It's All In The Angle

Another day of random shooting, but this one has been a little different, as I have been using a manual fish eye lens.

A little bit harder too, as there's no auto focus. So it really is random, as there's no guarantee that anything is even going to be in focus.

But this one isn't too bad, as everything is in more or less focus. Three people on the corner of Angel Row and Market Street. And see how the specially designed lens distorts the building and pylon, but the people remain normal sized and not distorted.

No Blues In The Pottle

Beeston welcomed it's first new pub in a long, long time today, and what makes A Pottle of Blues extra special, is the fact that it is a micro pub. It opened at lunchtime today, and I believe I was the first paying customer, with someone I know quite well being the second.

The pub is a based in a former shop, just of the high road, and I have been following it's progress, both on line, and in person, when I've been on my way to Sainsbury's. Being a micro pub, it's if course not that big, but has some quirky features, like the bar being made out of an old piano.

I found out that a pottle is a container that is big enough to hold half a gallon of liquid. It is also the maiden name of the co-owner Jen, while her husband Ralph plays in a blues band. Hence the unusual name and the musical theme.

I took Gail along tonight to show her what it was like, and to see how busy they were. The place was really buzzing when we got there. Someone we know called Matt was sitting with a drink, so we sat with him and chatted about the pub and how good it is for Beeston, especially as so many pubs are currently closing around the country.

They have a small selection of real ales, fruit ciders and wines. We stayed for a while longer, then went to a local pizza place called Poppa's Pizzas and bought a couple of 8 inches to take home and enjoy whilst surfing the net.

Sunshade

I took my fisheye lens out for some action today and came home with this shot from Highfields.

Review Of The Year - July & August

The summer wasn't too bad with the sunny weather. Although it was rather cloudy when I went to London for the day in July. Besides taking my favourite 45mm lens, I took along my Samyang fisheye lens. It worked very well on this unusual shot of the BT Tower.

August saw me spending the day at Tank Mania in Leicestershire, with some other photographers and a load of models. It was quite a muddy day, and three of the models decided to get down and dirty in a large muddy and very deep puddle. I prefer my models to be armed and dangerous like Kat here.

Shame It's Not Venice

Not a very productive day photographically speaking, as had my fisheye lens on, as I was planning to see what the Riviera would be like.

But it's been a fairly overcast day. Although the sun did come out at 5.30, so it was nice to ride home in the sunshine.

So here's a shot of the canal lock gates near where I work, with two boats waiting for the water to rise.

The Two Towers

My monthly visit to London today, and I was wondering if there was going to be rain, rain, rain, like last night. There was certainly some when we were travelling through Loughborough.

But I needn't have worried, as London was sunny and warm. In fact I wish that I had my shorts on, as my legs got quite warm walking down the Euston Road.

I was pleased in the afternoon as the meeting had finished a little earlier, and as I had a fixed time rail ticket, I had a bit extra time to go exploring. One place that I have wanted to visit was the base of the Post Office Tower. Just to see what it was like.

Besides the 20mm lens that I had on my OMD, I had also taken my 'fisheye' lens. Just because... So when I reached the tower, I  put it on to see what effect it would have, as the best point of view of the tower was down a little side street. And I must say that I am quite pleased with it. And it looks a natural for black and white.

Faded Grandeur

Today is June 1, and Theme Day in the Bloggersphere. This month's theme is 'The Beauty of Decay'.

Although there are a number of spots in Nottingham that I could have taken a photo of for the theme, I wasn't sure whether I was going to participate or not. But now that I have, what to show you?

Well I have gone for this shot of Whitby Abbey in Yorkshire, where we went a few weeks ago. It is one the sides, and I took it with my fisheye lens, to give it that distinctive look. Most photos you will see, will be of the front; but I wanted to be a little different.

Being so old, the abbey is very slowly crumbling away, but as it belongs to English Heritage, they are doing what they can to preserve such an impressive building, which dates back to 664AD.

Expresso Or Latte

I met a friend in town at one of the many coffee shops that have sprung up all over the city centre in the last few years.

Not actually liking coffee at all, I plumped for a hot chocolate, complete with squirty cream and marshmallows.

While we were drinking & chatting, I showed my friend my new fisheye lens and what sort of photos it can take. And here is a prime example.

Lion's Made

I'll try and make this my last 'fisheye' photo for a while, but it's just a great lens to use. And what fun too. So much so, that I can't stop taking it out with me!

This one is of the 'right lion' which stands in the Old Market Square. Unfortunately he isn't as popular as the 'left lion'; who is traditionally used as the place where people meet.

Apparently he does have a name.though.  Oscar Agamemnon, and he is on Twitter, if you fancy following him. Although he has been a little quiet recently. So go and wake him up.

Like A Circle Within A Spiral

I had to pop down to the Jubilee Campus of the university tonight, as we had a drama rehearsal.

You may remember last summer I was involved in a community play about Raleigh bikes, well we have been invited to London to do it in front of some people that were involved in providing the money so it could go on.

So we all have a trip to London next Tuesday for the day. It will be a long day, as it's a 3 hour journey to central London, as we will be based very close to the British Museum. And as a treat, Julian our director, says that we can have a look round after the performance. This will be good, as I have never been. A real photographic outing.

Anyway, after the rehearsal, I had a wander round the campus with my camera and fisheye lens, looking for some scenes to snap. I thought that one of the spiral staircases might make a suitable subject. It was difficult to get the camera in the best position, and to be honest, I'm not sure whether I've succeeded here or not. But it does show you the sort of photo that the 7.5mm lens can take.