No. 29: Cherry hurray!

The first month over, February done! Bring on March. Spring is round the corner and already the days are noticeably getting long (if only a bit). The sky was good today on my way home from work, some nice clouds lit by the setting sun, shame I was stuck on the M62. I'm quite pleased with how tonight's pic has turned out, cherries reflected on my shaving mirror.

'til tomorrow, a new month awaits.

No. 28: Apple of my eye.

Well the first month is nearly finished but if it wasn't for the pesky leap year it would have been complete. Not to worry it just means either a day off or a bonus pic, not sure which yet? (No doubt a bonus pic).

Well, I had more fun with my Macro lens, although the subject nearly disappeared when my back was turned. Ruth phoned me, so I went to answer the call in a different room and low and behold, when I returned a bite had been taken from the apple with Sophie sat at the kitchen table grinning innocently continuing to play Moshi monsters.

Well it made for a better pic I suppose.

'till tomorrow.

No. 27: Shot glass

Here's today's pic. Busy Monday so didn't have much time only had a window of an hour to think, shoot and edit, well tired after the fishing antics of Sunday, but at last I have it done. So as always;

'til tomorrow

No. 26: Sefton falls

Early start for me today, I went fishing early doors, (4:00am to be exact) over at Perch rock in New Brighton and had the added bonus of watching the sun come up. I wish I had my camera with me.

Later on I drove Ruth and the girls out to Sefton Park where Emily and Sophie could burn off energy running and cycling about the place. The Palm house in the park had a brass band playing which we could here from the car park, but, by the time we got there the band had finished; boo! Anyway, I took loads of pic's of said Palm house and then over to the old band stand, which I had to dive over a fence to get to as the gate was shut, I'll be adding these pic's to the Scrap book album as soon as poss!

The pic I chose was from the ornamental garden, and with the stream brimming with water, the landscaped falls  where torrenting toward the lake further down the park. I like how the water appears to be oozing over the rocks. As soon as my new filters arrive I'll be able to get some good long exposures.

'til tomorrow....

No. 25: On reflection, time for a bacon butty!

On a trip to town this morning, after dropping Ruth off at work, I found there was a good excuse to get some pic's taken before Liverpool One got too busy. Having so many subjects and sights (that all would make excellent pic's) I was really spoilt for choice. I had to keep one eye looking through the lens of my Nikon and the other on my girls who wanted to get in this water feature and have an out door bath! I love the reflected colours caught by the waves against the cold, white water and also the contrasting warmth of the wood which could be seen as a miniature sea front structure.

Soon it was time to grab a bacon butty and coffee for breakfast (juice for the girls, coffee is still a stinky grown up drink they're not keen to try yet) and then home before the masses showed up for a spot of retail therapy.

'til tomorrow.

No. 24: Bear with me.

Everyone say hello to Barnaby bear. He's staying with us for the weekend, Sophie's school has farmed him out for us to mind. I remember when I was in school you got a stinky hamster to look after, at least there's no chance of him gnawing my shoes if he escapes or leaving droppings everywhere, no doubt he'll be spoilt by the girls all the same. Barnaby has also brought his diary with him to jot down his adventures while he's here so I hope he doesn't get to bored and has lots to tell the teacher about when he goes back. Not sure how he'll write about his stay, as he has no fingers.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 23: Tom-hate-to

Busy night tonight, we had our eldest daughters school parents evening which dragged on a bit but well done Sophie for being clever. They had been learning about good and bad foods to eat as one of there projects, so this picture covers both good and bad food angles; good: because obviously they're full of healthy nutrients and general super-food-ness, and bad: because Sophie hates tomatoes!

'til tomorrow....

No. 22: Weaved about.

Hi all, I tried to work on something a little spooky tonight but it didn't quite come off. I will keep have another go at it at a later date so watch this space. For now something a little simpler, and a little less scary. I liked the warm light that has backlit the weave on this shade and has warm comfy glow.

'til tomorrow

No. 21: Rocks off

Just a quick one today. Saw these sparkly stones that we have lyin' about the bathroom. Ruth has them in a jar by the bath, and so I took a few different shots at different exposures, then I tweaked the images through my HDR software, et voila; metal stones.

'til tomorrow................

No. 20: Light entertainment

So here it is number 20. I was just washing the dishes when this beam of energy opened up a worm hole in the kitchen.....well not quite, but torch writing can give some really good results and its simple enough to do with a long, timed exposure.

'til tomorrow

No. 19: Spring is in the air

We took the kids to Croxteth hall park today to let them burn off some energy, we were also accompanied by our friends And and Jenny were we all thought we would take in the history from a building that goes back to the late 1500's, spanning major historical periods such as Tudor, Georgian and Victorian with architecture that reflects these classical times. A major opportunity to get some superb photo's you would think, so what pic did I choose, a slinky bought for Emily in the gift shop! Well maybe next time I'll get the historical stuff.

Just to let you know I have changed the settings so you don't have to have one of the accounts previously listed on the comments box, so please feel free to let me know your thoughts.

'til tomorrow....

No. 18: Reed me like a book!

Summers on its way, well briefly for an hour. this pic was taken about an hour before the grey skys returned. Just a quick one today as we're at friends and its rude to be pouring over photoees in some elses house.

'til tomorrow..........

No. 17: Groovy LED

I've gone all abstract with the pic' tonight. With an LED torch placed behind a bottle, the blue glass creates a distortion of the light and a neon type appearance of the LEDs. I like the effect, and it didn't take too much editing afterwards; I just softened the edges a bit.

Anyway Number 17 done, and the weekend approaches.

'til tomorrow.

No. 16: Petal power.

Ohhhh, my macro kit turned up today, so I can get really close in on stuff now. I knew the Valentines roses that I bought for the wife would come in handy, (apart from keeping me in the good books if you know what I mean). I suppose flowers had to be taken at some point so why not now. Once again I didn't have too much time to take the pic' as I finished late from work and got caught up in the rush hour traffic. Luckily though, this scene was all set up, it was just a case of setting up the camera and tripod and attaching the new kit.

I like all the detail and sparkles caught by the lens, I can't wait to try out other close ups, 'til tomorrow.

No. 15: Doggy debut

Here he is, my old faithful pooch Henry, well part of him. After fifteen minutes of Ruth feeding him doggy treats,  and about a million frames later I finally got a couple of good shots. I think Henry thought doggy Christmas had come with all the chocky treats he was getting. 

'til tomorrow...............

No. 14: Light up my life.

Oooooh yeah, Luuuurve is in the air on Valentines day. As candles can set any romantic scene I thought I'd use loads of them. I burnt all the ends of my fingers getting all these little bad boys going but it was worth it. When they are lit they can really belt out some heat, I could have cooked Mrs H's dinner on it!

Had some great news today about the baby and all is well; we found out that we're going to be having a boy (aaaahhhhh). Struggling for names though, we can't seem to agree, I like Ace but Ruth doesn't.


'til tomorrow.

No. 13: Lager lamp.

Here's today's pic, a ye olde street light in ye olde Prescot behind the Deans House pub. This one has a warm fuzzy feel, you don't see too many street lamps like this any more; cast Iron and straight out of a Dickens novel. It was down a cobbled back street, all I needed was snow and a little Victorian street urchin to complete the composition but alas a bit of drizzle in the wind and a scabby little dog where all I had to go on.

Number 13 done!

No. 12: Pretty in pink.

How to brighten a dull day. We took the kids to the park to burn off some energy, and stop cabin fever setting in. The contrast between the dull grey sky and the girls pink clothes meant that they could be seen for miles, and I think that, with this HDR pic, the contrast is easy to spot. I quite like the almost painted look that the Photomatix software as created and the split between the warmth of the wood and the cold, bleak sky.

I hope you like it!

No. 11: Scream if you wonna go faster!

The fair is in town; Prescot to be exact and I couldn't help but use it as an opportunity to get a pic'. I took this pendulum ride with a long exposure and got a great pix-elated/ laser like effect. I had to wait a while in between rides, hanging around with my camera looking suspect again, but it comes with the territory. I then was then approached by a group of girls, who wanted to know if I worked for a paper!

Hope you like it!

'til tomorrow

No. 10: Lucky drip!

Yes! Get in, into double figures with the pic's and eventually got today's shot! About an hour and half it has taken me to get this photo. I still want to get the elusive "crown" drip shot (any advice welcome on trying to get it), but I'm quite please with this pic. I just used food colouring, a plate, some good old fashioned water and loads of patients. I only used Photoshop to crop this bad boy, nothing else was needed (I think).

Anyway, thank God It's effin Friday!

'til tomorrow.

No. 9: Say it with forks?!

A cutlery bouquet? I wouldn't like to be the bee that tries to munch on this flower. The idea was simple but the execution was full of frustration. Who would of thought that arranging a few spoons would be so difficult; It caused me to create too much effin' an geoffin' as the cutlery wanted to arrange itself on the table rather than the glass, and just to add to my bad mood caused by the wayward silverware, I kicked over my lighting rig as just got everything right.

At this point I was also cooking dinner for my wife, who was having a well deserved rest with being so very pregnant, and the dog (Henry) wouldn't settle, wafting around waiting for me to finish being artistic; to which Ruth thought it hilarious as I was shouting at him; telling him "to stop making so much noise with his claws", (on the laminate floor). It was time for a break, and in the end I got the shot.

Hope you like it.

'til tomorrow.

No. 8: Honey, I'm home.

This is not a self silhouette portrait of me getting home from work but it's not far off. We have a Alessandro Mendini bottle open just dying to be used as a prop, but in an effort to try and be a little more creative than just taking photo's of it direct I wanted to have a bit of fun with it. Using its shadow, pen, paper and Photoshop, I've tried to create a post modernist painting.

I like this due to its simplicity; using light and a few simple marks, I have created a cheeky little image.

First week over and the start of new one. So far it's been challenging to say the least but I'm getting into the swing of it; and pushing myself to think creatively in a short space of time everyday. I hope that you've enjoyed the images too. Here's to the next 51 weeks. Please let me know what you think; which photos you like or hated, just be honest if you have the time to be.

'til tomorrow.

No. 7: Paranoid "Duck"-droid

Ducks are paranoid creatures, but this has good reason to be with those dodgy looking ball people eyeing him up, probably after his wallet or mobile phone!

Thanks to my girls for loaning me their toys (like they had a choice); I did not have much time to take this one, as had to fit it in around work, family and the gym.

It's given me ideas for more pic's using characters.

'til tommorow.

No. 6: What-er pic.

Long day today, and a bit pooped, but just managed to get the pic' done. A bit of a water, abstract one, nice and simple. I was thinking of doing a "water" theme one week and try and get one with a drop or crown (that'll be tough). I need to get one of those macro lenses!

No. 5: Out for a duck.

Though the big freeze continued today, still no snow. I think we are the only place in the UK not to get it! Took the kids to the park as there where ducks that needed to be fattened up. I got more photo's and whilst with the family; Emily, my youngest, was shocked to see "that duck is eating mud!" even though it was a goose and it was eating bread. Made me chuckle. Anyway apparently your're not supposed to feed ducks (or geese) bread, we found that little fact out after offloading a whole loaf off to the local flock. So if you find a large number of Mallards slumped over a park bench in St Helens with frothy bread coming out of there mouths you know why.

I have also added a couple more to the Scrapbook album, so take a look on the link. Any more comments are welcome (please nothing too harsh)!

No. 4: Shoe me the money!

They say the way to man's heart is through his stomach; then to a woman's must be through her feet. Shoe's, everywhere! I live in a house full of females; my wife, two daughters and even the cat, and shoes play a big part in their lives, especially sparkly ones, (I might add that the cat does not wear, nor does she like shoes before you think she has her own pair of Hunter wellies)!

Despite the shoe death on the stairs I did manage to get out and get some shots and my God it was cold out there. No snow as promised just rubbish sleet and hail, all pretty drab. I ventured to Spike Island and got few pic's which I'll add to the Scrap book.

Thinking of picking a theme next week; water, heat, industrial or urban, any suggestions welcome.

Take care all, till tomorrow.

No. 3: Brickin' it!

Here it is, number 3. Wanted to take a pic of something a bit more grimy/ industrial, so off to Runcorn I went, Sutton weaver to be exact. I managed to get a few photo's of the railway bridge and the motorway flyover, very grimy! You can see these on the Scrapbook photos link on the left.

It was a glorious day today but a little Moscow, so kept getting back into my cosy warm car. Even though the sun was out the place still felt eerie, with all the large structures and no one about down there just me and a few mattresses and random Christmas tree's! I guess some tramp had a lovely Christmas down there.

Anyway, snow is promised tomorrow snow angels ahoy!

No. 2: Motor-No-Way

The M57 never looked so dazzling. On my jaunt with my pooch Henry around the park with the light fading I didn't find anything inspiring other than a few old stumps and dog plop; which in the right light they might make for interesting visual's, however in the dimming, grey non-sky that graces us in February inspiration was sparse.

As my journey came to a close and I thought all was lost, the M57 came to my aide. I had planned to shoot a road scene at night at some point. Keeping the shutter speed to "timed" and using the remote control I kept the shutter open for about 30 seconds. I would like to try this again at a location where the whole scene is lit up but, I'm quite pleased with the result as it's the first time I've tried this.

Anyway glad I made it home safe as walking around the park at dusk/night with m'big lens in these parts could be risky! Anyway 'til tomorrow.

No. 1: Buddha believe it!

That's right the first photo has arrived. Thought it best start the challenge at the start of the next month, and so it begins. Didn't have a massive window of time to get my first pic, but here it is. My little Buddha mate, whom I caught sneaking into the kitchen to "enlighten" some beer and "awaken" the custard creams.....or was that me?

I tried a couple of subjects tonight, but that phrase "don't work with kids or animals" was ringing true. I tried a few shots with my two daughters but couldn't quite achieve the shots I wanted to try; I was attempting to get the balance between capturing sharp focus and their movement, but they wanted one or the other! My faithful mutt Henry was not much better! I had sharp, nicely lit shots lined up, but he wanted to walk in and out of the kitchen a million time, and so I realised I need to chill and choose a different direction for the night, still (or nearly still) life.

Any way, I hope you like it!