fordy's photo blog

Encroachment

Nikon D80, ISO 200, 1.3 sec, f5.6, 42 mm efl, Capture NX2

After a spell of ill health, I went for a photoshoot at an old cottage. The fireplace contained this old Shacklock, Orion, coal range - fire in the centre, hot water heater on the left and oven on the right. The main photo is black and white with sepia tone, but the encroaching ivy and dead leaves were selectively coloured to emphasise the 'past and present' nature of the subject.

"Indie"

Canon PowerShot A590 IS, ISO 200, f4, 1/30 sec, 75mm efl, RAW Therapee + Capture NX2

Fire-wood

Nikon D80, ISO 100, 30 secs, f38, 277mm efl, Capture NX2, lit by LED torch.

I picked up this piece of wood to throw on the fire and then thought better of it. The shapes, colours and texture all seemed so 'alive'.

Nor'west Eyre

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f11, 1/125 sec, 87mm efl, Capture NX2

The Eyre river flows underground for most of the year, except when there is heavy rain in the catchment. Then the river fills its shingle bed, carries debris down stream and wipes out the numerous fords (not me!) that cross the river. Here, a few days after such an occurrence the water has subsided and trickles placidly beneath a Nor'west cloud arch. Tomorrow it will snow.

Karuhiruhi (Pied Shag)

Nikon D80, ISO 800, f8, 1/750 sec, 460 mm efl, Capture NX2

New Brighton pier, dawn

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f22, 6 secs (ND10), 150mm efl, Capture NX2, The Gimp.

One good thing about winter is that dawn comes at a more sociable hour - 8am in this case. As we left, a photographer standing nearby commented, "not such a good dawn this morning". Maybe, maybe not.

Willows, Lake Pearson

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f11, 1/125 sec, 27mm efl, Capture NX2

This picture has an infrared quality to it, but it isn't. A yellow filter has turned the deep blue sky almost black while making the yellow grass and red tinged trees, almost white, like the snow on Mt. Manson.

Frosted bramble

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f8, 1/180 sec, 300mm efl, Capture NX2

Brambles seem to lie draped across tracks, just waiting for some exposed leg to walk by, while frost sits on the track trying its best to make you slip and fall. I was surprised to find that these two tramper's foes combined to make such a pretty picture, as the afternoon sun finally found these bramble leaves. Twenty minutes later, the frost was gone.

Porthole

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f8, 1/125 sec, 135mm efl, Capture NX2

Bad weather this week has sent me back through some old shots to see whether newer tricks can make a difference. This one was passed over for multiple reasons but some serious dodging and burning and work on the vandalised glass, has given it new life and achieved what I had in mind when I pressed the shutter.

Art lovers II

After a bit of playing around, I decided that I preferred this black and white version of 'Art lovers'. After all, it was the black of her hair and clothing, contrasting with the white of the gallery, that caught my eye. I did, however, retain the soft focus 'glow' of the colour version and the white vignette. Camera and exposure details as for the colour version.

Art lovers

Canon A590 IS, ISO 400, f5, 1/92 sec, 118mm efl, Capture NX2

The gallery is white, she was all in black, the contrast was stiking, the opportunity fleeting.

Nerine detail

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f32, 6 sec, 450 mm efl (macro setting), Capture NX 2

The narines are flowering right now, as if to bid a farewell to autumn and prepare us for the short, cold, days of winter.

Fire and brimstone

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f8, 1/250 sec, 42 mm efl, Capture NX2

A dramatic evening sky over Oxford (no Photoshop tricks). I've never seen fire and brimstone, but I imagine that it might look a little like this :-)

Carnation cancan

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f22, 1.6 sec, 280mm efl, Capture NX2

There have been lots of flowers at our home this last week. This was one of a bunch of beautiful carnations, that caught my camera's eye. There ia a similar picture and others in the "Flora & fauna" section of the "Phoxford Gallery".

To buy a high quality version of a similar picture, click on the banner below. Prices start at AU$1.90

Black knight on silver charger

Nikon D80, ISO 400, f8, 1/1500 sec, 450mm efl, Capture NX2

Another shot from the outing to Taylor's Mistake. Converted to black and white with a silver tone.

To buy a high quality version of this preview picture, click on the banner below. Prices start at AU$1.90

Balancing act

Nikon D80, ISO 400, f8, 1/1000 sec, 315mm efl, Capture NX2

This White-faced Heron, must have posed for me for close on half an hour - at least long enough to shoot nearly 200 frames!

To buy a high quality version of this preview picture, click on the banner below. Prices start at AU$1.90

Waiting ...

Nikon D80, ISO 200, f8, 1/1500 sec, 450mm efl, Capture NX2

Taken today on Mill Road in Oxford. Just for a change, we have had a lovely three days of sunshine and perhaps a little more to come (and a few more pictures).

To buy a high quality version of this preview picture, click on the banner below. Prices start at AU$1.90

Morning mist on the first hole

Canon PowerShot A590 IS, ISO 80, f5.5, 1/400 sec, 140mm efl, Capture NX2

I was doing a recon' for a job at the local golf course - that's why I was early, thats why I was only carrying the little Canon. But even a little point and shoot can do pretty well - in the full size picture, you can see the sunlight catching the dew-drops on the grass by the first tree! As someone else has said, "the best camera is the one you have with you".

Spike and sting

Nikon D80, ISO 200, 1/60 sec, f16, 277 mm efl, Capture NX 2

What wonderful design this thistle has; seed pod thoroughly protected by an array of the sharpest spikes possible, yet the flower is hoisted well above the danger where Mr Sting can feed and get covered by pollen.

Kawaupaka

Nikon D80, ISO 100, f8, 1/350 sec, 300mm efl, Capture NX 2

This little fella, "Kawaupaka" (aka. "Little shag"), was a complete poser as he dried his feathers in the sun while keeping an eye on the bald guy with the camera.

To buy a high quality version of this preview picture, click on the banner below. Prices start at AU$4.20