The Gallery: Week 80 – T is for…

Well, T is for Tara who gives us the prompts.  But you know that already.  Then again, T is for trees.  This was the subject for a photo gallery a while back, before this blog began, so I’m going to seize the opportunity now.  Any excuse for a tree picture!


And then again, T is for traction engines.  At a steam rally I visited recently, they came in various styles, and even different sizes altogether!

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

On Reflection…

Objects with reflections, or objects which make reflections, can add tremendous intrigue, interest, and creative punch to everyday photography.  I find, as a rule, these reflections fall into three groups:

First of all, there are accurate, true reflections from smooth, flat, shiny surfaces such as very still water.  One spring evening gave me the chance to get this picture…

Then there are distorted reflections from curved objects, which can make fascinating study; where and when does reality become surreal?

(Open air musical performances are great subjects anyway, of course.)  Then we get broken reflections from irregular surfaces such as moving water, like this:

So there’s a few ideas for you.  Carry a camera, keep your eyes open, and experiment. Building up your photographic technique is an incredible journey.  A journey with no end. But the views along the way are, or should be, amazing…

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

Music as Therapy: Three by Three

This post has been inspired by the meme here.  However, I’m adding my own special twist to the idea.  I’m giving you links to three genres of music, each one represented by three pieces. This is because I love to cater for all tastes (as long as they’re pretty much like mine.)  And I’ll warn you now that when it comes to music, I love powerful melody, and I am hopelessly, incurably sentimental.  So, when you’ve got the tissues ready, I’ll begin…

First of all, three classical pieces: 

  • A clarinet concerto by Mozart, combined with a beautiful video – incredible viewing and listening;
  • A sonata by Beethoven – remember, of course, as you listen, the composer was by this time totally deaf at the age of thirty;
  • Finally, a march by Berlioz, who loved to show just what a full orchestra could do.

Fine.  But sometimes, you’re in the mood for something lighter.  (Just as you wouldn’t want a candlelit dinner party every night!)  So we’ll have three examples of easy listening:

And now for the songs.  I love sentimental songs, by the way.  Or did I say that before? Anyway, here goes:

Adieu!  Auf wiedersehen!  And I hope you enjoyed the trip!

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

The Gallery: Week 79 – Faces

For this prompt, I’m going to show you some photos taken the a ceremony held in Derby on September 3rd, 2009, to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of World War Two, when wreaths were laid at the war memorial in the market square.  I have already drawn on this event last week, from a different standpoint – it was a very simple, very respectful, and very moving occasion.  I witnessed it purely fortuitously – I just happened to be in the city centre at the time.  This underlines the maxim: Carry your camera – always.  So first, I’ll just illustrate the ceremony:

Now let’s have a look at the face of the standard bearer as he remembers the fallen:

…and then, as he presents the standard.  (Yes, it’s the same man!)

Now see the solemn respect in the mien of this young sea cadet, who hasn’t known war for himself directly:

On that day, however, the square was not entirely filled with sadness.  These four veterans had time for a picture, a chat, and, despite some grim memories, a laugh!

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

Vegeburger, Anyone?

To make (a little) sense of this post, first of all look here to understand what prompted it.  Been there, done that, got the apron?  (You’re going to need it.)  Then read on…

The Supremely Sweet Vegeburger

Bake some sponge cakes in small (10cm) tins and set aside.  Meanwhile, make Krispie cake (from puffed rice cereal) also in 10cm rounds, and coat in chocolate.

Sandwich a krispie cake between two sponge cakes with a little whipped cream.  If desired, include a square of thinly rolled marzipan.  (That’s if you like almonds.)  And a little thinly chopped angelica adds a nice touch, don’t you think?

By the way, making these, not to mention eating them, can get incredibly messy.  The best way to cope with this problem is to wrap your hands in newspaper.

Back on that link, you’ll find more interpretations of the theme.
(For your further enjoyment, as they say.) 

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

Mystery Picture – Week 2

Here’s my mystery picture for this week.  For details about this theme, look here.  Please have a go and leave your guess as a comment.  Thank you for visiting.

The answer will be published next week-end, at the start of the week 3 post, with a link back for your convenience.  I’m only just launching this theme (as you can see) so in the meantime, your references/retweets on Twitter are much appreciated.  Thank you.

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

Missing…

I’m afraid I don’t feel equal to the task of writing for this prompt in a personal way, much as I can strongly relate to the concept.  Instead, I shall fit a few words to a photograph (as I rather tend to do.)  So here it is – a picture of Wollaton Hall, Nottingham.

This Elizabethan stately home, now a museum, was built between 1580 and 1588, for Sir Francis Willoughby (1547 – 1596.)  Despite his great wealth, his business affairs were complex and some ventures were unsuccessful.  He had no sons, and when a relative, Percival Willoughby, inherited the hall when Sir Francis died, it was encumbered by debts. What was missing, quite simply, was money.

In early 1944, when many American servicemen came to Britain before D-day, the park surrounding the hall was used as a camp for the 82nd Airborne Division.  Men saw this ornate building, together with deer roaming the park (as they still do today) and dubbed it ‘Nottingham Castle.’  Over 2,000 paratroopers were billeted there.  When they returned some time after D-day, the tents were not so full.  What was missing, sadly, was men.  Men to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.

This post was prompted by the ‘Writing Workshop’ here.

Other responses are here.

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

Mystery Picture – Week 1

First of all, a special thank you to all of you who’ve dropped by and looked at my ‘Silent Sunday’ posts for the last three weeks.  You will recall that they took the style of a ‘mystery picture’ for you to guess just what it was.

I have now decided that it’s better to separate this idea from ‘Silent Sunday’ and post it as a theme in its own right, so to speak.  I shall be glad of any feedback and suggestions, and, as always, your comments are welcome. Please also leave your guess(es) as a comment – you’re welcome to have as many guesses as you like!

Oh, and just a few guidelines:

  • The object will always be something reasonably common – I’m not expecting you to know what all the components of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN look like, or anything like that.
  • However, the picture may show the object from a long distance away…
  • Or alternatively, perhaps magnified.
  • It may also be shown viewed from an unusual angle.

So here is the picture for this week – what is it?

It's kind to share!
facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterest

That Firefly Phil bloke, still knocking out photography and other stuff.