29/12/2006

Fotosense.co.uk

I just thought I'd let members know that I got good service from this vendor based in Bolton. I was after a Tamrac camera bag (RRP £50), and the cheapest I could find it online was from bristolcameras.co.uk at £35 + £5 Delivery.
Fotosense were offering it at £39.99 + £5 Delivery, but offered to price match like-for-like deals. When asked, they were happy to match the price, and I went down and picked it up from them, saving £5 postage and getting it sameday.
I had a chat with the guy that runs it and he said they are planning to do some open/demo days in the new year, to showcase supplier products, and also some practical studio sessions with models. I have signed up to their email newsletter and will post a blog entry as and when these events are confirmed.

23/12/2006

Advice, please



I have found some 25-year old snapshots which are very faded. Can anyone advise on their restoration, please? Levels shows that red is missing at both ends of the histogram, so restoring that and tweaking green and blue makes a vast difference. Further improvement comes from tweaking the colours in Curves. Are there any other dodges I should be using?
I shall go round with Clone later to remove little blemishes.
All suggestions welcome.
Merry Christmas!
Richard

19/12/2006

Filters

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of getting some new filters and am looking to weigh up pros and cons between a square filter system (Cokin) and standard screw on (hoya etc). Has anyone got any opinions on either?
I would want to be able to swap between lenses so interchangeability is needed and as far as I can tell its would either mean step-up rings (standard circular filters) or adapters (cokin).

All comments welcome.

14/12/2006

Thanks Bill

Just a quickie to thank Bill Roberts for organising an excellent "Christmas Do".
It really went well, with good food and a good laugh which we all need from time to time.

08/12/2006

New Wonder Camera

It looks like Alan B. has now added yet another camera to his bag. This a state of the art, twin eyepiece digital camera with large monitor, SD card and onboard memory. The only problem, is it is only currently available in pink . These are in very short supply as everyone in the know has rushed out and bought them up.
OH! and the maker is that well known manafacturer FISHER PRICE!
We will now all have to save up to keep up with the latest technology.

04/12/2006

Autumn Trip

November in the Lake District

Once again we were lucky enough to spend our Autumn weekend break at Esk View. Members who had been there before were delighted to see the additions and improvements to what had already been a warm and inviting, well equipped house.
The journey to Eskdale on Friday 3rd November, was very promising, with bright sunshine to set off the Autumn colours. Our spirits rose, and we were in and out of the car, especially on the last lap of our journey, across Birker Fell. No doubt the other members of the group who came via the Wrynose and Hardknot passes, found the views equally breathtaking, and the road a little more hair raising.

Liz was the first to arrive and was still recovering from the rigours of the drive up when we arrived half an hour later. But, you did it, Liz!

We were less brave when the owner appeared to give us her orders. We tried to persuade her to wait for Ken, but she decided we were suitable material to be ordered about, and so that is what she did. No shoes inside the house, remember, no smoking, (as if!), all breakages to be paid for, put the rubbish out on Sunday: but an extra half hour’s grace on Monday morning. We were allowed to stay until ten, instead of 9.30., giving us a whole extra half hour to return the house to its pristine state. However, all was forgiven when we discovered the tins of buns and cake she had left for us.

When all fifteen members had arrived we were able to enjoy a leisurely drink, except for John E, who was busy unloading all the food into the brand new enormous fridge, and the freezer. We all admired the two brand new dishwashers, and the two new cookers, though John and Pat seemed to be the ones who were to spend most time with them! Some of us were even lucky enough to have new beds and super cosy quilts in our rooms. Top marks to the owner for investing in her guests’ comfort.

On the Friday evening we had a good meal at the local pub, thoughtfully booked in advance by Ken. Our way to the pub was well lit by Keith’s multi million voltage lamp, putting Liz’s puny headlamp to shame.

The weekend followed its usual course, so did the weather. Although it did not actually rain, it was very dreary, limiting the photography a little, but there are always church interiors (and coffee shops). We had a digital AV show on Saturday night, thanks to Dave for organizing that, and were very impressed with some hot off the press photos of the lakes by Edward. Hope he will put some of these in competitions and give some people a run for their money.

Sunday was also dreary, but we did get out in the fresh air. Cy even got his foot out, we were told, leaving his boot behind him in the mud more than once. The meal on Sunday evening became a little hysterical, we were all under the influence of the bubbly brought by Janet and Liam to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Congratulations, you two.

The entertainment of the evening began close to fisticuffs as there was a heated debate over TV versus a slide show. Luckily, the slide show won, and we were very interested to see Pat’s record of her travels in Peru. It seemed like a lot of walking, and mainly up crooked stairs, but the pictures were well worth the effort, thanks Pat. We also saw the upmarket Eskdale Lodge shots that Mike had taken for advertising purposes. The place was hardly recognisable without the usual grinning locals
.
We managed to be up and about in time on Monday, leaving the place tidy enough, we hope. Ken was left to deal with the visit of inspection by the owner, as we all beat a hasty retreat. And, naturally, as we progressed on our journey south, the weather improved and we were once again able to get some winning shots.

Well done, Ken, for doing the work and getting it booked, another successful trip, which we all enjoyed. And many thanks to John for the traditionally super food, not only the cooking on the premises, but also for the shopping and preparation that went on beforehand. We do appreciate your hard work, even though you say you enjoy doing it. Pat did sterling work as assistant cook, also quite a lot of the clearing up. And thanks to all the rest who helped out when and where they could. It doesn’t half take a long time just to set the table for 15, not to mention filling and emptying the dishwashers! Oh, and thanks also to Liz, our resident health advisor. She knows what I mean!

Already the winning photographs are appearing in club competitions, well done John McN. We are now all looking forward to the planned week away next June in Alnmouth. Sounds like lots of puffin shots will be appearing in next year’s competitions, along with more pictures of Bamburgh castle, from even more unusual angles, we hope. Me, I’ll just look forward to the crab sandwiches eaten overlooking the sea at Craster.