Current Top 20

Current Top 20, a set on Flickr.

My current top 20 favourite images from my photostream, as @ 28 February 2012.
Current image count: 3184
Favourited for a variety of reasons. If you are interested let me know.
Intend to revise (as my thinking changes) and update (as I take more pictures) over time.
Click on individual images to be taken to Flickr to view at a larger scale

Street, Edinburgh 2010

Street, Edinburgh 2010, a photo by alexanderjblair on Flickr.

Worth re-visiting old images (March 2010) and trying different processing? Feel I was a little "safe" back then.

F**k Heels

F**k Heels, a photo by alexanderjblair on Flickr.

Got checked out today to see how things are healing. Less than a week, but things progressing well.

Photo taken by the canal a few weeks back. Not sure if the fist relates to the text.

SNJO + Peter Erskine + Marcio Doctor, Play the music of Weather Report, QH, 24 Feb 2012

SNJA + Peter Erskine + Marcio Doctor, Play the music of Weather Report, QH, 24 Feb 2012, a photo by alexanderjblair on Flickr.

A good concert rather than a great one. Some very talented people involved in re-arranging the work of Zawinul, Shorter and Pastorius for a big band. Some excellent playing as you would expect from SNJO, but overall didn't quite work for me. What makes the originals so great are the three supreme writing and playing talents that were the driving force of Weather Report at their peak.

Wall by the canal, January 2012.

IMG_2285, a photo by alexanderjblair on Flickr.

Recovery continues. Seems a lot better than the last time. Good to have some time to play about and do some photography research. Spending a lot of time looking at Street Photography on Flickr and elsewhere.

First time out today for a short walk. Going to QH tonight (sitting!) to listen to SNJO and their take on the music of Weather Report. Have been looking forward to this for a while. As I have stopped taking the drugs, I may even have some light refreshment.

Education #2

Education #2, a photo by alexanderjblair on Flickr.

Three letter word beginning with U.

Laughed my socks off at this one. May be an indication as to why the trams fiasco in Edinburgh is taking so long.

Took them two days to spot and change!

Been a while ...

... not quite sure why! Been taking lots of pictures and posting  elsewhere. A lot has happened since early December, but haven't felt like sharing. Will try to be more regular in future.

Ba humbug

Just had to get out and try it!

Winter's Night

Gormley 6 Times (no.2)

The lighting on the Water of Leith this morning with the sun out and snow on the ground - brilliant! Had to be patient waiting for the sun to rise over the valley to light the figure.

A good read

The camera has been resting for the last two weeks. Weather has been rubbish so mostly time spent indoors. Out and about today taking advantage of sun, no wind and no work. Still some good Autumn colour, but in a mono mood. Particularly liked this shot which was taken from the aquaduct that carries the Edinburgh to Falkirk Canal over the Water of Leith. Liked the shapes and lighting, in particular the highlight area caused by the low sun shining through one of the arches that support the aquaduct.

Maybe baby.

Now I can't make-up my mind about the Lensbaby. Would these shots have been better if I'd used a conventional lens and then played in photoshop? At that point where considering acquiring more for the Lensbaby system, but wondering if my hard earned cash would be better spent elsewhere! Sequence taken at the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh gradually appearing here. The low sun and quality of light was amazing. All taken between 2 and 4pm.

Refraction

Out and about on a beautiful sunny Autumn day with camera with Lensbaby attached. Returning to work next Monday, so making use of my few remaining days. Shot of light refracting through glass and casting this rainbow effect on a blue slate wall.

Autumn fruitfulness

Autumn morning

A few quick shots with the lensbaby in my garden on this rather damp morning.

Alive and well, and still together.

Crete set is now complete (possibly) and can be viewed here
Hard to believe that it's only been a week. Feeling good considering, though still a little uncomfortable and tire easily.
Just spotted this: surfing the web from Everest . Seems you can't escape it!

Doing as I'm asked

I obviously ignored the sign, but was left wondering why? A pair of Oakley's for me and Prada for D for 10 Euros, can't be bad!

Intense

Hania, Crete, Venetian Harbour. 
For the full stare check out Flickr. He looks a bit pissed-off. It's been a long season and things were understandably slow on the busking front.
Spending sometime outdoors today for the first time following the op.

Anogia, Crete

There seems to be a lot of German tourists in Crete. I suppose that's not surprising given that they have the strongest currency in Europe. You won't see many in this village though! They have long memories here.

During WWII the mountain village of Anogia was the centre of Greek resistance to the Germans, who massacred all the men in the village in retaliation for their role in sheltering Allied troops and aiding in the kidnapping of the german general in command of Crete. The black shirts the men still wear (old and young) are a sign of their mourning.

It's a macho village where the Kafeneia on the main square (where this shot was taken) is frequented by moustachioed men, the older ones wearing traditional dress (baggy  pants and headdress), the younger ones driving big black 4WD's.

Panormos, Crete

Over two weeks the purple chair never moved, nor did I see anyone sitting in it. If I was to return next year I suspect it would still be there! The pace of life in Panormos is different from the pace of life in Edinburgh.
Dressings removed. Healing nicely though still some pain.

Yiorgos Hatziparaskos

... is one of the last traditional Filo Masters in all of Greece. He makes super-fine pastry by hand in his traditional workshop. He has been doing this for over 60 years, ably assisted by his wife Katerina for the last 50. The Baklava and Kataifi is by far the best I have ever eaten. If you are ever in Rethymno, Crete, indulge yourself.
In a bit of discomfort today. Switched to the super strength pain killers.

The day after

or ... Sandy does not lie with the fishes!

All appeared to go well, but had an extended game of Hueeee as a result of the medication. Got x2 for the price of one (one point of entry). Seems the otherside had an undiagnosed second. Don't know about cuts(sic) but the ward staff were excellent (as well as consultants). High level of care and professionalism, as well  as friendly approach in the face of some infuriating patients (yours truly for once not included). Respect NHS.

Got a bit pissed-off (sic) as they wouldn't let me go home until I produced 250cl at one standing. 

Now I know in some quarters I am considered a bit of a piss-artist, but it took me until 8pm to do the required.

Home now with suitable drug selection to see me through recovery (x1 to x2 weeks).

Lazy Sunday

Taken in the lovely village of Panormos on the North Coast of Crete, about 20km from Rethymno and only a short walk from where we were staying. Building in the village in need of some TLC. Crete photos starting to appear here.
Today has been a quiet Sunday with little going on. A little apprehensive about tomorrow as I go under the knife. 

On the street

20,000+ A good turnout. Sadly, the days of the workers united (and by implication, can never be defeated) are long gone. For some the old Tory figure of hatred (to say nothing of the new) remains deep in their Scottish psyche. Chants of Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, Die, Die, Die from the misguided few was rather sad and pointless, and devalued the legitimate protests of the majority!

Bread

I’m back. 

Relaxed, tanned and wondering (yet again) why I choose to live the way I do in a country that’s so cold. I love Scotland (and Edinburgh in particular) with a passion, but I also love the sun and in particular the pace and approach to life that tends to come with it. It was the first holiday in a very long time when I was dragging around photography kit with a degree of intent, though time and time again, I was easily distracted, particularly by food and drink and a level of hospitality that invariably included both. 

A lot of pictures that need some time and thought to see if they make any kind of sense. Very few that could be termed ‘holiday’ snaps. I still don’t have the in-your-face confidence to take the street stuff that I’m after, though I’m trying. Still have a detail/composition obsession, particularly doors, windows, and decay, wherever I happen to be … what’s that all about!

The converted village house from two years ago was still on the market (I had a look then) and for a lot less. Am I tempted, you bet!  

Internet Cafe

Sunday brunch at Browns - Eggs Benedict, orange juice, mocha + Sunday Papers. Bit of shopping (window for me, stuff for others). Some manly chores followed by a bit of processing and uploading. Work tomorrow then holiday time (Crete).

Fresh

My entry for Instruction #1 (if it's accepted!). The Site already has 72 images, but the majority a) were taken before the Instruction was issued or b) have got sod all to do with the Instruction. If the administrators don't get it sorted out sharpish I won't be bothering in future weeks.
Also started posting into the notorious HCSP (Hardcore Street Photography). Less than a cats chance in hell of getting anything accepted.
Been a street day. Lots to process and upload. Will appear in my Flickr photostream in due course.
Almost forgot. WASPS Artists Studios open this weekend throughout Scotland. Worth checking out www.waspsstudios.org.uk 

Contemporary Makers

Meeting at the Dovecote Studios today http://www.dovecotstudios.com. Interesting exhibition of Contemporary Makers that's worth checking out. Jerwood Contemporary Makers

Sun machine is coming down, and we're gonna have a party ...

The Weather Project. The fourth in the Annual Series of commissions for the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern, Olafur Eliasson, 2003.

This image has been dug out from the archives. It was my first time at Tate Modern and I was understandably blown away!

Knackered tonight! A heavy duty day. Meeting from 10am to 4pm discussing the last 15 years (I have been there 8) of lottery support for the arts in Scotland, with a view to informing how this will be taken forward within Creative Scotland.

Cafe Society

It's not actually a cafe, it's an antique lamp shop (note the price label on the lampshade). Have given it a slight tone to give an antique feel. 
Just another uneventful work day. Weather getting cold. The days getting shorter. Happily off to sunnier climbs next week for some pre-op R&R.

Correction (1 Oct 2010) - it's no longer a lamp shop, it's a cafe!

Lazy Sunday

Lazy Sunday spent trying to sort out someone's laptop. Computers at times can really do your head in! You can, as I have just done spend hours trying to get someone's on-line email account to work with Outlook to no effect. The endless loop and no clear idea why the bloody thing won't work! Please no its-so-much-easier-on-a-Mac comments, or I may come round and kill you.
Postscript - After a long on-line conversation with a nice Sky person and trying lots of things - finally a result. Now the solution was totally different from their set-up instructions - No surprsie there then!!! 

Where have all the people gone (long time passing)

Saturday morning wander with camera. Edinburgh very quiet now that the bulk of the visitors have gone. More limited in terms of candid opportunities. Visited some of the usual haunts but next to nothing. Todays batch (on Flickr) are therefore mostly of things!
This is worth checking out!

Viva La Revolution!

I came across the following phrase while reading one of the many things that I have to read in the course of my daily work. I feel it perfectly sums up my current approach to the day job.

Adaptive Resilience

This is the capacity to remain productive and true to your core purpose and identity, whilst absorbing disturbance and adapting with integrity in response to changing circumstances.

Life is full of little disappointments.

A colleague brought their Leica in today for me to have a look at. It was bequeathed to them in a relations Will. Now when I heard about this I was understandably excited, imagining a classic Rangefinder. However, like many things in life it proved to be a wee bit of a disappointment. It was one of the SLR type (early one I think), film not digital. Now I know the build and optics are second to none, but to my eyes it was an incredibly ugly beast, but worst of all it was so heavy almost to the point of being unusable (I certainly wouldn't want to lug it around)!
Now it's not that long to that time of year again ... Dear Santa ...
As an alternative, does anyone know roughly how much this little gem is likely to retail for? 

All dressed up and somewhere to go.

A very ordinary working day and nothing much to say! Usual, reading, writing and meetings. Much rather be out and about (I was but only briefly).

Hangin' around ...

...which is what I was mostly doing over the weekend. At the Carnival and performance stuff at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday (aerialist image above). Then hangin' out with chums, eating, drinking wine and playing games. Couldn't have been better! Thanks to Bob & Marilyn for all the hospitality.

Hand stitched

"Your pretty face is going to Hell ..." I should have got closer. Then again maybe I shouldn't!
An excellent day seeing the results of the good works. An opera written, designed and performed by the prisoners (7 years +) of HMP Shotts in conjunction with Scottish Opera, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Motherwell College Learning Centre HMP Shotts. Inspiring! Can the arts really make a difference?

"Singin' I'm no a Billy I'm a Tim"

A historic day in Edinburgh. Wonder if yer man is aware of Scotland's sectarian divide. More of my view of this special day on Flickr

Wooden

Got some sampler business cards in the post today from www.moo.com . Even better than I expected. For those of you who don't know you can get a minimum of 50 cards all with different images on. It's like having a mini portfolio in your pocket. You can import directly from your Flickr account which makes the whole thing very easy. 
Just another work day, primarily putting together a presentation for tomorrow for the new senior team. Ugly B and Mad Men on later. Not much else to say really!
Sabastiao Salgado long but worth the effort. Photography, politics and social consciousness.

Pond Life

Another good day, but I've now got heartburn. Had to get those things for wardrobes today that kill moths, as those itsy bitsy ones are eating holes in my natural fibres.

I know you guys like to support the arts, so check this out and sign up. 

http://savethearts-uk.blogspot.com/

The Shrigley cartoon is particularly good.

Plantman

A miserable day weather wise, but I seem to have been in a really good mood all day. It's unlikely to last given the level of negativity around at the moment.
Have at last taken the plunge and ordered a copy of CS5. Elements and Canon's DP Pro, are proving to be too limiting for what I want/need to do.

View from a bridge

Wander around SD's Village early on Sunday morning while D having a swim. Like just wandering about with camera (compact) to see what I can see. Then to Tesco for stuff and the Sunday papers. Spend the afternoon sorting out a laptop that needed some TLC. Quiet weekend all round.

Pretty in Pink

Now I have been getting in a lot closer recently as my candid confidence grows. However, this was taken at 250mm and I still cropped significantly. Early Autumn in the Botanics sees the last of the flowers, but this lovely lady out bloomed the lot ... and just look at the concentration. She clocked me (though I don't think the camera), I smiled, I thanked her, and went in search of other opportunities. I will be back in the Spring. 

Pedal porn

It was the World Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh last weekend. For the elite that's 10k running, 40k on the bike, then another 5k running, all in under 2 hours. As the commentator pointed out anyone could take up Duathlon. You may prove to be crap, but if you had the cash you could go out and buy one of these beauties and at least look the part. For me a serious case of wheel envy!  

So much to do, so little time.

It's not that I haven't been taking lots, it's simply that I've not got around to processing and posting. Will try to be better organised over the next few weeks.