26/365 Old man river

Colours boosted slightly in Lightroom; but the reflections not adjusted any more than the buildings themselves. I need to try this again with a proper tripod!

A couple more – click to see larger:

Old man riverOld man river

Technical notes:

Nikon D90. Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX @ 18mm. 10s @ f/16 ISO 200.

25/365 Wine

Just that, really.   I need to try this one again lining the shot up more carefully; there’s a little distortion that needs correcting but I’d rather try and do that with a different lens.

Technical notes:

Nikon D90 Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX @ 65mm. 1/60@ f/14 ISO 200 with built-in flash at –1 EV.

CIMG0769 Saturday was time for part 2 of the birthday celebrations.  We met up with some of my pals for an evening at Cosa Nostra.  As ever, the food was great, the atmosphere relaxed (you never seem to be waiting too long for your food, yet you never seem rushed either) and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Oh, and they also were happy to let Sarah bring my surprise cake for us to have as desert, rather than having theirs.   Yes, my lovely wife had used the time I was away in Brussels to make a scrummy chocolaty fudgy cake which we all tucked into after our pizza or pasta.  I am so lucky!

CIMG0768

Wednesday was my birthday, but online time has been limited since then owing to a trip to Brussels and busy busy busy at work.

The day started rather early with the alarm at 0550 (the normal time!) but we did catch a train about 15 minutes later than our normal one – because that meant time to open… presents!

I have been spoilt rotten!   Mum and Dad have got me some vouchers and a chopping board that folds (which I really really wanted!) and a mystery present. Phoebe got me a T-shirt and a Wii game.  And Sarah spoilt me with a photography day (which I knew about – watch out for the pictures in March) and a pasta maker (which I didn’t!)

After a day at work, it was off to for a quick pre-theatre pub supper, then…

Oliver!

What a show!   The stage at Drury Lane is larger than many; they’ve used it very well to fill it with wonderful scenery, a company of eighty actors and superb choreography.  Such good tunes as well, and a story that has clearly stood the test of time.  Oh, and of course Rowan Atkinson.  Who steals the show.  And is a truly sinister Fagin, ably supported by Burn ‘Torchwood’ Gorman, Tasmin ‘I wasn’t the BBC competition winner but that’s cos I’m already a professional who’s done it before’ Carroll, a great Oliver and an Artful Dodger with perfect comic timing.  Go and see it.  Several times if you can.   You’ll come out feeling so much better with the world!

24/365 Skylight

Resident’s First weekend in St Albans today and tomorrow.   It’s kind of the St Albans equivalent of Open House with various buildings throwing open their doors to the public for free.  I don’t know if it’s just me, but there seemed to be less places open this time around.

Never mind though, I went in to look at the old courtroom in the Town Hall.   So today’s snap is of the skylight in the centre. 

Technical notes:

Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX @55mm. 1/125 @ f/5.6 ISO 200.

23/365 The Witching Hour

Brussels was too wet to venture out at lunchtime.  So that left England when I got home for today’s picture.

St Pancras is a wonderful temple of engineering and architectural achievement.  And it does generally look pretty light inside the Barlow train shed.   But flicking over to manual meant I could snag this, which gave it a far more film-noir quality.

Technical notes:

Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX @95mm. 1/200 @ f/8 IS 800. No flash – way too long a distance!

22/365 Light refreshment

An equally busy day – office in the morning, Eurostar to Brussels in the afternoon, meeting at dinner in the evening.  Brussels was cold and wet, so little chance to get out with the camera.   But a glass of Eurostar’s champagne caught the light nicely (somewhere betwixt Ebbsfleet and Ashford), and here it is.

Technical notes:

Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX @82mm. 1/400 @ f/5.0 ISO 800. No flash so as not to annoy my fellow passengers.

21/365 Push!

Despite it being my birthday, it was also a work day and very busy, hence little time to snatch a picture.  We were going to the theatre in the evening and all meeting at Holborn tube.  I was a few minutes early, so snagged this one of the drinking fountain in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Technical notes:

Nikon D90, Nikkor 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR DX @55mm. 1/60 @ f/4.5 with built-in flash.