Notes
Background details to each portfolio with some technical details for those who need to know this sort of thing.
VSCC Silverstone meeting 08 April 2006 The first meeting of the year for VSCC members held at Silverstone. Nikon D200 with Sigma f2.8 70-200mm EX. Most shots taken at ISO800, static ISO 400. Images taken on a four day break in the Great Glen. Nikon D200 with Sigma f3.5 15-30mm EX. Most shots taken at ISO100 Panoramas stitched using Panorama Factory V7.1 Inversnaid & Scottish Photographers weekend 2006 The annual get together for Scottish Photographers held at Inversnaid Lodge Photography Center on the Eastern shore of Loch Lommond. Internal shots around the house ISO1600 others at ISO100 Nikon D200 with Sigma f2.8 70-200mm EX. This old abandoned foundry is on the edge of Cannock Chase, a designated area of outstanding natural beauty in Staffordshire. The slow degradation of the buildings, recently (early 2006) speeded up by some of the metal parts being taken by scrap dealers. Strangely nature is slow in reclaiming this site. Various cameras and lenses. Leica D2, Nikon D70 and D200 Pico Island Central Azores 2004/2005 In 2005 my late wife and I went out to Pico to help her sister and husband open a museum devoted to sperm whales and squids. The island is named after Pico, the active volcano that dominates the island. Earthquake damage is to be seen all over the island. In 2006 following Margaret's untimely death I went out at the end of August to photograph the Whaler's Festival in Lajes. This event commemorates the old whalers who went out in light boats, canoas, to hand harpoon the whales. Today each village has a canoa, these are raced against each other on the Saturday. On Sunday, following a church service, the stations of the cross are paraded along the main street. A sermon is delivered from a canoa. The first series of images feature Faial the nearest island to Pico. The volcanic landscape at Capelinhos has to seen to be believed. The main town Horta is a major attraction for yachts men. Peters Bar is world famous and if you sail into Horta you must leave a painting on the quay to ensure your good luck and a return to the island. Various cameras and lenses. Leica D2, Nikon D70, Canon S50 The Manor Arms in Rushall is fairly unique as it does not have a conventional bar. The two musicians used to frequent it on a Wednesday evening as did the cribbage players. A pub for good food and beer, only card games not even a dart board and certainly no electronic machines. All shot with Leica D2. Jazz at the Vaughn Arms, Lapley on the first Tuesday of each month. A very similar atmosphere to the Manor. Nikon D70 and D200 both with f1.8 50mm Nikkor used at f2.2 and ISO 1600 A hour or so around Lichfield with the Leica D2 Aston & Erdington P.S. weekend in Wales March 2005 At least twice a year a group from the club have a weekend at this pub just outside Barmouth, lots of beer, food and quite a few pictures. Nikon D70 most with f3.3/4.5 35-70mm Nikkor Cars in the park Lichfield 2005 An annual event in Beacon Park Lichfield. Leica D2 Situated south west of Shrewsbury this area was mined for lead in Roman times. It was taken over by the local council in the early 1990's and one of their first acts was to cover the old spoil tips with soil as there was a perceived danger from lead poisoning, H&S gone barmy yet again. The buildings date back to the late 18th century in parts. All shots taken with the Leica D2. The Gorge is one of my favorite places from the touristy Iron Bridge town, the ten or more museums to the modern anonymity of Telford Center. Various cameras and lenses. Leica D2, Nikon D70 and D200 I find it somewhat perverse that with the advent of digital photography so many spend so much time and money attempting to reproduce a fine art monochrome print produced by traditional methods. At present, May 2006, a reasonable replica resin-coated print can be digitally achieved but nothing to compare with a byarta print. Digital imaging should be finding it's own way in the world, these are a few of my experiments with the medium. Some you will hate, some you may like. Hopefully most will interest you. I'm no wildlife photographer, these are a few shots taken at Twycross zoo and around Chasewater, a local country park. Various cameras and lenses. Leica D2, Nikon D70 and D200 Taken on a weekend break to the north west, the first time the Leica Digilux 2 was seriously used. Shots from two family holidays so photography was not the first consideration. Normandy images Olympus E10 Algarve Leica Digilux 2 Witley Court in Worcestershire was the country home of a Dudley mine owner, built in the 1800's it burnt down between the wars and is now in the care of English Heritage. The magnificent fountain has been restored and is turned on at the weekends. The superbly decorated church is next door to the Court but is entirely separate to it. Leica Digilux 2 Cobbs engine house in Netherton in the heart of the Black Country. Nikon D70 with 35-70mm f3.3/4.5 Nikkor The old silk mill at Fazeley near Tamworth. Leica Digilux 2 The largest memorial service to the memory of the Anzacs outside Australia and New Zealand is held on Cannock Chase at the Commonwealth Cemetery. These shots were taken at the 2004 service and are presented in the order they were shot using a Leica Digilux 2. Frames L1000743 to L1000752 show a small unofficial ceremony that takes place in the German War cemetery after the main service where the members of Bloxwich British Legion pay respect to their past adversaries. As they said each had a mother, wife, sister just as those in the Commonwealth Cemetery had.
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