https://www.midnight-isle.net/Midnight Isle2023-06-28T19:00:00ZPeter Boughtonhttps://www.peterboughton.nethttps://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/banded_demoisellesBanded Demoiselles2023-06-28T19:00:00Z2023-06-28T19:00:00Z<p>A few male Banded Demoiselles (known scientifically as Agrion splendens or Calopteryx splendens), agile damselflies with butterfly-like flight.</p>
<div class="primary-image">
<a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Banded%20Demoiselle.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Banded%20Demoiselle.v1.640.jpg" alt="Banded Demoiselle" title=""/></a>
</div>
<div class="secondary-images image-row"><!--
--><a class="photo h150" href="/photos/Poised%20Banded%20Demoiselle.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Poised%20Banded%20Demoiselle.v1.640.jpg" alt="Poised Banded Demoiselle" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo h150" href="/photos/Banded%20Demoiselle%20Portrait.v1.668x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Banded%20Demoiselle%20Portrait.v1.640.jpg" alt="Banded Demoiselle Portrait" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo h150" href="/photos/Banded%20Demoiselle%20Side.v1.1400x797.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Banded%20Demoiselle%20Side.v1.640.jpg" alt="Banded Demoiselle Side" title=""/></a><!--
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https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/skylarksSkylarks2023-06-14T19:00:00Z2023-06-14T19:00:00Z<p>Half a dozen skylarks, taken across a few different days.</p>
<p>Not always easy to spot (unless perched on a post), but relatively patient subjects,
so I figured I'd try using a 1.4x teleconverter on the second visit, requiring manual focus and thus a tripod. </p>
<p>Whilst the birds seemed content to wait around whilst I setup, it was windy enough that focusing was frustrating. I don't know to what degree poor technique/equipment/conditions/luck affected matters, but ultimately the effort involved did not translate to better images, confirming my previous view that the teleconverter isn't worth it.</p>
<div class="primary-image">
<a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Skylark%20Posing.v1.1000x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Skylark%20Posing.v1.640.jpg" alt="Skylark Posing" title=""/></a>
</div>
<div class="secondary-images image-row-two"><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Skylark%20in%20Flight.v1.1397x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Skylark%20in%20Flight.v1.640.jpg" alt="Skylark in Flight" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Fluffed%2Dup%20Skylark.v1.1400x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Fluffed%2Dup%20Skylark.v1.640.jpg" alt="Fluffed-up Skylark" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Skylark%20on%20Shrub.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Skylark%20on%20Shrub.v1.640.jpg" alt="Skylark on Shrub" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Vigilant%20Skylark.v1.1369x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Vigilant%20Skylark.v1.640.jpg" alt="Vigilant Skylark" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Parachuting%20Skylark.v1.1400x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Parachuting%20Skylark.v1.640.jpg" alt="Parachuting Skylark" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Skylark%20Looking%20Around.v1.1400x934.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Skylark%20Looking%20Around.v1.640.jpg" alt="Skylark Looking Around" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Skylark%20Singing%20in%20Bush.v1.1400x932.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Skylark%20Singing%20in%20Bush.v1.640.jpg" alt="Skylark Singing in Bush" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w75" href="/photos/Skylark%20Serenade.v1.1400x934.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Skylark%20Serenade.v1.640.jpg" alt="Skylark Serenade" title=""/></a><!--
--></div>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/kestrelKestrel2023-05-31T19:00:00Z2023-05-31T19:00:00Z<p>A male kestrel encountered on my first visit to a local nature reserve.</p>
<p>Image quality isn't the best - I'm a little rusty, so hadn't set the camera to the right settings and my 500mm lens didn't
quite have enough reach - but I'm still reasonably happy...</p>
<div class="primary-image">
<a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Kestrel.v1.1400x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Kestrel.v1.640.jpg" alt="Kestrel" title=""/></a>
</div>
<div class="secondary-images image-row"><!--
--><a class="photo w200" href="/photos/Kestrel%20Portrait.v1.1400x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Kestrel%20Portrait.v1.640.jpg" alt="Kestrel Portrait" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w200" href="/photos/Kestrel%20Hovering.v1.1400x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Kestrel%20Hovering.v1.640.jpg" alt="Kestrel Hovering" title=""/></a><!--
--><a class="photo w200" href="/photos/Kestrel%20Seeking%20Prey.v1.1380x920.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Kestrel%20Seeking%20Prey.v1.640.jpg" alt="Kestrel Seeking Prey" title=""/></a><!--
--></div>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/stillStill2023-02-15T22:03:15Z2023-02-15T22:03:15Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Still.v1.1400x875.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Still.v1.640.jpg" alt="Still" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/202120212021-12-20T14:00:00Z2021-12-20T14:00:00Z<div class="square quad-image">
<a class="q1 photo" href="/photos/2021_1.1000x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/2021_1.640.jpg" alt="2021_1" title=""/></a><a class="q2 photo" href="/photos/2021_2.1000x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/2021_2.640.jpg" alt="2021_2" title=""/></a><a class="q3 photo" href="/photos/2021_3.1000x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/2021_3.640.jpg" alt="2021_3" title=""/></a><a class="q4 photo" href="/photos/2021_4.1000x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/2021_4.640.jpg" alt="2021_4" title=""/></a>
</div>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/fallingFalling2021-01-31T18:00:00Z2021-01-31T18:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Falling.v1.803x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Falling.v1.640.jpg" alt="Falling" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/hummingbird_hawk_mothHummingbird Hawk Moth2020-12-20T14:00:00Z2020-12-20T14:00:00Z<p>The Hummingbird Hawk Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum), named due to the way it
hovers like a hummingbird whilst feeding, and often mistaken for one. (Though
the moths are smaller, and wild hummingbirds are not found outside the Americas.)</p>
<p>A complicated subject to shoot: avoiding the wings being too sharp, too blurred,
or obscuring the face requires both an appropriate shutter speed and the luck of
timing the release to a suitable point in the flapping of the wings.</p>
<p>Combined with the need to manouever around obstacles in an effort to avoid
distracting backgrounds, and continually needing to re-focus as the moth
erratically darts around (with no obvious method to how it chooses where next
to suck nectar from), it wasn't the easiest Lepidoptera to photograph.</p>
<p>These four images were selected from a total of fifteen shots, with shutter speeds between 1/400 and 1/1250.</p>
<p><br/></p>
<div class="quad-image">
<a class="q1 photo" href="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20From%20Below.v1.1400x926.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20From%20Below.v1.640.jpg" alt="Hummingbird Hawk Moth From Below" title=""/></a>
<a class="q2 photo" href="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20Hovering.v1.1400x959.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20Hovering.v1.640.jpg" alt="Hummingbird Hawk Moth Hovering" title=""/></a>
<a class="q3 photo" href="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20From%20Side.v1.1400x993.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20From%20Side.v1.640.jpg" alt="Hummingbird Hawk Moth From Side" title=""/></a>
<a class="q4 photo" href="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20and%20Buddleia.v1.1400x980.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Hummingbird%20Hawk%20Moth%20and%20Buddleia.v1.640.jpg" alt="Hummingbird Hawk Moth and Buddleia" title=""/></a>
</div>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/autumn_cherry_japanese_mapleAutumn Cherry & Japanese Maple2020-11-29T16:00:00Z2020-11-29T16:00:00Z<p>A couple of very striking trees, each presenting different photographic challenges.</p>
<p><br class="break" /></p>
<p><a class="side-image left photo w300" href="/photos/Autumn%20Cherry.v1.1194x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Autumn%20Cherry.v1.640.jpg" alt="Autumn Cherry" title=""/></a></p>
<p><a class="side-image right photo w300" href="/photos/Japanese%20Maple.v1.1000x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Japanese%20Maple.v1.640.jpg" alt="Japanese Maple" title=""/></a></p>
<p><br class="break" />
<br/></p>
<p>For the first, an Autumn Cherry (Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'), the key was finding an angle where the background best complemented its colours, with helpful shadows contributing to emphasise the leaves.
(I would have preferred not having the path in frame, but it is hopefully not too much of a distraction.)</p>
<p>With the larger Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) the consideration was what to keep in frame whilst dealing with the awkwardness of shooting into the light. There was too much movement in the subject for a bracketed exposure, and I settled for a shot with better composition at the expense of the highlights.</p>
<p>I look forward to returning for another attempt at this image at some point in the future.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/red_deerRed Deer2020-11-15T16:00:00Z2020-11-15T16:00:00Z<p>A heavy downpour had passed through during the afternoon of an otherwise dry day
of photography - enough to shelter under a tree and put the camera away,
assuming the end of the shoot - but, after the rain stopped the clouds
also cleared, and it wasn't long before the sun was shining again. A short
while later I encounter these deer. Having no desire to spook them (nor
experience their antlers), the telephoto goes on and I get a bunch of shots.</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Wet%20Red%20Deer.v1.1400x930.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Wet%20Red%20Deer.v1.640.jpg" alt="Wet Red Deer" title=""/></a></p>
<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Red%20Deer%20Drying%20Off.v1.1331x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Red%20Deer%20Drying%20Off.v1.640.jpg" alt="Red Deer Drying Off" title=""/></a></p>
<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Dining%20With%20Dad.v1.1400x700.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Dining%20With%20Dad.v1.640.jpg" alt="Dining With Dad" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/white_spiderWhite Spider2020-11-01T14:00:00Z2020-11-01T14:00:00Z<p>The first white spider I've seen, this unidentified arachnid is a crab spider, a member of the
Thomisidae family. It may be a Misumena vatia - despite having being found out-of-season in late
October, and lacking the markings common to that species. It appears that other species of
Misumena and related genera (Misumenoides, Misumessus and Mecaphesa) are limited to other
parts of the world, and not being an arachnologist I can't be sure what to call it.</p>
<p>I noticed the curious critter seeming to imitate a flower as it swung from a web attached to my arm.
I don't know how it arrived there in the first place, but when - upon being lowered to the
ground - it chose not to immediately skitter away, I took this as a request to be photographed.</p>
<p>I hope for my next encounter to have a proper macro lens, enabling better quality images.</p>
<p><br class="break" /></p>
<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/White%20Spider.v1.1400x876.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/White%20Spider.v1.640.jpg" alt="White Spider" title=""/></a></p>
<p><a class="side-image left photo w300" href="/photos/White%20Spider%20Portrait.v1.1400x988.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/White%20Spider%20Portrait.v1.640.jpg" alt="White Spider Portrait" title=""/></a></p>
<p><a class="side-image right photo w300" href="/photos/White%20Spider%20Defensive.v1.1311x860.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/White%20Spider%20Defensive.v1.640.jpg" alt="White Spider Defensive" title=""/></a></p>
<p><br class="break" /></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/autumnAutumn2020-10-11T14:00:00Z2020-10-11T14:00:00Z<p>A panel intended to emphasise feelings, impressions, moods and memories.</p>
<p><span class="side-image right w250">
<a href="/panels/autumn"><img src="/images/autumn/panel.250x112.png" /></a>
<br/>
<a href="/panels/autumn">View the Panel</a>
</span></p>
<p>Photographs frequently use differential focus and sharpness to communicate their
subject, but this was an exercise in <em>not</em> doing so.</p>
<p>The images were selected from a shortlist of about three dozen,
each deliberately unfocused at time of shooting (because it's not about
any individual tree, branch or leaf), with minimal processing
performed, reducing distractions, but not removing flaws,
because nature isn't perfect.</p>
<p><br/></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/blackbird_in_the_grassBlackbird in the Grass2020-07-26T16:00:00Z2020-07-26T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Blackbird%20in%20the%20Grass.v1.1400x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Blackbird%20in%20the%20Grass.v1.640.jpg" alt="Blackbird in the Grass" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/edinburgh,_from_arthur's_seatEdinburgh, from Arthur's Seat2020-07-12T15:00:00Z2020-07-12T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Edinburgh%2C%20from%20Arthurs%20Seat.v1.1400x724.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Edinburgh%2C%20from%20Arthurs%20Seat.v1.640.jpg" alt="Edinburgh, from Arthurs Seat" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/herring_gull_chickHerring Gull Chick2020-06-28T15:00:00Z2020-06-28T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Herring%20Gull%20Chick.v1.1250x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Herring%20Gull%20Chick.v1.640.jpg" alt="Herring Gull Chick" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/turbulent_aetherTurbulent Aether2020-06-14T15:00:00Z2020-06-14T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Turbulent%20Aether.v1.1165x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Turbulent%20Aether.v1.640.jpg" alt="Turbulent Aether" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/fluffed-up_goldfinchFluffed-up Goldfinch2020-05-31T15:00:00Z2020-05-31T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Fluffed%2Dup%20Goldfinch.v1.800x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Fluffed%2Dup%20Goldfinch.v1.640.jpg" alt="Fluffed-up Goldfinch" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/ashaig_sunsetAshaig Sunset2020-05-17T15:00:00Z2020-05-17T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Ashaig%20Sunset.v1.1400x729.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Ashaig%20Sunset.v1.640.jpg" alt="Ashaig Sunset" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/king_of_the_flowerKing of the Flower2020-05-03T15:00:00Z2020-05-03T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/King%20of%20the%20Flower.v1.1314x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/King%20of%20the%20Flower.v1.640.jpg" alt="King of the Flower" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/reverieReverie2020-04-19T15:00:00Z2020-04-19T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Reverie.v1.1333x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Reverie.v1.640.jpg" alt="Reverie" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/roughRough2020-04-05T15:00:00Z2020-04-05T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Rough.v1.1342x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Rough.v1.640.jpg" alt="Rough" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/northern_wheatearNorthern Wheatear2020-03-22T14:00:00Z2020-03-22T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Northern%20Wheatear.v1.1400x949.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Northern%20Wheatear.v1.640.jpg" alt="Northern Wheatear" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/dualityDuality2020-03-08T14:00:00Z2020-03-08T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Duality.v1.829x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Duality.v1.640.jpg" alt="Duality" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/black_pigeon_portraitBlack Pigeon Portrait2020-02-23T14:00:00Z2020-02-23T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Black%20Pigeon%20Portrait.v1.1292x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Black%20Pigeon%20Portrait.v1.640.jpg" alt="Black Pigeon Portrait" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/samphire_hoeSamphire Hoe2020-02-09T17:00:00Z2020-02-09T17:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Samphire%20Hoe.v2.1400x933.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Samphire%20Hoe.v2.640.jpg" alt="Samphire Hoe" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/insideInside2020-01-26T16:00:00Z2020-01-26T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Inside.v1.1333x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Inside.v1.640.jpg" alt="Inside" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/nocturnal_summoningNocturnal Summoning2020-01-12T14:00:00Z2020-01-12T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Nocturnal%20Summoning.v1.1400x889.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Nocturnal%20Summoning.v1.640.jpg" alt="Nocturnal Summoning" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/foraging_honey_beeForaging Honey Bee2019-12-29T14:00:00Z2019-12-29T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Foraging%20Honey%20Bee.v1.1333x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Foraging%20Honey%20Bee.v1.640.jpg" alt="Foraging Honey Bee" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/nature's_grandeurNature's Grandeur2019-12-22T14:00:00Z2019-12-22T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Natures%20Grandeur.v1.1400x795.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Natures%20Grandeur.v1.640.jpg" alt="Natures Grandeur" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/lamorna_coveLamorna Cove2019-12-15T16:00:00Z2019-12-15T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Lamorna%20Cove.v1.1400x826.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Lamorna%20Cove.v1.640.jpg" alt="Lamorna Cove" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/jacob_sheepJacob Sheep2019-12-08T14:00:00Z2019-12-08T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Jacob%20Sheep.v1.1199x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Jacob%20Sheep.v1.640.jpg" alt="Jacob Sheep" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/autumn_mandarinAutumn Mandarin2019-12-01T16:00:00Z2019-12-01T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Autumn%20Mandarin.v2.1400x706.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Autumn%20Mandarin.v2.640.jpg" alt="Autumn Mandarin" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/speckled_wood_on_yorkshire_fogSpeckled Wood on Yorkshire Fog2019-11-24T16:00:00Z2019-11-24T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Speckled%20Wood%20on%20Yorkshire%20Fog.v1.1109x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Speckled%20Wood%20on%20Yorkshire%20Fog.v1.640.jpg" alt="Speckled Wood on Yorkshire Fog" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/linesLines2019-11-17T18:00:00Z2019-11-17T18:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Lines.v1.1400x892.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Lines.v1.640.jpg" alt="Lines" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/singing_blackbirdSinging Blackbird2019-11-10T14:00:00Z2019-11-10T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Singing%20Blackbird.v1.1114x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Singing%20Blackbird.v1.640.jpg" alt="Singing Blackbird" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/lost_in_a_dreamLost in a Dream2019-11-03T14:00:00Z2019-11-03T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Lost%20in%20a%20Dream.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Lost%20in%20a%20Dream.v1.640.jpg" alt="Lost in a Dream" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/painted_ladyPainted Lady2019-10-27T14:00:00Z2019-10-27T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Painted%20Lady.v1.1340x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Painted%20Lady.v1.640.jpg" alt="Painted Lady" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/priory_wood,_bilsingtonPriory Wood, Bilsington2019-10-20T15:00:00Z2019-10-20T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Priory%20Wood.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Priory%20Wood.v1.640.jpg" alt="Priory Wood" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/long_tailed_titLong-tailed Tit2019-10-13T15:00:00Z2019-10-13T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Long%2Dtailed%20Tit.v1.1111x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Long%2Dtailed%20Tit.v1.640.jpg" alt="Long-tailed Tit" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/out_there_in_the_silenceOut There in the Silence2019-10-06T15:00:00Z2019-10-06T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Out%20There%20in%20the%20Silence.v1.1400x740.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Out%20There%20in%20the%20Silence.v1.640.jpg" alt="Out There in the Silence" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/alderflyAlderfly2019-09-29T15:00:00Z2019-09-29T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Alderfly.v1.1400x563.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Alderfly.v1.640.jpg" alt="Alderfly" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/nibbling_blue_titNibbling Blue Tit2019-09-22T15:00:00Z2019-09-22T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Nibbling%20Tit.v1.934x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Nibbling%20Tit.v1.640.jpg" alt="Nibbling Tit" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/lydden_spout_beach,_doverLydden Spout beach, Dover2019-09-15T15:00:00Z2019-09-15T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Lydden%20Spout%20beach%2C%20Dover.v1.1400x878.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Lydden%20Spout%20beach%2C%20Dover.v1.640.jpg" alt="Lydden Spout beach, Dover" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/azure_damselflyAzure Damselfly2019-09-08T15:00:00Z2019-09-08T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Azure%20Damselfly.v1.1400x743.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Azure%20Damselfly.v1.640.jpg" alt="Azure Damselfly" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/dunnock_with_lunchDunnock with lunch2019-09-01T15:00:00Z2019-09-01T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Dunnock%20with%20lunch.v1.911x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Dunnock%20with%20lunch.v1.640.jpg" alt="Dunnock with lunch" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/small_copper_on_oxford_ragwortSmall Copper on Oxford Ragwort2019-08-25T15:00:00Z2019-08-25T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Small%20Copper%20on%20Oxford%20Ragwort.v1.1226x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Small%20Copper%20on%20Oxford%20Ragwort.v1.640.jpg" alt="Small Copper on Oxford Ragwort" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/squeezedSqueezed2019-08-18T19:00:00Z2019-08-18T19:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Squeezed.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Squeezed.v1.640.jpg" alt="Squeezed" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/patient_grey_heronPatient Grey Heron2019-08-11T15:00:00Z2019-08-11T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Patient%20Grey%20Heron.v1.1400x827.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Patient%20Grey%20Heron.v1.640.jpg" alt="Patient Grey Heron" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/bee_on_symphytum_goldsmithBee on Symphytum 'Goldsmith'2019-08-04T15:00:00Z2019-08-04T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Bee%20on%20Symphytum%20Goldsmith.v1.1309x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Bee%20on%20Symphytum%20Goldsmith.v1.640.jpg" alt="Bee on Symphytum Goldsmith" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/into_the_unknownInto The Unknown2019-07-28T15:00:00Z2019-07-28T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Into%20The%20Unknown.v1.1343x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Into%20The%20Unknown.v1.640.jpg" alt="Into The Unknown" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/fly_on_a_dog_roseFly on a Dog Rose2019-07-21T15:00:00Z2019-07-21T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Fly%20on%20a%20Dog%20Rose.v1.1400x842.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Fly%20on%20a%20Dog%20Rose.v1.640.jpg" alt="Fly on a Dog Rose" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/tranquilityTranquility2019-07-14T15:00:00Z2019-07-14T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Tranquility.v1.1400x897.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Tranquility.v1.640.jpg" alt="Tranquility" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/dunnockDunnock2019-07-07T15:00:00Z2019-07-07T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Dunnock.v1.673x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Dunnock.v1.640.jpg" alt="Dunnock" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/mandarin_feathersMandarin Feathers2019-06-30T15:00:00Z2019-06-30T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Mandarin%20Feathers.v1.1382x807.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Mandarin%20Feathers.v1.640.jpg" alt="Mandarin Feathers" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/llyn_ogwen,_snowdoniaLlyn Ogwen, Snowdonia2019-06-23T15:00:00Z2019-06-23T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Llyn%20Ogwen%2C%20Snowdonia.v1.1400x893.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Llyn%20Ogwen%2C%20Snowdonia.v1.640.jpg" alt="Llyn Ogwen, Snowdonia" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/european_goldfinchEuropean Goldfinch2019-06-16T15:00:00Z2019-06-16T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/European%20Goldfinch.v1.686x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/European%20Goldfinch.v1.640.jpg" alt="European Goldfinch" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/phantasmagoriaPhantasmagoria2019-06-09T14:00:00Z2019-06-09T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Phantasmagoria.v1.1400x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Phantasmagoria.v1.640.jpg" alt="Phantasmagoria" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/portrait_of_a_darterPortrait of a Darter2019-06-02T18:00:00Z2019-06-02T18:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Portrait%20of%20a%20Darter.v1.1400x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Portrait%20of%20a%20Darter.v1.640.jpg" alt="Portrait of a Darter" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/towards_foreverTowards Forever2017-03-19T15:53:00Z2017-03-19T15:53:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Towards%20Forever.v1.1400x875.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Towards%20Forever.v1.640.jpg" alt="Towards Forever" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/unravellingUnravelling2017-03-05T22:06:00Z2017-03-05T22:06:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Unravelling.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Unravelling.v1.640.jpg" alt="Unravelling" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/isle_of_skyeIsle of Skye2017-02-12T23:59:00Z2017-02-12T23:59:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Isle%20of%20Skye.v2.1400x924.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Isle%20of%20Skye.v2.640.jpg" alt="Isle of Skye" title=""/></a></p>
<p>A second revision of an old favourite, re-processed from the same digital
negative.</p>
<p>With the first version, I processed the sky separately and combined the
two parts using a layer mask, in doing so softening the ridge slightly.</p>
<p>This time round a better understanding of raw processing meant that I instead
worked with exposure controls, HSL sliders, and graduated filters to bring out a
more pleasing sky without needing layers. Along with better colours, contrast,
and removal of unnecessary distractions, it really reinforces the benefit of
returning to past work with new tools, skills and experience.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/tempestTempest2017-01-29T19:08:00Z2017-01-29T19:08:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Tempest.v1.1231x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Tempest.v1.640.jpg" alt="Tempest" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/forgotten_escapeForgotten Escape2017-01-15T23:50:00Z2017-01-15T23:50:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Forgotten%20Escape.v1.1400x930.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Forgotten%20Escape.v1.640.jpg" alt="Forgotten Escape" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/silent_solitudeSilent Solitude2017-01-01T11:17:00Z2017-01-01T11:17:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Silent%20Solitude.v1.1232x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Silent%20Solitude.v1.640.jpg" alt="Silent Solitude" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/cursedCursed2016-12-21T01:40:00Z2016-12-21T01:40:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Cursed.v1.1400x999.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Cursed.v1.640.jpg" alt="Cursed" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/bleakBleak2016-12-04T11:20:00Z2016-12-04T11:20:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Bleak.v1.1400x818.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Bleak.v1.640.jpg" alt="Bleak" title=""/></a></p>
<p>Winter can be a beautiful time of year, yet at the same time dark, depressing,
crowded, lonely, frustrating; a time of reminiscing, hope, magic, contemplation
and despair.</p>
<p>Many of my images explore these themes and emotions. My inspiration is often
nature's elegant majesty, unforgiving harshness, silent serenity and more -
aspects which are all the more evident during this hindmost season.</p>
<p>Nature can also provide the lesson that, no matter how bad things seem, life
endures.<br/>
Nothing is forever, the wheel always turns, and what once was comes again.<br/></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/pheasantPheasant2016-11-20T23:59:59Z2016-11-20T23:59:59Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Pheasant.v0.1400x853.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Pheasant.v0.640.jpg" alt="Pheasant" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/frustrationFrustration2016-11-06T15:00:00Z2016-11-06T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Frustration.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Frustration.v1.640.jpg" alt="Frustration" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/castle_on_the_lochCastle on the Loch2016-10-23T17:07:00Z2016-10-23T17:07:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Castle%20on%20the%20Loch.v1.1400x732.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Castle%20on%20the%20Loch.v1.640.jpg" alt="Castle on the Loch" title=""/></a></p>
<p>It should be clear that I don't see photography as being restricted to producing
only pure photo-realistic images, but that doesn't mean completely doing away
with realism either. Even with a traditional landscape, a romanticised memory
can be worth more than the dreary "reality" of the moment captured by the
camera's sensor.</p>
<p>This often brings up the question of how far to go, and at what point does too
far instead turn into not far enough.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/castle_on_the_loch">Read more...</a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/weight_of_the_worldWeight of the World2016-10-09T16:00:00Z2016-10-09T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Weight%20of%20the%20World.v1.1182x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Weight%20of%20the%20World.v1.640.jpg" alt="Weight of the World" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/reflectionReflection2016-09-25T17:00:00Z2016-09-25T17:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Reflection.v1.1400x830.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Reflection.v1.640.jpg" alt="Reflection" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/minack_archesMinack Arches2016-09-15T23:00:00Z2016-09-15T23:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Minack%20Arches.v1.1177x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Minack%20Arches.v1.640.jpg" alt="Minack Arches" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/fading_fragmentsFading Fragments2016-08-29T21:30:00Z2016-08-29T21:30:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Fading%20Fragments.v1.1400x874.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Fading%20Fragments.v1.640.jpg" alt="Fading Fragments" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/lost_in_memories_unlivedLost in Memories Unlived2016-08-14T20:00:00Z2016-08-14T20:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Lost%20in%20Memories%20Unlived.v1.1400x931.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Lost%20in%20Memories%20Unlived.v1.640.jpg" alt="Lost in Memories Unlived" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/eternal_ephemeraeEternal Ephemerae2016-07-31T22:45:00Z2016-07-31T22:45:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Eternal%20Ephemerae.v1.1400x894.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Eternal%20Ephemerae.v1.640.jpg" alt="Eternal Ephemerae" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/breakthroughBreakthrough2016-07-17T20:00:00Z2016-07-17T20:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Breakthrough.v1.1400x875.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Breakthrough.v1.640.jpg" alt="Breakthrough" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/uncertaintyUncertainty2016-07-03T23:30:00Z2016-07-03T23:30:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Uncertainty.v1.1400x935.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Uncertainty.v1.640.jpg" alt="Uncertainty" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/river_wharfeRiver Wharfe, Yorkshire2016-06-19T23:00:00Z2016-06-19T23:00:00Z<p>In 2007 I went on a <a href="/articles/my_yorkshire_adventure">trip to Yorkshire</a>,
and took <a href="/photos/my_yorkshire_adventure/york4_river.jpg">a photo</a> of the
River Wharfe, near Grassington.</p>
<p>It was ok, but I've not really been entirely happy with the image, and I decided
to have a go at re-processing from the same digital negative. Advances in
software alone can often make this a worthwhile activity, but in this case my
own improved processing skills along with a more refined ability to determine
what isn't right about an image also came into play.</p>
<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/River%20Wharfe.v2.1400x747.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/River%20Wharfe.v2.640.jpg" alt="River Wharfe" title=""/></a></p>
<p>It may not be an image that'll win any awards, but I'm satisfied with the degree
of improvement I was able to make, and more importantly that I didn't simply
settle for being just a bit better than before - fixing the crop and exposure
took it a long way - but for each revision I looked at it and kept asking myself
"Am I happy with this? How could it be improved?" and made quite a few tweaks
before I could say there's nothing more to add, nothing more to take away.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/impressionsImpressions2016-06-05T14:00:00Z2016-06-05T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Impressions.v1.1400x910.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Impressions.v1.640.jpg" alt="Impressions" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/all_in_the_mindAll in the Mind2016-05-22T16:00:00Z2016-05-22T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/All%20In%20The%20Mind.v0.1311x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/All%20In%20The%20Mind.v0.640.jpg" alt="All In The Mind" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/idyllic_villageIdyllic Village2016-05-08T15:00:00Z2016-05-08T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Idyllic%20Village.v0.1400x994.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Idyllic%20Village.v0.640.jpg" alt="Idyllic Village" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/curiousCurious2016-04-24T14:00:00Z2016-04-24T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Curious.v0.1280x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Curious.v0.640.jpg" alt="Curious" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/trembleTremble2016-04-10T13:00:00Z2016-04-10T13:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Tremble.v1.1299x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Tremble.v1.640.jpg" alt="Tremble" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/digital_natureDigital Nature2016-03-27T23:00:00Z2016-03-27T23:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Digital%20Nature.v0.1358x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Digital%20Nature.v0.640.jpg" alt="Digital Nature" title=""/></a></p>
<p>This image originated from the palette of photos I captured when working on v2
of my <a href="/articles/spirits_in_the_woods_v2">Spirits in the Woods</a> panel. I was experimenting with one idea when I
saw potential for another, and took things in a different direction.</p>
<p>I've done a <a href="https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/digital_nature">quick write-up</a> showing the
stages the image went through.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/the_needles,_alum_bayThe Needles, Alum Bay2016-03-13T21:45:00Z2016-03-13T21:45:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/The%20Needles,%20Alum%20Bay.v0.1400x790.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/The%20Needles,%20Alum%20Bay.v0.640.jpg" alt="The Needles, Alum Bay" title=""/></a></p>
<p>The Needles is a rock formation on the western tip of the Isle of White. As a
tourist attraction it's a busy place at peak times - but not so much on a late
November evening.</p>
<p>This image came from three bracketed ±2 shots at f/8, combined using
<a href="https://github.com/LuminanceHDR/LuminanceHDR">Luminance HDR</a> before being taken into Paint Shop Pro X for some quick
cloning.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/the_separation_withinThe Separation Within2016-02-28T17:30:00Z2016-02-28T17:30:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/The%20Separation%20Within.v0.1400x930.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/The%20Separation%20Within.v0.640.jpg" alt="The Separation Within" title=""/></a></p>
<p>Some photographers claim to <em>only</em> take photographs for themselves, and it's a
bonus if others like them too. This isn't a viewpoint I completely subscribe to,
but I do tend not to explain my images - preferring to let the pictures set the
scene for viewers to interpet in their own way.</p>
<p>With that in mind, all I will say here is: this piece is not as disordered as it
might seem; it's all deliberate. The one bit that didn't work out as I wanted is
the sky area - one day I'll create a revised version to put that right - but
the rest is as intended.</p>
<p>Thinking in terms of versions of an image is a technique I'm finding useful - it
allows me to complete images whilst accepting they aren't 100% how I'd like. Far
better to consider an image as the first iteration than to have it remain
unfinished and unseen by anyone else.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/lostLost2016-02-14T14:00:00Z2016-02-14T14:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Lost.v1.1400x875.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Lost.v1.640.jpg" alt="Lost" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/what_once_wasWhat Once Was2016-02-13T13:00:00Z2016-02-13T13:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/What%20Once%20Was.v0.1400x952.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/What%20Once%20Was.v0.640.jpg" alt="What Once Was" title=""/></a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/on_the_caseOn the Case2016-01-31T17:00:00Z2016-01-31T17:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/On%20the%20Case.v0.1336x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/On%20the%20Case.v0.640.jpg" alt="On the Case" title=""/></a></p>
<p>My friend and I had been out for a walk, and whilst he returned to the car I
took a slight detour for a potential photo (turned out not to be worth taking),
but I came back to find nice lighting on his face and quickly grabbed this shot.</p>
<p>Maybe it was due to the book I'd been reading, but his hat, scarf and focused
gaze brought to mind a private investigator, hence the title.</p>
<p>Processing was simple: converting to mono was a natural choice, there were
over-exposed remnants of the car door to remove, then it was simply increasing
clarity and cropping to complete the image.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/encroaching_despairEncroaching Despair2016-01-17T15:00:00Z2016-01-17T15:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Encroaching%20Despair.v0.1218x1000.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Encroaching%20Despair.v0.640.jpg" alt="Encroaching Despair" title=""/></a></p>
<p>Sometimes it can be a long time between photographic capture and realisation of
an image. This one began life back in 2012, whilst out walking along by a lake
that had flooded and caused a swamp-like area amongst some trees, but it was a
couple of years later before the image emerged.</p>
<p>I use a collection in Lightroom to keep photos with potential but that are not
yet completed images (for whatever reason), every so often I look through what
it contains to see if inspiration bites. This one sat there for a while until I
figured it out, but was worth the wait.</p>
<p>To see how I gradually tweaked an initial shot which many might reject, and used
the versatility of both layer blend modes and adjustment layers to arrive at the
final image, <a href="https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/encroaching_despair">keep reading</a>.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/cyclistCyclist2015-11-01T16:00:00Z2015-11-01T16:00:00Z<p><a class="photo w640" href="/photos/Cyclist.1400x811.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/Cyclist.v0.640.jpg" alt="Cyclist" title=""/></a></p>
<p>This photo was taken whilst being driven along the A3055 on the only sunny day
of a trip last November to the Isle of Wight. My D750 and 24-140 F/4 lens were
both new at that point, and I was seeing how well they worked.</p>
<p>With the camera set to Aperture priority at f/8, ISO 400, I spotted the potential
and waited a brief moment to allow the cyclist to reach the right position before
trusting the vibration reduction and auto-focus, and they didn't let me down.</p>
<p>Whilst the camera succesfully captured the moment, post-processing was required
to reproduce the image above. If you're interesting in seeing the steps I took,
<a href="https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/cyclist">read on</a>.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/spirits_in_the_woods_v2Spirits in the Woods (v2)2015-10-18T15:33:00Z2015-10-18T15:33:00Z<p>Spirits in the Woods is a panel of manipulated photos I originally put together
<a href="/articles/spirits_in_the_woods">eight years ago</a>, when I entered my first annual exhibition organised by
<a href="http://croydoncameraclub.org.uk">Croydon Camera Club</a>.</p>
<p>Not having entered the exhibition for several years, due to various reasons, but
with this year being the 125th anniversary of the club, I made the effort to
enter the Photo 2015 exhibition with a re-imagining of that panel.</p>
<p><span class="side-image left w250">
<a href="/panels/spirits-in-the-woods"><img src="/images/spirits_in_the_woods_v2/panel.250x165.png" /></a>
<br/>
<a href="/panels/spirits-in-the-woods">View the Panel</a>
</span>
It's the same theme and ideas, reworked into four images, and created from photos
I specifically went out and took for the panel. This was a first for me -
generally I'll go to take photos of whatever I might find, occasionally with
vague notions, but without a clear intent/goal. My previous panels were all put
together independent of the shooting stage.</p>
<p>Having set myself the aim of re-creating the panel, I made notes on what that
meant; what I wanted in it. I then decided on a location I hoped would provide
the necessary scenes, waited for appropriate weather, then went out solely to
get the shots for the panel.</p>
<p><i style="margin:1em 0;display:block;">Note: This write-up was made over six
months ago - the exhibition ended on 28th March - but circumstances have prevented
the article from being finalised and put online before now.</i></p>
<p>Exhibition aside, it was a good experience and I'm glad I did it. If you're
interested in details you can continue on to the <a href="https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/spirits_in_the_woods_v2">full article</a> for a
write-up.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/folkestone_airshow_2012Folkestone Airshow 20122012-06-04T11:23:00Z2012-06-04T11:23:00Z
<p>At the weekend I went to the Folkestone Airshow, being held to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee - the first in the area since the last Shepway Airshow held in 2003.
<p>After an overcast start to they day, fortunately the sun came out and the sky cleared enough to make for some photographic opportunities by the time the planes turned up.
<p>The photos were taken using a Sigma 70-300mm - a cheap lens with slow and noisy auto-focus - and I was uncertain how well it would perform, but I knew I wouldn't get the necessary reach with my standard 18-70mm, so I gave it a try.
<p>As it turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. Whilst I did have issues with the lens, I was still able to get some shots I was happy with.
<p>Below is a selection of images, with more being available in <a href="http://photos.bpsite.net/folkestone-airshow-2012">the gallery</a>.
<p>(The Red Arrows started the display with seven planes, and unfortunately Red 6 had technical problems, further reducing the display to five - but they still put on a good show.)</p>
<div style="max-width:652px; margin:auto;">
<div class="col left">
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/08_Red%20Arrows%208.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/08_Red%20Arrows%208.352x367.crop.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div class="col right">
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/16_Red%20Arrows%2016.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/16_Red%20Arrows%2016.300x129.jpg" /></a>
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/18_Red%20Arrows%2018.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/18_Red%20Arrows%2018.300x120.jpg" /></a>
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/22_Red%20Arrows%2022.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/22_Red%20Arrows%2022.300x118.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<br class="break"/>
<div class="col left">
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/28_Hawk.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/28_Hawk.209x112.jpg" /></a>
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/30_Sea%20Fury.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/30_Sea%20Fury.209x131.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div class="col left">
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/40_Lancaster.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/40_Lancaster.234x243.crop.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div class="col right">
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/53_Typhoon%206.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/53_Typhoon%206.209x109.jpg" /></a>
<a class="photo" href="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/58_Finale%20Balbo%202.jpg"><img style="display:block;" src="/photos/folkestone_airshow_2012/58_Finale%20Balbo%202.209x134.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<br class="break"/>
</div>https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/after_the_stormAfter the Storm2009-12-09T23:31:00Z2009-12-09T23:31:00Z
<p>It's been <em>far</em> too long since I last posted anything, so I'll
kick-off what I hope will be the start of more frequent posting with a couple of
photos taken down on the UK's south east coast last month, immediately after
some incredibly stormy weather.
<p>The winds were still very strong and the evening sky nice and atmospheric,
allowing me to create these two images:</p>
<p style="text-align:center;margin-top:1.2em;">
<a class="inline photo" href="/photos/after_the_storm/After%20the%20Storm.707x512.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/after_the_storm/After%20the%20Storm.256x185.jpg" alt="After the Storm" title=""/></a>
<a class="inline photo" href="/photos/after_the_storm/End%20of%20the%20Day.768x421.jpg"><img class="photo" src="/photos/after_the_storm/End%20of%20the%20Day.256x140.jpg" alt="End of the Day" title=""/></a>
</p>https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/elemental_views_stormy_weatherElemental Views & Stormy Weather2009-03-15T23:43:00Z2009-03-15T23:43:00Z<p>The exhibition ended last night, and it was a good show this year, with a lot of
excellent photos on display.</p>
<p>I did reasonably well - whilst I didn't win any of the trophies, two of my
images received certificates of merit, plus I received a panel certificate for
my "Elemental Views" panel.</p>
<p>This was a set of extra-wide landscapes with ratios between 4:1 and 8:1 -
showing that it is not necessary to stick to the 4:3 or 3:2 standard that comes
out of the camera, and photographers should instead consider what shape suits
the image best.</p>
<p>Both my print panel and digital set of images are now available to view online:</p>
<p><a href="http://photos.bpsite.net/Elemental_Views.html">Elemental Views</a></p>
<p><a href="http://photos.bpsite.net/Stormy_Weather.html">Stormy Weather</a></p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/photo_2009_exhibitionPhoto 2009 - Exhibition2009-03-05T21:50:00Z2009-03-05T21:50:00Z
<p>This coming Monday 9th March, I will be exhibiting a panel of photographs at
my Camera Club's annual exhibition, Photo 2009, to be held at the
<a href="http://www.fairfield.co.uk/">Fairfield Hall</a> in
<a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=fairfield+hall+croydon&sll=51.374461,-0.098102&ie=UTF8&hl=en&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&ei=WUKwSYjaOIOaogPA0qGvAQ&cd=1&dtab=5&cid=51372524,-95803,8490734898921693788&li=lmd">Croydon</a>.</p>
<p>In total there will be more than 150 mounted prints, plus over a hundred
slides and digital projected images. These latter two will be displayed when the
Exhibition is officially opened by Damian Demolder (Editor of
<a href="http://www.amateurphotographer.com/">Amateur Photographer</a>), at
20:00 on Monday the 9th.</p>
<p>The prints will be available to look at all week long, at any time that
Fairfield Hall is open - starting on the morning of Monday 9th and running until
the evening of Saturday 14th.</p>
<p>The exhibition and opening event are both free to attend, and with
<a href="http://www.croydoncameraclub.org.uk/">Croydon Camera Club</a> regarded
as one of the best clubs in the region, there are sure to be some excellent
pictures on display.</p>
<p>Anyone remotely interested is strongly encouraged to visit.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/photo_2009_exhibition">View the full article</a> for
a sneak preview.</p>
<p><b>Update:</b> For the full panels see my post
<a href="/articles/elemental_views_stormy_weather">Elemental Views & Stormy Weather</a>.https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/my_yorkshire_adventureMy Yorkshire Adventure2007-11-09T23:54:00Z2007-11-09T23:54:00Z
<p>For the next week, I'll be staying in York, wandering around and taking photographs of whatever I find up here.</p>
<p>Each evening I updated this post with what happened that day, and show a quick selection of the photos I've taken.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/beginners_tutorial_cropping_with_irfanviewBeginners Tutorial: Cropping with IrfanView2007-09-20T23:16:00Z2007-09-20T23:16:00Z
<p>I was asked how to crop an image with <a href="http://www.irfanview.com/">IrfanView</a>, so I created this basic tutorial, and decided I might as well post it on my weblog.</p>
<p>Please feel free to let me know what you think of it.</p>
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/london_eyeLondon Eye2007-04-30T00:18:00Z2007-04-30T00:18:00Z
<p>On Saturday I went up on the London Eye, and took a few photos. It wasn't
that easy to get shots because the pod was over-crowded, but I still had a good
time, and I've decided to put my photos into
<a href="http://photos.bpsite.net/london_eye">a gallery, called Views of London</a>.
Most of the images have only been quickly tweaked (exposure, white balance,
cropping, etc) and could do with some extra work, but feel free to give comments
about any of the images as they are.</p>
<p>Here's a picture looking west along the Thames:</p>
<a href="/photos/london_eye/DSC_8913_1.jpg" class="photo w640"><img class="photo" src="/photos/london_eye/london_eye.preview.jpg" alt="Looking west along the Thames from the London Eye" /></a>https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/spirits_in_the_woodsSpirits in the Woods2007-03-14T00:18:00Z2007-03-14T00:18:00Z
<p>Well the exhibition has ended now, and I'm happy with the reception my images got. Whilst it wasn't undying praise, the general consensus seemed to match my own opinions of my prints, which is always a good thing. :)</p>
<p>Here's a photo of my panel:</p>
<img class="photo" src="/photos/spirits_in_the_woods/exhibition_panel.jpg" alt="my panel at Photo 2007 exhibition at Fairfield Halls in Croydon" title="Spirits In The Woods"/>
<p>I was pleased that the exhibition judge came up to me on the opening night and let me know he liked where I was going with the prints, though pointed out that the print quality needs attention (it does; I need to get some decent printing paper instead of Jessops brand stuff).</p>
<p>For anyone wanting to see the images properly, I have thrown together a little webpage containing my panel, entitled <a href="/photos/spirits_in_the_woods">Spirits In The Woods</a>.</p>https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/photo_2007Photo 20072007-02-22T22:02:00Z2007-02-22T22:02:00Z
<p>In just under a fortnight I will be exhibiting a panel of my pictures, as
part of my photography club's annual exhibition, Photo 2007.</p>
<p>The event takes place from the 5th to the 10th of March, at
<a href="http://www.google.co.uk/maps?num=20&hl=en&safe=off&q=fairfield+halls&near=CR9+1DG&ie=UTF8&latlng=51372468,-95784,14340070804589911531&ei=pBDeRfTkMIfe2QKimbWLDQ">Fairfield Halls in Croydon</a>.</p>
<p>If seeing my beautiful pictures is not motivation enough for you, twenty six
other club members have work on display, a total of nearly two hundred and fifty
images (prints and slides) on display, covering a great range of subject areas.</p>
<p>If you're in any way interested in photography (or art in general) I
definitely recommend you come along and have a look — it's completely free
and there's certain to be some great pictures on show.</p>
<p><b>Update:</b> You can <a href="/articles/spirits_in_the_woods">see my panel here</a>.https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/lydd_airshowLydd Airshow2006-09-16T01:38:00Z2006-09-16T01:38:00Z
<p>Last weekend I went to my first airshow in ages, at <a href="http://maps.google.co.uk/?q=Lydd,%20Kent,%20TN29&z=10">Lydd in Kent</a>, and took lots of photos of the various flying machines there.</p>
<p>This entry is essentially just an excuse to show of some of
<a href="https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/lydd_airshow">the photos I took</a>.
https://www.midnight-isle.net/articles/eileen_donan_scotland's_most_romantic_castleEileen Donan - Scotland's Most Romantic Castle2006-07-17T19:07:00Z2006-07-17T19:07:00Z
<p>Whether you know the name or not, there's a good chance you have seen Eileen
Donan at some point - it is often described as the most romantic and most
photographed castle in Scotland. The vast majority of pictures you see tend to
be similar to this:<br/>
<br/>
<a class="photo w320" href="/photos/eileen_donan_scotland's_most_romantic_castle/ed.jpg"><img src="/photos/eileen_donan_scotland's_most_romantic_castle/prv_ed.jpg" alt="A typical photo of Eileen Donan castle, taken at dusk with the castle lit up and reflected in the water." title="" class="photo"/></a></p>
<br />
<p>So, of course, when I visit it I am immediately looking for ways to be
original; to take a picture that doesn't simply not look like the one above, but
that goes completely against what people expect to see.</p>