Dandelion

Dandelion

Image of the Week ( W/C 25th May 2020)

Still life of a Dandelion tops the Images Last week, a second still life in a row.

Simple image of the complex pattern and fragility of a Dandelion in full seed bloom. Taken with my Nikon D2X  and my new Tokina 100mm Macro Lens , flash assisted settings at F10 for depth of field 1/165Se and 100 iso 

1st June 2020

Image of the Week (W/C 18th May 2020)

Last weeks top Image is very much a product of the Corona Lockdown period . A session of dropping items into a glass of water in a studio set up . Great fun and challenging, No flash, static lights, right and left of the subject. 

The green applied in processing using a green tint to create a single colour image on a black background

Taken with my Nikon 18-55 Kit lens set at 55mm F5.6 1/200thSec and iso 200

25th May 2020

Green Pea's

Green Pea's

Image of the Week (W/C 11th May 2020)

A classic iconic image of Caerphilly topped my 500px pulse rate . Taking during my exercise walk.

I do not get tired of taking photo's of the castle this taken at the northen aspect of the surrounding park and if you do a search of Caerphilly castle this view will come up numerous times 

Taken with a Nikon d3200 and Tamron 10-24mm Lens se at 10mm,F6.3 ,1/800th Sec and 200 Iso

18th May 2020

Castle and Moat

Castle and Moat

Image of the Week (W/C 4th May 2020)

Macro still life tops the images, this one part of a set used in 52 frames challenge . Used a +4 Close up lens filter on my 18-55 Kit lens held the feather against a mirror whilst using my other hand to hold the camera, , its good I have a steady hand 

Taken with the Nikon D3200 set at 40mm, F 11 1/200Sec and 100iso, Flash used to assist lighting

11th May 2020

Soft Touch

Soft Touch

Image of the Week ( W/C 27th April 2020)

Its fittting that last week most popular image is a product of the Corona lockdown. Taken in my garden this image featured in my blog posting below "An Old Friend"

Image captured with the D3200 with a Asahi Takumar 55 F1.2 Lens. No setting since the lens set on manaul with no electronic connection

4th May 2020

Spring Growth

Spring Growth

Image of the Week (W/C 20th April 2020)

Top image from last week was taken on one of my "Lockdown" exercise walks , down Trethomas part of the Rhymney River Walk. The field normally has dogs running around with owners watching on. Not now, for an open exercise area it was extremely quite .

Used my Nikon D2X with a fully manual Tokina 28 to 105mm Lens set at 80mm f5.6 1/250/Sec and 125 ISO .

27th April 2020

Rhymney River Walk

Rhymney River Walk

Corona Lockdown 2020 -- Sunagor Mirage Filter

Got this filter as part of a Joblot I purchased 3 years back, the target item in the lot was a Russian Zenit camera sporting the famous helios lens. 

The Sunagor lens sat in the bottom of a bag unused and I stumbled on it whilst doing a bit of equipment housekeeping. The lens has an adjustable split screen so it can be deployed across a range of angles. It produces a mirage effect on your subject. It completely throws auto focus so manual adjustment is the best option, and  a real handfull a number of time I've tried to focus on the mirage rather then the subject.

It is great fun to use and does produce interesting abstract photo's . In this "Photoshop" age great to touch base with a blast from the past .

Check out slide show centre.

Comments Welcome and most Important Stay Safe 

22nd April 2020

Sunlagor Mirage Filter Effect
Sunlagor Mirage Filter Effect
Sunagor Mirage Filter

Sunagor Mirage Filter

Image of the Week (W/C 13th April 2020)

Last weeks top image taken at Taff Bargoed Park, on the first weekend of "Lockdown", and what transpired as my last visit outside Caerphilly. The 500PX community are drawn to black and white images, add leading lines and lots of light constrast and bingo the like numbers flood in .

2nd Phote of the same subject matter that hits top spot, see below Bute Park

Keep Safe 

Taken with Nikon D3200 + Kit Lens set at  18mm f7.1 1/500thSec and Iso100

20th April 2020

Taff Bargoed Footbridge

Taff Bargoed Footbridge

Takumar 55 F1.2 Images
Takumar 55 F1.2 Images

Corona Lockdown 2020 -- An Old Friend

90 % of my work revolve's around Landscape photograph, so my go to lens selection favour wide angle. Since the lockdown I've reacquainted myself with older glass. 

Banged a Asahi Takumar on to my Nikon D3200 , its a m42 screw mount and I have to use an adapter to use. It is a classic lens produces great colour rendering , sharp images and bokah to die for. "Note to self must use more oftain".

Check out the Images in the slide show 

Comments welcome Keep Safe

17th April 2020  

Asahi Takumar 55mm F1.2

Asahi Takumar 55mm F1.2

Corona Lockdown 2020 -- Splash Photography

All location plan's been shelved during the time of social isolation , instead I'm constraining activity to what I can do indoors, in the garden or having a walk which I've confined to Caerphilly. 

Never done splash photography in a control setting so did some research on the subject,  a short video presented by Gavin Hoey is attached see far right very good advice and tips

It is not as easy as it looks and testing and learning during the session was very much part of the process . See results in the slide show right centre.

What do you think, leave a comment

15th April 2020

Test Images Splash Photography
Test Images Splash Photography

Image of the Week (W/C 6th April 2020)

There are some photo's that gives me a warm feeling and last weeks top image hits the spot, homage from yesteryears of Black and White street photo's  taken using 35mm Film, with a camera that is over 50 years old + , Voightlander Vito C .

Image of a couple walking on the Taff River boardwalk around the Principality Sadium, taken just after the recent storms on a day the Sun had returned. Love the constrast between light and shadows in a location that is instantly recognised. 

Love Film, Love the Camera #Filmisnotdead

13th April 2020 

Taking a Stroll

Taking a Stroll

Cwm Darran Park

Cwm Darran Park

Image of the Week (W/C 30th March 2020)

Last weeks top image is from Cwm Darran Park just north of Bargoed . Taken on the first Friday of dry weather after the rain and storms in February , what a delight and the image reflects the colours after weeks of gray days . For a time after the Corona lockdown attached is a map, until then stay at home and help the Health Service. Keep safe 

Image taking with a Nikon D2X and Tokina 11-16mm Lens set at 15mm, F7.1 , 1/250Sec and ISO 100

6th April 2020

Idea's for those on Corona Lockdown 7 Tips

Some hints and tips for those who need to manage your time and keep creative in these differcult times. 

1... Have a weekly and daily plan

2... If you have a garden get out there a capture nature , in Spring new growth is there try macro cheap option for those on a tight budget get a filter kit.

3... Take some product photography . Great fun check out

4... Learn Learn and Learn more check out YTube stacked with great content

5... Review past work, see if rejected images could find keepers after a second look

6. If you do take a exercise walk  take your camera do some "Eye Training"

7... Most Important Keep Safe

27th March 2020

But Park Footbridge

But Park Footbridge

Image of the Week (W/C 23rd March 2020)

This weeks top Image is a classic leading line composition both the bridge structure and the shadows deliver this example of one of the Rules of Composition.

Again of the many images produced and shared, Black and White draws a lot of positive responce, I curate a Black and White gallery at 500px check it out for great images from around the world 

Images taken with my Nikon d3200 Kit lens set at 18mm F5.6, 1/5500thSe and iso 100

30th March 2020

Image of the Week (W/C 17th March 2020)

I've stopped trying to understand what makes one image more popular then others, I tend to find Black and White seems to attract more interest then most. This weeks most popular on 500PX is this simple of simple image of Cardiff bay, what's the subject matter, the Sea, the Sky the Sun light, or is it the sum of all these I leave it to you to decide

Taken with my D3200 , Kit lens, set at 50mm F5.6 1/500th Sec and iso 100

23rd March 2020

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay

Image of the Week (W/C 9th March 2020)

Top image last week was taken at Pen-Y-Fan Pond  and shows the results of all the recent wet whether in Wales a flooded field under dark rain loaded clouds.. 

Location well worth a visit map attached for information

Taken with Nikon D2X and Tokina 11-16mm Lens set at 16mm, F8 1/500Sec and iso100

16th March 2020

Flooding February 2020

Flooding February 2020

Image of the Week (W/C 2nd March 2020)

Top image for last week was this Black and White taken at Cosmeston Lakes, just ahead all the recent storms. Still Spring like weather just made for a number of photo opportunety's . This one blends composition , rule of thirds and  leading lines, with the contrast of image content, sky,mirror effect, land and water.

Captured a number of pleasing Images during the visit, one used in the 52 frames challenge. Image taken with the Nikon D2X amd trusty Tokina 11-16mm Lens, set at14mm,F6's,124/Sec and 100iso

9th March 2020

Cosmeston Lakes

Cosmeston Lakes

Image of the Week (W/C 24th February 2020)

Last weeks most popular image came from a trip to Aberavon Beach, just ahead of all the recent storms. The combination of good light, wet sand ,blue sky and clouds, just served up images a plenty.

I'm a bit of a sucker for reflections and this image is a one of a number taken that day capturing this reflected theme. Aberavon sea front well worth a visit, with great views across to Swansea and at the other extreme the Steel works at Port Talbot

Image taken with the Nkon D3200 with Tamron 10-24, set at 24mm, F81//125Sec and 100iso

2nd March 2020

Aberavon Beach

Aberavon Beach

Last weeks top image topped the pulse rate on 500px as well as getting some positive traffic on Instagram. Taken in Caerphilly and was on the short list for the 52Frame challeng.

Like the balance with this shot the geometry of the image and the man in the top left third delivers a classic composition . Taken with the Nikon D3200 and Tamron 10-24mm lens set at 17mm ,F5.1, 1/125Sec and 100iso

24th February 2020

Steps

Steps

Check out the Tamron at Amazon (Other Fittings available)

Fetch

Fetch

Image of the Week (W/C 10th February 2020)

Very strong responce to this Image taken at Barry Island, low winter sun bit of a beast to manage but does create a sharp silhouette.I could see the image forming as I walked behind the man and fired off trusting my autofocus, there are 2 other photo's of the same subject check out the other two on the right

Image taken with my Nikon d3200 and Tamron 11-24mm lens set at 24mm,F7.1 1/1250Sec and 100iso

17th February 2020

Image of the Week (W/C 3rd February 2020)

There's a saying that you use the best camera you've got, last weeks top image is an example of this. Taken from my office the early morning mist and sunrise just screamed take me.

I was processing images from my Nikon 2DX still fitted with a 100mm Tokina lens, grabbed it and fired off a number of shots, the telephoto nature of the lens allowed my to frame the scene. Image is full of mood and atmosphere worthy of top slot

Settings 100mm,F6'3, 1/160Sec and 100 ISO

10th February 2020

Caerphilly mist morning

Caerphilly mist morning

Heritage Coast --Rhoose Point

Heritage Coast --Rhoose Point

Image of the Week (W/C January 27th 2020)

Yet another photograph from a set taking at Rhoose Point, this one of the limestone gap to the beach , taken from a different view point and this time in colour.

This trip has delivered a lot of positive responce with a number of images being accepted by stock company's for commersial sale. 

Image taken with the Nikon D2X and Tokina 11-16mm set at 13mm, F6.3, 1/200Sec and iso 100

3rd February 2020

Image of the Week (W/C 20th January 2020)

A second image from a trip made to Rhoose Point, prior to Christmas takes the number 1 slot as last week top image. 

Interesting location with lots of image to catch , the map to the location is linked to the Obelisk photo below, well worth a walk out, very rugged but a lot to see in a short distance

Taken with the D2x and Tokina 11-16mm lens set at 11mm throw, F6.3 aperture, 1/160Sec and 100 iso

27th January 2020

Limestone Gap -- Rhoose Point

Limestone Gap -- Rhoose Point

Image of the Week (W/C 13th January 2020)

The selection of the Image of the Week comes from responces on social media, Flickr and the prime guide numbers from the stock agency 500px.

It does'nt help when 500px has system issue's that restrict viewer access, so image  I thought may have merit don't get any exposure. Never mind because the default winner for last week was a 35mm Image taken of the bandstand at Ynysangharad Park Pontypridd

Love the quality of this pictures taken with a Nikon EM sporting a Tokina 28mm prime lens, its a partnership I'll use again, did produce a lovely colour and sharp representation of the view

#filmisnotdead

20th January 2020

Ynysangharad Park Pontypridd

Ynysangharad Park Pontypridd

Nikon EM

Nikon EM

Rhoose Point

Rhoose Point

Image of the Week (W/C 6th January 2020)

First image of the week for  2020 goes to a black and white photopgraph of a mystical stone circle taken at Rhoose Point (map for direction is to the right.)

Did some research on the centre stone only to find it is a folly, erected by "Blue Circle" as part of a land reclamation project, so no dark history of Pagan worship and sacrifice.

Worth a trip out lots to see, don't be put off when you have to park in an housing estate to gain access 

Photo taken with a Nikon D2X and supporting lens Tokina 11-16 mm set at 11mm, F6.3, 1/160Sec and iso 100

13th January 2020

2019 Image of The Year -- Merchant Seaman's Memorial Mermaid Quay

2019 Image of The Year -- Merchant Seaman's Memorial Mermaid Quay

Image of the Week (W/C 30th December 2019)

First Blog entry for 2020 for the last Image of the week for 2019. A week that has seen a lot of competition from Black and White images taking 8 of the top 10 slots. The winner is a colour portrait photo of the lone tree at Kenfig Hill Pond

I wanted to present a different representation of this image, and it do hit the spot  with followers in the 500px community.

Taken with a Nikon D3200 , fitted with the  Tamron 10-24mm lens , set at 13mm, F8 1/60thSec and 200 iso

6th January 2020

Kenfig Hill Pond

Kenfig Hill Pond