51 replies to this topic

[Merco_61]

How about a little challenge for October?

Go out with your camera and whatever lens you like. Bring home photos of the city, neighbourhood or whatever where you live and share with us.

These photos can be any style you want. 
I don’t want this challenge to become a ”must do”, just try to do things with the typically flat light we have in October in the northern hemisphere. Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised by the results. It might look boring and uninteresting to the naked eye, but both sensors and film like flat light better than the hard, harsh light midday in the summer… You might need to massage the files a bit more, but there is much more information to play with there.

[g4aaw pete]

Oddly enough, I was thinking something along these lines last week!

I shall contribute & promise not to put in too many seaside pictures.

[krag96]

I'm in.

[Merco_61]

We are getting close to this challenge. October starts tomorrow!

[krag96]

A view of the general area from the top of a mountain to the south. 

 

D750  Nikkor 50mm pre-D  1/60  f22  M 220

 

 

Taken from the cemetery above the village where I live from the north.  D750  Nikkor 20-35mm AF D-ED

 

1/320  f22 M 720  35mm

 

 

Same angle but at 20mm  1/320 f22 M500

 

[g4aaw pete]

Here in downtown Birchington & Westgate, we have a myriad of entertainment possibilities. 

Or to be more precise, we have a cinema - The Carlton.

Originally built in 1910 for use as the town hall, it has three screens.

Seating capacity 265, 54 & 32.

Today they have for viewing:

 

The DC league of super pets

Don't worry darling.

Mrs Harris goes to Paris

The little mermaid.

Ticket to paradise.

 

The last film we saw at the cinema (not this one) was 'The Sixth sense' in 2000.

 

 

D800E

24mm

1/80

f3.5

ISO 8000

 

 

[Merco_61]

I took a walk up to the castle this morning. Here are some views from, and of, the castle.

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Z 70-200/2.8S
Lens (mm): 200
ISO: 100
Aperture: 6.3
Shutter: 1/800

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Z 70-200/2.8S
Lens (mm): 150
ISO: 100
Aperture: 6.3
Shutter: 1/250
Exp. Comp.: +0.7

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Z 70-200/2.8S
Lens (mm): 93
ISO: 100
Aperture: 5
Shutter: 1/800
Exp. Comp.: -0.7

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: AF-S 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 20
ISO: 100
Aperture: 10
Shutter: 1/80
Exp. Comp.: -0.3

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: AF-S 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 24
ISO: 100
Aperture: 10
Shutter: 1/80
Exp. Comp.: -0.3

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Serial #: 6024760
Firmware: Adobe Photoshop 23.5 (Macintosh)
Frame #: 4672
Lens (mm): 14
ISO: 100
Aperture: 10
Shutter: 1/60
Exp. Comp.: +0.3

 

Lens: Z 24-70/4S
Lens (mm): 49
ISO: 100
Aperture: 10
Shutter: 1/200
Exp. Comp.: -1.3

 

 

 

[krag96]

I should have posted that I live in the central Pennsylvania region North of Harrisburg (Penn. Capitol) and South of Seilingsgrove/Sunberry area, about in the middle of no-where.  Most just refer to the particular valley they live in as home, Powels Valley, Armstrong Valley, Lyken's Valley, etc.  The small gathering of houses and farms in the above photos where I live is called, Enders after it's first settler in 1775. Across the road from the cemetery, where I took the photos is a school building which isn't in use as such anymore, they're trying to rent it out as a ''culture'' center and small shops.  So far there's a dance school in there. Good luck to em.  Most small towns with stores and eateries are seven miles plus from us, so we plan accordingly.  Things are generally quiet to the point of boredom here, we take care of our own, no need for police. I'll cover some of the small towns throughout the month.

 

To the West, the Susquhanna River and beyond that, more ''no-where'' farming areas.  To the East, coal mines, (what's left of them anyway) and small towns where the miners lived. 

 

Peter, one thing I've wondered about Uppsala.  The river, it seems to never change it's depth.  It never floods?  Here the Susquhanna river changes with the seasons from something you could almost walk across some summers, to ''Head for higher ground!'' when the ice jams up in late winter/early spring.  Is your river regulated by a dam?

[Merco_61]

First of all, the river is in the nomansland between a stream and a river, so it doesn't have the water volume or the power of a true river like the Susquehanna. It also widens and forms a couple of natural lakes upstream. When the water is high, lots of the excess water is pumped up and infiltrated into the esker that serves as the city's source for drinking water. There is also a small hydroelectric plant that uses the dam that was part of a flour mill up to 1963 about 7 km upstream.

 

Your question about the river inspired me to shoot some photos around another old flour mill that most of you will have seen before...

 

View over the mill pond.

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Z 24-70/4S
Lens (mm): 50
ISO: 100
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/100
Exp. Comp.: +0.3

 

View over the fall.

Same camera and lens.

Lens (mm): 32.5
ISO: 100
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/160
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

 

The inspection hatches for the eastern mill run.

Same camera and lens.

Lens (mm): 41
ISO: 100
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/60
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

 

The water levels do vary some... the lowest level is about a meter lower than the current level and the highest about 10 cm below the hatches.

 

The caisson stops the stream from creating a backdraft in the mill run.

Same camera and lens.

Lens (mm): 24
ISO: 100
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/80
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

 

View from downstream:

Same camera and lens.

Lens (mm): 24
ISO: 100
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/160
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

 

To round off for today, a smiling and singing waste bin. The vinyl wrap is a portrait of Owe Thörnquist and if there has been enough sun to charge the battery, it plays one of his songs when you press the pedal on the front to use the bin.

Same camera and lens.

Lens (mm): 57
ISO: 178
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/60
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

[krag96]

Our valley, Armstrong Valley is about 2.5 miles wide by 9 miles long and at one time contained at least three small mills, (very small mills).  They're all gone now, two of which are nothing more than a pile of rocks, the third, all that remains is the ponds.  All were fed by Armstrong Creek which empties into the Susquhanna River at a canal lock, (the canal ran beside the river).  Not much left of the lock, and it's difficult to photograph from any angle but from the river, and due to heavy rains from the recent hurricane it's impossible right now.  Many of the larger mills around the state remain preserved, but none here. 

 

The Susquhanna is a big river even by American standards, being almost a mile wide near Harrisburg.  There are several dams along it's length, the oldest being the, ''Dock street dam'' at Harrisburg built in 1933 mostly for the reason of boating and coal dredging.  Dad would tell us that prior to the dam the river was reduced to a series of streams most summers and could easily be forded on foot, with a horse drawn wagon, and even automobiles at some places. 

 

Here's a photo of the river just south of the ''Rockville Bridge'' the longest stone arch bridge in the world, built by the Pennsylvania Rail Road in 1902.  I took this photo in March of this year and while it's high, it's still safely below flood level.

 

[g4aaw pete]

Westgate & Birchington golf club.

 

This 18 hole course has been in existence since 1893.

Parts of the course are intersected by a road & a railway line, holes 15 – 17 are the other side of my garden fence. We have gathered a small collection of ‘lost’ balls, retrieved from lawn & flower beds.

 

 

 

 

All taken this afternoon:

D800E

AFs 28-300mm f3.5-5.6

 

[Merco_61]

Uppsala's market hall, Saluhallen in afternoon light.

An older generation called it the meat basilica.

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2

Lens: Nikkor AF-S 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 14
ISO: 100
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter: 1/200
Exp. Comp.: -0.7

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 18
ISO: 100
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter: 1/125
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 24
ISO: 200
Aperture: 16
Shutter: 1/25
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

[Merco_61]

Today's theme is university buildings.

I'ii start with the oldest university building still standing. Building started in 1622. It became the main building of the university in 1778 when the previous university building, built in 1595 was pulled down.

It housed the university library as well until the middle of the 19th century and was replaced with the current building in 1887. It is now used as a university museum.

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 14
ISO: 100
Aperture: 16
Shutter: 1/13
Exp. Comp.: +0.7

 

This takes us to the current building...

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Nikkor AF-S 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 14
ISO: 200
Aperture: 16
Shutter: 1/13
Exp. Comp.: +0.7

 

... and the university library, Carolina Rediviva. It has been the main library since it opened in 1841. It is no longer the only library as the faculties are spread out all over the city and each has their own specialised library.

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Nikkor 14-24/2.8
Lens (mm): 18
ISO: 300
Aperture: 16
Shutter: 1/20
Exp. Comp.: +0.7

 

[g4aaw pete]

A few from Birchington today:

D800E

Sigma 17-35mm

 

Birchington Railway station – access to London via rail.

 

Birchington Station by Pete Miller, on Flickr

 

The Square, Birchington.

This includes a small memorial to the right, and our go-to Indian takeaway to the left.

 

The Square, Birchington by Pete Miller, on Flickr

 

King Ethelbert School

This is just across the road from us. I’ve spent many hours servicing office printers there during my working life. Little did I know I’d be living opposite the school one day.

 

King Ethelbert School by Pete Miller, on Flickr

[Merco_61]

Today's catch are shot on the way to work and home.

 

The first in the morning. 6.21 sun time... The framework for the new cinema is rising.

Model: NIKON Z 50
Lens: Z 16-50 kit lens
Lens (mm): 16
ISO: 2850
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/25
Exp. Comp.: +0.3

 

Autumn colours in the library courtyard. Afternoon, 2.54 PM sun time.

Model: NIKON Z 50
Lens: Z 16-50 kit lens
Lens (mm): 22.5
ISO: 119
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/40
Exp. Comp.: -0.7

 

The alley outside the library. Art by Kolbeinn Karlsson

Model: NIKON Z 50
Lens: Z 16-50 kit lens
Lens (mm): 16
ISO: 133
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/25
Exp. Comp.: -0.7

 

The old YMCA building shot from across the river.

Model: NIKON Z 50
Lens: Z 16-50 kit lens
Lens (mm): 26
ISO: 100
Aperture: 7.1
Shutter: 1/60
Exp. Comp.: -0.7

[g4aaw pete]

The Spitfire & Hurricane Museum, Manston.

 

One of the local museums to us, 6 Km away. This free to enter showcase is located to the North of the old Manston Airport (now defunct).

 

A brief tour of the Hurricane exhibit and some WWII artefacts.

 

D3300 & Af-p DX 10-20 f4.5-5.6 VR + available light, as I dislike using flash in public buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lightcapture]

Neighborhood townhomes in the morning (35mm)

 

Evening townhomes across the street (180mm)

[Merco_61]

The city library has Space as their theme for exhibitions and lectures this month.

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Nikkor Z 24-70/4S
Lens (mm): 37
ISO: 100
Aperture: 8
Shutter: 1.6
Exp. Comp.: +0.3

 

Model: NIKON Z 6_2
Lens: Nikkor Z 24-70/4S
Lens (mm): 41
ISO: 100
Aperture: 8
Shutter: 1.6
Exp. Comp.: 0.0

The Spitfire & Hurricane Museum, Manston.

 

One of the local museums to us, 6 Km away. This free to enter showcase is located to the North of the old Manston Airport (now defunct).

 

A brief tour of the Hurricane exhibit and some WWII artefacts.

 

D3300 & Af-p DX 10-20 f4.5-5.6 VR + available light, as I dislike using flash in public buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What motorcycle is it? Is it one of the many service variants of the BSA 500cc? I think the base was the civilian M20, but there were lots of variants for different military usages.

[g4aaw pete]

 

What motorcycle is it? Is it one of the many service variants of the BSA 500cc? I think the base was the civilian M20, but there were lots of variants for different military usages.

 

The registration mark - JSU 109 indicates a 1939 500cc BSA ( model not shown on the Department of Vehicle Licensing Authority website).

 

 

 

The 1508 from Westgate-on-sea to London, Victoria.

 

 

D800E

AF-s 24-85 @24mm

1/1000

f8

ISO 500

 

Our go-to fish & chip shop, Westgate.

 

 

 

Fish & chips in Westgate by Pete Miller, on Flickr

 

D800E

AF-s 24-85 @42mm

1/1250

f8

ISO 640

[g4aaw pete]

Bungalow gobbling.

 

This is an example of a bungalow having been rebuilt as a house. It is at the top end of our road, which is slightly crescent shaped.

Generally, because of the price of UK land, a bungalow has to be priced low to make it worthwhile for conversion. I’ll not comment on the appearance of this one.

 

 

 

We live in one of these. A few years ago, I was talking to one of my customers and he asked what I was going to do when I retired. ‘Buy a bungalow at by the seaside’, I replied. He responded, ‘pipe-dream. You won’t find one – they’ve all been turned into houses’. Fortunately he was wrong.

 

 

All D800E & Sigma 17-35mm