TdM Photography

Black Velvet on Flickr. McGanns Bar, Doolin - County Clare,...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:10:19 -0500

McGanns Bar, Doolin - County Clare, Ireland

Dark, moody and Irish & that was just the clientele (only joking)!

How The Other Half Live on Flickr.Souvenir shoppers pass by an...

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:32:45 -0500

Souvenir shoppers pass by an Eastern European woman begging on the steps of the Rialto Bridge. I literally only took one shot of this, partly out of respect and also as I have mentioned on a few occasions when I do turn my hand to street photography I don’t like to distract from the scene by overtly shooting. Unlike someone who passed by moments later taking as many shots from as many possible angles which made me feel a little uneasy…

Ploughing Through The Sky & The Water on Flickr.2 x 25s...

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:21:00 -0500

Ploughing Through The Sky & The Water on Flickr.

2 x 25s shots (composited) / F8 / ISO100 / 24mm

After several failed mini night photography missions to the famous Venetian bridge, this is the best I came up with, wish I had known the stars were so prominent may have dared to insist to Mrs TdM that we hang around a little longer, but it was rather brisk at night in Venice and I was losing my patience with this location!

If I go back I would definitely have another pop if conditions were suitable but that will have to be a pipe dream for now. Light trails are caused by a Vapporetto (Waterbus) and several smaller “Speedboat” type water taxis zooming through the shot. A bit about the bridge below…

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The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. It was called the Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of the mint that stood near its eastern entrance.

The development and importance of the Rialto market on the eastern bank increased traffic on the floating bridge, so it was replaced in 1255 by a wooden bridge. This structure had two inclined ramps meeting at a movable central section, that could be raised to allow the passage of tall ships. The connection with the market eventually led to a change of name for the bridge. During the first half of the 15th century two rows of shops were built along the sides of the bridge. The rents brought an income to the State Treasury, which helped maintain the bridge.

Maintenance was vital for the timber bridge. It was partly burnt in the revolt led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310. In 1444 it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade and it collapsed again in 1524.

The idea of rebuilding the bridge in stone was first proposed in 1503. Several projects were considered over the following decades. In 1551 the authorities requested proposals for the renewal of the Rialto Bridge, among other things. Plans were offered by famous architects such as Jacopo Sansovino, Palladio and Vignola, but all involved a Classical approach with several arches, which was judged inappropriate to the situation. Michelangelo also was considered as designer of the bridge.

The present stone bridge, a single span designed by Antonio da Ponte, was finally completed in 1591. It is similar to the wooden bridge it succeeded. Two inclined ramps lead up to a central portico. On either side of the portico the covered ramps carry rows of shops. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that architect Vincenzo Scamozzi predicted future ruin. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice. (Wikipedia)

Rialto Sunset on Flickr.180 Images, whipped up into a short but...

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:47:19 -0500

Rialto Sunset on Flickr.

180 Images, whipped up into a short but sweet little time lapse, its made with a selection of 4 & 6 second shots. I wish I had made time to do a bit more of this kind of thing while we were there as Venice is full of hustle and bustle in the well worn tourist routes; yet a left, a right, over a bridge and down a short alley way and you’re in a quiet piazza that seems untouched by human existence, save for a few pigeons and maybe a local cafe owner loitering about outside smoking…and too be honest it was too much fun exploring to stand around all day ;-)

Composite of the sunset from serval images shot prior to setting the time lapse going…

Rialto Sunset

Masque on Flickr.Venetian Masks for Carnivalle, usually held in...

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:22:49 -0500

Masque on Flickr.

Venetian Masks for Carnivalle, usually held in February.

Been a bit lazy updating promise some more soon…

Venice, a set on Flickr.

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:32:21 -0500

Venice, a set on Flickr.

Spanish Point, County Clare - Ireland, a set on Flickr.Recent...

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:20:08 -0500

Spanish Point, County Clare - Ireland, a set on Flickr.

Recent trip to the West Coast of the Emerald Isle.

British Museum on Flickr.Balcony at the British Museum 6 Stitch...

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:11:32 -0500

British Museum on Flickr.

Balcony at the British Museum

6 Stitch Vertical Panorama; I literally ran up the stairs when I saw this balcony above the main hallway! Just having a play with some old shots from earlier in the year. Had a bit of a lapse in creativity heavier workload, crap weather and various other bits and pieces getting in the way of photography!

Anyway I am off to the West Coast of Ireland next week so hopefully that will change, will be nice to get out in the field again!

Jong ill Beats on Flickr.Northern Querter -...

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 07:20:24 -0400

Jong ill Beats on Flickr.

Northern Querter - Manchester

“Come a wriril closer to ma boombox”

Tile & Brick Victoria Baths - Manchester From a recent...

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:05:00 -0400

Tile & Brick

Victoria Baths - Manchester

From a recent visit to the former bath house on National Heritage Day, it was nice to revisit the Manchester landmark and for free too! My last visit was four years ago on a specially arranged photographers only guided tour, whilst that was great to have the run of the place; asides from the bathrooms themselves, some external buildings there wasn’t so much to see.

However this time around the building has since received it’s National Lottery grant of £3 Million, unfortunately this has had to be mainly spent on the exterior of the building which it has to be said is more than evident. It has been returned to its former grandeur, as T. de Courcy Meade and his assistant Arthur Davies intended when it first opened in 1906.

Whilst this was an open day and there a quite a few visitors, which was encouraging to see (generating more funding for further restoration) the major difference to my previous visit was far more access to the front elevations of the building, including being able see all of the beautiful stained glass windows on the ground floor.

Is Every Body Sitting Comfortably?

3’s Company

more to follow…

Bog Snorkelling World Championship, a set on Flickr. Bog...

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:02:58 -0400

Bog Snorkelling World Championship, a set on Flickr.

Bog snorkelling is a sporting event that consists of competitors completing two consecutive lengths of a 60-yard (55 m) water filled trench cut through a peat bog, in the shortest time possible. Competitors must wear snorkels and flippers, and complete the course without using conventional swimming strokes, relying on flipper power alone. Wet suits are not compulsory, but are usually worn. Source: Wikipedia

To say it was a bonkers day out would be anything short of the truth, the closest comparisons to other (more well known) events of this ilk would probably be the Red Bull Flugtag or the Gloucester Cheese Rolling Competition. Either way it was a good excuse to stand around in the rain (typically Welsh weather sadly) drinking lots of the local ale “Boggled” :-)

Previous World Record held by Dan Morgan was smashed by Yorkshire man Andrew Holmes, in the mens competition, who took less than 90secs to swim / snorkel two lengths of the muddy trench!

Recently shot my Polish work mates Graduation - which was two...

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:26:00 -0400

Recently shot my Polish work mates Graduation - which was two hours of sitting still to get some photos of the event; Jacek had to be the very last person in the whole hall! Then a humorous run round town cape and all, rounded off with a few celebratory beers in the pub…

Another box ticked, just a Barmitzvah and a Christening and I’ve got the set!

Stormy Skies Over Hooky

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:02:00 -0400

Stormy Skies Over Hooky

The Farm, a set on Flickr.As mentioned before, made a trip back...

Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:01:34 -0400

The Farm, a set on Flickr.

As mentioned before, made a trip back to “The Farm” coupled with a trip to a beer festival. The sky on the Friday night was not so good sadly and whilst it was much improved the following night I was erm otherwise *cough* unable to shoot on the Saturday night due to over indulgence! Oh well c’est la vie - I had fun anyway! Enjoy…

The Farm More here: http://j.mp/mY6ds9 After two years I’m...

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 18:12:10 -0400

The Farm

More here: http://j.mp/mY6ds9

After two years I’m heading back to spend a weekend at “The Farm” - so called because whilst it may not be an FBI / CIA training facility in Virginia, it certainly holds a lot if secrets. Last time proved fruitful photography wise and this year we’re combining the trip with a local Real Ale Festival!

The location itself, of which I can’t divulge the exact location of as its private property, is set amongst a working farm, a sort of living junk yard - last time we found old tractors, Mercs, VW’s and other oddities as well as your usual farm gubbins which can look quite other worldly at night!

The real highlight’s though are a number of old school American Airstream Caravans, which sadly may have disappeared (fingers crossed some still remain) However the coup de gras is one big shed, formerly used for housing chickens is now full of vintage (and I mean OLD) cars!

For a night photographer as a location it’s heaven because it means we can night shoot outside and during the daytime it’s back into the dark in “Number One” shed for some surreal daytime darkness; which can become a bit disorientating but he’ll its worth it..

See you on the other side…

AVP on Flickr. Another shot from the trip to York I made...

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:48:33 -0400

AVP on Flickr.

Another shot from the trip to York I made recently, this made me laugh so much when I saw this in the skate show window…

Banquet on Flickr. Amazed this turned out halfway decent as was...

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:36:23 -0400

Banquet on Flickr.

Amazed this turned out halfway decent as was taken some time after 6pm, on our wander around York - if I told you we started drinking at Midday, you’ll get what I mean! Also it was shot through glass, I have no idea where it was we just wandered across it in an alley way, like a random museum exhibition set up. Bizarre

Carlsberg Don’t Do Old Peoples Tearooms… But if they did! Some...

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 08:06:40 -0400

Carlsberg Don’t Do Old Peoples Tearooms…

But if they did! Some where for the god fearing elderly citizen of York to go and get a cuppa, there was even a bric a brac stall outside. Reet gradley like!

Pedal / Petrol Just off The Shambles in York, I liked the...

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 03:39:01 -0400

Pedal / Petrol

Just off The Shambles in York, I liked the repition in the scene and the light was pretty nice too, so why not! The blur at the nearside was created by shooting through wrought iron railings - no blurry faffage required ;-)

The Great Hall on Flickr.The Turbine Hall, Tate Modern -...

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:11:17 -0400

The Great Hall on Flickr.

The Turbine Hall, Tate Modern - London

I had tried to capture this several times during our visit but never really sat right the way it came out, just prior to leaving the sun came out from behind a cloud, so I legged it up the steps to my desired vantage point, slightly breathless I fire off a few exposures, this is stack of two, so I could get a few more people in the light.