Blog Suggestions

I've been doing this Blog for some time now and I would like to ask you for suggestions as to content you would like me to cover in this Blog . I am open to ideas which will help you understand where I am coming from . It would be great to hear from you as you read my Blog every day .

Setting for Effect

When looking at a scene , I try to capture the feeling of that moment , highlighting the subject . I very rarely use a flash as I feel it will disturb the wildlife . I use natural light as much as possible. When taking birds on the water I get as low as I can can so you feel your actually on the water with the bird . Using an F Stop to block out the background can be effective . In the following shot I wanted to show the Swans in their natural environment , where the mother is protecting its young and give the viewer an opportunity to see the birds  as a close group . Setup Nikon D7000, Tamron 70-300 , F5.3 , Aperture Priority , 1/800 , 280 mm , ISO 100

Bird Aggression

Birds protecting their young will openly sacrifice themselves . Small birds will take on much larger ones , it was on such an occasion that I witnessed a Coot try to move off a Grey Heron . It came charging at the Heron with all it's might feet first as do when fighting each other . In utter surprise the Heron leapt into the air , in a flurry of feathers . I snapped away as the episode played out in front of me. The image shows the moment the 2 birds are staring at each other , the Coot laying on it's back feet outstretched while the Heron stares down at it .Setup Nikon D7000 ,  .Tamron 70-300 , F5.6 , 1/500 , 300 mm , ISO 100

My Collection

Outside of photography I collect watches , I am amazed by the different complications of a watch . They can be very simple with the face just showing the time to chronographs that measure time in racing . Watch collecting can be done by all ages and budgets . You can spend a few pounds to thousands . Each watch collected means something to me , in it's history , it's use and it's complication . My favourite watch is a Seiko Orange Monster Dive watch . Made in the 1990's  it really stands out , the lume at night is some of the best . It's an Automatic movement so never needs a battery , it is wound by movement of your arm as you go about your day .
Setup Samsung S5 , F2.2 , 4.8 mm

Day Trip

It was Guy Fawkes night and we wanted to do something different , so off we went to Lincoln an old city http://www.visitlincoln.com/ . It was a simple train journey then a taxi to the centre . Lincoln is an ancient city with lots of old historical buildings , including  Lincoln Cathedral .
 https://lincolncathedral.com/  . On this particular day there was a Camera show , it was full of our dream equipment , Stalls of manufacturers showing off their latest and greatest . Out side the hall where it was being held sat a sculpture on the wall of a face . I couldn't resist taking a picture .
Setup Nikon D200 Nikon 18-55 kit lens , F5.6 ,1/320 , 50 mm , ISO 200

Taking in your surroundings

In our nature reserve http://www.leicester.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/our-parks/aylestone-meadows . Walking through the reserve you can see many types of wildlife , from the insects to small deer have been recently seen . There are many birds from Buntings to Kestrels, to Red Kites . The reserve has many Bats that skim across the Grand Union Canal collecting the insects at night . Whatever the weather it's great to get out there and see the wildlife in action . My picture of the humble Honey Bee collecting pollen is just one example of the many diverse creatures to be found . Setup Nikon D7000 , F8 , 1/250 , 130 mm , ISO 125  .

Be Individual

Digital Photography

Noun

1.

digital photography - a photographic method that stores the image digitally for later reproduction photography - the process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces  http://www.thefreedictionary.com/digital+photography

I believe Photography is an extension of how you see the world , it enables you to record moments that otherwise would fade away into history .  Photography is as individual as we are are .When you look at a subject to capture try to walk around it taking pictures at different angles and settings . When back home you will be amazed at what you see . This bug was just sitting on a sign , I moved to different positions and moved closer with the lens , this is the result , straight out the camera no Photoshop manipulation.

Set up Nikon D7000 , Tamron 90mm Macro , F2.5 , 1/80,ISO 100 , 

Exotic Visitors

At the Weir we have many birds that migrate to the UK from Africa , the Little Egret is one such bird http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/l/littleegret/index.aspx . They feed on the copious amounts of fish found at the Weir . We have had up to 7 birds fishing at one time , which is an amazing site . Their beautiful plumage in pure white strikes contrast to the green foliage surrounding the Weir. On this occasion we had 4 visit but only 2 came close enough to photograph . Set up was  Nikon 7000 , Tamron 70-300 mm , F5.6 , Shutter 1/500 ,
ISO 100 .

Moon Shots

Taking pictures of the Moon can be tricky , I find a great source of tutorials on Google . You have to remember that the Earth is moving incredibly fast but the Moon is moving relatively slowly , so a fast shutter speed isn't needed . The included tutorial is a good place to start https://photographylife.com/how-to-photograph-moon . With a Bridge camera or a telephoto lens and a Tripod you can get some spectacular images . My set up is as follows Nikon D7000 ,Tamron Adaptall 300 mm lens http://www.adaptall-2.com/index.html

Settings F5.6 , 1/125 , ISO 1250 , 300 mm

Butterflies

This time of year sees the emergence of the Butterflies , we have many varieties that live around us , in our gardens, parks . Taking their picture can be difficult finding the right spot to capture them . I usually find a spot and just sit and wait . You can use a tripod or a monopod to aid in supporting your camera . A Macro lens can be useful but any close focusing lens will do . My set up is Nikon D7000
Tamron 70 -300 mm , F5.6 , Shutter 1/1600 , 185 mm , ISO 320

Motion

Birds in motion are one of my favourite things to photograph . It's not the easiest thing to master but I try my best . I am no expert . Being in the right place at the right time is mostly down to luck, I try to increase my opportunities by going to places I know birds will be . My favourite place is the Canal Weir behind the King Power Stadium in Leicester . It's a 40 min walk from where I live . You can see Herons , Little Egrets , Kingfishers , Coots , Mallards , Moorhens, Swans ,Canada Geese and many more . I spend my time walking up and down the Lock hoping to capture something . It was on one of these occasions that I caught a Canada Goose fly by . Settings Nikon 200 , Tamron 90 mm Macro Lens (I was taking pictures of butterflies just moments before) , F8 , Shutter 1/250 , ISO 100 .

City Festival

Last year Leicester became the resting place of King Richard III ( officially) since he was found in a car park in Leicester  . It has brought us many new visitors to the City . To celebrate this occasion the City held a festival with many shows and re-enactments . One such person was dressed as a Joker or Jester , he was very funny and a bit wacky . Settings Nikon 7000, Nikon 35 mm  , F 3.5 , Shutter 1/1250 , Aperture Priority , ISO 100 .

Curiosity Of Nature

Every time I go to the Weir on my local canal , I see many different animals . Life flies by as you stare down the lens . Each experience enriches my knowledge of how things react and behave to each other and to us.
Taking time to observe will always pay off , being patient really helps . This picture was taken as I sat on the edge of the Weir a Swan came up to me , watching what I was doing and looking into the camera as if to  say "Hey why don't you take my picture , I'm just as interesting as the Heron or the Coot "Settings Nikon D7000 ,Aperture priority , Tamron 70-300 , F5.6 , Shutter 1/1250 , ISO 100 , 70 mm .

Celebration

The story of Leicester City football club winning the Premiership is an amazing one . Coming from the bottom they have had a fantastic run , really unheard of in recent times . To celebrate they held a Victory Parade http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/LIVE-Leicester-City-s-Premier-League-victory/story-29278070-detail/story.html 
I got to the start of the Parade early to get a good spot , as tens of thousands were expected in the city
The atmosphere was electric with anticipation for the arrival of the open top buses . As the noise began to rise  I knew they were coming . With my trusty Nikon 7000 in hand , settings as followed .
Tamron 70-300 mm , F5.6 , Shutter 1/1000 , ISO 100 , Aperture Priority .

Black and White

Images in Black and White give me great pleasure . The range of grays amazes me when I put the image into Lightroom and open the shadows . Details seem to pop right out the picture . It's a format I would recommend anyone trying . Street images come to life in Black and White . In Leicester we had a large wheel set up for people to view the city in a different way . It was very popular , one evening I decided to visit and take some images . Settings were Nikon 7000 , Nikon 35 mm f1.8 lens
Shutter 1/60 , F8 , ISO 1/560 .

Still Life

Leicester has many monuments and sculptures in and around the city . At the Town Hall there is a War Memorial of Bronze . I love the movement the sculptor has created in the wings of the angel . She has such a beautiful expression , that draws you in .With my Nikon D200 , I set up the camera in the following way . F2.5 ,   Shutter 1/350 , 100mm , ISO 200 . Hope you enjoy this as much as I do .

Street Photography

I really enjoy to do Street photography , I think it's the randomness of life that enthralls me. Walking through any city or town , you have so many opportunities to capture real life . With a trusty old lens I wander through Arcades and Markets . In one of these Arcades I see a silhouette   of an
old man walking past a sign for a Cafe  . I couldn't resist . Settings Nikon D7000 , F 2.5 , Shutter 1/125 , 100 mm  , ISO 200 . 

Action Shot

Action for me is capturing the moment something happens that is dramatic . On a crazy warm day , I was sitting at my usual spot on the Weir . Hoping to see the newly hatched Swans , unfortunately they hadn't hatched . I noticed a guy come along in a small canoe , we got into a conversation where he told me he was going to go down the Weir .
This is not for the faint hearted as the Weir is pretty steep . With a beer for courage he got into his canoe , paddled around the safety Buoys and readied himself at the top . 3..2..1 and away he went . I followed him down with my Nikon D7000 set to Continuous Auto Focus , F5.6 , Shutter 1/400 ,
Tamron 70-300 set to 70 mm , ISO 100

Portraits

Portraits are really not my thing . I always feel I am not doing justice to the subject . Selecting the right lens to keep our features in proportion is important . It follows the same process of taking a still animal . On one of my walks with my daughter , we came up to the Lock where I normally take my bird shots . At that moment my daughter turned to look at me and I took the picture , nothing was set up completely natural and random . Nikon D200 , F 3.5 , 1/250 , 200mm , ISO 100

Framing a shot

For me I like to capture wildlife , this will mean following certain rules in photography to get the result I want. Framing a picture is simply using the surrounding fence, tree, window frame ,door frame . Making sure it is straight can make or break a picture . The Rule of Thirds is commonly used , this helps you position the subject to where you feel is most pleasing . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds
My picture of the Magpie walking from Right to Left leads the viewer's eye across the picture , it is not quite central which helps to make the picture , with the help of the fence to frame it . Settings were Nikon 7000 , Tamron 70-300 , F5.6 , Shutter 1/320 , ISO 100 , 300 mm .

Bird Acrobatics

Birds are amazing, so many varieties ,it's hard not to take picture's of them doing unusual things. The other day while walking home I spot some Blue Tits on a tree , nothing unusual with that you say . But what I saw amazed me ,the tree was budding up and must of had sweet sap or something, because the birds were hanging upside down pecking at the buds . With my trusty Nikon D7000 in hand ,I set it to Aperture Priority , F5.6 , Shutter 1/200 , ISO 100 ,

Right Place Right Time

Everyday I wish for that one satisfying shot , I wait patiently by the Weir . Scanning around me watching the birds behaviour . Nesting time is very stressful for the parents , not knowing if their young will hatch and continue the blood line . Male Swans patrol the area , moving anything that gets too close to the nest . They puff their feathers to each other making them look bigger . One Swan stands on the top while the other male is below him . My finger is waiting on the the shutter press.
When all of a sudden from the side of the one on top of  the Weir another male comes charging toward it . Right in my line of sight . I click away having set the camera to Continuous Focus , F 5.6 , Shutter 1/640 , 300 mm , ISO 100 . Below is the result.

Parkland

In Leicestershire we are very lucky to have many Parks and Woods which attract many visitors to the area . Bradgate Park is one of them , situated between Cropston and Newtown Linford , it is very easy to get to
https://www.google.com/maps/place/52%C2%B041'12.3%22N+1%C2%B012'38.2%22W/@52.6868409,-1.2113987,204m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d52.6867383!4d-1.210625

The scenery is stunning , with old Ruins and many Deer , you are spoiled for choice . My favourite walk is from the Newtown Linford end along the path toward the Cropston Reservoir . The image below was taken from that path . Using a Nikon 35 mm F 1.8 , Settings F 2.8 , Shutter 1/8000 ( I was experimenting ) , ISO 100 .

The Beauty of Nature

Around us are wonders to behold . Nature is full of colour and variety . One of my favourites are Butterflies . The intricacy of their wings and the patterns on them amaze me . Along the bank near the Weir on the Grand Canal I spend many hours sitting watching nature pass me by .  With the Sun on my back , I set my Tamron 300 mm to the Macro setting and click away . Setting for this shot was F 5.6 , Shutter 1/2000 ,300 mm , ISO 1/1400 .

Re-enactment

The Victory Show 2015 held at Cosby in Leicestershire every year. If you get a chance to go it's well worth it . So much to see and do . People and machines from the  World War II . Flights of planes and Battle re enactments . Lots of explosions and smoke . A great day out for all .

 Settings Nikon 200 mm , F 5.6 , Shutter 1/1250,ISO 100

 Nikon 200 mm , F 4.5 , Shutter 1/1250,ISO 100

Spring Colour

In Spring you can see colour poke it's head from the frost bitten earth . Marsh Marigold  Daisies are one of the first to show against the drab canal . Bending down I take a close up of the flowers . Settings were
Nikon 200 mm ,f5.6 , shutter 1/320 , ISO 100.

Bird Photography

Capturing Birds in flight is a favourite of mine. Getting it right is difficult and takes lots of trial and error to find the settings that suit a particular situation . Take plenty of shots as the bird fly by . A fast shutter usually gets the job done , all depends on the lens you use a f2.8 will be so much faster than a f4.5 . Many zoom lens are f4.5-f5.6 . Expensive one's are F2.8 , buy one that fits your budget , an expensive lens doesn't always guarantee a spot on shot . Try to pan with the bird as it moves in front of you taking shots as you move . This technique takes time to learn ,so practice and don't be disappointed with the results . The image below was taken as the Heron was coming into land on the canal .My settings were Nikon 200 mm , F8 ,shutter 1/250 ,ISO 250 .

Horsing Around

In Aylestone Meadows , Leicester , there are many animals ,and plants to see . From tiny insects to horses . The paddock holds about 8 horses and foals . With my trusty Nikon 35mm 1.8 , I wandered along the path until I reached the gate into the field with the horses . Setting f3.5 , shutter 1/640 , ISO 125 , Manual Mode .

https://www.google.com/maps/place/52%C2%B036'56.7%22N+1%C2%B008'56.5%22W/@52.615745,-1.1512137,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0