Some people are not a fan, and just tagging on walls is stupid, but I really like some good wall art, or street art – however you term it. I found this cat outside a resaurant in Menorca, just minding his business. Maybe it was a marketing ploy to get potential customers to stop outside the restaurant?
As I have mentioned before, I struggle with flower photos, but every now and then I get something that I feel is ok. Seems a bit early, or I am losing track of the year, but the poppies are back. It is pouring down with rain and hailstones today, so I have not been out, but this is one from last year.
Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham has the National Water Sports Centre, and used to be the training home for elite canoe and kayak athletes. That discipline was moved nearer London, but the rowing is still there. Even so, there is an excellent white water course, and it is still used by elite paddlers for practice. Some stay upright, but this paddler spent her time practicing somersaults in a stopper.
On the day that it seems Nottingham Forest have secured another season in the Premier Football League, it seems fitting to add a photo of the best manager that England never had. This statue of Brian Clough is in Nottingham city centre. For those who may be interested, the exposure time was 1.3 seconds, hand held. I love these cameras.
I was doing a crossword this morning and came across a new word – Kleptocracy. Apparently it is a form of government by individuals who primarily seek personal gain at the expense of those they govern. Interesting…
Anyway, I thought I would share an image from when I used to regularly visit the US for work, and had the chance to visit Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast. The rocks should be familiar to anyone that has seen “The Goonies”
Just a gentle evening observation, as the sun lights up the clouds and the mist begins to rise from the lake. Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time. If you zoom in on the little temple building you can see a statue. This is one of a trail comprising twelve individually decorated models of Raymond Briggs’ Snowman at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.
Wales is possibly my favourite country within the UK. Well it must be, as we are planning two more trips there this summer. The countryside is spectacular, and one of the treats is the steam train from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The line itself was closely linked to the local slate industry, carrying both workers and slate.
When I say I like black and white, not all of my images take it quite so literally. I quite like the minimalism of this, but I am aware that many will not be quite so enthusiastic. It would look good printed large though…?
On an overcast day, threatening rain, the Shard stands tall behind the walls of the Tower of London. The contrast of the old against the new. I am working on improving my black and white conversions, mainly because my body objects to getting up early for the magical colours of sunrise. There will be more as I work my way through images of London I am sure.
I have previously posted a very dark black and white image from the same location, which is Wyming Brook just outside Sheffield. This one was a bit of an experiment. I took a long exposure with smoothed out water and also one with a faster shutter speed which had a lot of texture in it. Although I don’t personally like waterfall images with a lot of texture, sometimes going too far the other way can border on the surreal. So here I have blended some texture into the long exposure to add a little interest. Hopefully you think it works? Click to see it bigger.