A photo that Mr B took while I was trying out Pianos!

Well no; its the Muirtown Scouts sailing / canoeing at Muirtown Marina, Inverness. Tonight in contrast with last night was bright and the pictures far more colourful. Other pictures may be seen at lochnessimages.com.

PLEASE MAKE A POINT OF VISITING FOR YOURSELVES YOU WILL LOVE IT
CHEAP TRIP BY NORFOLKLINE FERRY FROM DOVER AND A TWO HOUR DRIVE INTO BELGIUM. GOOD HOTELS AT REASONABLE PRICES

From a bridge over looking the canal

From the look of this narrow boat the hull had just been painted, shot on Leeds to Liverpool canal in Hebden Bridge

Some women attract princes so why do I always attract toads?

This one is totally different to the last one (click on link) http://photographygroup.blog.co.uk/2008/03/03/a-toad-s-eye-view-3811465

These are growing in abundance in the local cornfields

I think these are the sea cadets which are based close to the Muirtown Marina enjoying sailing and canoeing on the Caledonian Canal quite close to where the canal joins the Beauly Firth.

NUFF' SAID

ALL THIS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF EACH OTHER IN THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF BRUGES

Taken whilst at college survying the river.

Bridge over the River Tweed.

Footpath to riverside.

North bank of River Tweed.

Peebles is in the Scottish Borders about 50 miles from Glasgow.

I found Gooseberries in my garden today.

Goose-gobs..we called them when I was a nipper!

YOU SHOULD REALLY ALL GO AND LOOK FOR YOURSELVES

This is the local Tesco car park during last years floods.

Three shots taken from our house. The 'twister' happened last summer, though people dont believe us, even though we have proof!! The sunset was last summer too, and the third pic is the early morning mist taken this winter, about 6am.

I found a function in my camera to only have colour around one point in the photograph and made this version of the above picture.

Obviously if I had taken more time I would have tried to get the focus on the castle in the background rather than the heather in the foreground, but I had to also make sure Sarah was not doing any plunging to her death off of the cliff edge. Can sort of take distract you that sort of thing....

The entance hall then...

The entrance hall now...

DOGGY IN THE WINDOW?

Upon examining my images I thought I should include this one as getting 4 bikes flying past and in focus is quite difficult.

The participants in Motocross are nothing if not brave.

This image was captured at Ardersier near Nairn in the Highland Region of Scotland.

Motorbike racing [ Motocross] at Ardersier near Nairn yesterday 25th May 2008. Very exciting to watch. More images can be seen on lochnessimages.com

I'm off fishing

Edward and James Oliver modelling leisure wear made by my own fair hands.

I saw these in Mont St Michel and thought of Rusty Usky!

Or a budding gardener

One that old Ollie didn't knock about too much...

Yesterday I treated myself to a pair of sunglasses!

Now what shall I photograph next?

A Zulu warrior outside Cleckheaton Town Hall taken last summer.

I loved the colour of laSpice's bag stall pic, so here's another colourful bag which I spotted in Nimes (must be a french thing )

I hope this pair bring an added touch to your day!

Happy Birthday!

This little fellow has an intense stare

A little duckling playing at submarines.

There are quite a few Terrapins in our local pond, I gather people have them as pets and when grow too large dump them in the local pond, where they thrive.

Grass Guzzler
Also good for the roses!!!

Or better known as the stern

For those that enjoy such things...

At the time it seemed rather funny!

Aw well there's always the Turner Prize!

..... who had a little curl ....

Or is it a horse?

You decide.

Located on the end on the pier, no access for vehicles

Just a simple abstract shot

The grapes are just beginning to form on this vine

Must be all that fresh air in the countryside.

Hi to everybody...here's a photo of my mantelpiece...the begonia on the right is 22 years old now and the offshoot on the left is about three and a half years old now...amazing longevity...the secret is barely any soil with gravel and repot a rarely as possible, and sparse watering...

The flowers below are false and have lasted for eight or more years now....the painting over the fireplace isn't one of mine...LOL...a water colour that I bought in an exhibition because the detail in it is astonishing...sorry can't get a clear pic of it because under glass and always get a reflection...the artist painstakingly painted every blade of long grass!!

Great big hugs to one and all....

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

As mentioned in an earlier post I finally managed to grab some time to do my 2008 bluebell shoot. I had walked the dogs earlier in the day and had a few ideas for the best locations. As I approached the location with my camera still in the bag two young deer sprung up from the blue woodland floor before deciding to leg it.

Sadly this is the view minus the deer.

I thought it was time I posted one of my recent holiday snaps.
I was fascinated by the giant shell which is the Holy water font in Nimes Cathedral.

I've posted other pics of it on my blog.

Sometimes I take photos and just don't see how I could have made them look better, until I view them on my computer. Too late then!

In the photo below, I wish I had focused on the pistil and stamen on the left, and not on the blossoms up front:

And for this next photo I should have aimed a little lower to capture more of the yellow blossoms, and then call it "a sea of yellow" or somesuch:

These are just two of many bad choices I made - and I'm only talking photography here

Do you have similar problems? Or are you that experienced that all your photos come out the way you want them?

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@@@@@@@@@@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM @@@@@@@@@@

I didn't realise that the ceanothus is related to the lilac - you live and learn.

Messing around here really, I just tried to capture the mast, with the sun right behind, just to so what it turned like. Do I like it or hate it, am not really sure?

The bow or as us land lubbers say, the pointy bit

I copied Esspee's idea for this picture. It looks better bigger, so click on it!

Cheers, Tom.

DYLAN THOMAS'S HOUSE AND THE VIEW. IT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO WRITE

This is me at the shed where Dylan Thomas wrote Under Milkwood.

More of the remains of the fire on the pier, it's been over two years now and little as been done.

The mentality of Essex, this is part of the pier that burnt a couple of years, not alot as been done to repair it, although the pier is till open

Rabbit

I can't understand why the ownersof botas like these just leave them to rot in the mud, surley they could sell them ifonly rom scrap

In this case, sand and a fly on my window. Anyone know what sort of fly this is? Both images look MUCH better larger - please click on them.

Cheers, Tom.

It's a long way up but well worth the effort

View from Llanstephan Castle

This is a small stream that runs down to the beach from some woodland, both sides of the banks are covered in wild garlic, good to look at and good to eat.

SORRY LADIES I MEANT MUSSEL BEACH

No, just a queue at the bank!

Here's one I took a few nights ago when it was almost dark.  I think the blurring of the sea against the unblurred rocks and breakwater looks pretty spooky. It really needs to be seen bigger, so please click on it,.

Cheers, Tom.

Looks even worse from this angle

I wouldn't fancy climbing this while at sea

i envy those beautifull brothers...one of them wants to be a soldier & his brother ploce man! easy wishes

More abstract shots of the Artemis, tall sailing ship

Goslings and Duckling

A Fluffy Duckling - ah! ..........

In clover.

This morning I posted a picture of a mother goose and her young. I commented that it's a good job they didn't know that they're destined for my neighbour's dinner table. Isadora made this comment.

It's the quality of the life they lead on earth that matters...which looks quite tranquil

Moored at the end of the pier this is the Artemis visting Southend on Sea, a great opportunity for a photo shot, will post some more very soon.

This seat is about all thats left at the end of pier at Southend, the longest pleasure pier in the world and all there is to show for it is a few seats, there might be pretty but in the end its just a seat.

Of course there is the Coastguard and Life Boat Station there as well, but they are not really tourist attractions.

Bladder Campions or Maidens Tears

I won't be going barefoot in my garden ever again!

It's difficult to decide which is the parent bird and which the fledgling !
But here again no need for Photoshop treatments.

I have been trying to get a shot like this one for at least a month.
It did not require any Photoshop touching up or other treatments !

Have just cleaned the sensor on my camera, and not a blemish to be see, the colour is also good, but it doesn't have anything to do with cleaning the sensor

I took this last week. I will pop in the park this week and see how they are doing. I hope all 12 will still be there and hopefully a little bigger.

I know Usksider has posted a number of pictures of rusty items the next couple are just for him.

This is a lamp stand, located on the end of the pier, this was where the lamp was positioned during the night to show sailors where the end of the pier was.

I know Usksider has posted a number of pictures of rusty items the next couple are just for him.

This is a seating bracket, where the beams of the pier sit; this is one that remains after the pier burnt down, well part of it burnt down.

I think this was originally used to hold back the bank of the local pond, but over the years the bank has eroded away just leaving the pole in the water, about 2 feet away from where the bank is now

LOOK AT ME!

SEE WHEN YOUR FIRED.

............ for ducks!

Yes it's raining again!

This pic was created a couple of days ago on my failed Bluebell shoot, as its a dull day I will try again today.

Dusk on the River Ness looking Eastwards towards the Cathedral.

Also taken on the way home.

The clourlooks a little subdued on this one, normally the yelow is against the blue of the sky

I took this yesterday on my way from work, I stopped off at a country park

The business end of the bell, Usksider will like the rust on this.

Well ok just the one bell, located right at the far end of Southend Pier.

Fishing with a fly on the River Ness in Inverness about 0.5 mile west of the Castle

At first glance while photographing fishers in the River Ness I thought this was a fight among four ducks !!!!!!!!!!

Copyright-Dean Christopher,2008.

www.dcphotoart.blog.co.uk

Long exposure at almost-dark, with still town in background and smoothed waves in foreground. Click on it to make it bigger.

Cheers, Tom.

Have just downloaded some photograph editing software on the internet, called ‘Photoscaoe’ from first look at appears very good, certainly better than spending quite a few on buying a commercial one.

Duckling in the local park, as far as I can see all the duckling are still there, all 12 of them.

A mother moorhen looking after her eggs.

More shotstaken over the Bank holiday, the rage once again, the ride is not very big only last about 20secs

 And it was very tasty too !!!

As seen last weekend from my caravan.

This "Mad River Canoe" has travelled from Fort William to Loch Ness and finally to the Caledonian Canal at Dochgarroch. It was fully laden with camping gear and provisions and even had a sail for conditions where the wind favoured it !

I was out yesterday on a bluebell shoot (BORING) but it has to be done. As I have a boredom threshold equal to that of a gnat I decided to get creative.
This shot was created with a slow speed , handheld and a vertical pan.

Love it or hate it ?

The bluebell shoot was ok but I have better on file however I also created a nice generic
woodland shot that might sell well in the future.

A young lady walks her dog along the River Ness and through the Ness Islands on a Spring evening.

A view from the West of Inverness Castle and lower reaches of the River Ness.

Referee showing a red card ? Well he was writing in his book and the player went off !

Here is a misty scene taken 7th May 2008 at Dochgarroch showing boats on the Caledonian Canal.

Propeller, the business of the hover craft.

I caught the RNLI coming in on Monday after a call out, the hovercraft is great for Southend, when the tide is out all we have is a large area of mud flats, which of course the hovercraft call travel over.

Hi all, I took this on Monday

Great Group by the way!

Just a quiet family day for some

I don't have have a clue on this plant either, anybody help. I keep saying plants and gardening is not my strongest subject

Rabbit

The shape of this fern intrigues me. It's best viewed larger, please click on the picture

No just hoping to catch a salmon !

I spotted this fisher in the centre of Inverness fly fishing on the River Ness for salmon. It was around eight pm and slightly overcast which is ideal for fishing !

This is called the 'Rage', a ride at Adventure Island in the Theme Park at Southend on Sea

I would have taken more photos but the batteries on my camera ran out after three photos! Next time I am planning a walk, I will remember to recharge all my spare batteries the day before!

This is Ziggy, with this pose she was the model for Puss in Boots in Shrek

Hi to everybody...I've waiting patiently for my ceonothus to bloom and it's still not all out and there's still no sun...in fact, it's raining here on Bank Holiday Monday as it did yesterday and the day before...phew...not very happy about this but what can you do...
So decided to take photos now before it finishes...the bottom one is a view from our kitchen with reflections of us taking the photos HLOL...

Have a good day and big hugs to one and all...

Yes guys you heard correct. I admit it - I was wrong!

My joy is unconfined!

Anybody know what this is, I haven't a clue

I joked with Batsman yesterday over the issue of model release forms and thought it may be useful to post something serious on that topic here.

What is a Model Release?

A model release is a legally binding agreement between the model and the photographer that assigns certain rights to both parties.

The photographer will always retain the copyright in the photos. Copyright is the exclusive right to make or permit reproductions. This includes the use of photographs on the Internet.

In its most basic form, a model release will state the photographer has permission to photograph the model and to use the photographs. It will also indicate the model has been paid and how much.

Here is an example Model Release Form.

Going Commercial?

If you want to ensure you can do as you like with your own images, model release forms are essential.

There are occasions when you can get away with not providing a form and use your images elsewhere, for example, when you have been commissioned to shoot for a particular publication. But beware you do have a somewhat implied contract with the model, so using the images elsewhere could upset both model and commissioning publication.

As a reportage photographer, you are pretty much freed from the restraints of release forms. Shooting images for news stories gives you a free rein, though only if it can be deemed to be in the public’s interest for the image to be seen.

In general though, always get a model release. A good example is in the case of stock image libraries: no library will accept a non-released image. This has become more important with time as online libraries mean images can be used abroad, and foreign privacy laws may be very different to those in the UK.

Photographer's Rights

I thought it useful to include here the Photographer's Rights in the UK guide by Linda Macpherson.

This couple beside Hadrian's Wall seem uninterested in history but enchanted with each other.

What was there to maintain their interest for such a long period?

The image of a well kitted out rambler taking the path across Northumberland close to the Roman Emperor's 2000 year old wall. Why did the Romans come to such a wind swept wet place ? I couldn't figure out the attraction.

I found occasion to take this pic very unexpectably and I was to far so quality isn't perfect.
But I like it, especialy those first little girls, they walk with one step. And I like that big man's poze..

High and dry for the moment, I just love the light on this shot

Rabbit

A close up on the inside of a bluebell

Rabbit

Taken yesterday inmy fatherin laws garden

While staying on a farm near Hadrian's Wall last week I saw these animals [corpses] displayed on a fence; not a pretty sight. The farmer said he paid the local mole catcher £3.50 for each animal trapped!

Only after taking this picture did I realise the real beauty not only of my lovley wife, but of the amazing seascape & senset.

Taken Villefrance 23rd April 2008

This time he has his mouth closed

Rabbit

Love it or hate it?

.........but hate what it does to me

This lovely girl has incredible charm! I couldn't resist it anyway.
she gave me more than I need… pure smile and lets me photo her...

Shot on the seafront at Southend on Sea, this is weather a front and storm coming in from the North Sea, 15 minutes later it was as black as night and the rain was coming in buckets.

This Thames barge is now just a rusted wreck on a Thames tributary, in Essex. But I think the light is great, an early morning shot, there is some warmth in the shot and the sun has not become too harsh.

Rabbit

The chap just behind the girl is kite skateboarding but I didn't manage to get the kite in the shot!

What a pair of posers these two are (and I didn't even have to bribe them). Pity the sun was in the little ones eyes.

Copyright-Dean Christopher,2008.

This one should be right up your street!

Erm - I wonder who lives at No.10? ... Let me think!

I think this big guy, had bit of dentistry, not a job I fancy, definitely if the patient is this big.

No prizes for spotting the theme !

...................I were here

Even with the wonky horizon!!!

Who remembers the song then?

The two species, do not get on the white mute swans always chase the black swans away. It just occurred to me I used to drink in a pub called the Black Swan or the muckie duck as we called it.