.:: www.id7.co.uk ::.

]]> I decided to go for a photo-walk, and took the road to Dryanovo alone, its about a 4km walk by all accounts and took me an hour or so. I walked towards the sound of voices, and found myself in amongst the action in the Town Square on a day when I had said that some 'street' portraits were on the agenda. I wanted to get some people pics in amongst the Urbex shots and the still life that I had shot over the days prior. Dave was busy at home today, and so I took the opportunity to shoot alone for a few hours. Unbeknown to me today was Dryanovos most special day of the year. A celebration of the architect that built the town, and today was extra special , as the cardinal of the Southern regions of Bulgaria was present in the town, opening the New Museum and giving it his blessing. I was squeezed in amongst the hustle and bustle of excited Towns folk at the entrance to the new museum, when all of a sudden the crowds parted, all eyes fell on me, and someone shouted out "Photographer". It all went silent for a few seconds when I realized that it was I that was being called to take the official photos, I was ushered into the museum by the Mayors PR assistant, who had assumed that I was official PRESS, I was literally shooting under the cardinals nose, and had a few great opportunities to shoot. Not the greatest light though, and I was without my 580 EXII having assumed that I was going to be shooting outside all day, but I made the most of the opportunity and shot what I could. It was one of those fantastic photographic moments, that could only happen in a small provincial town in Bulgaria. A moment I will never forget......

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
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metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?

21/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens
55mm
f/2.8
1/320th
Aperture
0
Pattern
200
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3 + Photomatix
No

]]> Buzludzha monument in Bulgaria, taken from the lower ridge, looking towards the Wind generators on the peak opposite. It was very very cold, and a long way up. Deceptively so. Apparently over a KM in that direction from where we parked. We are fools (Dave and myself) as we reached 'our summit' we realized that there was a service road right to the top, we just hadn't seen it. I wanted to kill someone (djn!!), but was too knackered (one for Carlos) and in awe of the scene that now lay in front of me. I will only post one more of these in this series for now, but may save it til next week, and post a portrait tomorrow just to break it up a little.

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
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RAW converter
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22/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens
17mm
f/16
1/160th
Aperture
0
Pattern
100
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3 + Photomatix
No

]]> The title for this series from the Buzludzha monument in Bulgaria, was taken from some graffiti which was painted on the lower quarter of the huge upright tower / mast. Unfortunately the only frame I got depicting the graffiti was blown in the highlights, I'm not sure there's enough of a shot to rescue it, but if i ever go back, I'll be sure to capture it again.

Dave captured this cracking shot from inside the main auditorium, and I know he has a better HDR of this upper ring than I. But today's post is quite emotive in as much as here is a link to how it once looked. What a view. Absolutely stunning / breath taking... now abandoned, destroyed.

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camera
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22/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens
17mm
f/8
hdr
Aperture
0
Pattern
100
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3 + Photomatix
No

]]> According to wikipedia ...

Buzludzha is a historical peak in the Central Stara Planina, Bulgaria and is 1441 metres high. In 1868 it was the place of the final battle between Bulgarian rebels led by Hadji Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha and the Turks. In 1891 the socialists led by Dimitar Blagoev assembled secretly in the area to form an organised socialist movement. In honour of this act was built the Buzludzha Monument, one of the symbols of the socialism in Bulgaria. Both myself and Dave ventured up here alone, and we were literally the only people there. It was mildly creepy, quite exciting, and a fantastic photo opportunity. I'm not entirely convinced I nailed it, in terms of imagery, i have several frames to work on I'll probably regret posting this image on its own, but for now at least I am quite happy with it. There are so many view you can take here, a fish eye works well in this scenario, but alas I dont own one. Never mind, you make the best of what you have, and try to represent it in a way that makes you glad you are able to see. This place is amazing, you could literally spend a day recording it, and still not see everything. Its definately a shame that it lies in ruins, and is not held up as a museum to a time of rule, subject to question, but none the less a part of Bulgarian history.

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camera
lens
focal length
aperture
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metering mode
ISO
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RAW converter
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22/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens
17mm
f/9
1/4
Aperture
0
Pattern
100
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3 + Photomatix
No

]]> 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.

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camera
lens
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18/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Lens (courtesy of @chromasia)
70mm
f/10
1/125th
Aperture
0
Pattern
100
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> Like i said yesterday, the expectation of a shot can sometimes put the dampeners on actually begin able to achieve that goal. I'm hoping (as is Dave) that our second trip out this week, goes a little easier than 18months ago. We travel to the Shipka pass, to photograph the monument which stands at 816 steps up and a few thousand feet above sea level. I won't go into too much depth here, but the last time I photographed this, Dave was very very ill and I climbed it alone. Tomorrow we are both going fully camera laden, and hoping for a couple of peachy shots / landscapes.

This entry is from within a derelict Municipal school building. Some three stories and a cellar, and approximately 70 rooms its a big building, and quite eery to walk around, with nothing but the wind and rain as a background sound.

capture date
camera
lens
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18/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens
17mm
f/6.3
2.5secs
Aperture
0
Pattern
50
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3 + Photomatix
No

]]> Expectation of photography is, and can be far higher than that which is attainable with the pressure of feeling you have to shoot. Different for me then I guess, in as much as I shoot purely for pleasure, I see what I see, and I move on. For others the battle to achieve is constant. The option of failure, is not an option. This can make it a less than pleasurable experience if you allow the pressure to build for reasons of commercial gain, or worse still you are being told what to do.

Photography for me is a release, its a pleasure I indulge in small slices, small slices of freedom afforded to me by those who love me. Its a 'me time' moment that I can just make my own. If I succeed in getting an image, an image of anything that I find mildly pleasing to the eye, then its been a positive moment. Whether its a classic beautiful moment, or something that others may see as dark and gloomy. I actually like dark and gloomy scenes. Quite often than not I see beyond the dark and see something positive.

In this case the rain was pouring, and we were at least out of the rain. I was out with a good friend @chromasia, and I had my camera out. That was a good day. Oh and the promise of sausages and mash and a real fire when we got back. What more could you want.

Dave's first from my visit to Bulgaria is here http://www.chromasia.com/iblog/archives/1010171935.php, and I'm borrowing his 35mm f1.4 today, just going to shoot with this alone, it should be a fun day... heading into Dryanovo to shoot some market stuff today, so there might be a human element in the shots today.

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?

18/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Lens
17mm
f/5.6
1/250th
Aperture
0
Pattern
50
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> A five hour drive North, 3 Coffees, and a noisy airport, no sleep, and a 6am flight to Sofia, then a 3 hour lift in the back of a BMW in Bulgarian driving style ;-) , and then playing with 6 kids, and then sleeping for 10hours, was very tired, but now its grey and still, but somehow alive, and refreshing, as the fire is lit, and the temperature rises from 1 degree. Its coffee number 2, and the kids are coming alive. Today is the start of something. I think it will definitely involve my camera. For sure. http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=42.988294,25.518236&spn=0.041218,0.105872&z=15

capture date
camera
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10/10/2010
Apple iPhone
?
?
?
?
?
0
?
?
no
JPG
CS3
Hipstamatic

]]> I am really looking forward to my trip with djn and family in Bulgaria, i cant wait to see what images we come up with. I'll b happy with 1, but more happy with some.

Its a break, and a break is a break.... Now lets see if I can stay under luggage weight.... anyone fancy a tripod!

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
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RAW converter
cropped?

10/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 50mm f1.8
50mm
f/6.3
1/250th
Aperture
0
Pattern
50
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> I saw this wedding photographer, she was trying very hard to stay dry, as her very willing, and slightly exuberant couple thought they'd take their full wedding attire for a plop in the ocean (in October)... I know its fashionable, I know the photos will look great, I just couldn't help feeling that it was one frame too far. I saw her (the photographer) wiping her lens and body with her top, and later pouring salt / sand / water out of her tripod. I don't know how much she was getting paid, I hope it was worth it.

On an aside I'm off to Bulgaria at the end of this week to see my good friend and fellow photographer DJN from Chromasia. The last time I was at his place in BG was over a year and half ago, it will be good to see how the old place has changed, and to see his family, spend some time out shooting, and blogging, and doing a little bit I hope to help out.

Looking forward to it very much.

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
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10/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 50mm f1.8
50mm
f/1.8
1/200th
Aperture
0
Pattern
400
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> A strange day today. I'm not sure if it was media fed, that I should expect a weird day, or whether there was an air of weirdness because of the date. People in the sea in October is weird enough, but then I saw a wedding couple (fully dressed) swimming, and after that to be honest nothing seemed odd. I made the most of the sun, for an hour or so, played 16holes of crazy golf with Fin, had a cold drink, and headed back home, bumped into some friends, and spent the rest of the day in the sun, drinking coffee and chatting.

This image is a chance moment of fun with their daughter. I like moments like that.

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10/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 50mm f1.8
50mm
f/1.8
1/200th
Aperture
0
Pattern
400
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> I don't know whether to be happy, sad, expectant, duck, or run for this momentous date and time, but here is a picture I shot last week, and not at 10.10.10 @ 10:10:10am ..... I just posted it at this time, sorry but its Sunday, and I cant get through the bathroom queue before this time on an average weekend.... Enjoy.

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
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cropped?

02/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 50mm f1.8
50mm
f/5.6
1/320th
Aperture
1/2
Pattern
100
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> This is an image I'd forgotten that I'd shot with djn whilst up in Blackpool a few weeks back. I think we both marveled at the chance of drinking a cup of Bovril, it warmed me up just reading it. Hence the photo.

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
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11/09/2010
Canon 5D
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
200mm
f/2.8
1/1500th
Aperture
1/2
Pattern
200
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> It rained today. So in true Brit grit style we went to the beach, with buckets and spades. It looks like others had the same idea.... I plucked my trusty 50mm from the bottom of the bag today, and stuck with it for the duration. I like to test myself without a zoom from time to time. I call it 'prime time'.

As an aside to this blog, I realized something else that frustrated me yesterday, was being told by a Eastern European snack bar owner that she could not accept 2p's as payment for a packet of M&M's... luckily both I and the person in the queue behind me piped up that this statement was not only immoral but illegal, just because she couldn't be bothered to bag up 2p's.... BUT what really got my goat was that it was being handed over by my 4 yr old son at the time..... had to blog it, its of no consequence to anyone else, but it just made both Mel and I's blood boil......

04/10/10: OOops update, just read that in fact handing over more that 20p in 2p's is not legal tender. Ouch now I feel bad. :-(

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
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image quality
RAW converter
cropped?

02/10/2010
Canon 5D
Canon 50mm EF2
50mm
f/5.6
1/640th
Aperture
2/3+
Pattern
100
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No

]]> I really enjoyed our little excursion last weekend, we made the effort to spend out Tesco vouchers on the ascent of the Spinnaker tower. Frustrating photographically speaking though as you can only shoot through glass from the top. Whilst this can lead to some interesting images, the glass was tinted with Green, I imagine to cut back UV or some such, or maybe because esthetically from the exterior it looks quite striking. But its rubbish to photograph through.

Anyway I gave it a go. The views were amazing, but like a lot of views, they should only be kept in your memory, some photos just don't work. I'm not saying this image is a classic, but I was interested in the movement of the the human shadows and forms directly below through the glass floor and through the structure. I shot quite a few of these types of image, but typical bad luck , I never had the perfect combination of numbers of people, and position of shadows.

capture date
camera
lens
focal length
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?

11/09/2010
Canon G10
Canon 6.1 - 30.5
30.5mm
f/8
1/2500th
Aperture
0
Pattern
400
no
RAW
LIGHTROOM + CS3
No