No. 60: Flower power

We have been in the garden all day today; Ruth was generally tidying and moving stuff as is her want, while I was sawing and drilling (and swearing a lot) as I'm in the midst of extending the deck area. The kids where doing all they could to find a reason to argue and as such where dismissed from the trampoline as they couldn't agree as to who should be jumping!

As we've spent all day in the garden I thought it apt to get a pic of these tulips, 'til tomorrow.....

No. 59: Painting with light

Using the Christmas fairy lights on a shrub in the garden I was able to wash the leaves and flowers with the twinkly lights that normally adorn the Chrimbo tree in winter. This one was quick and easy to set up even if I did have to fight passed all the boxes in the loft that wanted to throw themselves at my head!

'til tomorrow......

No. 58: Balls up!

With so many colourful  toys the kids have, today's pic was an easy to choice. The kids wanted to know what I was up to with their toy's, "Did I want to play with them?" asked Emily, with a tone that suggested that I should have gained her permission before using these baby toy's that they have had no interest in for the last 2 years! How rude!

'til tomorrow....

No. 57: Kid crayon

Day two of colour week, and the girls pencils were out and lots of lovely pictures were being turned out to add to the their ever growing gallery and portfolio.

'til tomorrow

No. 56: Painting with...er...paint!

Well I couldn't do a colour themed week without using paint at some point. The camera is all about capturing light to create an image just as artist covert's pigment to do the same. Way back before the box brownie, pin hole cameras and phosphorus flash our cavemen cousins were catching every day life using their fingers in God-knows-what for pigment. It could be argued that painting has a more direct link to the person creating the picture, (Eye-to-brain-to hand with brush), but still both mediums hold a fixed and important position in the world of art.

Still if it's colour and depth you want, you cant beat the stuff....

'til tomorrow....

No. 55: Over the rain-toe

Here we are; the start of a new week, and as promised the theme this week will be colour. As Emily loves having her toes painted I thought that it would be nice to use her multi coloured nails as the subject to start the week, so here it is.

'til tomorrow...

No. 54: See shore

Here's the final picture for this Black and white themed week. It was taken from the shoreline at Vale Park, Wirral just as the sun was coming up over the North Langton dock. I was out early this morning to do a spot of fishing and I'm glad I took my camera with me. The sky was a bit misty again but when the sun broke through the days weather was going to be great. I managed to take this shot just before the sun came up, and was able to take a long exposure; capturing the lapping waves as a milky blur the Mersey becomes a barrier between the sandy shore on the Wirral and the docks on the Liverpool side. I like the flat water slicing through the misty sky and the reflection on the sea shore.

As this is the end of the Black and white themed week, I thought I that next week will be colour.....lots of it!

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

No. 53: Spring show

After a nice warm and sunny day (if not a little hazy) , I took the dog for a walk around Stadt Moers park to see what I could snap and came across this blossoming tree, another sign of spring. With the clocks going forward tomorrow summer will feel like it's truly here with the long, light evenings.

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

No. 52: A road less travelled

Well it's the end of another working week and now we can all look forward to a nice relaxing weekend. On my way home today the weather was quite pleasant and I felt like taking the scenic route home, and so came off the motorway to drive through Burtonwood. There was a bit of evening mist lingering around which set the trees in the distance off with an eerie haze, nothing nor a sole around except the tractor you can just about see in the distance if you look hard enough. I did think afterwards that it would be strange if the farmer was to take pictures of me at work as I took pictures of him?

I'm off fishing this weekend and so I might brave taking my camera with me, I will hopefully get some early morning shots of the Liverpool sky line.

'til tomorrow..

No. 51: A bridge not too far...

After work, a quick trip to Prestwick Forest Park was  in order with my work colleague Dave who had his camera gear too. This abandoned brick built railway bridge was the perfect subject to take whilst the sun was out, but as fate would have it as soon we turn up the hazy cloud gathers to spoil the party. Despite the poor light and precarious footing on loose soil all was not lost. We still got some good shots of the viaduct with  its arches curving away and, in addition, I have now discovered a new location to get more pic's and it's close to work to boot. When the light and conditions are better I could get some really atmospheric shots down there.

'til tomorrow....

No. 50: Sticking at it!

Made it to the first half century; 50 up and more to come. I managed to take Henry for a walk this evening and there was still plenty of light. I came across this pool and liked the contrast between the fuzzy, reflection of the tree background and the crisper, image of the stick. Hopefully now that the clocks are to go forward this weekend I'll have more chance to get outside during the week.

'til tomorrow......

No. 49: Papped pup

Just a quicky today, continuing on the black and white theme I wanted to use a shadow to make an object gain some size. Using this well known game piece from the Monopoly board game, this little pup increased his stature for a few minutes anyway.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 48: Moody mushrooms

This week I'm going to give black and white photos ago. With the usual busy Monday of work and children taking something simple was in order. I like the atmosphere created by black and white photo's regardless of the subject. I can't wait to get more done.

'til tomorrow....

No. 47: Rapid shot

A nice trip out to Wales on Mothers day; all the way to Swallow falls in Betws-y-coed. I managed to get quite a few shots with my new ND filters. I haven't been here since I was a kid the water seems as powerful as it did back then. We might even try a camping trip this way in a couple of months when I could have more time to explore further up/down stream.

I hope all you mum's had a great Mothers day today.

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

No. 46: A bugs life.

The first foray into world of wild animals, and as spring has just about decided to show its head, I thought that a bug hunt was in order. Me and the kids went into the garden, but they were more interested in finding old toys and dressing up stuff that had fallen under the deck (I'm in the process of revamping the decking in he garden, and as it is down to just the frame all the girlie items that had fallen in between the gaps had left a treasure trove of fake jewellery and pens). It didn't take too long before I found this little fella, it was just hanging around waiting for some juicy aphids to emerge for it to chomp on! I like the contrast; not only between the colours (the decaying brown leaf and the red of the ladybird) but also the new, shiny spring insect against the decaying leaf from last years Autumn fall.

'till tomorrow... 

No. 45: A dream picture

I thought that I'd take the opportunity of having more daylight after work and stop off at the "Dream" in St Helens; as I pass it on the way home. The 20 meter high statue is positioned on an old colliery which closed in 1991, the artwork depicts the head of a girl with her eyes closed in dream like manner overlooking the M62 and beyond. I like this statue especially as the head has been distorted and looks stretched. You can read more about this on http://www.dreamsthelens.com/site.do

'til tomorrow

No. 44: Not a mist opportunity

Today's photo was taken early this morning (6.45am to be exact), as I was getting breakfast. With the early morning fog rolling in, I had to take the opportunity while I could before the mist burned back. It promised to be warm today after listening to the weather forecast on the radio into work I thought it might be a scorcher, however, as usual it was wrong and a chilly day, grey day persisted.

Still hopefully we'll have a nicer day tomorrow, 'til then 

No. 43: An apple a day......

I was going through one of our messy drawers and came across my old iPod Nano. I forgot that I still have this great little Apple gadget. It's a bit old now, one of the second generation sort, before everything had a touch screen. I loved the simplicity of the design, and as with all Apple products they look great, if not a little pricey. I used to strap this to me on one of my daily runs and marvel at how many songs/ albums I could get on it, and how good the screen was, but alas it was soon defunct and overtaken by my mobile phone with its bigger screen, and yes; touch screen.

'til tomorrow....

No. 42: A pressing matter

Got a nice one of the girls playing and cooperating with each other...which is nice! Sophie and Emily were putting their hands together comparing size, Emily was cheating by putting her hand further up so her finger tips passed Sophie's. Cheeky miss.

'til tomorrow 

No. 41: Ice hot

I like the effect of today's picture. I left these chillies in a can of water, in the freezer over night, then dropped the can into some warm water to get the crack effect. I then shone a light from below, which brings out the vibrant colour in the spicy veg. The cracks in the ice look ghostly; like ethereal tendrils snaking around the chillies, (ooooh very spooky). I quite like this ice stuff, I might try more shots with it.

'til tomorrow.

No. 40: Shell shocked

Here's yesterdays catch from my beach combing daughters. Shells are such a kid magnet especially the big ones. There were so many to pick from which have all been added to their ever growing collection. Ruth likes them because they look nice in jars scattered about the bathroom. They do make for a good pic' though.

'til tomorrow........

No. 39: Life's a beach

Had a nice trip to Perch Rock in New Brighton, on the Wirral with Ruth, the Girls and the Dog (Henry). I managed to get quite a few nice shots, too many to choose from. The tide was a bit too far out, however, although I do quite like the reflection in the watery sand. The girls (and the dog) soon got bored of my photo antics and so they all went for ice cream (the dog did not have ice cream, cos if he did he would no doubt get an ice cream head ache and just sick it all back up). Henry did manage to get a few gulp's of sea water in a rock pool.

As an added bonus Everton won today by beating Spurs......happy days!

So remember kids love the sea/beach and never feed ice cream to dog's.

'til tomorrow....

No. 38: Paper wait

What a day in work; didn't get out until 8:30pm due to a database error on the CAD software, still I flew home as there was no traffic. So in homage to the technology we use everyday to speed up and increase productivity and a reminder of how life used to be before computers, here's a stack of paperwork that I could of been going through. I'm sure there's Irony in there somewhere.

'til tomorrow.

No. 37: Birthday blowout

I couldn't let today's photo go passed and not have a shot of my eldest on her birthday,....so happy birthday Sophie I hope you've had a great day and you love the cake. Sophie had all of the usual girlie paraphernalia that girls get on their birthday. I'm now surround by more head bands and hair clips, although she did get a cool pc tablet which she instantly knew how to use; how things have changed since I was young! I can't believe how quick she is growing up.

'til tomorrow........

No. 36: Drop shot

Another busy day and a trip to the doc's before getting home to take today's photo. Would be happier with this shot if I had a flash gun, I think that this will be my next purchase. I took a few shots to get this one and still not completely happy the outcome.

'til tomorrow....

No. 35: Watch this space

Did you see what I did with the title eh...well...d'you get it eh, well eh! Oh never mind. I had another go with my macro lenses tonight and constructed a make-shift macro light out of a Pringles tin and tissue paper, it worked ok but I'll have to get myself a proper lighting ring. Still, I'm quite pleased with the out come.

'til tomorrow......  

No. 34: Happy feet

Sophie was so cosy snuggled up to big bear, I'm not sure who's feet are who though? I was lucky to get her with her feet so still as she's such a perm-a-fidget.

My new lens filters arrived today at last, so I'll be heading to the nearest seashore or waterfall as soon as I can to get some nice shots, (not right now 'cos it's dark).

'til tomorrow.....

No. 33: Baptism teething trouble

Here she is, the girl of the moment; Niamh. My second cousin, after her Christening today in Widnes, looking confused with everything that was going on and having to deal with some pesky new teeth coming through but still managing to look cute. A hard days work for her no doubt, especially as she didn't take to kindly to the oil dabbed on her head by the priest. With church being pack out, almost to the rafters the service was soon completed and it was on to St Basils club for a swig of ale (fruit drinks for the kids) and a bite to eat whilst catching up with family folk.

The occasion was a great chance to see family I haven't seen for a few months; to catch up with their goings on and plan fishing trips. My girls had a good excuse to run around and get pink cheek's and chase pink balloons.

Thanks to Helen and Chris for a great afternoon.

'til tomorrow.

No. 32: L-Factor

A trip to town again having dropped Ruth off at work. I had to take a picture of the Liver building at some point as it is one of many local land marks. Took the girls down to the waterfront, where I parked at the kings dock, while I was getting the girls ready I could hear a commotion outside; a load of screaming people were queueing up for at the Echo arena, what I assume where, the X-factor auditions. No sign of the Barlow, the Walsh or Tulias!

While we were at the docks we tried to get down to see HMS Liverpool, as she is soon to be decommissioned, but the heavens opened and the girls were getting soaked so we had to turn back. I did get a few shots of her from where I was stood but the shots weren't great.

'til tomorrow.

No. 31: Dropping in

End of another working week, has seen the end of the first month and the beginning of the next. I managed to get a shot of these water drops just before they hit the surface, giving the impression of bubbles on the wrong side of the water line.

'til tomorrow..

No. 30: Taff-odil

Happy St David's day to all our Welsh cousins. A bit of a no-brainer today, seen as Ruth is half Welsh and in honour to my late mother-in-law (who is the Welsh half), I thought it apt to use a daffodil as today's subject, as we are a bit short on dragons these days. So to all on this day: Dydd Gwŷl Dewi Sant hapus, (happy St David's day,.....I hope).


I also received one of three lens filters through the post today, can't wait for the others to arrive so as I can take some long exposures in day light (just to clarify I wont be 'exposing' myself).


'til tomorrow.