Pump it up

Storm Francis blows in and out again overnight, and unlike some parts of the country it was barely noticeable on the south coast. Well, at least where I am. What does trouble me is that fact it's so early in the season.

Although breezy, the morning is bright and I take a stroll along the seafront specifically to shoot colour. I'm using a polarising filter at maximum effect to pump up the colours, just to see what I can come up with. It's not something I do often but once in a while it's fun, even if it is light on realism.



24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. Matrix metering. Polariser. ISO 200



© 2020

World Photo Day

It's World Photo Day, so I thought I might chip in and add to the estimated 1.8 billion images a day that are uploaded to various platforms on the Internet.




50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. 1/2000 second at f/5.6. Matrix metering. ISO 100



© 2020

No need?

My recent search for new editing software came down to two candidates: DXO Labs and Capture One Pro. I ran trial versions of both for the best part of a month, and it became a pretty close run thing.

No editing suite is going to be perfect, but the fact that Capture One Pro has a license option specifically for Nikon cameras - and the way it renders NEF files - won the day. RAW files are cleaner, and this alone has caused me to put on hold upgrading(?) to a mirrorless system, at least for the time being.


Image: Salisbury Cathedral



24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. Matrix metering. + 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 100



© 2020

We can but ask

Ever the optimist, it seems, those in control of the local Seafront Operations have installed these signs on lamp posts in the hope that people visiting the area will treat the beaches - and nature - with respect.

With August Bank Holiday two weeks away, there are those that will see this polite request as something of a challenge.




50mm f/1.8 AF Nikkor. 1/1600 second at f/5.6. Matrix metering. + 0.33 EV compensation. ISO 100



© 2020

800 years in the making

As part of Salisbury's exhibition Celebrating 800 Years of Art and Endeavour, Lynn Chadwick's work Sitting Couple On Bench is something of an eye-catcher on the west lawn of the cathedral. There are a number of exhibits inside that I have yet to see, but due to the coronavirus outbreak admission has to be pre-booked online.

10.5mm f/2.8 Fisheye Nikkor. 1/500 second at f/8. Matrix metering. ISO 100

© 2020

In Moore detail

A detail of the Henry Moore (1898 - 1986) sculpture Large Reclining Figure, currently on display on the northern lawn of Salisbury Cathedral.



12-24mm f/4 AF-S Nikkor. 1/640 second at f/11. Matrix metering. -0.33 EV compensation. ISO 100



© 2020