On the rocks.

I'm really enjoying experimenting at the moment. I love the textures of ice & the patterns it holds inside. I wanted to see what it would look like in candlelight. Here's the results.



Settings

On The Rocks

Camera Olympus E500
Lens - 50mm macro lens
Aperture - f/6.3
Shutter speed - 1/20 sec
ISO-160
Focal Length - 50mm
Exposure compensation -0.3 step

Melting

Lens - 17.5 - 45mm kit lens
Aperture - f/22
Shutter speed - 13sec
ISO-160
Focal Length - 30mm
Exposure compensation 0 step

Pomegranate seeds

This image shows a few pomegranate seeds. They look like bright shiny rubies, little jewels don't you think.

Settings

Camera Olympus E500
Lens - 17.5 - 45mm kit lens
Aperture - f/8
Shutter speed - 1.3 sec
ISO-100
Focal Length - 45mm
Exposure compensation -3.3 step

Lemon Ice

A quick post tonight guys as I need some sleep. I haven't had much sleep these past few nights so I'm looking at an early night tonight. This is just a quick photo of a slice of lemon that has been frozen in water in the freezer.

Settings

Camera Olympus E500
Lens - 17.5 - 45mm kit lens
Aperture - f/9
Shutter speed - 2.5 sec
ISO-160
Focal Length - 45mm
Exposure compensation -1.3 step

Pomegranate

The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 5-8 m tall. The pomegranate is native from Iran to the Himalayas in northern India and has been cultivated and naturalized over the whole Mediterranean region including Armenia since ancient times.

The fruit is medium-sized, about the size of an orange, which has a yellow, pinkish-red skin. It can be eaten as fruit, used as a garnish or pressed to extract the juice. Both the flesh and the seeds can be eaten; the flesh has a sweet-tart flavor.
Pomegranates are being hailed as a super-food which can protect the heart.

Scientists in Israel have shown that drinking a daily glass of the fruit's juice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Settings

Camera Olympus E500
Lens - 17.5 - 45mm kit lens
Aperture - f/16
Shutter speed - 2.5 sec
ISO-100
Focal Length - 36mm
Exposure compensation -2.3 step

Fancy a sweet

I've never bought a tube of Smarties for years and today I spotted these. Why have they changed the tube. It's no longer round with that plastic press in cap, but a cardboard hexagonal shaped tube with no cap. The smarties themselves aren't the vibrant colours they used to be either. I liked the old tubes of smarties they were much nicer. Ah well, had to make do with an new style tube.

Settings

• Camera Olympus E500
• Lens - 17.5 - 45mm kit lens
• Aperture - f/5.6
• Shutter speed - 1/2 sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 45mm
• Exposure compensation -0.7 step

Frozen

I decided I would try to freeze a flower to see what it would look like encrusted with ice. I bought some cheap roses from the supermarket, cut off a bud & put it into a container of water. I then popped it into the freezer for 24 hours. This is the result. I quite like it. How about you?

Settings

• Camera Olympus E500
• Lens - 50mm macro
• Aperture - f/4
• Shutter speed - 1/8 sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 50mm
• Exposure compensation 0 step

Waskerley

View of Consett area from Waskerley (a village in County Durham, In England. It is situated a few miles to the southwest of Consett.

Waskerley Way follows the western part of the former Stanhope and Tyne Railway. It is nearly 10 miles long and rises from 230 metres above sea level at Lydgetts Junction to the west of Consett, to 440 metres at Weather Hill Engine north of Stanhope. It passes through a range of habitats from mixed deciduous woodland and conifer plantations to open heather moorland.
The walk starts at Lydgetts Junction, which is the intersection of the Waskerley Way, Lanchester Valley Railway Path, Derwent Valley Railway Path and the Consett-Sunderland cycle paths.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500
• Lens - 11-22mm wide angle
• Aperture - f/5.6
• Shutter speed - 1/100 sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 22mm
• Exposure compensation +0.7 step

Purple Drops

My first attempt of capturing water droplets and I have to say it was great fun although a little frustrating. I'm going to have another go though cos, although i'm quite proud and like it, i'm still not happy with it. I know what I want and I haven't captured it yet. But be sure when I do I will post it up.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500
• Lens - 50mm macro
• Aperture - f/5
• Shutter speed - 1/20 sec
• ISO-200
• Light Source - Tungsten
• Focal Length - 50mm
• Exposure compensation -0.7 step

One More Bite

Well I managed to make some time to take a photograph after all. I just bought some strawberries tonight while out doing my weekly shopping and decided to try my hand at yet another still life photograph. But I just couldn't resist a bite of that lovely ripe strawberry. LOL

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500


• Lens - 50mm macro


• Aperture - f/4.5
  
• Shutter speed - 1/6 sec


• ISO-200


• Light Source - Tungsten
  
• Focal Length - 50mm
  
• Exposure compensation +0.3 step

Reflections

Unfortunately I haven't time today to take any photos. This was taken a couple of days ago. I promise to post two photos tomorrow to make up for my cheating today ;-)

I used a piece of black perspex for the reflection of the lily. The backdrop is a piece of black felt.

Little Toy Boat

Just messing around with the lighting in my make-shift, table-top studio in the spare bedroom. I love the reflections you get from the black perspex. Works well I think. I bought this boat when I went to Seahouses for the week.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500


• Lens - 50mm macro


• Aperture - f/9


• Shutter speed - 1/5 sec


• ISO-200


• Light Source - Tungsten


• Focal Length - 50mm


• Exposure compensation -0.3 step

Washing up

I know you might think it's a bit sad, but, I was washing the dinner dishes (no I haven't got a dish washer LOL) when I noticed the light shining on the suds making all these different colours. I thought to myself, hmmmm think i'll get my camera out.
So I brought out my camera and took a few photos of the soap suds. Well I did say I liked experimenting. LOL
See it can be fun washing up after all...... Look what you miss out on when you have a dishwasher LOL.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500


• Lens - 50mm macro


• Aperture - f/4


• Shutter speed - 1/2 sec


• ISO-200


• Light Source - Tungsten


• Focal Length - 22mm


• Exposure compensation +0.3 step

As the sun goes down

I got finished early tonight from work and decided to catch the sunset. Unfortunately I wanted to go to the Derwent reservoir to catch the sunset but the entrance was closed off. So I made my way up onto the moors and caught last sightings of sunset. However the sky (even though it was a little misty) turned a nice colour as the sun went down. The light was shining on this old barn and the sheep were grazing on a bale of hay, I just couldn't resist a quick shot. I didn't have much time to set up my tripod so I just placed my beanbag onto a wall and took a couple of shots. I'm quite pleased with the results. Up in the top right is the moon. Below is a photo of the sunsetting.

Settings (as the sun goes down)

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/22
• Shutter speed - 0.6 sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 22mm
• Exposure compensation -1 step

Settings (Sunset)

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/22
• Shutter speed - 1/15 sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 22mm
• Exposure compensation -0.7 step
  

I am still trying to get used to the settings on my camera. I think these shots could've been improved if I had chosen different settings. It's all a learning curve and I'm always experimenting to get the best results. However, any advice on settings for these lighting conditions is gratefully received. Thanks.

Blyth

The small dot near the top of the sky is the moon which we could see all day. Another hand held image but I dont think it's turned out too bad.

Blyth is situated on the north east coast of England within the county of Northumberland. It lies approximately 20 kilometres [13 miles] north east of Newcastle upon Tyne.
The history of the port and town of Blyth dates from the year 1723. Newsham (pronounced 'news ham') and Cowpen (pronounced 'coopen') being the oldest parts of Blyth. The history of the port dates from the 12th century until 1854 when the Blyth Harbour & Docks Board was formed, and 1882 when the Blyth Harbour Commission was formed. Blyth ship building yard was the largest on the north east coast until it closed in 1967. The port reached it peak as a coal shipping port by the early 1960's.
The Blyth area has always been dominated by heavy industries such as foundry work, ship building and mining.But with the closure of the rail link, the shipyard, the pits, by the mid 80's Blyth had to diverse and change to light industries, such as clothing, electrical and small manufacturing businesses.
Blyth has two weekly markets on Tuesday and Saturday as well as indoor shopping in the Keelrow shopping centre. A feature of the keyside at Blyth being the row of nine windmills on the pier to generate green electricity,people come from afar to view and photograph them.
The 'Blyth Spartans' amatuer football team is known far and wide for their great cup exploits,plus we have a very popular Rugby,Tennis and Cricket club.Blyth also has a very long stretch of sandy beach and good fishing on or offshore.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500


• Aperture - f/6.3


• Shutter speed - 1/80sec


• ISO-100


• Focal Length - 11mm


• Exposure compensation 0 step
  

St Mary's Lighthouse

"Reached between the tides via a short causeway, St Mary’s Lighthouse has all the fascination of a miniature, part-time island. The Lighthouse, completed in 1898, on a hazardous coast for shipping, remained operational until 1984 when it was superseded by modern navigational techniques.
North Tyneside Council now operates the Lighthouse as a visitor centre, through the Libraries and Museums service.
Facilities include a popular shop and an exhibition/meeting room, which is available for hire.
Visitors can climb the 137 steps to the top of the Lighthouse, which provides spectacular views of the North East coast. The surrounding Nature Reserve contains an area of rock pools, cliff top grassland, a beach and a wetland habitat.Further services provided include an educational service and organised activities during some school holidays".

For all I've lived in the North of England all my life i've never yet till today visited St Mary's Lighthouse. Friends in my camera club regularly visit here in the early morning for the sunrise and have taken some outstanding photos (see Annas Blog on my 'Other Bloggers' links). I've yet to drag my body out of bed unfortunately. Not that I'm lazy, it's just I have to get up very early in the morning during the week for work so at weekends I like to have a lie in till around 8am. So, unfortunately, no sunrise images for me, just a beautiful sunny afternoon, but very cold. Ofcourse I forgot my tripod and had to take the photos 'hand held' unfortunately. I think i'm going have have to leave a tripod in the car from now on.



Settings

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/7.1
• Shutter speed - 1/60sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 22mm
• Exposure compensation 0 step
  

Early morning start

Didn't manage to drag my body out of bed this morning to capture the sun rising unfortunately, but I did manage to get out a touch later to catch the sun just starting to climb. It's been about -1 degree this morning, a very cold morning to be sitting in a hide in Thornley Woods. I was hoping to see the deer and the Sparrow Hawk that has been spotted a few times this month. Unfortunately I didn't see them. There were plenty robins, bluetits, pheasants, magpies, finches, blackbirds & jays but nothing much else. I also spied a couple of squirrels and a rabbit.
I then went to Far Pastures hide in Rowlands Gill, but again nothing much happening there, infact it was almost deserted apart from a few ducks. The pond however was frozen over which didn't help, but it looked quite nice.

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Enjoying Photography competition

I'm in a really good mood today. I've just found out I've won the EP websites (Enjoying Photography) monthly competition. It's a small competition but always worth entering. The theme of the competition was 'macro - small is beautiful' and I won with the above photo.
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Judging the competition was the famous Wildlife/Natural History photographer and author Chris Weston. He said "Carole's image of the Kiwi fruit submerged in lemonade was Nicely composed, technically well shot and had a great use of light."
.
I'm so proud I've actually been praised by a very well known photographer. Woohoo!
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The prize I won was one of Chris' books called 'Macro Through a Nikon Lens'.

Stargazer Lily

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One of the most stunning and perhaps most celebrated lily varieties is the stargazer Lily. Known for its striking blooms and heavenly scent, the stargazer is a fantastic choice for a number of occasions. Delicate, bold, and fragrant all at once, stargazers can say Congratulations, I'm Sorry, and everything in between.
In ancient mythology and in folklore from around the world, the lily has appeared as a deeply spiritual and philosophical metaphor. Developed in the latter part of the 20th century, the stargazer lily is a recent addition to the lily family, but this unique and rather exotic hybrid has rapidly risen in popularity to become one of the most adored and sought-after of all lily varieties.
The lily family has traditionally represented innocence and purity. These motifs appeared as far back as ancient Greek and Roman civilizations and reappeared in biblical traditions. Stargazer lilies have come to be associated with these meanings, but they've taken on additional meanings as well. White stargazer lilies, in particular, have come to characterize a sense of purity and are often used as an expression of sympathy. The pink varieties are also considered symbolic of wealth and prosperity, as well being as a sign of aspiration.
Of the many different lilies that are available today, the stargazer lily is one of the true stand-outs. Its spectacular blooms, which can range in color from pure white to the more familiar shades of deep pink, can make a definite impression. Its dazzling appearance and seductive scent has resulted in a flower that can really make an entrance. Stargazers are floral celebrities – bold, beautiful and dramatic – and they're sure to make that statement for you, whatever the occasion may be.
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Settings (1st photo)

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/3.5
• Shutter speed - 1/13sec
• ISO-320
• Focal Length - 50mm
• Exposure compensation +0.3 step
  

Settings (2nd photo)

• Aperture f/3.5
• Shutter speed - 1/13sec
• ISO-320
• Focal Length - 50mm
• Exposure compensation +0.3 step

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to everyone out there!

Unfortunately I'm unable to take any photographs today due to work commitments. I have however converted a photograph I took at the weekend to mono and I think it works quite well. It was taken in a little churchyard somewhere in Upper Teesdale (for the life of me I just cannot remember where and what the church is called due to a bout of senility LOL). I don't know, old age is creeping up on me so fast I sometimes can't even remember my own name LOL.
.

Settings

• Camera Olumpus E500 DSLR
• Aperture - f/6.3
• Shutter speed - 1/80sec
• ISO- 100
• Focal Length - 11mm
• Exposure compensation - 0 step

Mans' Best Friend

I haven't had much time to concentrate on my photo for today due to helping friends pack ready for their move to a new house on Friday. Here's another snapshot of Ben, my dog, who is also my best friend and companion (look at those sad eyes, he just hates my camera coming out LOL).

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A Man's Best Friend (Author Unknown)

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A faithful dog will play with you
And laugh with you and cry...
He'll gladly starve to stay with you
Nor ever reason why...

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And when you're feeling out of sorts
Somehow he'll understand
He'll watch you with his shining eyes
And try to lick your hand.

His blind implicit faith in you
Is matched by your great love
The kind that all of us should have
In the Master up above.

When everything is said and done,
I guess this isn't odd,
For when you spell dog backwards,
You will get the name of God.

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Settings

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/16
• Shutter speed - 40sec
• ISO- 320
• Focal Length - 22mm
• Exposure compensation - +0.7 step

Taken at dusk. Beautiful colours in the sky as the night draws in.

Sunset

Above is another sunset photo I took at the weekend It's three photographs stitched together in Photoshop. I'm quite pleased with the results.

Below is a photograph of my dog Ben. He's very camera shy and will not sit still for me, so this was a very slyly taken photo (at least i thought it was) with the camera on the ground. Notice he has this look on his face as if to say 'oh no she's got the camera out again trying to get a picture of me'. LOL

Settings (1st photo)

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/4
• Shutter speed - 1/40 sec
• ISO- 125
• Focal Length - 22mm
• Exposure compensation - -0.7 step

Settings (2nd photo)

• Aperture - f/3.3
• Shutter speed - 0.8 sec
• ISO-320
• Focal Length - 19mm
• Exposure compensation step -0.3 step

Cow Green Reservoir

Cow Green, a two mile long reservoir was built between 1967 and 1971 to supply the industries of Teesside. Environmentally speaking this part of Upper Teesdale is of National importance, and the plan to construct this reservoir had been strongly opposed by local conservationists. Their main concern was the protection of the rich flora and fauna of the district and especially rare alpine plants like the unique Teesdale violet.
Thankfully only about a tenth of this plant's habitat was destroyed by the completion of the reservoir. The remaining area was designated a National Nature Reserve in 1969, from what was previously two seperate nature reserves.

Sorry everyone, this was taken yesterday. I haven't been too good today as my sciatica has been really bad and I couldn't get out.

Settings (1st photo)

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/8
• Shutter speed - 1/80sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 11mm
• Exposure compensation -0.3 step

Settings (2nd photo)

• Aperture f/22
• Shutter speed - 1/6sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 40mm
• Exposure compensation -0.3 step

Sunsets

This was taken tonight at sunset and I just had to upload and share it with you all. I was driving back from Teesdale as the sun was going down. There were no focal points or landmarks anywhere, just flat countryside. I couldn't take the chance of going any further and missing it just to find some trees or a building or something to show in the landscape because it was nearly down. So I had to take it there and then. Hope you like it.

Breakfast

Breakfast time is the most important time of the day. Always have some breakfast first thing in the morning to keep your metabolism going for the rest of the day.
Here's a shot of my breakfast today. A lovely bowl of puffed wheat.



Settings
(puffed wheat)

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/2
• Shutter speed - 1/13sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 50mm
• Spot Metering
• Exposure compensation -0.3 step
  
  

Settings
(Close up shot)

• Aperture priority
• Shutter speed - 1/13sec
• ISO-100
• Focal Length - 50mm
• Spot Metering
• Exposure compensation -0.3 step

Old Guitar

Decided to get some stuff down from the attic to give away to the Charity shop. I've been meaning to get rid of this stuff ever since I moved house nearly 2 years ago. Anyway I found this old guitar covered in dust and cobwebs. I thought 'hmm, what a great subject to photograph'.
So I started to dust off the cobwebs and then suddenly I stopped. 'Why not take it as it is, dusty and worn, be different'. So I did, and this is the result.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500


• Aperture - f/9


• Shutter speed - 2 sec


• ISO-100


• Focal Length - 50mm


• Spot Metering


• Exposure compensation -0.3 step
  

Chrysanthemum

My favourite flower in all the world is the chrysanthemum. There are so many varieties to choose from. I thought i'd show the back of the chrysanthemum cos I like the textures and the variagation of the petals.

Chrysanthemums are a genus of plants that flower. They were first cultivated in China and thought of as an herb by the Chinese. They also have played an important symbolic role in Japanese history, where it was probably first introduced in the 8th century. The chrysanthemum inspired the Japanese seal of the emperor, and the position of emperor was often referred to as the Chrysanthemum Throne. Westerners had to wait until the 17th century for the introduction of these lovely plants.
Gardeners may shorten the name of these plants to “mums.” They are frequently a gardener’s delight because there are over 30 varieties of the chrysanthemum. Also the chrysanthemum contains a chemical called pyrethrum, which helps naturally repel most bugs. The chrysanthemum is also a perennial, so established beds of the flowers will come back to delight each year.
There is amazing variance in appearance among mums. Some varieties of chrysanthemum closely resemble a daisy. Others look like a button shape, with small short petals. Pompom chrysanthemums are also popular, with a close, round flower. Large daisy –like mums are often referred to as florists’ chrysanthemums since they are likely to be used in floral arrangement.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500


• Aperture - f/22


• Shutter speed - 2 sec


• ISO-100


• Focal Length - 50mm


• Exposure compensation - 0 step

Hyacinth

This is a photo of some hyacinths I've grown from bulbs. The perfume from them is so fragrant, you can smell them as you walk through the door (better than any air freshener you can buy in the shops).

The word hyacinth comes from the Greek Hyakinthos, a handsome young man who in Greek mythology was loved by the sun god Apollo. One day they were practising throwing the discus but the jealous god of the West Wind, who was also in love with Hyakinthos, blew the discus back and it fatally wounded him. From his blood grew a flower which the god Apollo named after him.Origin: It was brought to Western Europe in the 16th century and was first cultivated in Austria in the 1500's. During the 17th and 18th centuries, like the tulip, it was to be found only in the collections of very rich flower collectors. Because of the hyacinth's pervasive perfume, the bulbs were exorbitantly expensive. The bulbs are now grown in Holland and Great Britain.Colour: Usually white, pink, peach and blue. More unusual colours to look for include dark wine purples , rosy reds, navy, egg-yolk yellows and soft oranges.

Settings

• Camera Olymus E500


• Aperture - f/8


• Shutter speed - 1/50 sec


• ISO-100


• Focal Length - 50mm


• Exposure compensation - 0.6 step

Looking closely inside the tiny floret of a hyacinth, it's like another world. It looks like some kind of tiny creature is making it's way out of it's hiding place..

Holiday

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't posted for a while but i've been away to Bamburgh in Northumberland for the weekend for a friends 50th Birthday.
It was a nice weekend and I managed to get in some photography amongst the celebrations.
The weather was a very windy on the Friday. My tripod was moving a great deal while photographing and when I checked the images they were way too blurry, so I gave up using it and just hand held the camera the rest of the time.
Saturday, however, was lovely and sunny but very, very cold. I got to use my tripod finally which I got for Christmas.
Here are some of the photos I've taken.

Bamburgh, once the capital of the 7th century Kingdom of Northumbria, is now a seaside village dominated by the magnificent Bamburgh Castle, overlooking mile upon mile of golden sands. The sight of the castle on its rocky outcrop, 180 feet above the pretty village is simply unforgettable.

The village itself is very popular with visitors who come to browse the interesting gift shops or eat at one of several good tea shops and hotels. There is a village green with benches Also in the village is the Grace Darling Museum commemorating the lifeboat heroine who is buried in the village church.

One of my faults in the past year has been to hand hold the camera while I take Landscape shots. I've had some good results, BUT, they could've been better if I had used a tripod. So I'm trying to make myself get into the habit of taking the tripod with me where ever I go now.

Settings
Life Saver

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/4.5
• Shutter speed - 1/50 sec
• ISO-100
• Exposure compensation - 0 step
• Focal Length - 13mm
  

Two Trees

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/8
• Shutter speed - 1/40 sec
• ISO-100
• Exposure compensation - +0.3 step
• Focal Length - 17mm

Raging Waves

• Camera Olymus E500
• Aperture - f/9
• Shutter speed - 1/320 sec
• ISO-100
• Exposure compensation - 0 step
• Focal Length - 200mm

Carnations

Well my flowers are starting to die off now and I thought i'd take a photograph of the petals which had fallen. When you look closely at them they glisten as if they had glitter sprinkled on them. They look so beautiful, even as they fall apart.
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Dianthus is the botanical name for carnations, which means divine flower. The carnation is available as a standard carnation - one large flower per stem, or a spray carnation with lots of smaller flowers. Available in a huge range of colours, almost all except blue. A mauve carnation with a blue tinge has been developed by Florigene in Australia. But they look best in hot Latin shades of red, pink and orange. Carnations can last up to three weeks but should be kept away from ripening fruit and vegetables because of ethylene gas.
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Settings

• Camera Olymus E500
• Lens Zuiko Digital 50mm macro
• Tripod
• Aperture - f/18
• Shutter speed 1/2 sec
• ISO-200
• Exposure compensation - 0.3 step
• Focal Length - 50mm