Skippool Creek

Just a few days after seeing Brian Beaney's lectures we were taken to Skippool Creek, near Fleetwood, to photograph the boats.  I couldn't resist trying some of Brian's techniques on these.

Glenridding and the North West Coast

Shortly after getting home from Connah's Quay we were off to the Glenridding in the Lake District for the RPS Northern Region autumn weekend.  It is much more about seeing the lectures than practical photography so I never worry if the weather isn't perfect.  This year's excellent lectures were by Henrietta Byrne, Brian Beaney and Colin Southgate.

I did take just one picture of the well known tree and seat on the side of Ullswater.

Immediately after that we did a lecture tour starting in Southport followed by Wigan, Leyland and Lytham St Annes.  On the Monday I did manage a few snaps at Crosby of the Antony Gormley installation 'Another Place' and there were some good sand patterns but I had to give up when I was almost absorbed by the quick sand! 

We also went to Formby in the hope of finding some red squirrels but I think it was too cold for them to come out of their cosy dreys.

Chester Zoo

On the day after the Print Championships we went to Chester Zoo.  The weather was grey and drizzly most of the time.  The only creatures that seemed to be enjoying themselves were the otters.  However it was good to see the animals and find out how easy it could be to get some decent shots.  The monkey and the baby giraffe were cute.
It's amazing how a little use of Photoshop can make it look as if the weather was better than it actually was!

The Wirral

Last weekend we travelled to Connah's Quay in North Wales for the PAGB Print Championship.  On the way we spent some time on the Wirral in Birkenhead Park where there was plenty of colour.  Very low light so high ISO was needed.