England & Scotland

Hello Evan et.al  Sorry about the mass posting.  Here are a bunch of shots from my trip to Scotland and England in October

Madonna and Child

Singing Berio

Montmartre

Cheryl

Happy Couple Celebrates 50th

From the heart

Dancing Family in Oregon

Wine, Women and . . . Camera

Gaudi's Temple - Interior

Gaudi's Temple - Barcelona

Hi folks,

After waiting an hour or so (not too long as we visited Barcelona in the "off" season) we entered Gaudi's Temple.  After paying nearly $100 for all of us to get in, we were herded around the perimeter like so many cattle.  Photographic opportunities were at a minimum as I was unable to move to the desired angle.  Nonetheless, I did get a few interesting photos.

Oh those damn tourists...

I caught this fellow mid-gaze outside Gaudi's cathedral in Barcelona.  Housecoat, slippers, and Lizst-hair - couldn't have been a better shot.

300mm; ISO 400; f8

Monserrat - Apartments

Monserrat - Courtyard

Basilica (apse) and monk's quarters (? - Evan, I'll defer to you on that one).  I believe the tourist hotel is forward on the left.  

Montserrat Abbey

This is the courtyard one proceeds through in order to access the Basilica at the monastery.  

Evening Conversation

Another iPod4 photo.  These statues are located at the National Gallery, Barcelona.

Become A Peddler In Barcelona

Barcelona is a very pedestrian-friendly city.  They are doing what they can to get people to stop using cars. And here's a great idea.  For a monthly fee, you can pick up a bike like this at any number of spots in the city, ride it to where you need to go, and drop it off at any nearby place just like this.  Ethan and I were walking one day in the evening sun and there were long shadows flowing through the small piazza and folks were strolling and pigeons were eating.  It was a beautiful scene to end the day.

This is also on iPod4 photo.  PS3 editing including noise reduction, Ilford film (125 ASA), neutral density, dodging and burning as well as a background blur feature.

Traveler's First-Aid Kit

A little experiment here:  I took this with my iPod 4, HDR setting, edited on PS using a Ilford HP4 400 film, tonal contrast used selectively, some silver reflector effect and a wee bit of cropping.  Oh - and a bit of blue filter.

Ibiza Town

Ibiza Town (on the island of Ibiza, east of Valencia on the Mediterranean Sea) has an ancient fortress perched atop the harbor.  From it, one gets fantastic views of the ocean and the surrounding city.  It was very difficult to capture a feeling of the entire city, so I chose to use the 300mm and capture just a part.

Moonpath

My New Best Friend

While strolling through Ibiza Town - the location was the ancient walled city - a cat emerged from the alley and began following me, complete with serpentine movement through my walking legs, as well as purring and other ministrations designed.  Marlene laughed and said it confirmed (once again) my status as Dr.  Dolittle.

White Camelia

Monserrat - On The Pilgrim Road

While walking around Monserrat, I came upon this view of a building hanging upon the side of the mountain.  There were people walking to and from it - it was quite a far way away.  Thanks again for a 300mm.  These shots are all colour, so the discipline of finding something that transfers to B&W has been a good discipline.  I chose this one because of the different textures - the distant bushes (somewhat flat and grey), the closer bushes (tops bathed in sun), the house in shadow and sun, and then the cliffs.

Monserrat - View Into The Valley

The monastery at Monserrat, Spain is a spectacular location.  Since the fifth century, pilgrims have travelled here.  The walk must have been brutal.  I took the funicular instead.

Woman In Barcelona

While in Barcelona last week, I sat for a spell in a large café and tried to be as unobtrusive (!) as possible - with a 200mm lens attached to my camera... She was sitting with a friend, they were smoking and chatting in an animated way.  

Evidence of Life

And This Is Love

Today, as I was making lunch I happened to look at the back patio door and there lay my two favorite barn friends:  Peanut with his trusty sidekick.  And who says we can't get along, anyways?

Winter on the Peconic River

Your Last Stop

Outside Gap, Pennsylvania

While in Pennsylvania this past spring, I happened upon a graveyard one afternoon.  I find graveyards notoriously difficult to photograph, mainly because of the amount of subject (undifferentiated) in the viewfinder.  For a Canadian, seeing this many flags in a cemetery is unusual (I've been to Germany many times and one rarely sees flags).  I'm not sure this photo works, but its an attempt to portray the primacy of one's duty to the state with their own self becoming blurred in the process.   

Bicycle on Chestermans Beach, Tofino, B.C.

Vancouver in cold January