Then & Now

Back in 2004 I had a little Fuji snapshot digital 2mp camera and I recently found a couple of images taken with it back then. How quality has improved! These images were found on an old Flickr account I had completely forgotten about. I can't now find the original files as several computers and clear-outs later have made them vanish!

However, the servers on Flickr have kept hold of these low-res ones for me. Unfortunately I didn't upload the full files wary of the thieving bastards that lurk there. The images aren't important and were never good enough to have been stolen anyway. I'm far more relaxed these days as theft is unavoidable but I still never allow full files to be seen on-line. But I am more careful about saving original files these days. So this clearly shows that on-line storage is a good back-up option - as long as you can protect the files from tea-leaves.

Ice cream weather

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As today is the warmest day of spring (so far), my thoughts have turned to ice cream. Which is better? The super-soft creamy machine-made version, or the quality, scooped hard stuff?  Hmmm, much testing required ... I love quality ice cream, but and I also love the cheap (not so cheap these days) soft stuff. And usually best with a stick of flakey chocolate stuck in a cone. The famous 99. No idea where that name came from. The thought springs to mind to google the name and find out, and just as quickly, thankfully, the thought vanishes. Now, I think I have a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer. I'm just stepping out to see, I may be some time ... 

"I may be some time"

The British public was stirred by the death of Captain Lawrence Oates, whose swollen feet were badly frostbitten, and who knew that he was holding his companions back. Scott described Oates' self-sacrificial suicide:

He took pride thinking that his regiment would be pleased with the bold way he met his death. We can testify to his bravery. He has borne intense suffering for weeks without complaint... He slept through the night before last, hoping not to wake; but he woke in the morning yesterday. It was blowing a blizzard. He said 'I am just going outside and may be some time.' He went out into the blizzard and we have not seen him since.

Ice cream man shot taken last summer on the Leica + 35mm.

Photo Competitions

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Well, I don't usually bother with them because they more often than not are simply a way for companies to farm hundreds, sometimes thousands, of images they can then use cheaply and without obligation in perpetuity. Call me cynical ...

The I saw this prize of a trip to New York and thought, what the hell. It's just one image and a few words. It's called My Life, My Story. The idea being to link any picture that holds a life defining moment and say why. So I sent them this one. Some visiting friends wanted to see The Downs and as I hadn't really gone anywhere or done anything since my heart attack, I took them. I found the climb tiring and I was quite breathless but otherwise fine. It helped my confidence and this shot of their daughter running through the summer fields summed up how lucky I was just to be there. Vote for this shot (if you want) by following this link - although I don't think the votes actually count for very much. I think a 'cute' puppy has the most votes, followed by some out of focus shot! There are already hundreds of shots entered...

Taken on the Nikon D90 + 18-200mm

Spring

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And the blossom is flowering beautifully on the apple tree in our garden. Taken in the shade this evening as the sun was setting. I'm not really into photographing nature but thought the 'bokeh' (the out of focus parts of the image), might look good using the Leica's 90mm lens. And I think it does!

  

I Have My Eye On You ...

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As I re-worked the shot of Chris, so I thought I'd do the same to Amanda, taken at the same session and using the same old prime 85mm f1.4 lens. She has flawless skin which is just as well considering how sharp this lens is ...

Nikon D90

Low Key

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I took this shot about a year ago and decided to revisit it. This is Chris, my eldest's boyfriend. (Very useful having daughters with boyfriends that can be dragooned into being in front of my camera) Interestingly I used an old prime 30 year old lens on this shot and its turned out lovely and crisp. Who needs modern technology ...

Farnborough Airport

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Is in the news lately due to the sudden;y high number of ex-Libyan political honchos arriving in private jets. I drive past most days and see a number of Middle Eastern tail fins above the security berms. I'd love to get inside the airport as it has some interesting architecture to photograph. Unfortunately I'm not a famous/rich/royal/lucky person who owns a private jet. I can't even get past the gate security! Posh nobs only, the sign says. At least when the air-show is on every other year, you can stand outside and watch for free! 
Taken with the Nikon D90 + 18.200mm