Me at work

Me at work, originally uploaded by gary8345.

Hello, its me!!!!

I should really try to get back into blogging. I did well for a few months back in 2007/8, but time seemed to elude me a little after a while.

I did enjoying blogging, and it encouraged me to go out and about with my camera. I still go out and take pictures, but writing about them makes you think more about the images you have taken.

Glass Disk

This glass structure is sited outside a mundane office block in London. The architecture around the disk is not that inspiring at all. However, this sculpture, got my imagination going. There were so many different pictures to take. Because of the material its made of, the light played so many tricks.

From one angle I got green:


....and from head on, a kind of mirror effect:


All these pictures were shot with a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. I really like the depth of field it produces, and I played with this aspect with the middle picture above.

The Flower Shop

I pass this shop everyday on my journey to and from work. I love the show they put on in the front, and if I lived nearby, I am sure I would be encouraged to spend some money there!!!

I was using my new Canon 50mm lens, on a very bright and sunny spring day. It was the first time I had used the lens, and the first time I had ever used a prime lens. It was strange not being able to zoom in and out, and I don't think I stopped trying to do so. However, I really like this lens, and I am sure I will use it quite often.

Chelsea Vs Middlesborough

Boy oh boy, were we lucky! Sometimes, you come away from a game, thinking at least we won, so I suppose that I should be grateful for the three points we got today.

The game started of so encouraging, with some really fast play. Thanks to Ricardo Carvaliho scoring after 5 minutes, it was nice to see the early play count for something. The play immediately after the goal was very good, and I thought, this game might end up with us scoring four. However we seemed to lose our way. I sometimes wonder how this change. At the time some of the Middlesborough players were arguing with each other, and I did see the odd head drop, but as the game went on, they obviously thought they had a chance.

What seemed to change the game was when Carlo Cudichini rushed out to intercept a ball, but missed. Thankfully the attacking player missed an open goal and hit the post. The woodwork also came to our aid on two further occasions, as it appeared that we held on to a one nil win.

Making Money

I've decided to try and earn some money from my photography. I already have a iStockphoto account, and now, I've opened an on-line gallery on Photobox: Gary Etchell Photography.

The idea is to eventually have my own domain, and use Photobox services to do the printing and money collection for me.

The first job is to upload some pictures to the on-line gallery. I have a rough idea of the pictures I would like to put up for sale, but I think this might be an ongoing process.

Natural History Museum

I had forgotten that today was my work's camera club outing. Luckily I had my Panasonic point and shoot with me. So armed with that, I joined Ann and Anna for a walk to the Natural History Museum.

The architecture of this building is amazing. Built in 1880 and built in a Romanesque style, the building has stood the test of time. You just cannot imagine a building being built today with such a high specification.

I have visited this museum many times, and there is so much detail I have never noticed before. For example the columns are all different and have different designs on them:


On this visit we only had time to explore the main entrance hall, and that kept me occupied for an hour.

Personal Best

When I got off the train at Dagenham Heathway, I just couldn't believe the clock said "18:02". This was my quickest journey home from work, and the first time I've experienced a journey less than the advertised average time!!!