Bicycle Fun

While we were wandering around Donington Park with our two models Sophie and Caroline , Gail and I were constantly looking for things to shoot the girls with, that might make for a good photo.

One of the girls spotted the big black motorbike, which you can see, but there was lots of stuff around which we couldn't move, but I did see this kids bike, so thought it would make for a couple of fun photos, considering all the speed machines on show there.

A Blonde And A Bike

Another evening, another model shoot. This time it is of up and coming model Emma.

Here's a shot only using natural light, in the garden belonging to Alan, who's studio we were using. I  just love the way the evening sun shines through Emma's hair. Just like you see sometimes on the shampoo adverts.

We then went inside the studio, and learnt a bit more about lighting, and how it can be used to make different effects. Such as the photo below, where Emma was just shot from the side, which adds to a sense of mystery to the scene.

Lighting Up Time

Tonight saw Nottingham city centre lit up once again, as it was the annual Light Night festival. The yearly event where buildings are used as cinema screens, strange things pop up in all sorts of places and it is generally very cold.

Well this year was no different. The castle was tonight's backdrop, where a group calling themselves 'Elemental Force' projected a show containing animation, photos and pyrotechnics. It seemed to relay the history of Nottingham, and included of course Robin Hood, lace making and Raleigh bikes.

I was pleased to see that the Daleks and the Tardis were making a return visit. They looked very good last year standing next to the Robin Hood statue, where they were trying to terrify the fabled outlaw. This year they were placed outside the Theatre Royal. I must admit it didn't look so good. Possibly because where they were was quite bright, and so they lost some of their impact, as where they were before was quite atmospheric and darker, so they all stood out more.

Still I suppose I shouldn't complain, as we were lucky to get anything with the continuing cuts in finances and relative poor state of the economy, as it is funding for the arts that always seemed to get trimmed first, rather than say sport.

Bicycle Clips

Tonight Gail and I went to a local hotel called The Belfry for a Christmas party organised for the people she works with at the hospital.

There was a bit of a 70s, 80s theme, and some people had dressed in period costume. Someone even dressed up to resemble Mr T. But we just wore normal clothes.

The food was quite good, but we left before the disco started as Gail didn't feel very well for some reason. Not the food, just a lot of coughing, as we were both coming down with colds.

Whilst I was waiting for Gail, I noticed that the hotel had dedicated a wall to local bike company Raleigh. Besides a bit frieze on the wall featuring photos and advertising pictures about the company, there were six picture frames hung on the wall, and each one contained a model of one of their famous bikes.

The one above depicts one of their tandems from the early 1900s, whilst below is probably their most well known and idolised models; the Chopper from 1970. They look very realistic and must have taken quite a time to make, as they look scratch built, rather than being made from a kit.

Titchy Wheels

Well sadly it's over. But I'm relieved too. The play about Raleigh that I have been involved in for the past couple of months saw it's final performance yesterday at the Jubilee Campus of the university.

It co-incided with a day of celebrating cycling and Raleigh's 125th anniversary.

We put on two performances in the afternoon, with an hour break in between. This gave me time to have a look around at the exhibits, demonstrations and events.

In the play the Raleigh small wheeled bicycle from the 1960s is mentioned; and nick-named 'titchy wheels' with some derision. So I was quite pleased to see an example or two of the said bike on display, amongst some others. Including the more famous and beloved Chopper

You could buy a little saddle bag for it which went on the carrier over the back wheel. It wasn't very big, so you couldn't really go shopping with it, unless you were only going for a loaf of bread and a jar of jam.

Horn of Plenty

Most cities have buskers, and Nottingham is no exception. Here's a guy called Gavin Randle, who's blowin a mean tune on his sax. Unfortunately no one was stopping to listen, let alone buy one of his CD's. I think his bike & trailer are great. Just the thing for doing your shopping with.