (again) while walking the dog (again).

Eye of Windsor

Sun, 6 Aug 2006 21:48:53 -0800

The big wheel has come to Windsor offering magical views of the Castle, Town and Thames. However I didn't go for ride, just took this photo from below. Apparently this big wheel is touring the country piggy-backing on the success of the London eye. On a related note; I recently read on Londonist blog about all the new big wheels which are now being built around the world.

Oh no, the Japanese have taken Windsor

Sat, 5 Aug 2006 22:07:20 -0800

Continuing on from my street shots of late; here's just outside the castle in Windsor. The guide looks like a scout leader claiming some victory of sorts.

These offices need you...

Fri, 4 Aug 2006 21:05:59 -0800

...or maybe not.

Another shot from my trip to Reading the other day. A little similar to my last post, but that was my plan for the outing - to take people pictures in the city. Some more shots from around Windsor tomorrow.

Attack of the 50ft cows

Tue, 1 Aug 2006 22:54:54 -0800

I just had to take this shot. The road is near Reading train station where I was visiting a friend last week.

How many planes can you count?

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 11:03:28 -0800

Following on from Steve's observation of the phantom 10th Red Arrow, here's a shot to provide evidence that there were only nine Red Arrows in the display team.

I've just done a quick bit of Googling and there "could" be an alternative answer to the mystery:

"This section lists the ten pilots of the Red Arrows 2006 Team, and no, that is not a misprint, the Team's Road Manager, Red 10, flies his own Hawk aircraft, which is sometimes called to act as the spare aircraft in the case of an engineering problem while the Team is away from base."

(http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/team.html)

"Red 10 also flies TV cameramen and photographers for air-to-air pictures of the Red Arrows."

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Arrows)

Was there a tenth Red Arrow in the air that day, possibly taking pictures of the A380 fly-by? Or was the picture due to some sort of lense trickery?

Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:59:54 -0800

Is it a helicopter? Is it a plane? No it's the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey!

I just missed seeing this thing fly at the Farnborough Airshow as I arrived 5 minutes too late. The Osprey has been beleaguered with problems since it was first approved for development in 1986 and still isn't in service today, however orders are now being taken (hence its presence at the airshow).

It's design looks as if it comes straight out of comic books and it reminded me of the killer flying machines from the Terminator films.

Maybe one more aviation shot tomorrow, then I'll try and get out to take some more shots in and around the town.

A380 and The Red Arrows

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 21:03:16 -0800

Apparently an 'aviation first', here's the Red Arrows escorting the Airbus A380 at the Farnborough Airshow. I was standing by the runway with a number of other photographers/aviation enthusiasts waiting for this flyby, when finally we saw the Airbus in the distance there was a collective groan as it was flying straight out of the sun. The only decent shot I have is this one as they had just gone past us. Would be interesting to see what shots the other guys managed to get.

The Red Arrows

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 23:07:00 -0800

The RAF Red Arrows at the Farnborough Airshow last week. The last time I saw these guys was years ago in Cornwall as a kid. I have fond memories of those magnificent men and their flying machines and it was a joy to see them again.

Eurofighter Typhoon

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 19:37:57 -0800

Taken at the Farnborough Airshow on Thursday, here's the Eurofighter Typhoon taking-off.

Airbus A380 fly-by

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:18:02 -0800

This photoblog is going to be a little aviation orientated for the next few days. I did take my camera out with me on a bike ride this afternoon to try and get some new shots, but came back empty-handed... I knew I wasn't really in the mood.

Here's another shot of the Airbus A380 at Farnborough Airshow yesterday. Tomorrow will be the Eurofighter Typhoon I think.