Sometimes, only another pleasing blur will do. Last time it was in colour, this time, it’s one in black and white…
Peace and photography
rp
Another Pleasing Blur
Category: Black + White
Birdcage Black and White
I walked past The Birdcage and took this black and white photograph.
The Birdcage is now closed but was a Bar/small Club in Norwich. I went once, quite awhile ago now, when it was open and sat on the floor, in the back room. The beer was good.
I love the style of architecture, metal windows, rounded walls and I just really hope it doesn’t go to rack and ruin, and get pulled down. It deserves so much better.
Take a look at murpworkschrome for two more images of this enigmatic building. I will return and try and do it justice in the near future – more Birdcage in black and white…
Peace and photography
rp
Street Lit
Street Lit – I took a short walk the other evening, it was the night of the first of two storms. Nothing had really started in earnest, there was some wind but nothing in the ‘storm’ category. I did avoid a large tree, which I had seen a large branch down from it, a couple of months ago.
It wasn’t long before a little rain started. This was a good first test of my Fujifilm X100V and its ‘weather sealing’ (the full weather sealing requires and filter for the front of the lens, which I purchased, when I got the camera). All worked perfectly well.
I had an idea of a photograph I wanted to take before I set out. It turned out as I had envisioned it and it wasn’t long before a couple more opportunities had presented themselves.
I didn’t intend to spend a lot of time out and didn’t need to, as I was pleased with the results. The image below is a building I pass most morning when I walk up, into Ely to get a cup of coffee from Silver Oak Coffee. Pleasing during the day, it looked spectacular at night
If you like the above image, take a look at murpworkschrome – monochrome – really pleased with ‘Street Lit Window’.
Peace and photography
rp
Contact Card
I’m creating a contact card for murpworkschrome.
I don’t think of it as a business card, although I’ll be using Moo Cards and they’re very business focused. I’m keeping it simple . I’ve chosen two of my images; one for each side. Upon deciding, I immediately found another I’d have liked to use. So, it may be the first of many.
There’s a front and a back, a logo and a URL; that’s it!
It’s purpose will be threefold
- It will point people to murpworkschrome
- If someone stops me in the street, it could disarm any conflict, ease any tension. I’m very conscious of this when out photographing and you’ll probably notice a lack of people, more often than not anyway
- It will be something of mine ‘printed out’
The second point was drawn to my attention by Faizal Westcott and watching his YouTube post: Street Photography Tips [Part One]
As I mentioned earlier, it could be the first of many. I like the idea of a changing card; a limited edition run if you will.
Here are the images I chose for the first contact card
Front
Back
I’ll post when I get a copy back from the printers.
Peace and photography
rp
Jumping Back in to Photography
Jumping back in to photography? Well, how do you start after such a long break? I suppose you just jump right back in. I have been photographing but it’s been a strange time.
My talk about not using my phone in One Last 11 Shot proved premature. I used my iPhone 11 quite a lot, especially on our adventure on the rivers. It proved easy to use the phone and ‘click and shoot’ rather than real photography. I should have used the Ricoh GR III but I didn’t. Well, I did but not exclusively. I have, as of January this year stopped using it. I’m using my Fujifilm X100V.
The Ricoh GR III is an excellent camera, perfect for the street, taking everywhere and a whole lot more. If I had one negative about it, I would sat it was a little small, for my liking. I sold it after realising I hadn’t even switched the X100V on, since I got it. I take it everywhere now and with the start of a new year, I have some projects planned. The X100V is gorgeous both to use and look at. I got the silver one as I invariably get black. I thought a change was in order).
Ely, in East Cambridgeshire will provide the main backdrop to my photography moving forward as that is where mu and I are living. However, Norwich will provide an alternative location. It’s the reason we moved to Ely; to be near family – the nearest point on the river system to Norwich we can get our narrowboat Silverdale. See murpworks Afloat for further details.
I am happy with my first few images but I’m still playing around with the simulations and getting to grips with the buttons and dials. I’m happy after jumping back in to photography.
Short and sweet and just like like that, I’m back in.
Peace and photography
rp
One last 11 Shot
OK, so I said in A New Beginning “…my iPhone 11 but I look to leave this behind and use the GR II exclusively.” but I thought I’d post this one last shot. Well two, actually.
The reason for this is that it is one of those shots where I can’t decide whether it should be in colour or monochrome. So I’m posting both – Street Lines in the Wet
Colour Image
Black and White Image
The colour image carries important information as it shows the yellow of the line marking and immediately triggers a recognition. The black and white image gives a graphically strong message. The lines being white could work as white lines are used in this context. So, although not conveying the same information as the colour image, it works visually.
I can’t decide between the two. A dilemma for One last 11 Shot.
Peace and photography
rp
“Near Equal Moriyama Daido”
A video of an interview with Daido Moriyama – “Near Equal Moriyama Daido”
An inspiration to aspiring photographers everywhere.
Daido Moriyama Official website
Peace and photography
RP
Update – Reset – Begin Again
It’s been so and too long since I updated this blog. There’s no excuse. So, there is only one thing to do – Update, reset and begin again.
I nearly lost the murpworkschrome domain but managed to resurrect it, phoenix-like, from the ashes of letting it go. However, I’m back, with renewed vigour.
My Instagram account has grown fatter. I’m happy with a fair few of the photographs taken but I got lazy. Nearly all were taken with my iPhone. I want to do more than this so I’m buying a Ricoh GR III. I walk around and take photographs. If I don’t have to take a camera bag (I have two) then that is good. I don’t want people thinking I’m a photographer. The GR III gives me the ability to replace my smartphone with a smart camera. I want point and shoot intelligence and I think the GR III can give me this.
Latest
The latest photographs I took were the other day, driven by the lockdown / Covid-19 affected times
It’s one of the few things you can do!
Today however, it snowed! Now it’s brilliant sun. Once again, constrained by the viral climate, I’m confined to a small area of excursion
I update, reset and begin again…
Peace and photography
RP
murpworkschrome
murpworkschrome is my new website and all my photography will be posted there. It will be my repository for my best work. So, visit it for monochrome, chrome, available light, nature, landscape, urban…
I’ve split it into two distinct streams so you can chose between
- Black and white photography – monochrome
- Colour photography – chrome
Photography inspired by the world around me.
Peace and photography
rp
Avebury in April
I took these photographs in Avebury back in April 2018. A very different approach was taken to each photograph but it is the land that pulls them together as a cohesive whole. I have visited here, many times with mu and we always find it a special place to spend time. The history is palpable. This Avebury in April showed a stark landscape brought about by the clouds that hung ominously, but didn’t rain.
Discarded branches at the approach to the path, across from the stone circle. The path runs along side the stream, in front of Silbury Hill.
A rolling hill, to the left as you walk toward Silbury Hill and on further, to West Kennet Long Barrow.
The stream that runs at the foot of Silbury Hill was in full flow with clear cold water.
Silbury Hill. A man-made hill in the prehistoric landscape.
Peace and photography
rp