ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Thursday 29 July 2010

THE DEFINITION OF CHAOS (29/07/10)

I’m not talking philosophical mathematics…..Butterflies flapping wings in the Amazon jungle causing tempest and destruction in Asia……….No this is chaos in reality or rather in Barney as the locals refer to Barnard Castle, suits me, saves wear and tear on the fingers. Bragging again…………Finger!

Today started much as any other up with the sparrows, fired up the coffee pot, took the dogs for a quick pee this time remembering that anything is fair game for a dog, tents, BBQ’s, water buckets absolutely anything that stands more than an inch proud of the terrain. Caffeined and cerealed we went for a walk.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA   Plenty of cloud around but it threatened no more than a quick shower.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA    This mini flock followed us for five minutes…..They obviously thought Alfie was one of them being abducted on a lead.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA  Alfie met his first horse, or the first he has encountered in my company, thought it was a magnificent beast till in exhaled loudly down it’s nose at him. Had he been younger and taller he would have leapt into my arms. Induced the desired result in him. Never equated horses with laxative properties. Back to the van to collect gear for a wander round town.

Now had I one iota of perspicuity I could have foreseen the consequences of combining two West Highland Terriers on extending leads, a camera, a tripod and a cable release in a busy tourist town in the high season. I haven’t so here is Barney shot handheld in HDR under extremely difficult circumstances.

I never thought war photographers had it easy but they should try this.

P7295407_6_5_4_3_tonemapped_edited-1

P7295412_11_10_09_08_tonemapped_edited-1    The market hall or whatever. I will get back and shoot from inside looking out. The Parish Church looked good so without further ado off we scrambled. Tied the dogs to a railing and went inside. I usually take Molly in with me but knowing pee is alkaline and oak is acid decided that Alfie should remain outside. Seemed a pity to ruin centuries of patina! It’s not a particularly interesting church, just as well I hadn’t been in five minutes when synchronized yipping had me out. Some daft bugger had switched on the lawn sprinklers and every twenty seconds the dogs were getting a wash.

   P7295422_21_20_19_18_tonemapped_edited-1 I include this to show that even I make mistakes. 1 for content……..0 for artistic achievement and the same for star quality. it does however prove I went into the church.

P7295447_6_5_4_3_tonemapped_edited-1The Bridge over the Tees a magnificent structure which demands further attention. It has a weight limit of seven point five tons or maybe tonnes, near enough for me and the truck. Didn’t fall down yesterday so we must be all right.

P7295457_6_5_4_3_tonemapped_edited-1 Finally a picture of Barnard Castle or a small corner of the remains of it. I did promise a proper post and I am well aware quantity does in no way equate to quality. What you get, as always, is what I get.

This is a really exciting if chaotic town to be in, too busy at this time of the year but a bad workman will always blame………..Anything!…Absolutely anything! Be kind to me.

All the best have fun.

 

12 comments:

  1. Cracking post Adrian. On top form.
    Love that shot of the sheep, but the HDR's, I think these rank up there with your best. I really enjoyed all of them.
    The last two in particular. Excellent stuff sir!

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  2. Keith you've been more than kind......The rest take note. Seriously it takes a while to get back into the swing of things. Many thanks for the encouragement. HDR is not a matter of bracket shooting but of spot metering the darkest and lightest and shooting at 2ev steps for a great one. Will redo a 'how to' on it. You can of cause always disguise by going for a grungy look which I did today. Cheers and thanks.

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  3. Adrian, a really great post this evening, the pictures are excellent.

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  4. Nice collection of pictures in spite of your troubles. Interesting "market hall or whatever". And I love that last one of the castle wall.

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  5. Some nice pics of Barnie here - we drove through it about twenty years ago and never stopped - we should have..

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  6. Good to see you getting back into the swing of things. I don't usually like HDRs but really admire today's.

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  7. Bob thanks.

    DT, I'm glad you enjoyed, almost made it worth it.

    Petrus it's well worth a visit.

    Pauline, they don't have to be extreme. i'll do some completely normal ones.

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  8. Now that I've stopped laughing... And that says it all really.

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  9. GB, laughing with me I hope. Mocking the afflicted is cruel.

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  10. Adrian, what an enchanting post! I laughed at the sheep following you, and the horse scaring Alfie... LOL! The Barnard shots are really magnificent. I have been staring for a while now. :o)

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  11. Krista, as always I try to entertain. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  12. Hello Adrian. I followed Phil's link to your blog. The photos are lovely. Lol at the sheep being anxious over Alfie's abduction. :O) Barney's one of our favourite places to visit - we live about a 40 minutes drive away. You're right, it's a bustling little town and that's one of the reasons we like it so much.

    I think maybe your visit to St. Mary's Church was inhibited by Alfie and Molly's protestations :D - I've found that it's one of the loveliest churches I've ever visited, more so because of a special peaceful atmosphere I've found there. I hope you get the chance to visit it again soon and that the caretaker/gardener doesn't partake in any practical jokes this time! :)

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