Old Triumph
Just a quick post this morning. Here’s a shot of an old Triumph Motorbike which I took recently. I’m sure I’ve mentioned before how much I love being able to see the engineering in man made things. Although you can’t see it very well on this image I adored being able to see so much of this beauties engine. That sounds a bit perverted doesn’t it 
Anyway I’ve got a photography project which I’m just about finished and I’ll tell you all about it probably early next week. So take care and enjoy the weekend with your camera.
Mini Anyone?
Who wouldn’t be enchanted with an old Mini Cooper in wonderful condition? I spotted this beauty in a row of these fabulous cars at the Manningtree Vehicle show last weekend. I’ve never owned a Mini but I’ve always been very partial to them. Unfortunately just after I learnt to drive my friend, who was driving a Vauxhall Nova, smacked into one which disintegrated before our eyes. This planted the seed of doubt in the back of my mind about their safety. I’ve never looked up their safety record and I’d hate to see that happen to a beautiful care like this one, but perhaps I’d be better off buying one of the new ones when it comes time to buy another car.
Some days I love my job.
Today my job was great. Firstly I got to play with a Rubens tube which was probably about 8 foot long. Then I got to photograph it!
For those of you who haven’t come across these fabulous things before imagine a long metal tube which you fill with gas. There is a row of holes in the top from which the gas can escape, naturally you set the gas alight as it’s escaping. Then (and this is the bit I love) you pass a sound wave through the tube. This will cause areas of low and high pressure, if you have your gas flow correct the flames will dance to the music for you. I don’t think I need to tell you anything more for you to work out how much fun I had with my iPod and camera.
The Silver Lady
This last weekend I visited Manningtree Vehicle Show. Can you believe this was my first ever car show? Nope, neither could I. Anyway I had a fabulous time with my camera and I’m sure I’ll be posting lots more shots, but this was my favourite form the day. This beautiful Silver Lady needs no introduction and I thought she was simply wonderful.
The ghost in the tree
Last night I decided to take the dogs out for a sunset walk. Pebbles has been on season recently so that has seriously curtailed our outings and they were both happy to be out bounding in the fields. There was the river to splosh in, trees to wee on (mainly Jake) and muddy bits to roll in (Pebbles). As we walked along the river bank however the promised beautiful sunset failed to materialise as storm clouds rolled over the horizon blocking out the last of the sunlight.
Resigned to no spectacular sunset I decided to set up for another ghost shot. This time with the ghost forming part of one of the wonderful old knarled trees along the river bank.
I set up the tripod and worked out my settings before pressing the shutter release and running into position. After what I hoped to be the correct length of time, I then ran out of shot. Or at least I tried to. Jake and Pebbles were hurtling back along the river bank when I started legging it. Slightly confused as to why I was running Jake changed direction and within seconds had crashed full tilt into my legs. Human and dog ended up on the floor amid confusion and startled cries. This naturally didn’t compute in the little doggie brain of Pebbles the other dog, obviously we were playing about so she bundled on top as well. No doubt worried she was loosing out in some way.
Fortunately Jake is fine and I think his yelps were more from shock than anything else. I was especially worried of his back leg which he broke so badly a couple of years ago, but all seems to be in full working order My left leg however didn’t fair quite as well. I knew as I hit the ground that nothing was broken but after I calmed the dogs a quick inspection revealed bruises starting to form and the leg starting to swell. Time to call it a night a head home. Fortunately I already had a shot in the camera…
The Facebook page is up and working…
Remember I said I’d let you know when the Facebook page is up and working? Guess what…. the Facebook page is up and working!
I’m still somewhat bemused by all the ‘Social Media’ options there are in the world these days. It appears long gone are the days when I simply ‘got it’ all very easily. Now there are a huge range of sites which all seem to be trying to convince you that they are the best and only one you need to be a member of - while at the same time offering to connect to your accounts on other sites. Funny that isn’t it.
Anyway Fantasia Photography UK is now up and running. please go and check it out – oh and ‘Like’ it please, so I don’t feel like Billy no mates…..
Grow Up Humming
See this fabulous shot above? Yes, the stunning one of a Humming Bird. It’s not mine. I wish it was, but it’s not. This is the first time I’ve shared a shot on my blog that I didn’t take. So why am I sharing it? Well it’s part of a wonderful project by my friend wildlife photographer Mike Spinak.
The project is called ‘Grow Up Humming’ and is actually a book in the final stages of being put together. Mike, talented guy that he is, has taken all the shots and written all the text. I’ve seen his work and it’s wonderful. The book is now written but it costs money to publish (design, formatting for various electronic book formats, registration, ISBN codes, printing, and so on) so Mike is using Kickstarter to get over this final hurdle. If you’ve not heard of Kickstarter it’s well worth check it out, especially if you like the idea of helping real people rather than large corporations. I first came across it last year when a knitting designer was using it to raise funds to publish a book of knitting patterns. The basic idea is that you pledge money towards the cost of the project in return for something. In Mike’s case he’s offering copies of the book, signed prints and even his time to talk directly with you about the shots and how they were taken.
If you can please support him in this on Kickstarter. If you can’t afford it then just check out his work as it’s wonderful. (and yes…. I’ve signed up to help 
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I’ve finally done it – Facebook here I come
Regular readers will know normally I’m a bit of a Google+ girlie. I’ve used Facebook in the past but for various reasons my social media time disappeared and I ended up with just Google. However, I’ve decided I need to make a bit more of an effort and as a result I’ve got a shiny new Facebook account. Now as if that wasn’t enough I’ve also got a shiny new Facebook Page for Fantasia Photography, although that’s still being set up. Once it’s sorted I’ll post a link.
I’m still not sure exactly how this is all going to work out, but I’ve been assured by my friend Tom (self appointed sorter outer of my IT stuff) that it’s much easier to manage and link these accounts that you think. I’m not to sure about that but hey – I’ll give it all a go. You never know, I might just end up having fun with it all.
Meanwhile here is another ‘Stone Angel’ shot. This is part of a series that I’m working on which is really freaking out my friend Ann. Every time another image is finished she refuses to look at it – mumbling under her breath about Dr Who 