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'My View' Runner Chases The Severn Bore Nr Minsterworth At Sunrise. 13th January 2013

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Welcome to ‘My View ’ through painters eyes with a camera.

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When you visit this page you will see the latest feature or interest, this will be replaced every few days or quicker and then drop off the page into ‘Archive Pictures’ and ‘View by Subject And News’ on the right side of the home page. Select your favourite subject or News for latest postings which will appear at the top of the lists.

All pictures are also available to see in ‘Archive Pictures’ by year and month

I hope you enjoy ‘My View’

Andy Sharpe

Monday, 21 February 2011

Severn Bore Epney, Surfing Under May Hill 20.02.11

Severn Bore Epney, Surfing Up River 20.02.11

Severn Bore Over Bridge, Gallery 20.02.11

Gloucester showed its support once again with a huge turn out to watch the Severn Bore.

Gloucester could rightfully be called ‘City Of Gloucester And Severn Bore’ as this natural event continues to draw great support. Certainly in my travels watching the event I have never seen so many people out watching as I did today. Even the low light and chill in the air failed to put people off, it certainly didn’t put off the surfing enthusiasts. A few surfers managed to catch the large swell just before the bridge for a nail biting ride on the wave and the rest looked up river with dashed hopes as the large swell made its way to Maisemore Weir.

I bet they come back in March though, so look forward to another brave display with the elements, going up river when it changes direction again, roll on March…

Severn Bore Over Bridge, Ready 20.02.11

Severn Bore Over Bridge, Still On 20.02.11

Severn Bore Over Bridge, Chase 20.02.11

Severn Bore Over Bridge, Leaving 20.02.11

Sunday, 20 February 2011

Confused Dunnock 20.02.11

One confused bird this one, continually jumping up on this car mirror then back down to peck at the mirror and back again and again and again, and so this went on for several minutes until it took flight, only to come back and repeat the exercise. I’m sure if I go out now its still at it. Looking at similar reports, whilst amusing, it appears that the bird thinks its reflection is an intruder so pecks at the mirror , especially at this time of year when they are thinking of pairing up with a mate and getting territorial. It has been known for glass to be broken during this exercise and really isn’t good for the bird as it gets quite agitated. Solution, cover your mirror with a bag  to remove the reflection or hope it finds a mate soon.  

Severn Bore Epney Surf 19.02.11

Severn Bore Epney 19.02.11

Severn Bore On The Way Epney 19.02.11

Severn Bore Leaving Epney 19.02.11

Severn Bore Surfing 19.02.11

Severn Bore Elements 19.02.11

Severn Bore Aero Surfer 19.02.11

 

Severn Bore Wave Nr Hempstead 19.02.11

Severn Bore Low Light Composition In Full Colour 19.02.11

Low light as I’ve said I love, well, why resist it. It is what it is, so make the most of it. Yes it can be a challenge with camera settings but equally it can produce some very interesting results with close tones when colour has been drained from the picture with the lack of light, particularly in a landscape view like today.

Power lines we love to hate but once again they aren’t going away so make them work for you in the composition. Make sure they are up right though which seems to be a challenge for some. Don’t forget, those big round ceramic balls the cables hang from, they are always vertical, well, subject to weather conditions with side winds, or cable tension but dictated by gravity and weight of the cables so should be easy to line up with the edge of your picture through the view finder.

In post editing vertical and horizontal can be corrected if missed whilst taking your shot in a hurry. Most cameras have a grid function so It’s a good idea to have in use if your unsure.

Lens distortion can also put things out of vertical or horizontal but i will reserve that talk for another time

On Planet Earth water is perfectly level wherever you are. Spirit / water  levels were used in the construction of the great Pyramids of course. When water is active it has a mind of its own but can follow predictable paths as the Severn Bore continues to demonstrate, so watch out for those big splashes.

Reflections are just great for drama in a picture, they give form and depth so keep an eye on those as much as the main subject you are focusing on. It can be tricky as it requires almost 2 sets of eyes in your head but by keeping it in mind you will gradually learn to see more.

A hand held camera allows freedom of movement when a subject is not static, so do some dummy run shots just before you are going to take your proper shots, just to get used to positions you want to focus on but also to see what camera settings you need to consider. It’s a good idea  to check where you stand as well if moving positions to save falling over in mid shot when panning or changing position. As a rule I only use a tripod on static subjects that are in awkward positions or as a steady some times. I will talk about this later.

Severn Bore Maisemore Low Light Composition 19.02.11

Severn Bore Wave Maisemore 19.02.11

Severn Bore Wave Pattern Maisemore 19.02.11

Severn Bore Going To Maisemore Weir 19.02.11

Monday, 14 February 2011

White Duck Burley Fields Lake Cheltenham 14.02.11

Coot Lake 2 South Cerney 12.02.11

Valentines Day Came Early At South Cerney 12.02.11

February can be a cold grey month in the UK but today proved quite the opposite, with a warm sun and blue sky, birds singing away. Canada Geese started to argue over territory, ducks were pairing up and the Coots seemed fidgety. After a long winter which seemed to start a month early in Gloucestershire the time must have seemed right for this pair of swans who went through their mating ritual in the fading sun.

Fishing Resumes At Wick Water Lake 2 12.02.11

Fishing Resumes at South Cerney Angling Club lake 2 at Wick Water. After losing many fish during the big Freeze in December & January when the lake froze over , fishing has resumed with some catches already reported . A recovery looks to be underway now but time will tell.

Sunday, 13 February 2011

Blue Tit Portrait 12.02.11

Blue Tit Look Out 12.02.11

Exchange 11.02.11


Exchange 11.02.11

I was just walking by the kitchen window when i saw one of our little blue Tits being seen off by a female Black Cap. Over the years we seem to have only one pair of Black Caps visit the garden, just recently they have taken to the feeders. I managed to grab the camera and through the double glazing get a couple of shots from a distance, so please excuse the quality but thought it was worth showing for the record.

Thursday, 10 February 2011

Saturday, 5 February 2011

Blue Tit InThe Tree 03.02.11

Blue Tit In The Tree 03.02.11
Often away from the group, this little blue tit keeps an eye on me sheltering inside the tree. In the darkness the bird is just hesitating before taking food from the near by feeder.