Friday, 31st December 2010 - Photo #365

Well here it is, my last blog of this year! - Sorry but I have taken up Nicky's challenge and done a self portrait, you are right Nicky, definitely the hardest one to be happy with. I have slightly cheated I must admit and used my flashgun and raw (just to whiten the blue wall I stood in front of). Just too time consuming tonight to get my lights out.

Thank you to everybody that has been watching this blog and all your comments, whether you liked a picture or not, thanks for taking the time to take a look, I appreciated your feedback.

Thanks to Old Meg for your comments throughout the year and your Christmas card it was lovely. Glad you enjoyed the blog, happy new year. XXXX

Thursday, 30th December 2010 - Photo #364

Some girls like little green boxes with the word Tiffany on them but here is my favourite type of box to get as a present! Gold with yellow and black 'Nikon' on it. Yes my new lens has arrived today and I can't wait to get out and have a practice with it. It's part Christmas present and part treat for finishing this blog, so I thought it would be a good idea to take a picture of the box to remind me.

I'm a little bit sad that tomorrow will be my last post but I'll appreciate the break from the pressure of having to pick the camera up even if I had no idea what to take a photo of. I've been happy with the majority of pictures but even the ones I'm not happy with I know why not and that's the most important thing. I've learnt so much by actually taking the pictures and being critical with them enough to put on here for you all to see.

Wednesday, 29th December 2010 - Photo #363

'Cheats never prosper!'

We have been over to Mum and Dad's today for their Christmas dinner (why do Mum's always taste better?) We played cards after dinner and look at these two! Used my beloved 50mm lens which gives a lovely soft background and my flashgun for fill in light. Good job we weren't playing for money only Cadbury's Roses!

Tuesday, 28th December 2010 - Photo #362

We walked past this tree with a street light behind it and all said "wow, look at that", luckily it wasn't too far from home so I nipped back for the camera. As it meant walking back on my own in the dark I didn't take my tripod but luckily the street light was enough to avoid needing too long a shutter speed. I put the picture into Photoshop and changed the white balance to 'florescent' as this gave it a nice pinky glow which I like. Not long now till the end of this blog, what will I do with all that extra time?...................

Monday, 27th December 2010 - Photo #361

'Karaoke Kings'

Here's Blair and Carl practising for next year's X Factor auditions, Carl is being 'Bez' to Blair's 'Shaun Ryder'! Bless them, the Stone Roses have nothing to worry (it was their song they murdered...sorry sang). Well done you too for getting in the party spirit. I think Carl looks like a cross between Boris Karloff and Tommy Cooper!!

Sunday, 26th December 2010 - Photo #360

Had another lovely day with family today over at Sharron and Joel's and was very impressed with Randall's gingerbread house. I tried to make one from a kit that I bought from Ikea a few years ago and it was a total disaster! Took this with my 50mm lens which gave me a nice blurred background, put it in Photoshop but all I have done to it is crop a little bit of background out. I like the colours too much to play about with them.

Saturday, 25th December 2010 - Photo #359

Happy Christmas!

What a day, the presents have been unwrapped and sorted into piles of ownership, the dinner cooked, eaten and pots washed and Alan Carr is on the TV, how better does life get? My Mum, Dad and Grandma are safely back at their homes and the girls in bed. I took this picture of a bauble on the tree as I love reflections, then I went a bit mad making it look like a Christmas Card. Can you spot the santa bulldog that sings "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree"?

Friday, 24th December 2010 - Photo #358

"Our Christmas Eve Walk"

It has become a bit of a tradition that we go, along with Alison and Blair, up to our friends', Laura and Martin's (and all the kids of course) for a walk around Melbourne and the reservoir. Santa hats are optional but do help to keep your ears warm! I'm glad I took my camera as the sun was lovely just as we set off and lit up a field full of sheep beautifully, the sheep were far too concerned about Zac though. A few drinks in the Lamb pub and a chinese takeaway later and I am nearly all ready for Santa to arrive. Wonder if he got my wish list?..................

Happy Christmas everyone, have a great time. XX

Thursday, 23rd December 2010 - Photo #357

This photo looks innocent enough but, boy, does it make me feel old! Whilst shopping for Kirsten's 11th birthday presents with my Mum we stumbled upon a shop called Haze. It is opposite Revolution pub in Derby (or for oldies like me, the place that used to be Strand Wools - argh, how sad am I?) Mum fell in love with these Gothic Fairies and bought a few for her little black tree, they are gorgeous and right up Kirsten's street. What makes me feel old is the fact that only a few years ago she would have wanted a tree full of teddies and snowmen, not vixen-like fairies (however sweet their faces are). Where's my little girl gone? Mum is always reminding me that at one point I wouldn't go out of the house if I wasn't dressed head to foot in black - is history about to repeat itself??? Right need to get myself to Revolution and erase all memories of Strand Wools!! Chocolate vodka anyone?

Wednesday, 22nd December 2010 - Photo #356

I passed a 'snowdog' (instead of a snowman) that someone had made today but unfortunately didn't have my camera with me. "Never mind", I thought "I'll make one when I get home", but the snow is so powdery that it won't stick together. So here is my version of a snowdog, bless him he never ceases to be amazed by this cold white stuff. I quite like this one because he seems to match the colours of the hedge in the background.

Tuesday, 21st December 2010 - Photo #355

Well I think we are in for some more snow, so I've made the best of getting in the garden today, cleaned out Pixie, the rabbit, who is probably fed up of living in the garage and took advantage of the lovely frost on the plants. I used my flash and the frost sparkled, luckily. Will it be more snow scenes tomorrow?....... watch this space.

Monday, 21st December 2010 - Photo #354

I've been playing with my studio lights again tonight to try and locate the actual problem, thanks Nicky for the loan of the cable. Think I have sussed it and need to speak to a kind man at The Flash Centre for some advice. However, I took this picture of a cuddly snowman as he was a willing subject - unlike the girls or the dog. Added a vignette just to jazz him up a bit.

Sunday, 19th December 2010 - Photo #353

Been over to my Sister and brother in-laws today for a catch up and look who has taken up residence in their tree in the garden. This female pheasant has taken a real shine to their trampoline as she likes the grass underneath it. I put my camera in Auto mode thinking that at least I could point and shoot quickly if she got spooked and flew off. The photos were really quite boring as she was in the shadows of the branches and as she didn't move I had time to swop to Aperture priority, left the flash on and hey presto lovely colours. The branch in front is a bit distracting but can't win em all!!

Saturday, 18th December 2010 - Photo #352

Obviously, I had to blog the birthday girl today and with the aid of my trusty Photoshop have taken a standard image of her with her cake and given it a 'lovely' treatment. The action called 'lovely' seems to get rid of any unsightly shadows and soften the face.

I love Photoshop, as much as I try to get the picture right in the camera in the first place it is reassuring knowing that I can put it into Photoshop and, hopefully, correct any mistakes or make the picture better.

Friday, 17th December 2010 - Photo #351

As you can see, it's Kirsten's 11th birthday tomorrow and her cards and pressies are out for the morning (hence the lateness of this blog). I can't believe she is going to be 11 - makes me feel really old.

My nickname for her is Kirky-Rose and the envelope in front of her presents caught my eye, to make it stand out I used a shallow depth of field to blur the advent calendars and presents in the background.

I'll let you know tomorrow whether she likes them or not!

Thursday, 16th December 2010 - Photo #350

Been on my work's Christmas meal tonight at the Bonnie Prince in Chellaston and very nice it was too. Thought I would blog this bright blue tree and try and get a reflection in a bauble, it's not brilliant as I used my compact camera but you get the idea. I've sharpened in Photoshop to try and help it along as I didn't use flash. It's getting really difficult at the minute to blog with everything else that is going on but I won't give up. I'm going to ask Santa for a few extra hours in the day so I can take more photos!!

Wednesday, 15th December 2010 - Photo #349

I've seen this leaf on the block paving for the past couple of days and every time I see it I think what striking colours. So tonight I decided to blog it, I've cloned out a little bit of red paper that was on the bricks just because red is the most eye catching colour (according to all the judges at camera club) and it was just too distracting.

Tuesday, 14th December 2010 - Photo #348

"Stick em up"

Isn't it funny when someone knows you so well that they choose something for you that is just right. I saw the unusual small lady on the left, she is actually a trinket box, in Harrods years ago, looked at the price and thought "oh well - nevermind". Without knowing Mum went to a garden centre not long after and saw exactly the same lady, she knew I would love her and bought her for me. I couldn't believe it, I later found the larger lady which is a tea light holder at the same garden centre half price (even better) but have never seen them since. Strange.

Anyway, I took a picture using my on-camera flash (boo) as my flashgun's batteries have given up the fight which has caused some horrendous shadows but I thought I would add an aged look to the picture and a vignette to make it look like they have both been caught by the police! Mind you the price Harrods were charging was day light robbery.............

Monday, 14th December 2010 - Photo #347

"Charlie"

Had a very informative night tonight at Camera Club, even if it was a rush. Didn't get to show my four images but never mind learned what a couple of buttons I have never dared press on my camera do and had a go at shooting Charlie, our model. Played about with this picture in elements and used the reflection maker to make it look a bit different. Thanks to everybody involved, especially Barry and Nicky for their advice, it just went too fast. "Stop rushing around Carol" is going to become my Mantra!

Sunday, 12th December 2010 - Photo #346

Tonight's blog has been a funny one, it's been one of the those nights where I don't actually get many photos that I like but I have learned a lot. I have found slow sync flash (how long have I had this camera) and am now fully armed for camera club tomorrow night to find out how to use it properly. Barry sent me a link about taking a self portrait on a swivel chair in front of the Christmas tree lights and I wanted to give it a go (hideous, trust me, the light effect looked good but I didn't realise just how much I hate photos of myself) so used one of Zac alseep instead. This one is dark I know but when I lightened Zac's face the picture just lost the cosy feel. You can only just make out his profile in front of the fireplace with the fairy lights on but hey it's far better than the swivel pictures! A very productive evening's work.

Saturday, 11th December 2010 - Photo #345

"Give us a kiss"

Still got a problem with my lights but tried to get a good picture of Lincoln and Whiskey for Jamie and Angie. Here is my favourite! Trying to get a good picture of one dog is tricky but two..........

Friday, 10th December 2010 - Photo #344

I've had a problem with my studio lights that I needed to try and sort out tonight (whoops, still no decorations up yet) and I think I've sussed out what's wrong. Needed my two (un)willing volunteers and whilst snapping away I remembered that I didn't buy their latest school photos, so here is my attempt at school pics. Unfortunately, neither had brushed their hair but at least they are au naturale I suppose. Before you ask Mum, I'll get you a copy!!

Thursday, 9th December 2010 - Photo #343

I took this picture of a stairwell at University tonight just because it caught my eye. I like the white, grey and black together with a tiny bit of green (can you spot it?) I've cropped it as the building must curve round slightly and this made the black window frames look uneven. I also had to move the position I took the photo from as there was a rotten old traffic sign obscuring the symmetry of this picture. Maybe a person climbing the stairs (in red eh?) would really set it off but I think the building was locked so hey ho!

Wednesday, 8th December 2010 - Photo #342

Part of Kirsten's Christmas present was tickets for the Arcade Fire concert at the NEC, which was tonight. She was so excited and luckily we had really good seats. I really struggle with my little compact to get a decent photo of bands on stage because of lights, not being able to use flash, grainy pictures etc and tonight's were no exception. The light show was amazing but made taking photos a real nightmare, however, I managed to get this as they were coming on stage before all the lights started. It's in silhouette but at least it shows the set of the stage and the massive television screen in the middle. They were great and Kirsten didn't want it to finish and I didn't get lost on the way home - result!

Tuesday, 7th December 2010 - Photo #341

Yet another wintry scene I'm afraid but my photographic opportunities are a bit limited in this weather, but it is so beautiful it's hard not to snap away at trees, cobwebs, even telephone cables look lovely. Walked past the church and noticed the cobwebs hanging from the gravestones. I've given this one a bit of a gothic treatment and took the colour out as there was a rather annoying red sign just behind the stone. Who needs Whitby when you've got scenes like this in Derby?

Monday, 6th December 2010 - Photo #340

Everywhere is treacherous today so only ventured as far as the local park with Zac and camera. He loved it but I was freezing, took this grass/weed covered in snow as I liked the shape of it. Definitely another Narina day today. Beautiful scenery but it's stopping me getting my Christmas shopping done!

Sunday, 5th December 2010 - Photo #339

Passed this lovely winter scene on the way back from Mum and Dad's today so stopped in a lay-by to snap it. I love the red letter box.

Saturday, 4th December 2010 - Photo #338

It has been our Christmas Fair at work today and look who turned up for a quick visit. Mrs Santa was there but unfortunately, she was holding the camera (that's a clue by the way) so there aren't any photos of her! The fair was a success despite of the weather and all the children's wishes for Christmas have been duly noted.

Friday, 3rd December 2010 - Photo #337

Had to take this on Carl's phone as I completely ran out of time today to even look at the camera let alone pick it up. Been to Rock City to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and let my inner Rock Chick out (well nearly, apart from not having a drink and fretting about driving home in the snow). When we came out after a brill concert the snow had fallen and it was a bit hairy getting out of Nottingham. Nerves shot I have sharpened this image slightly and cropped some boring bits off, no competition winner but I wont be able to forget tonight's drive home in a hurry.

Thursday, 2nd December 2010 - Photo #336

It felt like walking through Narnia today on Zac's walk, funny how everything looks clean and beautiful when it is covered in snow. Without it this shot wouldn't have looked anything like as pretty and Zac would of been lost in the fallen leaves. Got to make the best of these photo opportunities haven't we? I like how the trees make an oval shape which I have emphasized by adding a vignette.

Wednesday, 1st December 2010 - Photo #335

"What do you mean ONE A DAY?!!"

Zac got to grips with his first ever advent calendar today (thanks Linda) and as I couldn't get a photo of one of the girls advent calendar that was anywhere near exciting I thought I would make a collage of him enjoying his. What a spoilt pooch.