Digital Photography Emthusiast Issue 3 January 2011

I was asked by the editor of Digital Photography Enthusiast magazine if i was interested in providing a four page feature in this UK photography magazine as he had seen my work on my Flickr account, i said let me think about it for a while Rob, only kidding it took me a split second to say yes and i am pleased with the result. The magazine can be purchased in the UK at the usual outlets Tesco, Asda, W H Smiths etc. If you happen to buy a copy please let me know what you think or have a read of the feature in the above copy from the magazine.
take care
from
Stevie

Drumpellier Country Park

Canon EOS 550D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 100, Aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures.

I took this shot on the 27th November 2010 at Drumpellier Country Park known locally as Coatbridge Lochs. I should have lowered the camera on my tripod a bit more so the branches on the lower left of the tree would have been displayed in the sky but hey, that's why we take photographs to learn by our mistakes and so the next time a similar view presents its self to me i will lower my tripod. My original image was in colour with a beautiful blue sky but i prefer my black and white version. Someone sitting on the bench on the lower right of my image would have added interest, i could have done a self portrait as i always use my tripod and i always use my camera's built in self timer to help prevent camera shake this would have gave me plenty of time to take my position on the bench, never mind I'm always learning so the next time i take a shot like this i will take some without someone in it and also some with someone in it so as to give me more options when editing.

Cool Drink

Canon EOS 550D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 100, F6.3, 1/125sec.

I took this shot on the 24th November 2010. I visited Palacerigg Country Park in Cumbernauld and spotted this duck having a cool drink in the icy water.

Cumbernauld Park

Canon EOS 550D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 100, Aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures.

I visited Cumbernauld Park to take some shots of Cumbernauld House and when i had finished i turned around to go back to my car when this view presented its self to me so i took several shots. I would have preferred to have had this tree on its own but i forgot to pack my saw to get rid of the tree on the right lol. I posted this shot as it shows what can be achieved by shooting into the sun light and using the tree to block the direct sun light. I generated an HDR using Photomatix and edited some more using Picasa.

Cumbernauld House (3)

Canon EOS 550D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 100, Aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures.

I took this shot on the 27th November 2010, there had been a very early fall of snow in fact the earliest in 17 years. I took several shots on this day and thought i would let this go out on black & white with a spot of colour.  

Ivybank Cottage

Canon EOS 550D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 100, Aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures.

Ivybank Cottage can be found in Luss, Scotland. I took this shot on the 20th November 2010, my eyes were attracted to the pumpkin on the door step of this property it has probably been sitting there since Halloween night. Luss is a beautiful place which sits next to Loch Lomond. I generated an HDR using Photomatix and edited more using Picasa. The real colour of the door is a brown/grey but i prefer my manipulation of the colour as it warms the scene up.

Cumbernauld House

Canon EOS 550D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 100, Aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures.

I took this photograph on the afternoon of the 15th November 2010, the building in my photograph is Cumbernauld House which as it's names suggests can be found in Cumbernauld in Scotland. A couple of weeks from now the large tree will have shed all her leaves so i thought i would get a shot before it happens. I liked the warm colours that the leaves on the tree and also on the ground gave me for this shot. I generated an HDR using my 3 images on Photomatix and edited some more using Picasa. 

Coatbridge High School, Albert Street, Coatbridge

All photographs taken with my Canon EOS 550D, 18-55mm lens, ISO 100,Aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures.

Once again if you ask for permission through the correct channels then some times your request's are granted. I noticed that the old Coatbridge High School in Coatbridge which had been vacant for several years was possibly in the process of getting demolished. I then learned that some of the building was listed and therefore could not be demolished and will be refurbished, i got access to this building on the 6th of November 2010 and spent a couple of hours taking photographs. I wish i had visited a long time ago to take shots of this building as it was left when the school closed down as i would have got some good shots of chairs and desks in place. I generated HDR photographs using Photomatix and edited some more using Picasa, i thought i would remove most of the colours from my photographs and leave some colour in certain areas.

Ten Pin Bowling

 

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 100, Aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures.

I visited a ten pin bowling alley on the 8th November 2010, I got permission from the management to take some photographs on one of the bowling lanes as i wanted to get closer to where the pins are set up. I sat the bowl on the board on one of the finger holes so as to stop it from rolling. I generated an HDR using Photomatix and edited further using Picasa. Once again if you ask for permission to try some shots out you will be amazed at how people will go out their way to help you, just explain what you are trying to achieve and reward them with a copy of one of your photographs as a thank you. 

Hall To The Mall

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 100, aperture priority set to F22, 3 exposures at +/- 2 stops.

I took this photograph on the 3rd November 2010 at Cumbernauld Shopping Centre with the permission of the centre's manager. This hall way leads up and round to the mall. I generated an HDR photograph using Photomatix and edited further using Picasa.

Escalators

Canon EOS 550D, ISO 100, aperture priority set at F22, 3 exposures +/- 2 stops.

I visited Cumbernauld Shopping Centre on the 3rd of November 2010 and asked the centre's manager for permission to photograph in their building at certain locations, i explained the kind of shot i was hoping to take and showed the manager an example from another shoot. On this occasion i was given permission as long as i did not take any photographs of any of their customers. It is always good practice to introduce yourself to management, or owners of premises before taking any photographs as you will be spotted on CCTV cameras by security staff and then you could be embarrassed by getting thrown out of a place. I always ask for permission and if it is not granted then i look for another place of interest.  

Tme To Runaway

Fujifilm FinPix S602 Zoom, 3 exposures.

This is another HDR photograph i took in Glasgow, i generated an HDR photograph using Photomatix using 3 exposures, i then edited more using Picasa. 

Glasgow Street Scene

Fujifilm FinePix S602 Zoom, 3 exposures.

I took this shot from the top of a multi story car park near Cineworld in Glasgow.
Shrek and friends kept staring at me as i took the shot lol, they can be seen on the corner of the Cineworld building. This is an HDR photograph, i took 3 exposures +/- 2 stops, i generated a HDR image using Potomatix and edited it further using Picasa.

Happy And Sad

Fujifilm FinePix S602 Zoom, ISO 200, F2.8, Macro setting, handheld.

Another photograph i took while visiting the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. I named this photograph "Happy And Sad" as the flower on the left is brighter, the one of the left is shaded and a small petal on the flower looks like a tear. I took this shot handheld but i would recommend using a tripod.

Lady In Red

Fujifilm FinePix S602 Zoom, ISO 200, F2.8, macro setting.

I took this photograph while visiting the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, an excellent place to visit to get some macro shots of flowers. This flower reminded me of the famous Marilyn Munroe photograph when she stood on an air vent and her dress blew up around her. I named this photograph "Lady In Red" as it looked to me like a woman's red dress being blown up around her just like Marilyn Monroe's.

23 Little Spoons

Fujifilm FinePix S602 Zoom, ISO 200, F2.8, 1/45 sec, macro setting, handheld.

I ttok this shot during a visit to Glasgow Botanic Gardens, the small petals look like small teaspoons and this is what attracted me to this flower, don't ask me what the name of flowers as i haven't a clue but i do love their colours and shapes. I took this handheld but i would recommend using a tripod.

One Wing

Samsung L201, ISO 100, F5.6, 1/250sec.

This statue can be found on the Tron Theater, Argyle Street, Glasgow.