Quiet Moments in the Cambridge Crowds

At this time of year, Cambridge is very full of tourists visiting the town and especially the colleges and River. however there are still quiet backwaters .

Concrete Supreme - RAF Bentwater Cold War Museum

For those fellow unofficial members of the Concrete Appreciation Society (yes it does exist), here are a few images of the huge concrete structure that now houses the Bentwater Cold War Museum. Some of the original rooms exist such as the decontamination showers and the Operations Room, but for me it was the edifice itself that took my eye, spoilt only by the glass front entrance hall that has been added. An american, who was stationed at the site in the 1980s, gave us all the details of the 120 war-ready airplanes, their staffing, munitions etc. This served to reinforce my feeling of the utterly futile waste of the immense fortunes spent on the ‘Cold War’ and what good it could have done spent on humanitarian projects?

 

Playing with Monochrome Conversion - Silver Efex Pro and Infrared

I have been experimenting to see which is the best way to get a monochrome from my infrared images. Image 1 is my choice for this scene. This is a Silver Efex conversion done on the original raw file (Image 2)before applying my custom profile (image 3). If I use the monochrome conversion in Lightroom and adjust the colour sliders, then the conversion from the image with profile applied (Image 4) is the more satisfactory but it isn't possible to get the separation of subjects and background that you can achieve with SEP control points (Taken in Clare Gardens Cambridge)

Infrared Punts, Cows, Trees etc in Cambridge

Here are a few softer images from a sunny late afternoon in Cambridge showing that, even on the busiest of tourist days, there are always quiet places.

Infrared Sidgwick Site Cambridge

With the bright light yesterday, I thought it time for an outing for my infrared camera. Started in the Sidgwick site in Cambridge. The images show the variation in colour you get with even small changes to position and light values. I particularly liked the tones and detail on the Lambretta which was pale blue!

Insects from Titchwell RSPB

It was very windy for all of our visit to Norfolk last week so insect photography took a back seat but here are a fewthat I did manage. The Twin-lobed Deer Fly has these amazing green eyes and very sharp mouthparts as I discovered.

Waders from Our North Norfolk Trip

Athough not quite wader migration peak time yet, there were plenty of waders around. Some were still in summer plumage and some already moulted to the winter costumes. The Black-tailed Godwits were mixed flocks of summer and winter plumage. Other species here - Redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Knot, Oyster Catcher, Lapwing and Avocet. Adult moulting and juvenile Black-headed Gull complete the set.