tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4033623745872999052024-03-13T19:53:13.913+00:00The Happy SnaperThe camera never lies - thats wot Photoshop is for.....HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-11967986069620901232009-08-13T09:54:00.005+00:002009-08-13T10:02:10.154+00:00Blog got too dusty - new home found...For the time being posts to this site are just not going to happen, but I have a new blog to keep me going.<br /><br /><a href="http://daveajh.blogspot.com/">Art?? Thru the Lens</a><br /><br />Be back here soon ... maybe ?<br /><br><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/SoPkJYNOwdI/AAAAAAAAAJc/X3lRCXUu9bw/s1600-h/P070803A_614p1.jpg"><img style="float:centre; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/SoPkJYNOwdI/AAAAAAAAAJc/X3lRCXUu9bw/s320/P070803A_614p1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369386030523662802" /></a><br />'Girl on Stairway'HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-21306144922220171312008-02-05T07:20:00.000+00:002008-02-05T09:34:43.314+00:00Changing Seasons........They say the path of good intentions is lined with distraction, well, thats wot I say anyway. Blogging, great idea, i'll do one just when I've satisfied all those other good intentions !! Now here's the thing, guess I am not really cut out to be a blogger, a photo update a month I said. well, some things are worth waiting for .... perhaps !!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6geqqQX_oI/AAAAAAAAAGE/cuOEnKRuIDE/s1600-h/L070808B_045.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6geqqQX_oI/AAAAAAAAAGE/cuOEnKRuIDE/s320/L070808B_045.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163410691026583170" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">August</span> - end of a varied Scottish summer, not as wet as our neighbours down south but also not as warm, but as I always say its the weather that creates such stunning scenery and light.<br />Our local forest is a mix of managed pine and larch but has been neglected for so many years it has become a real dingly dell world - am sure there are fairies hiding if you look closely<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gfP6QX_pI/AAAAAAAAAGM/ICOTiFkHF8g/s1600-h/DSC_3771.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gfP6QX_pI/AAAAAAAAAGM/ICOTiFkHF8g/s320/DSC_3771.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163411330976710290" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">September</span> - the start of the photo season now all that hard sunlight is calming down. Freelance commission work has started to go quiet so time to do some personal work, for print sales, and for the sole (very important).<br /><br />Also saw me doing a few training courses, this one was on general Landscape so for our field trip we visited the village of Balquhidder, cute place, ideal for chocolate box piccs. Not my normal style but sometimes its good to step outside your own little box.<br /><br />This was all about taking a different view of what we see by isolating and emphasizing the subject with perspective and colours .... blah blah blah<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">October</span> - Now things are really getting interesting, the heather is turning golden brown and the sun with its autumn softn glow - this is why we moved to Scotland ! Took our first holiday in years up to the Torridon area, absolutely stunning scenery.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gV1qQX_dI/AAAAAAAAAEs/VxvL2_Ub6K4/s1600-h/L071011A_004.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gV1qQX_dI/AAAAAAAAAEs/VxvL2_Ub6K4/s320/L071011A_004.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163400984400494034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gV86QX_eI/AAAAAAAAAE0/1FbEkTeLjT4/s1600-h/L071011A_013.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gV86QX_eI/AAAAAAAAAE0/1FbEkTeLjT4/s320/L071011A_013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163401108954545634" /></a><br /><br />By this time wifey has got the photography bug badly and I am now the one getting bored waiting for HER to finish taking photos !!. "what, you've already taken several 100 shots of the rock, how many do you need ??"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These are traditional Scots Pine, once dominating the Scottish Landscape most became old newspapers or Habitat Furniture. Such a shame as they are incredibly graceful and every one unique (the trees, not Habitat chairs), unlike the Norwegian Spruce we have today , being grown for rave party fliers and Ikea furniture no doubt - thats progress !!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">November</span> - the black month - wet, cold, but you can always find something worth getting the camera out for. Glen Etive, a stunning we spot not too far from home with the most amazing waterfalls. All we need is lots of water, well no shortage of that coming from the sky up here. What the photo doesn't real portray is the shear noise of the water, so powerful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gXSaQX_fI/AAAAAAAAAE8/av8hhJLepf8/s1600-h/DSC_4155.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gXSaQX_fI/AAAAAAAAAE8/av8hhJLepf8/s320/DSC_4155.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163402577833360882" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now, whilst looking thru my earlier stuff, you know, those pics you take that never see the light of day, I found this. Technique used : Walk into in an Edinburgh tenemant block to collect sons stuff when moving flat, stick the camera on the floor pointing up on a self timer, put camera back in bag then forget about it for 3 months. It was only after viewing on my pc that I saw what the architect designed - inspired.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gYWqQX_gI/AAAAAAAAAFE/G0VWbu-kBKU/s1600-h/DSC_3261.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gYWqQX_gI/AAAAAAAAAFE/G0VWbu-kBKU/s320/DSC_3261.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163403750359432706" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">December</span> - The month of 'portraits for xmas' frenzy - but not this year, and it doesn't seem to be just me. So, back out to build up the personal library - think I am getting the message !<br />Had a few ice days, wonderfull stuff, wifey with her macro lens 2 inches from an icicle and me with my wide angle taking in the whole of Scotland ..nearly !<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gZUKQX_hI/AAAAAAAAAFM/zBvLrG0mtyg/s1600-h/L080112A_027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gZUKQX_hI/AAAAAAAAAFM/zBvLrG0mtyg/s320/L080112A_027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163404806921387538" /></a><br /><br />By contrast had a day with 'tree of life' model Kate, she came back to Scotland for more cold punishment ... she has now moved from South England to Arizona for her modeling, sensible lass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gay6QX_iI/AAAAAAAAAFU/Ta_UbAgeC_8/s1600-h/A071209A_205a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gay6QX_iI/AAAAAAAAAFU/Ta_UbAgeC_8/s320/A071209A_205a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163406434713992738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gbAKQX_jI/AAAAAAAAAFc/Prdg2C38SQw/s1600-h/A071209B_308.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gbAKQX_jI/AAAAAAAAAFc/Prdg2C38SQw/s320/A071209B_308.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163406662347259442" /></a><br /><br />We (ie wifey) found this old tree stump being dug up by man with JCB getting ground ready for planting (think Henkle is running out of those wee wooden pins to hold the chairs together)<br />She sees it as a subject for closeup work, well yes, but I had different ideas as you can see. Its still in the studio to keep dry getting in the way but it is a fantastic piece of natural wood, even if it is from Norway, one day it will be the base of a glass top coffee table, but without a silly Swedish name that no one can pronounce. <br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">January</span> - Now well into my 'lone tree' phase found this young thing.. well.. it will be a tree one day when it grows up. This 'twig' stood about 8 inches high, whilst I was standing up to my knees in snow, rather bizaar really. I was trying to get to a waters edge but chickened out, was getting far too cold and wet - wot a wimp eh !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gbaaQX_kI/AAAAAAAAAFk/b4AR_dMeslM/s1600-h/_DSC5907.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gbaaQX_kI/AAAAAAAAAFk/b4AR_dMeslM/s320/_DSC5907.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163407113318825538" /></a><br /><br />Not a huge amount of snow this year but enough to make life interesting, inspiring, and fun. Now getting to grips with new toy, a super-wide angle lens, cool !!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gbxqQX_lI/AAAAAAAAAFs/u-Af5T0LgIw/s1600-h/L080301A_029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gbxqQX_lI/AAAAAAAAAFs/u-Af5T0LgIw/s320/L080301A_029.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163407512750784082" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gcrqQX_nI/AAAAAAAAAF8/VLIDbcoWr88/s1600-h/L080131A_007.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gcrqQX_nI/AAAAAAAAAF8/VLIDbcoWr88/s320/L080131A_007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163408509183196786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gcnqQX_mI/AAAAAAAAAF0/02PxdLQQ0oE/s1600-h/L080202A_026.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/R6gcnqQX_mI/AAAAAAAAAF0/02PxdLQQ0oE/s320/L080202A_026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163408440463720034" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">.... and finally</span> a few shots inspired by work found on a French run site, www.artlimited.net, there is some truly wonderful work to be found here, its intended for all 2D artforms but is rather dominated by photography. Both taken on different days last week during brief gaps in howling gales, one of those chance times being in the right place at the right time.HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-46882196847102317552007-07-29T07:49:00.000+00:002007-07-29T08:15:00.784+00:00Lawers Village<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxMW2gcHvI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/aK-x7kFXuDM/s1600-h/DSC_2738w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxMW2gcHvI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/aK-x7kFXuDM/s400/DSC_2738w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092529234121596658" /></a><br />I don't know when this place was last home to local occupants but suspect it was a long time ago. The village of Lawers is not on most folks maps and unless you know where it is you are very unlikely to discover it for yourself. The buildings are no more than piles of stones with tell tale evidence of windows and doorways, some extremely ornate for the age and area. The scattering of the ruins tells you there were never roads here, just a few meandering paths and a gated bridge. I gather that there have been thoughts in the past to restore the area as I am sure it would make a wonderful heritage site but here it lies, abandoned and overgrown, maybe this is how its meant to be, despite the decay and neglect there is a peace hanging over the area that seems to tell you it is happy just as it is. Does it hide a terrible past than caused its desertion, who knows ?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxLTmgcHtI/AAAAAAAAAEA/aQjXQvtojTU/s1600-h/DSC_2758w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxLTmgcHtI/AAAAAAAAAEA/aQjXQvtojTU/s400/DSC_2758w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092528078775394002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxLMGgcHsI/AAAAAAAAAD4/cMPnaI-bUCI/s1600-h/DSC_2751w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxLMGgcHsI/AAAAAAAAAD4/cMPnaI-bUCI/s400/DSC_2751w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092527949926375106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxK8WgcHqI/AAAAAAAAADo/q68Y3wRY5yc/s1600-h/DSC_2728w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxK8WgcHqI/AAAAAAAAADo/q68Y3wRY5yc/s400/DSC_2728w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092527679343435426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxLEWgcHrI/AAAAAAAAADw/P4SLcMrDpIs/s1600-h/DSC_2732w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqxLEWgcHrI/AAAAAAAAADw/P4SLcMrDpIs/s400/DSC_2732w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092527816782388914" /></a>HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-38311943549386537562007-07-21T08:02:00.000+00:002007-07-21T08:16:20.503+00:00Glasgow Sunset<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqHAtmgcHpI/AAAAAAAAADg/5S0wHX_6Q48/s1600-h/_DSC9520w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqHAtmgcHpI/AAAAAAAAADg/5S0wHX_6Q48/s400/_DSC9520w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089560943568625298" /></a><br />Its been one of those weeks, sunday morning all looked clear for a quiet one but what happened ?? work, stuff, more work and even more stuff and here we are its Saturday again..must take the batteries out of that big clock.<br /><br />Still, its been a good one, monday eve did a Regular photo shoot for the old BBC in Glasgow, internal comms and press shots for a radio Scotland music series recording session - Davie Scott and co of the Pearlfishers was the artist, a great evenings entertainment. Sat outside after watching the sunset over the science centre, was one of those typical Scottish drab days with a stunning finish....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqHAamgcHoI/AAAAAAAAADY/fNgSLtkDYmE/s1600-h/_DSC9519w.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RqHAamgcHoI/AAAAAAAAADY/fNgSLtkDYmE/s400/_DSC9519w.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089560617151110786" /></a><br /><br />I once had a catch phrase...'I don't do wedding photography..' well am of this afternoon to do my third this week - something is going wrong ! But Last Saturdays was great, Tues was a small civil ceremony of a friend, and todays is on a paddle steamer on Loch Katrine so thats ok...isn't it !HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-38171838339015296562007-07-13T19:04:00.000+00:002007-07-13T19:33:35.819+00:00It all seemed a good idea at the time.....hey, lets take some piccies of you driving your Cat (thats boys slang for Cateram 7 - as per Lotus 7, Very very cool Go Cart with engine, No 2 in The Prisoner etc etc )<br /><br />Great, we have a friend in her 10 day old wee convertable Mini up for lunch (nice motor indeed), that'll be great for taking the shots from.<br /><br />So, off we go, cruising through the hills on an open road, wind in hair, midges getting stuck on the teeth, me hanging out the back of mini...it was all going so well....but !!<br /><br />Before I continue a few names, the driver of the Cat is Fred (name changed to protect the guilty/innocent ?) passenger is our very own... well..a respected individual from Purplecoombe - name withheld to protect the innocent, and the Mini Driver was Julie, name changed again to protect the guilty/innocent?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpfTePcezXI/AAAAAAAAADI/qK9b2IXo22o/s1600-h/_DSC8644.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpfTePcezXI/AAAAAAAAADI/qK9b2IXo22o/s400/_DSC8644.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086766820633791858" /></a><br /><br />So, 5 miles down the road we pull into a pub car park much the entertainment of the local patrons, spin round and get set to head back to Purple Towers for a few more shots and a celebration drink..but..and its a BIG BUT......WHAM - both cars collide (details withheld to protect both guilty and innocent) - Cat now has bent front end and 10 day old Mini has new BMW restyled side panels....OUCH. Even more entertainment for said local patrons - the landlady was dangerously close to cracking a smile, or was that my imagination ?<br /><br />So we limp home and the celebration drink becomes one of commiseration but everyone parted on amicable terms with a 'well, these things happen' attitude - as indeed they do.HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-752824493398552202007-07-13T07:33:00.000+00:002007-07-13T07:56:03.252+00:00Seeing the wood within the treesInspired by Purplecoo'er Cait I wanted to share my own woodlands in our own little corner of the Scottish Highlands. Although I grew up in a new town in Sussex we were never far from the countryside and spent many a happy time cycling down through Turners Hill and when feeling very fit the Bluebell Railway, an old preserved steam line running through some of Sussex's best countryside and to this day the smell of a coal fire brings back happy memories. Anyway, getting back to todays topic the woodlands in Sussex were to us youngsters magical places, full of great places to explore and although didn't realise at the time, connect with nature. As kids we then ventured to explore North Wales, a very different land with its mountains, sheep, dry stone walls, more sheep, much coarser vegetation, even more sheep, old stone ruins..and did I mention the sheep ?<br /><br />So, we have now come to rest in Highland Perthshire, a very similar land to Wales with its Celtic history, rugged landscape...and ..yup... lots of sheep (maybe they are following me ?)<br /><br />What is left of the old Caledonian Forests are stunning with their Scots pine and larch but sadly many were turned into Habitat furniture in the 70's and replaed with Norwegian varieties of Spruce for Ikea Furnature today. We live in the midst of one such managed forest which from a distance look uniform and somewhat uninviting but that depends on how you view the forest from within. This is how I see the wood amongst the trees..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpcvMvcezRI/AAAAAAAAACY/HZ18ZdGw9Nk/s1600-h/L061224A_038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpcvMvcezRI/AAAAAAAAACY/HZ18ZdGw9Nk/s400/L061224A_038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086586200079125778" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpcvbPcezSI/AAAAAAAAACg/XFjd6OkI_Cw/s1600-h/L061224A_084.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpcvbPcezSI/AAAAAAAAACg/XFjd6OkI_Cw/s400/L061224A_084.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086586449187228962" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rpcvl_cezTI/AAAAAAAAACo/RlSzxTHDpUI/s1600-h/L070503A_058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rpcvl_cezTI/AAAAAAAAACo/RlSzxTHDpUI/s400/L070503A_058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086586633870822706" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpcvwPcezUI/AAAAAAAAACw/3iFSIpndDUM/s1600-h/L061224A_035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpcvwPcezUI/AAAAAAAAACw/3iFSIpndDUM/s400/L061224A_035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086586809964481858" /></a>HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-41078309953206237622007-07-11T08:00:00.000+00:002007-07-11T08:09:43.446+00:00Breakfast time..It gets rather busy at the wee fast food bird table joint in the mornings, and what appear to be cute fluffy (ok, feathery) creatures are if you watch them for a while all rather aggressive little monsters, buzzing and chasing each other away from the best perch and feed, just like unruly kids in the school canteen, there is indefinably a pecking order (literally). And the mess they create, well, at least our kids would if nagged enough clear up after themselves, these guys have no consideration at all. Still, thats a minor gripe considering the pleasure from having them as guests. And a few are getting rather brave this year, still feeding whilst we are sitting a few feet away and even venturing onto Gills arm for more treats.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpSQG34BlkI/AAAAAAAAACE/bU4uWAmk1r8/s1600-h/_DSC8612.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpSQG34BlkI/AAAAAAAAACE/bU4uWAmk1r8/s400/_DSC8612.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085848326960682562" /></a><br /><br />Good job we don't have a cat !HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-21346975429556196282007-07-09T11:37:00.000+00:002007-07-09T11:46:41.140+00:00..got your number !!Its great when a plan comes together, but even better when it doesn't but you get something better.<br /><br />This is actually half of a pic I took of 3 band members standing on a bridge in Glasgow at night, they were all looking rather serious and cool as you do, but what made the pic was my fill in flash picking up the passing car, so we dive into photoshop, take out the guys and bridge etc etc (sorry guys, no offense) and bingo, a pic just as planned...ok....yea right !!<br /><br />Who cares, planned or accident, its the result that counts..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpIgBX4BljI/AAAAAAAAAB8/MEgcL7Lr0Ps/s1600-h/DSC_8390.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RpIgBX4BljI/AAAAAAAAAB8/MEgcL7Lr0Ps/s400/DSC_8390.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085162137215669810" /></a>HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-35573277399517978752007-07-07T19:43:00.000+00:002007-07-07T19:54:32.958+00:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Ro_vcX4BliI/AAAAAAAAAB0/2iirrYdH2UA/s1600-h/croft_inside1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Ro_vcX4BliI/AAAAAAAAAB0/2iirrYdH2UA/s400/croft_inside1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084545775048955426" /></a><br />Its been a while...<br /><br /><br />I had a plan to publish a picture of the day, thats every day but social domestic and business stuff has taken front of house.<br />This is an old pic taken inside an abandoned Crofters cottage in the highlands, apart from part of the roof having fallen in its all intact inside, even a few bits of furniture left behind, and a really fantastic old cooker/fire, its great that its not been ransacked (yet!) but that seems to be the way things are in this part of the world.<br />Reminds me of a talk I went to and the photographers book I have on Montanna, its called Ghosts in the Wilderness and its about all these fantastic old 60's Timber houses that were just left by their occupants back in the 70's, they left furniture, telephones, calenders on the wall and sometimes their cars and appart from dust and decay they are still preserved due to the dry climate.HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-15211809147203028662007-06-21T23:49:00.001+00:002007-06-21T23:51:26.191+00:00Half past midnight light...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RnsOor2H9JI/AAAAAAAAABs/PI-oevQiGvk/s1600-h/_DSC0252W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RnsOor2H9JI/AAAAAAAAABs/PI-oevQiGvk/s400/_DSC0252W.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078669096917660818" /></a><br /><br />This is as dark as it gets this time of year - ok its taken with a 25 second exposure but its still bright !!HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-30325233762044384652007-05-26T09:09:00.000+00:002007-05-26T12:40:29.710+00:00..so where is the new PurpleCoo ?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RlgT8bfcolI/AAAAAAAAABk/qXkcWWHFjIY/s1600-h/DSC_2590W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RlgT8bfcolI/AAAAAAAAABk/qXkcWWHFjIY/s400/DSC_2590W.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068823309498229330" /></a><br /><br />We have all been beavering away in the garden sheds in between all our other duties to build a new and better web site for us all, trips to BnQ for tins of colourful jpegs, timber planks 600 pixels wide x 400 megabits long and screws compliant with web code html version W0192887344.009 (they are so hard to find !). We have drafted in the expertise of architect Penguin P who is doing a great job trying to keep up with all the ideas we throw at him.<br /><br />So, the new site will have a main common room posting area to replace the existing CCW post/chat/common room page and also the 'I have blogged' page. There is one aspect that we are not sure how will work, Today we all have our own blogspot page which folk can keep to save moving house again, or have their own new wizzy pad on the new site, or have both ! We want to have the benefit of one big building, but are aware that some might rather stay in their blog home that they have decorated and become settled in and might not wish to move everything - again. <br /><br />Also planned is a Forum for threaded posts, photo gallery, and some skool notice boards for all sorts of fascinating info.<br /><br />Some bits will be here at the opening and some will be finished on when the other builders get their van back out the ditch and sober up.<br /><br />Please be patient, we wanted to let the existing site settle to see how the whole place works but feel the time is right to give the old haunt a decent facelift.<br /><br />Ideas are always welcome but bear in mind resources are limited, if we do not act on ideas its more probable that we are busy building other bits or have run out of those damn web screws and the last new extension has just fallen down....again ! We are also looking for some form of backing or sponsorship to give the old place a decent future, but do not want to be controlled by a 'focused' commercially driven corporate enterprise.<br /><br />Timescale - don't be daft, when was a building extension ever done on time.."sorry guv, the weather in Africa was the wrong sort of rain for the plumber to drive in" or "yeah, I know a said a week but didn't say which one, honestly, I do have 15 other unfinished jobs to laugh..<span style="font-style:italic;">sorry</span>, worry about"<br /><br />The architect says we should be getting the keys to take a look round in a week or so, we will keep you posted.HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-27087973468015176942007-05-26T08:27:00.000+00:002007-05-26T08:54:14.447+00:00what I love about this new job is the diversity...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rlfxy7fcoiI/AAAAAAAAABM/tut7wFEvyi0/s1600-h/A070521A_044MW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rlfxy7fcoiI/AAAAAAAAABM/tut7wFEvyi0/s400/A070521A_044MW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068785762894127650" /></a><br /><br />One day having fun with a great family, 2 days later being all creative and arty outdoors on a windy shore with a young lass wanting some model portfolio pics. For someone who has only been modeling for a few weeks she was great - planning a second shoot already. <br /><br />Anyway in the midst of all this rather serious and creative stuff was an unexpacted side show, 2 lasses were hitting the bottle big time (and probably other mood enhancers) - right were we wanted to soot - no problem, we just toddle off to our other location then they will be gone when we get back - WRONG - there they are, now totally out of it but were crashed out round behind a wall so just ignore them. So, we start shooting and all sorts of coastguards, medics and then the police turn up following reports of drunks falling off castle walls ???? - but like tru pro's we just carried on while the poor brave services tried to move them on to the body menders (I would have left them get on with it, wot a waste of taxpayers money but don't get me started) - this has to be the most bizarre photo shoot I have ever done.<br />Now, in this pic are 2 lases in the archway - no competition needed to guess who was the model !<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rlfx57fcojI/AAAAAAAAABU/XTkTdjUCkU0/s1600-h/A070521A_080MW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rlfx57fcojI/AAAAAAAAABU/XTkTdjUCkU0/s400/A070521A_080MW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068785883153211954" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rlf0OrfcokI/AAAAAAAAABc/KyWUnBJ44Kw/s1600-h/A070521A_029MW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rlf0OrfcokI/AAAAAAAAABc/KyWUnBJ44Kw/s400/A070521A_029MW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068788438658753090" /></a>HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-24305414073219612162007-05-26T08:09:00.000+00:002007-05-26T08:26:38.724+00:00..and they call this work !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RlfuzbfcohI/AAAAAAAAABE/DoihekG1Y_E/s1600-h/F070519A_090W.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RlfuzbfcohI/AAAAAAAAABE/DoihekG1Y_E/s400/F070519A_090W.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5068782472949178898" /></a><br /><br /><br />Did family photo shoot in the week but this time with a difference - actually advertised for a willing ..dare I say gunea pig family to spend half a day rather than cramming fun frollicks and creativity into a 1hour studio session... needless to day I had a laugh, so did the kids.. and the parents - thanks guys. The best bit was getting the kids to jump around and do all the things they are not normally allowed to do at home but the grown ups were so cool about it and from what they have seen love the pics so a small sacrifice... phew, got away with it again - they havnt seen the full set of pics yet so until then only a publishing a wee taster - wouldn't be fair now would it...HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-2829740659022635792007-05-01T11:15:00.000+00:002007-05-01T11:17:39.154+00:00Dogs at play...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rjchhuq-MWI/AAAAAAAAAAs/u1jGwYIqGZ8/s1600-h/_DSC0034L.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/Rjchhuq-MWI/AAAAAAAAAAs/u1jGwYIqGZ8/s320/_DSC0034L.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059549569721708898" /></a>HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-40747611549223902122007-04-30T13:19:00.000+00:002007-04-30T14:15:20.494+00:00..can I recomend a good camera ??..probably yes but just to play the politician I will answer a question with a question... how much do you want to spend and what sort of use will it be for ?..(ok, thats 2 questions, politicians never do give you all the facts). There ar 3 types of camera (assuming digital), Compact, slr type and full slr's.<br />For taking good photos or being creative I would personally recommend a Digi SLR, will be a tad more cash and heavier than a compact but maybe worth the extra.<br />In the middle are semi slr's (bridge cameras) like the Fuji Finepix6000 / Nikon Coolpix 8700 / Sony DCS-H9, a bit smaller and lighter than an slr, pic quality still excellent but uses a small lcd screen to view rather than real optics. These have fixed lenses whereas slrs' have more choices of lenses than money allows so extends the life for change of photo style - these cost about £300 upwards (sorry, prices uk biased) but are excellent<br />Slr's - entry level you can get a Nikon D40 / Canon 400D for about £500 inc lens, moving up you can get a Nikon D80 or D200, Canon 20D / 5D or a Fuji S5Pro - all really pro quality but maybe without the tank style build quality of the top end toys (popular with pros as a backup/second camera).<br />So what make is best - really nothing in it today, Nikon and Canon seem to rule the roost but Fuji, Olympus and Sony etc all more than worthy as are Samsung, panasonic etc etc etc, its really down to personal taste.<br />Confused ?? well to make things worse take a look at <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs.asp">http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs.asp</a><br />for a side-by-side of almost every camera on sale today (and many that are now discontinued).<br />What features are wrth considering ?<br />A good solid easy to handle camera is best, stuff like movie recording is bit of a toy but if its got it great. Hot shoe for a camera top flash is a good idea and screw hole for tripod mount essential!. In Compacts and semi slr forget 'Digital zoom' figures, this is a marketing conn, only look at optical zoom. In short cameras with less domestic features the more likely to be aimed at enthusiasts and semi pro use.<br /><br />Finally that horrible ..how many megapixels do I need question...yuk!! well in truth not as many as you would think. A 6Mp camera can produce fantastic quality prints up to and beyond A3 - trust me ! (4 mp is about the lowest I would suggest), what really counts is the lens quality as a 6mp slr with an average lens is likely to produce better pics than a 12mp compact ! Also range of capture options like RAW and TIFF, RAW is king, worth having in favour of a bucket full of user settings and sad blingy type features that you never use.<br /><br />Hope this helps..HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-85236414420687611152007-04-30T13:09:00.000+00:002007-04-30T13:59:22.306+00:00Where in the world ..??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RjX2Heq-MVI/AAAAAAAAAAk/gEKLeBYiay4/s1600-h/DSC_2179L.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RjX2Heq-MVI/AAAAAAAAAAk/gEKLeBYiay4/s320/DSC_2179L.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059220364773437778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RjXrE-q-MUI/AAAAAAAAAAc/gGuJoB_icnY/s1600-h/DSC_2176L.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RjXrE-q-MUI/AAAAAAAAAAc/gGuJoB_icnY/s320/DSC_2176L.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059208227195859266" /></a><br /><br />Our view a couple of weeks ago... in the UK....Scotland....Highlands...Ben Nevis.... at the summit on one fantastic spring day.<br />I had this crazy notion to walk.climb/drag myself up the 3 peaks, thats Snowdon (highest peak in Wales), then Scaffel (biggest lump of rock in England), then finished off with Ben Nevis ('The Ben' as its affectionately know up 'ere).<br />Problem was I told my son so he held me to it but am real glad he did - most nutters do all 3 within 24 hours but we had more sense and did it within 3 days - awsome !!HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-36724846042926277662007-04-25T15:53:00.000+00:002007-04-25T15:56:56.472+00:00hmm.. almost forgot I had my own blog page...... set this up to play and test stuff before breaking something that gets hit by the masses. As for the lovable Arnie (aka, that bloody pest, the runt, GILL's DOG....) we have had a hate hate relationship for years so taking the stupid little things picture is no more than therapy - honest...!!HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-89019458772551763412007-04-22T09:46:00.001+00:002007-04-22T09:46:50.416+00:00New post by email .... ??Let see if this works, test to create a posting by email...HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-403362374587299905.post-61469301677366685692007-04-22T09:13:00.000+00:002007-04-22T11:40:41.131+00:00Its Sunday...again<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RisonUUcXUI/AAAAAAAAAAM/PfEAWTuRtzE/s1600-h/_DSC0970.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_e3uYvY6DYbA/RisonUUcXUI/AAAAAAAAAAM/PfEAWTuRtzE/s320/_DSC0970.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5056179662587977026" /></a><br />.. it seems to happen every week, but have checked my diary today and yup, its the first day of the rest of my life so time to do stuff. Sunday is a day of rest, whenever I ask wify to rest she bloggs away so that's it - resting IS blogging so Sunday is the day of blog....<br />First pic of many more - this one is a favourite, just like all the rest.HappySnaperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08653777653106739626noreply@blogger.com4