Olney, Buckinghamshire - Lace, Pancakes and Hymns

I visited Olney Camera Club on Wednesday so took time to photograph round the town (between the hail showers). Continental lacemakers came to Olney as a result of religious persecution in their own countries from the late 1500s through to the late 1600s. The lacemakers, particularly those from Lille and Mechlin taught the local women to make bobbin lace and thus began a cottage industry which lasted for over 300 years.
Olney is also famous for its pancake race which has been run since 1445. It was the home of  John Newton, a clergyman and slave trader, who turned abolitionist and wrote "Amazing Grace". William Cowper, poet and hymn writer, is also celebrated in the Newton and Cowper Museum.

Iceland in Monochrome

I have at last finished a Gallery of images from our February visit to Iceland with 30 monochrome conversions. Here are a few of them - shown at smaller size than usual as they are pretty rough on the 'edges' - need tidying up or reprocessing in some cases before printing. Full gallery at www.pin-sharp.co.uk

A Showcase Of Photography By Cambridge Camera Club

Come and Visit Cambridge Camera Club Exhibition

This year our Exhibition of over 450 images is in a great setting - the Darwin Room at the Pitt Building on Trumpington Street.

We are open 10 - 17.00 everyday, closing at 5pm on Saturday 29th.

Eventing at Horseheath - Experiments in Shutterspeed

This is the second year that Horseheath has held Eventing. It is a very open and friendly event. I decided to experiment with shutterspeed as I do like images that show movement and particularly water spray. The first five pictures are taken at 1/1000th, 1/250th, 1/160th. 1/125th and 1/60th (also sixth photo). Show jumping and Dressage both 1/1000th. The slow 1/60th shutterspeed gave the sort of image I was looking for but the hit rate is very low indeed and difficult to control the highlights. 1/125th is probably the safest for panned shots so will try this also at the water jump.

Bluebell Time at Waresley Woods

The Bluebells this year are out along with the other spring flowers - Wood Anemones, Primroses, Celandine and Cuckoo Pint.

Devil's Dyke Newmarket - Pasque Flowers

Several of the Pasque flowers on Devil's dyke are only just coming into bloom - much later than the Royston ones. They are also much larger, growing in tall grass rather than short turf. Tried various apertures from 2.8 to 7.1 including image 3 which is focus stacked of 3 images at 6.4. Hundreds of St Mark's flies around, the males having large eyes, females (first image) smaller eyes. Named as they are abundant normally on St Mark's Day, April 25th. The very small spider and Weevil beetle were photographed at f22  but impossible to get it all in focus at that magnification