I see the Nikon D90 Specifications have been leaked. I can't wait to try one, that in-camera editing function may make me switch from Canon.

Labels: Cameras, Humour

It's quite a surprise to me the huge influence this little blog can have.

First I wax lyrically about how much I like my lensbaby and what happens? Mr Lensbaby himself, Sam Perdue, comments on my blog!

Then I create a check-list for photographers and what happens? Microsoft decide it's such a good idea they want to copy it.

But now, no sooner have I waxed lyrically about how wonderful craghopper furry trousers are but they need a leg pocket, when what happens? Through the door comes a parcel containing some of the very same trouser but now with the requested pocket!

Hmmm, I think I best only use these powers for good.

Labels: Equipment, Humour

Danny Boyle has produced 3 rather fun video tutorials for Photoshop. Well worth a view:

• You Suck at Photoshop #1
• You Suck at Photoshop #2
• You Suck at Photoshop #3

You never know, you might even learn something :)

Labels: Humour, Photoshop

Hampshire police thought it would be a good idea to advertise on the rear of a bus. Their planning did not take into account the position of the exhaust pipe.....

Labels: Humour

We had a great a week in the Yorkshire Dales. Every day we did a walk around a different part of the Dales. It was great to be out in such beautiful country just us, our two dogs, the views and the weather...lovely

The only downside on our walks was the local farmers obsession with making complicated stiles. The British Standard Stile was nowhere to be seen and were replaced with simple slots in the dry stone walls. Having decide that these were far too functional and hardly made things complicated at all, the farmers seemed to be in competition to add extra complications: A gate, 2 gates, steps, missing steps, extra powerful springs on the gates. The variety was amazing.

At one point we hit 6 different stiles in a little under three hundred yards. This really slowed down our walks because the stiles are designed to keep out sheep but let people through. Our two cocker spaniels are pretty much sheep sized so lifting them through the gaps added a "full body workout" to a simple walk...still it helps keep you fit I suppose.


In Arkengarthdale we came across the ultimate of the breed; a tall narrow stile that was guarded by a sheet of corrugated iron. Travelling through the wall involved throwing 2 walking poles, 2 rucksacks & 2 dogs over it first! Whilst waiting my chance to squeeze through I became fascinated with the colours in the rusty corrugated iron and its juxtaposition against the rock.

When you are in the right mood inspiration can strike anywhere.

Labels: Humour, Taking Pictures

Over the last few months I have been testing a preview of the new Canon 40D under one of their non disclosure agreements....



... So I can't tell you anything about it.

Labels: Cameras, Humour

Sometimes life imitates art. There I was easing myself into the week by reading through the weekends posts on The Online Photographer and what do you know but this cartoon appears from WhatTheDuck.net. (Click to view large)


So its not just me then!

Labels: Blogs, Humour

Things are really hotting up in the DSLR market with the impending release of the Nikon D90 and the rumoured replacement for the Canon 400D its going to be a great time to buy a new camera soon.

The D90 looks like a very strong offering, if the 10 stop VR and the built in iPod work as well as expected then I may soon switch to Nikon.

Labels: Cameras, Humour

Ok so there you are quietly photographing a solitary swallow when suddenly from nowhere another appears. I'll let the pictures tell their own story - but I thought he could have at least bought her a drink first.

Slipping the Eel

Labels: Humour, Taking Pictures, wildlife

Pete Myers has written a rather good article called The Museum (its a pdf).

Well worth a read.

Labels: Humour, Photographers

Hardly a week goes buy on the photography forums without someone telling the story of being prevented taking pictures by some security guard jobsworth type. It seems that you are usually OK if you use the camera hand held but set up your tripod and its like a red rag to a bull for the average security guard.

Prime spots in London to meet this sort of thing are Canary Wharf and the London Eye, the later I find particularly amusing as they did once run a London Eye photography competition, but to add that extra element of challenge they still had their security guards stopping you using a tripod.

I once experienced it myself at the Lloyds building, I was trying to take a picture of some feet walking down the steps similar to my Treads photograph. I was composing the shot, waiting for the right moment, when I was tapped on the shoulder by a security guard and the conversation went like this:

Guard: "Do you have permission to be doing that ?"
Me: "No, do I need it?"
Guard: "Well I would rather you stopped"
me: "Why?"
Guard: "Well its not very nice to take pictures of peoples feet without their permission"

At that point I decided to leave, heaven knows what nefarious activities he thought I would get up to with a load of telephoto feet shots!

At other times people can be so obliging it is hard to believe. on Friday I was down at Limehouse Basin and a chap who owned a boat in the middle of the dock wandered up and asked me if I wanted to get on to the jetty, as I could "get some good shots from there". He was happy to let me in through the security gates even though he had never met me before.

A few years back I was standing on a jetty at Coniston Sailing Club setting up to take this picture:


Now I knew had walked through a gate marked private to take the shot, so I was a little bit nervous when one of the club members approached me. I shouldn't have worried though as it turns out he was an ex-professional photographer and we proceeded to chat for about an hour or so as the sun went down. At the end of the conversation his parting words were "by the way, I suppose you know your trespassing?". To which I could only reply "err yes", then he left with a smile and a wave.

The latest incident happened on Saturday evening as I was standing waiting for the light to be right on this shot:



I have been waiting for a while, when a bloke comes out of the house nearest the field and starts walking the 100 or so yards towards me. Figuring I'm about to chucked off what is private land, I fire off a few shots and then await the inevitable confrontation:

Him: "Do you have permission to be here?"
Me: "Err no, I didn't know who owned the field"
Him: "Well if anyone asks, I said it's OK"
Me: "Thanks"

With that he wanders back to his house....and in case you are wondering, no one asked!

Labels: Humour, Taking Pictures

I was just looking at my house on the Microsoft version of Google Earth: Local.live.com. When I noticed that the incredibly detailed aerial photos managed to capture a child's balloon floating in the sky above our street.

I just thought it was pretty cool:

Labels: Humour

Yet again I find myself offering to host a file or a picture for a friend. Well this is supposed to be a blog about photography and I needed a shot for today, so here it is:



This is the first ever shot Robert has posted on the web so he would appreciate any comments you have about it.

Labels: Humour, Photographers

I came across this warning today and thought it best to pass it on to all dog owners:

Police have issued a warning to all dog owners: Watch your dog!
A sniper has been picking off dogs one at a time and almost a dozen have been killed or wounded so far. These horrible attacks have occurred predominantly in the Glasgow area. Police say they have a suspect and an arrest warrant has been issued, but so far, they haven't been able to nab him. Police have distributed a photo (attached) of the alleged suspect please keep your dogs safe and distribute this to anyone who has dogs in the area.

Labels: Humour