Friday, August 6, 2010

Scotland Street School

Scotland Street School,which was designed by Charles Renee Mackintosh, was opened in 1906 and closed in 1979. A very light interior with lots of CRM features. I was rather dismayed at how many of the rooms reminded me of my primary school - the desks, ink wells, outside toilets, clockrooms. My London County Council School was much drearier however with brown and cream paint not the vibrant blues and greens. I didn't take a shift lens today as it was raining heavily but wished I had for the exterior shots.
















Thursday, August 5, 2010

Patterns and Colour

A set of pattern colour images. The first is from Troon Harbour last night - we watched them unpack the fish into these coloured trays.



















The next two are from the Barras area of Glasgow. They are demolishing a lot of the red building and replacing with similar coloured but characterless tall flats.


















The last three are of the Tennets' brewery.


Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Kelvingrove Museum

The Kelvingrove Museum is an amazing collection of objects and there appears to be no retriction on Photography.


Evening Light on the Clyde

We visited the Science buildings area along the Clyde yesterday evening. The first image shows the Crown Plaza Hotel and the 'Armadillo' conference centre. Below is the opposite bank with the Science Museum and the Glasgow Tower.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Charles Rennie Mackintosh Day



















The first stop for us on our C R Mackintosh tour was the Willow Tea Rooms. There are two parlours , one in Black and white and one in shades of purple and pink.
We then visited the School of Art. A very tall building so I was pleased to have my Shift lens.
The door panels made a work of art on their own (reversed as mirrors)








Sunday, August 1, 2010

Glasgow Back Alleys

We took a short walk round the Merchant City area of Glasgow where we are staying for 10 days and found some interesting alley ways. There are also lots of areas of attractive colour on the buildings, which I am keen to explore.











Saturday, July 31, 2010

Friday's Wedding

The rain kindly stayed away right till the evening for Jon and Liz's wedding. The title for the first image is 'On Parade' - would have liked all the flowers held as the centre bridesmaid.
It is always difficult to get all the guests in a single shot - not quite everyone can be seen but gives a memory of the occasion.
The Bride and Groom travelled between Wilburton Church and the Orchard at Aldreth in a beautifully turned out and decorated horse and cart.
The reception was held in a working orchard - a wonderful setting.





Wednesday, July 28, 2010

IR in Cambridge

Some infrared images from a trip into Cambridge. The two ladies on the bridge were both wearing black - one must reflect or radiate a lot more infrared than the other.

























I have done water lilies before with infrared - it makes the leaves translucent. I tried a flower as well this time.










Monday, July 26, 2010

Croome Park

Visited Croome Park near Worcester today. We had some strange wet stuff falling from the sky - I wished I could send it over to Cambridgeshire.
Sun came out later and then the dragonflies and other insects got active.
The Emperor dragonflies were easier to photograph than the Brown Hawker as their flight path was more predictable but still very difficult.
The Common Blue butterfly and Hoverfly on Convolvulus showed up well in dull lighting




Sunday, July 25, 2010

Burwash Manor Farm

A couple of images from our trip to Burwash - taken 1/400th f14 with 100-400 plus 25mm ext tube - unsharpened etc

Friday, July 23, 2010

Summer at Paxton Pits

We visited Paxton Pits after about a month's absence and were amazed how the foliage has grown. There was very little evidence of the presence of all the birds that we know are breeding there. I did get this glimpse of a young robin as it hopped out of cover.
The Mallard duck was looking after eighteen ducklings - a huge family if they are all hers. Do Mallard run creches?
There was a Brown Hawker patrolling its territory - I managed a quick shot of the head before it shot off again.
The Arrowhead was in full bloom in the river but I liked the upright leaves best.








Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Closeup on Moths

I have been trying various combinations of 50 mm macro lens with 25 mm tube and/or Life-size converter. I haven't completed the tests yet but thought I would post these rather splendid moth heads - Elephant Hawkmoth, Satin Moth and Peppered Moth