Camera Shy

The beginning of the month and its theme day. This month's is a camera shy self image.

Not difficult for me, as I hate seeing myself in photos. Yes I do have a negative body image, always have done. So here's my photo for the day. Fortunately it was sunny when I took it, so I got a decent shadow. Just a shame that you can't see my camera.

Twas A Dark And Stormy Night

Well we've had another day of gale force winds and lashing rain. So much for turning the clocks forward on Sunday.

I was out tonight, meeting up with with some Twitter buddies. Of course it was raining on the way back to the car park, so I stopped and took a few photos of the traffic passing by the Broad Marsh, using the black & white filter on my camera.

Glamour Puss

Thankfully Princess Leia put down her Lightsaber and struck an art nude pose for me. Another present for the blog's ninth birthday.

May The Force Be With You

I had a photo shoot with Princess Leia today, as part of Nottingham Daily Photo's 9th Birthday celebrations.

I was worried that she might zap me with her lightsaber if I didn't take a good photo of her. Fortunately she was happy with the results and wished me well with my blog's birthday.

Reflections Of The Past

The past reflected in the modern with the old Guildhall reflected in the glass tower that is the E-on building.

The former court and offices was closed some years ago, but there are plans to turn it into a luxury hotel. But I've heard mother about the scheme yet, or which chain is going to own it.

Spirited Away

There was an unusual, and exciting event that took place in Beeston tonight, a world premiere film show based on close up photographs of the 'Ghost Bus'; the old dilapidated Bartons bus that was found rotting in a Suffolk field.

The bus made its first appearance at Bartons in October 2012, and of course I popped along to see and write about it for this blog. Last October a well known Italian writer and visual artist called Roberto Alborghetti saw the bus for the first time and was amazed at the state of the vehicle. He then spent a couple of hours taking 500 close up photos of the rust, peeled paint and general distress on the buses bodywork and has turned 130 of them into a thirteen minute film, naturally called The Ghost Bus.

Besides seeing the film, Bartons had put lights and a smoke machine inside the bus, to give it a supernatural and atmospheric air, amplified by the darkness of the garage setting. Would you want to spend the night alone on this bus?

Roberto has also made a shorter, six minute film, using some of the other photos called Seaside Film, Both films were impressive and well received by the audience. There was also time for a small question and answer session.

It was a wonderful event, and for those that are curious about what the film looks like, Roberto has put a small extract on YouTube - https://youtu.be/1YWqP38vHQo

Local Views

Here's a selection of old postcards that belong to Graham, the author of the book that I have in my collection of local history books and pamphlets.

Graham has a vast collection of old postcards that are all of Beeston, including buildings, streets and the canal. They are amazing to look at and see how my town has changed since the cards were printed, which in some cases a 100 years.

Bridal Shoot

A shot from the photography show that I went to the other day.

This model was posing for a lighting demonstration, so of course, almost everyone was standing facing her. I just thought that I would try it from this angle.

Goodbye Norma Jean

This 4ft x 5ft silkscreen print of Marilyn Monroe is on offer at a local art gallery, for an astonishing price of £8000. The price of a small car. It is called 'Fantasy" and is the work of artist Stephen Simpson.

You would need a very big space for it to be properly displayed, so that you can see the full effect of the glittery surface. Not really something that you could hang on the wall of an ordinary house.

Tunnel Of Love

Just spent an enjoyable day at the Photography Show in Birmingham's NEC.

I caught up with some photographers that I know, and had a very good look round all the stands and stalls.

Ended up buying a new lens for my Olympus camera, and this is one of the first photos that I took with it. It is one of two underpasses that you have to walk through from the car park to the main halls. Generally underpasses are dark, dank, scary places, that people are often frightened to walk through. But the exhibition centre has made an effort to make it a more pleasant experience.

Nag's Head

These brass horses are actually part of very dramatic door handles that I came across today whilst at my local police station.

No, it's OK, I hadn't been arrested for taking photographs, which seems to happen a lot these days, but was on a conducted tour round the building, which was built in the 1930s and is full of art deco architecture.

Fruit, Flowers And Fish

We have a wonderful greengrocers in Beeston that has been there over 100 years. It is one of the most popular shops  in the town, despite having three large supermarkets in the area.

I'm usually in there on a Saturday morning, buying out fruit and veg for the week, and sometimes I'll pick up some flowers, as a present for Gail.

Sunsational

Here is my shot of the eclipse, that I took on the way to work. Well the beginning of it. I wanted to see it when the moon had passed further across. But as I was in work, I don't think I could have nipped out with my camera.

I guess that I was also a bit disappointed that the sky didn't go blacker than it did. It did look strange, but I suppose that I was expecting something more apocalyptic.  I have no idea when the next one might occur.

There were certainly many people about standing on street corners with camera or pieces of paper in trying to capture the moment. Maybe I might have been better off in taking photos of them instead!

Still we had a brilliant sunset, which to me are infinitely more enjoyable to see. I stopped off and took this on my way home.

Potty Time

There was a large food and drink market in the Old Market Square today, so I had a look round to see if there was anything worth taking a photo of.

I had to chuckle to myself when I saw all these flowerpot men waiting in line to be sold. I wonder how many are called Bill, and how many Ben?

There were quite a few different styles of ornament. And I'm sure there is one for almost every garden. Even those that only have a postage size open space.

Chilled

Another shot of Oscar dozing on the sofa.

I think it really is a cats life, rather than a dogs, as both Oscar and Marmalade have it all; food on tap, a quiet house and comfy seats, beds and floors to relax on.

Irish Charm

Today as you all probably know is St Patrick's Day, and a day when everyone want's to be Irish.

I'm usually working in town when they have the parade to the Old Market Square. But today I had another day off, so I missed it. Although from what photos I have seen, it was more or less identical to last years.

So I scanned my archive and pulled out this photo that I took last year of this rather colourful character enjoying a slice of meet pie.

Health Service

Early this morning I had to go to the QMC hospital. No, fortunately there wass nothing wrong with me, I just had to take someone in who was scheduled to have a small operation. Thankfully nothing too serious, but it will mean that they will need to have around a month off work for their recovery time.

While they were in theatre, I took some photos of the views that I could see out of the ward windows. At the front of the photo you can see the new tram bridge, which I saw being put into place during September 2013. Then there is the main A52 road that takes vehicles towards Newark and Grantham.

There used to be a number of nurses' quarters where all those cars are parked. But they were knocked down a couple of years ago, to expand the existing car park, as the old multi-storey car park had to be knocked down due to crumbling concrete.

The hospital is meant to be building a new multi-storey car park that's going to have a helipad on the top. They just have to find all the money to build it.

There's been a lot written about the poor state of the NHS; the cuts in service, shortage of beds and overworked medical staff. But I have to say, the nurses and doctors that were involved this morning did a wonderful job, and the operation went well.

Sunday Siesta

A dull afternoon here in Beeston, and Marmalade thinks it is better to have a nap on the settee, instead of going out in the cold and wet.

Wise cat.

Marmalade

Marmalade enjoying a bit of early morning sunshine. Our little cat is getting on in years now, and he now has to have a pill each day to keep him well. But he still enjoys life in his own way, and is very dear to us.

Fashionistas, Head This Way

It's the annual 48 Hours of Fashion event in the city centre, which starts today. It mixes various offers and events, with big hourly fashion shows in the Old Market Square.

Sadly I just missed the start of the 1pm showing, and the guys on the door wouldn't let me in. Which annoyed me, as I'm sure it wouldn't have mattered. So I had to make do with taking a photo of the marquee they are using, together with a giant TV screen.

Must try harder next year.