1 EAGLETON NOTES: A Post for Adrian

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Saturday 18 July 2015

A Post for Adrian

Adrian likes tractors, HDR and macro photographs of insects.

I like tractors, have been converted to the artistic merits of HDR (used sparingly) and have always enjoyed photographing insects (and just about everything else for that matter).

So here's the old mill and a tractor at the end of the road over the moor from Eagleton: a view I see every time I go into Stornoway:


The tractor appears to have been abandoned but I think it's still alive.


However it probably started life when photography was largely black and white so I thought I'd do an 'artistic' B&W version in Photomatix.


As for the Red Admiral on the Dame's Violet these were taken from 4.5 metres through the kitchen window using a Canon bridge camera at 50X (about 215mm). I'll never be able to compete with Adrian for detail so I just go for opportunity.



20 comments:

  1. Great photos! (And I think you're doing just fine with the close-up stuff!) xoxo DeeDee/carol

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  2. Graham, thanks for the dedication.
    The tractor is a beauty. I am having the same trouble with glass and HDR. I am having to select it all and process it separately. I wouldn't bother but they are for a brochure.
    To get rid of the halo round the roof try boosting Smooth Highlights.
    Macro is swings and roundabouts. Your sensor being small gives excellent DOF Whilst on the full frame sensor it is in millimeters at 1:1. I gain when I get down to the tiny creatures, still no DOF but enough information to make a 12"x12" print of something three or four millimetres long.
    Excellent shots.

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    1. Adrian thanks for the information. I thought the bright highlights were part of the art effect.

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    2. Graham they are an unintended by product. The highlights are fine but halos aren't appreciated by the cognoscenti in HDR land. I couldn't care less it's just fun and I like looking at them.

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  3. I really like the black and white tractor. Adrian will have us all out snapping tractors - I've been working at getting a decent shot, too. Will leave the insects alone, they don't push my buttons at all. The butterfly, though, is lovely.

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    1. Well you have some BIG tractors to photograph Pauline. Not the little old things we use for buzzing around the croft. The Red Admiral is a lovely creature but no-where near as beautiful or romantic as the Monarch.

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  4. Great topic for a post. One thing, you're in good company with Adrian as he gives great advice.

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  5. I have no ambition to ever become a Really Good Photographer, but I do appreciate the skill in others and can tell the difference in pictures taken by someone who knows their stuff (like Adrian and Graham) and someone who doesn't (like myself).
    You already know how much I admire your animal photography, including these butterfly ones.

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    1. Thank you Meike. To me the whole point about photography is to convey an image that to help someone understand something (which is what most of your photographs do absolutely perfectly) or just to be there for their own sake almost as a way of expressing oneself in an art form. I have no ability to hold images in my memory (there is apparently a name for it) so photography for me is also a way of remembering. Which is why I dislike the National Trust for Scotland's refusal to allow photographs in most of their properties.

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    2. Even though I can hold images in my head I think the Nat Trust for Scotland's policy is ridiculous - if the English/Welsh Nat Trust can allow it what the heck is differest in Scotland? By the time you have been through two rooms of a grand property even the best of memories begins to lose its shine.
      PS - nice shooting GB

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  6. "Adrian likes tractors, HDR and macro photographs of insects." Yes but Adrian also likes voluptuous Swedish au pair girls. How about some pictures of them?
    Loved the black and white tractor picture.

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  7. Graham, the red admiral photos are magnificent! Don't undersell yourself.

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    1. Thank you Frances. I try to value myself realistically!

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  8. Very nice butterfly photos....wish I understood the advice that Adrian gave you above....maybe one of these days.

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    1. Thanks Virginia. Sometimes I don't understand Adrian's technical explanations either.

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  9. Love the effect you did to the tractor. It looks really good!! I am so pleased I came across your blog. I will enjoying following from over here in Australia.

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    1. Hello Country Mum it's good to see you.....and your tractor! I shall enjoy your photos.

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