The Big Freeze continues...

It's the end of November - why are people honestly shocked and miffed that it's cold, ice cold? I love this time of year, alright I may not be up to my knees in snow, but I still enjoy the fresh, crisp clean air. I love the early mornings walking the dog in the countryside watching from a lonely high vantage point as the sun slowly rises in the sky turning everything a crimson tone. The sky on Sunday morning was clear and the most beautiful deep azure blue colour. Of course I had no camera, I always have a camera!
I am working 12 hour shifts yesterday and today so I don't see a lot of anything, busy shoppers in a new found frenzy looking to get the Christmas shopping underway. I took a stroll through Belfast city centre at lunch and am always surprised at the attitude of women, yes women pedestrians who walk the pavements on a mission. That mission doesn't include giving way to other pedestrians, they would walk over the top of you. I always seem to be the one who bobs and weaves and does everything possible so that they can walk in the most direct route to their destination. I've often threatened to be stubborn and adopt the same attitude but I know it would result in a collision and of course I would be the bad guy, probably get a slap as well, that's the sort of luck I have. Gripe over. I don't want to take the bah humbug emotion through to December.
I have no photos to share today, it's so difficult findng fresh ideas in the city centre. I have walked through the Continental market so many times that I wouldn't care if it never returned to Belfast. Food seems to be the biggest attraction, that and alcohol. With me on my healthy eating plan I walked through the market looking for healthy fast foods - in short - it doesn't exist. Fatty meats, deli meats, cheeses, chocolate, cakes, fudge everything you need to avoid like a plague. I hoped to find a baked potato with a healthy filling but no chance, an opening their for the budding entrepreneur.
I'm back to work now and my heels are killing me. NEW SHOES!! I can hardly take a step without crying. It will get better, when the bleeding has stopped!

Supper time.

There are times when a compact camera and the playfulness of two dogs can create a moment to remember. This little Westie, about 4 months old, and my 18 month old lab are enjoying the warmth of the fire on a bitterly freezing night. The playing combined with the glow from the fire and a bit of red eye produced this little gem.

First Robin of the winter.

Out for a walk today to Sixmilewater at the Lough in Antrim. This young Robin was quite co-operative and waited while I fired up the Finepix HS10 to capture this quick shot. I'm looking forward to maybe getting a few more shots of the species in more seasonal settings ie. ice or snow.

Don't Know!

These copper sheeted sculptures are to be erected on Donegal Place, Belfast, over the next 3-4 months. They will eventually represent a few of the vessels built in Belfast but will help to illuminate the footpaths as well as be a visual delight? Time will tell. At £50,000 each they do tend to represent expensive street lighting.

Another countdown

Two more sleeps and then I'm off for a week. Let's hope for some decent weather and the chance for some photography.

What a day!

All messed up, but you don't want to know. Took a few minutes to myself and prepared this shot for sharing. Taken yesterday in Belfast at the front of the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. They can be easily missed especially if there is a lot of people about.

Wind and Rain!

Yesterday was windy wet and miserable, so was last night, and today hasn't improved much. I'm at work with nothing much to excite me today.

Lest we forget

I took a walk around Belfast City Hall on Tuesday, I am past it most days I'm at work. The garden of remembrance was quiet so I strolled in to look at the memorials. I saw a few of the small wooden crosses had fallen and I was struck by the obvious symbolism of 'the fallen'. I composed this shot which is supposed to encapsulate the standing, the fallen and the full regiments in the background.

Disheartened.

I love taking photographs. I wish I had the time and resources to travel and visit the wonderful places you see whilst browsing sites such as Flickr. I had been investing heavily into DSLR's, lenses, tripods etc. and have finally realised that I was wasting my time. I occasionally was catching a great photograph but the reality was that people hated getting their photograph taken. Subject matter was low, I didn't have the budget or the contacts to be able to photograph models so my moment of enlightment came as I decided that any shots that I was going to capture in the future were most probably going to be landscape or the like. For that subject matter you don't require a high level of investment. I decided to sell off all my big gear. I was left with the question, what do I buy to replace it? Decision came quite quickly and I opted for the bridge camera by Fuji Finepix, the HS10. I've only had the camera a couple of weeks and already impressed. In all honesty I wouldn't have improved on any shot to date using a DSLR. I will post the odd result with a bit of backround info if it's relevant.