Macros in the rain

Only a day or so ago I mentioned that I'd been out in the rain with my camera and a macro lens. These are some of the pics I took. They're not brilliant but they'll do.
I find it a struggle with two dogs and a massive camera but worthwhile occasionally.

The Doggy Diva

This photo was taken, in the garden, directly after Roxy had been to see the top groomer in the area - Julie (Diamond Dogs).

What a difference a quality groomer can make to a dog. It's hard to believe it's the same dog that later was out fetching and eating sticks. None of that red carpet stuff for Roxy.

The Pond in Bampton

You may not be aware of this pond if you don't often wander down Frog St, but this lovely pond is at the very end near the farm. It's recently been tidied up by the owner of the land next to the pond (whom, I believe, is not from these parts) and an excellent job was done.

Bampton this morning

A little bit foggy and alternating between sun and rain as I left with the dogs. It goes without saying that as soon as I was 100m from the house it poured down.

I did get a number of very nice macro photos of raindrops so all was not lost in the heavy rain.

Dunster/Minehead

We headed for Clatworthy reservoir for a dog walk this morning having never been before. We were turned away though by the many signs indicating that dogs are not allowed in the vicinity. What a shame - we won't go again now even without the dogs. How unfriendly.

On to Roadwater. Lovely village nestling in a steep valley, but nothing there really. Not worth a visit other than to admire some lovely properties in a delightful setting.

The dogs enjoyed a lengthy wander on the beach at Blue Anchor, where the Minehead photo was taken, and we enjoyed a cup of tea, outside in the sunshine, in February.

We later visited Porlock Weir where we had lunch outside, again in the sun. What a great day out and we felt like we had made the most of the clement weather.

The Shite Horse

I have lived in Bampton in excess of five years and have yet to see this blot on our landscape in even close to fair condition. Most of Bampton has been rebuilt in that period and no doubt will be rebuilt again in the next five years. This shithole ('scuse my French), however, is getting worse by the day and is now just about the only building in Bampton that does not contribute to the quality of life here.

I can't think, for the life of me, why the owner doesn't sort it out and get the pub with the most potential in Bampton up and running again.

The doorway, open today for some reason, gives the viewer an idea of the lack of maintenance that the owner has put into the building.

I'm appalled that the various councils haven't got this under control.

Ethereal Frog St.

Taken this morning these photos were taken with a Nikon D3s using a lensbaby double optic lens. They have a small sweet spot of focus that allows careful control of blur allowing creative images to be made quite simply.

I don't think the images are all that good but I've put them up so you can see what can be done with cheap plastic lenses stuck on the front of one of the best cameras ever made.

A fine example of the breed

What a great looking dog this is. She lives at the top of High St and as you walk past she'll give you loads of simulated aggression, but clearly she doesn't mean it.

Well Deserved

After a hard days graft these fine figures of men deserve a little bit of what the US citizens call 'down time', chillin' or perhaps even 'chillaxing'. Those Americans - they have such a way with with words.

I'd seen Welsh Alan (far right) earlier in the day and he was his normal grumpy self; he comes to life, even smiles, when in his natural element.

The beauty that is Bampton

These two photos really highlight the layout of Bampton with all of its character on display.

The level of detail is extraordinary; these pictures could be enlarged to 8 ft wide and still hold sharpness.

It was well worth the awkwardness of getting to the point from which the photos were taken.

Sun/Rain Frog St

A combination of sun and rain, at the same time, occurred this afternoon in Bampton. I was soaked to the skin but managed to keep the camera dry. Thank you Mr Goretex.

The light in this photo is typical of those conditions.

Barnstaple Pannier Market

I had occasion to visit that well known purveyor of high quality goods - Argos, in Barnstaple. Whilst I was there I had time to wander about the town. Clearly it's best days are behind it as it looks somewhat shabby now, but there are little diamonds in amongst the remnants. This market is one of them. Well worth a visit (if you're there anyway - don't make a special visit)

'Old' Bampton

Bampton looked so different then. No yellow lines, no lamposts or rubbish bins. Not even any major repairs to the road. Life was good. It was a sepia life of pure goodness back then.

Except I took this photo today.

Watercoloroured Bampton

This is an old photo digitally painted in a watercolour style using various art software programmes and a wacom tablet and pen. The final image is a combination of three separate paintings. Taken from the very top of the Castle area.

Often seen around Bampton as a sepia toned image (there's one in the Quarrymans Rest), this is a watercolour version, in colour.

It's difficult to get pictures of Bampton without cars everywhere so this image has some local value. I love the tones in this picture.

Bampton in the sun

We haven't seen sunshine for a while so today was a rare opportunity for the use of colour. The 'Bampton Grim' has been replaced temporarily, I feel, for a cold, but sunny period. It makes such a difference to the day.

A Touch of Green

Taken in deepest Bampton, this image is a reminder (to me) of the memory of Satis House, and Miss Haversham, in Great Expectations. I read the book as a child and it was a great read. Recently on the TV, all the memories returned.

The Power of Exmoor

It's not difficult to take great pictures of Exmoor and these two depict the area perfectly. They are quite stark, being black and white, but they emit a sense of the power that is inherent in the moor.

A good, solid, tripod is all that is needed. These were both taken on a point and shoot camera that was firmly held.

The Bampton Pubs

A typical chat between the staff and the customers at the Swan.

Less chat at the Quarrymans Rest.

Both of these were taken last night when that Strictly thing was on the TV and I had easily better things to do.

Bampton Rooves and Chimneys

Taken from the Castle top, this shot looks straight across the centre of Bampton with the White Horse on the top far right.

I like it for it's jumble of buildings and it's various brick textures.

Bampton Christmas Fayre

It was Bampton Christmas Fayre yesterday and these images show some of the people involved in the event. Thanks to Celia, Fred, Jo, Joan, Lucie (and others) as well as Bampton Butchers for letting me take their photos.

An entertaining afternoon was had by all the visitors and the helpers.

After a glass of mulled wine I found the taste for alcohol and, with some chums, adjourned to the Quarrymans Rest for several tasty beverages.

Jan at the Fair

I was reviewing my photos of the last charter fair when I came across this photo of Jan. She says she never gets a decent picture of herself but, for me, it doesn't get any better than this.

Umberleigh Church

This little wooden church is located on the main road onto Umberleigh. It looks like it should be in the Mid-West of America, and not in the centre of Devon.

Umberleigh is a quintessential Devon village with loads of photo opportunities, including a picturesque railway station and the wide River Taw plus bridges. The Caravan Club campsite looks first class so there's no excuse not to visit.

Globally Solar

Fitting solar panels on a roof at Global Park in Bampton. There are now hundreds of panels on the rooves of these business units. Whilst they aren't very attractive to the eye I bet they generate a decent return on investment. Good luck to Peter and Paul who had the panels fitted.

Pheasants everywhere

I shot (with a camera) these two pheasants down by Birchdown Farm where there are loads of them coming in to escape the local shoots. Roxy had these up just on the bridge over the old railway line.

I've never been that keen on them since I had one come through the car windscreen, but they do make a decent photo.

A view over Bampton

A nice picture of Bampton, from Ford Rd, taken on Sunday when the weather was fine. It hasn't been pleasant since so this is a reminiscence.

On the subject of weather, an old chap came up to me in the street last week and said "Living in Devon is like being in heaven, but it rains six days out of seven". Doesn't scan well but it's so true.

Paul in the pub

Just a nice photo of Mr Cottrell relaxing in the Quarrymans Rest after a hard days graft. This image is quite well known now, around the photographic world, but I've never shown it here before.

Majestic sheep

Not usually two words that fit together but this image was described as such by a good friend on the Leicaimages website. Of course, you'll recognise the rain. The sheep was snapped, with a good sized lens, halfway along the Ford Road whilst walking the dogs.

I have a lot of sheep photos on this blog as I'm quite a fan.

A Dartmoor view

The rocks of the Tor frame the far off village in this shot taken on Dartmoor. I was lucky to get a clear day as on the past few visits it has been murky and grim.

I love this shot even though it's on the foreign 'moor'.

Arty Roxy

It's amazing nowadays what the new technology can achieve. This image of herself took only seconds to create. Granted, it's not a style you could use daily, but occasionally a decent final result can be realised. I quite like this picture.

Note: You might not detect the artyness unless you click on the image to make it bigger.

The Rhythm of Exmoor

This is one for the pourists. A high key shot with added grain. Taken last Friday on the way to Torrington, the photo is of inversion fog near East Anstey with Exmoor behind. Gentle curves above the fog create a lovely sense of proportion.

Sunrise over Exmoor

I was on my way to Torrington this morning just as the sun came up. In the valley below Exmoor, near East Anstey, was the inversion fog you can see in the picture. I wasn't able to capture it as good as it looked, but some of the red light on the top of the fog is just discernible.

Nearby

Taken by a bloke called Bob (I don't have any other data) on a bike ride in the locality.

I've said I'll happily put photos of Bampton, and the local area, up on to the web from others and this is a fine example of a good local photo. If anyone else has any good photos please let me know.

Looking sheepish

This image shows Roxy and Izzy carrying out their routine inspection of relevant creatures on their walking route. This sheep, having passed it's inspection, lacked any interest in the results and the dogs went about their daily business of eating up associated creature droppings as well as a light salad in the form of the grasses in the hedgerows.