tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1932529438655609562024-03-13T15:29:15.736-07:00Travels & Travails; Photos from Home to the Hindu KushPhotographs from travel and from home.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-12115308059193266542016-10-29T09:53:00.002-07:002016-10-31T10:00:40.107-07:00Home Scanning Medium Format Negatives<br />
I have an ongoing battle with my Contax 645, which is currently away being assessed for repair. A part of me is on the verge of selling the whole caboodle, and sticking with digital. I had some films developed and scanned locally, and the output was so poor it almost tipped me over the edge - but I have persisted.<br />
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When last working away I spend a little time watching videos on line setting out how to digitize film. Now that I am home I needed to give it a go, and the results are good enough for me to want to carry on with the Contax 645 experiment.<br />
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The method for digitizing the negatives is fairly straightforward, and I was lucky to have most of the kit needed. The only new buys were a couple of sheets of perspex, one clear and one opaque, from amazon. A picture paints a thousand words, and there are some pictures here, but in short; <br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9ONM5HuQud5ktmlxTTZ3GHzG1efX_gngtrnWHhHBW3UR-ziSHIfuiZtQ1DO0q4t9j-N4aj1SSZqQeGajvm5IpFrS3yfnxLwgEg4kA-7pCo5uqjSPQQiDf-bOvKnqKulQi0x2EtMBUamj/s1600/SAM_8413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9ONM5HuQud5ktmlxTTZ3GHzG1efX_gngtrnWHhHBW3UR-ziSHIfuiZtQ1DO0q4t9j-N4aj1SSZqQeGajvm5IpFrS3yfnxLwgEg4kA-7pCo5uqjSPQQiDf-bOvKnqKulQi0x2EtMBUamj/s200/SAM_8413.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYxBfV2Q_gZNh2To90mEz2_HkKoTUUInhtW75eUGZQbVVWlfW93zTqRKAb3zhErIVAxqthAIHxndx6FHw4hIZrJ9CxdgvJ9-BCfk4nQOwrbFh5KFpbKnok8u2YZNHsnTWfNP5XCYmx76O/s1600/SAM_8410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYxBfV2Q_gZNh2To90mEz2_HkKoTUUInhtW75eUGZQbVVWlfW93zTqRKAb3zhErIVAxqthAIHxndx6FHw4hIZrJ9CxdgvJ9-BCfk4nQOwrbFh5KFpbKnok8u2YZNHsnTWfNP5XCYmx76O/s200/SAM_8410.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrFA6bK8amAWzImbJaaKzF9YXVxmlatOgMC2lw09sjfOkJNKbHDzS8GfAkCQRmeBL0Ox8RLfWRyBUj_GzgDxKCMWiFGfA49NCYOtGOiOUGd83foRFE1NbvApGxdOkTrPqIiv4tvAqPzVc/s1600/SAM_8415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrFA6bK8amAWzImbJaaKzF9YXVxmlatOgMC2lw09sjfOkJNKbHDzS8GfAkCQRmeBL0Ox8RLfWRyBUj_GzgDxKCMWiFGfA49NCYOtGOiOUGd83foRFE1NbvApGxdOkTrPqIiv4tvAqPzVc/s200/SAM_8415.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<li>Line a small cardboard box with foil to bounce light (I have no idea if this is necessary)</li>
<li>Cut a couple of holes in the base of the box for speedlights - I used two, one at each end</li>
<li>Tripod mount a camera over the box.</li>
<li>Fit a macro lense - I'm using the Canon 100mm macro and extender tube</li>
<li>Link the camera to your laptop for tethered shooting</li>
<li>Put opaque perspex over the box, negative on the perspex, clear perspex over that.</li>
<li>Use whatever tether software you use to frame focus and shoot</li>
<li>If seeking very high resolution, shoot multiple frames per negative exposure and merge in PS later</li>
<li>Using LR or PS, convert from negative view to positives</li>
<li>Print, post, store... or whatever your favoured outcome is</li>
</ul>
I did not experiment a great deal with camera settings. I set flash to 1/4 power, ISO50, Shutter Speed 1/200 to kill ambient light, and f9 - f11 to make sure I got the focus. These are not the best scans ever. They are not going to compete with well done professional scanning services. But they are better than I can get with my flatbed scanner, and better than I get from my local lab. While they may not stand professional scrutiny if they are good enough for social media and a decent sized print (they are) then I will be happy.<br />
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The next step is home development of film, which we will try out next weekend when No 1 Daughter is home from school.<br />
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Some more output from the Contax here - this is a mix of my own scans, and scans from the lab which I was not happy with; <a href="http://www.chrispookphotography.co.uk/Equipment/Contax/" target="_blank">http://www.chrispookphotography.co.uk/Equipment/Contax/</a><br />
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The images below were digitized using my camera at home; <br />
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It is not that I have a thing for drag acts... although these guys were brilliant... it is more that I was pleased with the output, shooting hand held, without flash;<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-81225318931683143962016-02-24T08:04:00.000-08:002016-10-31T10:02:18.411-07:00Norfolk HolidayHome from traveling, at least for a while. We went to the sea side... It was good to go away with the family to a place with few distractions and no crowds. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-6506166422819219942015-04-14T11:50:00.001-07:002015-04-14T11:50:15.792-07:00Racing at Huntingdon 06 April 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had a great day out at Huntingdon Racecourse on the 6th of April; </div>
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More photographs here: <a href="http://randomsnaps.smugmug.com/Horses/Horse-Racing/" target="_blank">Huntingdon</a> </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-91346947042672696552015-04-14T11:18:00.004-07:002015-04-14T11:44:26.822-07:00A BAND CALLED ALISON LANE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Alison Lane, Performing at The Horseshoe Pub and Restaurant, Offord Darcy, 04 APR 2015;</div>
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More Photographs here: <a href="http://randomsnaps.smugmug.com/Events/Alison-Lane/" target="_blank">Alison Lane</a> </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-54190519187512656802014-12-27T03:36:00.002-08:002014-12-27T03:36:55.170-08:00Boxing Day Meet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Had a nice morning out with the Cambridgeshire Hunt and Enfield Chace - a very welcoming lot of supporters and followers. </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-26116918688110464212014-12-27T03:34:00.000-08:002014-12-27T03:34:06.736-08:00Home for ChristmasFamily Portraits...<br />
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Suitably bizarre from Emily...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoMkKnWNPcg4bVGwGVnB10LnrduKDKZs33bMReXSds7XkKy9TjZdUP1nT1WRKy7yjMIv2lVW1s8gFhn4Vx-kIM4RGap_WriesD2VQqVh4veA8h20Dior2AVo8PAwqaYp_Ugo66LDINkZ2/s1600/IMG_4809.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoMkKnWNPcg4bVGwGVnB10LnrduKDKZs33bMReXSds7XkKy9TjZdUP1nT1WRKy7yjMIv2lVW1s8gFhn4Vx-kIM4RGap_WriesD2VQqVh4veA8h20Dior2AVo8PAwqaYp_Ugo66LDINkZ2/s320/IMG_4809.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbzLWvnNwSH2iKnCJNbkYvcdBjVhuPNYsAE9bs1R99JciHU2ksYRPuVp-QtESHuEj3b7hti9b_bglMadNuoFcmJoD2IXc63Oky6_mRh-6jW8tdGlIXl2Rr86NSUNZNmo47JTYpJLMMy9A/s1600/IMG_4751-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1A6QmG_P4DuulYHUwIpeRZVfxMkhysx2upJ2dpZGUoDWgxvuPbJj-_kCUksIVb7NqV_KIHalXwfrpYpBLC4zzbmMbAz1agiGjcQ_ixx6OwxtHYjFqJMIvrWRAiQk9F64vMLANuW36lxi/s1600/IMG_4189-Edit-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2lz5KRqeDYEqJllIgZpB10xi1ZWOQDKHSlIB3vcmp9dGgiUqlKXJSEKp0yPAHqJA8KDjnipf7kosm1UTOGhpRqvok6MUpApIU2ahf7zvmoAZAcHLgU8Kyi617N6Jdc2vq-yq5yRdz8r_/s1600/IMG_4474.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VjceDNhgZF6K248x337rAwpN1wkBYnx20x3il37fu8Mzek9b-chP97EfC8pywb77w1MS2pXZQ0bFRdj9I2IZIiwXkRn8ka-8Ysc_uQCxhKrltCobM2bYvvTpr8M5tt6rz7SFpfgAOr9x/s1600/IMG_4549-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-29323763823219992032014-11-03T06:29:00.000-08:002014-11-03T07:48:38.314-08:00Huntingdon Races<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahIDkb9LpdzUoyLx21riO1A4RqSOHqWbNmVUdTx0jxEB2khJx37ESpe3Nf7NkPiUmR4069V6y0eEAYkzYeAs7drFNO9kHXpMvkIWcSZmjAf5XsOuicA21icSiV9Qi04SFBxQvVnZ1rtNy/s1600/IMG_2630-Edit-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahIDkb9LpdzUoyLx21riO1A4RqSOHqWbNmVUdTx0jxEB2khJx37ESpe3Nf7NkPiUmR4069V6y0eEAYkzYeAs7drFNO9kHXpMvkIWcSZmjAf5XsOuicA21icSiV9Qi04SFBxQvVnZ1rtNy/s1600/IMG_2630-Edit-2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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It has been a Hunting sort of week, following an introduction by a friend to the local hunt. Sunday, though, we went racing. I tried to capture some of the dynamics of it, with a slower shutter speed, to blur movement. That kind of worked. Here though are two favorite photographs of the day, one developed using NIKs Silver Efex Pro 2, and the other with Color Efex Pro 4. I think we came out of the betting about even, which is as much as you could wish for. A few more photographs <a href="http://randomsnaps.smugmug.com/Nags/Racing-Huntingdon-02-Nov-2014/" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Brampton, Cambridgeshire, UK52.329504081713715 -0.2316141128540039152.328291081713715 -0.23413561285400392 52.330717081713715 -0.2290926128540039tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-71584662991329195212014-10-29T06:58:00.001-07:002014-10-29T06:58:56.185-07:00Equine Portraits - Horses and Owners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYqAe33jmusXyAK-6nu62Vfj4rVwju9MaZ2DUxpTex5UR3SHvwSF0BxvK9vJVt5CU4wHiJsKYRjT-a5o9H1JkzuS5Zz-QSl0OZGycDxZQy_nv6wKy1U8ayJQWtaRwVlnoLPmVgCVpo_wL/s1600/IMG_1267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYqAe33jmusXyAK-6nu62Vfj4rVwju9MaZ2DUxpTex5UR3SHvwSF0BxvK9vJVt5CU4wHiJsKYRjT-a5o9H1JkzuS5Zz-QSl0OZGycDxZQy_nv6wKy1U8ayJQWtaRwVlnoLPmVgCVpo_wL/s1600/IMG_1267.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had a couple of hours with two friends of mine, and their horses, which gave us some nice portrait <a href="http://randomsnaps.smugmug.com/Nags/Horses-and-Owners/" target="_blank">shots</a>, which I must get around to printing up. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-43291714830765307332014-10-29T06:56:00.000-07:002014-11-03T07:42:31.412-08:00Following the Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXmCCbzWpzs_wwRATft8AIvGADu_VUEBh6Vst54jpDHH-X2SolaPestPbV84SgD0lGnLdl3ZDH23GuSBT4f2CYvZyokYN9lCYicLJfKs5ySsgDToGGF7z3c4Be4BD1NYqZroZJhha_wdW/s1600/IMG_1664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXmCCbzWpzs_wwRATft8AIvGADu_VUEBh6Vst54jpDHH-X2SolaPestPbV84SgD0lGnLdl3ZDH23GuSBT4f2CYvZyokYN9lCYicLJfKs5ySsgDToGGF7z3c4Be4BD1NYqZroZJhha_wdW/s1600/IMG_1664.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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It has been a fun half term with the children, getting up early twice this week to follow the local hunt after an introduction from a friend. They are a nice lot, and I have managed to shoot some decent photographs. I have set up an account for commercial retail of photographs. No idea if it will come to much. Not without marketing I suppose. Some more hunting shots <a href="http://randomsnaps.smugmug.com/Nags/BW/i-hthKwLN" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-33272839725070255482014-10-23T05:06:00.001-07:002014-10-23T05:07:13.116-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ6Re5V4cqXfVIcTMqGQA-7m-AU-tJRhC7mLcs9S_1nNtInnJrWER6WexZ85QQsEcA_QQiqkTGFyMeNXDgrkNzjq3y5DH5mPWEtgmUasDPMUZIT2DJM0bu5rwZoNNtWA0_8yWVGC8xJFY/s1600/SAM_5761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ6Re5V4cqXfVIcTMqGQA-7m-AU-tJRhC7mLcs9S_1nNtInnJrWER6WexZ85QQsEcA_QQiqkTGFyMeNXDgrkNzjq3y5DH5mPWEtgmUasDPMUZIT2DJM0bu5rwZoNNtWA0_8yWVGC8xJFY/s1600/SAM_5761.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the right lighting even a modest mirror-less camera can return some nice images - here boy child and dog, with my Samsung NX300.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-64513402425324461882014-09-22T07:16:00.002-07:002014-09-22T07:18:42.366-07:00Horses for Courses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5B8IdmtIF4HJRXTzgCfynAvDZlOsftDGmU_J9zlyrN2W2upft-_UlACh255bWsVjlLuUwwtZeYQ9XnGUL5TR9tIdKK_4Ktquaum3d0VzqI7QFyIhPUT5_j8Xy22S7IRg8a3CEdx7Zxw4/s1600/IMG_9602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5B8IdmtIF4HJRXTzgCfynAvDZlOsftDGmU_J9zlyrN2W2upft-_UlACh255bWsVjlLuUwwtZeYQ9XnGUL5TR9tIdKK_4Ktquaum3d0VzqI7QFyIhPUT5_j8Xy22S7IRg8a3CEdx7Zxw4/s1600/IMG_9602.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was riding in Dubai last year out at a Desert Resort off the Dubai to Al Ain road. We got up early to be there for a sunrise get go before the heat of the day. I snapped a few photographs afterwards, of the horses and camels. Most have just sat in a file since, and I came across this the other day. The groom has a face with character. There are more snaps of horses at home and far away <a href="http://randomsnaps.smugmug.com/Nags/Portraits/" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-67858441046005542072014-08-01T05:27:00.002-07:002014-08-01T05:27:59.808-07:00Rear Gunner, Helmand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ3-VzzbHCi4h_Ct8wPQG6iG_Wm5ySPH4GXiJaJPVjlxQ8O-wPmjlMFGIx35EDOJ56TuKHpzMste8zkSF9gs3sEl6huVjwvNgIC7yTmMiNkyA_Co2sal-rDz0QBWJtHLTLFSlSMHxUO6x/s1600/2013-03-24-Merlin_rear_gunner_green_zone_RW_Helmand-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ3-VzzbHCi4h_Ct8wPQG6iG_Wm5ySPH4GXiJaJPVjlxQ8O-wPmjlMFGIx35EDOJ56TuKHpzMste8zkSF9gs3sEl6huVjwvNgIC7yTmMiNkyA_Co2sal-rDz0QBWJtHLTLFSlSMHxUO6x/s1600/2013-03-24-Merlin_rear_gunner_green_zone_RW_Helmand-6.JPG" height="640" width="627" /></a></div>
Wow, this all seems such a long time ago... Flying fast and low level out of LKG over the Green Zone, then popping up to high level at the edge of the desert. Interesting times. Fun times. Worthwhile times, mainly. <a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/HelmandAvn2/index.html" target="_blank">Aviation in Helmand</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-65280655646005801092014-08-01T05:24:00.003-07:002014-08-01T05:24:30.947-07:00Mountains and Sea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKfkhr6rp6KElGd4cK6yPxbwEgOgZsigfYPEQm7mwaZxVBRX9sfJnwmnK1T_eYNAitzitrWaE0t4muHcXQecIOq0Jy8k5Qz1Pwt6j2zaqBrgRZmdGhU8RdCJqIjmszyrexf6qWwrNtjEM/s1600/14071367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKfkhr6rp6KElGd4cK6yPxbwEgOgZsigfYPEQm7mwaZxVBRX9sfJnwmnK1T_eYNAitzitrWaE0t4muHcXQecIOq0Jy8k5Qz1Pwt6j2zaqBrgRZmdGhU8RdCJqIjmszyrexf6qWwrNtjEM/s1600/14071367.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
This could be mountains in the mist - but is not: <a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/OmanDubaiRevisited/index.html" target="_blank">Muscat to Dubai revisited</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-18081301605010486512014-08-01T05:17:00.001-07:002014-08-01T05:18:59.593-07:00Beauty and the Beast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At home for a while. My neighbors are a really talented bunch. This is a customer car they have more or less re-built from scratch. It is Beauty and the Beast; <a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/BeautyandtheBeast/index.html" target="_blank">AC Cobra</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-30079272013015528832014-07-19T01:35:00.000-07:002014-08-01T05:19:09.349-07:00Desert Dunes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the view North East from the Al Ain to Dubai motorway. Much of the desert between the two towns is flat and unremarkable, but in the last 20 miles there are some big dunes, favoured by off roaders. At the right time of day and the right time of year there are dozens of 4 x 4s charging around the dunes, and families camping out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-8110769702672421442014-07-16T22:00:00.000-07:002014-07-16T22:00:29.746-07:00Muscat to Dubai Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I took a car last week from Dubai down to Muscat, via Al Ain, Nizwa, Ibri, Al Hamra, Jebel Shams and Somail, retracing the route of my 400 mile solo walk for Stu Kyffin back in March. At the time it seemed like a long plod, which it was, but driving it reminded me of the distance. I remembered most of the landmarks along the way, but much of it also was completely new. I guess I spent a long time, particularly in the last week, just with my head down and making slow but steady progress. Not sure I will be doing anything similar again in a rush, although.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-84691160496875480672014-06-29T12:10:00.000-07:002014-08-01T05:21:36.400-07:00Dubai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in Dubai for a few days catching up with old friends. Dubai, like life, will offer you what you are looking for, but perhaps to a greater degree than other places. It is expensive, and can be hi-octane, but beyond the glitz and the glamour of the newest developments there are other lives, good and bad. I would not choose to be a migrant worker here. Although perhaps the stories of their abuse may be overdone I am sure there is some substance too them, and it is only by a chance of birth that it is they who are out in the heat building the glitz and me on the other side of the glass enjoying air conditioning. There is a third life, one that some of my friends enjoy, which is a relatively normal family life. For me for now it is another week in my favourite hotel, being well looked after, finishing a short period of consultancy, and hopefully making some further useful connections along the way.<br />
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Gallery: <a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/DubaiJul13/index.html" target="_blank">Dubai Marina</a> + <a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/OmanDubaiRevisited/index.html" target="_blank">Oman and Dubai Revisited</a><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-1595337404826140062014-06-19T11:12:00.003-07:002014-06-29T12:12:36.646-07:00Migrant Workers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If ever you feel life is not too great, spare a thought for the guy who escaped to Tripoli and stands on the side of the road with a bucket and a roller hoping to be hired.<br />
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There are more snaps from Libya at this link: <a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/Tripoli_june14/index.html" target="_blank">Tripoli</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-77903842856480963412014-06-19T09:33:00.001-07:002014-06-19T09:33:58.267-07:00Tiger Cats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4SYawb7HeZY6pd6xMbtUbqQqTrfU4V_Kg7JAZk55NQlKulfcSvkAq_KipzSBlxlWM_2Y4497_w7iH9mQ9I345VlxYTh34Ex9CpsoM_LOwljlj5EOOMRu3H9QOMhcn2B2CeYGL2xK9fWO/s1600/20140524-SAM_2772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4SYawb7HeZY6pd6xMbtUbqQqTrfU4V_Kg7JAZk55NQlKulfcSvkAq_KipzSBlxlWM_2Y4497_w7iH9mQ9I345VlxYTh34Ex9CpsoM_LOwljlj5EOOMRu3H9QOMhcn2B2CeYGL2xK9fWO/s1600/20140524-SAM_2772.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a> </div>
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As cats go... very pretty, very bright, loves to play games, very curious. Great cat...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxSaHMtIbPIeu2_biZS3a_0-7XO9BSuIEAv60eiO6X_aeBe4u2hSnkJLj1fHtpbo290kK_jlUTVUub6gy_ezdHkQUlk6BqqHzHM8pb73RZbN7LD93H-4XwCtBKk4KwUcvmu1x180Z__DL/s1600/20140525-SAM_2800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-81347171570860591862014-06-16T14:31:00.000-07:002014-08-01T05:27:05.533-07:00Tripoli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SjDHY7eTFVEauSwJUgy8ZJcGtKYqp97TMkgFBQZrvFYyFaYyWVDwLQEQZqVymEMwVRK4PhUN6YoIG_4fSyMOrEpaeTH1dRPB9FTppypc2KC5XbAhV8PAmlgfc2WAuYhy4Lp54HR3XiTZ/s1600/20140615-SAM_2996-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SjDHY7eTFVEauSwJUgy8ZJcGtKYqp97TMkgFBQZrvFYyFaYyWVDwLQEQZqVymEMwVRK4PhUN6YoIG_4fSyMOrEpaeTH1dRPB9FTppypc2KC5XbAhV8PAmlgfc2WAuYhy4Lp54HR3XiTZ/s1600/20140615-SAM_2996-2.jpg" height="574" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>Sweet to ride forth at evening from the wells <br />
When shadows pass gigantic on the sand, <br />
And softly through the silence beat the bells <br />
Along the Golden Road to Samarkand.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/Tripoli_june14/index.html" target="_blank">Tripoli Visit</a> </b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-50765713397460568262014-05-16T01:06:00.001-07:002014-05-16T01:06:27.642-07:00Insomnia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Woke up at 4.30 am yesterday. Joy of joys. Enjoyed walking the dog over the fields and around the lakes. This is a fairly tranquil place to be. Off to Libya next week. That will be different.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-1681028513483436362014-05-08T03:19:00.002-07:002014-08-08T00:44:36.675-07:00Wedding Revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3NklwEi8rnMtKqU9JTQUPtMl3PscbKM2JREPLZlDhvaVrSWMEabrKIbHSgxlLwS8crREzHUY_92Y8EMs13Y9nZbFiIZfViSGvrECx3KDT_rlQOsLPcHr2ZwenpnKNmToPCHXX5ZRmZk6/s1600/20140215-IMG_1671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3NklwEi8rnMtKqU9JTQUPtMl3PscbKM2JREPLZlDhvaVrSWMEabrKIbHSgxlLwS8crREzHUY_92Y8EMs13Y9nZbFiIZfViSGvrECx3KDT_rlQOsLPcHr2ZwenpnKNmToPCHXX5ZRmZk6/s1600/20140215-IMG_1671.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was looking back yesterday through some photographs taken in Feb at my pal Nel's wedding, sorting out some to send over to her. I found some that I really enjoyed, not sure why, which had not caught my eye the first time around. Some of the others, which made the first cut, are here: <a href="http://www.randomsnaps.co.uk/Travel/Wedding/index.html" target="_blank">Wedding</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-42293356161558008652014-04-30T04:43:00.000-07:002014-04-30T04:43:51.345-07:00Riding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25FqnOry4HMpnopmFpF7pxfmCsQFt942Xtle8oAUmQZ-XeZTXBWJChx3quYr7fVOl4zai9CKGQH4dA6y0n90DjhbguGCOhjVrlNzMv6Vbf7igXu7n_zyAvCvo4s1KhHBEpn78k0hSeAkX/s1600/20140428-SAM_1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25FqnOry4HMpnopmFpF7pxfmCsQFt942Xtle8oAUmQZ-XeZTXBWJChx3quYr7fVOl4zai9CKGQH4dA6y0n90DjhbguGCOhjVrlNzMv6Vbf7igXu7n_zyAvCvo4s1KhHBEpn78k0hSeAkX/s1600/20140428-SAM_1984.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Took my boy riding after a 6 month break. Straight into jumping. Good lad! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-86598509711029216122014-04-28T04:40:00.001-07:002014-04-28T04:41:32.791-07:00Family shots - Samsung NX300<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQg8575SkKWix_GgPATYUMoVLhO5mmm-D0KCthDpApJiZwyvbgQ5yHlcVLYrV_1UTSevZQM3H10PyaXT2GGukqtc0ka_RM3VSuqRDpLhpdVg8mVNqZNglU8UARmofbrYdee4Jr46EKZMi2/s1600/20140427-SAM_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQg8575SkKWix_GgPATYUMoVLhO5mmm-D0KCthDpApJiZwyvbgQ5yHlcVLYrV_1UTSevZQM3H10PyaXT2GGukqtc0ka_RM3VSuqRDpLhpdVg8mVNqZNglU8UARmofbrYdee4Jr46EKZMi2/s1600/20140427-SAM_1807.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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I bought a little Samsung NX300 to go to the Lebanon with in January, having left my Canon and kit at home. I am really enjoying using it. It has all sorts of clever features which I am only just starting to understand. So far it has produced some great results. I bought it because it has a full manual mode and a fairly fast lense. I'm enjoying the other gizmo's. One touch on the back of the screen gives auto focus, exposure control and shutter release. A couple of more touches and photo's can be uploaded to the internet, so long as there is a wireless connection. Good lenses too. Just bought a converter (about £12) online which will enable me to use my old FD lenses too. May buy a converter for my EOS Lenses - let's see how we get on with the FD series for a start.</div>
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I like these family snaps - my boy and youngest walking the final mile home after a good leg stretch with the dog. And below - getting ready for a portrait shot with the children and Pippa. We never did get a good portrait! The Samsung can shoot multiple shots in very quick succession - faster than my 5DII for sure. It can be fun just shooting a blurr of photographs and seeing later what has been captured. I like this: </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193252943865560956.post-29349045612814842472014-04-17T23:21:00.003-07:002014-04-18T03:55:01.185-07:00Morning Sky in East Anglian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I arrived home last week from my most recent stint in Dubai. I wanted to capture the feel of the skies here, so different from the almost constant blues over the UAE. I took Pippa out for an early morning walk and was really looking to photograph the fields. I had my Canon, a new wider angle zoom and my tripod. This photo' was almost a chance shot, in that I had finished looking east over the fields towards sunrise, and was just sorting my gear out. I brought the dog in and made her sit in front of the camera and this was the result. </div>
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The tripod enabled a slower shutter speed and so a deeper depth of focus. I ran this through Lightroom for some post processing and upped the colour and clarity a little, lightening the foreground and darkening the skies with separate graduated filters. I also lightened and sharpened the dog a little. This photo drew some really positive comments on FB so I thought I would drop it up here. Arguably it is over processed, with a close to HDR feel, although it is one shot and not a combination of exposures so not an HDR photo. </div>
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This and a few other photographs I have taken are close to accurate representations of what I was seeing, although clearly 'sparked up' a bit with post processing. What it gives is not so much a 100% accurate representation of what I saw, but a 100% accurate representation of how what I saw made me feel.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0