My Holiday

During the first week in May I was on holiday in the Isle-of-Man.  Lots of pictures taken - very little Competition/Exhibition photography, but just one shot to prove I did actually go to I-O-M!  This is the Group I was with - Kingswood PROBUS. I'm on the extreme left hand side, having montaged myself into the group

I've been off-line!

Due to a change of ISP and Telephone, I have been off line for 4 weeks.  Anyone who follows me, I can now be reached at johnlong80@btinternet.com

Audio Visual Day

I had a very pleasant time yesterday at the WCPF Audio Visual Competition day at Clyst St.Mary near Exeter. Neither of my sequences won - but I will eventually learn how they were placed when the markings go up on the WCPF Website. 
I entered 'Faces' in the under 3 minutes 21 seconds section and 'Portmeirion' in the other section.   The judges were very positive in their comments about my work - they were Linda and Edgar Gibbs from Cardiff.

Graffiti

On our way home from the Exhibition yesterday, we spotted some graffiti near the Netham Canal. I duly photographed the graffiti on the wall, but across the water was a coach with this on the back.  I only had my little compact with me so I rested the camera on a post and extended the digital zoom to 400%  I was 13.5 metres away from the coach and the camera used 1/200th @ f4.9   I was pleased with the result, never having used the compact zoomed so far before!

Exhibition of Sunday Times Magazine pictures

Went to a wonderful Exhibition in Bristol today - it features large images backlit, all taken from features in the Sunday Times Magazine. It celebrated the 50th anniversary of the magazine.  Pictures by Snowden, Don McCullen, Bailey, Eve Arnold and many others.

The New Bristol Museum

Yesterday I made my first visit to the new Museum, known as the 'M Shed' as it is housed in the renovated 1950's transit building on the Harbourside.  It tells the story of the people and city of Bristol from prehistoric times right up to the 21st century.  So much to see, I must pay more visits to see everything.  From the balcony one can see the Harbourside looking back into the city centre one way, and toward the Cumberland Basin the other way.

Yesterday at FOCUS - at the NEC in Birmingham

Carried the compact camera and took just four pictures - this is one of PEROU, the rather eccentric professional photographer dressed as you see, looking like a vicar!      He was talking to students in a small gallery which housed his exhibition of prints called  "Admit I Exist"    Had to remove (not very well some may say)  lots of legs and other stuff behind him.

Kingswood PS. Quarterly Competition No.1

I was delighted - and rather surprised! - to have the winning picture in our first competition of the year with my portrait of Dennis.  The judge was a very pleasant chap - Mike Curtis ARPS from Cirencester

Lunch with my PROBUS Group

Been to lunch at the Kendleshire Golf Club today with my PROBUS GROUP. As usual, I had to take pictures of members at the tables, but this was just looking out of the window at some guys just finishing their round of Golf

Sunny Bath

I was in Bath today and listed to this chap playing so beautifully on his violin.


Nothing special about that I hear you say - but

 

 
. . . as you see, he was balancing on a rope at the time!
 
Here is another shot from this afternoon - the Doorman outside the Jane Austin Centre, who kindly posed for me!

Lecture at Kingswood P.S.

I was the Lecturer at Kingswood PS last evening and showed all the prints from the KPS Permanent Collection. In this particular shot (taken by Geoff Cole) I am showing one of my own 20" x 16" black and white prints which won the Architecture Cup in the 1962 Exhibition. It was then in the Bristol Salon of Photography in 1963!

Introduction to 'Blue'

Went to Daughter Naomi this morning for a haircut!   Was introducted to 'Blue' the recently acquired family pet.  A friendly and very obedient animal.       Seen in this picture with Naomi and Grandson Joe

Weekend at Paignton

Just had four days away in Paignton, unfortunately the weather wasn't very special.  Went to the Aquarium in Plymouth on Sunday, and on the way home on Monday stopped for a while in Torquay where the weather was wonderful!

Success with 'Hank'

Another success with my picture called 'Hank'     It was accepted for the RPS Western Region Exhibition this year and at the three venures where the Exhibition was shown, those attending were asked to nominate their favourite three pictures. At Bath, Swindon & Taunton the picture accumulated 134 votes, Ray Grace came second with 103 votes

Christmas pictures - the Grandchildren!

 Two shots of Joe in the "Dressing up" clothes I bought him and Ellena is busy working on her revolving sphere!

 

The Birthday Cake!

My son Nick took this picture with the cake they surprised me with!  The picture on the cake is 1977-1978.

Had a wonderful birthday thanks to all the family!

Lacock Christmas Wreaths

Went with a friend to LACOCK today for Lunch. Almost every cottage had a Christmas Wreath and I couldn't resist taking a series with my Canon Compact!

I wanted to upload 6 pictures - made them small and tried to get them in two rows of three - without success - have given up, uploaded four, and made each picture a little larger!

My Surprise Part 2

The cake picture just arrived!

(picture by Adrian Herring ARPS)

Surprise at KPS last evening!

It was the end-of-season fun night at Kingswood P.S last evening, and you can perhaps imagine my surprise when during the refreshment time, the lights went out and in came Vanessa Herring carrying a cake with one candle on it - and the cake was shaped like a Canon Camera!  Everyone sang the obligatory "Happy Birthday"   Then further surprise when I was presented with a card signed by all the members - and yet another presentation of a framed picture from the Society for my "Stairs Gallery" - this being "Dancing Clippers" by Barry Senior Hon.FRPS.        Although not my birthday for another week, I was rather overwhelmed by all this, but obviously very honoured and grateful for such kindness by my good friends and fellow society members.  Two pictures by Geoff Cole - and I'll post the cake picture later. 

Christmas with the Salvation Srmy

I went with a friend to the Bristol Colston Hall yesterday afternoon to the annual Carol Concert, which this year was presented by Pam Phodes (presenter on Songs of Praise) and special guest, the tenor Paul Potts.

Supert concert, enjoyed the singing, but couldn't resist taking a snap with my little Canon compact camera!