It’s funny weather. A mixture of heavy showers and sunny spells. Why do the showers occur when I’m a mile from shelter? The light is wonderful though so I’ll put up with things as they stand. I have a raft of photographs today I can’t vouch for the quality, I’ll leave that to you.
Last night in Black and White………
and in colour.
It was much the same first thing this morning. It’s a different patch of flood water but one flood is much like another.
I had a run into town this morning and a quick wander round.
The Market Square Darlington. I was hoping for a full three hundred and sixty degree panorama but it was impossible. This has had a detrimental effect on the following little planet.
I do enjoy doing these……I am aware it’s a bit silly but can’t help myself.
St Cuthbert’s Darlington. I’ll have to have a look inside…it was locked this morning.
The Market Cross…….It ought to be the Market Ball……I presume they decided that market ball sounded too much like a dance. The building in the background is the old Town Hall. Built in an era when bureaucracy was of sensible size.
I have found a lens which is a work of art……Whether it can produce a work of art I’m undecided.
It is built by Schneider and has several advantages over Canon or Nikon tilt shift lenses. It has a disadvantages in that it is a manual lens and won’t take screw in filter mounts. It takes Schneider filters which are likely to cost a Kings Ransom. It is fast and also doubles as a 90mm macro lens. The big advantage is that the tripod mount is on the lens so for shift work it effectively keeps perspective as set and moves the camera sensor. Should make for perfect panoramas. I have my doubts that a DSLR sensor is really big enough to do it justice. If you want to see one have a look HERE.
I really want a view camera but there is no chance of my affording a digital back…..£40k they are. I would go for 4x5 film but as far as I can ascertain Quickload film either by Kodak or Fuji is no longer available. The thought of loading sheet film in the dark is more hassle than I can face.
Ho Hum!………I’ll keep reading and pondering and try and find a friendly large format camerarist. I need to have a chat with someone who knows and a play with their tackle. Excuse the expression.
Have a good week.
Lovely set Adrian; especially the two tonemapped one's.
ReplyDeleteCheers Keith. Good light at a sensible time of the day.
DeleteBeautiful images, I mean it, even the one that makes you look silly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob.
DeleteThanks for the info on the lens. I'm looking at a new upgrade for my camera as well. I'm pretty excited about looking again. Your shots are great and look incredible. I love the circular spin on the end one.
ReplyDeleteJust came back from vacation and had a great time. No internet but lots of relaxation. Hope you are well and that your week has begun on a good note.
Chris, glad you had a good break.
DeleteI'm tempted to go for manual lenses for landscape and macro. Wide angle German glass is generally no good for DSLR's as the rear of the lens will foul the mirror.
Hi Adrian, you can get a dark bag which is portable and foldable. You can load film and unload film in it. I used to do it many times it's great. When I had my own business, we had 2 View cameras, a 4x5 view and an 8x10 view camera. You just have to practice a little to make things work. Something for you to think about.
ReplyDeleteHorst, I will see if I can have a go with one. Thanks.
DeleteAlways amazed at how much precipitation you get. If we got that we would be 50% covered with water. Our subsoil is clay for 100's of meters. We are flat so there is little drainage. we have 12- 14 in of precip a year.
ReplyDeleteRed, most of the rain is at night. It is awful wet underfoot though.
DeleteI must have a look at your Little Planet programme. I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteGraham, They are easy to do but hard to do well, as you can see from the above.
DeleteThere are many tutorials on the internet Google Little Planets.
In PS or PS elements go to Image> resize and uncheck restrain proportions. Square your image up and turn it upside down. Then Filter>Distort>Polar cordinates> Rectangular to Polar.
It works best on a 360 degree panorama but with a bit of cloning on can get away with less. Before you start level both sides of the image so the horizon will join up. Just draw across with the level tool. E-mail if you have troubles.
E-mail if you have trouble.
Adrian, You're making huge holes in my "spare" time. First it was Photomatix, then Magic Lantern, now Little Planets. Can you please send me some longer days?
ReplyDeleteGeorge, I obviously have too much time.
ReplyDeleteI've not used Magic Lantern but will do when I get a Canon.