Preparation for Summer at the Walled Garden

Wednesdays are Volunteer Days at the Walled garden, and it's important I record the efforts of the stalwarts who put in valiant efforts to get the gardens ready for visitors. The early part of the day was misty and muggy, but I arrived with the sun in tow, and with no wind, it was muggy. The volunteers were taking a break gathered between two of the greenhouses. I greeted a few and set off ion search of images, and was soon rewarded, For a change because I was showing some to those in the Estates Office, I actually had some prints with me.

Meeting with one lady, I asked whether she might like to take a look, and I soon had a small gathering at the boot of the car, for an impromptu presentation. I packed everything up and continued on my rounds – the Gallery "Preparing for Summer" is the result of my afternoon's work.

The George IV, Amwell, Hertfordshire

I travelled to Amwell Nature Reserve hoping to improve my skills at capturing images of the bird life, but was once again disappointed by my results, but when it came to leave, I wandered back into the village past the church.

I took the opportunity to take shots of some of the scenes that greeted me along the route, and soon came across a small pub, The George IV. There were two family groups outside sitting beneath a fully laden magnolia. Not wishing to embroil myself in model releases, I simply took shots of the signage and flowers. As I was leaving, I came across the landlord to whom I showed what I had taken.

We got talkng, and eventually this led to my taking further shots in their enclosed garden area, and the table decoration and one of his charming daughters, who gave me permission to use one here. At some date in the future I may well get to take some shots to decorate their walls within, and take some interior shots…

Several Delayed Galleries

For a number of reasons, such as preparations for a Business to Business Exhibition, several shoots have been held back before I could get around to creating galleries. Probably the earliest was when there was distinctly some sunshine and showery conditions and I chose to make the most of capturing two tractors at work.

I also paid a couple of very quick visits to Luton Hoo and Maydencroft Manor, at the Walled Garden, I met up with Chris Wilmott who is doing an Art Project, and the St. Albans Movie Makers who are recording much of the dilapidation in the greenhouses. On a calm day I took a few shots of the windsurfers at Brogborough Lake.

On another day blessed with beautiful light I took some landscape shots, some of which captured a rainbow, from which I also stitched a panorama. All these latest galleries preceded the exhibition at which Trevor Baylis appeared.

Innovation Day 2009 – Luton

Wednesday 1st April, saw me first paying another visit to Luton Hoo's Walled Garden where I was going to be following a three-man Amateur Film crew studying some of the dilapidation within the greenhouses, however I first met up with someone from the more prestigious BBC film crew who mistook me for a stills man for their Pre-Raphaelite film they were shooting. However I had already been refused permission to cover them, so I thanked him and explained that sadly I could not take any photos there.

I then bumped into Chris Wilmott who had previously invited me to join his team covering art projects for the Walled Garden and he introduced me to Joanna another member of his team, and we took a stroll around as he gave Joanna the tour. And it was during this time, that I met up with the St. Albans Film team and I shadowed them through the greenhouses as intended.

I came back for lunch and made for Basepoint to set up for Thursday's Innovation Day exhibition. Having ascertained that my reserved position had been honoured, I put a series of mounted prints onto the window behind my table, the rest were to follow in the morning.

Even though my arrival the following day was early, the foyer was thronged with people all intent on putting up banners and chatting animatedly and the car park out front was already full. I completed my own area and met someone from a nearby stand who was enthusiastic for one-on-one Photoshop training, and assured me he had every intention of arranging a session – not a bad start!

Once the show was underway, Mike Spring who had done the mounting of my prints turned up and bought not my book, but Martin Evening's latest CS4 title, it was only after the transaction that I realised it was my only copy! So, now I have to purchase another, since I will need it for the next round of tech-editing!

I was joined by Peter Carr who shared the table with me to promote DNA, and our first visitor turned out to be Jonathan Downing from Belfast, who had won an Innovation award and would be talking later in the day in one of the seminars. Around the same time Dr Abdul Al-Jibouri asked me to take photos of Trevor Bayliss, our keynote speaker – so I even got some official photography in. John Sentinella from Putteridge Bury was another visitor to the stand and he very kindly kept me supplied with water and even manned the stand in my absence at some of the seminars!

Peter and I were both most impressed by Jonathan, and I got to chat to Trevor Bayliss, OBE, as well as take shots of him with various people before going into his seminar, which was both amusing and informative, in which he hammered home the value of Intellectual Property and his exasperation with government on this aspect. Altogether a very satisfying day.

London from the Air

I count myself extremely lucky. I recently helped an aerial photographer with his Lightroom and Photoshop workflow, and he generously offered a spare seat when he next flew over London in a Twin Squirrel helicopter; one of the few makes allowed over central London.

That opportunity was to arrive far sooner than expected, and even more fortunate was that I had made up my mind to purchase an 85mm prime lens, which arrived on the Thursday and on Friday, David was on the phone to ask whether I fancied an early start on Saturday morning. Hesitation was measured in fractions of a nanosecond!

We met at Denham Airfield at around 5-30, with low lying mist coming in patches. This was almost ideal for more atmospheric shots of the capital, and we set off at around an hour later. My side of the helicopter had a very small window for me to shoot from, but to shoot at all was a privilege, and we took off over Merchant Taylor's school with wisps of cotton wool shrouding the grounds, heading first for Tower Bridge. I was too reticent to ask for a viewpoint at this stage, so contented myself with contre-jour shots of it in the distance.

David was very generous with offering me some time over other areas, and the gallery that accompanies this piece is testament to the opportunities I had over the next forty minutes to capture various landmarks.

After landing and a drink and a chat with the pilot we stopped off in Denham village where I had a second, this time, cooked breakfast. When we parted, I phoned Nick and Patricia Rayner to see whether they minded my calling in. Both were happy to see me and it was good to catch up and Nick kindly plugged my iPod Touch into his HiFi, so we had a quick blast of 'Ca plane pour moi', and 'From Now on' - both of which Patricia appreciated as much as me!

I am not sure I have quite landed yet!

Innovation Centre, Butterfield, Luton

At the beginning of April, Thursday the 2nd, the Basepoint building is to hold a business-to-business exhibition for small businesses. It is titled 'Innovation Day 2009' and has been funded by Bedfordshire County Council and Luton Borough Council.

I shall be there. By way of preparation, I sought permission to take some photographs of the venue, so that I can have A4 images of the location on my stand. The gallery of images shows a few aspects of the centre from an architectural viewpoint; all images were shot using the natural available light, handheld, and depict just how pleasant the working environment is should anyone be interested in taking office space there. (Fiona, Kay or Pauline can be contacted in this connection by email to lutonadmin@basepoint.co.uk, or by telephone to 01582-434 200).

Provided all goes according to plan, not only will I be there to discuss what 'SOLUTIONS photographic' has to offer, but I should have a jar of homemade ginger nut biscuits that I will swap for business cards! Remember the date: 2nd April at Basepoint, turn left at the last roundabout out of Luton, heading for Hitchin, then left again. I look forward to seeing you on the day.

Northchurch Woods, and a walk along the canal

Sunday saw a day of milky sunshine and some warmth, so a drive into the country beckoned. I parked the car close by some woods that took my fancy because they lined a deep valley, and I soon discovered that at some time in the past, the owners had arranged low jumps for horseriders which made some interesting photos.

Later I continued and parked near the allotments to take a walk along the canal towpath. Clottishly, after changing to my wide angle lens I put its lenshood in my pocket, so that when I bent down for a low-angle shot, it was squeezed out, bounced twice on the edge before plunging into the fast-running water from the lock! I cursed my carelessness, and hopefully will learn in the future, not to repeat the mistake!

Walking along I mentioned my stupidity to a fisherman, who offered me the use of his net, and though I spent five minutes dredging the side downstream of where it went in, it was fruitless.

I spent the rest of the afternoon walking gently and occasionally chatting to some of the numerous others taking the opportunity to cycle, walk, run or boat along this stretch, there was a photographer using a Nikon who was in Fine Art Marketing, a few fishermen, and a family group who were interested in what I was shooting, and except for the mishap with the lenshood, it was a very pleasant time.

Holmbury St. Mary and Godalming

After a family Sunday with Catherine and Martin and the girls to round off Lizzy's birthday, I got myself prepared for a few days in Surrey, and some nights sleeping on other people's floors.

I did my best to clear all my phoning and set off on Monday afternoon to Holmbury St. Mary, near Dorking to stay with Nick Zoller from whom I learnt that the local church was erected by a member of the Waterhouse family (of Price, Waterhouse). We went out for a drive and found a place I remembered from a much earlier visit, Friday Street, but it was dark by the time we reached it.

In the morning I set off to Godalming where I was to give two day's training to an aerial photographer covering Lightroom and Photoshop workflow. He and his Latvian partner had two charming young children and I managed to capture some shots of them to leave them with some memories. On the Wednesday we broke off at lunchtime to stroll through the town, and learnt it was one of the first to have electric street lights.

Burwash and Grantchester

For the first time in a long while, I joined both Catherine and Lizzy together for day at Grantchester. Driving over was in sunshine, but it was not long before the forecast squally wintry showers arrived. The intention had been to go for a walk at Wandlebury, but when the clouds parted after lunch we made for Burwash – a farm dedicated to the crafts and to families with young children.

As we approached, the sun came through under thundrous dark clouds with that amazing brilliance that seems only to come after rain, I unpacked the camera as we arrived at the farm, and immediately tried to capture some of the intense colours and dramatic lighting.

Due to misunderstandings on my part, I then proceeded to muck up the photographs the others were trying to capture, but I am hoping I am forgiven. The rest of the gallery are shots of textures, lighting and family, taken there and back at Grantchester.

American Girl Gives English Audience their Botanic History

American Botanic Researcher from the RHS Lindley Library, Annika Erikson visited the Luton Hoo Walled Garden project this Saturday to give an illustrated talk to visitors to the Arts Group, on Georg Dionysius Ehret and his connections with Lord Bute.

Lord Bute was a keen botanist who presided over the work of Kew Gardens, was Prime Minister for a period, and had Capability Brown design the gardens at Luton Hoo, where he lived.

It was interesting to learn about some of the artists and personalities involved in the beginnings of botanic art and the dichotomy between the art and the science.
The Portakabin venue was filled to capacity and the audience were enthusiastic in their appreciation for Erika's talk and slideshow.

I took the opportunity to take photographs of some the work being carried out in the gardens, and the people attending the talk. I met Chris Willmot an artist whose work on moths is going to be a feature in castings to be hung using the hooks which already exist for the support of plants along the dividing wall. I took some shots of the early examples whilst talking to the artist about his forthcoming project and book.

Cockernhoe Woods & Around

Having cleared my work, and with the sun coming in and out like a cuckoo clock, I decided to see whether I might catch sight of deer. It was not to be. Instead at Cockernhoe Woods I found a profusion of snowdrops, and a lot of fallen branches from the recent winds.

There are the dark greens of future bluebells to be seen and also catkins, it may be cold, but Spring is just arriving. I found a farmer spraying fertiliser and at the far end of the woods I caught sight of Luton Airport. The final leaf in this gallery seemed to depict a tuning fork and a leaf, suggesting 'In tune with Nature'.

Weekend at Bailey's Hard, Beaulieu

I was invited to my sister-in-law's and her husband to stay the weekend, knowing it would give me a chance to capture some of the wildlife and scenery of the Beaulieu River, I arrived towards the end of the day, with the intention of being up early Sunday morning to photograph the tits close to the back door, and also take a stroll into Beaulieu village for the papers.

I managed to capture some shots on the Saturday evening when the tide was out, and the following day, to begin with there was little sun, so I had both a high ISO speed and wide apertures to cope with, but later things improved, but bluetits are skittish birds, never still for more than a couple of seconds, so it was quite challenging, and so I erased several blank images on the camera!

I finally also felt guilty not helping with the wood burning, so gave a hand putting rotten branches on a fire in the nearby field before lunch. After lunch I continued shooting for a while before packing up for the journey back, reasonably happy with what I had managed to capture.

Focus on Imaging 09

For the first time in two years I attended the show as an ordinary punter, which gave me time to visit almost all the stands, a luxury not afforded me when manning an Adobe pod and discussing Photoshop, Lightroom and almost any Adobe product.

I did miss that aspect, but was gratified to be asked on several occasions: "Aren't you working today, Rod?" I met several of the old crowd, and got the chance to meet and put faces to names of several members of ProDIG and prerelease forum lists, such as John Beardsworth and Sean McCormack. Once again I also met someone from the days of the Persuasion Users Group, Frank Deery from Dublin, the same city as Sean. Adam Woolfitt introduced me to Dave Wall, another Photoshop guru and trainer. Richard Earney, who had come up with me, and I would keep in touch by mobile phone, and we'd swap info on people and things of interest.

I was also able to meet up with Vanessa Champion, Ray Fitchett, Andrew Boardman, Paul Hopkins, Eric McCashey and Steve Newberry on the Creative, Sigma, Bob Rigby, Rapid and Adobe stands respectively, and the overall impression I got was that professional visitors were still buying, and in many cases this was because of the current economic climate.

Afternoon & Evening at Startop Reservoir

There is a cluster of reservoirs near Tring, and one is called Startop, where parking is easy, close to some steps, and I decided that it was a good place to try shooting some of the local wildlife and human activity on the sunny saturday afternoon.

It was a slow start, with few birds aloft, but I did get some shots of a skittish bird darting along the water's edge, and having taken some shots, spotted a couple with binoculars nearby talking about the birds to be found hereabouts, so asked could they tell me the name of the bird I had just taken a shot of; I learnt it was a pied Wagtail. Not long afterward I got chatting to a serious wildlife photographer carrying a substantial lens encased in a camouflage protective cover, and he told me of some of the images he had captured that morning of a swan landing on the water.

I was later to see the shot and meet up with him further round the reservoir where I also learned his name Mike Casey. I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in his company and learnt a few more of the bird species and captured some of them, rounding off the day shooting sunsets. He was both charming and informative, and he was able to shoot much later than I was, and I have shots of him in silhouette to prove it!

Tentative Spring

After our short spell with snow on the ground, a few brighter days have arrived, and with them the first stirrings of Spring. I took the opportunity to see what my camera and I could find, and was pleasantly surprised.

Before coming across nature rising to the call, I noticed that human activity was evident – hedge-laying, so took some record shots of this ancient activity, and subsequently have noticed several other instances of this procedure, and have learnt that techniques vary across the country and are often regionally specific and named after their counties of origin.

I soon came across catkins, buds, crocuses and snowdrops – enough to show a small gallery to mark the awakening of the countryside from Winter.