Tuscany Part 1

Our final trip of the year was to the Val D'Orcia region of Italy and I have just started to process the images.  There were no mists to speak of, apart from a little on the very first morning, and we weren't blessed with wonderful light but I did my best.  We were with a great group of people and the food and wine were excellent so despite the disappointing light we had a good time.

Steetley Pier

Only an hour or two spent with the camera during October.  We hosted a speaker at SPS, Sue Brown, who is well known for her long exposure images of sea pools.  She asked if we could take her to Hartlepool so that she could photograph what remains of Steetley Pier.  This is all that remains of the old magnasite works.  I wish I had know it was there before they cleared it all away as I have seen some super pictures of the derelict works.  However I've heard that the site was very toxic so maybe it was just as well.  It gave me the opportunity to try and get used to using the 10 stop filter.

Stokesley Fair

Every September the fair comes to Stokesley and takes over the High Street.  Thought we would try some photography this year.  My preference is for the shots with lots of movement, some of it intentional.

Aysgarth Falls

September and October were quiet months from a photographic point of view mainly because I was very busy with admin for SPS.  We did manage a trip into the dales, specifically to Aysgarth Falls so that I could try out my new 10 stop filter.

Edinburgh

August we had a trip to Edinburgh combining a visit to Edinburgh Photographic Society to see this year's exhibition and to the Royal Mile.  I had an image selected for the exhibition which was awarded an HC so it was nice to see that on display.

There was not a lot of interest going on in the Royal Mile but I did take a few images of this lady.  Had fun today playing around in Photoshop.

Dungeness

At last we managed to visit Dungeness.  The mono images were processed in SilverFX.  We stopped at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve on our way which is where we found the red roofed hut.

De La Warr Pavilion

After staying on Hayling Island for a few days we moved on to Hastings in order to visit the De La Warr Pavilion and Dungeness - neither of which we had visited when we lived on the South Coast.

I was fascinated by the light fitting and love the curves of the staircase.

Blooming Flax

Early in July we had the pleasure of being witnesses at our friends Jean and Glyn's wedding.  No pictures from that as somebody else took pictures on the day.  However we did find time to go out one morning to photograph a flax field.  You have to do it before noon as after that the flax flowers close up and you wouldn't know there were any flowers in the field.

Birds of Prey

July started with another session with the Birds of Prey at Silverband.  Working with the snowy owl, two eagle owl chicks, a little owl and buzzard. An enjoyable day with no rain this year.

A new Permajet paper

For those of you that mourn the loss of Ilford Gallerie paper, because of the closure of the Ilford Switzerland plant, Permajet have just announced a new paper called Smooth Pearl.  At the moment it is possible to request a free A4 sample pack via the Permajet website.

Catching Up

In case anybody has been looking at this blog since the spring and may be wondering why nothing has been added let me just say that 2013 hasn't been a good year for photography.  For various reasons photography took a back seat during the first 6 months and to be honest there haven't been many opportunities since then.  However a few snapshots were taken and, as it's time I got back into the habit of updating my blog, I have decided to post a few 'catching up' pictures.

June was a good time for wild flowers and we did manage to get up to Muker and found the wild flower meadows but not the light.

Plenty of buttercups and clover but unfortunately no poppies.  It took a trip over to the Yorkshire wolds to find some poppies and other wild flowers.

Exhibition Results

The results for the Great British Small Print Circuit are available on line and I was very pleased to have had all of my colour print entries accepted as well as a sprinkling of acceptances in the mono and travel sections.  Closed for the Winter received 2 awards and Aim for the Enemy Son was awarded an HM.

In the results recieved today from the 1st judging in the Delaware Valley Photo Travel Circuit I was awarded an HM for Painting the Rialto Bridge.

New Metallic Paper Addition to the Permajet Range

Permajet are launching a new Metallic Paper  this year called “ Titanium Lustre 280gsm”  which is an addition to their Digital Photo Range of papers which will bring the WOW Factor to your images.
 This new photo paper truly resembles the look, feel and print quality of a true metallic surface. Incredible detail and clarity is achievable delivering stunning high resolution visual impact and making your images just jump off the paper with the dramatic metallic appearance.
If you are visiting Focus on Imaging at the NEC don't forget to call in at the Permajet stand and take a look.

GASO Exhibition Success

I was very pleased when I received my GASO results this morning to have gained 3 PSA Gold Medals and an HM for 'The Red Boat' in the Open Section.  GASO is a PSA recognised circuit with 5 separate judgings and in the 5th judging it didn't even get an acceptance!  It just emphasises what I tell people that just because an image gets a good result in one place it won't guarantee that it will always do well.  I also received an HM for 'Eryngium' and 'Primulas' in the Creative Section.

More from Sion Hall

These are the best of the rest of the pictures taken of the birds of prey at Sion Hall Falconry Centre.

Spectacled Owl

Golden Eagle

Great Grey Owl

Golden Eagle

African Spotted Owl

Juvenile Bald Eagle

Bateleur Eagle

White Tailed Sea Eagle

Snowy Owl

White Tailed Sea Eagle