Last week I spent time in Bulgaria with my good friend Dave and his family. I was invited over, and took the opportunity to get blogging again after a rusty year off. I think he appreciates the company, and the change of scenery. The kids were pleased to see me as well, probably something to do with the 3kg of sweets I packed into the case. We spent several hours walking up Shipka on this day, Dave managed a few frames, I've yet to edit any of those, something to do with not being as quick (or as good) as DJ at Post processing (or so he says ;-)), only to be presented by a heavy cloud base, and not much of a view, having climbed 1066 steps up, that said it was alot to do with the company, and not so much about the photography non this occasion. But on the return journey we dropped into the lake a few km's from Daves Bulgarian home, and we looked at reflections, landscape. The option of a portrait happening there and then seemed quite slim.

Sometimes you just need to stop and wait for an opportunity to arise in front of you. This pretty much describes this shot. The distant barking of a dog, the tinkling of bells, a random walk by a lake that we had visited 2 days prior in the rain, and then a few moments later, rustling in some distant bushes, and out popped a goat, then another, and another, then the dogs, then the goat herder. Taking them to pasture, and to grab a quick drink. I waved an acknowledgment to him, really just to say good afternoon, but he started to approach me, and then stood still as in the shot. I took my opportunity to grab a few frames, before he was off into the distance. A genuine moment that happens very rarely. It was as if he knew he needed to be photographed. I hope I did him justice...... thanks for stopping by.

Bubba. My slightly annoying, sometimes lovely 13yr old daughter who is a reluctant model.

I used a couple of curves to bring out the contrast, a Red Channel for black and white conversion at 60% mainly. No luminosity blend mode here. This was a test using low light with the 580EXii bounced with a Stofen and whilst I was happy ish with it, you really notice the 2 to 3 stops loss when using this method. My fault, probably, and it was the first 10 frames with the flash on board.

...... thanks for stopping by... csj

Sorry for the last post, I think via Twitter a few people were edgy about the change of registration on the vehicle but it was honestly because of some law about posting registrations that we identified, and also a slight miscommunication between me and Dave (Chromasia), anyway it was simply a case that Dave had modified his plate, so i modified mine differently and then he changed his to mine by which time, it had all gone a bit Pete Tong

Aside from this, its been a strange week back, work has been a little disjointed with impending cutbacks, and I guess it was just a matter of time before it hits every level.

A weekend away was just what the doctor ordered, and I find time spent in this guys' company inspiring. I am sure lots of you would also. A technical genius, the guy sees life in histograms and dynamic range, and I see it in 16x9, with thirds.

I know strictly speaking I shouldn't do a 3 Image HDR portrait, as its a little over the top, but as it was of the man himself I guess DJN wouldn't mind my abusing the technique, just this once, I promise not to do it again............. csj

Interesting looking back through the image archive, especially now that the Drobo is making life a lot freer on the desktop. Between that and Adobe Lightroom they have changed the way, or should I say are changing the way I work with images. I no longer have to worry about backup and it is incredibly fast for a USB device.

So here is the second of the London shots, that I grabbed whilst having a print and tell with a couple of photographer friends a while back, the original image is here ..../archives/_MG_1701-Edit-2.php

Like I said today to Suz who commented on my previous entry, "Not sure I feel awkward (about taking people pictures). It is difficult tho, but generally if you size up the situation, most people are ok with it. It depends on your location, the social climate, and the current general acceptance to photography, and how upfront you look. If you look confident in taking a picture, have a camera bag, and act positively most people actually expect or at least think you know what you are doing and that you are doing it for a purpose, that's about as far as their thought processes go.

Some people will of course ask what the hell you are doing, and I just say, I'm recording local people for a local archive (my blog) and I hand them a moocard. www.moo.com 100 cards for ten pounds ($20 appx) with photos on and your details on the back, it works a charm, and you get people on your side in a matter of moments.

For the rest of the time I shoot through people, and look in a different direction the moment the shutter has been released, people think I am photographing something entirely different. Also work close to people and smile. All of the above seem to work for me."

As always let me know what you think.......csj

In support of Chromasias' recent archive digging, I have also been looking through the files and found two from a trip to London that I originally couldn't work with and to be honest couldn't see anything in them, after a little of the tutorial knowledge from the link on the right I was able to rework them, and I am really pleased with both of these.

They were from when I met up with Al and Matt whom I hope to catch up with again next month at Focus In Birmingham. The images were from pretty early on in the days when I hadn't had the Canon to long. I shot a couple or three frames of a chair that had had a regular turnover of sitters and managed to get tonights' entry and tommorows' within a half hour gap. I prefer tommorows shot, but you can see the original of tonights' image here ..../archives/_MG_1710-Edit.php

I have no idea who either of the 'sitters' are and unlike a good portrait I have no empathy with the subject, and I know nothing about them, but for me there is a little story in each image. This one for me, makes me hope that he is listening to the early cut of GOD SAVE THE QUEEN by the Sex Pistols, but I imagine he's not.... ;-)

As always and with portraits I'd like to know what you think..... csj

On a side note, just pop over to a new blogger, and close friend of mine, Craigs' Site here we all know how hard it can be to remain inspired and I'm sure a quick comment or two from outsiders will spur him on.....

We grew up together.

Ok so this happened out of the blue, I wasn't even looking for a shot, but he made it possible and very easy for me, posing for at least 5 frames, before he got bored with Daddy pressing buttons and not paying him attention. One minute he's not able to walk or talk, next minute, he wants to play football in the kitchen and won't stop asking till you do!... they grow up like rockets.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me and wished me luck with the book, it means a lot, and I will be adding up the image votes at the end of this month. If you havent done so, click through the thumbnails (link above) and choose a few of your favourites for inclusion, this is your book. I have also decided to reduce the book back to 10"x8" to reduce the overall price, but let me know what you think, it was going to be 14"x11".

I have built the template, and started formatting the text, and am really looking forward to getting this done. So thanks again. csj

Just a quicky dont forget that its January, theres no light, your bored, and you need to brush up on Photoshop, then pop across to my friends at Chromasia click here - Photoshop tutorials by chromasia and get yourself a lesson in Photoshop you wont regret, I learnt more from them in 1/2hr of tutorials than I did in 10years of using the software.

Santa brought me a lens ;-) - A Canon 50 1.8 EF Mark II, its gonna take some getting used to, its definately quirky compared to my L series lenses. But hey its all about trying new things right!

So heres my mum, the 'Santa' that bought me the lens, asking what its going to do for me, and whether it will 'improve' my photography, uhmmm.

I started shooting....... theres a pause in the conversation.

'So what happens to these pictures you take?'...she asks

...Well I edit the ones I like, and post them on the blog for everyone to look at. ;-)

Mums eh!, where would we be without one.?! - csj

Thankyou, Thankyou to all those of you that have voted so far by clicking the thumbnails and choosing which images to include in the book, I will leave the script on for the next month or so to collect all your favourites in, thanks again.

I promised you a photo, and here it is, one that I have been keeping back for a couple or three years. Mel is, .... lets say...... not always happy about having her photo taken, but this one is so not of the details, that I don't think even she would mind.

I love this image for all sorts of reasons, some I'm not able to type here in the blog, and others that simply for me represent the image, and not always for the technical qualities of sharpness or accuracy. Its more about the moment, and capturing what you feel and see. This image has always been there ready to upload, but I wanted to get the timing right, and I guess, what with all the stress we've been under recently, 2 weeks before Xmas, and after a day when we found out that little Fin has chicken pox, well...... it had to be done....life eh! ;-).... (Slushy bit) .... Mel you are my Rock and I love you.

Shot in Dublin, Ireland. A street moment, with my old film camera, but a frame that for several reasons I wanted to archive here. This was five minutes before Ireland went out of the 92 European Cup, this guy was a persistant talker, in a broad irish accent.

I really to this day don't know exactly what it was that he was after, or indeed was saying but I took the liberty of grabbing a frame or two of him.

He'd pestered me for money, or at least I think thats what he wanted.

I did slip him a pound or two, and then noticed the boot laces on the glasses.... poor old boy. I wonder where he is now.

So here he is, the man you all know and love, but rarely see. Not so much a recluse, or extrovert as simply a nice guy, and a talented photographer, obviously!. And probably without realizing, he has become a kind of guru to many.

In my case I was lacking any photographic inspiration, it happens a fair few times in any one year in all honesty, but that's just down to my 'seeing eye' drying up.

Dave's work is inspirational because he doesn't make a big fuss, he doesn't shout too loud, or indeed get on anyone's nerves. Instead the man just throws an image into the melting pot, and hopefully stokes up some interest and banter. This I can relate to.

Over the years I have tried on numerous occasions, and with a certain amount of success, to do the very same thing. Usually by having a trip to 'Town' to catch up with a few fellow photographers, we fling a few prints down on the table, drink a couple of beers and discuss the ins and outs of each image. Something I love doing. Problem being most of my photographer friends are disillusioned by having worked too hard at photography, that the last thing they want to talk about is photos. I guess that's where Dave fits in. His work is there on Chromasia when I need it, I know I can comment freely (or not) about those images which leave an impression on me, and I still enjoy the fact that there are like minded people out there. Anyway this was a shot of a moment, 2 weeks ago, 'Frothy Coffee', and a strong wind, just before we went beach-combing. Fantastic!. Mine blew over the top of my cup, check out the table

Mel had an opportunity to work on the Isle of Wight for a day, so we all decided to go, and make the day of it, it was only a part day job anyway, and we thought we could blag the best part of the day at the Tiger Sanctuary, which conveniently was by a beach, so we made the absolute most of the time we had, the light was great and the moment on the beach was special..... its a long story, but it was special....

I hope for more times like that, it was one of my favourite times.

Kiddo made some great moves on the shore this was one of about 5 frames that I liked a lot, I might put up more in the future, maybe..... or into a seperate folio.