DON'T LEAVE ME HANGING ON - MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS

Suspended in Gaffa.... tape

Monochrome Odd Shots

One leaf left, not five. I hope you have suspended your be(leaf) enough ( ouch! that pun even hurt my sensibilities) to go ooh ah at the floating leaf I found. Of course it's not floating at all. It's not gaffa taped either though. In fact it's so simple and I'm sure most of you have twigged how it hanging there. Of course it's trapped in a spider's web. Simply tilting the camera at an angle and slight underexposing on the setting prevents the backlight, the natural sunlight from highlighting the spider's web. We could pretend it's magical fairies at work and I could wax lyrical all day about the symbolism of the image, the fragility, the creative thought process that lead me to capture the special moment, but that would be poppycock. It's an image that just happened to be on my route to work, within the nature reserve. Of course I have the camera, the time, the inclination to manipulate the conditions to let the camera lie to you and create an illusion of mystical magic beyond human control. Rubbish! It's just a photographer's bag of tricks, blocking the light to detract an element from the image that is not required. Anyone who tells you otherwise is being far too pretentious for there own good and really doesn't understand photography, and what fun photography can be.


Click Katney for your odd shot quirks . Click Aileni for your monochrome maniacs.



It's getting to very busy time here,Literally working every day. The Laxey Blues Festival, The Isle of Man TT, Ramsey Rocks. In other words posts will be as and when, as my camera is needed elsewhere. Obviously I will share some with you, but one needs to eat and pay bills too so you can not have the best images I take those are either exclusive or retail. If I post an archive or a rough I'll let you know and I may occasionally miss a neme, or day but I'll be around in my unpretentious, soapbox style. I'd rather be honest, than wimp out and play the game just to ingratiate myself to people, it's call being genuine. One piece of good news.....

We are going to get the Watchmen at the cinema. Pester power works.

almoimo

ALADDIN'S CAVE? - MONOCHROME ODD SHOTS

Treasure Trove?

Monochrome Odd Shots

Click to enlarge, it's huge.

Still full of a horrid virus. Images will be what you get this week, so not perfect images at all. This was not really for the blog but personal use, just a snapshot of the place with cars and people, life in the town. What the hell it's amusing. Can you see why? Actually there are a number of odd things about this image, besides the obvious, Aladdin's Cave which is an oxymoron. It might have been a treasure trove at one time, but not anymore. Before anyone mentions the Auction Rooms, no that would not be now. That's about it too full of horrid virus. If you enlarge it you should be able to read the writing on the wall( no pun intended) and a few other close up slice of life images.

Like I said this image was not intended for the blog. It's what I'll call a rough, untampered, journalistic workaday image taken primarily to check the light, distance, white balance and lens compatibility etc. It's the image you take before you take the real image. Think of this as an artist's sketch,a jotting, a doodle a prelude to the finished article. Perhaps that's also odd to post a sketch rather than the finished article.

I am sure I will be bryter later ( and yes that is an intended spelling mistake)

MONOCHROME ODD SHOTS - SWING TIME

Swinging into action I6/100

Monochrome Odd shots

Back to the Cult of Babooshka's Ramsey Swing Bridge. You know the story. Challenged to take one subject 100 different ways. So one of what the bridge actually does so many times a day swing which is a oddity to a lot of people. I'm sort of used to it now but it was a little peculiar witnessing this act when I first moved here. I mean bridges don't swing around by their own volition do they? So why does the swing bridge swing?



Take a look at the harbour and how low the bridge is. Now imagine boats, ships and sail masts heading towards the bridge. Doesn't work does it? The bridge doesn't lift and separate but swings round to allow boats and ships with masts to set sail in and out of the harbour. Certainly puts a whole new perspective on the photographic opportunities around the harbour for me. Have you noticed how the bridge always seems to be changing shape, elongated at the closer end. Of coure it's not uneven in the slightest just an optical illusion depending on focal point and lens used. It is a perfectly formed bridge. I'll have to show you a full on shot in perspective of course to see just how perfectly even it is. It is another res. image though as they all will be from now on and the high pin sharp large files are for sales only.



Click Katney for your odd shot quirks. Click Aileni for your monochrome maniacs. That's it off to re classify the images. At last a new laptop. No more maxtor. So did any of you ever start a sideline project of one subject 100 different ways?

babooshka ramsey daily photo http://dailyphotoisleofman.blogspot.com/

WHAT IS THIS OVER MOORAGH PARK? -MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS

Do you think a cold front means a warm back?

Well I hope you all agree with me this is definitely odd. Taken over Mooragh Park by the entrance form the roadside, I spotted this very strange horizontal set of lines. I have the colour versions too but it was so striking in contrast I knew immediately it would be an ideal black and white and an strange one too.

The feint vertical lines are not rays of light but extremely fine rain, so why was the cloud so light and white? I took this with the little Olympus and no alterations so those shades are as taken. The horizontal lines ran for quite a length either side of this image Looks like the clouds are full of lovely white snow doesn't it, but unfortunately not. No this weird image is quite a common sight here, it's called a "cold front" a weather phenomena .

So there you are. A natural weather occurrence not at all odd when you know what one is but decidedly weird when you don't. We actually get them here a lot usually followed by rain and followed with me and camera as they are ideal photography subjects. I hope the rowers didn't get too wet on the lake. It really did precipitate down fairly soon after this was taken.

Want to join the weird world of Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEY

Want to join the beautiful and creative world of MononchoromeMonday? Then see Aileni at LOOSE ENDS

MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS - SHOULD THIS BE A BLACK AND WHITE IMAGE?

If you were here for critters yesterday you will have seen the colour version of this shot. Normally any one of the three above, bee, butterfly or plant you would see in glorious colour. When all three appear in one shot( serendipity again, the photographer's best friend) it would seem foolish not to take advantage and produce the natural colour shot. Note I said natural colour, not manipulated colour. Nature shots, should not have tweaked colour, otherwise they they become unatural images. Anyway back to the point.


It's monochrome yes, but is it odd. For the reasons above it is odd to see an image like this in greyscale. The mind's eye immeadiately would have you snap this image in colour. Some of you will be mentally adding the tones and hues as you view and will prefer the colourful one below this post. For those who are more interested in other aspects of photography you will not be veiwing the subjects as nature, but as shapes, tones, light and contrast. Is the composition of the subject more noticeable in colour or monochrome for instance? Do you see more for the lack of colour or does this image confuse you and you need the colour in the right places to view the image?

There is no right or wrong answer. Some of us prefer colour some of us prefer none. There are myths that an image shot in black and white is an instant classic, timeless professional shot. Not so. A bad shot is a bad shot, whatever format it is shot in. This image was composed and shot in colour and black and white for two very different projects I'm working on. I know which one I prefer, and I know why. That though is my personal opinion, and professional opinion. My veiws I will keep to myself.

The daily photo project and the nemes are fun blogs and posts that just show a snapshot of our lives/ towns/ work/ family/ etc. I will say this again, but please remember not everyone out there is professional, has the right equipment or is even remotely interested in a discussion on photography. I posted this image today as a request from someone who follows the blog staunchly and has had a few problems with the black and white versus colour issue. I may be a photographer, but essentially this is a daily blog so this Brad this is for you. Now let's get back to snapshots and quirkiness of Ramsey.

Want to join the weird world of Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEY

Want to join the beautiful and creative world of Mononchorome Monday? Then see Aileni at LOOSE ENDS

MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS - " I WAS HERE"

A couple of weeks ago my monochrome oddshot was of this housing Estate being demolished and how a once familiar site not being there the next day to me was odd. This was the last house to be demolished. I shot it through the metal fence, which is the dark blurred lines you see. As it's a real shot, not tampered with, no need to clone or remove the lines. What you see is what you get. If you enlarge the photo you will see a very poignant message on what would have been a bedroom wall," I WAS HERE."

The Pondi contained an Estate of houses known as "Commissioners houses. "To UK readers you may be more familiar with the term "Council Houses." I am not sure what the equivalent would be in other parts of the world, or even if this type of housing exists in this form elsewhere. Council Housing is a form of accommodation that is owned by the local Council authority and rented out to tenants on long term lets(lifetime in some people's cases) at a low rental. They are not Private sector rentals. The idea was to abolish the slum landlords and overcrowding and provide the working class or lower income families with affordable habitable accommodation. This enabled people to pay a lower rent with a view to purchasing their own home in subsequent years, then relinquishing the property to new tenants and continuing the cycle to provide a step on the mortgage ladder for all. With the boom and bust nature of the world at the moment, we need more of these, yet none are being built. All I will say before I go into a rant.

I have now discovered a change to the above paragraph. Council housing is now referred to as Social Housing. Thanks to Gerald, HYDE, DP for enlightening me on this fact. Since moving from the UK to the Isle of Man several changes have taken place, like this renaming.

So, who was here then? I wonder just who it was who wrote the very poignant message. Whoever you are, thank you for creating another oddhsot opportunity. I wonder if you captured the image for yourself?

Want to join the weird world of Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEY

Want to join the beautiful and creative world of Mononchorome Monday? Then see Aileni at LOOSE ENDS

HALF LIFE - MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS

Half life
Babooshka

I think this will be my most divisive image to date. You will either love this or hate it. Unlike the flower, there are no half measures. Make of it what you will, but this to me is a pure monochrome, a study in light, shade, contrast and textures and equally an odd shot the half blown away flower not being the usual subject for a portrait.

The image was taken the day I took last Wednesday's railing and lake shot, over at Mooragh Park. It was one of those down on the ground shots I like. When I am not going for an unscheduled swim in the lake,( falling out of a canoe for those who didn't know) you will find me mooching about looking for an interesting shot. Actually you will often find me after the plain old very mundane stock photography shot too.

I was asked last week if Mooragh was Welsh. I can see why the question was asked as in the girl's name "Morag," but no. It's not a viking word either. It's Gaelic and it means" wasteland by the sea." Mooragh Park remember was swamp land before it was transformed, hence the name. Another interesting fact for you going off at a complete tangent, there are 95 men to every one woman on the Isle Of Man, according to the The CIA World Factbook . Now I'm not arguing with the CIA. Not even I'm that mad. I would like to ask them however how they worked this out though. I mean, did they ask for my input, no?

Want to join the weird world of Odd Shots Monday? Then see KATNEY

Want to join the beautiful and creative world of Mononchorome Monday? Then see Aileni at LOOSE ENDS

MONOCHROME ODDSHOTS - HANDS OFF IT'S MY BALL

This image will not be to everyone's taste, but I know some of you out there will get a kick out of it, the arty sport shot. A combined theme shot again. Obviously it's black and white, so that covers the monochrome and hopefully the odd part of the shot speaks for itself. Needless to say this is personally one of my favourite images to date I've posted.

I'm working on a a couple of Ramsey related projects at the moment that are going to be a little time consuming so my blog visits time may be limited. I am on the verge of a turning point professionally and need to concentrate on a few Ramsey related projects that will need my fullest attention. I may also have to curb my advice, ideas and help for a while too and it's time to follow up on some suggestions and offers I have had recently concerning my work. You may also notice the images have reverted back to a smaller size. This is simply to protect them from being used by others without my permission. I know this all sounds a little cloak and dagger but the blog is a work in progress, my words, my ideas, my images about Ramsey are to be used at my discretion, not for others to take the credit. Ramsey is my town, this is my blog.

On a lighter note tomorrow Tue. 7th Oct. will be my 200th post. Join me for an ideas session of things you'd like to know about Ramsey or links you'd like. There is so much more to show you but sometimes when you walk past something everyday you may not think to photograph it. The beach, the park, the shops, the pubs, the Manx signs, the churches, I could go on. So today, just comments on this image. Tomorrow your ideas and comments on the next 200 posts would be welcome and appreciated.


One for Ramsey residents, a message. Dig out those electric blankets for testing soon. It's free remember to have them tested but priceless for peace of mind.

ODD SHOTS MONDAY - ARE WE THERE YET?

Ramsey, is just plain weird. Last week my odd shot was a footprint from a series of footprints that guide you part way round the town. Well across the road from those footprints was this oddity. What do you make of this?

Sadly it's recently been taken down. I took the shot before it was removed, again just documenting the town for posterity. How odd is it though? If you come into town by bus, right across the road from the bus station was this enormous sign on a slopping tree, pointing straight into town. So no need to approach a local. Look up ( you really couldn't miss it) and follow the pointed finger, and then follow the footprints. How simple is that! Irony is, Ramsey is so small, you actually don't need this rather threatening giant hand with the finely manicured nails
(gender indiscriminate) pointing out the direction, the place is too small to get lost.

Please, please put this sign back. I love it. It's just so quirky like the bright green footprints, the shocking purple house, and the swinging bridge. These are the oddities that makes Ramsey, well Ramsey. These are what make this town, from this funny little island unique.

What then in your town distinguishes it from any other place?

Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

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ODD SHOTS MONDAY - MARTIAN FOOTPRINT?

Ok, you got me. It's not to my knowledge a Martian, or any other kind of visiting alien footprint, but is a little bit of an X File. I noticed these footprints when we first came to Ramsey. Wherever you wander around the central town streets you come across these strange painted footprints with the little Chad type figure on. They only go in one direction though, which is odd in itself. A bit like Ikea when you get shunted in one direction from start to finish, and can't deviate. If you follow them you will actually do a circuit of the town. Useful then perhaps if you're a visitor. Tried to find out how old they are, but most people don't notice them anymore or think I'm weird for asking. Imagine the looks I got taking this! I hope you like the chewing gum decoration, not me, but probably the litterbug who I berated on my blog before.

Does anyone else have anything like these cute footprints in their part of the world?

The next bridge shot in the IOO shots series is tomorrow. By the way the footprint, Saturday's bridge shot, and Fridays metal theme/skywatch shot were taken with my handheld tiny Olympus. No fancy lenses, no zoom, no filters, on a sun setting. I do take most of photos on my Nikon D50(and even I want a better camera now) with a number of lenses, but I just wanted to encourage all those that only have a small point and shoot, great shots can still be taken. After all it's you that composes and times the shot, not the camera.

No footprints or aliens were hurt in the making of this post.

Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

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ODD SHOTS MONDAY - FREE BIKER BIBLE ANYONE?

Whenever there are fetes or outdoor events of any kind on the island you will usually find something a little different. So nestled amongst the face painters, the temporary tattoos, and the burger vans I found this wonderful bike. On closer inspection I actually noticed what this stall, if you can refer to it as such, was well selling.

The Christian Motorcyclist Association UK were as it turned out, not selling but giving away books. Well just one book, the Biker Bible. Now I won't go into details, as it's not my thing, but here's the wiki link if you want to know more about the very friendly bunch of bikers for yourselves. One thing it does prove though, people are like books and you really shouldn't judge either by their cover.

As for the photo it's done exactly the same as the Tynwald shot. Desaturate almost all the colours apart from the blue, then pump up the saturate on the blue hues left in the pic.

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ODD SHOTS MONDAY- BABOOSHKA AND THE SISKIN

Back to the birds. No Vikings or historical snippets about the island and it's inhabitants today I'm sorry to say. Most important thing was to rescue my photos from my laptop. If in doubt about what shot to use I can always rely on my trusty bird shots, especially for odd shots!

For the eagle- eyed( no pun intended) you can see my odd shot today is one of the mad male siskins that have a habit of flying into the patio windows. You all know the story by now, but for nubies this one was in a bad way, hopped onto my hand a stayed long enough for me to grab my camera and try out my new macro lens one handed. Eventually of course he took flight as they always do. By the way, this isn't the same as the other two siskin in the hand shots( go back and check the post) but one of about 20 I took that day for times when I need a back up shot, er like today for instance. A bird in the hand is worth more than one in the bush for me!

Can I please point out that I am not a Manx witch or fairy and I have no idea why birds do this to me as I have cast no magic spell upon the island's critters. Well actually I have but don't tell them or they will throw me off the island for not having a work permit to be a Manx witch, when there are plenty of locals who could do the job, but just to lazy to turn up for work, or qualified, but who cares they're Manx. Meooow! Fetch me a saucer of milk.

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ODD SHOTS MONDAY- BATTLE OF SKYHILL

Viking Week, the mini series!

This is skyhill. Nothing particualry odd about the shot except perhaps it could have been a skywatch shot. What's odd to me is, that people here seem to confuse the mountain and hill names and hardly anyone can name this particular place correctly. Why so important? It's the site of the most important battle in the history of the Isle of Man, and yes those Vikings are involved again.

The photo was once again taken from the nature reserve looking onto the mountains and hills, apparently under the watchful eye of King Orry's Vikings. It seems the Norse people and the relationship with the island is ever present.

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ODD SHOTS MONDAY- BIRDCAT

This is why the bird table is going to be replaced with feeding poles! How cheeky can you get? This is not one of my better photos. The colours too bright, the contrast is wrong, the horizontal crooked. I could go on. It's just one of those point and shoot efforts, more for the subject, rather than the composition. It's the first cat I've had on my soon to be dumped bird table, which to me qualifies it to be odd.

Any cat owners out there ? Do you own a act born wih no tail or have you heard of such a creature? They are called "Manx" cats and originate from here where I reside, the Isle Of Man. Another odd shot if I spy one, but not on my bird table.

Want to join Odd Shots Monday?

Then see KATNEY

Katney's Kaboodle is the place to join Odd Shots Monday and see other wierd and wonderful shots from fellow bloggers.

ODD SHOTS - A BIRD IN THE HAND

This is a chafinch that flew straight at the window of my house. I went out, put him back on his feet and sat trying to coax him round for hours. Eventually, he jumped on my hand and wouldn't go away. I already had the tripod set up, so I used the remote to snap him. I had to run round the garden flapping my arms trying to get him to fly off. The neighbours really thought i'd lost it this time.

Finally he left, finding the courage to take flight. I feed the birds in the back garden, so I quite often spend hours warding off cats and sparrowhawks, but this is the only one who jumped onto my hand. I hope this one qualifies for an odd enough odd shot for today.

For more odd shots see KATNEY

Katney's Kaboodle is also the place to join odd shots monday.