Matlock Bath

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 1/100 sec, f/8, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

We had a short break down at Oakamoor near the Peak District, so that we could go to Alton Towers. This was taken from one of the cable cars at Matlock Bath. Unfortunately the English schools were out so everywhere was packed. Still had a great time though.

81 Tomorrow!

Nikon D70 @ 50mm, 1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

We always write nice messages on her card to see if we can get a few tears from her. She never disappoints :) A truly remarkable lady.

Upgrade

Nikon D70 @ 50mm, 1/60 sec, f/1.8, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

I felt my D70 wasn't quite powerful enough so upgraded to this bad boy :) I've always wanted one of these since I can remember. I love wathcing the film develop in front of you. Cool mun.

Threatening Skies

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 3 sec, f/22, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Took a trip up to the Trossachs today, visiting Loch Ard, Loch Chon and Loch Arklet. The weather was pretty cloudy, but it was one of those days when the sun would make an appearance every now and again, allowing for some really nice moody shots (if you're quick enough!). I set up this shot with my R72 filter and waited for a break in the clouds.

Probably one of my favourite pictures taken to date. COMMENTS anyone? :)

Firkin Almost

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 1/30 sec, f/22, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

I took this shot a couple of weeks ago on one of my trips up to Loch Lomond. It was taken on a small beach at a place called "Firkin". I was somewhat disappointed when I realised it wasn't called Frikin as I first thought.

Anyway, I entered it into the last Fujimugs open challenge and came it second. It's probably one of the few shots that I've taken that I'm happy with, so I'm glad it did well. Click here to see the entry along with all the comments.

My Favourite Model

Nikon D70 @ 50mm, 1/200 sec, f/2.8, ISO 400
Previous · Current · Next

Always happy to pose when I'm bored and need to take a few pictures.

Happiness

Nikon D70 @ 27mm, 1/50 sec, f/5, ISO 400
Previous · Current · Next

My dad at his very happiest: he's just finished his Sunday meal with his wonderful family. He's now relaxing in 'his seat' in front of the TV - a cup of coffee in his hand with a Glayva waiting. Oh, and Celtic handed the league title to Rangers with 3 minutes left in the season :)

"I don't know how true this is but apparently Motherwell Football Club are being reported to the Environmental Health Department as thousands were reportedly sick yesterday after a MacDonald's Double Whopper"

:)

Need a Subject!

Nikon D70 @ 25mm, 1/100 sec, f/16, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

I hate when I've got a camera handy, the sky is amazing but I've not got anything interesting to shoot. This was such an occassion: an amazing double rainbow, with stunning clouds surrounding it (just out of frame), but absolutely nothing to shoot. This was taken in my car as it was raining, hence the poor quality.

Waiting...

Nikon D70 @ 70mm, 1/20 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Waiting in the car for my girlfriend I took this quick shot. Car was parked in University Gardens... that's the QMU in the background.

Eye Sea Ewe

Fuji S7000 @ 200mm, 1/5 sec, f/3.1, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

I wasn't planning on taking a picture of my mum, but when she told me not to... well, I just couldn't resist.

Whangee revisited

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 1/50 sec, f/13, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Well, a few posts ago I said that I walked up the Whangee. Well, I went back up it today, and discovered that the hill's not actually called that - the Whangee refers to a group of rocks around the side of the hill. Don't know how I managed to miss it first time round. Anyway, the lighting was crap so I couldn't get a decent shot of it - this one of my friend Adam on one of the rocks will have to do!

Around the GSC

Nikon D70, various
Previous · Current · Next

Spent a couple of hours today photographing the Glasgow Science Centre and surrounding area. I've been meaning to go there for quite a while, and it was definitely worth the wait.

That's What I'm Talking About

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 1/2 sec, f/3.5, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Taken in IR at Loch Ard in the Trossachs. Superb.

Duck Bay

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 1/60 sec, f/10, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Hmmm... no photos taken today, but I did PP a few from earlier in the week. This one was taken at the Duck Bay Marina at Loch Lomond. The pier has been dismantled which is a shame, so this is all that remains. Still, it looks pretty cool :)

Lake of Menteith

Nikon D70 @ 38mm, 1 sec, f/10, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

We took a trip to Callander today and made a detour to this lake. I remembered it because my Dad used to always tell me how it's the only lake in Scotland (as opposed to it being a loch). Seemingly it was only the result of a mistake in a map, which has never been changed.

Anyway, the shot itself was taken from the pier. It's one of my first infra red shots, so I'm still getting the hang of it. It wasn't quite as sunny as I'd have liked, but the result is still pretty good. I think I'm gonna enjoy using this lens!

Is it Snowing?

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 1 sec, f/8, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

And the Hoya R72 Infra Red filter arrives!

I ordered this filter off ebay from some guy in America. It was my first time using ebay so I was slighly apprehensive. This filter seems to be really hard to get in the UK and it's at least £60. So when I saw this going for $60 (£34) new I thought what the hell.

So now it's time to play. I only managed to get a shot of my back garden, and using a PP technique I've read, it came out pretty cool. Can't wait to give this a proper shot in good conditions. You get great conversions to b+w as well.

I'll keep you posted!

Whangeeeee

Nikon D70 @ 18mm, 1/40 sec, f/22, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Today was annoying. I decided to go for another trip - this time taking the 'high road' to Lomond. I ended up climbing the Whangee - a reasonably short hill - in the hope of getting some nice pictures. But the weather ended up being too cloudy and hid the sun for too long. Plus, the damn sun was on the wrong side of the hill anyway for any decent shots.

So then I drove up to Balmaha, and climbed up Conic Hill. Equally uninspiring, but I think a couple of the shots were marginally better than this horrible shot at the Whangee (gotta love the name though).

Glen Douglas

Nikon D70, various
Previous · Current · Next

So I decided it was time I actually done something with the copious amounts of free time I have at the moment. So I decided to go for a drive up to Loch Lomond and see if there was anything interesting I could find. First stop was a tiny place called Firkin (easy to remember since I thought it was 'Frikin' - much better name I think). Some pictures from there will be shown soon.

The next stop was Glen Douglas - I followed this tiny narrow road for a couple of miles and came across some beautiful scenery and some hairy highland cows. These pictures were all taken in this area. The cows were amazingly tame, but still, I didn't fancy being on the receiving end of those horns so I just stayed in my car.

I ended the trip off with short stops at Luss and the Duck Bay Marina (where they've taken down the pier!).

Dancing Still

Nikon D70 @ 44mm, 1/50 sec, f/4.5, ISO 800
Previous · Current · Next

I have to say, I've been pretty lazy and unmotivated in the last couple of days and it reflects in this photo. Hopefully there'll be some inspiration soon! Oh, this is a lamp we have in our living room, with two dancers at the base.

Holy Reflections

Nikon D70 @ 55mm, 1/100 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Taken from Buchanan street just across from Urban Outfitters, this is the reflection of the Tron Church (I think) at Nelson Mandela Place.

Erskine Bridge

Nikon D70 @ 31mm, 1/60 sec, f/20, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Took a wander up to the Erskine bridge and beach today. Spent a couple of hours there but not a lot to see really; not a lot to say.

Life on a Park Bench

Nikon D70 @ 70mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

I've cheated again today. I actually took this photo a few weeks ago and have just come across it again. It was taken in George Square in Glasgow. My brother saw this and said he liked how each person told a different story. I'll take that.

Venice Canals

Fuji S7000 @ 37mm, 1/210 sec, f/4, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

I'm getting there... just a few of my Europe photos left to do. This is one of the many canals in Venice - it's incredibly picturesque - everywhere you turn you just wanna take a photo.

The rest of the Europe photos can be found here.

Vatican Museum

Fuji S7000 @ 37mm, 1/3 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200
Previous · Current · Next

Have been going through my photos from last summer's trip around Europe. It's only taken me 6 months! I came across this one which I took at the Vatican museum. I'm amazed that it came out so sharp - 1/3 sec and handheld - must have had steady hands that day!