Industrial

// This triptych was captured using a Canon SX210 and images processed using PicMonkey combining various effects and textured layers.
// Whilst out in Canada I came across a number of oil well heads dotted throughout the forest; not abandoned, simply installed and left ready for when they are needed in the future.
//As a complete view these well head sites are not particularly exciting, nothing more than a few pipes sticking out of the ground leading into a small hut. I decided that the detail was much more interesting, and as soon as I started shooting I realised that they would work well alongside each other.
// Whilst out in Canada I came across a number of oil well heads dotted throughout the forest; not abandoned, simply installed and left ready for when they are needed in the future.
//As a complete view these well head sites are not particularly exciting, nothing more than a few pipes sticking out of the ground leading into a small hut. I decided that the detail was much more interesting, and as soon as I started shooting I realised that they would work well alongside each other.
Camera phone collage challenge - Calgary

// I've been a bit slow updating recently, but here is my latest effort whilst visiting a new place.
// Calgary is an interesting place; pretty much exists solely for serving the oil industry which is huge in the region. The city is based on a grid system, and there are a lot of high rise buildings.
// All images in this collage were captured and processed using my Blackberry Torch. Processing of individual files was performed using PhotoStudio: Editor with minor adjustments to contract and brightness, images were cropped and textured layers added. The collage was compiled using PhotoStudio: PicFrames. All images were captured within a single walk around the city centre of about an hour duration.
// Calgary is an interesting place; pretty much exists solely for serving the oil industry which is huge in the region. The city is based on a grid system, and there are a lot of high rise buildings.
// All images in this collage were captured and processed using my Blackberry Torch. Processing of individual files was performed using PhotoStudio: Editor with minor adjustments to contract and brightness, images were cropped and textured layers added. The collage was compiled using PhotoStudio: PicFrames. All images were captured within a single walk around the city centre of about an hour duration.
Collage challenge - Southwold

// It's taken me a while to sort myself out, but a second "places that I have been to" collage has now been completed, this time in colour.
// Captured using a combination of a Lubitel 166B (+ Kodak Portra 160 film) and a Canon powershot 210sx all in a single weekend, with digital processing in Picnik. Must admit, I have been playing around with some of the 'fun' effects a little....
// I love being at the coast, there's something so refreshing about the sea breeze, as though it's blowing all of your woes away. The feeling you get after walking along the beach; a hazy point somewhere between exhaustion and elation, is simply the best feeling in the world. Finish off the day with a bag of "so bad for you, but so tasty" chips to warm up on the inside and the day is complete.
// Captured using a combination of a Lubitel 166B (+ Kodak Portra 160 film) and a Canon powershot 210sx all in a single weekend, with digital processing in Picnik. Must admit, I have been playing around with some of the 'fun' effects a little....
// I love being at the coast, there's something so refreshing about the sea breeze, as though it's blowing all of your woes away. The feeling you get after walking along the beach; a hazy point somewhere between exhaustion and elation, is simply the best feeling in the world. Finish off the day with a bag of "so bad for you, but so tasty" chips to warm up on the inside and the day is complete.
Camera phone challenge - Edinburgh

// In response to a challenge set in the October edition of Black & White Photography magazine I produced this.
// All images were captured using a Blackberry Torch and underwent minor processing in Gimp2 (i.e. cropping to square and contrast/exposure adjustments). Most images were shot using the macro setting.
// As challenges go, I really enjoyed it - one device to capture images, with only one focal length, and a limited amount of flexibility in terms of lighting that could be handled for each capture. It pushes you to think and look around you for different angles and focus on the details of a place. It actually reflects my attitude towards using an slr - stick on a 28mm or 50mm lens and just see what happens!
// My intention is to do this in as many places I visit as I can to build up an ongoing log of places and things I have seen.
// All images were captured using a Blackberry Torch and underwent minor processing in Gimp2 (i.e. cropping to square and contrast/exposure adjustments). Most images were shot using the macro setting.
// As challenges go, I really enjoyed it - one device to capture images, with only one focal length, and a limited amount of flexibility in terms of lighting that could be handled for each capture. It pushes you to think and look around you for different angles and focus on the details of a place. It actually reflects my attitude towards using an slr - stick on a 28mm or 50mm lens and just see what happens!
// My intention is to do this in as many places I visit as I can to build up an ongoing log of places and things I have seen.
Walking Away.

// Ever been people-watching and wondered where these people are going? or where they have been? or simply what they are thinking at that moment in time? Perhaps they are thinking the same as you?
// What would you do if you were in their shoes? Do they have a long journey? Is it a route they walk on a regular basis? or just a one-off for a particular reason?
// Do you think they have a motivation for walking to where they are going? If indeed they have a destination; they may just be walking for pleasure.
// For me the mystery is enhanced when the faces are not shown in the image - it is then all down to your own imagination to ponder their purpose and motivation, and what's more, you will never know the answer.
// What would you do if you were in their shoes? Do they have a long journey? Is it a route they walk on a regular basis? or just a one-off for a particular reason?
// Do you think they have a motivation for walking to where they are going? If indeed they have a destination; they may just be walking for pleasure.
// For me the mystery is enhanced when the faces are not shown in the image - it is then all down to your own imagination to ponder their purpose and motivation, and what's more, you will never know the answer.
Viewpoint.

// I am intrigued by the apparent fascination with what lies elsewhere, even when we visit a new and interesting place. A common sight at many seaside resorts and tourist localities around the world, coin-operated telescopes/binoculars, despite their usually bright colours blend subtly into the background.
// What is it about human nature that makes us want to see, to know what is just over the horizon? Are we not happy with the place we have already reached? Or is there an inherent explorer within us all, searching for (un)discovered lands? For a mere 20p we can experience farther yet lands we have not seen before, albeit for a brief few minutes, until the money runs out.
// What do we hope to see through the glass? Perhaps another nation of people? Maybe another planet? Possibly an alternative universe? Or even another individual looking back through a similarly coin-operated device, deep in thought as to what new, exotic lands they will discover.
// What is it about human nature that makes us want to see, to know what is just over the horizon? Are we not happy with the place we have already reached? Or is there an inherent explorer within us all, searching for (un)discovered lands? For a mere 20p we can experience farther yet lands we have not seen before, albeit for a brief few minutes, until the money runs out.
// What do we hope to see through the glass? Perhaps another nation of people? Maybe another planet? Possibly an alternative universe? Or even another individual looking back through a similarly coin-operated device, deep in thought as to what new, exotic lands they will discover.