The Pequod

Which Car Shall We Take?

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:56 +0100

For this shot from a classic car rally, I wanted to get a sort of "antique" look. I used a variant on Frank Lazaro's Lomo effect Photoshop tutorial, but toned down the colour - to give a sort of bleached look typical of old cameras - and added a bit of false noise. Other than for HDRs, I don't often do intensive post-processing, but I'm quite pleased with how this effect turned an OK but unspectacular image into something a bit more moody, creating an appropriately historical atmosphere for the scene.

Float the Boat

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:25 +0100

Fall to the Loch

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:32 +0100

This stream, tucked away on the Isle of Mull, is spectacular. Out of shot, it tumbles into the loch as a waterfall; here, though, it simply seems to merge with the sea-level, although this must be about 100 feet above.

The Old Stone Pier

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:55 +0100

With its lush colours, this image could have been taken somewhere in the Mediterranean. However, it was actually taken looking out to sea from Calgary Bay, on the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. I would not have preferred to be anywhere else in the world, no matter how much warmer.

Loch Lomond

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:22 +0100

This photo was taken from just outside our window in the Rowardennan Youth Hostel, on the east bank of Loch Lomond.

Common Lizard

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 12:53 +0100

This female common lizard came to bask in the sun beside the Falkirk canal.

Out of Petrol

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:14 +0100

No chance of any fuel from this derelict petrol station, just north of Wooler on the A697. This is an HDR compiled from three exposures.

Puffin Patrol

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:58 +0100

Puffins are peculiar birds, in that they burrow rather than making nests. Here, striking a pose of a meerkat, the puffin keeps watch over its territory.

Bullet

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:55 +0100

In flight, puffins look highly inelegant, flapping their wings frantically in an effort to stay airborne, like some cartoon character leaping off a cliff, before plummeting to ground. However, frozen by the camera - albeit imperfectly and slightly blurred, with a slow lens - it seems they are more efficient than we give them credit for. Here the puffins bullet shape sends him streaking across the backdrop of the sea and the edge of the land.

Razor Bill

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:41 +0100

This razor bill lives up to its name, warning off the trespassing photographer with its hooked beak, and shocking yellow mouth.