Saturday in Guernsey

A free day with just a lecture in the evening so time for a walk along the coast from Portelet. Spent a bit of time photographing the sea. Though it was very calm using the 8 neutral density filter allowed a slow enough shutterspeed to give a bit of movement to the water. Then had a go at the myriad of bees on the ivy and, later in the day, a great green bush cricket (thanks Godfray for the correct identification) on a knipofia.

Lowlight Photography

We did a lowlight workshop in St Sampson harbour yesterday on a wonderful warm evening. The first two are of the harbour facing the two directions to show the spectrum of colours.

As the sky and land balanced in light tones, I concentrated on the cranes using a 15mm and then 24mm lens.

We moved to a completely dark harbour, which proved quite a challenge. We were amazed that the planet Jupiter was bright enough to produce shine on the water and the myriad of stars. The final picture was taken at the Cup and Saucer - Jan's suggestion of using the railings has really worked - thanks.

Parasol

Parasol mushroom on cliffs in Guernsey at sunset

Guernsey Workshop Week 1

Arrived safely in Guernsey via Stansted so exchanged the cool blues and metallic silvers for most beautiful golden sunset on out way to Spectrum Photographic group for their meeting.

Yarmouth Folk

You are getting Yarmouth in instalments as I am still processing the images from the weekend and I am busy writing course notes for my trip to Guernsey next week. Yarmouth was a busy place with a bowls festival in full swing, lots going on on the Pier though the beach was none too busy. Perhaps the quartet all dressed up for the wind explained why.

Mecca Bingo Yarmouth

Another of the buildings that we visited last week during Heritage weekend. Designed by Francis Burdett Ward, the Regent Theatre in Great Yarmouth opened on 26 December 1914. It was from the outset made for theatre and cinema use. The auditorium is decorated in Louis XVI style. The last movie shown was Blade Runner in September 1982. The theatre is now used and operated as Mecca Bingo. The main auditorium is beautifully maintained but downstairs in the old kitchens, things are decidedly sad and neglected. These feelings seemed to be echoed in the old lady waiting for the Bingo to start in over an hour's time.

Rainbow, Full Moon and Beach Huts

A sequence of images from a late afternoon visit to those Beach Huts. Beauriful sunny scene when we arrived and then the storm clouds came. End of Pier image has no HDR processing - the clouds reminded me of the images of hurricanes approaching in USA. No rain came until after a visit to the Fishing huts and then only enough to give a rainbow over the Beach Huts. To finish the unreal scene, a full moon was present just above the horizon - you can just see it in the centre of the bow.
The clouds disappeared and the moon gave lovely lighting on the water.

Gorlestone Pavilion

One of the Open Heritage buildings is the Gorlestone Pavilion, a Victorian Theatre. It is still operating as a traditional theatre of the time with separate tables and flags to wave for drinks etc.
Much of the backstage parts of the building are in desparate need of restoration and the building has just been given charitable status so can start applying for grants etc.

Visited Norwich today and got carried away with various chairs. It is Open Heritage weekend so quite a lot of private buildings were open.




And finally one of the many racing wheelchairs in the streets of Norwich.

Wedding Venue

This blog is fast becoming weekly rather than daily as intended but hope to put that right once the Cambridge Camera Club is underway for this season and The London Salon has been put to bed for a couple of months - being Secretary of two organisations is not a good idea.
A few images from the Geat Barn, Little Bradley (near Haverhill), venue for Claire and Tom's reception on Saturday. Beautiful day and a lovely place to take the wedding photographs. Lots of nooks and crannies, flowers, trees and seats - even room for a game of bowls. The barn itself is light and spacious. The evening was warm enough for people to spill out onto the lawn after the meal.