photography

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The Singing Edge

Taken as part of the Photo 101 challenge – today’s theme ‘Edge’

These are images of my lovely Tibetan Singing Bowl.  It’s one of my favourite things and I use it often. I believe it to be quite old, and the edges have been worn smooth by repeated use.  Singing bowls are used widely, particularly as part of Buddhist practice, as a meditation tool, and it is said that each is individual and should be chosen to compliment your own inner harmonics (or does it choose you?). Rubbing the mallet in a circular motion around the edge, will normally produce at least two different notes.  Mine has a sweet high topnote, and a fairly deep base.  I did try to take a recording of it for you, but it really didn’t do it justice, so in case you haven’t come across them before, I’ve added a video below to give you an idea.

And a video on how to play:

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Light and glass

Taken as part of the Photo 101 challenge – today’s theme ‘Glass’.

I’ve used today’s theme as an opportunity to play with camera settings and light.  I was quite pleased with some of the abstract effects I achieved, especially by cropping right down and flipping on to its side.  I think it gives a nice stained glass window look.  What do you think?

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Treasure fingers

Taken as part of the photo 101 challenge – Today’s theme ‘Treasure’

You must have realised by now that I’m a sentimental old fool, so today I’ve been on a steep learning curve trying to take a timed portrait of my own treasures – That is, my wedding ring, and my grandmother’s engagement ring, both of which I wear everyday.

My nan’s engagement ring must be over 100 years old by now and I have worn it on the ring finger of my right hand since her death in 1973.  I have not taken my wedding ring off since my marriage nearly 29 years ago. Together, they represent the real treasure which is my family.

When I started, I had no idea how difficult it would be to capture a decent shot of the rings. I didn’t realise quite how creepy my hands would look in close up, or how sausagy my fingers would appear. They’re not good models it seems, either posing all stiffly corpse-like, looking all wrinkly and mottled, or moving involuntarily just as the shutter went.  eeewww….and the veins….! Anyhoo…thank goodness today it’s all about the rings.

By the way, I should mention I have some other gorgeous rings bought for me by my husband over the years (don’t want you to think he’s a cheapskate), that I also wear everyday. But those don’t hold quite the same sentimental value as these two. They may not be worth as much, but to me they are priceless.

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Well I couldn’t find a swarm…

Taken as part of the Photo 101 challenge – today’s theme ‘swarm’

A picture of the rarely observed swarming habit of the ‘electrical stuff that no-one remembers which bit of gubbins its for‘. These creatures are found making their nests in many homes, usually in boxes that have been left to gather dust in corners or roof spaces. Although, initially they live separate, ordered lives, when placed in close proximity they swarm and party. This ritual entwining leads to copious breeding. Any attempt to separate them once they have mated is futile.

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Catching a moment

Taken as part of the Photo 101 challenge – today’s theme ‘An everyday moment with movement’

This is Suki catching her favourite toy.  Every single day, come rain or shine, I have to throw it umpteen times for her to chase and fetch.  She never, ever, tires of it, though I often do.  Nevertheless, it is always a pick me up to see her galloping and leaping for the sheer and simple joy of play.

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Red tiles on a grey day

Taken as part of the Photo 101 challenge – today’s theme ‘Architecture’

Today we were asked to think about using monochrome in the photo. When I looked at the resulting image of this picture of our roof against our grand old oak tree, it seemed very dull in black and white, so I had a go at picking out the red tiles. This is the first time that I’ve tried the ‘picking out a colour’ (technical term!!) technique and I’m really quite pleased with the result.  I’m going off to play some more now 🙂

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Who goes there?

Part of the Photo 101 challenge – today’s theme ‘Pop of Colour’

I was going to be good today and go out and about to find an appropriate photo for this challenge, but hey, it’s cold, and raining… what can I say?  Anyhoo…thought this just about fits the bill, and that it might cheer everyone up on a Monday morning.

I snapped these chaps down at our local mini-zoo, Wetlands, a couple of years ago.  I don’t know what they were looking at, but it seems mighty interesting!

Have a great day!

Happy week with Helen 248_B.