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!!!

Easter Monday

This is one of the first times I think I have experienced all four seasons in one day. The plan was to meet Anna and go for a day out with our cameras.

I met Anna during a snow shower, and we decided that we should still keep to our plan. The plan was to head for London's South Bank, and walk along the Thames, starting at London Bridge, and finishing at Westminster. There were plenty of opportunities to stop for refreshments and to shelter from the changeable weather.

My favourite stop was at "The Gourmet Pizza Company". The atmosphere at this restaurant was very relaxed, and the pizza was one of the best I've ever had. I had an Italian Sausage one, and every mouthful had a different taste combination. It's making me hungry thinking about it now!

Despite the weather, I managed to capture some good shots, and this is my favourite of the day:


The reason, why I was so pleased with this picture, was because it's the first time I think I have been brave enough to attempt a form of street photography.

I'm not too sure how often the book market is open, but it fun browsing here. We spent a good 10 minutes or so looking at a children's "Learn German" book. I was so tempted to buy it.

Chelsea Vs Arsenal

I’m not too sure how this game came across on TV, but this was one of the most exciting games I have seen for a long while. There is a lot of bad blood between these two teams, but somehow, the referee Mark Clattenburg, managed to keep the game from turning into a bad tempered affair.

Also, this game once again proved how fickle football fans can be. Until the 73rd minute, people were calling for Dider Drogba to be taken off. Comments like “he doesn’t want to be here”, “look at his body language”, “he’s not even running” rang out around the stadium. However, on the 73rd minute, Drogba silenced his critics by scoring Chelsea’s equaliser. I don’t think Chelsea really deserved to be behind. Arsenal played lots of pretty football, which they famed know for, but apart from maybe one or two chances, they weren’t really hurting us.

Nine minutes after scoring, Drogba put the ball in the net again to become the fans hero. All the negative comments heard for over an hour earlier had gone, and Chelsea were on their way to a very important win over Arsenal.

So with the final score Chelsea 2 Arsenal 1, we leap-frog above Arsenal to second place, but are still 2 wins behind Manchester United. They still have to come to our ground, but we need them to slip up elsewhere, which on the form they are showing, looks very unlikely. However, as someone once said, “football is a funny old game”, so you never know what might happen.

New Camera: One Week On

I’m loving my new camera. Although I still have to make time to read the manual. However, so far I have found all the buttons very intuitive. I also find the camera very comfortable to hold. I think the grip is more pronounced on the 400D than on the Olympus E-500. I have yet to take many pictures with the camera, but so far I am pleased with the results. This, so far is my favourite, and all I had to do with this on the PC was crop it:

This afternoon's lunchtime walk took me to Albert Bridge. This is one of my favourite bridges across the Thames. There is a plaque on the bridge that suggests that it was opened in 1874:


However, all my research on the internet suggests the bridge was opened a year earlier. I wonder why there's a discrepancy?

The bridge was commissioned in 1842, and a design by Rowland M Ordish was started in 1864. Ordish also designed a similar bridge in Prague.

From the start, Albert Bridge has been underthreat. The sign at the ends of the bridge, has a warning that was placed to stop the bridge wobbling:


Today, there are speed and weight restrictions in place, but that isn't enough to stpp the biggest threat. Apparently dogs are urinating on the bridge's iron supports, which is causing the wood underneath to rot.

Pictures taken during the day do not do the bridge justice, so one clear evening, I will have to return with a tripod for my camera.

New Camera

I made the switch from Olympus to Canon. I have always had Olympus cameras, so when it came to updating to a dSLR, choosing the Olympus E-500 seemed a natural choice.

I really do love the camera, but have found the choice of lenses to be inhibiting. Also the cost of the lenses are extremely high. I have been thinking for a little while now about making the jump, and a couple of pieces fell into place this last week.

Firstly, the price. Canon, have just brought out a new model, the 450d. This meant the 400d, which I had my eye on, came down in price. The only real difference I could see between the two cameras was the number of mega pixels. I think the 10mp on the older version is more than adequate for my needs.

Secondly, and not a sensible reason, I got offered a full-time contract at the Royal Marsden, and thought I should treat myself to a new toy!!

Here is the first picture taken with my new camera:

Terracotta Army

What an interesting exhibition this was. I must admit up until now, I had not been too interested in Chinese culture and history. However, this has really sparked something in my mind.

Maybe, it's the vast scale in which the First Emperor of the united China creates his death tomb. Off course this was because he thought he was immortal, and would rule forever. The Terracotta Army was created to protect him as he ruled from the after-life.

The detail is also amazing. Every face is different, and although, when we think of this army, we forget, that they made grooms for the horses, government officials to keep them in check, and sportsmen and musicians to keep everyone entertained.

Although the British Museum only had around a dozen figures, it was enough to get some idea of what you could see in China.

It's quite unbelievable, that the discovery of the army was not made until 1974. Also, as yet, they have not opened the Emperor’s tomb. This is not too surprising, as it is believed to be booby-trapped. However you are left wondering what treasures are buried with him.

Chelsea Vs Derby

Everyone seemed a little disappointed after our weekend exit from the FA Cup against Barnsley. Its been great being a Chelsea fan over the last few years. We have had so much success, that it is hard to accept that we lost, and even harder when it was against a team from a lower division.

From the start, a lot of people were on our manager's case. Avram Grant is not the most popular of appointments, but I find it hard to boo one of our own, especially during the game.

Thankfully, by the end of the first half, with us leading Derby 2-0, people seemed to come round. In the second half, the goals kept coming, with Frank Lampard scoring four. After 70 minutes, the score was 6-1, and now with four attacking players on, I was expecting more. So its rather sad to report, that leaving the Stadium at the end of the game, I was a little disappointed. I'm sure we could have scored a lot more.

Chelsea Vs Olympiacos

This was the second leg of the last 16 round of the Champions League. Olympiakos are the Greek Champions, and a fortnight ago the teams met for the first leg in what was a freezing Athens. That game ended 0-0, and the Greek team didn't look like easy pushovers as everyone expected.

Due to UEFA needs, we couldn't sit in our usual seats. In the end, we had to make do with seats in the forth row, right by one of the corner flags. I was really excited about sitting so close to the action. I wanted to take a camera, and decided to take my point and shoot.

Being so close to the action, also meant that I was able to see what the professional photographers get up to. I have often thought being a sports photographer would be a dream job. When you look at the gear they have, I should imagine that it must be a fun job. I know, I was only armed with a point and shoot, but it was enough to realise that working a Chelsea game would be beyond me.......I get far too excited to capture a moment!!!


As for the game, the speed of the game appeared to be so much faster at ground level. You also got to see all the bumping and pushing that goes on.

Within five minutes, Chelsea were one up, thanks to a headed goal by Micheal Ballack from a Frank Lampard cross. Chelsea, started fast and furious, and the Greek team seemed unable to cope. The post was hit, an open goal was missed before Ballack hit a powerful shot that the goal keeper couldn't hold, and spilt to give Lampard an easy tap in to make it two nil at half time.

The second half started very much like the first half, and within five minutes we were rewarded with a corner right by us. We're not normally very good from corners, so it was a surprise to see the ball end up in the back of the net. From where I was sitting one of three Chelsea player's could have scored, and it was Solomon Kalou, who made it three nil.

This is how the game ended. It could have been a bigger score, but it was enough to see Chelsea into the quarter finals for the forth time in five years.

Trumpton in London?

This afternoon’s lunchtime stroll saw me on, what I thought might have been the set for the 1960’s children’s TV show Trumpton.


I keep on finding these little surprises, tucked around the back streets of Chelsea. You can actually see the start of this street from the King’s Road, but standing here, you do feel another World away.

Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Last night I paid a visit to the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition. This takes place every year at the Natural History Museum in London.

I was impressed with the vast majority of pictures, but my favourites, were the ones where you thought that you may have been able to be in a position to take such a picture. This one, I think was my favourite.

I just loved the way the photographs were displayed as well. They seemed to be printed on acetate and lit from behind on giant light boxes.

Leap Day

Here we are, an extra day to correct time!!!

I think this is the first time in my working life, that I am actually going to get paid for working on leap day. If you are salaried, you don't get any extra pay for working this extra day. I read somewhere that there are people calling on this day to become a national holiday.

I remember an episode of Fraiser, where he said everyone should use this day to "make a leap", try something different. On the TV show, it all ended in disaster, but I can't help thinking that the sentiment is right. However, in saying that, all I'm going to be doing today, is working today.

Fountains

I read a letter in a photography magazine recently, where the writer was asking why all photographs with running water in them, the author has decided to shoot at a slow shutter speed. I do like the candyfloss look it gives, but does it look natural? I thought about this yesterday, when I took these pictures. So, I decided to take one of each to compare them. Now I have these pictures, I think there is merit in both. The slow shutter speed, gives you the feeling of movement, but using the fast shutter speed, it does look more natural. What do you think?

Fast Shutter Speed:

Slow Shutter Speed?

I’ve also experimented with the blending mode in layers. I really like using “soft light”!!!

Gravestones

In the church gardens, it appears that all the gravestones have been moved to one side and lined up in rows around the church perimeter. I think it makes for an interesting picture. The line of stones leads you into the picture. However, here, I used a high aperture and focused on the first stone thus blurring the stones in the background.

St Luke's Church

Full off photographic opportunities, but the low light needs a steady hand or even better a tripod. I tried to use my flash, but didn't like the effect it gave me. Using a chair as a make-shift tripod, I was rather pleased with this candle shot:

I had just light the tall candle. It's something I always do, as it makes me stop what I'm doing, and gives me a minute or two to think of those loved ones no longer with us.

Furry Moped

I have seen many unusual things while walking around Kensington and Chelsea, but I think this is the strangest thing I have seen:


I wonder what the thought process was behind the idea of covering a moped with red fluffy material? What is it like when it’s wet? Does it smell? As I write this, I think I’m quite pleased that I never got too close to it.

Dagenham Heathway Station

It is such a shame that all the money that has been spent on the station to spruce it up, has really been a total waste of time. The waiting room, which has some modern photography style art is all locked up:


This means the people of Dagenham have to sit outside. I just wonder, if this is meant to be the Dagenham way to sit on chairs:

Journey Times - Feedback

Last week I had a little moan. Well I seem to be right to be a little miffed about the time my journey on the tube takes. The longest journey time during the week was 67 minutes, and the shortest was 55 minutes, both above what the average journey time should take. Even the Transport for London journey planner for the 07:44 train, which is the one I aim for, says it should take 54 minutes. So, going to work, I am spending half an hour more on the tube, than I should.

Transport for London reckons the journey time back to Dagenham is quicker. This does seem to ring true. However, my average journey time takes an extra 5 minutes. Which over a week works out to be an extra 25 minutes.

Am I right to moan about this? Well, it is nearly an extra hour a week travelling time. However, I can see the solution that Transport for London would implement. They would just increase the published journey times.

I will carry on keeping notes of the times for the next couple of weeks, and will feed back my findings later.

Ticket Barrier

Taken at Holborn Station while waiting for a friend. I wanted to get some movement into the picture. It's just a shame that the chap in the picture is not wearing a brighter colour. I like the fact that the woman in the background managed to keep still for me!!!!

Essex Pigs

These Essex Pigs are on loan to Colchester Zoo from Jimmy’s Farm. They were brought back from near extinction by Jimmy Doherty. Jimmy who has a zoology degree took over a derelict farm on the Suffolk/Essex border concentrated on rare breeds of farm animals. They even made a TV series of the trials and tribulations he went through.

Taxi!!!!

This started of as a really boring picture. I was drawn to take the picture, because of the unusual "Taxi" sign. This was outside a block of flats in Kensington, London, and is obviously used to flag down a taxi for its residence.

Looking at the picture again, I thought I would try a black and white conversion. Using Elements 6, there is a "convert to Black and White" function. This looks fine, but it allows you to change the red, green and blue channels, as well as the contrast. Having a play with these, and then adding some noise, I ended up with the above picture, which I really like. Not so boring now, well not to me that is.

Happy Valentine's Day

A Moan

I have only been commuting by underground for the last 5 months, and already I am getting fed up with the time it takes me to get to and from work. The advertised average journey time between Dagenham Heathway and South Kensington is 54 minutes. However the time coming home is only 51 minutes. Being average journey times, you would think that on some occasions the journey time would be less than advertised. However, I don’t think that has ever happened while I’ve been on the train. So as of today, I have decided to keep a note of the times it has taken me, and I will report back once a week with my actual journey times

Foggy Morning

Some mornings you wait ages with no sign of a train!!!!

Kynance Mews 2

Still on Kynance Mews. This picture looked too "white" in colour. So I decided to convert it to black and white. In doing so, I added a little noise to give it a film feel.

Kynance Mews 1

Walking around Kensington on my lunch break, often brings up some surprises. Kynance Mews is just off Gloucester Road, which is a busy road. However, taking a few steps down the mews, you would think you were walking around a little village, and London was miles away, rather than just a few metres away.

Onslow Square Revisited

I first took this picture a few months ago, but was not too happy with the end result, and thought I could do better. Walking around, I was looking for a better viewpoint, and one with many more lamps to lead you through the picture. I don't think I could get a better composition than this one.

Lion Close Up

On a recent visit to Colchester Zoo, I was without my tripod, so didn't think I could use the zoom lens on my DSLR. So for long distance shots I used my Panasonic point and shoot. While looking at the lions, I started to mess with the digital zoom. My Panasonic camera has 10x optical zoom, so allows me to get very close anyway. However, I was amazed with the picture I captured with the digital zoom added. I was always lead to believe that you should never use the digital zoom, but looking at this picture, I may use it more often if needed.

Shadow Lamp

I was so lucky today. Just for a few seconds it seemed, I got to see this great shadow. I literally just had a few seconds before the sun disappeared behind the clouds. I am rather pleased with the outcome.

Fire Update

There is still no news on what caused the fire at the begining of January. However, they are starting to take down the damaged parts of the building. It doesn't look that professional, but thinking about the cramped space these people are working in, you have to admire their courage and ingenuity. There is no way I could stand on the edges they are, never mind make a mobile phone call while there!!!!

Tin Soldier

As all the pensioners were eating or sleeping, I had to make do with this gentleman for a portrait:

The Royal Hospital Chelsea

Another lunch-time walk, and I stumbled across home to the Chelsea Pensioners. I knew this famous hospital was near to where I work, but I didn't realise that you could visit and explore. Although my lunch-time coincides with the time the pensioners are due to have their lunches and afternoon naps. As a result, I shouldn't really be there.

Bentalls Centre

Still in Kingston, is the Bentalls Centre. I'm not too sure how old the centre is, but know it wasn't there 25 years ago, when I last was there. When I was at school, I had a Saturday job there. Today, the centre looks rather strange from the outside, nestled between older buildings that are centuries old. Inside its a mecca of consumerism. Its a very bright and airy place. The only colour is the blue and yellow glass that is at the front of the centre.


That blue theme, seems to have struck again!!!

Peppers

On a trip to Kingston-Upon-Thames, a visit to the market place, provided an opportunity to shoot pictures full of colour. I chose the peppers because of the blocks of colour:


However, looking at the above picture, I thought I could get away with a close up:

Tulips

No, this is not Amsterdam, but Kingston, Surrey. I love the colour of this scene. I've boosted the contrast a little to get the colours to pop.

Little Bicycle

Walking around the side streets of Chelsea, you come across some interesting sights. Here we have a place to park and change your bicycles. Its located outside a primary school. So you shouldn't be surprised to see a child's bike chained to it. However, it did seem rather odd to see the only bike there, was one with the training wheels still in place.

It was calling out for a picture to be taken. When I opened the image on the computer, the picture lacked a little punch. I thought about making the blue pop out of the picture. So, firstly I adjusted the levels on the blue channel. Then, after playing with the colour curves, and mainly tweaking the contrast, I ended with the picture you see here.

I'm not too sure if you have noticed a blue theme running through the last couple of pictures, but it has kind of given me an idea for a project.

Toilets have a patron Saint?

I was enjoying a lovely walk in the sunshine at lunch, when I came across this street. From a distance I thought it might have been subject to some graffiti, but as I got closer, it was a real sign.

Packed Train

This picture is really a snapshot I took on a really busy train on the way to football (notice the blue Chelsea shirt?).

The picture itself, I felt was rather bland. So I decided to use "colour curves" in Elements 6.0 to add more contrast. I think its added something to the finished picture.

Then it was time to crop. I'm not too sure if you have noticed that all my pictures are cropped 10" x 8". There were two ways to crop this picture; One was to make the man on the right be the main subject. This meant, that the yellow pole on the right was lost, and the face on the left hand side would be lost. The second option, and the one I chose, includes the yellow pole. I prefer this version, as I like the idea of the hands, that are holding on to the pole. They seem to be trying to staying the picture, rather than escaping from it.

A Flower

I just love this picture. I think its the colour. I have cropped this picture, as in the original, the flower is dead centre. However, as I looked at it, the colours reminded me of the sun. So I decided to give the picture this crop. I just remember pictures that kids draw, with the sun in one of the top corners of the picture.

First Photo From My New Mobile Phone

For my birthday last week I was lucky enough to get a new mobile phone. I now have a new Samsung SBH-600 phone. It has an impressive 5 megapixel camera. So now, I will always have a camera with me.

So armed with my new toy, at lunch today I went for a walk along the River Thames, and snapped this photograph:

This is from the Albert Embankment, with Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Power Station in the background.

Colourful Hen

Another picture from the last few months. It's amazing what pictures are hidding on the computer. I can honestly say, "I don't remember taking this". However, I know it was taken at Colchester Zoo on the same day as the Lion picture. I think I must have had a good day, that day!!!!

Latest Fire Pictures

Thankfully it appears that the roof is the only thing that has been totally destroyed.

Looking at the pictures, there's a lot of work to be done to clear the wreckage. It's such a shame as the two floors immediately below the roof have only cosmeic damage.

The fire investigation team are still working on theories, and it will be interesting to see their findings.

Lion

I think this is the best picture I have ever taken at Colchester Zoo. I have tried many times to get a good picture of this lion, and finally, it seems I've succeeded.

Cows

One of my new year's rsolutions is to take my camera out and about and shoot more. However, there are pictures on my computer that I have never looked at. The first images I came across were the cows from Denham.




The plan on the day these were taken was to walk Toby from Debden to Flatford Mill and back again. However, we never made it to Flatford, as while we were taking pictures of these cows,Toby found a cow-pat to roll in.