HDR

This is the monthly competition theme for January. HDR stands for high dynamic range, and can look really unnatural:

However, I think I like it(!). I went out to Wollaton Hall (also known as Wayne Manor from the latest Batman film!) yesterday, with the aim of taking nice pictures of deer and things, and possibly getting some images I could combine to create HDR images (using some software called photomatix - I can't work out how to do it otherwise!). It was freezing cold, and I came away with some (average) deer photos and some nice shots of the building, which I then HDR-ified. I was pleased with the results:

The last one is my favourite, I think, and probably the one I will enter into the competition. So, as my first venture into the world of HDR I'm pretty chuffed :) Let's see what the competition results say in a few days (I've done really badly recently, so would be nice to get a good result...or at least a vote...).

day 2...

No, I won't be putting up a new blog post every day, but today I did something a bit different (for me). I did some 'urban exploration' - up to a point. True urban exploration this was not, but for me it was something a bit outside of my comfort zone. I went on a graffiti hunt :)

This involved wandering around some dark alleys with my camera, and (possibly) trespassing - although in my defence there were no signs telling me NOT to approach the dark abandoned warehouse...ho hum. So here you are - Derby via graffiti!

This 'angry face' is seen all over Derby in various colours and shapes - this one was on Raynesway. Also along this path were the following:

I wandered towards the warehouse next, snapping this landed octopus on my way:

The warehouse itself was covered, so here are just a couple:

I had fun, although the adrenalin nearly pushed me inside the building (which I fear would have been a bad idea in the near-dark)...somewhere to return in the light, I think! I now seem to be travelling around Derby with one eye on the walls around me in case I spot something particularly good. A new obsession? Perhaps...just don't tell Melissa(!).

new year!

...and my project is....? The 365! This means a new picture every day. That's EVERY day. Not just when I feel like it(!). The hope is that my photography will improve, as well as my editing skills, and also that my wife won't divorce me...So, here is shot 1/365:

Only 364 to go...

If anyone fancies supporting me, I'll be uploading on my Flickr page so check in every now and again to see how I'm getting on :)