CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-22 22:01:19 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Hiya,

After taking some food photos yesterday, thought was too nice to head straight home, so headed to Penmon on Anglesey, as haven't been there for ages. Oh forgot how lovely a drive it is to there! Cloud moved in before sunset annoyingly, but was lovely until then with the tide coming in, mild and pretty light winds for there. This was an 8 second exposure I think.

Thanks for looking and hope everyone is well.

2013-05-09 23:03:03 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Been really busy with some photo work, so not been able to go out despite the good weather. Just some commercial stuff, so probs not terribly interesting! But a bit of arty mixed in, so might share a few photos from it as I reckon came out pretty nice. But, I did get round to a long desired edit on this image. I had long thought, a face forming in the 'smoke' was well on order. Then a friend mentioned why he was never very happy with the image. So took the constructive criticism into account with the face I wanted to add, and this is the end result. I do think it needed an actual genie forming out of the mist on any account!

Thanks so much to those of you who always take the time to view my images, I do really appreciate it and wish I had more time to spend on here with you all. I was doing some product photos for someone the other day, and she was saying how she's on G+, Facebook and... more »

2013-04-24 19:18:18 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 23 +1s)

Or maybe better in mono? I quite like the sky in mono anyway!

2013-04-24 16:11:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Was being very good yesterday and getting some unpacking done....until I was rudely interrupted by some lovely clouds at sunset...so obviously had to nip out didn't I?! At the end of Llyn Padarn, North Wales

2013-04-16 18:38:00 (11 comments, 1 reshares, 26 +1s)

Hellooooo...well, still very windy out, but nice otherwise, so thought I'd have a wander to the lake. I can't think of what it's called (anyone round here sees this who knows, lemme know please!), but I think this is some particular tree on Llyn Padarn in Llanberis, that is a popular subject when the water level is high. It's not as far into the lake as it appears, and seems like there's more than 1 that could be it LOL
30 second exposure, with a polariser and a few Lee ND filters.

Thanks for looking!

2013-03-29 00:23:02 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Was nice today, so thought I'd go get some more wintry images since my fav mountain spots are close-by now too. After a few stops headed to Llyn Ogwen and couldn't believe how much snow is piled up. Was hard to walk round as the pavement was loaded up with mulitple feet of snow, so just walked along the lakeside. The lake is very frozen over and covered in snow and many plants alongside it covered in icicles cause of the strong winds through the last week or two to boot. Was the same in Llanberis Pass...funny as 10 minutes away at my place, there was no snow accumilation at all! Main shame was it was hard to get to where the massive icicles were on the north facing side, which was what I had actually gone there for, but this will do!

2013-03-26 23:43:36 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

Finally behind the lens again! Well, ok, had just nipped to Caernarfon to go to the store, but was good timing anyway for a wee bit of sunset at the harbour. Already so happy with moving house, good to be so near the coast again. 

2013-03-21 23:59:55 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

This is the Old Grey Lady, has been a very popular model in these parts for a long time. A large, abandoned boat on the bank of the River Conwy, not far from the castle. This is from nearly 3 years ago. Since that time, someone painted over the grafitti and last year she was set a light and damaged badly. So sad as was a great subject. There was another boat up the river a ways that's no longer there too. Was just a huge, amazing rusty thing.

Anyway, have finished moving house, missed all the good weather while packing and cleaning! Another week unpacking and sorting and hopefully be good to go to get out on my feet shooting again. Really happy with my new house and the area though, is much better all round and closer to fav spots, so hopefully some nice spring days to head to some of those spots for some new images!

Hope everyone's good and thanks for looking and your support,... more »

2013-01-25 00:53:39 (8 comments, 3 reshares, 29 +1s)

Well, have had a load of snow up here for the last week. But tomorrow, the big thaw is supposed to begin. And never know if this is it for the winter or if we'll get more...but don't seem to get more than one real big snow even around here per year...can happen, but hard frost more likely it seems. Anyway, one from walking 'round my 'hood the other day. Roamed up and down the farmland and just a lil diddy this, but I like it for some reason. I have these amazing winter-keep-your-feet-warm socks. Was just wearing those and my wellies and was standing in the middle of this stream...after walking through much snowy farmlands and hills to get here...and toes fine. Can't remember the brand though and need more of these! Awesome!
Anyway, even though a pain to drive with it this cold for so long from up here...am gonna miss all the pretty fluffy stuff!

2013-01-24 15:12:02 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Never know if it will be a genie out of the bottle...better luck next time.

A bit of lightpainting shenanigans this morning

2013-01-22 23:50:21 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 28 +1s)

Well, hiked round my place yesterday for snowy photos, but today couldn't resist the call of a snowy Tryfan down the hill and across the valley from me. Llyn Ogwen was well iced over (no one ice skating on it though, as had frozen waves, being was windy when the snows were first falling!). Was a brief visit as also wanted to hit Llynnau Mumbyrr....but wasn't so good over there and regretted not spending more time by here! Both at my place and here, so hard walking through, as since it was windy when the snows were falling, it was all drifting...so walking along dahdahdahdah...and then step into 3 or 4 feet of snow haha Ah, so lovely though. Just a shame it's not frequent enough for things to run smoothly when it snows here. 

2013-01-22 18:48:20 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Headed out into the snow last night with the intention of doing some lightpainting in the snow. I wasn't impressed with my results. But while out there decided to get the Moon to Jupiter conjunction (Jupiter being the bright star to the very left of the Moon) with Orion...and decided to throw the glowstix I was playing with earlier into the image, and quite like the glowstix in it LOL So some near lightpainting combined with some near astrophotography...and lots of snow up here!

2012-12-20 20:59:36 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 42 +1s)

And another from the brief freeze last week. I just love the grasses at the bottom there!

2012-12-20 20:57:55 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

These are some falls along the road on the way to my dentist. I don't actually head this way very often, but the times I have, always noticed them and meant to stop. So gave myself some extra time before appt to stop! This was in Oct I think, had been hoping would be fall-like, but as you see, still very green!

2012-12-12 20:41:12 (5 comments, 5 reshares, 47 +1s)

Had to nip into town today for a few things..brought camera along just in case of course. Down along some areas of the valley, no sunlight shines down all winter, so if it gets frosty, it stays and builds until above freezing. This is only a few days worth, but have seen the frost over a week and it looks amazing! Don't think cold spell is going to last that long, so luckily came across a bit of farmland at sunset that was nice and frosty. I think cause I grew up in the desert, I just love wintry shots! I've given this one a bit of a diffused look to try and give a dreamy edge. 

Thanks much to recent comments and +'s!  Always appreciated

2012-12-12 12:45:32 (8 comments, 3 reshares, 35 +1s)

Was sitting here minding my own business, and the sky had to go and do that. This is right by my house. As you see from the ground, tis very cold today! Just wanted to sit here with my blankie! LOL Didn't crack above freezing at my place, very thick ice where the Sun didn't manage shine on. Hoping another day or two of this, and might get some icicle action along the waterfalls. Wish I was at a beach for this though!

2012-12-07 13:34:30 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 22 +1s)

Ye Olde brick barn....came across just outside Uttoxeter while driving round back roads. A man came out of the house across the street...'what are you doing?!'....oh, just taking a photo of the old barn...in my best American accent, to you know, sound like a tourist haha He was ok with it, just people been stealing stuff out of it apparantly! Least didn't come out with a shotgun :P

2012-12-07 13:26:12 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

This one woulda been good for Halloween?! I like creepy looking statues anyway LOL Or fancy ones, or about any statue I suppose! The was in the gardens of Alton Towers on my daughters birthday last year. Was looking through the folder and saw a handful I never processed that I had marked...so something to do while the weather's been icky....oh, like it's not the norm I suppose!

Hope everyone's well wherever you are!

2012-11-08 20:20:32 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 36 +1s)

Oh, just one more autumn photo before I go quiet again for a bit. this was from today actually, on the way to the grocery store! Ok, I did take a detour to the store to stop here...but mainly cause they're filling holes on the road to my town and a big dump truck has been blocking the road the last few days, so detour it was...and not a bad detour!

Thanks for the comments and pluses, much appreciated. Nearing my end of month, mobile internet cycle, where I can use the rest of my bandwidth to catch up with people, so will hopefully catch up with some of you soon, cheers :)

2012-11-08 12:37:43 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

Took my first proper venture into the Lake District on Sunday 4th Nov. My daughter wanted to go to Blackpool to see the illuminations for her birthday, so we went to Blackpool (which I actually had a nice time LOL we used to live there, and was kinda dreading it and not expecting to like it much. But was really festive and the LOADS of people there in good spirits) Instead of driving back to Wales afterwards, we took a nap in the car at the motorway services and headed into the lakes at dawn. I think it was worth the pain. For as the sun started to rise over the frosty landscape, mist started rising over anywhere there was water. Luckily, happened along the River Leven at Newby Bridge and a handy spot to get some images. Even my daughter said I needed to run out there LOL We drove round the west coast of the lakes and up to the northern edge and then back down through the middle of it. After a whirlwind... more »

2012-10-22 20:20:34 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Very late Saturday night we had a rare clear night on the same night as a meteor shower. So at stupid o'clock, collected my daughter and camera gear - choosing my modified Canon 40D over my usual 5D, to go search for a good meteor shower spot near home, but away from the few street lights. Well, we DID see a handful, and they were pretty long, but that was it boohoo! And none ended up in camera frame, extra boohoo (shoulda brought the 5d after all I think!). But while waiting, I got this image of Orion I'm quite fond of with the old tires along the fence. And my daughter enjoyed driving around at 3am, so not all was lost! Don't think it's my best astro image by any means, but just love the tires sitting there for some reason!

2012-10-22 19:37:31 (4 comments, 8 reshares, 27 +1s)

First stop on autumn search, was a secluded spot along the River Conwy I'd meant to check out last autumn. Hey! Got one autumnal branch hanging down there! LOL Couldn't get down to the river right at this spot, so was precariously hanging down on a branch with tripod peculiarly mounted between said branch, dodgy rocks and hillside...managed to keep still enough for the longish exposures though!

2012-10-22 19:33:15 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 17 +1s)

Went out and about my neighborhood yesterday in search of autumn. Was sunny finally, and though when you drive around the colors are starting to show, it seems it's all mainly alongside the roads. The two spots I found I liked best yesterday, all that really was autumny, was what leaves have already fallen...but will do for now I suppose!

This one is along the Afon Machno (Machno River) on the way towards Penmachno in North Wales. it is an ancient Roman pack horse bridge. Whether fully, originally intact, or rebuilt sometime over the last 2 millenia after Roman rule, don't know. But it has barbed wire to keep people off the top, so....
May revisit the next few weeks in the hopes of it being properly autumnal along it though!

2012-10-10 12:54:00 (12 comments, 10 reshares, 60 +1s)

Am super chuffed today as got an email this morning that this image won me 1st prize at competition last night. Is one of my favs, so nice that one of my personal favs got something

2012-10-10 12:28:18 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

I think this is my fav building in London, just cause of the globe thing on top LOL kinda Atlas-like!
Got  a few more days to use up my dongle bandwidth, so only a few more days of incessant uploads anyway :P Think am nearly done with the London ones, possibly a few more though....but don't get down that way very often anyway!
Thanks for looking and all the nice comments and plusses. few more days til I should fall pretty quiet for another month anyway and off your feeds!

2012-10-09 15:18:21 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

And another from 2006. Possibly from the same London journey at the London aquarium. Either that or same year at Tenby at their little aquarium, can't remember which it was! This image garnered me my first 1st place at competition, I do remember that obviously! LOL

2012-10-09 15:14:05 (1 comments, 7 reshares, 25 +1s)

A few from the archives I came across while looking for something. Somewhere in central London, think around eastern edge. From 2006, may have even been first trip to London this. 

2012-10-08 21:05:52 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

While taking a break of processing London images...I was looking for something, and came across this very old photo. File says 2005, but it may be earlier as they took it out altogether. This was at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, in their 'Xperiment' hands on kids section. From the first time we went, it had this sign saying 'the bed of nails will not operate today'....and I always wondered...just how long DID it operate before they nixed it!? haha I can't imagine a bunch of kids messing about on bed of nails! Cause most likely, they'd not do it right...or one would probably sit on another while on it or such! Always glad I got a shot of it before it completely disappeared as it always seemed amazing they had it at all hahaha

2012-10-08 18:52:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

and in case anyone was wondering...yes I did find my cannolis!! haha Did a search on my phone and Sfizio's listing actually stated cannollis...and it happened to be on the way to Euston station, so that was the destination. Got there...and none in the bakery case, so was looking at the menu hoping to see them and asked the lad behind the counter...'oh we'll make some up for you'...oh, I love you, thank you...yes, fresh cannolis! 

2012-10-08 18:41:04 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

Lensbaby with wide angle attachment, makes for quite a fisheyed look on Trafalgars column and the fountains! Shame the chromatic aberrations are terrible with it....but, it is for a certain look so I guess I can forgive it? Maybe?! Well, can't tell in mono so much anyway ;p

2012-10-08 18:14:45 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

You know I was closing in on cannolis now! LOL Love this building though

2012-10-08 18:04:58 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

I don't know what this building is, though I remember last time I was in London many years ago, there was one of those Gromley statues on the top of it! it's near Covent Garden anyway, as was on the slow journey back towards Euston station for the evening train, but had to go this route as was on the way to find cannolis at an Italian bakery! Hard to find cannolis here, so when in London, must seek out! I have a few from this spot, but quite liked the black taxi cab, blurred in the f/g.

2012-10-08 17:47:59 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

My favorite part of the fountain in Trafalgar Square of the mermaid

2012-10-08 17:46:16 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Hello there,

As some may or may not know, I'm not on landline anymore and on mobile dongle so not around much online. But, at the end of the month, so can use up what bandwidth I have! I have some images from London from a few weeks ago, as a dear old friend from the states was going to be there on business, so was a must to make the voyage down south! Will put up what I came up with that I liked anyway, I think all taken with a Lensbaby, just to have something a bit diff...and well, I quite like the Lensbaby effect! Some more subtle than others, this one is probably the most subtle with it, being the main object is small anyway. But was good as MUCH lighter than having my 16-35mm attached all day each day! Was a fabulous time down there and went by much too fast.

Anyway, thanks for looking and hope everyone is well

2012-08-22 17:06:10 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Just another with peacock feathers

Thanks much for the plusses and comments on the other one!

2012-08-21 15:17:29 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

Hi everyone,

I've been messing with this photo continuously since yesterday and have it saved 5 different ways, and I quite like them all, but have chosen to upload this one. What you can't see with this size, is how nice the the tendrils look against the skin all silvery in mono. But I do just like having the blues and greens in colour. I will probably upload another version too, as the colour version is nice too. I just like peacock feathers really!

Thanks for looking and hope everyone is well

2012-08-12 14:52:24 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Since been stuck at home, been messing about still. In the spirit of the Olympics finishing, thought i'd share my ink splat that I thought looked a bit like someone running! To me anyway! haha

Hope everyone is fine in their neck of the world

2012-09-04 13:48:33 (6 comments, 4 reshares, 43 +1s)

Hi all,

Sorry not been round, my internet's been so bad and am now going to dongle only, so will be connected and probably faster, but not unlimited bandwidth obviously. Trading one for another, none stellar ho hum!

Anyhoo, my favorite rock at Church Bay! During the atomic sunset a few months ago. I did nothing to this image aside from sharpen and a tiny bit of levels, colours tis true to the moment...actually, the colours were even more vivid than the camera got I think.

Hope everyone is well and good!

2012-09-04 13:48:33 (20 comments, 12 reshares, 86 +1s)

And a normal sunset. Was out and about with my daughter yesterday and saw there looked to be a good sunset coming. Found myself at a spot on the far end of Penmaemawr, a nice lil' spot I didn't know was there with a dappling of old, crusty groynes (my fav kind of course!). Happened to be there at just the right time for the tide not to be covering them it looked like too. The Sun going down inbetween Puffin Island and Penmon Point. One of these days need to try to get that lighthouse with the Sun setting next to it from this spot with a zoom lens I think!

2012-06-05 16:06:36 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

And this is the Flower Faery :)

2012-06-05 16:05:19 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Something a wee bit diff! My landscape friend showed me some 3D package he'd been using, so thought I'd give it a go! Combined the 3D images onto some images. Thought faeries would be a good place to start. This is the fungi faery of course!

2012-05-23 13:49:07 (10 comments, 2 reshares, 55 +1s)

After many tries, had finally timed it right to get the old section of groynes at Llanfairfechan with the tide under them. The tide comes in so fast where they are, wasn't sure how long I'd have, but just managed to last long enough for the cloud to filter through the clouds. Though the groynes aren't as rickety nice as the Criccieth or Old Colwyn ones...can't get a sunset from those!

Thanks for your feedback and +1's, always appreciated

2012-05-21 16:03:27 (8 comments, 3 reshares, 43 +1s)

I could really use another sunset like this one. Near Capel Curig

2012-05-10 12:56:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Just another little diddy from the beach at Llanddwyn Island

2012-04-18 20:20:12 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 25 +1s)

Another macro, one of my leaves from autumn, has dried into a nice curl. Done with the reverse adaptor on a 75-200mm lens f/4.5. Can't be as close with this one as the other lenses I've put the adaptor on, but about 6 inches away. That and the f/4.5 affords larger things to be taken a bit better though. Have my nice piece of driftwood set for it next I think. Cheers all

2012-04-18 00:34:00 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Hiya,

Another something diff. I have this pocketwatch I got the year before, cause for some reason I always wanted one! I have tried some macro on it before, but was never happy. Had done the inner workings too today, but quite liked thie one from the face, of the smaller dials in the middle and the textures of the face. Was with the reverse adaptor again, this time mounted to a f/3.5 lens, as the f/1.8 is sometimes just too much all the time and wanted more to show than a pinprick with this. I did try a bit of twist action to make it Dali-like! Was rather cool, but like the simple abstract as is made. Thanks for looking and always thanks for your feedback, always appreciated. Cheers

2012-04-12 22:16:23 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

Something a bit different. You know, I really like abstract images, but rarely share ones I do. Never feel like I like them as much as others I see. Particularly subjective they are I suppose. I've been out doing landscapes the last few days, but when I got back today, since I came back rather early, decided to have a play with a lovely piece of wood I found yesterday with some of the leaves I have from autumn. This was with my f1.8 50mm lens, with a reverse adaptor. For anyone who doesn't know, works kind of like a lensbaby...and I gave away my Lensbaby and haven't gotten round to replacing it with the one I want, so will suffice! Earthtone was the mood today, nearly went full mono, but quite liked the beige/browns today! Something different anyway...and been meaning to do more macro lately at the suggestion of a friend. Hope everyone's well

2012-04-09 22:33:37 (5 comments, 3 reshares, 36 +1s)

Another from Thursday in the farmlands behind my house. Had woken up at 7am, looked out the window, saw all the snow was still there (was afraid it would rain overnight) and saw there was a sunrise to be had to boot. So said to myself...oh ok, I'll get up and out! The road hadn't been plowed, so was loaded with snow, so opted for the farmland surrounding me up here in the hills. Am about 300 meters/900 feet up, so a good chance of snow up here, but just hadn't had any all winter. I did do a bit of sledding the day before as well! Tried to convince my daughter to do some midnight sledding, as was a full moon so could see fine...she wasn't so keen though sadly! Main shame to me for the photos, is the farms' fence posts are all too nice and new! haha

Thanks much for looking

2012-04-09 17:10:24 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 21 +1s)

Finally got some winter!! This was last Thursday. Snowed all night Tuesday and all day Wednesday...must have had about a foot of snow at my house... finally I said!! I got out for a sunrise Thursday morning...hard for me, but knew it was going to surely be my last chance for snow this winter. Later headed here to Tryfan. Didn't trek far as was quite deep, stepping knee deep in places, so didn't try to get up the hill along either the streams I like. But the rocks and snow was well enough I suppose and along Llyn Ogwen, was just chuffed to bits to have some snow!

I felt a bit guilty knowing +Steve Gill was hoping for snow while he was out last month :(

Thanks for looking and hope everyone's well

2012-03-28 20:10:46 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 19 +1s)

Hello!

I have had a chance to re-take the image of Llynon Mill on Anglesey, with star trails from a few months ago that came out a bit too bright on the windmill and foggy from moisture. looked like one of the spotlights was out, which helped immensly to keep the windmill from being so bright (No, I swear I didn't sneak in a break it! Was that way when I got there!!). I still used my .75 soft ND grad upside down, as would have been still much too bright for straight imaging. Wasn't humid either, so really good conditions. Have made up for the annoyingly clear skies all week! Lovely to relax about in, but no better for landscapes than all the grey weather we've had otherwise! Did get ok sunset on the day with the haze in the distance giving a nice big, red sun though.

Anyway, new and improved, Llynon Mill with star trails.

Cheers all and thanks for looking and... more »