Photo101: Triumph & Contrast

“Triumph comes in all shapes and sizes: finding enough coffee to make a full pot. Having just enough gas in the tank to get to the filling station. Finding out your story was accepted for publication in that awesome magazine”.

I am truly T R I U M P H A N T !

Why?

I have completed and enjoyed the #Photo101 on-line course over the last four weeks, met lovely world-wide bloggers, and am more focused with my blog.

And about the C O N T R A S T…

I would be really honoured if all my fellow bloggers could take a look (below) at a couple of new pages I have added, you’ll find it’s full of CONTRASTS:
colour / monochrome images
straight / abstract images.

When you stop by, be sure to leave a quick comment, constructive criticism ALWAYS welcomed!

It’s been a pleasure meeting new blogging friends. Thank you for stopping by and for all the encouraging comments I’ve received.

Here are the links:

Fine Art Website:
http://wp.me/P2Y5PI-tO

Buy Prints:
http://wp.me/P2Y5PI-tJ

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Photo101: Double & Rotation

White Abstraction 01

White Abstraction 02

White Abstraction 03

White Abstraction 04

Photo101: Edge & Alignment

Today’s theme: show us an edge — a straight line, a narrow ridge, a precipice.

Here are some photos taken in Manchester, UK.

The Royal Exchange

The Royal Exchange is one of my favourite landmarks in Manchester. The colours of the interior are beautiful and there’s also a theatre in the round within the building.

 

Umbrella Alley

My favourite hidden gem is Umbrella Alley. Nobody knows who produced the sculptured umbrellas or why they’re there….maybe they act as a canopy for when it rains in Manchester…?

 

Beetham Tower

The best views of Manchester are from Cloud23 Bar on the 23rd floor of Beetham Tower or also known as The Hilton.

 

Number One First Street

Here at Number One First Street, I was taking photos of the sculptures when two security guards pounced on me out of nowhere and asked what I was doing. I actually thought I was in a public place until the guards pointed out a sign to me…NO PHOTOS ALLOWED….haha…

 

Merchants Bridge

And finally a photo of Merchants Bridge in the area of Castlefield, an original Roman Settlement in Manchester.

 

Photo Gallery: Glass

I’ve always been drawn to glass: windows, mirror, and other reflective surfaces. Glass is fun to experiment with when taking pictures, resulting in multi-layered and unexpected shots.

PHOTO GALLERY : Reflection Shots, straight from the camera

Templo de Debod Reflected, Madrid, Spain

 

Architecture Reflected, Madrid, Spain

 

Mountain Range Reflected, Malaga Port, Spain

 

Apartments Reflected, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena, Spain

 

Urban Reflections, Madrid, Spain

 

Airport Reflections, Malaga, Spain

 

Window Reflections in Art Work, Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain

 

Architecture Reflections, Malaga Port, Spain

 

The Apple Store Reflections, Puerta del Sol, Madrid, Spain

 

Hope you enjoyed viewing, did you have a favourite?

Photo101: Treasure(s) & Close-Up

What’s your treasure?

 

For me, it’s my kids…

Why?

I’m so proud of them!

By the time both my son and daughter reached the age of sixteen I encouraged them to look for part-time work whilst still studying at school. I explained that I didn’t care what job they applied for, as long as they worked. I wanted them both to experience living in the real world dealing with people from all walks of life and respecting that everyone is equal.

So armed with the computer, both scoured the Internet looking for Saturday jobs. My son found a sales position in the TopMan retail store at the Trafford Centre shopping mall and my daughter found a sales position in the Next retail store in Stockport.

Following their respective interviews, they were both offered a job.

After three years of working with TopMan at weekends and during holiday periods, Josh stumbled upon the news that TopMan was opening a store in Sydney, Australia. He applied, was offered the position of Head of Suits & Smarts and at the tender age of nineteen, he was on his way…

After five years of working with an Import/Export company, my daughter has decided to give up the security of the job she loves and is following in her brother’s footsteps…she is now travelling to Sydney.

So, the situation at the moment is this.

My son is currently on his way back to the UK after two years in Australia, via Thailand, Cambodia and Bali (3 months in all) and my daughter is leaving for the Gold Coast via Abu Dhabi (airport…haha).

My son now

My daughter now

All It’s Cracked Up to Be

I love you both! xxx

 

 

 

Photo101: Landscape & Cropping

View of the Alhambra Palace | Granada | Spain

Spectacular view of the city and valley from the viewing platform of Mirador de San Nicolas in the beautiful bohemian village of Albaycin. You’ll not be disappointed! I had a fantastic day with my camera…

Photo101: Scale & Observation

 

Views of Sydney Opera House | NSW | Australia

You really get a sense of scale as the tourists walk by the sails of the Opera House!

Photo101: Architecture & Monochrome

Splendid Hotel | Installation in Palacio de Cristal | Parque del Retiro | Madrid

So eager was I to photograph the interior of the Palacio de Cristal, I hadn’t realised I stumbled upon an exhibition by Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster…I honestly thought I had entered a rehabilitation centre when I saw people quietly relaxing in rocking chairs either reading or resting!

For more info on the great ‘Crystal Palace’ : http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_de_Cristal

Photo101: Moment & Motion

Sydney Opera House | NSW | Australia

I took this shot on my entry level Nikon d3100 camera and used the kit lens (18-55mm).

I used the ‘Zoom burst’ technique which simply means you just twist the lens very quickly to create weird and wonderful abstract images. On this occasion the iconic Opera house appears to have morphed into a butterfly, don’t you think?

Sydney Opera House and a spectacular light show projected onto it’s sails.

Sydney Harbour Bridge | NSW | Australia

Another handheld zoom burst shot of the iconic Sydney harbour bridge.

These photos are from a recent trip back to Sydney when my son rang me out of the blue from Oz and announced that for my birthday, his present to me was a three week stay with him in Sydney. There was a slight hesitation in my voice because I knew it was winter over there, and here I was in sunny Costa del Sol trying to look for a holiday home in the sun.
‘It’s all booked’ he announced, flight and accommodation, and boy what a great time I had!

Blur

Check out the brilliant YouTube promotional video ‘Summer In Sydney’ by Destinationnsw.com.au:

 

Photo101: Pop & Colour

Plaza Mayor | Madrid | Spain

Follow the yellow brick wall!

Construction work on the Casa de la Panaderia, – the Bakery, in the grand arcaded square in the centre of Madrid very popular with tourists and locals alike! (http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/casa-de-la-panaderia.html)