Image of the Week (W/C 24th May 2021)

To finish the first half of the year a Street photo take Image of the Week. Black and white always attract's positive attention in social media, this image for me is all about symmetry , with this gent flanked with matching trees .

Dabbling with street presents interesting challenges to achieve interest and structure . Again practice is the key and observation skills

Taken with my Panasonic Lumis TZ70 settings 13.2mm,F7.1,1/60thSec and 100ISO

31st May 2021

On the Bench

On the Bench

A Host of Golden Daffodils

A Host of Golden Daffodils

Image of the Week ( W/C 17th May 2021)

A third image from a Daffodil set, takes the top slot last week . All different in concept with this photo more traditional , set against a black backdrop, flash used covered with some tissue over the head to soften the light , dew effect created with a water spray.

Taken with Nikon D3200 fitted with the Tamron 18-250 lens se at 130mm F22 ,200th/Sec and 100 ISO

24th May 2021

Image of the Week (W/C 10th May 2021)

Last weeks top image is a further product of the Pandemic lockdown and poor weather.

A black and white abstract , presenting book text reflected in a spoon . The book is about the American Master Photographer Elliott Emmet. see link right to Amazon to check out "The Private Experience" great read about this exceptional photographer 

The exaggerated  P help anchor the image in the composition  if you like send us a comment . 

Taken with the Nikon D3200 Kit lens , setting 38mm ,F10, 1/120thSec ,100ISO, studio lights and tripod used

17th May 2021

Elliott Erwitt "The Private Experience"

"P"

Sparrow Hawk (Click Image for Full view)

Sparrow Hawk (Click Image for Full view)

Image of the Week (W/C 3rd May 2021)

A chance opportunety image recieved most interest on Social media last week. This garden visitor perched itself on our bird feeder, not the type of feather friend I expected to attract,

Grabbed this shot through a patio door using a Lumix TZ70 , so a bit soft but pin sharp reproduction not the prime factor rather to capture this amazing bit of wildlife 

Lumix settings 101mm,F6, 1/800/Sec and 1600ISO

10th May 2021

Image Conversion (Painting)

When presenting my images my keystone mantra is "Creative Expression First" . This allows me to go off piste , I enjoy delivering abstract view of my subjects, adjusting colour and form.

One of the photographers I follow  on 500PX , Daniela Caneschi from Italy, presents all her photograph, as paintings . Vivid colours with a dramatic representation really appealed to me.

This has prompted me to explore this processing method and started to convert some of my images into this format. I picked up an application called FotoSketcher (Link Far right) .

As with anything a it of practice is needed and I've found that subject  matter is important to get the best out of the conversion check out gallery , leave a comment and let me know what you think 

6th May 2021  

FREE Aplication From FotoSketcher

Image of the Week (W/C 26th April 2021)

A 35mm Film image took the top slot as Image of the week , taken at the Blackweir Bridge Pontcanna Cardiff, images shows a family on the rivers edge enjoying a Sunday morning day out .

Taken with the newely aquired Nikon F4 fitted with a Nikkor 35-70mm Lens film used Fijicolor200

3rd May 2021 

By the River

By the River

Image of the Week (W/C 19th April 2021)

Huge responce to this simple clean image of a sole daffodil presented in monochrome . Black and white photo's in this time of HDR colour availablity, still draws positive reaction .

For me removal of colour delivers to the viewer the subject's shape, lines, structure, the contrast betweeen black and white and the sutle gray tones for the simplest of images this does punch above its weight.

Taken with the D3200 with the Tamron 18-250 lens set at 50mm , F10, 1/200thSec and 100 ISO, onboard flash used to aid illumination 

26th March 2021

Lone Daff

Lone Daff

Spring Bud

Spring Bud

Image of the Week ( W/C 12th April 2021)

Bit of a departure from landscapes for the top image  last week, bit of a macro of a tree bud part open. Taken on a recent walk message is always keep your eye open for changes around your environment big and in this example small .

Again taken with a Tamron 18-250mm lens set on macro, really getting my moneys worth with this lens , loving the versatility it affords and the very passable results

Taken with the d3200 Nikon with the following settings 200mm (Macro), f7.1,1/50thSec and 100 ISO 

19th April 2021

Image of the Week ( W/C 5th April 2021)

Top image last week is the 4th coming from a walk I did in February, (See Image of the Week 1st, 8th and 15th March).

Taken from the Eastern aspect of the Castle edge, effords an across the moat view . The sun is low to the left and creates a soft illumination on the southern edge of the towers.

Taken with Nikon D3200 and 18-250 Tamron settings 18mm,F9,1/250thSec and 100 ISO 

12th April 2021

Caerphilly Castle and Moat

Caerphilly Castle and Moat

Image of the Week (W/C 29th March 2021)

Last weeks top image is again a product of Lockdown and the start of Spring, did a set of Daffodils and decided to process an  abstract photo, using colour only in the centre of the flower. With the monochrome contrast really does make the yellow punch out at you.

Taken with the Nikon D3200 fitted with the 18-250 Tamron settings 85mm ,F22, 1/299thSec and iso100 . Plus flash to aid illumination

5th April 2021

Heart of Gold

Heart of Gold

Alex Kilbee One to follow

Image of the Week (W/C 22nd March 2021)

Top image last week is a still life . Light ,shade and vivid colour are the signitures for this photograph. Lockdown and poor weather draws my attention to indoor still life's and macro composition's .

Finding daily content is a challange in itself and test imagination and creativity 

Image taken with a Nikon D2X with a Nikkor 50mm Prime lens set at F4.5 1/80th/Sec and 320 ISO

28th March 2021 

On the Vine

On the Vine

Spring Buds
Spring Buds

Spring 2021

With the start of Spring , the garden changes its face with new buds appearing all around. A new season and a new opportunety to record nature waking up from its winter slumber 

All images taken using a Tamron AF 18-250mm, which delivers excellant close up images.

27th March 2021 

Image of the Week (W/C 15th March 2021)

Bit of a theme running with Images of the Week , a 3rd week where the top photograph was  taken using a Tamron 18-250mm zoom lens . What is demonstrate is the versatility of this lens the last two image captured at 150mm and 18mm respectively . This weeks the lens setting was at 70mm .

Photo not a stranger to the site appears in EYE CANDY, it captures a tighter view of Caerphilly Castle compared to a full view landscape.Although the lens does compromise in some aspects softness at the far edges, this example is very sharp and with low winter sun the light brings out the castle structure well.

Taken with the Nikon D3200 , Tamron 18-250mm lens set at 70mm, F9,1/250Sec and 100 ISO

22nd March 2021

Castle Keep

Castle Keep

Image of the Week (W/C 8th March 2021)

Taken on the same day as last weeks image of the week, this simple composition of a swan, demonstrate the versatility of the Tamron 18-250mm zoom lens . Last weeks photo taken at 18mm throw this week its full extention of 250mm . At both setting the image are sharp with good colour saturation .

Taken with the Nikon D3200 lens settings 150mm,F9,1/250Sec and 100 ISO

15th March 2021 

Swan

Swan

Castle Walls

Castle Walls

Image of the Week ( W/C 1st March 2021)

Fitting on a week that started on Saint Davids Day an image that represents Welsh defiance takes the top slot this week .

 I've taken hundreds of photo's of the Castle so I  find myself using different lens to expand the type of representations I can create . On this day I used a Tamron 18-250 lens that affords wide angle to telephoto . You can find in Eye Candy a long range image taken on the same day

Leave a comment of the website love to hear your views

Photograph taken with Nikon D3200 , Tameron 18-250 set at 18mm, F9, 1/125Sec and 100 ISO 

8th March 2021

A Master at Work: Sir Don McCullin Kolkata

Check out this excellant video produced by Film director Clive Booth, cinematographer Chris Clarke. A great incite on Sir Don McCullin at the age of 82 at the making of this feature, gives viewers an opportunety to listen to Sir Don view on Photography, digital evolution and life. Get inspired and enjoy Sir Don at his best

3rd March 2021 

Image of the Week (W/C 22nd February 2021)

As with last week , this weeks Image of the Week comes from a set taking in Porthcawl . Again a black and white, shot into the low Winter Sun . Its composition is anchored and geometry, that is space and its relationship to distance and relative position

Shot with my Nikon D3200, Kit lens set at 18mm. F10 , 1/250Sec and 100ISO , Polarizer lens fitted 

1st March 2021

Sea Wall Railing

Sea Wall Railing

Image of the Week (W/C 15th February 2021)

Another image from a trip to Porthcawl, hits the top slot as image of the week, . Again Black and White draws a lot of attention . Shot into the lights creates solid silhouette. with a dramatic sky, and just for good measure a left to right leading line

Take with the Nikon D3200, kit lens set at 18mm,F10,1/320/Sec and 100 iso

22nd February 2021

Into the Light

Into the Light

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Urban Sun Rise

Urban Sun Rise

Image of the Week ( W/C 8th February 2021)

Huge social media responce to this image , taken just outside my street, a stunning Winter Sunrise in an urban setting .Not planned saw the image from my office grabbed camera went to the end of the road  , and fired away .

Needed to do some tinkering in post and was able to deliver the image that just shouts atmosphere . Views welcomed

Taken with a Nikon D2X with a 28mm Tokina Prim lens set at F4.5, 1/30thSec and 125 ISO 

15th February 2021

Image of the Week (W/C 1st February 2021)

Driven past this location on route to Barry Island beach lots of times. On my return journey diverted off and captures a number  "Dockland" Images . Area  of Barry Docks and now finds itself part of a waterfront propery developement .

Again Black and White  Image attracts a lot of positive attention, this one out scores all contenders for last weeks top spot 

Taken with the Nikon D3200 and Tamron 10-24 Lens combination. Set at 11.5mm, F8, 1/100Sec and 200 ISO

8th February 2021 

Image of the Week (W/C 25th January 2021)

This Image smashed it out of the Park , reaction rate out performed all in January , not only taken the weekly top spot but also takes January Image of the Month 

Taken in Porthcawl not a planned visit rather an emergancy trip to take my daughter for a urgent eye examination. Rather then wait in my car took a walk around the seafront on what was a chilly brisk morning  . This location has been captured 1000's of time during storm season , so I've added my photo to these . 

A productive morning catching wave shapes hitting the sea wall. , with the light low to the right a number of the shots capture the yellow illumination within the crashing waves  more from this set to come

Taken with my Nikon D3200 ,kit lens set at 55mm F10, 1/320thSec and 100 Iso

1st February 2021

Winter Storm -- Porthcawl

Winter Storm -- Porthcawl

Nikon F4S

1988 was a bit of a landmark year for Nikon and the world of SLR Camera's . September that year, saw the launch of the Nikon F4 . Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, better known for car designs  Ferrari to name one, the fact the camera has a red sporting strip is not lost on me.

This ground breaking camera delivered a number of first's 

1st Professional Autofocus Camera

1st Professional Built in motodrive

1st Matrix Metering system

In 1988 I was packing a Nikon FE and looked on in envy at this bit of kit but at £2,500 (£5k Now) it was out of my reach. But 32 years on and thanks to a quality used market in Japan, my wife treated me for Christmas .

If your a button Junkie this camera will appeal to you, for me the ergonomic's are so sweet It feels comfortable as you wrap your hands around its curves . Got the first test shots back from processing and more than happy with the results, 2021  will be the year of the F4S for me. 

Want to read more check out Ken Rockwell's Review

29th January 2021

Nikon F4S Test Shots
Nikon F4S Test Shots

Image of the Week (W/C 18th January 2021)

Taken at Watch House Bay ,Barry Island, on the harbour wall, strong leading lines to the harbours end draws the viewer in . Overcast sky softens the top half of the photo with the  contrast with the solid features of the harbour and beach .

Taken with the combination of Nikon D3200 and Tamron 10-24 Lens, set at 10mm, F7.1, 1/100/Sec and 200 ISO

25th January 2021 

Harbour Wall

Harbour Wall

Image of the Week (W/C 11th January 2021)

First colour image of the week for 2021 is a product of a exercise lockdown walk to Parc Penallta on a very cold New Years Day. Site of the Sultan  Pony Earth Earthwork (See Map attached )

This Sulpture near the carpark offers a good view down the park . Used my Nikon D2x with the much aged Tokina 28mm Prime Lens Set at F11 1/80thSec and 125ISO .

Like or leave a comment or question below

18th January 2021 

Parc Penallta Artwork

Parc Penallta Artwork

Lone Building (Click image for full view)

Lone Building (Click image for full view)

Image of the Week (W/C 4th January 2021)

This photograph of a lone building at Cwm Darran Parc makes top spot for last week. 7 out of the top 10 images last week were Black and White  despite only representing only 50% of uploads. Just illustrates the preference for this genre of photography 

Taken with a Nikon D3200 and Tamron 18-250 Lens set at 24mm, F8, 1/40thSec and 200 ISO

11th January 2021

2020 Image of the Year

In a year full of challenges with lockdowns and travel bans its fitting an image taken prior to this is our Image of the Year

Taken on our post Christmas walk to Barry Island  this image shot into the sun captures a silhouette of a man just about to through a stick for his dog . Made image of the week for the 10th of February check out in Blog 2020 Half 1

If you like it leave a comment

5th January 2021

One Man and His Dog

One Man and His Dog

Image of the Week (W/C 28th December 2020)

The final Image of the week for December 2020 came from a visit to Pen-y-Fan Pond , prior weeks a colour image took the lead. Last week a black and white . Lots of empty space , with the attraction the mirror effect in the lake and the strong contrast of monochrome.

Taken with the Nikon D3200 with Tamron 10-24 lens set at 12mm,F7.1 1/125Sec and 200 ISO. Polarizer filter fitted 

4th January 2021

Pen-Y-Fan Pond (Click Image for Full view)

Pen-Y-Fan Pond (Click Image for Full view)

Achieved Objectives for 2020

Our drive for website traffic was a key objective for 2020 from an average of 1,000 hits per week in 2019 we set a target of 2,000 per week. Worked hard in social media to gather exposure and we've achieved an average of 2,146 for 2020. 

As a target for 2021 we're setting a target of 3,000 hits per week. Likes and comments a bonus, work starts today, looking at format content, to add interest each day to attract new followers 

1st January 2021