Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Cathrine

Hi Poppy

POPPY_MG_4082

Poppy, my new grand-daughter and my son-in-law, Martin. Welcome to the world beautiful baby.





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Back in the land

of the living. After 2 months unable to blog because I upgraded I am now back in circulation.





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Friday, October 13, 2006

muse too


muse too
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
I met this lady at THREAD Bristol 8 October 2006. Never ever seen someone who sooo should be a super-model.

I didn't get a name.

From our brief conversation I know that she has done some pro modeling but is is someone who should/could be huge.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

One more red rose


One more red rose
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
favourite shot from a recent shoot in my studio.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

The A4 Bath Road

Woohoo! This is open again. 7 weeks of heavy traffic outside our front door at all hours is over!

--------------------------
Steve

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

David and Glen - July 22, 2006 - Avon Gorge Hotel

David and Glen - July 22, 2006 - Avon Gorge Hotel

I did my first civil partnership Saturday. It was a truly wonderful day for two truly special people.

It will be one of those weekends that are a memory-mark in my mind. I don't think I will ever forget. Still smiling now.

I've kept the online album fairly plain and simple and made it available here.

Feedback/comments welcomed.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Pachinko mails and the flow of information


Pachinko-9.jpg
Originally uploaded by nghikr.
Oftentimes the flow of information, what passes for communication, in today's enterprise resembles the semi-controlled tumbling of a pachinko balls as it makes it way to the bottom of the game board.

Pachinko mails emanate from one who believes person A is responsible for a task and sends a suitable communication; person A 'knows' person B is responsible but believes person C should be aware of the information and so it goes on until the information eventually gets to person Z or ZZ or ZZZ - who may or not take action.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

England 1-3 Portugal

England 1 – 3 Portugal

Cheated?

I feel cheated:

By a media that only saw the negative in any performance of the England team
By media that made the manager’s life so miserably that one has to question the sanity of anyone who would want the job?
By an underperforming team whose fear of losing always dominated any hope of winning
By a manager whose tactics and strategy were confusing to everyone not the least the players
By commentators who gave no insight and who failed to recognize that patriotism is no sin and that one can be patriotic without being hostile to an opponent
By a football establishment that felt that is fair to complain about England’s performances but not to condemn and take action on play-acting and the unfair play that was rife
By a tournament that promised so much but delivered precious little in the way of magic
By a game so moribund that we forced to admire the skills of a 33-year-old Zidane as no younger players imposed or introduced themselves

And still I have reason to believe

.. That the game is so beautiful, so uncertain, so full of delight that a player a team will emerge to set the game alight
.. That 10 lionhearts can give their all for their country and insodoing create a sense of gratitude in this country for a job well done.
.. that we, as a nation will discover a pride, an identity, a fervour that is joyful and expresses itself in acts of tolerance and understanding and laughter
.. that our game, distorted by the few, is loved by many and promises to return our love if only we are patient
.. That at the lower levels of every league that are stars, gems waiting to be discovered

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Who's Your Daddy

Not quite banksy. And graffiti can blight an area but this I like. Clifton in Brstol, opposite the Avon Gorge Hotel Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Wed Shooter

Wed Shooter
I shoot a friends wedding next month. So much more difficult than shooting for someone you don't know. This site is full of useful hints and tips for photographers shooting weddings and special occasions.
... but I wish the site had a larger font.

Monday, June 12, 2006

The Ends


The Ends
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
of the earth...

Thursday, June 08, 2006

YouTube - Indian Beatles

YouTube - Indian Beatles
This made me smile this morning. I can be a grump for any variety of reasons (ask my poor undeserving family) but somethings have such a positive affect, they change my mood instantly.
Highly recommended: the bollywood version of The Beatles 'I wanna hold your hand'

Friday, June 02, 2006

Prison Library, Alcatraz


Prison Library, Alcatraz
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
Unusual shot for me as I prefer portraiture/people shots but the light was very moody and there was a pause in the crowds taking in the sights..

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Twin Room Accommodation


Twin Room Accomodation
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
Seen al Alcatraz in late May. Not exactly luxury but at least there is an en-suite.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Victoria's A Secret


Victoria's A Secret
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
Taken 3 weeks ago on a Practical Night at Kingswood Photographic Society. A happy accident. Shot at f11 with no flash. I love the boudoir feel to this.

Friday, May 12, 2006

New British Classics / Feature Bloat


New British Classics
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
Much has been written over the past few weeks about feature bloat: the non-art of adding so much functionality to your product that you confuse your customer.. whilst your competitor who keeps it simple creams you in the marketplace.

This photo indicates someone who really understands the market and gives the people what they want.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Fireball slammer


Fireball slammer
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
The navigator's discovery of Tequila Slammers in the holodeck bar had severely impaired his skills.

Never trust a clown for directions

Never ever trust a clown. I always find them sinister. Too much Dr Who as a kid I suppose.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Sunday papers in the sun


Sunday papers in the sun
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
Mundane. maybe. Boring? No. I saw this out of the corner of my and it makes my day. Sunday morning Barry Island and the lady here was happily reading the sunday paper with one shoe off, in the sun. Perfect.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Glamtastic!


GLAMTASTIC0079
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
Taken at the last night of The Bath Tap pub, Bath, April 2006

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Colour @ Castro SFO


Colour @ Castro SFO
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
I love this. Yet everyone I have ever showed it to hates it. I've decided I'm going to continue loving it.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Longwell Green Sighlight


Longwell Green Sighlight
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
two baths in a backyard.

Sunday, April 02, 2006

R_E_S_P_E_C_T


R_E_S_P_E_C_T
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
As Aretha sang

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Ted


Ted
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
Taken in 2005 during an evening at The Pink Cadillac, Bristol. Ray Winstone-ish feel

Sunday, March 26, 2006

hats


hats
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
taken opposite the photographers gallery, London, March 26, 2006

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Recommended Useful Photo Tools #1

Flickr
www.flickr.com
Flickr is a photo-sharing site. Possibly the worlds biggest. Basic membership allows you post up to 10 mb of images per month though a small fee gives users unlimited storage. When users post an image they add 'tags': tags are important and I'll get to why in a moment.
So why Flickr? Well.... it's a community. A community of photographers of different styles, background and ability all seeking to improve their work and to present images for others to view and comment.  The quality of work on Flickr varies but most is very good and many images are outstanding.
I highly recommend flickr. It's a like well run set of thousands of camera clubs with free membership and friendly members
Photobox
www.photobox.co.uk
Photobox is an online DP house that, in my experience, provides great service and has some useful free solutions. Need a website to display and sell your work? Photobox provides pro galleries to enable just that.
I recently had a 30 x 20 print made: the cost? £16.99 plus post postage. The print days to arrive and the quality was immaculate.
I have also tried their new Photobook service. Amazing quality large format books in just a few days and only £19.99 plus postage.
Tilt-shift Lens for Your Digi-camera
http://www.dennisonbertram.com/hackmaster/2005/02/tilt-shift-pc-lens.htm
Got an old medium format lens lying around the house? How about making yourself a tilt-shift lens for your digital SLR using a sink plunger and a camera body cap?
Good-Tutorials.com - 9447 Adobe Photoshop Tutorials
http://www.good-tutorials.com/
Useful Tutorials has hundreds. You will get some popups but ignore them. Digging around on this site is worth it.
Filmloop
www.filmloop.com
Filmloop is another photo sharing community but with a different method of delivery. User subscribe to loops of the favorite images/photographers/friends enabling them to see a constrant stream of images on their dektops. If you are not yet a broadband user, this service may not be for you.
Picasa
www.google.com/picasa
I can't recommend Picasa highly enough. It's free. Whilst it's phot-editing tools are primitive by photoshop's standards, it is as a library that Picasa comes into it's own. When installed and configured (and this takes just a few minutes), Picasa will search and index your image files (even those in RAW format) and show you them in a neat clean user interface.
The only thing I would change? I don't like the folder view very much but it doesn't get in the way.


Saturday, February 18, 2006

8 x 10 Hollywood

Back when I was using film, I had this camera made. It's a beautiful 8 x 10 inch camera with a lovely soft lens just right for the Hollywood portraits I love.

Alas, the move to digital has meant that I never use her and rather than mothball my baby, I've decided to sell her on eBay at the weekend. I have mixed feelings - I was so keen on having this and she is beautiful (but huge) but I'm just not using it. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Them A Laugh And A KiKi

I first heard ‘Them a Laugh and a Kiki Kiki’ (or ‘Dem a Laugh and a Kiki Kiki’) on my way in to a youth club in St George in Bristol in 1970. 15 years old. It it me in the the face, the ears, made the skin on the back of my neck go hot, cold, shiver up and down.

I had no idea music could sound like this. I huge clanging, kerchanging rhythm, heavy with bass and just designed to make you dance. No idea what the lyrics were about (still don’t) just know this was a joyous sound and I wanted to hear more and more.

My peripheral vision caught the LP sleeve “Tighten Up”. I wanted it, o how I wanted it but I was broke and so was my family and anyhow, my stepfather hated buying clothes for school so how was I going to convince him that he should spend 14/6 (that 14 shillings and sixpence old money or 62p) on an album full of music from Jamaica. By black guys. Singing in patois.

This was the one that started the addiction. More to follow.

Checkout Chaos

Front page of The Times Monday Feb 13, 2006 : “Checkout Chaos. Millions of Shoppers could be turned away from the tills this week because they do not know the PIN for their debit and credit cards.”  It’s an apalling thought that shoppers will be rushing to the supermarkets tonight to complete their weekly shop before the new Chip & Pin system is made compulsory February 14. Queues will obviously stretch around the block as desperate people seek to complete last minute purchases. O me miserum!

Not really. Just like Y2K, this was a non-event. Nothing happened. Yes, a few people will be upset, maybe be even frustrated but this is not news.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Crowded House


Crowded House
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
A supporter from the other team in Bristol commented on Flickr that this was truly hideous sight. Not for me. 70,000 fans with a common aim. To cheer the house down. And we have so little to cheer for this year (see other posts on Bristol City FC)

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Bridge logic

Thinks that make you go hmmmm!

Great story. The authority that operate Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol wanted to increase toll prices. Local pressure groups kicked up a fuss so a public inquiry is needed. Net result, the prices have been increased because of the delay to the oprice increase caused by the public inquiry.
BBC NEWS | England | Bristol | Red tape raises bridge card price

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Future of Financial Services

DrKW Revolution
Is this the future of Fin Serv? I dont know - but it is a beautifully put together advertisement for DRKW and really has some resonance. Could it happen ? - Yes. Will it happen? Possibly/probably in some form. The interesting point is the resonance that this story has with a comment picked up by Tom Peters from Advertising Age "those who fear disintermediation should in fact be afraid of irrelevance—disintermediation is just another way of saying that you've become irrelevant to your customers."/John Battelle/Point/Advertising Age/07.05"

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Mother


Mother
Originally uploaded by steve.wannabe.
I did this for me. I tried to capture my mum with all her dignity, kindness and elegance. Not a snap, not a studio portrait but something that shows the way she is now.