Happy New Year

2007 has been a strange old year. It has had many ups and downs, and as such it’s not been the best. The biggest thing to happen to me this year, was that after nearly 20 years, I managed to have enough courage to leave BT. I didn’t realise how much stress I was under there, and what a weight lifted from my shoulders when I left. I had seven weeks out, and got an offer for a temporary job from a friend. The pay’s not the greatest, but I am now working with a great group of people, and I no longer dread going to work in the morning.

While all that was happening, we lost Bert. He died of a heart attack in October, while on holiday. Off course I am sad that he is no longer here, and I do miss him, but I can’t help thinking what great timing. He had just been out for a lovely day, and had his favourite steak dinner.

Today, I have been thinking a lot about the coming new year. I want to get back to taking pictures. The idea behind this blog, was to encourage me to take pictures. I must admit, one of the disappointments of 2007, especially the last few months, is that I have not really held the camera in anger. I want that to change, as I miss going out and about.

More Latkes

Latkes for our family are a Boxing Day tradition. I suppose as a link to our Jewish roots, and the celebration of Hanukkah. More often than not both Hanukkah and Christmas full at the same time, although not in 2007. Latkes are a great accompaniment to cold Turkey from the day before.

Here is a more abstract look at one of my favourite foods……

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone who reads this has a great Christmas, and gets everything that they wished for.

Keep Santa Fat Campaign Hits the Papers

The keep Santa fat campaign was a bit of fun to help Dan’s agency in the States to get some publicity and a fun way to share Christmas with their clients. However, it seems to have hit a nerve around the World. Apparently, people from 59 different countries so far have visited the web-site, they have had coverage on ABC News in the States and now I was asked to be interviewed for one of our newspapers. So here I am mentioned in the Sunday Telegraph

Keep Santa Fat

In response to the news that Bluewater Shopping Centre were holding a “boot camp” to help get their Santa’s fit, my friend in Oregon, who works for an advertising agency, are starting a campaign to keep Santa fat. Its only a bit of fun, and is to raise money for America’s Second Harvest charity. To make it look like the campaign has worldwide support, I was asked to take some pictures of their logo in London.

London Christmas Lights

I’m not too sure what to make of the Christmas lights in London. However, the more I look at the picture above, the more I am liking them. These were the ones in Regents Street, and apparently they changed colour as people walked underneath them. I’m not too sure how that works, but that’s the claim.

Tips From The Top Floor Assignment - Travel

I spent days thinking how to tackle this assignment. In the end I wanted to show the frustration I face at least once a week on my commute to and from work. A picture of a crowded train, and no room for me to get on!!! I decided to give the picture a black and white treatment, to reflect my mood.

Onslow Square, Kensington

Just around the corner from work, lies Onslow Square. There are rows of Georgian style white houses. Loads of lines, repetition and patterns to photograph.

St Pancras - 1st Visit

The romance of the railway has been revived. What they have done to St Pancras station is amazing. Not only have they created a wonderful place to travel to and from, but a great new space for us Londoners to go.


The Champagne Bar, which apparently is the largest in Europe is if you read the media reviews, the centre of the station. You can sit and watch the Eurostar trains arrive and depart while sipping your champagne.


However, for me, the centrepiece was the statue of Sir John Betjeman. He campaigned in the 1960s to save the gothic St Pancras station from being demolished. Thankfully he succeeded and we now have a fantastic new place.

Kinder Statue at Liverpool Street

This statue was unvailed to commemorate the arrival of Jewish Children from Czechoslovakia in 1938. 700 children were saved by Sir Nicholas Winton . This seems to be a very fitting tribute to Sir Nicholas.

Autumn Leaves

Despite the strange year we have had weather-wise, it shouldn’t really be a surprise that this autumn has been really mild. Normally by the start of November, the gloves and scarf come out, and you need to wrap up really warm. However, that has not been the case so far this year.

Dagenham On Fire

It’s quite fitting I suppose, that on Guy Fawkes Day, here in Dagenham we have a huge bomb-fire. Its also more fitting when you know Guy Fawkes spent the days before the plot here in Dagenham. However, the fire here today, was not a planned one. It has been raging for four days now, and the reason why its taken hold so well, is that it’s a timber yard that’s ablaze. Thankfully, the fire has not spread, and there are no reports of any injuries, but the smoke has made the place rather foggy.

Beach Huts

I just wished the sun wasn’t so bright. I shot this picture from Walton Pier, and thought it was a great opportunity to fill the frame with colour. However, because of the bright sun, I was forced to compromise. I still like this picture, although I wished I captured the people walking along the beach in the foreground further to the left, giving them more room to walk into the picture.

Paul and Colin at the Races

I just love Colin's reaction at the end of the race!!!!

Walton Beach

I think this is Toby's favourite playground. He loves running into the sea chasing sticks, branches, and if you have seen the video, even trees!!!!

It's also a good place to visit with the camera. There are plenty of photo opportunities that have been washed up on the beach. The only problem I find is not slipping on the wet stones, and getting sand in my camera. But so far, I've had no mishaps.

Evil Clown

I found this clown hiding on Walton Pier. It was stuck behind a wire fence, which I well understand, although, I thought it would have been better behind a brick wall!!! I wonder how many children have been scared for life after looking at this clown??

Another Walk on the Naze

We were greeted with a lovely sunny morning, and it seemed a good idea to take advantage of this, and take Toby for a walk along the beech. As always, Toby was on the look out for a stick, so he could play fetch. However, today, he found the biggest stick he has every had..



There was also an event on at the Naze Tower, to raise money for the Red Cross. Not too sure if I would be brave enough to attempt it though.

Fountain

You would have thought after the summer we have just experienced in England, that Tendering Council would have thought a fountain that people could run through, would have been the last thing you would have thought off. However, they didn’t and now in the middle of Clacton’s shopping area is a bank of water fountains. I sat and watched them for ages to try and work out a pattern, they seem to rise and fall quite randomly. I can see many parents coming away from here annoyed that their children never listened to them, as they take them home soaked to the skin.

Old and New

I found this scene was just calling out for a picture to be taken. A contrast between new and old. The old sign a typical site at many rural road junctions in the English countryside. The new, you see quite often in the big cities, the solar panel used to help power speed traps.

The Cherry Tree Inn - Tendering

This place was recommended by some friends. However, we have had recommendations from them before, and they have never really turned out to be any good. However, this time we were in for a very pleasant surprise.

I started of with Stuffed Mushrooms, here is a picture of my starter..



It looked so nice, that I only remembered to take a picture after I had finished.

For main course I had grilled Pork Steaks with a cream and mushroom sauce.



This was delicious. However, I needed to finish the meal of with desert, and ended my meal with Apple pancakes..



The meal was superb, and I loved every mouthful.

Silly Signs - Number 2

A butcher's shop in Framlingham, Suffolk.

Debden

Cows were the feature of this visit to Debden today. It seemed like I walked into the scene of is episode 40 of Tips From The Top Floor, but without the electric fence.

The plan was to take Toby for a walk across the fields to Flatford Mill. It would have been my first walk between the two places. It looks a lovely walk along the River Stour, with cows grazing. All was going well, until Toby decided to roll around in a cow-pat. However, it wasn’t an old dried up one, but a freshly laid smelly one. Thankfully, the river was nearby, and with the encouragement of sticks thrown for him to fetch, we got him reasonably clean. However, we never made it to Flatford!!!!

Sunset

The other evening, on the way out for a Chinese dinner (have you noticed a lot of things seems to have something to do with food), I noticed a lovely sunset and wanted to go back to capture it. The only problem was, the road I spotted the sunset from, didn’t really have any features to make for what I thought was an interesting picture. After driving around for half an hour or so, I spotted a line of telegraph poles, which I thought would make an interesting subject. Thinking about leading lines etc. For some reason the above scene makes me think more of America than it does of England.

Thorpe Hall Show

This was a very disappointing event. Compared to the Great Bentley Show yesterday this was dreadful. It appeared so promising when we first entered and saw a display of classic cars. However, that was about it. There were an assortment of stalls selling things from model boats to crockery. Also, someone who was selling horse boxes!!!! The plan was to spend the whole day there, but within an hour we had seen everything there was to be seen.

Silly Signs - Number 1

This is now a bar in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. I wonder what it was before?

The Great Bentley Show

This was a real village show, and the first time I had attended such an event. There was a great sense of community there, and gave a city guy like myself a taste of what life is like out in the country.

The first stall we came across was a cake stall. I just could not believe the array of cakes on display.


They were all home-made, although not by Great Bentonioans, but by ladies from nearby Clacton-on-Sea. Straight away a Strawberry Victoria Sponge in the shape of a heart was bought. It was gorgeous, when ate later with a cup of coffee!!! Luckily, for a change, succumbing to temptation was the right thing to do, as about half an hour later when I looked over at the stall, all the cakes had gone.

As the show went on, the big marquee was opened. This was where I realised where script writes to comedy programmes such as “The Vicar of Dibley” got there ideas from. Its true, they have competitions on about every subject. The biggest marrow, the best tomatoes, best flower arrangement, best home made wine, best cake etc. They also had some funny competitions, such as “animal fruit and vegetables”. I loved this penguin:


Walking around the main marquee, it was quite obvious to see who were the leading lights of the Great Bentley Show. The same names kept popping up. It would have been lovely to have seen who these people were. Also, the judges must have had such a difficult job. Every section had a first, second and third prize. They must have been really full and on their way to having bright red faces after tasting all the homemade wines and beers.

There was also a kite exhibition across the green from the main show.


They had kites of various different shapes, but my favourite display was those in the picture above.

I can’t wait for next years show, and have already made a mental note to look out for it next September

Princess Diana Tribute

On a recent visit to Kensington Palace, I discovered that they were constructing 10 dandelion clocks. Each one representing a year since the death of Princess Diana.


I can’t believe it has been 10 years since her death. Time has past by so quickly, or is it because Diana is still in the news. The conspiracy theories are still circulating I wished they would end, and let her be left in peace.

Ice Cream

Still in Aldeburgh, and what a yummy surprise. An old fashioned ice cream parlour. This one had a choice of 30 different flavours. I did control myself, and limited myself to two, Apple Crumble and Rum'n'Raison. I will have to go back again to sample more!!!!

Aldeburgh

I really enjoyed my visit to Aldeburgh. I had heard of the place before, but an article in Photography Monthly encouraged me to visit. Its an old town, and full of surprises.

Its famed for its Fish and Chip shop, which I have to admit is well deserved. The town has a very lively arts scene, and is home to many galleries as well as theatre. Also, it has the most unusual cinemas I have ever seen:

A Walk Around the Naze

This is a picture of Toby enjoying a play in the sea at Walton on the Naze.

A walk along the beach here, shows you why there is a save the Naze campaign. The cliffs are slowly collapsing. I have been visiting the naze for the last 5 years, and it is so noticable how much of it is disappearing. I hope something can be done to save it.

Still at the Bricklayers Arms

The food is so good, they came all the way from Florida for dinner!!!!

Bricklayers Arms

This is a lovely old country pub in the village of Little Bentley. It has a long history, and was the starting point for the local "hunt".

Today, its a fine place to go to on a Sunday for a traditional roast dinner. Today, as always I guess, I picked beef. A whole plate full of meat turned up with a yorkshire pudding, and trays of the following vegetables:
- roasted and boiled potatoes
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- carrots
- roasted beetroot and courgettes

Next time I must remember to wear elasticated waist trousers!!!!

The food was fantastic.

Buckingham Palace

Over the summer holidays, the Queen opens the state rooms to Buckingham Palace. Originally done to help raise funds for the rebuilding of St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, this has now become one of the hot tickets on the London tourist trail.

The opulence inside the palace was breathtaking. Unfortunately you could not take any pictures inside. However, this is how I have always imagined the inside of a fairytale castle to look like.

The work that John Nash did here for George IV could not be bettered. I know that he wasn't allowed to finish his work, as he was sacked by Parliament for overspending.

The highlight of the visit was the main entrance and the Grand Staircase. Obviously built to impress, and I can say it definitely does!!!!

This visit, has probably spoilt any future visits to other stately homes and castles.

Royal Horticulture Society Gardens

For some reason I felt inspired to take flower picutres. So I suggested a visit to the Royal Horticultre Society Gardens at Wisley. I had been there many years ago, and remember being bored to death, as gardening never interested me. However, that was before I got into photography.

I really enjoyed my day here, and have over 30 photos that I am proud off. You may get bored of them yet!!!!

Knebworth House

This was my first visit to Knebworth House, and I would love to visit again.

By luck, the visit coincided with the day they have free guided tours. Our guide, Matt Mathews, was very good, and shared loads of stories about the owners, the Lytton Family.

For instance, I didn’t realise that one of the most important members of the family when it comes to the history and development of the present house, was Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton.

The above picture was an addition to Knebworth House in the mid-1800s. It was part of the massive redevelopement of the house, and a tribute to the fashion of making houses look like castles.

New Lens

The first outing for my new Sigma 55-200mm lens. I must admit to be rather impressed with some of the shots I got. The most pleasing thing was the shallow depth of field.

Tips From The Top Floor London Get Together 7 - Part3

Another challenge, this time “Britain is….”. Walking around the British Museum, it was very hard to find anything that I thought would represent Britain. Well that was until I spotted the café. So I decided to stop for refreshment, in the hope that they sold pots of tea. Unfortunately tea only came in a mug, but they did have on offer these gorgeous scones. Here is a picture of me destroying the evidence. Things we do for art!!!!!

Tips From The Top Floor London Get Together 7 - Part2

This challenge was called “Like watching paint dry”. Take a photograph demonstrating the use of long exposures to add drama/mood/character. (i.e. any exposure that will cause significant motion blur/camera shake/whatever).

The picture above was taken with a 1 second exposure. I tried long exposures, but they became too bright, like this one:

First Day of the Football Season

Today was the official first day of the football season. It doesn’t seem like so long ago that last season finished. However, it was nice to be back. The pre-match retrial of a drink before the game, a chat about Chelsea news, and prediction time. For this game I predicted a 3-0 win for Chelsea (off course). Today’s visitors were Birmingham who were newly promoted to the Premier League. As it turned out it was one of the most entertaining games I have been to for a while, and although I got Chelsea’s score right, I’m afraid I missed out 2 goals for Birmingham. A win is a win, and this is our 64th game undeafetated at home in the League, which is a new English record.

If all our home games this season are half as good, we should be in for a very good season.

Tips From The Top Floor London Get Together 7 - Part1

I can't believe that this is the 7th London Get Together of people from The Tips From The Top Floor forum. Its now like meeting up with old friends. This get together was based around a visit to the British Museum. We had been here before on a get together, but because we were unsure what the weather was like, it was decided we should play safe and have an indoor venue.

One of the fourm members set us a number of challenges, and for this post I'll pick the challenge that I would find the most difficult, "Stranger Danger" - Photograph a stranger, learn something about them, tell the World their story. So here is my entry:


This is Veronica. Veronica comes from Hungry and is visiting London as part of her trip to the 21st World Scout Jamboree. She is wearing a red nose, as her challenge for today was to make people smile.

Best Number 2 Goalkeeper in the World

I had to include a picture of Carlo Cudicini I took at the Chelsea training day. Up to 3 years ago, he was the best goal keeper in the English Premier League. However, Chelsea signed Petr Cech. Who would have believed that he could be better than Carlo??? However, he was, and Carlo has since spent life on the sidelines waiting for his chance to be back in the team. You just have to admire his loyalty and patience. As if he moved to any other club, he would be their first choice keeper.

Camera Club Outing

At last we are experiencing Summer, and it means that the scheduled camera club trips out can take place without getting wet!!!!

Last night we made the trip to Mountnessing. I have seen a sign post for this village many times, but have never actually been there. Unfortunately the time we spent taking pictures of the windmill, the light started to fail us, and we had a choice of visiting the local church, or the pub. I'm affraid the pub won!!!

Canary Wharf at Night 2

Another picture from my Canary Wharf scouting mission. This time I tried to make the look a little different and used the layer blending styles in PS Elements 4. I settled on Colour Dodge to get this effect.