Vitamin B12 – Citroen flavoured

“Vitamin B12 has a key role in the normal functioning of the brain” – the Citroen B12 racing car from around 1924 has now taken hold of my nephew in much the same way! He purchased the car from racing driver Graham Capel, who personally delivered it to Alex. I was honoured by being asked to pick Alex up from Luton Airport so that he could be present for its arrival.

What a shame that the weather was so inauspicious; it was grey, dull and threatening to rain. We arrived after Graham, so I took a few photographs of the car on its trailer before going in to meet the seller. By the time I came in and was introduced, Graham had already learned that I had been a Marshal and regularly attended Goodwood, and he had fired Glory, my sister in law, with enthusiasm for the car, its history, and the idea of going to the Revival Meeting with the car.

The threat of rain, and our arrival, curtailed further conversation, so Alex, Graham and I set to, getting the car around to its new home. I took a few more shots, so we had a record of its arrival and handover. I also managed to capture the feeling of awe on Alex’s face and his intrigue, as Graham showed him photos, catalogue, advertisements and history that all added to the provenance of the vehicle; he was thrilled to learn he was being given these as well.

We just managed to get the car off the trailer and under cover before the rain. We then spent some time learning something more about starting the car, where things were stored and small points of interest. After Graham left we did some more manoeuvring to put the car securely in a garage.

I look forward to seeing the car restored and running on the road, hopefully in sunshine!

Sunny Day after the Storm

It is a week since I took these shots, and sadly the North of England has since suffered the heaviest single downfall of rain on record, with massive losses to their local houses and businesses, and the tragic loss of a policeman from a bridge collapse at Workington.

The Lake District has a powerful pull on tourists for its beauty, I do hope that those that visit in the near future will remember that such beauty can hide the awful tragedy wrought by the power of all that water. We need to fully realise and plan for our defence from the awesome power of Nature.

In the South, and in inland areas beyond the flood plains, we need to appreciate just how lucky we can be to not suffer from such cataclysmic forces. We suffered just a few tree branches blown down, but in Cumbria they lost livelihoods.

The sun was out early down here in the Home Counties, and blue skies prevailed with little hint of the destruction of the night before and what was to follow just a short week later, up North. I decided that work I had to do could wait, whilst I went out and took advantage of the warmth and sunshine to capture what was left of beauty in the nearby countryside.

I was lucky to be photographing a landscape when a rustling nearby turned out to be a badger! My camera was on a tripod, so I only managed to catch this fleeting glimpse of Brock in daylight. Its home turned out to be beneath the bole of the tree right in front of where I stood, shielded by ferns.

There were still signs of autumn colour, and a few hardy flowers, with even some optimistic buds that I managed to capture, as I and numerous others, took advantage of this brief spell of warmth and sunshine. I dedicate these images to those less fortunate.

Tunnel Vision

I am doing my bit here to redress the imbalance where good news travels less fast than bad.

Patricia Rayner, a friend and fellow photographer, whom I first knew when she worked for the Mobil Oil Company based in Victoria, London, now jointly runs Image 2 Photography.

Patricia is still taking award-winning photographs, having recently been honoured in the Industrial category of the ‘2009 British Institute of Professional Photography International Awards’ for this stunning image.


Whilst working on a shoot for VolkerFitzpatrick, who were fitting out a new underground station at St. Pancras International, Patricia was drawn to a rather drab tunnel at one of the platform ends. With her typical flash of inspiration, she created this stunning shot by the addition of a backlit human figure and later some work in Photoshop to change the overall colour.

I think you’ll agree the award was well-deserved.








© Image 2 Photography

Babraham Bonfire

Although the night was cold, at least it was dry. Although I had my camera with me, I had not got my tripod, so I took very few shots, and they were silhouettes, one of a mother and child and several of a couple conveniently placed between the dying bonfire and myself.

I visualised them as potential covers to a Mills & Boon romance! I thought they were fun.

Autumn and a Milton Keynes Car Park

Colour and beauty are not normally associated with Milton Keynes, but if that is your perception, you would be wrong. The car parks are bordered and divided by trees and shrubs, and have been well-chosen for their colour in autumn, as I found when I visited recently. Americans refer to our season rather too literally as fall, as this describes only how the trees and bushes shed their leaves. Autumn says so much more, as was demonstrated to me, and how I hope I have portrayed in this selection of images from the trip.

It was windy, and not always blessed with sunshine, so in some of the shots I endeavoured to capture the variations and feel for what was happening. When inside the Shopping Centre, I also tried to show how light played its part in highlighting architectural detail and how it gave long shadows when the sun was out.

None of these images have been into Photoshop; these colours are real, their intensity except in isolated cases, was as I saw them, the contrasts were provided by those who planted them, and I compliment those who made the choices, and those who have tended them. I hope I have proved that a car park can contain and display beauty for those who care to look.

2CV Lomax Kit Car & Autumn Colours

My nephew Alex and I planned to meet up so he could take me for a ride in his latest acquisition – a Lomax kit car based upon a Citroen Deux Chevaux chassis and engine.

I pulled up at the house and there it was before me. There was nothing I recognised as a 2CV! To all intents here was a Morgan sportscar lookalike! I started taking shots of it before I met up with Alex, and the dogs soon attracted his attention and I was hailed from an upstairs window.

We then walked the dogs, chatted and I took pictures of leaves that took my fancy before climbing (literally) into the car for a trip to the Royal Standard of England pub; one of probably several laying claim to be the oldest in Britain!

When we pulled up in the car park, off came the bonnet cover to check that all was well in the engine compartment and that no leaks had appeared since Alex's recent overhaul.

There I got into conversation with two American photographers from New Hampshire, who later came outside to take shots using a wooden Pinhole camera, and we had quite an interesting chat before they left.

We both had a Ploughman's and Alex decided to check out their Spotted Dick; interestingly the waitress brought an extra spoon in case I wanted to share the sweet, but I declined, I was full enough.

We set off back to the house and then I was allowed the honour of taking the controls – the first and maybe the only person to be allowed the privilege, and for the first time Alex was able to see and hear his vehicle from the outside, and was massively impressed with what he saw and heard.

There was rarely bright sunshine, but for a late October day, the weather was exceptionally fine, and I was thrilled to capture some of the essence in the gallery of images that accompany this entry.

Sunny October in Essex

Friday finds me travelling around the M25 to Essex to help Pedro Silmon with optimising his images for storage and sorting within Lightroom.

During the course of the day which was exceptionally fine weatherwise, and with large catalogues to rearrange in Lightroom, I was afforded a few free minutes! This allowed me to grab some shots within his excellently tended garden. And what a garden! (Sad to report that overnight the rains did their best to consign the subjects of my photos to History.)

Not only did I get some great light on the autumn colours of the leaves and flowers, but I was spoilt by being able to capture a few more cloudscapes for my collection.

Pedro, until recently a creative director in magazines, is now a full-time,
professional garden and plant photographer. Unlike me can give a name in Latin and English for every plant I photographed, and his website goes live in mid-November. http://www.pedrosilmon.com

Stockwood – More to Discover

The Forecasters got it wrong. Well, either that or the sun was very shy this Saturday morning.

I also got it wrong – somehow I thought there was a wildlife photographer just giving a talk; I had no idea that it was a day's course for a group of a dozen photographers who had all booked for the session with Derek Henderson. So having stumbled in late, I stumbled back out again, giving him my sincere apologies, since I had only allocated a couple of hours at the Stockwood Discovery Centre before moving on to Luton Hoo's Pumpkin and Apple Gala.

Sadly due to my back giving out that was a trip I never made; I had great difficulty and a lot of pain when I tried to get low down and then get back up again. But I soldiered on to get as many shots in and around the centre. I was amazed to see so many flowers still in bloom and even raspberries were still to be found on the bushes.

I also learned just how small Venus Flytraps are, they are tiny! I managed to spot a squirrel actually in the act of burying a chestnut, and was pleasantly surprised that he did not mind my recording the event.

Even though milky sunshine was the best that was on offer, the range of colours was a joy to behold. Before leaving I visited the Couture restaurant and had a very reasonably priced cup of tea and a biscuit, and was heartened that it was well attended. This centre is somewhere for which Luton should be justly proud.

Luton's Stockwood Discovery Centre

It is amazing that Luton should be holding two prestigious photographic exhibitions in the one place, yet without two of its citizens with strong photographic connections knowing that both were being held. I knew of one, Shoe Fleur, because I had learnt from a friend of mine Colin Bowles that he knew of the artist from his wife Jennie, and when I saw it mentioned in 'Living Locally', I phoned Colin Bowles.

Colin did know of that one, so we arranged to visit it together; ironically when we came upon the greenhouse which housed Michel Tcherevkoff's photographic creations, it was locked! It turned out to be an oversight and was speedily rectified, and our entrance prompted others to enter and view.

We took a leisurely stroll through, admiring the vision that Michel had in the prints' concept and execution, and agreed it was an excellent idea to present them in the natural environment – my only concern was for the prints' longevity under all that bright sunlight.

We also took a walk through some beautifully tended ornamental gardens, and both of us broke off for lunch and returned in the afternoon, to continue to look at the displays, of ancient farming implements, archaeological finds, and vehicles (naturally, many Vauxhalls) of bygone eras but, I simply stumbled upon the Wildlife Photography Exhibition!

What a coup for the Discovery Centre! Yet we had no indication it was there. It was very well displayed and was quite fascinating, and was definitely the highlight of our visit. I cannot recommend highly enough that this place just has to be visited.

It is well-laid out, exquisitely tended with exciting areas for young children to both play and learn. The displays are copiously informative with interactive consoles and looping slideshows with a mine of information as well as sound effects to provide a background to static displays.

Luton should be justly proud of this centre which is open to the Public, and entrance is free.

A Pheasant Autumn Day in the Country

Due to work, I have missed being outside in some of the best days in the last few weeks, so having watched the Suzuka Grand Prix in the morning I gathered up my camera and drove out towards Peters Green to see what I could capture.

In the hedgerows were numerous red and golden leaves often caught by the sun, and acorns and berries and these always make nice cards, so I pulled up on the verge several times to shoot these.

Having managed to grab a quick shot of a hen pheasant early on and a few landscapes, I set off left in Peters Green, and spotted a few more pheasants, and the local gamekeeper came by and suggested a much better spot, just a short way further down. I settled down quietly and was soon rewarded by a hen pheasant and then some cocks and even a curious rabbit.

Goodwood Revival Meeting 2009

There are several galleries from this visit,
Click the relevant link to view a particular series of images:
Fun
Brooklands
Richmond
My Guest, Toby Savage


It seems like a long time ago now, that fellow photographer, Toby Savage and I went to the Revival Meeting. Although not much of the last fortnight has been spent on paying work, I have been very far from idle, hence how ling it has taken to get these galleries up.

On the day we made very good time to arrive at the venue at around a quarter past eight, especially when Toby had driven down from Leicester. It was cloudy, but this did not dampen the spirits of those around us, everyone seemed happy to chat and before we had even entered fully we had already had several interesting conversations. We had also eyed up fascinating cars and admired the ladies and their costumes.

Once inside, we made a beeline for the Richmond lawn to say thank you to Lord March's Office girls who miraculously saved the day by sending the replacement tickets which I can only presume still lie in some Post Office Sorting Office gathering dust. The first aerial display began as we walked towards the Aircraft Display. The sun however was very reluctant to come out fully, and later due to time alterations the Vulcan appeared mid-race which coupled with low cloud was able to make less of an impact than it deserved.

Toby who modelled his outfit on a picture he had of his grandfather from the 1920s made a great show of being the Pukka Sahib and so I have devoted one whole gallery to some of his posing and a group of his son's friends.

In the Brooklands and Richmond Trophy races there was some splendid driving to watch with considerable excitement, and in another race; the RAC TT Race, Paul Drayson's E-Type Jaguar, car 20, performed a spectacular 360˚ spin directly in front of us, and was rewarded in that lap and the subsequent one, with rounds of appreciative applause from the crowd.

Lord March also introduced Buzz Aldrin and Stirling Moss, both were made very welcome by everyone, the Band of the Royal Marines also played and paraded.

Altogether, another thoroughly enjoyable day at Goodwood.

Brooklands Trophy,Goodwood Revival 2009,Richmond Trophy,Paul Drayson, E-type Jaguar,Toby Savage, Lord March, Buzz Aldrin, Stirling Moss

Anthony Gormley's One & Other – Kelly Amoss

Kelly Amoss, schoolfriend to my daughter and minister's wife takes to the Fourth Plinth to get across a more selfless message in her hour atop the plinth in London's Trafalgar Square.

Lizzy was coming to visit and mentioned this was due to take place at 6 o'clock, so we rushed through the various chores, grabbed a hasty lunch and later set off for London, making good time travelling against the traffic to arrive just a few minutes late.

Kelly used a flip chart to get across her message to the assembled crowd of interested bystanders and members of her family, every so often throwing down chocolates which were wrapped with further messages.

A lady from the RNLI, awaiting their protegé to appear in the following slot, came over to our group and said she had watched several displays from the plinth, but this was the best she had witnessed, in the main because it was not done out of vanity but was entirely selfless, she emphasised her opinion by reiterating her feelings directly to Kelly herself when she came down from her perch.

I have tried to capture the atmosphere of the hour. This means my galleries of images from Goodwood's Revival Meeting have been delayed.

Walled Garden's Summer Coming to a Close

After my trip to the Garden this Wednesday, I had another meeting of the Design Network Association to attend, which gave little time to get a gallery of the images up, so I concentrated on the easy shots of the Bee Feeding.

Now I have had more time to work on the more general shots, here they are, and after bemoaning the fact I had failed to find any dragonflies, Chris, another volunteer with a far keener eye suddenly spotted one among the laurels.

We then walked around to the Dairy and found some more. I was really grateful to have such an observant spotter, so this gallery should really be called 'Chris' Selection!'

Without a doubt there is always something different to find in the Walled Garden; this time it was berries, chestnuts, rotting vegetables and fruit with butterflies and wasps.

Bee-feeding Time at Luton Hoo

The bee season is all but over, and it was only last weekend that I learned that the Walled Garden at Luton Hoo had many more hives than the the lone one seen in my earlier photos.
On Wednesday afternoon I learnt that the bees were due their last feed before the New Year, and I was very privileged to be allowed to don a suit and take photographs of the process.
The bees are fed a sugar solution to keep their energy up, and the amount they need is calculated from the weight of the frames, as far as I could tell.
What I was witnessing was one expert explaining to the other two the procedure as he took out the old feed container and filled it and replaced it in the hive. It was also found necessary to carefully move two hives into a sunnier spot. Notes were taken to record the operation and these were carefully placed in a plastic sleeve that was kept within the hive.
Christine had implied there was little to see, but I found the whole time quite enthralling, and I hope I have captured what occurred with some of the same fascination.

Mike Halycz, Graphic Designer – 1948 - 2009

Monday was the funeral of a friend and work colleague, Mike Halycz. I have worked with Mike over several years and shared numerous telephone conversations discussing a wide variety of varied shared interests. Though primarily a Graphic Designer, he was also a good photographer and because he could see his old town of Baldock rapidly disappearing, he was often out early on Sunday mornings with his camera and tripod, determined to capture the scenes before they were destroyed.

I used to send him images that I thought he might enjoy via email, and invariably this would prompt return responses or telephone chats as he would wonder how close I had got to hoverflies in flight, or how wonderful were the internal structures of plants and flowers. I shall miss our lunchtime or early evening chats.

Even though it was the first time that I met some of those business colleagues of his with whom I had conversed over the years, and members of his Norwich College friends, it was good to put faces to names. I felt very sad for his mother because, I knew how close they were, but was most impressed by how well she coped after the service, with all those who came over to have a few quiet words.