Feeling Ruff

Poor Oscar. He doesn't look that pleased with the tutu that Gail put on him as a bit of fun.

He walked around the house trying to get it off him. He wouldn't keep still long enough for me to get a good shot, so sadly he is a little blurred in places.

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.

Artist At Work

There's a new exhibition on at the moment at the Contemporary, featuring the work of artist Simon Starling.

Simon actually studied in Nottingham some thirty years ago, but I don't think he lives here anymore.

There are a number of large scale exhibits to see, including some giant silver shapes, a load of black balls of different sizes positioned to make a design, and a large canoe that has been created from magnesium, obtained from the Dead Sea.

Although the exhibits were interesting to look at, I was more intrigued by this collected o old paint pots. They are part of a bigger piece, but I think they look good as a still life.

We're All Going On A Summer Holiday

I bet you can all remember the 1960s film called Summer Holiday, which starred Cliff Richard and Una Stubbs?  The one where they converted an old London bus into a motorhome and drove it to Paris, and had adventures on the way.

So I was intrigued to see this old London bus parked in the Old Market Square promoting Virgin Holidays. What's even more intriguing is the fact that it has been painted a torquoise blue, rather than in the usual Virgin corporate colours of red and white.

Maybe if they had had done it in red and white, then it would still be mistaken for a London bus, and people would be holding their arms out at bus stops, as it went by!

She's A Model And She's Looking Good

Passing through BHS (British Home Stores) in Broadmarsh the other day, I noticed this girl dressed in a vintage dress with colourful tattoos. I then realised that she worked for the company and her name was Claire. The name badge gives it away!

I also realised that she was wearing one of the dresses that the store were selling. So I started chatting to her and saying what a good idea it was to have an actual live person showing the dress off, catwalk style, rather than using a mannequin.

Naturally I had my camera with me, so I got her to pose for me. Thanks again Claire.

What A Load Of Rubbish

There is a rather controversial advertising campaign going on at the moment in Nottingham. The city council have produced a number of posters warning people about giving money to beggars, as they believe it will be spent on drugs, drink or somehow fund criminal activity.

But the posters have not been very popular in some quarters, as they have said that it demonises the homeless, and they should be helped, not criticised. There have been calls for them to be removed. An on-line petition has been created, for people to sign.

Nottingham's version of Banksy is called Questionmarc, and they have altered the posters with their own wording, which the council don't like and have quickly got them removed.

Bizarrely enough, one of the posters has appeared on EBay, and has fetched £3200. Apparently the money raised will go to help Nottingham's homeless.

He Let His Fingers Do The Walking

This is Japanese musician Anchorsong, who I went to see tonight at the Nottingham Contemporary.

Besides using a Korg synth, most of his music was created through Akai & Yamaha rhythm machines.

I wasn't sure what to expect, as haven't heard of him before, but being a fan of electronic music, I thought I would pop along and see what music he would be creating. Most of it was through pressing buttons and turning knobs. It was interesting to watch, and he was pretty quick tapping away with his fingers.

There were a lot of people there, bopping along to his unique brand of music. I recorded a couple of his songs on my camera, and have uploaded it to YouTube, so you can all enjoy it. Here is the link Anchorsong.

Posing Pooch

I bumped into a photographer from Peterborough in the Old Market Square today. He was here for a bit of street photography. He had one of the large Nikon models in his hand, so I knew that he wasn't really a tourist in the general sense of the word.

We had a chat and we parted. Strangely enough somehow we both ended up looking in the window of a local second hand shop, even though we went off in separate directions.

So we ended up having another chat about photography. Then I saw this dog tied up outside this shop, and took a photo or two. Just as I managed to get a good shot, the owner untied her and they walked off.  So we then mentioned about getting the shot and missed opportunities.

Blossoming Out

The sun seems to have got his hat on these past few days, and that has certainly been good for the cherry blossom in Highfields, as it's bursting into little delicate pink flowers.

The trees always attract lots of people who come to see them. There were quite a few students taking photos tonight on their mobile phones, so they could send them home to show their parents what a lovely place they are studying in.

On Golden Pond

Well it's been lovely and sunny today. The sun even remained shining when I left work for home at 6pm, so I thought that I would cycle through Highfields in daylight, which I haven't done since last October.

The sun was just starting to set when I reached the park, and had cast a rather nice golden glow on the boating lake. This Canada goose thought so too, as it was just standing there admiring the scene. I thought so as well, as I took this shot.

A Decade Of Nottingham Blogging

Well today's the day, Nottingham Daily Photo is now ten years old.

It's been a long, interesting, but sometimes disappointing journey. But most of the time it has been fun, and I have been to take photos at some great places and met some very nice people.

I like to think that my photography has come on in leaps and bounds, and I take photos a lot more professionally now than I used to.  I've also gone through quite a few cameras by different companies. I started off with a little Canon point & shoot, next came Panasonic. Canon again. A DSLR this time, but couldn't get on with it. So I sold it and got a Nikon D90. Which I enjoyed using. But it got damaged. I got some insurance money for it, and instead of getting another one, Gail & I invested in the bigger D3s instead.

Bigger and heavier it was, but then came along the nifty Olympus EM-5, which was half the size and half the weight; but the photos are just as good. I have since slightly upgraded to the EM-1, which I am very happy with and will probably go on using until it wears out.

Strangely enough my first blog entry wasn't about Nottingham at all, but Dubai. My early posts were also about Sydney, Crete and Bangkok. My first one about Nottingham appeared on April 3rd.

So now over 3300 entries later, we arrive at today's post. A rather cute cuddly fox that I took yesterday at Bardills, our local garden centre.  I thought he resembled Sherlock Holmes, with his little cap and waistcoat.

Forty Winks

Here's another photo of Oscar asleep. He sure does love dozing and really does make sure that he is really comfortable while he's doing it.

I don't know how many hours in the day he does sleep, but it's certainly a lot more than me.  Maybe because a cat only lives around 10 years, while a human it's 70. So perhaps one day for us is equal to a week for them. Maybe there isn't any truth in my idea, but maybe it explains why Oscar sleeps for about three quarters of a day.

Water Flower

We seem to have a bit of hydroponics going on in the garden, as this hyacinth is clearly growing in the water of a bucket, that I left around.

I know there is a bit of soil at the bottom, and there must have been a bulb amongst it, so somehow it has taken root and is now flowering, with these delicate pink blooms.

I guess I should remove the bulb, otherwise it will start to rot away.

Watching Me Like A Hawk

There was an Easter fair in Beeston Square today, where you could buy home made items for presents like jewellery, hats and fudge.

Also present was the local bird sanctuary, with a number of their birds of prey on show for people to look at and ask about, and of course like me, take photos of.

This hawk seemed to want to be photographed, and kept posing for my camera. I certainly didn't ruffle his feathers as I clicked away.

Battered Beauty

I came across some exciting news on Facebook last night. Google was giving away their Nix Collection photo software, which up to now has been on sale for about £90.

So I clicked on the link provided and downloaded the seven module program and merged it to my Lightroom software.

I had a play today to see what each of the different programs did. There's one for reducing noise, one for converting into black & white, etc.  I tried them all on this photo of Carla Monaco. Some worked, some didn't. Here's the treatment that I liked the best.

If you fancy downloading the software yourself, then here's the link Nix Collection

Smile For The Camera

My final photo from the Photography Show is this shot of a model that I took using a new speed light that this stall were demonstrating.

It was a bit different in design to normal speed lights in that it comes with an external  battery pack and its bulb is much brighter than normal bulbs. In fact it is more like a small portable studio light. There were various modifiers of different sizes that were available to buy.

 It took me a couple of goes to get the photo almost right. The first effort was a bit overblown, as the power had been tired up a bit too much, while the second attempts too dark. But this one is just about right.

Don't Be Afraid Darling

There was an interesting little scene near the entrance to the Photography Show.

It was a reenactment of life in the 1940s. There was a Nissan Hut and a little garden scene, which I am showing here.

The people that take part are all fans of vintage, and really enjoy dressing up and pretending that they are living in that era. They call themselves 'Timeline Events'.

Of course they were attracting lots of attention from all the photographers that were coming in and they were all queuing up to take photos. The 'actors' were only too pleased to pose for everyone.

I caught them on the way out, when there weren't that many people around, which made it a lot easier to get the shot without having to dodge other people.

Shopping For Lord Vader

I didn't think Darth Vader had time for photography, as he was so busy trying to rule the universe and eliminate all the Jedi knights, but I spotted one of his Stormtroopers out shopping for camera equipment at the Photography Show.

He must have had a lot of money to spend, as the Stormtrooper has a shopping trolley to fill. I don't know what currency he'll try and use to pay for the cameras, lenses and lighting equipment, as the stalls only take Sterling, Euros or credit cards.

Apparently the Stormtrooper's name is Eric and he has become quite well known on the Internet, as his visits to Earth have been documented by a photographer called Darryll Jones. If you want to see what else Eric has been up to, then pop over to Eric's page.

A Brucie Bonus

This furtive looking chap is world famous American photographer Bruce Gilden. He was at the Photography Show today, talking about his life behind the camera, together with some commentary over quite a few of his well known photos that he's taken in New York, Haiti and Japan.

Bruce is well known for being quite an aggressive photographer on the streets of New York, where he almost pushes the lens into a person's face. He is also a Magnum photographer, and has had several books published of his work.

It was interesting listening to the stories of who was in the photos and how they ended up there. He also talked about his three wives and his health problems, now he has reached the age of 69.

Late Night Conversations

Another album design. This time, a local singer by the name of Erin.

She has a sweet folkish voice, that is well suited to those dinners with friends, or that ultimate romantic meal.

Diamonds Are Forever

It's amazing what you sometimes come across when you're walking down the street.

Take yesterday for instance, when I came across this discarded playing card, with some numbers written on it. A phone number perhaps?

Other things that I've seen, but not photographed have included odd shoes, soft toys. A child's hat that was popped on top of a bollard and numerous babies' dummies.

The Wrecking Crew

Do you often get that feeling when you realise that it's too late to do something which you should have done sometime ago?

Well I got that feeling today, when I saw that they had begun to knock down a building that I should have taken a photo of a few months ago.

The building in particular is the former British Red Cross offices, situated on a cross roads near the QMC. It has been empty for a while now, and so I've had ample opportunity to do it, but kept putting it off. Now it is too late.

Besides taking its photo for posterity, it was also unusual in design, in that it had a strange roof design, as well as the overall footprint of building. Certainly a one off. I can't quite remember when it was originally built, but it has certainly been there since the mid 1970s.

Hound Of The Baskervilles

Today is of course St Partick's Day, and there was the usual parade and music in the Old Market Square. But due to a task at work taking longer than expected, I missed it.  Still I reckon it would probably have been more or less the same as last year. So by the time I reached the centre of town, a lot of the people had left, and probably gone to down a few pints of Guinness or a dram of whiskey.

So the hunt was on to find something worth taking a photo of. I didn't see that many people dressed up. Although there were some dancers on the stage, but they had built a cordon around it, so I couldn't get near it. So the was out of the question. But then I saw a group of about three giant Irish Wolfhounds near the steps of the Council House. I had seen them on previous years, but they were always surrounded by lots of people wanting to stroke them.  But as I had arrived late, there weren't that many near them. I gave a little whistle to attract his attention, then took his portrait.

Time For Relaxing

Here's another negative that I've brought to life at the weekend.

Possibly the same woman from yesterday, only this time she's relaxing in her summer house, although it looks more like a large garden shed, especially with the rough grass growing under the doorway.

Posing

Here's another scanned negatives from the collection that I got the other day.

Another great photo showing what clothing from the 1920s looked like, together with that really delightful parasol.

Face From The Past

Browsing around one of the many charity shops in Beeston that I like to do on a Saturday morning, I came across a paper bag containing some old photos and negatives from the 1920s.

Twenty seven negatives and eighty eight small, black & white photos, were in the bag for £2.49. None of the photos were that interesting. But for such a small price, I just couldn't resist. A shame that they weren't like the Vivian Maier collection that someone bought from an auction that she took in the 1950s & 60s, but it's still an interesting find.

I wondered how I could turn the negatives into positives. Then I remembered that on some  photo software that I've got, there's a program that can change photos into negatives. So I wondered whether it would do the opposite. So after scanning the negative, I found what I wanted, and clicked the button, and if by magic, this image appeared. Possibly seen for the first time.

It's not a particularly exciting photo, but it is interesting from a social point of view, and with the fashion of course.  I've got no idea as to where it was taken. Some of the photos have Ilfracombe and Lemington Spa written on them. While the packets from the developers come from Bournemouth and Felixstowe.  Despite its age, the negative is in quite good condition. I've hardy touched it at all in Lightroom, except for a bit of darkening and sharpening. More to come.

Light Night

Well not long until the clocks go forward and the lighter nights return and events start happening at the weekend at places like Wollaton Park.

I spent a pleasant afternoon in the front garden, with weeding, pruning and planting. I managed to stay out until nearly 6.30, before it began to get dark and I just had a nearby streetlight for company.

Having a bit of a break from some weeding, I looked up and noticed that a very pleasant sunset had formed in the sky. The first one that I had seen at home. I've seen a couple at work recently, but it's difficult to take photos through the office windows. So I popped indoors to get my camera and fired off a couple of shots from the upstairs window.

Foggy Bottom

Here's another shot from yesterday's foggy cycle ride through Highfields.

Not a lot to say about this almost silhouette of a tree by the lake, other than it looks a bit mysterious and haunting.

Duckling And Diving

Nottingham woke up wrapped up in a deep blanket of fog this morning. So I made a small detour through Highfields, to see how the park looked in the mist.

Everywhere was shrouded in grey. Trees, the lake, the Lakeside Theatre.  I took lots of photos, but I was looking for something a little different.

Whilst I was taking some photos of the misty lake, one of the large birds started honking. Then I knew why. Looking down I saw a little chick running about. Obviously a protective parent looking after their baby.

Then the baby bird made their way through the railings and waddled towards me. Then they decided to stop and have a drink from a puddle near me. Just in the right spot for a photo. I then noticed that the chicks' other parent was watching their baby from the top of the railings. One proud parent looking out for the baby.

Foor For Thought

As there are so many eating places in the city centre, it's often difficult to know what to choose, as there is so much on offer. Italian, Spanish, French, pizzas, pies, burgers, fish & chips. Nottingham has it all.

This woman is studying the menu of the Cock & Hoop pub in the Lace Market, situated opposite the Galleries of Justice.

The pub is linked to the hotel next door, and both have been closed for a while, as the hotel closed for some reason.

But a new owner has been found, and so both businesses have reopened.  But they might have finished painting the door before they did.

Leaving In Style

There was a big funeral in town today, that took place at St Peter's Church.

The weather wasn't very nice, but the two horses that were pulling the hearse didn't seem to mind. Fortunately the driver had his heavy clock and top hat to keep him dry.

While I was passing, a lot of people emerged into the street from the church. So whoever it was must have had a lot of friends and a lot of money, as hiring one of those hearses can't be cheap. In fact I've only ever seen them in movies; especially those featuring East End gangsters.

Whilst I had a quick look on Twitter this afternoon, I came across a post from someone who had also taken a photo of the hearse, who also works for BBC Radio Nottingham. But what was interesting, was the message that came with it. They had been to the funeral and had said whose it was. A former local ballet teacher called Nora Morrison.

Doing a quick search on Google, revealed that she was 98 and had taught ballet since the 1930s, and was still teaching up to her death. She received an MBE in 2010. Apparently she was very well known in Nottingham, but unfortunately not to me.

Matt

So where do you think I took this photo of Matt?

Do you want a clue?  Well it's not where you think it is.

Yes, that right, Matt's not posing on some American trailer park, but down at Beeston's marina, where there are a number of permanently sited mobile homes.

Sleepy Time

Our little Oscar. You must agree that he is so photogenic. I  just can't seem to stop taking photos of him. Especially when he's sleeping like a baby, and snoring quietly to himself.

Army Dreamers

Here's one of the army vehicles that were on display in the Old Market Square the other day.

A big green truck. I think it would make a very good conversion into a camper van. Plenty of space and high up, so you would get a good view from such a high position. Especially if you put a little skylight in the roof.

Whatever The Weather

Just got back from Beeston and got caught in a hailstone storm. No, this isn't 'noise' from my camera, but the actual little white frozen balls falling from the sky.

What makes the scene even more unusual, is that there's the beginnings of a rainbow too.

Chocks Away

Besides this small military helicopter, there were several very large army vehicles and a lot of soldiers in the Old Market Square today.

They were there to promote enlisting into the army, by showing all the different areas that they could go into. Dog handling, communications, transport. But there didn't seem to be a lot of emphasis on guns and killing the enemy. Whoever they might be.

There were plenty of people knocking about and looking at the various machines and stalls.

Nottinghamshire's regiment is called the Mercians. They used to be known as the Sherwood Foresters, but for some reason the name was changed a few years ago. My late uncle Frank was a Sherwood Forester during World War 1, afterwards he worked for the Post Office.

Wherever I Lay My Hat, That's My Home

No, this isn't somebody's sitting room or lounge, but the window display of a charity shop situated down in Hockley.

Although the shop describes the stuff that it sells as vintage, rather than second hand or used, it's still at heart a charity shop. But the prices certainly aren't those of a usual charity shop.

It's strange how these sorts of shops have recently rebranded themselves. Something to do with the fascination these days with the 1950s and 60s.

The old is the new, new.

Thrown Down The Gauntlet

The Sheriff of Nottingham has had another go at trying to stop Robin Hood from stealing his riches to give to the local poor and needy.

His soldiers tried capturing our hero, but of course Robin was too quick and clever to be beaten, and the guards ran away as quick as they could. All they left behind was this old gauntlet.

Eyes, Whiskers And A Little Pink Nose

Oscar is a very photogenic cat, and he doesn't seem to mind having his photo taken.

Here he is looking all sweet and innocent whilst posing for the camera. In reality he is just sitting patiently for food, like some feline Oliver Twist.

Captain Quack

I came across this little fellow whilst rummaging through a basket in a charity shop.

I thought he would make a nice companion to my Notts TV ones, even though he is a lot smaller. But being a pirate, he's not going to get bullied by those media types.

Looking up 'bud', the company that made him, I found that they specialise in producing novelty rubber ducks of all kinds, and have done for a few years. But this is the first one that I've ever come across.

The Mouth Of Beauty

It was our 10th wedding anniversary on Friday, and a friend came round yesterday with a lovely large white orchid plant as a present.

Instead of photographing the whole plant, I thought I would focus on one of the flowers, especially the very colourful anther and stamen, Which looks very much like a mouth.                                    

Watching The Detectives

Have you ever thought about what an author of murder stories might look like? Will they resemble someone who enjoys killing people?

I think most people know what Agatha Christie looks like from photos and films about her. From what I've remember, she looks like your favourite old aunt. But one that has bumped an awful lot of people off with her pen!

So I wondered what I was letting myself in for when I went to my local library this afternoon, to listen to thriller writer Stephen Booth. He was giving a public talk about his life and work. Will he be waiting to pounce on us as we went through the door, waving a pick axe about. Blood splattered on the walls?

Well no, he actually looked quite normal. Someone with a kind face. Stephen spoke for well over an hour about his early life in Lancashire and his interest in books. Even though there was only three in the house. He even managed to write a novel when he was 12 years old. He also answered questions from the audience of about 40 people, who sat glued to every word.

Once he had finished his degree at university, Stephen got a job as a journalist on a local newspaper, where he got to know the local police. This gave him the spark to start writing properly, and completed his first murder story, set in the Derbyshire Peak District in 1999. It featured two young detectives called Cooper & Fry, and was entitled 'Black Dog'. He's just about to have his 16th novel published, which also features the dynamic duo.

I must admit, I have never read one of Stephen's books, or even heard of Cooper & Fry before. I will though, especially now, as the stories may be televised in a new series that is presently going through the development stage.

There was an opportunity at the end of the talk for his fans to buy any novels that they didn't have, get them signed and personally chat to him.

Birthday Boy

Well it's my birthday and 10th wedding anniversary today.

We are on holiday from work, so it's been nice not having to get up early and take that cycle ride to the city centre.

Although I said the other day that was the final photo of Carla Monaco that I was going to show. But I found another that I think is worth showing.

A rather inventive backdrop at CoCo Studios, being a cheap sheet of chipboard that is normally used in the building trade, or for boarding up windows, that has been painted gold.

Sharp Shooter

I had a pleasant discovery during my regular visits to one of our local charity shops the other day, when I came across this vintage camera from the 1950s, for the bargain price of £4.99.

I have no idea whether it works or not. There is a film inside, which has been partially used. I just wonder how long it's been in there and whether it's any good. I may try finishing it off and send it for developing. It may be a waste of money, but would exciting as to what might be on there.

The camera is a Zeiss Ikon Nettar, and was made in Stuttgart, West Germany. And came with a leather case. Both are in good condition and the camera is very nice to look at. I just have to work out how to set the dials.

If You're Happy And You Know It

With his smiling face, I take it that this dwarf is Happy. Or could it be Doc?

Whoever it is, the owner of this local shop has made a nice job of cheering their window up for both their customers and passers by.

All You Need Is Love

Our new lights for the garden.

I had to wait until it became dark so I could switch them on.

Love under the stars.

Moody

My final photo of Carla, from my wonderful shoot with her the other day.

Nothing much else really to say.

Blondie

Here's another, more edgy look of model Carlo Monaco, but still as beautiful.

I think there's a slight look of Debbie Harry in this shot. Maybe it's the blonde hair, the pout or the cheekbones.But the camera sure does love her, even in my amateurish shots.

The Star Maiden

I had a very enjoyable photoshoot this afternoon with professional model Carla Monaco.
Especially as it was a birthday present from Gail and a friend of ours.

They recently asked me what I wanted for a present. I gave this some thought, and really didn't want the usual DVDs or CDs, and other typical things you get as gifts. But a couple of weeks ago, a local photo studio called CoCo advertised a shoot with this lovely lady. I've always wanted to do a shoot with Carla, ever since seeing some photos of her that had been taken by pro photographer Damien Lovegrove.

So I thought this would be a great opportunity of combining the two things.

She was a dream to work with. Very patient, great posing and just a lovely personality, which I think comes across in my photo.