'Tis the season

As part of Kim Klassen's BeStill 52 class, week 28 the challenge was to place a chair in front of a window or glass door, together with a few simple objects.  This time of year it's a challenge to catch some light suitable for indoor photos but the sun was shining so I had a go.  I'm always on the lookout for an old typewriter - really old - the black ones with round keys.  Very hard to find although there must be a few lurking in lofts somewhere.  However I did find this cushion and cover for 50 pence in the market so this will have to do!

Pewter again

Well, I've sent these photos off to the Pewter Society to see if the plate is genuine or not.  Not that it will make any difference -  it's just out of curiosity.  You know when you've found just what you were looking for and you love using it.  Don't you?!

Found and loved

This is a pewter plate, actually a birthday present from HI.  I found it in an antique shop and was told it was Cromwellian. (Cromwell - 1599-1658).    It's battered and bruised and looks as if it might have spent time buried in the ground, but what do I know? it might be a good fake.  Going to do some research.  Anyway I didn't like to tell them I only wanted it for a photography prop but I must say I love it.  See the little 'trap door' thingy at the top?- this must have been where you poured the hot water in to keep the food warm.  Will take some more photos with it as you don't get the idea of the depth of the plate.  Going to be busy ....

Second part

This is the lamp(?) which was in the last post - it's lying on the floor waiting in the wings as it were.  Two different edits, both in LR and text added in Elements.  Hoping the sun might make another appearance soon!

Still life with apple

Still trying to get the blog into gear and thought I would make the most of the sunlight coming into the south-facing window.  As you can see from the setup, I'm using black boards for a background and to block some of the light and although the camera is set up for a 'from above' shot, this one was taken with the camera on a cushion on the floor, using live view.  24-70 lens. The board was a length of wood picked up on the beach and cut into thirds which my willing assistant carried for me.  Guess who ...   I took some shots using the iron cobblers last and the small ornamental teapot which may get an airing later!

At the beach

We've had such beautiful weather this week - a walk on the beach is always a must!  This is Holly belonging to the Blyth family -   she can look so fierce but is a real softie - she has to be with 4 young children and a cat in the house!  Love using this triptych by Kim Klassen which is so easy to use in LR

Dahlia

Having a bit of an experiment with uploading this image.  Following one of Kim's videos about using the Publish Service in LR to upload to my blog without going into Elements (which I have been doing - it works ok but is a long way round).  I  think I've done it  correctly.  These things do my head in at times! 

Baltic exhibition

I've never been to see the exhibition twice but couldn't resist the opportunity to go to the Baltic in Gateshead to see Daniel Buren's exhibition, particularly as they lifted the photography ban.  Called 'Catch as catch can' it comprised "a series of large sculptural mirrors in the space, positioned to reflect and refract light from coloured windows above".  Even small children loved it!  The outside windows of the Baltic had also been covered with colour making for some interesting shots.  It's on until 12 October so I may go again as it's always different according to the time of day and the weather.  I reckon it's worth a few visits!

New finds

I guess we all like to root around in charity shops and bargain shops.  Where we live there are quite a few bargain/pound shops in the shopping centre - this is where I found this enamel cup which I thought had possibilities for a photo or two (I may even use it to drink tea).  The small tray with violets on came from a 50 pence stall in the market.  I think it may have been part of a vintage (aka old) dressing table set as I remember my grandmother having a similar one.  Not a bad haul for one week.  Now where shall I keep them? ....

Still going strong

Had a busy time visiting family this month so not been taking as many photos as usual although I've found my iPhone useful for taking shots when I've not had the 'big' camera with me.  My sweet peas are still going strong in spite of wind and rain and go well  with this little dish I found on a charity market stall this morning.
Hope everyone is enjoying what may be the last of the summer!

Found and taken home

I'm joining in with Kim Klassen's Friday Finds this week.  The small tall vase? jug? was found in a charity shop and is the same colour as the bowl which I bought in Scotland earlier this year.  The piece of wood was picked up on the beach by HO who is tired of being pestered to look for/ make/ find at the back of the garage some textured wood to use as a background.  Have to say this was perfect and was duly cut into three pieces with the nails left in as they didn't have any sharp ends.  Edited in LR and Elements with Kim's texture 'brushed linen' and 2LO French Script.  I'll still be looking for bits on the beach though!

You were warned!

Tethered

Hot hot hot!  Caught this in early morning light as I was getting a shot of a big spider.  You have been warned!

Old and new

Sometimes you just wish you could add the scent of the sweet peas!  It's a long time since I grew sweet peas as sunflowers had taken over for a while, but the delicate colours and the scent make it worth while!  I found this Mason jar in a local shop which was a surprise as I had only seen them in photos from the US, it's really a drinking 'cup' with a lid and straw.  The old book came from a second-hand bookshop in Scotland.  I offered to pay for it but apparently it was considered as unsellable.  If they only knew!

The Kelpies

On our way back from our holiday on the Hebrides we called in to see this magnificent work of art, open only two months, Over 30 metres high, lit up at night (we'll have to go back), named the Kelpies.  Have a look at the website to see some of the details - worth the detour!

Hebridean holiday

Visiting the Outer Hebrides involved four ferries - I was a bit worried about these as I'm a bad sea traveller but I needn't have worried as all the crossings were perfect.  Even saw dolphins on one of the crossings which was a first for us.

We loved the empty roads and the wild flowers especially the 'machair', the flowers which grow on the low-lying areas next to the sea.  The sand and crushed shells are blown onto the land and create the ideal conditions for this carpet of wild flowers.  Another thing crossed off my bucket list!

Vatersay was once an island but is now reached by a causeway.  White sands and wilderness - second off the list!

A bit of excitement!  Watching the small plane landing and taking off from the airport beach on Barra.  What more could you ask for!  All this and the pleasure of meeting up with Annie and Niels in Ullapool - so nice to meet bloggers you've only seen in photos!

Eggs anyone?

Found this egg holder in a small craft shop when we were out in North Northumberland the other day so had a play with it.  I always like to see how folks set up their shots so I've included a couple here.  Nothing fancy - a home-made light box and a velvet dress (still with sequins on!) from a charity shop and cut up.  LR templates.  Eggs still to be eaten!

Still life and set-up

Week 5 of Kim's Bestill52 class was all about side light exploration.  This was set up next to a north facing window with a white board (propped up on the chair) reflecting the light.  The backdrop was a charity shop scarf, the boards were from B and Q (free as they were just packaging!) and the blue bowl was found at TKMax.  Flowers out of the garden but have no idea what they are!  Shot with the 50mm lens and edited in LR and Elements.

Found in Scotland

Can't believe how long it is since I posted!  I blame FB and IG not to mention all the interesting things on Pinterest!  I originally started this blog - many years ago - in order to post about textiles which I loved doing at the time after completing the C and G courses.  And then along came photography with my little point and shoot, which developed into a bit of a hobby and then a real interest thanks to input from Kim Klassen's courses and friends at the local camera club.  So textiles have taken a back seat for the moment.  More later!

Ink bottles

Still discovering treasures at the second-hand market stall!  The green ink bottle is Victorian and unusual in that it has a well for the ink inside the bottle.  A bargain due to a small chip and damaged cork but perfect for photos (£2)  The small brown one I found this morning, (50p),  feather my own!  or rather an ex-pheasant! Used my light-box and added a texture from Distressed Textures to the second one.  One of Kim Klassen's textures to the first one.

The older the better!

I found this old book with a leather cover on Geordie Broon's second-hand market stall in the market (£1).  It must be at least 100 years old and falls to pieces when I open it,  I love it - who did it belong to and what tales could it tell if it could speak!  It's been so well used, stuck together with sellotape.  The title itself shows how old it is - "The British Empire Universities Modern English Dictionary".  I know Kindles are useful, but in my opinion there's nothing like a book, new or old!