Nativity - My Angel Mia

I know it may seem as though I've been a little slack with updating posts, but I've been busy. Hopefully over the xmas period, I'll get some of my 'homework' projects done. I managed to buy myself a professional quality tripod - a Manfrotto!

Anyhoo. Here's the latest images of Mia, an angel in her nursery nativity play.

Getting better - Well I think so!

Here's the latest image of my Muse, Mia. I had set up a room with white bed sheets covering stuff and used my reflector, which For the first time, I actually could see the change in the light. The room was set to photograph Karen's Niece Ashlene's baby boy Farrell. Those images can be found on my snapfish account (Click Here to see those)

Halloween

It's been a while I know, but the weather has been typically bad. Went to the TATE Modern last week, which was boring, and the party I was with didn't really want to go into St.Paul's. I got a couple of pics which once processed I'll publish here, but the weather didn't permit me to stand out in the rain. Perhaps I should've gone the extra squids and opted for the D200? No! I'm a enthusiast not a pro or even an amateur, well I am working on that. So I guess I'm a amateur enthusiast. Anyhoo here's last nights pics of the kids all dressed up.

Gordon and Karens Wedding Reception 13th October 2007

All in all, a very good night. The food on the buffet was very nice. There were these cream cheese croquettes and breaded chicken strips that were delicious. You know how when everyone at these kinda functions is eating the DJ is playing his best music and no one is actually dancing, well, he managed to keep up that tradition, as well as playing quite good music when people were dancing. so didn't play any real floor clearers.

There was this old couple who still had what it takes to 'cut a rug' thing going on.


As you'll see, Karen allowed me to take my camera along so here are the pics. I've only done an initial inspection. If anyone wants any, I guess I'll do a proper edit. There are quite a few so, hang in there.

Even More of Mia

Isn't she wonderful....

These were taken on our Anniversary. We just love Yo Sushi!

Sunday after the feast

Lazing on the sofa after last nights dinner party, which was held for our very good friend who is also Mia's Godmother Jayne.

I being the only guy, was treated to being surrounded by my favorite kind of women. Funny, curvy and enjoy my cooking. All of Karen's friends.

On the menu was roasted shoulder of lamb and loin of pork, Pan fried chicken thighs and ribbons of steak in a caramel glaze. Now, I did a sweet tomato relish that should have gone with the chicken thighs, but alas, I forgot to mention that was the plan. Karen made a layered potato and onion bake and a large mixed salad. I do hope the ladies were not just being polite by saying they enjoyed the food, I'd rather honest comments, so I could improve the dishes. I do really enjoy cooking for people, but only as a friends thing.

Being surrounded by nice ladies is all well and good, but, as always because they happen to all work together the conversation turns to talking shop and their gripes, so I sloped off to sit with my daughter Mia watching TV cartoons for a break.

Anyhoo I do hope they all enjoyed themselves.

Oops I did it again

Well, i've been playing with my camera again, using the Nikon speedlight 400. How the angle of the flash makes such a difference..wow. Just need to learn how to make good use of this feature. Hey, and you know what else? When shooting close ups, boy does that camera move no matter how light you think you're touching the button to take a picture. Had to use my remote control.

My little piece of Heaven

Been Busy

Well now, yes I've been too busy and tired to keep this updated. A friend had asked me to design them a logo and stationery, which is almost finished. I've another friend who wants me to design a brochure for them. All this and I've still got this chesty cough. Though today hasn't been too bad.

This weekend managed to a help Karen paint the hallway and I cut the lawn. Pretty good going as I see it.

Check out my Slide Show!

Nottingham

Got the train up on Saturday, which although was a quick journey, St. Pancras station is terrible to get to unless you're in a black cab. no private cars allowed (due to building work).

One of our friends had a BBQ in the evening. We were staying with her as she'd moved into a new house and wanted us to stay over. Loads of food a drink.

Sunday we went into town, for them shopping and for me a chance to see if I could get any good pictures of the city. Not a great deal as most of Nottingham City is new. Should have done either real early or late night photography. But never mind. I got some more nice pics of Mia. Carnegie Hall is the order, as in 'how do you get to...'. I think I'm beginning to look at things a little different now. Overall I just didn't have enough time as the actual reason was to visit a friend.

I think I'll try and get some portrait pics under my belt. We've also a wedding to attend so, maybe I'll take my camera along with me to that too. Which reminds me, must send the RSVP. how rude of us not to have by now. I've got to sort out my website with all these pictures. So till the next installment.

Thursday 22nd August 2007

Well. Back again. Just finished doing a slideshow presentation document for IKEA.
397 pages, sure they'll get bored half way through but who gives. It looks good.

Last week I was in Salford, up North. Greater Manchester to who don't know where it is. We were staying with my wifes parents in Salford Quays, which is very nice as the whole area around the Quays have been done up. Most of Manchester and the surroundings are in a regeneration program.

Met up with a friend who is a photographer Pete Dawson. He's good with architecture, and I wanted to get some experience using my new DSLR the Nikon D80. Had a great time dispite the weather. Also managed to get some nice images of around Manchester. Of which I'll post a link to a gallery of them.

Friday 3rd August

Well, its been a while. Not much has been going on thats why I've not uptdated this.

I bought a couple of photo books from Amazon. One on photographing flowers, which is as much of an ideas as well as how to book. The other was a guide book on using my new Nikon D80. Basically its a handbook for quick reference on all the functions of the camera, suitable for beginners, like me.

Now I want to get a hotshoe flash and a reflector so I can do portraits and stuff. I can't yet afford studio lights but that would be the next thing.

And the weeks go by...Week 29

Again, the week begins with rain.
I managed to get in a few 'set up' shots of glasses and a flower. Working out the focus options..., I had to look it up in the manual. But got a couple good shots of some Ikea short tumblers. Getting some light would help as what I had was not really good enough. Guess I need to froogle or as it is now google.co.uk/products. May be even ebay. Would a remote help as well as a new printer?
The cost of this 'hobby' is escalating. I really need to have a project for this. But..., can I learn on someone elses budget?

More camera purchases

Oh dear, I seemed to have bought two filters for my D80. A UV for general lense protection and a circular polorizing one. I love buying stuff.

Now, I think I must make the effort and get up early and do something. I'm planning a trip down the River Lea, near to where I live, over the weekend to shoot 'stuff'. I'll put some links here so as to see the results.

Its a new week (28)

Monday 9th July
Well, another week goes by and I've had enough of my procastination. I got a new camera, the Nikon D80 with a 18-135 lense. So I bought one of those LowePro cases so I can carry the camera around without being too worried about it.

I guess I'll be starting out by shooting stuff which won't be of any commercial use, as I need to get used to using an SLR. I'm not knew to photography but have not used a camera for about 20 years, other than at parties where I'm using a fixed focus compact camera.

Fridays News

I finally got the digital SLR I've been drooling over for a few months yesterday.
Obviously this weekend will have 1001 images of no real purpose other than experimentation.