Hanningfield Again

I was at Hanningfield again today for some 1-2-1 tuition, and got a nice macro shot of the gills of a toadstool (which had unfortunately been knocked over since I saw it yesterday), and then stopped on the way out to see Phil Eckett from Owl Wise who had a display of his owls there for the Family Fun Day that was also taking place.


Pentax K10D, Sigma 105mm macro, 2s @ f/13, ISO 100, tripod


Pentax K10D, FA50mm, 1/350s @ f/2.4, ISO 200, handheld


Pentax K10D, DA*300mm, 1/180s @ f/4, ISO 200, tripod

Hanningfield Today

It was an enjoyable day today at Hanningfield Reservoir, with another successful Close-up and Macro Nature Photography workshop. The weather was kind to us, and we tackled the tricky subject of dragonflies in flight when we were at the pond in the afternoon.

Here are a few photos, including a toadstool that was loitering by a logpile. Lit by off-camera flash, it was one of the few we saw today, a contrast to my findings over at Bedfords Park recently.


Pentax K10D, DA*300mm, 1/350s @ f/4.5, ISO 400, handheld


Pentax K10D, DA*300mm, 1/350s @ f/4.5, ISO 200, handheld


Pentax K10D, Sigma 105mm Macro, 1/10s @ f/4.5, ISO 100, tripod and diffused flash

Macro Workshop Spaces

I was at Hanningfield today giving some 1-2-1 tuition, and checked the numbers for next week's macro workshop, and saw there's still a few spaces left. So if you're looking for help with your close-up and macro nature photography, get yourself booked in at Hanningfield Reservoir on Saturday 28th August.

Ring the Visitor Centre there on 01268 711001 today!

Norwich Cathedral

I've been having a play with a photo of the interior of Norwich Cathedral, thinking it might make a nice candidate for a bit of 'ageing'.  Basically, I've tried to make it look like an old photo from a 6x6 camera, hence the sepia tone, white border, slight blurring of the corners etc.  Click through for a larger version.

Original taken on Pentax K10D with DA16-45mm lens.

Cameraworld Tomorrow

A quick post, with just two things.  Don't forget I'm at Cameraworld tomorrow, with a free advice day when you can drop in and ask me anything.  If it's about photography, I should be able to help you.  About anything else, I can have a fair stab at it. :-) Details here.

Secondly, although I don't usually take much notice of magazine reviews, it seems someone has actually seen sense, and has awarded the Pentax K-7 'Group Test Winner' in the August 2010 issue of Digital SLR User magazine.  You can read all about it here.

Oh alright, one last thing - a photo from the Essex Wildlife Trust AGM this year, of Chris Packham during his very entertaining speech.

Marks Hall garden

I popped into the Marks Hall Estate in July, and enjoyed a late afternoon walk around the various areas of the gardens there - it's well worth a visit if you like exploring woodland and more formal gardens in one location. There's also a lovely walled garden overlooking the lake, and a friendly cat who'll probably come and say hello.

Here's a shot of a very clean silver birch amongst the bracken (or are they ferns?) in the Millennium Walk.