No. 151: The simple life.

Its a simple life: sleeping, eating and filling your nappy. oh that and being cute. A hard night last night, and we're feeling well tired today, starting to feel the burn now.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 150: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

He's so peaceful and serene, not like the carnage his big sisters have been creating around him. They are so excited and giddy to have Matthew here, but they're the only ones getting any normal sleep. Don't get me wrong Matthew is great and sometimes you forget he's here but he still has to get food in his belly every 3 to 4 hours which means day or night his demands for food are high. I fear the zombie affect is starting to creep in due to lack of 'shut eye' and broken sleep patterns.

'til tomorrow......

No. 149: To the Manor born.

There was some atrocious rainfall today but after the monsoon had passed, the late afternoon was quite nice, so rather than make a mess in the kitchen we decided that a trip out for dinner was in order. It was decided that it would be nice to take Matthew for his first Pub meal and so to the Manor farm in Rainhill we went.  Although Matthew could not enjoy the fine fare that was on offer, it was nice enough to site outside and get some fresh air in him. More of Matthew tomorrow,


'til then.....

No. 148: Baby days.

Here's Matthews other big sister helping out, (supervised I might add). Emily was made up when she was allowed to feed him, as it was her first time, although the novelty soon wore off when something more interesting came on the telly. It's nice to see both of Matthews sisters taking interest and so far no sign of any jealousy, all three seem to be doing fine.

'til tomorrow.......

No. 147: Someone to watch over.

Big Sister with her new brother, and they're both getting on so well. Sophie adores him and is always wanting to help feed, wash and dress him. I'm just enjoying this while it lasts, I'm sure that it wont be long before he becomes the annoying little brother. Tomorrows pic' will be with his other big sister Emily.

'til then.....

No. 146: Happy feet.

Matthews lovely little toes, all wrinkly and ET like. He's been a joy so far; feeding well, sleeping well and er pooing well. His baby blue eyes are yet to stay open just a few flickers now and again, but he can be forgiven as he's only two days old.

More baby pic's tomorrow, 'til then....

No. 145: Little fingers

Matthews little, delicate and perfect fingers. They wont stay this small for long.

'til tomorrow....

No. 144: Matthew

As you might of guessed from the photo this weeks HDR theme is postponed. My son Matthew was born this morning at 4:07am and weighed in at 7lbs 5oz. Ruth broke her record by being in labour for a measly two hours, and it was a home birth as we planned. I feel so happy, and sooo tired. 

'til tomorrow......

No. 143: ...against a brickwall.

Today's photo is of a pub in Tarbock called the Brickwall Inn, which is no longer open. Like so many pub's in this country, hit by these hard times, they are forced to close. Survival of the fittest it maybe and there may no longer be the need to have pub's as the heart of a community, but it always makes me sad when these places are left to decay.

It's out in the middle of nowhere and that was probably it's downfall. This place had an eerie feel about it made even more so by the weather.

'til tomorrow......

No. 142: Brolly break

Here's today's photo, and as it's such a wet and miserable evening I thought it apt to get a shot of the brolly as I gave Henry a breather from the rain; he was one wet dog!

 'til tomorrow.....

No. 141: Copper bottom

This old copper kettle is today's HDR offering; bought in antiques shop in Frodsham, this battered old kettle has character-a-plenty. I like the warm copper colours and reflections of the gravel, and the painted effect of the photo.

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

No. 140: Lazy daisy.

Here's tonight's HDR image. Just a quickie this time as I managed to take an edit this one just before the England game, and writing this post at half time.

'til tomorrow....

No. 139: HDRI

This weeks theme is based around HDR imagery. This is a bit of a "Marmite" issue, some purists hate this over produced technique, others love the depth that can be crafted from the process that stacks three or more images of the same subject but using a different exposure value. One shot is under exposed the next is the correct value and the final photo is overexposed; some photographers will shoot as many as seven exposure and it can be done with just two shots but generally three work quite well. You then have to stack or load the bracketed photo's into the appropriate editing software where the final image is created.

I took this shot taken at Sutton Manor after work (it was on the way home) and I think that It works particularly well with clouds, creating a dramatic sky, and shot with a wide angle, the theatrical effect is increased. I am personally a fan of this imagery, but I do have to admit some times some photographers go a bit overboard.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 138: This is my boom stick!

Here's the last photo of this weeks toy theme, and it's a figurine of Ash from the Evil dead 3; The Army of Darkness; one of my favourite films/ series of all time. Some of the one liners are priceless.

Next week I'll be taking shots and editing them as HRDI (high dynamic range images), so lots of dramatic and heavily edited photos.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 137: Robo' photo

At last a robot, with lights, shiny armour and as Emily put it, "A hearer", that being the cool head set and aerial. This M.A.R.S robot was looking around to do battle with Peppa pig or Mr Hedgehog.

'til tomorrow....

No. 136: A pig of a pic'

Just a quick one today so here's Peppa Pig & Rebecca Rabbit. As with most toys bright colours help illuminate the photo. Hope I can get some boy's toys tomorrow.

'til then....

No. 135: Oooops!

Mr Hedgehog, off of Sylvanian families, has crashed his car into a Lego wall. I guess that's his no claims bonus out the window! I suppose he'll just put in a claim for whiplash against the wall and watch everyone's car insurance premiums go through the roof. Bad Mr Hedgehog! Hopefully there will be no more toy accidents tomorrow.

'til then.....

No. 134: Top tower.

Thanks to Sophie for helping with today's picture. I got two for one with this shot; a picture for this weeks "toy" theme and a lovely portrait to boot.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 133: Little monsters

Tonight's photo is another favourite of our girls; Moshi monsters. They have quite a few of these strange little things and all of the paraphernalia that goes with them. Still it makes a nice change from princesses and dolls.

'til tomorrow....

No. 132: Stop! It's Hama time!

The start of a new week and thanks to all who had ago at last weeks challenge. There were a couple of posts that were not correctly guessed. You can still have ago before I let you what the mystery objects were. The posts on the 5th and 10th June.

This week I was going to take pic's of toys, and to start with Sophies favourite hobby at the moment; Hama beads, she can spend hours creating all sorts of things, lions, tigers, princess and tea coasters for me to take to work!

'til tomorrow....

No. 131: Hi-Five

So here's the final image of the week, and as with the rest, can you guess what it is? Not too difficult this one.

'til tomorrow....

No. 130: Smells nothing like teen spirit!

Can you guess what today's photo is? I need specifics with this one.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 129: What, no cassette!

Well, here's today's photo and see if you can guess what it is. Don't forget that Tuesday's and Wednesday's photo's still haven't been correctly identified so please have ago.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 128: Kind of an apple.

Here's today's object, should be easy to spot, but what is it? Answers in the comments box please.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 127: It's a corker!

Here's today's mystery object, see if you can guess what this one is. A bit of a clue in the post title to make it a bit easier. No one has got yesterdays as yet.

'til tomorrow....

No. 126: Can ya tell what it is yet?

For this weeks theme, I'm asking you to guess what the object is in the photo I have taken. Just a few rules,

1. Answers to be left on the blog site only, no one leaving answers on Facebook or Twitter.
2. No prizes for getting the correct answer, it's all just for fun.
3. My decision is final, if you get close enough I'll let you win.

'til tomorrow.......

No. 125: Sound-sational

I suppose there's no getting away from this weekends Queen Jubilee celebrations. With the nice weather returning to Liverpool once again, (if not temporarily), a trip into town was in order. Cavasse Park was holding a "Proms in the park" event with a play list of different musical orchestral bands that included the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, University of Liverpool big band and, as shot above, the Liverpool University Wind Band. Lots of lovely sounds coming from the park.

'til tomorrow.....

No. 124: Say "Cheese" (cake)

Wait for it Emily! The final photo this week is sadly the last of the cake theme, (boo!), no more baking from Ruth for ages now. Well she's done well baking and caking this week and thanks to her for helping me on this weeks theme. Next week, hmmmm, not sure yet what lies in store.

'til tomorrow.......

No. 123: Easy as 123

Ruth's making this baking lark look easy, she has been busy in the kitchen again, more cake, my God we're gonna be soooooo fat! Good job I'm keeping up my running/swimming/gymming regime to burn it all off! Nice cake though.

'til tomorrow...

No. 122: Invasion of the gingers!

Here's today's cheeky li'l number. Gingerbread men and ladies floating around, basking in the sun as nature intended. Funny little fellows that they are. I'm not sure what the one with green eyes is; whether he has boobs for eye's or if he's a gingerbread bug man?

'til tomorrow...