Pixels & Photons

New Blog

2011-06-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for link to my new blog

Aurora

2011-03-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

Amazing timelapse photography by Terje Sorgjerd of the Aurora, originally tweeted by Prof Brian Cox.

http://vimeo.com/21294655

Alex

2011-03-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

The new Nikon booth at Focus on Imaging show

Link from NIKON RUMORS
http://nikonrumors.com/2011/03/09/the-new-nikon-booth-at-focus-on-imaging-show.aspx

Sent from Zite personalized magazine iPad app. Available for free in the App Store.

Saunders Photography

e-mail alex@saunders-photography.co.uk

Sent from my iPad

Flower

2011-03-01T04:05:00.000-08:00

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 100mm f2.8 Macro
Focal length 100mm
Exposure 3 sec @ f22
ISO 100
Manfrotto Tripod
580 Ex II flash

This photo was shot on a table top setup additional items as follows
1 metre square of black cloth for backdrop, draped over thw back of a chair about 1 metre behind the flower. Flash camera left and grided to flower only, window light from behind backdrop and to camera right.

Alex

Photo Walk Update

2011-02-18T10:08:00.000-08:00

Photo Walk Update

Proposed dates for this years Photo Walk

Alex

Valentines at Operetta Glasgow

2011-02-16T03:50:00.000-08:00

Valentines at Operetta Glasgow

Use the link above to view an Animoto video of yesterdays post.

Alex

Valentines at Operetta Glasgow

2011-02-15T04:27:00.000-08:00

Camera Canon 1D

Lens EF24-105mm IS
Focal length 47mm
Exposure 1/125th sec @ f8
ISO 200
580 EXII

Camera Canon 1D
Lens EF70-200mm IS
Focal length 81mm
Exposure 1/125th sec @ f8
ISO 200
580 EXII

Camera Canon 1D
Lens EF24-105mm IS
Focal length 47mm
Exposure 1/125th sec @ f8
ISO 200
580 EXII

Camera Canon 1D
Lens EF24-105mm IS
Focal length 40mm
Exposure 1/125th sec @ f8
ISO 200
580 EXII

A selection of the images from a Valentines portrait shoot at Operetta Glasgow.
Setup was a 580EXII on 1/8 power, through a Lastolite softbox as a main light camera left triggered by a Pocket Widzard. Camera right was a Sunpak 114 reflecting off a silver umbrella triggered by Idex flash slave. Background was a black cloth suspended from a backdrop stand. Camera left on top of the backdrop stand was a 580EXII on 1/4 power, fitted with a Honl grid to prevent light form falling in either the black cloth or into the lens, triggered by Pocket Widzard.

Alex

Orange & Lemon

2011-01-27T03:59:00.000-08:00

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 100mm f2.8 Macro
Focal length 100mm
Exposure 3 sec @ f22
ISO 50
Canon 580 EX Flash
Manfrotto Tripod
Flash meter

This photo was shot on a table top setup additional items as follows
Slice of orange
Plain tumbler with wide opening
Sparkling water (tonic water etc.)
Coloured card for background
White card or paper for base

Position tumbler on top of white card, place slice of orange over edge of tumbler as much as possible to the inside. Position tripod and camera to frame as above. Fill tumbler with sparkling water until level is above top of shot. Position coloured card at least 18" behind tumbler, and setup flash to light card. Hold flash meter at back of tumbler pointing towards coloured card, and take reading. Set camera to manual and use reading taken by meter, remember your sinc speed.
Bubbles in tumbler should have settled by now, if you require more bubbles use a straw to gently blow into the bottom of tumbler.

Setup and method for this photo is the same as the photo of the orange, just changed to a slice of lemon.

Alex

GalGael Trust

2011-01-25T04:38:00.000-08:00

Camera Canon 1D

Lens EF24-105mm IS
Focal length 45mm
Exposure 1/10th sec @ f5.6
ISO 800

Camera Canon 1D
Lens EF24-105mm IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/15th sec @ f4.5
ISO 800

Camera Canon 1D
Lens EF24-105mm IS
Focal length 60mm
Exposure 1/20th sec @ f4.5
ISO 800

Camera Canon 1D
Lens EF24-105mm IS
Focal length 60mm
Exposure 1/20th sec @ f5.6
ISO 1600

"As the tide went out on the shipbuilding history of Govan, many families in the community were left without work and meaning. Modern Govan has been left high and dry by this post-industrial legacy; roots are being lost, values are becoming blurred, and the fast-flowing current of modern life is leaving many behind. At GalGael, we have created a cultural anchor point around which local people are re-kindling skills, community and a sense of purpose. While our boats imaginatively reconnect elder and youth… people and place… urban to rural communities, the insider and the outsider… old ways and new… our past to our future. They serve as a powerful metaphor for transformation - recreating an inspirational folklore for the modern age."

The above text has been taken from the homepage of the GalGael website http://www.galgael.org/index.aspx

A link to GalGael blog http://galgael2010.blogspot.com/

Alex

Chestnuts

2011-01-24T12:25:00.000-08:00

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 100 mm Macro
Focal length 100mm
Exposure 1/60th sec @ f6.7
ISO 200
Manfrotto Tripod
Cable release

The above photo was judged to be the winner in the Autumn category of South Lanarkshire Photography Contest 2010.

The set was on a table top covered with leaves and chestnuts placed in position. Lighting was from a Canon 580EX flash shooting through an umbrella, to camera right. Camera left was a mirror positioned to reflect the light from the flash back in the shaded areas.

Alex

FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT

2011-01-14T12:02:00.000-08:00

Scott Kelby's 3rd World Wide Photo Walk - Glasgow

2010-07-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105 IS

Focal length 24mm

Exposure 1/60th sec @ f8

ISO 100

Scott Kelby's 3rd World Wide Photo Walk

Glasgow

Well another year, another of Scott Kelby's World Wide Photo Walks. This year saw more walks across the world, attended by more walkers. Here in Scotland we followed the trend elsewhere in the world. The first two years there was only two walks in Central Scotland, one in Stirling and Glasgow, which I have had the pleasure to lead each year. This year that figure was doubled, four might not seem a lot, but its twice as many as the previous two walks.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/180th sec @ f16
ISO 100

This is one of the shots that just presents its self on the day, taken on the squinty bridge looking west towards the Armadillo.

Everyone that I spoke to on the walk said how much they enjoyed the two hours spent in the company of others who share a common interest in photography.

Checkout the Flickr page here http://www.flickr.com/groups/1445765@N24/

Thanks to all who attended on Saturday.

Lex

Culzean Castle Sunset

2010-04-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Culzean Castle Sunset

This photo was taken on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland from the grounds of Culzean Castle. The castle is on the west coast lookong out to the Atlantic Ocean. The photo was taken during winter hence the reason why the sun apears to be setting in the south.

I am off to the South of France for a couple of weeks, so posting might not be as regular as normal.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens 18-200mm

Exposure 1/20th sec @ f11

Iso 100

Lex

Austrian Wild Flowers

2010-04-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Austrian Wild Flowers

This was taken in Austria, near Kitzbuhl. I came across this lake while hiking, it was an overcast and calm day as the photo shows. The sun was just strong enough through the clouds to backlight the wild flowers that were growing at the waters edge.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens 18-200mm

Focal length 31mm

Exposure 1/60th sec @ f16

ISO 100

Lex

Venice Grand Canal

2010-04-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Grand Canal Venice

Another photo from the wonderful city of Venice. This is a wonderful place to wander by the canals and over the many footbridges, especially at night after all the day-trippers have gone.

Camera Nikon E5700

Exposure 1/460th sec @ f5.6

Focal length 15.7mm

ISO 100

Lex

As One Journey Ends

2010-04-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

As One Journey Ends

Taken while on the first of Scott Kelby's World Wide Photo Walks. It is a rather drab entrance but concidering that it is the entrance to the Glasgow City Mortuary, I don't suppose a lot of people notice that.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Exposure 1/125th sec @ f11

Focal length 60mm

ISO 400

Lex

Spring

2010-04-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

Spring

At last we are casting off the cold of winter, the days are getting longer and the mercury is starting to rise. This was taken locally at the weekend, and what a welcome sight it is to see nature comming out of hibernation.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 100 f2.8 Macro

Exposure 1/250th sec @ f8

ISO 200

Lex

Rotten Calder

2010-04-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Rotten Calder

Horseshoe falls on the Rotten Calder river that flows through Calderglen Country Park in East Kilbride.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens 18-200mm

Focal length 22mm

Exposure 8 sec @ f22

ISO 100

Manfrotto Tripod

Lex

Clyde Auditorium

2010-04-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Clyde Auditorium

This is a section of the roof of the Clyde Auditorium, also locally known as the "armidillo" due to the stepped roof similarity with an armidillo. This building is a regular venue for concerts in Glasgow, set on the Clyde a short distance from the city center.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens Tamron 18-200mm

Exposure 1/50th sec @ f8

ISO 100

Lex

Window Frame

2010-04-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Window Frame

This photo was taken in Portaferry Hotel, Portaferry County Down Ireland, looking across Strangford Lough to Strangford. Portaferry is a busy village due to the through traffic that crosses on the small ferry.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 24mm

Exposure 1/80th sec @ f11

ISO 100

Canon 580 EX Flash

Lex

Edinburgh Accomodation

2010-04-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh Accomodation

This shot was taken from Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano in Edinburgh, overlooking some of the flats with Edinburgh Castle.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 105mm

Exposure 1/125th sec @ f16

ISO 100

Lex

Leaf

2010-04-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Leaf.

Camera Canon1D,
handheld, steadied on the back of a chair.
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS.
Focal length 105mm, 1/15th sec @ f4.5
ISO 200.

Lex

Autumn

2010-04-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Autumn

The park was opened to the public in the early 1980's and is a wooded glen extending some 5km along the banks of the Rotten Calder, from Flatt Bridge on the Strathhaven Road, flowing north to the East Kilbride expressway.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens 18-200mm
Focal length 22mm
Exposure 8sec @ f22
Manfrotto tripod
ND 4X filter

Lex

Waverely Paddle Steamer

2010-04-15T03:25:00.000-07:00

Waverely Paddle Steamer

The Waverely seen here moored on the River Clyde, Glasgow, between the science center and the Glasgow tower. Built on the Clyde in 1947 - to replace the original Waverley that sunk off Dunkirk in 1940, the Waverley was originally built to sail only between Craigendorran & Arrochar in West Scotland. It is amazing to think that she now sails right round Britain offering regular trips on the Clyde, the Thames, South Coast of England and the Bristol Channel with other calls at various ports & piers throughout the UK.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens Tamron 18-200mm

Exposure 1/200th sec @ f8

ISO 100

Lex

Orchid

2010-04-14T04:21:00.000-07:00

Orchid

This was taken a few years back in a bedroom the and lit by a desk lamp (one of those with the flexible column) . The background was a sheet of white A4 paper which as you can see has come up as a biege, due to ambient the light reaching it. The light was camera right and slightly higher than the unopened blooms. A reflector was positioned to camera left to bounce a bit of fill back into the flowers.

This was a very simple setup and cost nothing but my time as all the above items were available.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 70-200mm f4 IS

Canon X2 Tele-extender

Focal length 400mm

Exposure 1/2sec @ f22

ISO 200

Lex

Decorative Railing

2010-04-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Decorative Railing.

It was the contrast between the gold leaf and the black painted railing that caught my eye for this shot. This was taken in the grounds of Glasgow University, while leading last years Scott Kelby's World Wide Photo Walk. While on these walks I only take one lens with me, my Canon 24-105mm f4 as I can cover most of the shots with this lens.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Exposure 1/250th @ f11

ISO 100

Lex

Poppies

2010-04-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

POPPIES

I noticed this scene while on holiday in Italy. The backlighting on the foliage was what caught my attention.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Exposure 1/125th sec @ f16

ISO 100

Route 23

2010-04-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Route 23

This photo was taken in looking down on the Zillertal valley in Austria. The name route 23 comes from the sign on the tree, which is marking the walking route.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105 f4 IS

Exposure 1/250th sec @ f11

ISO 100

Lex

Wall Sculpture

2010-04-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Wall Sculpture

This photo was taken almost two years ago while on the Scott Kelby's World Wide Photo Walk. It is a decorative stone plaque that has been attached to the side of Glasgows older buildings.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 24mm

Exposure 1/250th sec @ f16

ISO 100

Lex

Sunrise

2010-04-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Sunrise

Sunrise on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. The weather had not been promising for a view of the sunrise as it had been cloudy and wet all night. As quite often happens in Scotland the weather can change within a short period of time, and this morning prooved to be no exception.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105 f4 IS

Focal length 24mm

Exposure 1/30th sec @ f16

ISO 50

Manfrotto tripod

Lex

Rotterdam Welcome

2010-04-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Rotterdam Welcome

The traditional welcome from a fire tug as a cruise ship enters the Port of Rotterdam.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens Tamron 18-200mm

Focal length 70mm

Exposure 1/60th sec @ f5.6

ISO 200

Lex

Italy Mushroom Rock

2010-04-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Mushroom Rock - Italy

A natural formation off the island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples, I never did see anyone using these chairs.

Camera Nikon E5700

Focal length 15mm
Exposure 1/250th sec @ f8
ISO 100

Lex

Drystone Wall

2010-04-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

DRY STONE WALL

The photo above was taken on a frosty morning last year. The backlighting, on the wall and the bare stems, from the early morning sunshine caught my eye as I passed by. I used my 70-200mm lens at 200mm setting to blur the background.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 70-200mm f4 IS

Focal length 200mm

Exposure 1/20th sec @ f5.6

ISO 100

Manfrotto tripod

River Calder

2010-04-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

River Calder - Swrill

This image was taken last autumn in East Kilbride, Scotland. I know that the motion blur created by the long exposure is not something that is to everyone's liking, but I like it and the rich colours from the use of a polarising filter.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 35mm

Exposure 2 sec @ f16

ISO 50

Lex

Broom

2010-03-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

BROOM

This photo was taken on the banks of Loch Lomand, Scotland last Spring.

I positioned myself lower than the branch so that I could include the blue sky as a background against the yellow flowers.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 100 mm f2.8 macro

Exposure 1/250 sec @ f5.6

ISO 100

Lex

Millport Crocodile Rock

2010-03-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

CROCODILE ROCK - MILPORT

This is a popular attraction with visitors to Milport on the Isle of Cumbrae. The rock has beem painted to resemble the head of a crocodile, and at high tide the effective, as the area around the rock is covered by water. Though as you can see in the photograph at low tide childern are still drawn to it.

Camera canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 30mm

Exposure 1/250th sec @ f8

ISO 100

Lex

Waterfall

2010-03-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

WATERFALL

I came across this small waterfall while walking in the Lake District, England.

It was an overcast day which helped to reduce the shutter speed and allowed the flow of water to blur, but as I had left my tripod in the car I had to use a nearby rock to steady my camera.

Lesson to be learned always take the tripod, it might be a bit more weight, but next time there might not be a rock close by.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 96mm

Exposure 1/3 sec @ f16

ISO 100

Camrea steadied on a rock

Lex

I am Watching You

2010-03-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

I AM WATCHING YOU

This is just one of those photos that you come across while out for a walk. I was just fortunate that I had my camera at the ready when I noticed this donkey had turned its head round whenit heard me comming along the path.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 70-200 f4 IS

Focal length 200mm

Exposure 1/180th sec @ f11

ISO 400

Lex

Frosted Trees

2010-03-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

FROSTED TREES

The night before this photo was taken it was very misty and bitterly cold. The next morning I awoke to what was a beautiful clear crisp morning, with the countryside covered in a thick frost.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 35mm

Exposure 125th sec @ f8

ISO 100

Lex

Black Rock Cottage Glencoe

2010-03-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

BLACK ROCK COTTAGE - GLENCOE

Black Rock Cottage in Glencoe, (also known as The Glen of Weeping). A small single track road that leads to the Glencoe Ski Center passes by the door of this cottage which must be one of the most photographed cottages in Scotland.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens Tamron 18-200mm

Focal length 18mm

Exposure 1/30th sec @ f16

ISO 400

Lex

Tables By The Pool

2010-03-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

TABLES BY THE POOL

This is a view of the tables as they were setup for the wedding party. Lighting was from a roof window that was diffused through the lattice work of linnen material that was suspended from the ceiling. This created a nice even light over the pool and surounding area.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 24mm

Exposure 1/30th sec @ f16

ISO 100

Lex

Italy Pisa

2010-03-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

LEANING TOWER - PISA

The Torre di Pisa or Leaning Tower is one of Europe's most famous and photographed towers. Building of the tower started in 1173 but wasn't finished until the late fourteenth century. The cylindrical tower, has eight stories, six of them with open galleries and is 54 meters tall. Inside the spiral staircase has 294 steps leading to the top of the tower.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens Tamron18-200mm

Focal length 22mm

Exposure 1/60th sec @ f16

ISO 100

Lex

Gondolas on the Grand Canal

2010-03-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

GONDOLAS ON THE GRAND CANAL

A view along the Grand Canal, the widest canal in Venice and divides the city into two parts, the canal is slightly longer than 2km long, and has an average depth of 4 metres.

Venice has aproximately 150 canals connected by 409 bridges, every bridge that you see is connecting two islands of which there are 117.

Camera Nikon E5700

Focal length 8.9mm

Exposure 1/500th sec @ f8

ISO 100

Lex

Roses

2010-03-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

ROSES

Taken against a plain white background. Multi exposure merged in photoshop, lit with a single desk lamp.

Camera Canon 350D

Lens 18-200mm

Focal length 35mm

Exposure 1 sec @ f16

ISO 100

Manfrotto tripod

Lex

Santa Maria della Salute

2010-03-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Santa Maria della Salute.

Santa maria della Salute is situated on the Dorsoduro quarter across the Grand Canal from St Marks Square. The No 1 vaporetto (water bus) stops close to Salute, also if you are brousing in the art galleries of the Accademia area Salute can be reached on foot.

Camera Nikon E5700

Focal length 8.9mm

Exposure 1/500th sec @ f8

Lex

Statue

2010-03-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

STATUE

This photo was taken while wandering around in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 67mm

Exposure 1/20th sec @ f4

ISO 800

Lex

Venice Grand Canal 2

2010-03-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

VENICE GRAND CANAL

This was taken looking into the mouth of Grand Canal, while on holiday in Venice. The dome on the left is Santa Maria della Salute, and the steeple in St Marks Square is just visable on the right of the picture.

Camera Nikon E5700

Exposure 1/530th sec @ f7.6

Focal length 31.9mm

ISO 100

Lex

Loch Morlich Rocks

2010-03-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

LOCH MORLICH ROCKS

A cold November morning at Loch Morlich set in the Cairngorms. The reddish colour of the rocks and the twisting shape along the shore, leading to the Cairngorm Mountains in the distance, is what drew my attention.

Camera Nikon E5700

Focal length 8.9mm

Exposure 1/20th sec @ f6.3

Lex

Frosted Berries

2010-03-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

FROSTED BERRIES

Taken during the recent cold weather, I came across these berries in a hedgerow. Backlite by the morning sun and filled by a burst of off camera flash.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS

Focal length 105mm

Exposure 125th sec @ f8 (Manual)

Flash 580EX set to 1/64 power

Lex

Glasgow Old & New

2010-03-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

GLASGOW OLD & NEW

The Tolbooth Steeple is an imposing medieval landmark at Glasgow Cross, once the hub of the city of Glasgow. The steeple is all that remains of a much larger Tolbooth building which included a debtors prison as well as the town clerk's offices and the council hall. Built in 1636, the 126ft-high steeple is one of the most prominent landmarks in the area.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 25-105mm IS
Focal length 28mm
Exposure 1/60 sec @ f16

Lex

Glasgow Street

2010-03-09T04:21:00.000-08:00

GLASGOW STREET

A street scene taken in the grounds of Galsgow University , during last years World Wide Photo Walk.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm IS

Focal length 24mm

Exposure 125 @ f11

Lex

Glasgow Bridge Underside

2010-03-07T00:06:00.000-08:00

Glasgow Suspension Bridge - Underside

This photo was taken from the Clyde walkway under the suspension footbridge.

No metadata.

Lex

Glasgow River Clyde

2010-03-05T00:04:00.001-08:00

GLASGOW - RIVER CLYDE

This photo was taken from the rusting bridge that I entered into the "2 Things Cahllenge" for Sunday 28th Feb, http://2thingsphotochallenge.blogspot.com/ . It was a calm summers day, though there was some clouds building out to the west.

Camera Canon Ixus

No metadata available

Lex

Portaferry

2010-03-05T00:04:00.000-08:00

PANO WEEK

The last pano for this week was taken in Portaferry, Ireland. This was the view from the window of the Portaferry Hotel, looking over Strangford Lough to strangford.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/180th sec @ f8
ISO 100

Lex

Sunset

2010-03-04T04:20:00.000-08:00

PANO WEEK

This sunset was taken on the island of Benbecula, Scotland.

Camera Nikon E5700
Focal length 8.9mm
Exposure 1/160th sec @ f5.0
ISO 100

Lex

Head in the Clouds

2010-03-03T00:42:00.000-08:00

PANO WEEK.

Today's pano was taken in Austria at the Hintertux Glacier 3250 metres above sea level, looking towards the Italian border.

Camera Nikon E5700

Focal length 15mm

Exposure 1/500th sec @ f8

ISO 100

Lex

Grassmere

2010-03-02T02:41:00.000-08:00

PANO WEEK

Today's panorama was taken at Grassmere.

Grasmere is in the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. Within easy reach are the towns of Ambleside, Keswick, Hawkshead, Coniston, Bowness and Windermere.

Grasmere was once the home of the famous poet William Wordsworth; today you can visit two of his former homes - Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. Also in the centre of Grasmere is St. Oswalds Church, the churchyard of which contains the Wordsworth family graves.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/15th sec @ f22
ISO 100

Lex

South Uist

2010-03-01T00:37:00.000-08:00

PANO

Following on from the last couple of weeks where there has been a theme to the photos, I thought that this week would be panoramas.

The above was five photos that were taken on the island of South Uist, Scotland. These images were merged together using Photoshop CS3.

The camera was set to manual and the setting were as follows

Camera Canon 350D
Lens Tamron 18-200mm
Focal length 42mm
Exposure 1/60th sec @ f14
ISO 100

Lex

Storm Comming

2010-02-26T00:29:00.000-08:00

SECRET SCOTLAND

As promised the answer to why the beaches are deserted.

They are lovely to look at. Beautiful to stroll along. Paceful to sit on, and all you can hear is the waves lapping on the shore.

Why are they empty ?
The weather can change frequently during the day, and often does.
The air temperature is usually in the mid to high teens, 20c plus is verging on a heatwave.
Lastly the sea temperature, although it originated in the Gulf of Mexico, has somewhat cooled to around 10 to 15c.

All these points raised, personally I still find that I am drawn here and would hate to see these islands invaded with tourists.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens Tamron 18-200mm
Focal length 32mm
Exposure 1/60th sec @ f11
ISO 100

Lex

Deserted

2010-02-25T05:32:00.000-08:00

SECRET SCOTLAND

Same as yesterday another beach and nobody there.

Why ? The answer revealed tomorrow.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/20th sec @ f16
ISO 100

Quite

2010-02-24T05:31:00.000-08:00

SECRET SCOTLAND

Another day another beach and yet again not another person to be seen.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/30th sec @ f16

Lex

2 Things Challenge

2010-02-23T04:23:00.000-08:00

When I saw the corrosion on the iron work on this bridge I thought it would fit the challenge.

Lex

Deserted Beach

2010-02-23T03:55:00.000-08:00

SECRET SCOTLAND

Deserted Beach

Silver sand, crystal clear water and blue sky, where is this ?

Yes as the title says it is Scotland, what I refer to as secret Scotland.

Another day another beach and yet again nobody to be seen there.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/13th sec @ f22
ISO 100

Lex

Peace

2010-02-22T00:27:00.000-08:00

SECRET SCOTLAND

Peace

This shot was taken on the Island of Benbecula, Scotland, looking towards the neighbouring island of South Uist.
It was late afternoon and the sun was dropping lower in the sky, when we went for a stroll along the beach at the back of the Black Island Hotel, as usual there was not another person to be seen.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens Tamron 18-200mm
Focal length 22mm
Exposure 1/125th sec @ f16
ISO 100

Lex

Tauben futten verboten

2010-02-19T00:27:00.000-08:00

AUSTRIAN WEEK

Tauben futten verboten

Another photo from Austria, this time Mayrhofen. The title for this one is from the sign on the wall, which if I am correct translates to pidgeons forbiden. Can the pidgeons read or is my translation incorrect?
Anyway back to the photo, the path leading the eye through the frame from bottom right, passed the couple reading the menu in the window, onto the arch in the distance, then drawn back to the foreground by the decoration below the first floor window is what caught my eye here.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens Tamron 18-200mm
Focal length 32mm
Exopsure 1/60th sec @ f11
ISO 100

Lex

Which Way Now

2010-02-18T00:16:00.000-08:00

AUSTRIAN WEEK
Which Way Now

This photo was taken a few years back on a Autumn walking holiday in Austria. The group in the photo had just came down hill from camera right and were discussing which route to follow. The photo was taken on a beautiful sunny day around noon, as you can see by the short shaddows.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens Tamron 18-200mm
Focal length 22mm
Exposure 1/60th sec @ f14
ISO 100

Lex

Road to the Alps

2010-02-17T00:14:00.000-08:00

AUSTRIAN WEEK

Road to the Alps

This image was taken within 5 minutes of taking yesterdays image. Taken on a access track and looking south towards the Italian Dolimites and the Brenner Pass.

Another wonderful day spent strolling through this beautiful country.

Camera Nikon E5700

Focal length 10mm

Exposure 1/280th sec @ f7.2

ISO 100

Lex

Patterns

2010-02-16T00:29:00.000-08:00

AUSTRIAN WEEK

Patterns

This scene caught my attention while out strolling in the foothills of the Tyrol, close to the village of Igls, because of the different patterns and textures.

Camera Nikon E5700
Focal length 71mm
Exposure 1/400th sec @f4.2
ISO 100

Lex

Closer To God

2010-02-15T00:14:00.000-08:00

AUSTRIAN WEEK

Closer To God.

This little church is a short walk from the top cable car station on the Penkenbahn, Mayrhofen. At an altitude is in excess of 1800m this is the highest church that I am aware of, but if you know different leave me a note in the comments section below.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens Tamron 18-200mm
Focal length 80mm
Exposure 1/160th sec @ f 10
ISO 100

Lex

Croft in the Outer Hebedies

2010-02-12T00:25:00.000-08:00

Croft in the Outer Hebedies

I just love this picture, just the thought of each morning as you waken and look out the window onto such a wonderful sight. This was taken in the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It was a lovely morning and we were heading down to the beach for the day. What a beach, sliver white sand, supposedly the sand is carried on the gulf stream from the Gulf of Mexico. All day on there and we only met one other person.
Maybe I should have titled this "Secret Scotland"

Camera Canon 350D
Lens 18-200mm
Focal length 40mm
Exposure 1/60th sec @ f16

Lex

Stained Glass Window Culross Abbey

2010-02-11T00:42:00.000-08:00

Stained Glass Window Culross Abbey.

The abbey the remains of a cistercian monastery founded in 1217. The above is a photo of the stained glass window in the south transept.

The image was modified in Lightroom to saturate the glass and darken the stone surround.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 60mm
Exposure 1/15th sec @ f5.6
Manfrotto Tripod

St Margarets Loch Edinburgh

2010-02-10T00:25:00.000-08:00

St Maragrets Loch.

The loch lies between Qween's Drive and St Anthony's chapel in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh. Once a boating pond, though now popular with locals and visitors alike it supports a significant population of sawns, geese and ducks. The hills in the background are the extinct vovcano of Arthur's Seat.

No metadata available

Lex

2 Things Challenge

2010-02-09T04:39:00.000-08:00

I came across a site on the web called "2 things challenge". This is my first entry and the challenge is "Safe/Passage" why don't you have a look at the site, maybe even give it a try yourself. http://2thingsphotochallenge.blogspot.com/

Lex

Wild Folwers

2010-02-09T01:15:00.000-08:00

Wild Flowers.

I acme across these flowers growing at the side of the path while I was walking along the coast on the Island of Maderia, January 09.
It was the bright yellow against the green leaves that caught my eye.

Camera Canon1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 105mm
Exposure 1/500th sec @ f6.7

Lex

Photo Walk

2010-02-08T03:53:00.000-08:00

More >>>>

These are photos that I took while leading Scott Kelby's (NAPP) World Wide Photo Walks 2008 and 2009 in Glasgow, Scotland.

For anyone interested you should give it a try on the next one later this year. It is an enjoyable few hours spent in the company of like minded people, wandering the streets of a predetermined route that the leader has set. Afterwards a bite to eat and rewiew the photos you have taken (optional). A few days later you can enter your best photo into the walk website, and from these entries a walk winner and an overall winner will be selected.

Camera Canon 1D

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length Various
ISO 200

Lex

For Hire

2010-02-05T01:22:00.000-08:00

For Hire.

This photo was taken in Kitzbuhel Austria. The main subject was looking to hire his horse and cart to the passing tourists.
I noticed the way the light was falling on him from behind adding to the 3D effect created by the shallow depth of field.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens 18-200mm
Focal length 125mm
Exposure 1/90th @ f4
ISO 200

Lex

Eilean Donan Castle

2010-02-04T04:21:00.000-08:00

Eilean Donan Castle

The castle is situated in Loch Duich near Dornie about 8 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh, on the A87 road leading to the Skye Bridge and the west coast of Scotland.
Originally built in the 13th century by Alexander II as a defence against the Vikings, it became a stronghold of the Mackenzies of Kintail, who installed the MacReas as hereditory keepers.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens 18-200mm
Focal length 22mm
Exposure 1/90 @ f16
ISO 200

Lex

Chatelherrault Country Park

2010-02-03T04:29:00.000-08:00

Chatelherrault Country Park

Chatelherrault was built 250 years ago as a hunting lodge and summerhouse for the Duke of Hamilton. Restored by William Adam, it is set on an eye chatching hilltop south of Hamilton, Scotland. What was once kennels for the Duke's hunting dogs has been converted into a modern visitor centre, display gallery, shop & cafe. Visitors can see the Duke's private Banqueting Room and his apartments, and the formal gardens restored to their former glory.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Exposure 1/60th sec @ f16
ISO 400

Lex

Early Morning Reflections

2010-02-02T04:26:00.000-08:00

Early Morning Reflections.

Strathaven Hot Air Balloon Festival Lanarkshire, Scotland 2002

It was a beautiful calm and frosty morning of the annual balloon fest. The balloon pilots had their pre-flight meeting, checked the weather forecast, and the decision was to fly.

After taking close-ups of the preparation to inflate the bolloons and first lift offs, I repositioned at the opposite side of the bosting pond to capture the last balloon lifting off, with the reflectionsof the others floating away into the distance.

Camera Nikon E5700

Focal length 8.9mm

Exposure 1/220th sec @ f6.3

ISO 100

Lex

Roof top art

2010-02-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

Roof Top Art.

The above photo was taken during Scott Kelby's World Wide Photo Walk in Glasgow on August 2008

It shows the statue of Mercury on one of the city's rooftops, with the city chambers in the background.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm
Focal length 99mm
ISO 400
Exposure 1/700th sec @ f11

Lex

Millport Harbour

2010-01-29T04:14:00.000-08:00

Millport Harbour.

The town of Millport on the Isle of Greater Cumbrae, Scotland.

The island has a eleven mile circular coast road that is ideal for anyone who enjoys walking.

The town of Millport is situated halfway round the island from the Cumbrae Slip, where the ferry from Largs docks.

This photo was taken looking west towards the pier and small harbour.

Camera canon 1D.

Lens EF 70-200mm f4 IS.

Focal length 100mm

Exposure 1/250th sec @ f5.6

Handheld.

Lex

Sorrento

2010-01-28T04:15:00.000-08:00

Sorrento.

A view taken from the clifftop looking over Marina Piccolo, Sorrento, Italy. Ferries depart from this busy harbour to Capri, Ischia and other neighbouring islands.

Camera Canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 500th sec @ f5.6
ISO 100

Lex

Pneumatic Tools

2010-01-27T04:54:00.000-08:00

Pneumatic Tools.

Image captured onsite, lighting from overhead windows.

Camera canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS.
Focal length 60mm
Exposure 1/10th sec @ f4
ISO 400
Manfrotto tripod.

Lex

Austrian Church

2010-01-26T04:02:00.000-08:00

Austrian Church.

The church had existed here from the 14th century, in the years from 1500 to 1510 the small church was enlarged, before being destroyed by fire between 1580 to 1590. The green tower on the Mayrhofen church, whose colour symbolises its belonging to the Diocese of Salzburg, is the oldest part that remains. The inside of the church is elaborately decorated, as are most of the churches in Austria.

Camera canon 1D
lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/20th sec @ f8

Lex

Scottish Shortbread

2010-01-25T04:15:00.000-08:00

Scottish Shortbread.

This photo was taken on a desk covered with white paper and a sheet of perspex.
Lighting was a Canon 580ex flash with a shoot through umbrella to camera right. Camera left was a small mirror positioned to reflect the flash back into the shortbread.

Happy Burns day everyone.

Camrea canon 1D
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS
Focal length 99mm
ISO 400
Exposure 1/60th sec @ f5.6
Canon 580EX flash and shoot through umbrella
Manfrotto tripod.

Lex

Bay of Naples

2010-01-22T04:04:00.000-08:00

Sorrento sit atop cliffs directly across the bay from Naples. Although only a ninety minute ride away on the Circumvesuviana train route circling the bay. Sorrento is a world apart from Naples hustle and bustle. The town's centre of cobbled streets stretches for a kilometer westwards and half a kilometer northwards from Piazza Tasso with its ring of terrace cafes.

The above image was taken from the terrace of the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori overlooking the bay at twilight.

Camera canon 350D

Lens Tamron 18-200mm

Focal length 18mm

ISO 100

Exposure 4 sec @ f22

Manfrotto tripod.

Lex

Fasteners

2010-01-21T06:25:00.000-08:00

Fasteners.

This image was taken for a stockist's catalogue and web site.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens Tamron 18-200mm
Focal length 200mm
Exposure 1/6th sec @f11
Manfrotto tripod.

Lex

Valletta

2010-01-20T04:22:00.000-08:00

Valletta.

This image was captured while on holiday in the Maltese capitol of Valletta.

The fortified town was built after the Great Siege of Malta by the Ottoman Turks in 1565.
The fortifications were started by Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette in 1566 and completed three years later shortly before the building of the city itself.

During the Second World War German and Italian force's were unsuccessful in their attempt to starve the island into submission.

The above photograph was taken from close to the highest point in the picturesque Valletta looking towards the port.

Camera Canon 1D.
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS.
Focal length 37mm.
ISO 200.
Exposure 1/125th sec @f13.

Lex

Autumn

2010-01-19T04:04:00.000-08:00

Autumn.

One of the woodland walks in Roukenglen Park, on the south side of Glasgow. The park also lists the following attractions, boating pond, putting green, play area, picnic facilities and restaurant.

Camera Canon 350D
Lens 18-200mm
Focal length 22mm
Exposure 1/125th sec @ f16
ISO 100

Lex

Bearings

2010-01-18T04:06:00.000-08:00

Bearings.

These are various types of bearings that the stockist wanted to display in his brochure.

Camera Canon 350D.
Lightening by stockist's desk lamp.
Lens 18-200 mm
Focal length 42mm
ISO 100
Exposure 1 sec @f16
Manfrotto tripod.

Lex

Frosted Trees

2010-01-15T01:53:00.000-08:00

Frosted Trees.

Taken on a frosty morning in the small village of Auldhouse Lanarkshire, Scotland. I positioned the sun behind the tree trunk to reduce lens flair.
I also like this photo as a black & white.

Camera Canon 1D, Handheld.
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS.
Focal length 24mm
Exposure 1/200th sec @ f8.0

Lex

Glasgow University Chapel

2010-01-14T04:02:00.000-08:00

Glasgow University Chapel,
Inside of Glasgow University Chapel, taken during Scott Kelby's 2nd World Wide Photo Walk.

Taken looking alone the isle towards the alter.

Camera Canon 1D, handheld.
Lens 24-105mm f4 IS.
Focal length 24mm, 1/8th sec @ f8, ISO 800.

Lex

Bruce Vault

2010-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

Bruce Vault.

Taken at the Bruce Vault in Culross Abbey Church, Fife, Scotland. The statues are of seven of the eight children of Sir George Bruce.

Sir George Bruce of Carnok lived from 1550 to 6th May 1625. He was a early industrialist who
developed a highly innovative system of coal mining at Culross in Fife.

Camera 1D handheld. Lens 24-105mm f4 IS.
Focal length 24mm, 1/40th sec @ f5.6.
Off camera flash, manual @24mm zoom setting, bounced off far wall.

Lex

Grass

2010-01-12T04:24:00.000-08:00

Grass backlit by early mornibg sun.

Camera 1D, Manfrotto tripod.

Lens 70-200mm f4 IS. Focal length 160mm, 1/16th sec @f22, ISO 100.

Lex

Knitted Pouches

2010-01-11T04:16:00.000-08:00

Knitted Pouches.

These were on display on a market stall in Malta.

Camera Canon 1D, handheld.

Lens 24-105mm f4 IS. Focal length 105mm, 1/350 sec @ f4.5.

Lex

Butterflies

2010-01-08T04:09:00.000-08:00

Butterflies.

Two photos merged in Photokey software (green screen)

Lex

Seedhead

2010-01-02T10:43:00.000-08:00

Seedhead

This image was captured on a visit to Culross, Fifi, Scotland.
I found this garden just off the main street, it was a bright sunny morning and I managed to get in position to backlight the seedhead.

Camera Canon1D, handheld. Lens 100mm f2.8 macro. ISo 1/15 sec @f13

Lex

Rock Garden

2010-01-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

Rock Garden.

I came across these pretty flowers that were growing on the side of a rock, while on a walk around the Isle of Cumbre, in the Clyde estuary.

Camera Canon 1D, handheld. lens 24-105mm f4 IS.

Focal length 88mm, 1/125 sec @f4

Lex

Swing

2010-01-02T10:40:00.000-08:00

Swing.

Two photos merged in Photokey (green screen software)

Lex

Open Gate

2010-01-02T06:42:00.000-08:00

A frosty morning in the Lake District Cumbria, England

Taken on Canon 1D. Lens 24-105 f4 IS. @ 80mm. 1/45sec @ f4.

Lex