Sadness at Black Friday, Happiness at Amazing Saturday....

These images were taken at Sunrise on Saturday, the morning after Black Friday.  I watched with disgust at the people on the 10 o'clock news physically fighting each other for end of line TV's at Tesco's stores across the UK. I felt somewhat ashamed to be a human being - how did we become such awful human beings - showing no feeling towards our fellow friends - happy to hit and shout at someone just for a TV.  It made me sad.

I decided I needed to take time out from the world for an hour, so decided to head out for sunrise on Saturday morning .... while walking towards the beach front I could see some colour in the sky - so while trying to run, while trying to pull out my tripod legs,  I could feel a smile arriving on my face..... On emerging on the steps this is what confronted me.  Just for that minute - while drinking in the view and the colours (and I don't think I've really done justice to what I was seeing) all was well with the world. And actually - all was well for the next two hours.....

The first two images are actually taken on my IPhone.....I needed to share quickly.

The following images are taken with the DSLR - a mixture of short and long exposures.

I love these two images....

Do you know what, I don't think I could ever get fed up with this view - I must remember never to take it for granted, and to always remember how incredibly lucky I am to have the opportunity to view it when I can.

Playing....

Using Light Room......

From this - way too underexposed...

Some adjustments....

A Little Wool Goes a Long Way....

It's been some time since I last did some Project Linus work .... with one thing and another, stuff has just got in the way.... however with my new found love of crochet, I was determined this year to add a few blankets to their Christmas pile.  Quilts and blankets are given all year round but particular effort is made at Christmas for the little people in hospital at that time.  With a few lucky finds in the charity shops for wool over the last few months and a donation from Mum (with some wool that she has had for 30+ years - sometimes it is worth hanging on to things!), this is my contribution....

Blanket One: Colours - odd balls from Charity Shops - Grey donation from Mum - wool for a school jumper for my brother, who has just turned 39 hahahahahha!!

Blanket Two: I think this has to have been my best find in the charity shops - two bags (20 balls) for £12 - this is the second of these blankets - amazingly soft.  Other blanket found here.

Blanket Three: My first use of very chunky wool - not the most exciting of colours but I hope it can be 'marketed' as an army blanket for a small person!

Blanket Four: Neon - for anyone that has a pair of sunglasses to hand!

Blanket Five: And this is my final blanket - oddly the smallest of the group but it did seem to take a long while to complete - this is actually off to SANDS once it had been blocked.

So there we have it - if you should have any wool in the back of the cupboard and need to find a new home then I would be happy to help you!! :)

The Morning After the Night Before......

Middleton On Sea.....

F11 Workshop: Wreck and Piers

A recent one day workshop with F11 Workshops.  So very lucky with the weather - plastic bags and rain suits packed the evening before just in case!

Photographers at work - Bognor Peir

Mullbury Harbour - Bognor

 

Lifeboat Station - Selsey

Evening Sunset - West Wittering

Poppies: One last time....

When plans go a miss ..... you need to make the most of the time you have.

I had planned a visit to the poppies at the Tower on the 10th November - the day before they are due to complete the artwork - however, recent news reports have advised people to stay away as they can no longer cope with the number of people viewing the artwork.  I decided Thursday last week that (as I'm not particularly fond of very large crowds) that perhaps I should go sooner... in viewing my diary and investigating the weather Saturday was the day.  Already having plans for the day, and factoring travelling I had an hour and a half slot!!!

This is what happened...

Time was very short, and I got very distracted on my way to the underground...... could have happily taken photo's from the other side of the bridge for some time..... another day maybe! 

Now during this very quick session, and while changing a lens I discovered another way to focus my camera - I know that sounds odd as I've had the camera 10 months...D'oh.  I now need to take the camera out and practise - I have major issues with the lack of sharpness on all my images - maybe this is why!

Sunrise at the Tower....

 Went for the Poppies - got slightly distracted.....