Back to Macro

My quest this year has been to investigate options for doing extreme macro i.e. more than 1:1. Having built various lens combinations etc (see earlier posts), I am now testing a macro lens that will do up to twice life size. Definitely not mastered a technique for using or lighting an unstabilized high magnification lens but here a few test shots at different focus distances. The first is around 1:1; the second, an intriguing Ant Damsel Bug larval instar, at 2:1 and the others at various magnifications. I will wait for a very still day to try on static insects such as greenfly. If nothing else, I have discovered a new species for the garden list as I would have passed by the Ant Damsel Bug, thinking it to be an Ant.

 

 

London - Dusk at East India

After a very hot day in Canary Wharf area, I took a stroll down to the Thames at East India where my Travelodge was and recording the fading light. They have created a great nature reserve in the East India dock basin - full of birds including 2 Egrets, 2 Herons, Coot, etc etc. With only a 23 mm lens, I could only record the birds in habitat. Great views of O2 and Docklands development though not many lights on to lift the scene. All handheld but give an idea of the Thames in the evening and the walk back to the TL.

London - Rebuilding Docklands Area

Because my childhood was spent exploring all the docks from Woolwich up to the City, I am drawn back to these areas, especially as there is now noone alive that knew me from then - the river is perhaps my substitute family history. Here a few images as multiples of the rebuilding of the area. The first image shows the last remaining Tower Hamlets Flats (soon to be demolished) and replacement blocks; the second the Wharf Cranes such fun to climb in a previous era surrounded by modern buildings. The area of the Travelodge is being developed with business parks, full of gardens,water features and statues.

Social Distancing in London

Generally the tourist spots and the streets in London are very quiet. Here a few images from my walk across London yesterday and in docklands today, starting with a usual tourist high spot outside St Paul's. 

Multiple Exposures in London 1. Dark Mode

I have some hotel bookings that were postponed but not refunded so I am having a couple of nights in the Travlodge in Docklands (2 nights for £29!!). As I had to travel up by train and then walk a fair way to the DLR railway, I only brought my fuji compact with me - a good opportunity to try and understand what the various multiple exposure modes do. Here a set in Dark Mode - probably going to be my favourite. 'love the conjunction of people and objects that results in some of the images

 

August - The In-Between Month

Every year I intend to record our local landscape throughout the year but somehow it lapses. So a new start in a month that passes from summer greens to autumn browns with still some golden fields of awned wheat to be harvested and a field of flax and sunflowers giving the promise of colour to come. For my benefit when I forget, the first three images are taken from the boundary post.