Birmingham – Bad News/Good News

On Sunday we were meant to take part in a studio session in Birmingham with a company called Ikon Studio. We got this through Groupon. All I can say is “What a scam”! We turned up for 11am start. The door was locked. There were around 9 of us all waiting. Others had tried to contact the studio but to no avail. On checking his website, this had totally changed since the beginning of the week and now resembled a movie review site. We have since complained to Groupon and ask for a full refund. When my partner and I went on a 2 day break to Llandudno earlier in the week, also...

MIDPHOT cheer!

There was good news this week from the post when the results from the 49th Annual Exhibition of Midlands Photography (also known as MidPhot) were sent out. I had 4 entries in the Mono print section. Lady luck was shining on my a little as the three judges thought that three of my entries were worthy enough to be accepted into the exhibition. First up was Full Steam Ahead and this was awarded 11+ points, secondly Rutland Street was awarded 12 points and lastly The Sky at Night was awarded 12 points. Each image is marked out of 15 (with each of the three judges giving a score of up to 5). Then...

Leicester Photowalk

On Sunday I was part of Scott Kelby’s 4th Annual Worldwide Photowalk in Leicester.  This was part of 1,117 walks that were talking part worldwide with around 28,000 walkers.  There was around 40 walkers taking part in the Leicester walk which was organised by John Toye, a NAPP member.  It was a beautiful sunny and hot day as we ventured around Leicester city centre, the canal area and De Montfort Uni.  We all took the same route but not necessarily the same images.  The one I took above I just spotted walking near the Town Hall Square.  Its a bit like a snapshot in time of how...

Phew! What A Scorcher

Wow it’s like the height of summer but at the end of September. So, how apt, we should be in Scarborough with lots of folk flocking to the beach. A real bonus for the traders of the town. We spoke to one trader who said it hadn’t been this hot since April!! The rest of the week promises more of the same.

Monday Morning View

Today I’ve swapped the hussle and bussle of my Monday morning commute for a morning photography in Robin Hood’s Bay. On the shoreline by 6.10am waiting for the sun to rise at around 7am. It’s dark when I arrive and the tide is up but on it’s way out. Looking for composition in the dark is tricky. But as the light improves and the tide receeds it’s looking good. The sunlight was brief but enough and, hopefully, managed to get some nice shots. I used my new circular polariser for the first time today and certainly helped with the water reflections and shadow. Back...

Choo choo

We picked up our friend from York station and it was a chance to admire the architecture of the station. York station is built on a bend. The pillars have a lovely decrative repeating crest, probably relating to the city or the monarchy of the period. The iron roof structure, from the bridge that goes across the railway lines, is pleasing on the eye and shows all the elements of monochrome – shape, form, tone and texture. Visually the older prestigious stations remain something to behold and is always worth time to take an...