Daily Photo #140

And back to sunny B'ham for this one.



I was aiming for a more dreamlike and surreal type of shot in this instance. I think I captured it with a more hazy sky. The trees look a little off kilter, as if shot with infra red film.

Daily Photo #139

Keeping with the international theme from yesterday -



A sunset in Morocco. Not getting very many of these in the UK right now, in fact not much sun at all. Period.

Daily Photo #138

Last time we were in NYC this place was too busy for words.



I am looking forward to grapping a corn beef on rye there this summer but will have to get there early to beat the lunchtime crowds.

Daily Photo #137.

Well, it's been a while since I posted an image of the Selfridges building.



Voila!

Daily Photo #136

I like Bagpuss.



We have loads in common.

Daily Photo #135

I took this one in Manchester last year. I just liked the reflection and the look on Linda's face.



Adding a bit of soft focus certainly improved the image I think.

Not sure why I chose this image today? Possibly because it's Monday, work has been just one level higher in the hellish stakes and I wanted to concentrate on something more positive and attractive than all the assessments I had in front of me earlier.

I like experimenting and shooting using mirrors. This one in the Marriot was perfect.

Daily Photo #134

This was taken at Coney Island.



I really thought Coney was a fantastic place to go. Even though it was cold on the day we went, the sunlight was utterly amazing. It was quite a peculiar place, not tacky in a Blackpool resort kind of way, it was very restrained and quite surreal and anachronistic in parts where the modern world would meet that of decades gone by. The eateries catering for the tourist or unpretentious pallate. Possibly because it was out of season, the sand was quite clean and devoid of people. The fairground attractions like the Wonderwheel looked old but well maintained.

Daily Photo #133

Well, today celebrated the first time Linda has driven into B'ham city centre! Despite being cut up by "White Van Man" (if you live in England, you will know what I mean by that), it was a smooth journey. We parked in Digbeth near to the Custard Factory and spotted this building. Well, it oozes a bit of goth but stood out amongst all the other derelict buildings.



Colourful but out of place.

Daily Photo #132

One final shot from the Kenilworth set having milked it to within an inch of its life:



I think it really captures Linda's cheeky smile.

Happy Friday everyone!

Daily Photo #131

I chose this because it was one of my favourite shots from last year, taken in Stratford.



I like the sharpness in the image and I think this image really benefits from the quadtone effect.

Daily Photo #130

Well, the countdown to NYC (for me at least) has begun in earnest. So, in preparation for my visits to the South Street Sea Port to broadcast my daily message....errr, wrong blog I think. Must stop chanelling I am Legend.

So yeah, this was taken at the South St Seaport and her dog was such a cutie and she bashed out some wonderful Gershwin covers.



I so regret not buying this lady's CD.

So, just a few weeks to go until I can chill out around the south of Manhattan. Anyone for a Margarita?

Daily Photo #129

Well, 128 photos later and not one of me. I'm not comfortable with my looks and this distorts my face even more than the norm as the mirrors are slightly concaved.



Taken with my old 350D about 2 years ago on a windy day, my mouth usually doesn't look that wonky.

Daily Photo #128

Another from the Kenilworth visit set at the weekend.



It's amazing how these buildings (or at least the remains of them) are still standing and are visited by people to gain a sense of history.

Feeling under the weather today so back to bed for me now.

Daily Photo #127

Another from the Kenilworth Castle set.



I just like the blue sky, sunlight and fluffy marshmallow clouds on this shot. It was a really nice Spring day yesterday, cool breeze and warm sun.

Daily Photo #126

I quite like this one of Linda, it has an epic feel, kind of Wuthering Heights meet Star Trek Wrath of Khan via Hamlet.





We went to Kenilworth Castle and got cultured by National Heritage. (god bless, we're kind of linked via mutual employers). Never knew all those royal types got into such shenanigans. I stood at the foot of the stairs where some royal babe may or may not have got pushed down some stairs and had her neck mysteriously snapped. Saw lots of kids running up and down those same stairs and tutted a fair bit. Kids, eh?

Edit - 18/04/2008 - replaced the original shot with a revamped one. I prefer this version.

Who said academics aren't fit?

Fit in the running kind of way. My old media tutor is running the London Marathon.

Give him some cash as he's not a bad bloke and he likes good movies so that should sway you a little at least.

Link is here.

Daily Photo #125

Been having some relaxing/sleep issues of late. Hence the need for:



I'm hoping this will cease soon, my brain is too active of a night.

Daily Photo #124

I'm feeling pretty much like that today. Two years on and there's no change really.

Daily Photo #123

Picked this one as I hadn't processed all of the Las Vegas pictures and everyone knows that it's only at night when Vegas really comes to life:



Even though it looks like a fairy castle from the outside, it's a den of gambling. Only in Vegas, kids.

Daily Photo #122

Winter seems to be back again. We've had snow, sleet, rain, hail and low temperatures.



This was taken on Saturday (yes, I am milking those shots for all they're worth, dammit!)

As you can see, March winds have come late and the April showers will get here in July, most likely.

Daily Photo #121

A quickie pic today - have an important-ish appointment tonight so this is another of the shots from Saturday.



In this case, the remains (or crumbs) of a tasty cheese and ham bagette from EAT.

I do hope they are reading this as it's one of my favourite food outlets so send me free stuff!!! Seriously, I love your food people and I will blog about it forever if you'll feed me from time to time.

Ok, begging over with.

Daily Photo #120

I think the grey skies yesterday foreshadowed a heavy snowfall last night of about 2 or 3 inches. The weather is so bloody cold again with artic winds but it's sunny and cheerful out so one cannot be too down hearted.

I shot this one yesterday in Brum, I desaturated parts of the image then went in and adjusted each pane of glass on the telephone box in turn. Took a while.



CS3 is pretty intuitive when it comes to "wanding" stuff, as if it can set parameters and repeat itself. Either Adobe have programmed a mighty fine AI into this software or I was extremely lucky when manipulating it, I don't know. Either way, CS3 rocks the house.

Anyway, it was grey, overcast and nasty yesterday and the only colours that stood out for me in this shot were the red of these slightly rare and (now) retro telephone boxes.

Daily Photo #119

A bit of a crap weather day although lunch in EAT was rather yummy. If they hadWi-Fi in that place, I'd live in there.



I always thought this statue looked a bit sinister. Although, in the light of day it's more about pathos due to the large amount of big bird guano on its head.

The weather is a bit change-able with sleet and stuff approaching snow. Vastly different from what we had in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago and it seems like a million years have passed since getting back to blighty.

Daily Photo #118

Le chat bleu!



There's something evil about my cat. Can't quite put my finger on it somehow?

Daily Photo #117

Warwick has pretty and stunning churches too:



It was a beautiful afternoon, haven't seen such clear skies in ages.

US shenanigans.

Looks like I'm back in the US early June. If there are any NYC readers here who want to say hello, drop me a line.

I'm looking to shoot as much stuff as I can so a nice light weight tripod is on the shopping list right now.

Anyone know if my EOS 5D battery charger is compatible with US voltage?

Daily Photo #116

Things in my house.



I think I was a cat in a past life.

Daily Photo #115

First signs of Spring.

Daily Photo #114

Someone criticised me for not being Brit enough in my blogging habits/subjects so here you go:




You can't get more British than a Warwickshire tea room that serves scones and jam?? Surely not, right?

Daily Photo #113

Linda took us out for a drive. I liked the lighting in this car park and it was pretty deserted.



I think a Matrix/Trinity inspired photoshoot for Linda beckons?

Daily Photo #112

Linda met a faux David Tennant today. And worked herself up into a tiz until she could have her pic taken ;)



I have to admit, his accent and mannerisms were spot on

Daily Photo #111

You're doing it wrong!



Ro, looking happy to be in front of the lens.

Daily Photo #110

Things on my shelf.



Can you detect a theme here? ;)

Daily Photo #109

I think this one sums up my life at the moment, in a bit of a spin.



Shot with a long exposure, handheld with a low ISO. Taken in 2006 at the German market in B'ham, UK

Daily Photo #108

Another Vegas one, this time of the bronze lion outside the MGM.



It's really quite a stunning piece of art-deco sculpture and looks amazing set against a sun filled sky. Lions are thematic throughout the MGM casino and hotel, which is unsurprising really given that they use a lion as their movie mascot.

Daily Photo #107

Still with Vegas, due to horrific jetlag as getting my sleep patterns back are at the forefront of my mind (my brain is still on Pacific Time, as is my laptop clock).

Anyway, in Vegas you can't walk a single block without seeing one of the below:



And yes, those are callgirl pamphlets you can see. These are usually coupled by groups of men and women snapping cards at you and handing them to all and sundry. So, if you want the number of Darla and her $35 special, drop me a comment.

Daily Photo #106

It's difficult to imagine we were only here about 5 days ago.



I don't think photography can do this place justice, you have to see the Grand Canyon for yourself to find out how breath taking it actually is.

Daily Photo #105

Jet lagged. Badly. Vegas was good, at home now unpacking.

Another one of Linda taken in the hotel during the shoot with Ingrid.



So tired I am beginning to hallucinate - not sure how many timezones I have passed through in the last 24 hours but need to stop hallucinating, damn those dancing pixies.

Daily Photo #104

Vegas. And yes, the water in the fountain is meant to be blue.



It was very warm that day. And many margaritas had been imbibed.

Daily Photo #103

I quite like this one, the daylight and desaturated nature of the shot and subject matter has a dreamlike quality. On the afternoon I shot this, the cemetary was pretty deserted. Hardly anyone around and it meant I could just wander around and enjoy the heat and sunlight.



Tying into the dreamlike nature of the photograph, I think this image comes close to the tone and textual "feel" of my dreams. It's a comforting image I really like and gives me a sense of peace and belonging. The trees appear to be blocking the path but I find them quite welcoming in this shot, the way they frame the images lends it an air of protection as opposed to apprehension.

Daily Photo #102

Random shot from January.



More urban decay.

*woot*

Daily Photo #101

A fish made from jelly, would you believe?



Not quite edible I think.

Daily Photo #100

For the magic 100, here is the lovely Ingrid. I don't often get to shoot with other models but she wanted a few pics doing so it was an utter pleasure to work with this lady.



The image is inspired by the alltime classic - Barbarella.

I cannot say anything but good stuff, Ingrid was a pleasure to work with and a fantastic person.

Daily Photo #99

Well, maybe I should have used a shot of one of these as the number 99 is pretty spot on for that. Instead I chose an image of sunny birmingham:




I have many images to upload but it's just finding the time I guess!!

Daily Photo #98

A bit of a random one - this image is one of my most popular from FlickR with 22 people adding it as a favourite.



This set was part of a homage to the old cheesecake pics from the golden days of pin up.

Daily Photo #97

This was shot in a local railway station.



I just like the element of mystery in this shot, giving it a noir feel with the subject not looking at the camera.

Daily Photo #96

Birmingham Museum. This reminded me of the movie, Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind.



No Richard Dreyfuss present though.

Daily Photo #95

Just a random shot from winter 2007. I quite like the way this was slightly over exposed and the sole detail is the bird here.



Not much to report on this side. Keeping up this photo a day lark can be hard but hope to have some more inspiring shots soon.

Daily Photo #94

I quite like this view of Central Park and the moody sky makes it a little, I think.



I've always thought there was a slightly different vibe about the park, a different energy to that of the city as it is so removed from the concrete and steel of the surrounding streets.

Daily Photo #93

A random pic of Linda from a Halloween about 3 years ago. It was just a snap but I like her expression/pose/outfit.



Halloweens rock!

Daily Photo #92

This was shot on film (Fuji Neopan 1600 ASA) from an old set taken whilst at uni. Lith chemicals and RC art papers used.



I miss the dark room sometimes.

Daily Photo #91

I am such a geek.



don't blink!