Best Buddies

My lunchtime amble took me down Hockley today. It's a good area for shopping, people watching and events.

Unfortunately none of those things happened whilst I was there, but I did notice this photograph on the pavement that had been thrown away for some reason.

I casually picked it up to see if there was any names on the back. There wasn't. Only the word 'Agfa', just to prove that it was a real photo.

So I wonder who these two girls are, when it was taken, and how their picture ended up on  the pavement of a Nottingham Street?

They are probably school or college friends. Possibly taken several years ago, when thin eyebrows were popular. Now girls have brows that look like they were painted on with a bingo dobber. Thick lines. I don't think it's a good look at all, but women keep doing it. Why?

Peace And Love

A glorious and sunny evening cycle ride home through Highfields.

Plenty of rowing boats still being enjoyed on the lake. The ice cream van still selling doing a roaring trade from hot students and visitors. Joggers still running, even with the bright sun shining down on them.

Getting towards the other end, I came across two female Asian students posing for photographs being taken by another Asian student. Not with a camera, but with a mobile phone.

So I thought that I would have a go myself. They found it amusing that I would want to take their picture. But we did a little photoshoot, and showed them the results. Which they seemed pleased with.

The girl with the handbag gave me her email address, so that I could send them on to her. Which I have done, as I think it is important to provide photos to people that you have taken their picture of.

I bet when they receive them, they will be excitedly emailing them home to their friends and relations, saying how great things are going in Nottingham and at the university, even if our studies are difficult.

Deutscher Girls

As it was sunny this evening I decided to take a ride through Highfields again.

There was of course several students taking photos and selfies with the cherry blossom.

I noticed these two girls standing on a concrete plinth taking selfies of themselves.  So grabbing my camera, I took a couple of candid shots.

They then noticed me and started to laugh. They hopped down from the plinth and I asked them if they fancied having their photo taken. They agreed, and we did a mini photoshoot under the blossom.

They were German students and asked if I could send them some. Of course I promised. Which I have duly done.

Glad To Be Gay (2)

Nottingham Pride today. And what a colourful, musical day it was. Met up with a friend who has a band, and they opened the event with a fresh new line up.

There were certainly plenty of characters about, but I spotted these two girls waiting near a tram stop at then end of the day. I like the way they were standing, like Agnetha & Frida did in some ABBA videos from the 70s.

It was a much smaller event this year, and took place in the Lace Market, rather than the Arboretum like last year. Apparently the event lost a lot of money, so they have gone back to basics and scaled things down a bit. I hope this one breaks even, if not makes a bit of money for them, so it comes back next year, as I hand a very enjoyable day.

That Uniform Look

Couldn't help taking a photo or two of these lovely ladies that were waiting at Nottingham Railway Station.

The fact that they were dressed almost the same caught my attention, and the fact that they were standing with identical poses.

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.

Seaside Ride

Whilst staying at Portmeirion, we took a little trip to Porthmadog, and ended up at the little seaside town of Criccieth.

We saw a castle on a hill, but drove round trying to find out how to get to it. We couldn't work it out, so parked opposite the lifeboat station and had a stroll on the very stoney beach, and took some photos from there.

While wandering about I came across this very rusty and decomposing child's bike. A great subject for a photograph I said to Gail. Something that Derek Jarman collected at Dungeness. So I took several, at various different angles. But I like this one the best.

Also on the beach were three girls. Probably friends, rather than sisters. They all wished me a 'Happy Birthday' as I was wearing a very large "I am 50" badge, which Gail gave me at breakfast. They were very cold, as they didn't seem to be dressed very well for the cold & windy weather.

We chatted to them for a while, and Gail took some photos of them jumping off some old rowing boats. We then watched them stroll off onto the pier for some very strong sea breezes.

First Of The Summer Wine

Gail & I shot a friends' marriage blessing in Long Eaton today & then went to Trent Lock Marina to take some photos of the happy couple in a relaxed environment.

It was a blessing, as they had got married in Holland, a few weeks ago. Alas we didn't get to cover that, as I've never been to Holland before, and it would have been a good experience.

It's been a lovely sunny day today. Almost too sunny! And hot too. The sort of weather which we should have got during July and August.

We have never visited Trent Lock before, so it was a bit of an adventure. It was a great place to walk around. Maybe bigger than Beeston Marina. Certainly a lot busier.

Whilst we were having a look around for suitable places to stop for photographs, I saw these three young girls relaxing and enjoying the warm weather; so I just couldn't resist taking a shot.

Surprise, Surprise

That old Fishing Guy, Tom has picked this weeks' Headbanger Challenge theme. He has gone for the unusual theme of 'well that's a surprise'.

My contribution for the contest is this block of flats close to where we were shooting last night in Clifton. By day it looks like it is made of Lego, but by night, I think it takes on a more sinister appearance. Especially with all that communications equipment on the roof.

What surprised and pleased me was how little noise has appeared on the photo, despite it being dusk, and how the camera has retained the dark blue of the sky. Rather than turning it a dark brown or black, like you sometimes get with other cameras.

I took it with our new toy; a Nikon D3s. The lens that I used was a 24-70mm f2.8. Neither are new, but good quality second hand.

For the initiated, the ISO was set at 4000, 1/60 and at f2.8.

The ISO can really be cranked up. But I didn't want to do that. I'd rather see how it turned out at a more normal figure.

Don't forget to pop over and see how the rest of the gang have interpreted the theme, and enjoy this rather joyful song.

My blog photo today shows three girls who look surprised, curious or perplexed at what they are seeing or reading on the mobile phone. I shot this on Sunday, when we took a trip into the city centre as it was sun day too. Unlike today, where it has been raining for most of the day, and I got wet cycling into work.

A Roaring Success

Phew, what a day we have been having. There's been that much rain, that people have started building boats. In fact it has been reported on the local news that one guy is even in the process of constructing an ark!

I paid another visit to the Food and Drink Festival, as I wanted to try some double cooked chips (fries) that I saw one stall selling yesterday. But alas, they were all shut, and some of the stallholders were taking shelter under one of the marquees.

It's amazing the change in weather in only 24 hours. Here's another photo I took yesterday of some girls enjoying their ice creams in the sunshine. I bet today they will be needing some soup.