Cheam Camera Club: Mono Print

Second Mono Print Competition this season.  I will confess, I struggled to select two images this time, and in doing so I think I may have answered my own, as to why I don't do so well in mono and PDI's as the Colour Prints - because I just don't have enough 'great' photos.  In the last colour competition, the two entries I entered I, generally, felt very pleased with my efforts - this time round I have had four different images mounted and discounted all but one.  

Mono Print
Round 2

Beach View, Wales: Taken during the trip in July.  Processed originally in colour but I actually prefer the image in B&W.  I love the cloud against the mountains.  Judges comments - Very much liked the layering of this image - the soft texture of the waves at the forefront of the image, liked the dark mountains and the white cloud above.  However, was somewhat surprised to see a landscape image in a square crop but thought it worked well.  Score 10

In Need of Cleaning: Taken on one of the many trips to Amberely, for Dave's car shows - spied as I wondered past one of the buildings, and more importantly was not another image of another car!  I like the contrast of this image but wonder if the judge will find it too much.  Judges comments - Generally liked the contrast of the image.  Struggled with the crop of the image, suggested square would be better, so door frame and bolts not central. also didn't like the way the image had been mounted (you can't see that in this image but the mount and taken off  a few mm from the top of the image cutting off the very top of the arch). Score 8.5

So, there we have it - my first 10 for a mono print.  Chuffed. I really got some poor scores last season for my mono's so good to see I have made some improvement.  I had hoped for 8 or above for both these images so both scores are pleasing.  However, I had rejected a couple of images because of mounting issues and how close the images were to the edge of the mount - so I could slap myself for having let the arch sneak past me.  Pay more attention C!!!!!

Cheam Camera Club: Colour Print

Entering two of my favourite images - I so hope the judge has kind words - I would very much like to pop them on my wall when the season is finished but if he is harsh I will never be able to look at them again, with fondness!!!!  I was on holiday when this competition took place, so have relied on another member to take feedback for me.

Colour Print
Round 2:

The Milky Way, Wales:  Having taken on board comments from the first colour competition about having the focal point central I mounted this image so the church was to one side.  I love the central position but there is no point in getting feedback if I don't apply it to make the image better!  Judges comments -  'The judge thought you had an interesting challenge.  You had produced a feeling of distance with a sense of location. He liked the beautifully lit building, the subtle tones and the intense blue.  Also he felt the intense blues and pinks were lovely. - Score 10

Entered Image

Image I love

Lavender:  I just love this shot - taken in my back garden, I love the angle, I love the detail - and I added (my first time) a texture to the image - so, in the flesh, it looks a little like an oil painting.  I was so pleased with the effect - however I have never seen anything during my time at the club processed in the same way so am a little concerned about how it will be received..  Judges comments - 'the judge felt my paper was an excellent choice.  The image was 'restful'  and the limited depth of field was good and the image had a beautiful surround frame' -  Score 10

Well, not one but two tens!! Whoop whoop!!! Can't believe it!  Nothing more to say than - I have peaked way to early!!!

Baby Crochet Blanket

My first time at a new pattern - C2C - and I'm hooked.  I just love this technique - so very quick and easy.  This little blanket was worked out in my head (well with pencil and paper really) using 3x 100g of DK - and with careful calculations only a tiny bit of wool was left at the end!!

Crochet Blanket 2

Several weeks ago, I completed this crochet blacket.  Most of the wool for that blanket was from a great charity shop find but I also purchased a couple of balls from the pound shop on a 3 for 2 offer and even used a left over bit from a friends blanket, where she had used similar colours.

However, there was many 'bits' left over, some 'bits' in the charity bag and some 'bits' in my wool basket - so what to do....... small granny squares - making them up as I went, or had a 10 minute 'gap' in the day - surprising how they add up.  Only two full ball of wool was used for this blanket - one purchased when visiting my parents and I ran out of 'bits'!! And the other to tie in the boarder.

Not the best blanket in the world but it was a great way to use the 'bits'!! And of course, it will keep someone warm this winter!

Rainbow Crochet Blanket: Part 1

Something for me!  Started back in August, this has been a 'fairly' quick make for me - making a very nice change.  This is the first of two blankets - different designs but using the same wool.  The pattern and colour inspiration came from two sources - Pattern from Attic24, with the colour from Little Tin Bird

See how sharp this image is......good to see my photography time is not wasted lol!!!