Practice pool dive

I went to the pool last night for a practice pool dive session-I need another and have been summoned for another underwater excursion to the shallow end next week!

The cameras will be compacts when we go on a 6 metre open water dive later in the month.
I didn't do very well and doubt I will be able to do the dive if I don't learn how to clear,my mask, ears and remove/replace the regulator for breathing. The latter is quite scary and I wouldn't try but will need to next week.

I am getting older, life seems more precious than it used to!
I don't get these problems with landscape!

Underwater photography session with Groupon

I had forgotten about this! On Monday I am going to a dive centre followed by a dive session in a pool. Later in the month I am going on a dive to take pictures underwater. It's a good thing I checked my diary. As far as I am aware the cameras are loaned out to us and I am hoping it will be a DSLR. It was a Groupon offer some months ago....which is why I forgot about it. I think it was booked almost 3 months ago. So that will be my next update.

Dereliction of duty

Not much to report on the photography front as I haven't been active. I am taking pictures for my menopause project for my Masters and I am booked onto a 2 day course with the Royal Photographic Society later this year. Its a glamour and portrait shoot in a studio, both completely new subjects to me and it will take me out of my comfort zone. It will do me good to do something different.

Malham May June 2012

I was at Malham last month with the Royal Photographic Society. I went with the Nature group. It was a really enjoyable weekend and one I would like to repeat again. We stayed at the Field Studies Centre, a beautiful old hunting lodge with several accommodation complexes for small groups. It was quite impressive and the rooms had 2 single beds which were quite large with good security.
Malham Tarn was visible from the lodge and on one of the days we walked down to the shoreline.
It was well planned and we had several excursions to Meadows and nature reserves where lots of pictures were taken.
Its good I took my 50mm prime Minolta lens and extension tubes as close up/macro was the order of the day. I have had extension tubes for a while and I know the theory of their use but  not alot of experience. On this weekend we had plenty if opportunity to practice and get images which is what I did and I am pleased with the  results. I think I surprised myself.
Being more of a landscape photographer I did not abandon, my genre and got a few shots which I am also pleased with.
I was so happy with my efforts I have put together a disk of images and text which I have submitted to the Nature Group editor for consideration of submission to the magazine.
We will see what the outcome of that is but I don't expect to hear the results I if that till next month.

Infrared! I'm cracking it!

Unfortunately, the Google Blogger I am using will not upload into this box using the 'Insert Image' icon and so i must direct you to Flickr at this link to see my most successful landscape black and white infrared image i have taken.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/57077316@N08/7233763268/in/photostream


I haven't analysed it yet with regard to the exposure notes I took at the time but I did follow a set procedure. This was to expose four stops more than the light meter suggested for this film-Ilford SFX 200. At iso 200 this is a black and white film, expose for a further 4 stops more with an infrared filter on the front and this is the infrared effect you get.


I am going to Malham Cove in Yorkshire soon and will be taking a film camera capable of taking infrared film. Now I know its a 4 stop exposure difference i just need to bracket by an aperture stop either side and I should continue to get good results. Only time will tell!

Infrared and BW 5x4 film received by the lab!

I got a message late last week from the lab stating my film had been received so now I am really looking forward to getting the pictures back! I am hoping I have got closer to exposing infrared film more accurately. It is getting somewhat crucial at the minute as I am going on a Royal Photographic Society weekend next month and want to take advantage of spring on the landscape so am hoping to take effective infrared images. I might also book out the Wista again! I might even go to colour film 5x4 too. Undecided as yet. I need to think more about the trip and what I want to do. I am really looking forward to it though.

Wista 5x4 black and white

10th April, 2012
On Tuesday I spent a pleasant evening taking 6 Ilford black and white images at Wollaton Hall and Deer Park of scenery.


I absolutely loved it!


It's a big camera and not light so walking throughout the park was not an option on this occasion.


We parked near the Hall and walked to the lake where I took 6 shots. It slowed me down, made me think more about composition and the steps needed to be taken to expose the negative.


A few mistakes were made, notably forgetting to take the dark slide out, also it took a bit of getting used to viewing the image upside down and back to front.


It looked brilliant on the viewing screen! So big! Like a telly!


I had to remember it was in BW though and I exposed at 125 asa instead of the 100asa that it was (I couldnt recall the film speed).


The light meter was an absolute necessity of course although on that particular day the sunny f16 rule would probably have worked.


All images were taken in the portrait format except the 6th which was landscape and a red filter attached, metered with the filter in front of it.


Loading the film wasn't particularly difficult. I had practised it with a single negative prior to actually doing it but it was more fiddly than I had imagined. I think that was because with all the stuff in the changing back (and I put this under thick blankets to try to ensure there was no light entry-it probably didnt need it though), I didnt account for the weight of the blankets on the changing bag. It was hot in there and I hope that loading the negative holders and removing after exposure, they will not be affected by the sweat on my hands!


It wont be developed for a while, when it is I'll blogit!