Moving On Over To WordPress!

So as the title says, I'm moving this whole show on over to wordpress. As much as I love blogger and I do, after playing with wordpress for the last 24 hours I think I prefer the simplicity of it and the speed with which I can make posts (not to mention import in a minute, every post I've made here in the last year which is cool) and have all of my image hosting and publishing all on one site and in one seamless environment. All my posting will stay here for the time being but there won't be any new postings here so follow the link http://blacksmithpro.wordpress.com/ to the new site where the posts will continue from now on.

Thomas Neil's & Neil's Yard

Walk About part 2

Walk About Part 1

Some random shots from my walk about with my Dad in two parts.

Funky Hats & The Masons

My Dad noticed this unusual hat shop while I was busy taking the photo below it of the apex of the block which houses the head quaters of The Masons so grabbed a quick shot of their display before we moved on.

Wild Life

From my brief walk through the Natural History Museum with a friend. Need to go back there with my brother to get the butterfly exhibit too.

The Fountain

Went down to the John Soane's museum with my Dad after checking online when they were open and what criteria there was for visiting. Upon arrival we were asked to put our camera bags in clear plastic bags to which we both said "sod that" as it meant no photography inside, no flash photography I can understand but none at all is not for me so we went for a walk instead (see the mannequins and writing on the wall). This old drinking fountain is across the road from the museum at the entrance to the square. Lovely textures.

Apes Part 2

Apes Part 1

These are for a friend of mine who absolutely loves anything to do with Monkeys!

Legends Part 2

Legends Part 1

Darwin And The Pocket Monkey

What You Never Thought You'd See Mannequins Doing

I have to say, this is one of the more bizarre window displays I've ever seen and among the strangest ways to advertise clothing.

The Writing On The Wall

I will add the exact text that is written on this alley wall soon, I need to stitch it together from numerous other shots and write it down.

Mustang HDRs

Came back from seeing my Mum to find a Ford Mustang parked outside my front door. Not my favourite 60's design but it still has the basic lines of what is the only car design I really like.

Out & About

Nothing special here however I do like the trees and yes, the car really was that dirty.

After Midnight In Edmington HDRs

Spent the evening with a friend and when I went outside to smoke a cigarette on their balcony I saw the clouds moving at a nice pace and thought I'd do a couple of long exposure HDRs. The top one is 7 exposures ranging from 1 second to over ten with the correct white balance and the second is 5 exposures in the same range but without the correct white balance which gives a wonderful sunset orange glow to the overall image.

18-70mm Lens Test HDR

First thing I've shot with my new 18-70mm Nikon DX lens which I've been trying to get ahold of for the last 6 months. This is one of only two zoom lenses I want since I prefer to work with primes with wider apertures than you can get on zoom lenses. Just a quick lean out the window for this to test wide open at 18mm but still nice. The other zoom lens is the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 which will set you back a pretty penny but once I can afford it, it shall be mine!

Piccadilly Circus HDRs

Grabbed these two on the way back from the Royal Academy.

Royal Academy Of Arts HDRs last one!

I tried to save the best for last. This is the first time I've ever tried to do a panorama style shot by stitching two shots together and while it isn't perfect due to my not having a tripod at the time (nothing I take thus far has used one, still saving up to get a nice Gitzo) and the distortion this caused, I was still very surprised by how well it did end up and how the blending of the exposure came out too.

Royal Academy Of Arts HDRs part 4

There's one more left after this. I couldn't get wide enough to take a picture of the whole gate they have at the entrance so grabbed these two close ups of the amazingly detailed work within them.