Skill Bill Hoarding Cookies

Skill Bill Hoarding Cookies, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-11199 - Well normally there's enough Turkey and cold meat to take us through the winter months it would seem, this year we got it right, but my daughter decided to go into production with cookies and mince pies, the boss turned out a couple of huge cakes and to delight us all a friend popped in with another. Caught Skill Bill hoarding the Cookies

If you want fruit cake instead pop over here

The niffy fifty 50mm
Dual Strobist
On stiff brown paper

The Admirer plus the grumpy controller!

The Admirer plus the grumpy controller!, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17590-PS-BD - Second shot of the two gentlemen hanging around the traction engines, not sure if they had a purpose or are the driver's. The reason for the inclusion is to express how the media and a few seconds of time can twist a story line, plus I loved how the light brightened up the grumpy controller (see one in comments)

Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.

Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid hat "top hat" steam grey coat bolts grumpy scarf gillingham kent red wheel painted "flat cap"

Bit more Goggling! or Smoke gets in your eye's!

Bit more Goggling! or Smoke gets in your eye's!, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17505-PS-BD - Intentionally included modern day stuff here, strange how the gentleman pick the entrance to the first aid area to smoke a modern day tailored cigarette. Not sure of the mission the lady was on, but it seems important to her.
I believe both were riding some rather excellent old Edwardian bikes and hence the goggles, probably the cigarette was needed if he had been riding the Penny Farthing on the cobbled street, alongside the closeness to the first aid area :)

Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.

Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid hands female street scene hats costume tailored cigarette "first aid" green cross goggles blue 6 "to win" fairground smoke glasses

Grumpy Controller

Grumpy Controller, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17591-PS-BD - For anyone who has met with a grumpy Santa or actor lately, this guy although turning a shilling or two, appears to be as happy as a Lark!
Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.

Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid hat "top hat" steam grey coat bolts grumpy scarf

Singing for your Super

Singing for your Super, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17518-PS-BD - A shot form the the Dicken's street with added snow (which I have to say fooled me further away) . Hat's off to the performers, really made the day and not sure how they kept warm or perhaps the frozen look was to add to the authenticity of the day :)
Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.

Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid signing hands female mug tankard street scene hats costume snow

Grey coat from .....

Grey coat from ....., originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17648-PS-BD - Still trying to remove the modern day aspects around these, but the shots that didn't work were in the right context and those close had some modern day item in there :)
Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.
Last weekend was a whole bunch of experiments in lighting and people

Forgot to mention they are all manual focus, so pleased with many of the results.

Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's hat greyjacket pommel chin strap "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid

Retail rush

Retail rush, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17596-PS-BD - Wandering through the many shots this one was nearly discarded, but then in the second chance saloon got to like in the context of the day. Perhaps I should give up with faces!
From the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.
Last weekend was a whole bunch of experiments in lighting and people

Forgot to mention they are all manual focus, so pleased with many of the results.

Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's hat female mother child retail rush shopping "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid

Boys Toys - Burrell Traction Engine cost more than a shilling

Boys Toys - Burrell Traction Engine cost more than a shilling, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17612 - Little steam from the Dicken's festival at Portsmouth historic dockyards last weekend, other toys will be available shortly.
Sorry there is no smelly vision, nothing like a bit of H2O and some Welsh steam coal with oil and grease to get the senses going.
I can only assume from the smoke box door that this is a model of a Charles Burrell and Sons traction engine originally made at their St Nicholas Works in Thetford, Norfolk England. YOu can get them in kit form from Steam Traction wolrd here's the price list just in someone wants to buy you one for Christmas from St Nicholas.


Tags

"Charles Burrell and Sons burrell Thetford" Norfolk England "St Nicholas" traction engine scale lamps tyres wheels portsmouth red copper brass

Looked like she had lost a shilling

Looked like she had lost a shilling, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17511-PS-BD - Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.
Last weekend was a whole bunch of experiments in lighting and people.

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's hat female rose "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid

Digital Dicken's

Digital Dicken's, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17524-PS-BD - There where a couple of alternative titles for this one, but thought I would keep them to myself.
Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters for Dickensian Christmas event, many of those taking part in England and across the globe to celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dicken's writer of Great Expectations, David Copperfield, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and many more including A Christmas Carol. Check out the dickens birthday site for events.
Last weekend was a whole bunch of experiments in lighting and people after being commission as birthday party photographer followed the next day by the opportunity to get a few costume shots, in what was billed to be a period setting. Now if any of you have attempted or read how difficult it is to avoid planes, cars, mobile phones in films etc you'll understand the humor in this shot. Hopefully some of the others are a bit closer to the mark, but I am sure your eagle eye's might find the corner of a wheelie bin or some other modern day item :)

Would be interested on any feedback on this new area for me light, shadows etc


Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's top hat suit frills cuffs camera ear piece aid "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian #rmab "street photography" candid <,/h2>

News flash - Beware of men in strange suits

News flash - Beware of men in strange suits, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17632-PS-BD - Another from the trip to the historic dockyard at Portsmouth and the Dicken's characters.
Yes it is the old strange think about this time of the year when we push encourage the younger members of the species (from a very early stage) to befriend, write and have physical contact with some complete stranger dressed in a suit.
Then the year is spent warning them about even talking to strangers.

Here is an attempt to save something from the shots as the light drew in and make perhaps a newspaper type image

Tags

historic dockyard Portsmouth Dicken's top hat suit beware grain "#rm what the dickens" Dickensian "street photography"

Boys Toys - Press down and release

Boys Toys - Press down and release, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17662 - The things people do to get that shot in or is it love :)
Taken at the Historic Dockyards in Portsmouth over the Dicken's Christmas weekend event, I think he was attempting to get a shot of Victoria and Albert whilst the Guards looked on.

Tags

candid photographer blonde male female railings Historic Dockyards Portsmouth Dicken's Christmas lights gloves cold

Boys Toys - Other Largers are available

Boys Toys - Other Largers are available, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Hunting Tanzanite in Decm).

LR-17581-PS - Nothing like a Fosters to lubricate at this time of year apparently.
Little steam from the Dicken's festival at Portsmouth historic dockyards last weekend, other toys will be available shortly.
Sorry there is no smelly vision, nothing like a bit of H2O and some Welsh steam coal with oil and grease to get the senses going.

Tags

foster fosters lubricator steam brass nuts bolts crank pipe pipes sliders miniature rods levers links arms dickens historic portsmouth dockyard christmas boys toys traction engine

Frost Bite!

Frost Bite!, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Topaz Counting, less busy!).

LR-16499 - Well the weather has certainly changed, with a nip in the air, what happened to the global warming!
Alternative titles did aspire towards the polar ice caps melting which is a serious business as we all know, proven that the water level across the globe has risen by 11 mm in the last 10 years. This doesn't sound a lot, but when you the majority of our planet is water, that is one hell of a lot of ice converted.

Tags
ice bite frost melting water sky wood clouds sun bubbles trapped

Experiment - Strobist - Happy Holidays

Experiment - Strobist - Happy Holidays, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Topaz Counting, less busy!).

LR-16267 - Well it has been some time since I have managed to push the button and actually post on Flickr, there is a whole list of stuff which is fairly mundane, then there is the elders to which keep popping in and out of hospital and the need to follow up appointments, oh yawn you really don't want to hear about all that. I had a deadline to hit on the 28th as well............

So to celebrate thought I would play with some double off camera flash shots which I have been waiting to for 18 days (no I wasn't really counting) since the second flash unit arrived. Plus play around with an experimental hood I created.

Two of my favorite things; nature and food!

Flash units, both covered with white socks to reduce the flash strenght (bit like a softbox)
One placed in line to the right
Two place 30 degrees in front to the left

Tags
Food, mince pie, holly, green, strobist, icing sugar, pastry, mince meat, black, off camera flash, canon eos 7d

Life is like a buttery .... for Mavis

Life is like a buttery .... for Mavis, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Topaz Counting, just really busy).

I only met Mavis once, but knew quite a bit about her battles through life. If they handed out medals for fighting against Cancer she would win my vote hands down. She push herself using all her strength which would equal the effort put in to get a first place in every Olympic event to beat the disease / cell mutation, sadly losing the fight last Friday.
Mavis may your God be with you now you have been released from your cocoon.

Love, peace and banana’s

Life is like a butterfly
It’s changing everyday
Filled with many challenges
I face along the way

I started as a child
Loved and carefree
Not knowing who I’d become
Or how painful life would be

Now that I am older
I’ll be so special soon
Everything’s about to change
I’m breaking free from my cocoon

IMG_1704_PS

The Question is how did the Wood Lice get there!

The Question is how did the Wood Lice get there!, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Topaz Counting).

LR-7_15871_PS - The old chopped but not fallen problem.
I love lying on my back and looking at the sky or up through the trees, but never though I would be able to see it from the underside of a tree. Those wood lice must have had one hell of a shock :)

Below is a shot I took last year, moaning about the Health & Safety that the European Forestry commission brought in some contractors to do.
Eventually work up the courage to go lie underneath it and take a few shots, even though it was swaying around.

The underside is lit by the direct sun reflect on a 18 inch reflector which took about 20 minutes to set up, but I think it was worth it in the end.

Tags
logging logged cut sawn chainsaw tree felling sky PoV "wood lice" "Isle of Wight"

Compare - LR Aged - Boots

Compare - LR Aged - Boots, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-Aged-15835 - Regular viewers may be aware that the old Fell style walking boots had been letting in water for the last few week. Here is the replacements, which I hope are more durable than the Fell cloth style, yes they have steel toe caps as well.
Now I have not brought a pair of shoes that have a manual with them before, except for some Clark shoes (with compass, tracking symbols and alike).
Whilst they were fresh out the box, I thought it was an opportunity to try some product shots :)

Plus an excuse to share Paolo Nutini - New Shoes if you wanted to listen.

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling,
It so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I'm running late,
And I don't need an excuse,
'cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.

Have a great weekend

Exposure: 0.02 sec (1/50)
Aperturef/10.0
ISO Speed: 320
Lightroom Aged

Compare in slideshow

Experiment - LE, L bracket tripod - Marilyn Monroe Mushroom

Experiment - LE, L bracket tripod - Marilyn Monroe Mushroom, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15753 - To the ordinary viewer it is yet another mushroom i my every growing shots of mushrooms, in the Mushrooms (magic or otherwise) set. That it may well be, but having spent three years rolling around on the forest floor and never quite getting what I want in the foreground and not quite happy with the PoV.
Experiment is in fact in the way the camera is mounted which is a L shaped bracket and clearing the ground by about and inch (2.5cm) providing the short foreground focus and maintaining the focus on the underside of the gills. Add to this the long Exposures provides the ability to display the light I see through the gills. Display the stem and the gills in focus. The slight disappointment is the start of the bokeh forming in the back of the shot which is down to my camera skills. The lack skill can be seen in the original size. you might be interested to see the lack of sharpness around the mushroom edge

Exposure: 1
Aperture: f/20.0
ISO Speed: 1000 - probably just over the top

Fallen Beech Surf, barking for it

Fallen Beech Surf, barking for it, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15767 - Just a bit of fun from the forest floor an alternative cliff edge seascape, with the waves about to break over some rocks.

Build the field or cut the tree and they will come - Worm concern

Build the field or cut the tree and they will come - Worm concern, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15704 - A couple from the personal achievement file, not quite but almost taken from about 26 feet (nearly 8 metres) free hand. Normally I reach for the camera and off they go, but this semi friendly Blackbird listened to the shutter clicking away whilst I got a few shots in

Canon EOS 7D - Freehand
Exposure: 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 300 mm
ISO Speed: 320 - In a slightly darker area
Lens: EF75-300mm f/4-5.6

Build the field or cut the tree and they will come - Shutter listener

Build the field or cut the tree and they will come - Shutter listener, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15673 - A couple from the personal achievement file, not quite but almost taken from about 26 feet (nearly 8 metres) free hand. Normally I reach for the camera and off they go, but this semi friendly Blackbird listened to the shutter clicking away whilst I got a few shots in.

But still I take my hat off to those of my contacts whoo can get these with such clarity.

Canon EOS 7D - Freehand
Exposure@ 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture: f/9.0
Focal Length300 mm
ISO Speed: 800 - probably to high, but the light was varying
Lens: EF75-300mm f/4-5.6

Mast and Frothy Monks Mead

Mast and Frothy Monks Mead, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15604 - High tides, heavy rain, wrong wind and a duff pumping station lead to flooding of reclaimed land created by an intention Victorian rubbish dump to create a barrier and a boating lake.

Monk’s Mead or Monkton Mead brook was apparently named by sailors who collected fresh water from the brook whilst their ships rested on Ryde sands. The sands has a long history connected to Henry VIII and the First Fleeter’s before sailing to Australia.
The fleet left on the 13 May 1787 and were made up of:
2 Naval Ships: HMS Sirius, HMS Supply
6 Convict Ships: Alexander, Charlotte, Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales, Scarborough
3 Supply Ships: Golden Grove, Fishburn, Borrowdale
As for the canoe lake or the boating which was built dumping rubbish in the sea to create a barrier which maintains its levels originally the same as the low tide of the popular Ryde seaside resort.

50 Shades of Grey - I Don't believe it

50 Shades of Grey - I Don't believe it, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15619 - about five minutes after this shot, the skies opened up and absolutely drenched everything and everyone out for they stroll/pedal along the prom.

Environmental Agents - It Looked Like this

Environmental Agents - It Looked Like this, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15615 - WHilst looking down a hole this lady arrived and proceeded to inform the agents of something or the other, whilst displaying dog poo at arms length, you have to wonder at the contents compared to the size of the dog though.

Environmental Agents - Pumping out the Mead

Environmental Agents - Pumping out the Mead, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15595 - High tides, heavy rain, wrong wind and a duff pumping station lead to flooding of reclaimed land created by an intention Victorian rubbish dump to create a barrier and a boating lake. Ryde pier head in the background.

Hallow Light - Remnants of Summer

Hallow Light - Remnants of Summer, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15412-PS - Last few from the Window studio shoots the other week. All taken in natural light.


Have a good week

You can view the slideshow for the set by clicking me

Canon EOS 7D
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/32.0
ISO Speed: 3200

Why Hallow light, there is a whole bunch of stuff about Halloween out on the web along with the various regional differences. It would appear in the main that the Jacko-Lanterns originated from Britain, there was is some confusion over the whole lost soul thing (can't quite work out why you would stack some bodies outside a graveyard until the 30th of October). The one strong point that comes out of all the stuff I have read is the celebration of light throughout the year that grew the crops. I probably think to much :)

Hallow Light - Faux Fall Sunset

Hallow Light - Faux Fall Sunset, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15391_PS - Said there would be a few more, been busy with all sorts of stuff the last few days :(
Leaf on black with the reflection of a globe shane in the top left, texture of the tile gives what I thought was a nice little ripple effect. Had to Photoshop a couple of bad water spots out.

Have a good week

You can view the slideshow for the set by clicking me

Canon EOS 7D
Exposure: 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture: f/25.0
ISO Speed: 3200 - Pleased with the result on this

Hallow Light - The Cut Lilly

Hallow Light - The Cut Lilly, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15326-PS - Few more from the window light experiments on a overcast day, only took a few so not many more to go. Mrs R loves these, but you have to keep an eye them for the spitting which doesn't seem to be quite lady like :) This one was just about to according to the spitting expert! And doesn't it stain.
Again slightly off with the focus on this in the background and kind of liked the part reflection, probably should PS that out to make it float.

You can view the slideshow for the set by clicking me

Canon EOS 7D
Exposure: 1.3
Aperture: f/29.0
ISO Speed: 640

Hallow Light - Hollow Bone

Hallow Light - Hollow Bone, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15410 - Few more from the window light experiments on a overcast day, only took a few so not many more to go.
Something a little seasonal perhaps, full moon and all that sort of stuff.
They will go to a couple of howling wolf's I know.
Bit disappointed with the foreground focus did take a couple with slight twist on the focus with the intention of doing something in CS6, maybe if I come across them again in the near future, when time has stood still, I might have a play. I did like the slight double reflection in the foreground centre though.

Canon EOS 7D
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/36.0
ISO Speed: 3200 - quite pleased with the ISO on this one, probably more black and white, the others where taken with different settings, but came out a little grainy.

You can view the slideshow for the set by clicking me

Hallow Light - Autumnal Renaissance

Hallow Light - Autumnal Renaissance, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15377 - Few more from the experiments with window light on a very overcast day.
The source is from the right, the light then bounced from the left.

A few more to come, sorry

Exposure0.4
Aperturef/22.0
Focal Length85 mm
ISO Speed800
Lens ModelEF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

You can view the slideshow for the set by clicking me

Hallow Light - Natures Eggs in a box

Hallow Light - Natures Eggs in a box, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (Celebrating Light).

LR-15301 - Not quite what was planned, this came about more by accident as I needed to store the egg shells and the Sweet Chestnuts for the planned shot, oh well :)

Lit from by window light to the right and natural light bounced on a mirror to the left.

Exposure: 1.3
Aperture: f/14.0
ISO Speed: 640 - probably slightly high
White Balance: Auto - Probably should have adjusted the white against the white, but the light was fading fast.

You can view the slideshow for the set by clicking me

Experimenting with exposure (long) - White Mushroom

Experimenting with exposure (long) - White Mushroom, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-15239 - More Mushrooms, rather than strobist thought I would have a go at a slightly longer exposure, one for me and secondly for an assignment. The remit shot in low light without using a flash poor light under a tree and away from the sun. Experiment with a long exposure Where does that start? Anything above 1 or is the expectation to be between 15-30 seconds for a night time shot ro something with a ND10.

Exposure: 13 seconds
Aperture: f/22.0
ISO Speed: 200 - thought I might get away with 200, nearly but not quite, wish I had done with the strobist now :(
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Lens Model: EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

Scavenger Challenge
19. Take a shot in low light without using a flash. Experiment with a long exposure. (Russ)

Discovered a new hole in my shoe

Discovered a new hole in my shoe, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-15183 - Well it's Monday and I could dwell on about what a rubbish day it has been so far, the conclusion was go for a walk, seeing as the boys were also fed up with it all.
Apart from discovering I have a new hole in my walking boots, which allow my right foot now to be as wet as the left foot, I thought I would experiment with some strobist stuff in the woods, seeing how everybody liked the slime from the previous shot :)

Exposure: 1.3 seconds
Aperture: f/18.0
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Slime Indicator: Zero
Droplet Factor: 3

1.3 seconds and a flash (even though the Exif says no flash), well the idea was to pick out the highlights and of course light the underside.

Also re Calibrated my screen last night, so not sure how that is working for you, (the way today is going, probably is not right)

Constructive and helpful criticism always welcome

Strobist Field Experiment - Mushrooms

Strobist Field Experiment - Mushrooms, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-15149 - I had made my mind up that I was going to get a shot of some mushrooms I saw yesterday and planned it that for some reason to use the off camera flash in day light. Packed the bag got in the car, run a small earn and yes it was pouring down by the time I had got to the location :(
So I waited a while, then a bit longer and just went for it!

EOS 7D + EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
Tripod + Flash unit handheld 11 o'clock high

Exposure: 0.6
Aperture: f/20.0 used 11 upwards, 22 was in the dark
ISO Speed: 400 should have gone lower, keep forgetting to adjust it

Just One Drop on Passion - The Nose has it!

Just One Drop on Passion - The Nose has it!, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-14862 - We have a lot of fruit from the Passion bush this year, in fact an amazing amount, with the flowers still blooming and more to come. Bit more of the droplet mania and Helios.
Whilst looking through the flower heads to find the perfect droplet on petal I came across this one droplet on the green fruit, liked the way that the over cast day set the light off, so here it is

EOS 7D + Helios 44M + Extension tubes 61mm
Freehand

The Adventures of Brian & Friends - Browsing the Web - Facebook

The Adventures of Brian & Friends - Browsing the Web - Facebook, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-14598 - Have not seen him in particular for a while now. Asked what he was up and he said been spending endless hours browsing the web, he then went onto to ask so what do you lot get out of it Oh well it is full of thing you didn't know and lots of stuff you don't want to know, really useful, I replied :)
Without another word he carried on engrossed in the web for the rest of the night

EOS 7D + Helios 44M + 50mm extension tubes

Have a great Sunday everyone

Here's number 2 in it's glory as people seemed to like it so much

Moisture on Moss

Moisture on Moss, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-14910 - Slightly disappointed with myself here, didn't check the ISO set at 400, the Helios on extension tubes needs to be 100 or 200 and with overcast skies the hundred would have turned out better, so a slight tweak in light room to bring it up a little.
Well it has been raining for a few days on and off, yesterday was a whole day of fine annoying drizzle, but the fine droplets make for some great droplets, if only I could get them right, took about 15 different angles and slightly different light, so this was the best of the bunch for now.

Lightroom
EOS 7D + Helios 44M + 61mm of Helios 42mm extension tubes, flat Canon to 42mm converter
Somewhere around 60/80:1 magnification, but cannot find the ratio converter at the moment.

There is a huge room for improvement, such as using a hood to reduce the surrounding light, a way of reflecting more light on the subject and perhaps a steady hand or even a tripod. The set up is much more manageable than the bellows, as the tubes can come out for walks

The Ghost of Summer Past

The Ghost of Summer Past, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-13996 - More lens playing Helios 44-2, just love the way the light is handled in this shot SOOC (CR2-Jpg). What does seem unreal is the manual F stop setting to that of the EF-S15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens which seems to suck the light out of the image no matter how wide you have it, feel some controlled experimenting coming to understand it a little more.

Helios 44-2
1/160
f16

50 Shades of Grey - In so many ways

50 Shades of Grey - In so many ways, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-13937-PS - Another assignment, quite an interesting topic bold, masculine feel 10 or so years ago the response would have been tinker tailor soldier or some other perceived manly task/job. In a world where we now seem to be more concerned about political correctness than stating the obvious, to the point of losing the thread of a conversation or corrupting historical archives to the point where they become useless and meaningless.
I don't think anybody wanted to see a non family friendly image revealing the core meaning of Masculinity such as a pose of Heracles or David the Renaissance sculpture .
Three days in the making (much to the annoyence of someone) here is some Terminal hair a trait of masculinity (Terminal hairs are thick, long, and dark, as compared with vellus hair. of the female)

SOOC (CR2-Jpg only)
Lighting from morning sunlight through three sets of glass and bounced off a mirror (30 degrees upward)
Tripod mounted EOS 7D in live shoot mode via the USB to the portable computer, used to control the shot (well you have to try these things).

Lost Bokeh in Tall Grass

Lost Bokeh in Tall Grass, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-13959 - Still not happy about this for an assignment submission, taken ten or more shots without getting the result I wanted, so for the time being this is as good as it gets.

The focus and bokeh is from the Helios 44-2 (2/58) which I used to use of the DMC G1 and sort of discarded it for a while, the nice Canon lens brings clarity to almost a clinical state in some ways and wanted to see how the collection of lens performed on the EOS 7D. Sadly for you this means a whole raft of experiments with lens for you to look through...........yawn, but bear with it as some came out nice :)

Scavenger Challenge
24. Tall grass, reeds or other similar wild vegetation is the subject.
Might come back with an alternative if there is time

Looking into the bubble

Looking into the bubble, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (having some Strobist fun).

LR-13680 - Single blade of grass with a droplet of dew refracting the surrounding long grass and their droplets, fence and sky, with a little bit of Autumn sun to brighten up the day, just to add that little sparkle.


Cropped and Tweaked
EOS 7D + Bellows half extended 120:1 as extension tube is required to mount the camera
Not quite the clarity I wanted, but liked what goes on in the bubble more than the surroundings

Scavenger Challenge
7. Capture some sparkle! Let those little highlights shine to good effect.

Do It Daily @ Today's Posting
From boxes to hanging to lawns and flower beds, show us your favourite piece of horticulture, post it then Tag it with #TP341 grass/lawn

From across the pond - A Presidential Candidate, red white and blue

From across the pond - A Presidential Candidate, red white and blue, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

LR-13527 - So here is my Presidential candidate.
All dress up pretty and in the party colours
Yaking or is that quacking away
Talking to and probably through the rear end
Promises like water just fall off the back once elected

SOOC - CR2 to Jpg in Lightroom
Canon EOS 7D + EF75-300mm f/4-5.6
Freehand


Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Overview
The male has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange 'sails' on the back, and pale orange flanks. The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks. They were introduced to the UK from China and have become established following escapes from captivity.
Where to see them
Main population is in south, central and eastern England, but small numbers occur in Wales, Northern England and Scotland. Likes lakes with plenty of overhanging trees and bushes.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Insects, vegetation and seeds.
Estimated numbers 7,000 adults Citation RSPB

From across the pond - A Presidential Candidate, red white and blue ....pretending to listen!

From across the pond - A Presidential Candidate, red white and blue ....pretending to listen!, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

LR-13480 - Looking sweet before sweet before being elected and pretending to listen to every word :)

SOOC - CR2 to Jpg in Lightroom
Canon EOS 7D + EF75-300mm f/4-5.6
Freehand

Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Overview
The male has the most elaborate and ornate plumage with distinctive long orange feathers on the side of the face, orange 'sails' on the back, and pale orange flanks. The female is dull by comparison with a grey head and white stripe behind the eye, brown back and mottled flanks. They were introduced to the UK from China and have become established following escapes from captivity.
Where to see them
Main population is in south, central and eastern England, but small numbers occur in Wales, Northern England and Scotland. Likes lakes with plenty of overhanging trees and bushes.
When to see them
All year round
What they eat
Insects, vegetation and seeds.
Estimated numbers 7,000 adults Citation RSPB

50 Shades of Grey - Distracted, but not fenced in on Friday

50 Shades of Grey - Distracted, but not fenced in on Friday, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

LR-7087-PS - Odles of stuff to do, but keep getting distracted.
Shot a few weeks ago on the Sunday commute.

Have a great weekend everyone

Faux @ No 5

Faux @ No 5, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

LR-10257 - Sometimes you just see stuff that you like, on the basis of clouds and rain for the last few days thought this might brighten up your day a little. Almost has a sort of Mediterranean feel to it !
Taken outside Pump House No 5 on Chatham old dock yard, looking through the window.

Changin'

Changin', originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

LR-1204 - Lucky shot, butterfly on a dried leaf the transition/Changin' between summer and autumn/fall

Scavenger Challenge
4. The seasons are in transition wherever we live. Show how the change affects your landscape.

Do It Daily @ Today's Posting
Make a photo that goes with the title (or lyrics) of a song. Interpret away!, post it then Tag it with #TP319 Brass Construction - Changin' bit of funk for Sunday!

50 Shades of Grey - Snowy and the Brunette

50 Shades of Grey - Snowy and the Brunette, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

LR-1058-PS - Last few of the ferry series, going to have to find a non captive audience shortly :)
So this lady was flicking backwards and forwards through the Wightlink (ferry company) magazine and she kept getting to the back page and then starting over. But as s0ulsurfing did some shots at the Owl & MOnkey Haven I was hoping to find one similar on his stream.
Nearest I could find was this one, but probably not something to be published but not from the Isle of Wight Haven.
Have a look through his Owl & Monkey haven set

Cracking Up Over You ....

Cracking Up Over You ...., originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

LR-0287 - Perfect excuse for me to give you another link to a classic piece of Northern Soul, this time from Tommy Hunt Cracking Up Over You there was a whole of choices for this one, but will save them for another day.

So by Pump House No 5 on the Medway, close to the new Chatman marina. I took quite a few of this concept, nice bit of paint going westward and a fallen leaf trapped for a brief encounter.

50 Shades of Grey - I scream for the weekend

50 Shades of Grey - I scream for the weekend, originally uploaded by Rusty Marvin (MS OS Adventure Gamer).

IMG_0727_LR_PS - Really hoping the forthcoming weekend was like the last one, sun sand and classic cars. Ok I'll forgo on the classic cars, just the sun will be really nice. Disappointed with the composition here as the little bit of sea wall detracts the view on the left, but hey almost white sands, blue sea and some happy people.