Category Archives: Photography

Recent Photos

August 23, 2006 Abi

In case you’re wondering, dear reader, Edinburgh continues to be lovely. It isn’t always sunny, or warm, but it is still magical to me.

Leaves, a pattern shot

Taken 10 July 2006

Tree bark in the botanics

Taken 18 July 2006

Rose in Gorgie Farm

Taken 14 August 2006

Monocot lying in the arms of a dicot

Taken 22 August 2006

Scarlet poppies, glowing in the rain

Taken 23 August 2006

Poppy seed head. (This photo has been cropped)

Taken 23 August 2006

Thistle buds, insanely purple. (This photo has been cropped)

Taken 23 August 2006

These photos, like all of mine these days, are hosted on Flickr, and can be viewed in different sizes by clicking on them.

Family, Photography

Fridays with the Kids

June 21, 2006 Abi 1 Comment

Every Friday, the kids and I get to spend the day together. We have some very good times, and I’ve taken some fun shots. Now I have the time to post some!

16 June 2006

Waiting for the bus

They made a sand castle, sort of. (The little one with the sticks. The other one was someone else’s work)

All fall down.

2 June 2006

Portrait of Fiona and me, by Alex

Portrait of Alex, by Fiona

“We’re best friends”

Watch out, Fiona! There’s a cow!

Fiona meets a cow she likes in the Cow Parade

Alex and Fiona meet Robocow

Edinburgh, a love letter, Photography

Recent Edinburgh Shots

June 21, 2006 Abi 1 Comment

In between trips to London, I’ve been so busy studying that I’ve taken very few shots around Edinburgh. Of those, only a few are really worth your consideration, gentle reader.

The roses are past their best in George V Park, but I still love them.

Taken 15 June 2006

Splendidly bizzare monkey puzzle in the Botanics.

Taken 1 June 2006

Tender shoots of holly, Arboretum Avenue

Taken 1 June 2006

Flirting with London, Photography

Photos from London

June 21, 2006 Abi

I’ve been down in London a good deal over the last few weeks, studying for an exam. I brought my phone, of course, which means I brought my camera.

I rarely find the classic London landmarks inspirational for photography. They’re too…well…big.

But the pavement by Tower Bridge really got my interest.

Taken 17 May 2006

The leaves of an ornamental plant near the Tower also caught my eye.

Taken 13 June 2006

On one of my visits, I walked by the crew setting up for a concert on the Tower grounds. The ironmongery was interesting.

Taken 23 May 2006

I was also fascinated by the bright yellow locks on the gates to Trinity Square, a tiny park dedicated to naval war dead near the course hotel.

Taken 24 May 2006

Rainbow over the Thames

Taken 23 May 2006

Overall, though, London does not appeal to me photographically. I guess my heart is in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh, a love letter, Photography

Biking on the Beach

April 15, 2006 Abi

Friday, though cold, was a bright and sunny day – perfect for a family expedition. We took Alex’s bike to the John Muir pathway along the Firth of Forth, just outside of Musselburgh. It’s time for Alex to get more confidence in his bike and himself on it. He needs to ride faster if we’re going to take his stabilisers off.

It was a good ride – he started slow and hesitant, but I started challenging him to races. As the trip went on, I found myself striding less and running more to keep up with him. He was thrilled to be pushing me, but insisted after a time that we were “a team” and should cross every minor finishing line at the same time.

At the midpoint of the ride, we all stopped on the beach. The kids threw rocks into the water. I found a couple of old bikes on the stony shore, slowly rusting in the salt and being buried by the tides.

The first bike, frame and cables

Taken 14 April 2006

Cables round the stem of the bike

Taken 14 April 2006

Pedal mount on the second bike

Taken 14 April 2006

Rust replaces chrome on the second bike

Taken 14 April 2006

Handlebar mount on the second bike

Taken 14 April 2006

Sprockets in stone, bike 1

Taken 14 April 2006

Stone in sprockets, bike 2

Taken 14 April 2006

Wheel mount, bike 2

Taken 14 April 2006

Not just a bike, but the headphones for a walkman too!

Taken 14 April 2006

Handrail hardware by the firth

Taken 14 April 2006

Bookbinding, Photography

A Trip to the Tannery

April 7, 2006 Abi 4 Comments

Every time I go to J Hewit & Sons, my favourite bookbinding supplier, I feel the overwhelming desire to bring a camera, tripod, and a day’s free time. I don’t think I will ever tire of taking pictures there.

I could take the “industrial site” type pictures of all of the machinery they use to dye leathers, or the “variety of stuff” pictures of the rolls and rolls of finished hides, or the “run down melancholy” shots of the light from the dusty windows falling on the worn boards of the upper floor. I’d photograph the staff, who always treat me so well, if it wouldn’t embarrass them.

But I don’t, because I am there to buy. I did take a few shots of the pale leathers they had piled on the Low Value Shelf upstairs.

Edges of a stack of pale goatskin

Taken 7 April 2006

The same grained goatskin, with the marks of the stretching clips still visible.

Taken 7 April 2006

Pale calfskin, un-grained.

Taken 7 April 2006

Maybe I can find a market for a feature article on the company – its history, its processes, its business. I’d love to do it. I’d love to have the excuse!

Edinburgh, a love letter, Photography

An Unlikely Love Story

April 5, 2006 Abi

The green shoots and the black iron were not the most compatible of couples. Their parents disapproved, their friends didn’t understand. But they were happy in the springtime.

Taken 5 April 2006

(It was a trying day. I may be in a slightly odd mood as a result.)

Edinburgh, a love letter, Photography

The Camera is Back

April 4, 2006 Abi

My phonecam developed a spot about a week ago. Ugly, in the way, and depressing. It ruined a number of photos that I really wanted to take.

Taken 1 April 2006

Occasionally, I could get a shot in that it didn’t ruin, but that was rare.

Taken 29 March 2006

Fortunately, my phone insurance covers the functionality of the whole instrument, including the camera. I called Vodafone, and they sent a new phone to replace the old one. So now I have my camera back!

I tried it out on Fiona this morning.