Monthly Archives: November 2011
Mystery Picture – Week 3
Right. First of all, the answer to week 2 – that picture is, of course, part of a street lamp. I did warn you that the angle may be unusual. Here, I needed to hang upside down from a helicopter, or rotate the image. In the event, the latter was easier.
And now for the new picture. Here we go, so start guessing, Leave your guesses as replies, and, if you like this idea for blog posts, please tell your friends (e.g. tweet/retweet on Twitter.) Thanks for your interest.
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!
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!
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:
- A very well-known marching tune, which is a personal favourite of mine;
- A Scottish reel;
- A lovely guitar piece, really a classic, easy listening, yes, but definitely not easy playing!
And now for the songs. I love sentimental songs, by the way. Or did I say that before? Anyway, here goes:
- First, one by a male artist – Jim Reeves
- And then, one by the female singer, Virginia Pugh, better known as…
- And to finish the group, and this post, a tremendous ensemble conducted by… André Rieu
Adieu! Auf wiedersehen! And I hope you enjoyed the trip!
It's kind to share!
Ode to Winter
To understand the point of this post, first look here. The idea is to create a rhythmic poem from twenty-one words, including the words ‘in winter we shiver.’
Icicles shattering, water buckets clattering,
Drifting powdery snow;
In winter we shiver and skate on the river,
When it’s twenty below.