Stormy Seas at Dover

Saturday 14th November was a day of severe weather warnings, with 75 mph winds reported in the South Coast. People were warned not to travel unless essential. Great, perfect time to go out with the camera then. The winds were so strong it was really difficult to steady yourself. A tripod would have been useless unless really low, even then the wind would still induce camera shake. Anyway here are a selection of shots from that day that help as best as I could put the weather conditions in pictures.

This is what they were taking pictures of

Check out the cars in the top left

Oops

Waste on the beach

I apologize to the follower of my blog that pointed out, my next post (after the lensbaby) would be non-lenbaby shots from the same location. Well especially for that person here are shots taken with a 50mm f1.8 lens. Probably the cheapest prime lens. It always amazes me when I use. The autofocus has broken so it has to be done manually.

All these shots were taken on Dungeness Beach, Kent, England. All the items were where they were. I didn't move any for compositional improvements. The beach has lots of old wooden boats that are just on the beach to rot. These shot were mostly taken at f1.8. All processing has been done in Aperture, which will only be basic adjustments to the RAW files.

Dover Panorama

Dover_Panorama1
Originally uploaded by Nat Jag

I went to Dover with fellow photographer Nigel Wheal to get some extreme weather photos as there were winds upto 75mph reported on the South Coast. While steadying myself I tried this hand held Pano. Made from 12 shots taken in portrait orientation gave me a 67meg file. I reduced for web.

I will admit that it's not the sharpest of shots due to trying my best not to be blown over. I'm still quite impressed with the standard achievable hand held.

Christmas Lights by phone of compact camera

I was asked to cover the switching on of Oxford Street Christmas lights last week. They were switched on by Jim Carrey. I was to be on a scissor lift, which didn't work in the end. I was still above the crowd, so managed a vantage position, although I was 45 meters away from the stage. I really needed an extremely long lens which I don't have. However, one thing that I though quite amazing was the amount of people with their camera phones and compact digital cameras taken photos or short film clips of the event. A few pictures posted here to demonstrate.

Lensbaby fun

The lensbaby is a cheap lens which you have to physically hold in position for focusing. It has a sweet spot which you can move around the frame. I purchased mine in an attempt to recreate a similar effect to the holga plastic Medium format camera. A style of photography known as lomography. The focal length is approximately 50mm

Here are a couple of shots from a trip to dungeness with fellow photographer Nigel Wheal. All these items were just on the beach. It's has potential for a photographers paradise.

Next post, images from the same location taken with a normal lens, i.e. not a lensbaby.

Remembrance

10 November 2010.
Many churches will have their remembrance service on the 8th November the closest Sunday to the 10th.
This poppy wreath was at the back of a church in Isle of Sheppy. I thought I'd try taking a shot with the Lens Baby with no aperture ring on making it f2.

Leeds Castle Fireworks

I couldn't let November 5th slip past without doing a post containing fireworks. I know it's nothing original (none of my stuff is) it is colourful. Enjoy!