Bitton Needs You

Bitton Needs You, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

I took on the lead in fundraising effort, or at least the start of it, for our clubhouse (more at http://sites.google.com/site/rebuildtherec) some 2 months ago after much delay and frustration.

For many years the building has been slowly decaying and something needs to be done for the sake of our community and for the people who use The Rec on a weekly basis.

We're now on our second attempt to find funding for a feasibility study and, once that's through, the big task starts: public consultation, planning applications and of course the drive to find the capital funding for the new build.

Wish me luck and if you have time , sign up at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebuild-The-Rec/358962930229 and leave us a comment.

NEW "CLOSER GROOVED" 78 R.P.M. RECORDS THIS WEEK'S 18 SONG PARADE HITS

NEW "CLOSER GROOVED" 78 R.P.M. RECORDS THIS WEEK'S 18 SONG PARADE HITS, originally uploaded by spuzzlightyeartoo.

Closer grooved CDs to come?

On being British

On being British, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Interesting. What does it mean to be British?

Malmaison Reading

The noise that stopped me from sleeping. Changed rooms but in the end
I had to sleep (sleep?) with a pillow over my head

Light Sabre Flashmob Cabot Circus 1 pm 0682

Light Sabre Flashmob Cabot Circus 1 pm 0682, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

I went to Cabot Circus today to pick up a valentine's card for Karen. As we reached the main concourse we noticed how many had gathered and at 1 pm a whistle blew and... well, all hell broke loose.

Mannequin

Mannequin, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

I know it's not just me. These are strange.

I don't do wildlife

Fieldfare | January 2010 | 7585, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

... but after Karen pointed out all the birds feasting on our crab apple tree, I had a go.

I, Horse│ November 2009 │4074

I, Horse│ November 2009 │4074, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Travel can be a bind especially if you don't have your favourite photoediting stuff installed on your work laptop.
Finally finished the last 8 of the shots from my photoshoot with Dizzy out at Bathford.
This one I love. I know the background's messy but, to me, it somes up Dizzy's gentleness and her soul-piercing eyes.

Hands and Horse│ November 2009 │4021

Hands and Horse│ November 2009 │4021, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

After shooting Nardo in October, I received an invite to shoot Nardo's friend Dizzy some two weeks after. This is the first of a series of shots featuring Dizzy's head and the hand or hands of Sally, Dizzy's owner.

As soon as I saw them in the LCD I knew I had something to treasure. Not being familiar with horses, I wondered how I could capture the obvious affection between Dizzy and her owner and best friend. This - I think - says everything.

Raggety Ann

Raggety Ann│ November 2009 │3920, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Sunday the 15th I had the opportunity with Stef Wakeman, a new model. New to me anyway.

The idea was to produce a Skinhead Girl shoot based on Claudette's 'Queen of The World' but the shots we took that have a more natural feel are turning out to be some of my favourites.

No lights, just a gold reflector (note to self: figure out a way to hold a reflector in a high wind, don't clip to tripod and watch the whole thing fall over busting a flash).

The Devil is in the...

The Devil is in the..., originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

One of my old bosses, Michael von der Nuell (sadly no longer with us), was fond of saying to me "Steve, the devil is in the detail" every time I discussed an aspect of how we were doing.
And it is. Michael taught me to look beyond the surface info in a report or set of data for what's really going on. Take nothing at face value.

Retro - inspirational stuff - campery for a Saturday morning

Perfect for for the working on the Lily Belle photos to

3 feels with no-budget light modifiers

On Sunday I was lucky enough to attend the huge Bristol Strobist Meetup at Ashton Court and 2 work with Louise as a model and Declan as my honorary lighting assistant. With the bare rudiments (a stofened gridspot and a pringles tube), we managed to create 3 'looks' in 30 minutes (actually. there's a 4th which has a Juergen Teller feel but I'm still working on it)
Inspired by Joy Division's She's Lost Control
The second very much a Film Noir attempt

and this, a simple Caravaggio shot

Equus Sum

Equus Sum 3439, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

2 weeks ago, I received a mail through the website to take a photograph of Bernardo, a horse with a terminal condition. On Sunday I went out to Staverton in Wiltshire and spent two hours with Bernardo and his owner working in the practice ring whilst Nardo took his exercise.

I came away having made a new equine friend and feeling that I'd been in the presence of a one of nature's gentlest.

Trails 0128

Trails 0128, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Leaving KPS yesterday evening having brought my camera to show CHDK installed on a G9, I decided to capture few experimental shots by deliberately moving the camera whilst shooting long exposures. Karen doesn't like this at all but I think I do.

Daredevil 2898

Daredevil 2898, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

from Scott May's Daredevil Stunt Show Keynsham RFC August 2009.

By 9 pm, I had put away the flashes and was working with high ISO and whatever natural light was available. The stunt worked as designed so, though this looks bad, the outcome was planned. The stunt? One man running into a burning barrier and breaking it with his head.

For some reason, this shot makes me uncomfortable. I like it but it makes me uneasy

Flaming hell mate

Daredevil 2837, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

I finally finished the editing on the Scott May Daredevil shots today. Two more to post but this is my current favourite.

Daredevil 2835

Daredevil 2835, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Saturday night, I was lucky enough to gain a press pass that allowed James & I to be in the centre of the arena at Scott May's Daredevil Stuntshow whilst it was in Keynsham.

What an evening, what a privilege, what a nice bunch of people and what a show. I can't recommend it enough. If they are in your neck of the woods, get along and see them!

Nicholas Cage & Knowing

Bounteous heart be with me, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Just wasted 90+ minutes of my life watching this movie. I know I won't get it back. Depressing. All shadow no light.

Halfway through I got bored and went out into the garden to photo a single strawberry caught by one of the rays of the sun that sneak around the corner of the house at the end of the afternoon.

Steamdaddy saga, Episode 2

Got no pockets full of pretty green, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Spent an hour this afternoon with Mike testing the latest prototype of Steamdaddy II, a selective focus gadget that doesn't cost the earth but does do things that I want to (like allow me to select a a part of the subject to stay sharp and create loads of bokeh @ F5.6).

Mike's done a great job and though the effect is not flattering, I am pleased with the end result. Hopefull we'll be done,done next week.