Ben's Photos

09-03-11: The Microphone Listens, The Scope Acts...

2011-03-09T20:10:00.009Z

Click image to view a bigger version

08-03-11: I know how you feel

2011-03-08T20:10:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

07-03-11: Molly 2

2011-03-07T20:10:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

06-03-11: Circuit Under Test

2011-03-06T20:10:00.001Z

Part of an Oscilloscope I'm trying to fix.
Click image to view a bigger version

05-03-11: Feed Me Biscuits

2011-03-05T20:10:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

04-03-11:First Daffodil

2011-03-04T20:06:00.000Z

OK, well not strictly the first, but the first I've shot this year.
Click image to view a bigger version

03-03-11: Leaves

2011-03-03T20:00:00.002Z

Some of the leaves that dropped off my bonsai tree. It's gone slightly mad since I got it, with many of the leaves falling off and suddenly being replaced with new growth.
When it started throwing it's leaves on the floor, I thought it hadn't liked moving from the garden centre to my room, and was going to die.
Thankfully, it seems to have recovered and is going strong now though...
Click image to view a bigger version

02-03-11: Results of Darkroom alchemy...

2011-03-02T19:53:00.001Z

This film had been in the camera so long that it had got a kinked section in it!
One of the results from yesterday's darkroom session. Fuji Neopan 400, developed in Ilfosol 3 and printed on Ilford Multigrade paper.
Click image to view a bigger version

01-03-11: Back in the Darkroom again!

2011-03-01T19:43:00.001Z

I think unique on here to date, a self portrait of sorts. My sister's doing a black and white photo project for school, and I've been showing her the ropes in the darkroom.
As she needs photos of the process for documenting the project, I took the opportunity to shoot this one too.
I'm sure it's about 2 years since I did any serious darkroom work, and I really enjoyed refreshing my acquaintance with it.
The enlarger is a Durst Modular 70, capable of handling up to 6x7 medium format negs. It's fitted with a colour head, which is handy for printing on variable contrast paper, as well as giving me the capability of printing colour, should I ever get my act together and order some colour chemistry.
Click image to view a bigger version

28-02-11: Textured Glass

2011-02-28T19:41:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

27-02-11: Zero Hour

2011-02-27T21:59:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

26-02-11: Molly

2011-02-26T21:58:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

25-02-11: Jobcentre Plus

2011-02-25T21:58:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

24-02-11: Job Market

2011-02-24T21:57:00.003Z

Click image to view a bigger version

23-02-11: Snowdrops

2011-02-23T01:16:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

22-02-11: Moss

2011-02-22T01:14:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

21-02-11: Rusted Bar

2011-02-21T01:13:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

20-02-11:Furry Tree

2011-02-20T14:40:00.003Z

Click image to view a bigger version

19-02-11: 10 KM

2011-02-19T14:36:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

18-02-11:Gate and Misty Field

2011-02-18T14:33:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

17-02-11: Vice Versa

2011-02-17T14:31:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

16-02-11: This Way For Muddy Feet

2011-02-16T14:18:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

15-02-11: Bonsai

2011-02-15T00:05:00.002Z

I bought this today. I've liked bonsai trees for years, but never got round to buying one. I have a miniature orange, but it isn't really a bonsai as such.
As I've been feeling rather on edge lately (waiting to hear if I've got a job that I really want. Ben = quivering bundle of nerves!), I thought I'd get this to cheer myself up a bit!

Lit with a snooted flash high camera right and filled slightly by a second flash camera left, on low power.
Click image to view a bigger version

14-02-11: Inverted tree shadow

2011-02-14T00:04:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

13-02-11: I'll race ya!

2011-02-13T00:02:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

12-02-11: Star

2011-02-12T23:35:00.004Z

Click image to view a bigger version

11-02-11: Flying Constellation

2011-02-11T23:35:00.001Z

The pattern made by the birds looks rather like The Plough to me!
Two too many birds, but close enough!
Click image to view a bigger version

10-02-11: Converge

2011-02-10T23:35:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

09-02-11: We Are Not Amused

2011-02-09T23:56:00.000Z

Well, not any more, anyway.
Click image to view a bigger version

08-02-11: A Pleasant Morning...

2011-02-08T23:52:00.001Z

...which I promptly hid from by sitting in an edit bay all day!
Click image to view a bigger version

07-02-11: Overshadowed

2011-02-07T23:48:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

06-02-11: Marmite Crumpets!

2011-02-06T22:54:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

05-02-11: Bulb

2011-02-05T19:53:00.002Z

I've taken to using these lamps, they are a halogen capsule inside a standard bulb. They have a fairly significant energy saving over standard incandescents (around 25% less), but still put out light of a proper brightness and colour, unlike CFLs.

Click image to view a bigger version

04-02-11: Foundation of the modern world

2011-02-04T19:41:00.001Z

Silicon.
Click image to view a bigger version

03-02-11: Windy

2011-02-03T19:38:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

02-02-11: Oranges

2011-02-02T19:36:00.002Z

My miniature orange tree is very confused. It seems to think it's somewhere between late summer and autumn!
Click image to view a bigger version

01-02-11: Leaf/Mat

2011-02-01T19:33:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

31-01-11: What Happened Next: Resistance Is Futile

2011-01-31T23:59:00.002Z

Well, it is if you're a 10 Ohm 0.25W resistor and you're being cooked with a lab supply!
Click image to view a bigger version

30-01-11: Letting The Magic Smoke Out

2011-01-30T22:20:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

29-01-11: Breakout

2011-01-29T22:15:00.001Z

It's extremely maddening that I've got a perfectly good Avid Mojo SDI sat on my desk, and no money to buy a copy of Media Composer to use it with...
Click image to view a bigger version

28-01-11: Road to Somewhere

2011-01-28T17:49:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

27-01-11: Chinese Whispers

2011-01-27T17:46:00.000Z

Pass the flaming message on!
Click image to view a bigger version

26-01-11: Impaled Drop

2011-01-26T22:05:00.004Z

...Which brings me back up to date after several days of great inefficiency on the posting front!
Click image to view a bigger version

25-01-11: Ignition

2011-01-25T20:32:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

24-01-11: Droplet 2

2011-01-24T20:29:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

23-01-11: Droplet 1

2011-01-23T20:25:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

22-01-11: Screw (the) forest

2011-01-22T09:45:00.002Z

No, I'm not anti-tree, it just seemed an appropriate title!
Click image to view a bigger version

21-01-11: Slowly sucked into the vortex

2011-01-21T23:20:00.003Z

I hope my computer lasts out until I have a bit more money... It's giving rather ominous signs of an impending major hardware meltdown...
Click image to view a bigger version

20-01-11: Inspiration for a carpet?

2011-01-20T23:17:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

19-01-11: X Marks The Spot

2011-01-19T23:52:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

18-01-11: Sunrise Junction

2011-01-18T22:39:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

17-01-11: Dimly Observed

2011-01-17T22:38:00.000Z

Shot through a fine net curtain.

Click image to view a bigger version

Oops...

2011-01-17T00:23:00.005Z

Apologies if you're reading via RSS, I didn't mean to flood your system with blank posts!
The button on my mouse seems to have gone wonky; I think the contacts are bouncing rather badly, so it sometimes sends multiple clicks when I try to single click something.
I feel a fit of soldering iron rage coming on, assuming I can find a replacement switch.

If you've no idea what I'm rambling on about, you clearly weren't affected by my hyperactive mouse issue ;)

16-01-11: Droplets

2011-01-16T23:18:00.001Z

Part of a timelapse sequence, the only thing I shot today.

Click image to view a bigger version

15-01-11: Mega Macro 3 - Broken tooth

2011-01-15T23:13:00.001Z

Junior Hacksaw blade.
Click image to view a bigger version

14-01-11: Evergreen, Intermittent Blue

2011-01-14T23:48:00.003Z

Click image to view a bigger version

13-01-11: Going Home

2011-01-13T23:46:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

12-01-11: Mega Macro 2

2011-01-12T23:01:00.004Z

Tip of a Sharpie fineliner pen. Metal tube is 1.2mm diameter, red tip is 0.8mm diameter.

Click image to view a bigger version

11-01-11: Mega Macro 1

2011-01-11T17:55:00.003Z

This picture is uncropped, and the LED shown is 5mm (about 3/16") across!

I've finally got my act together and assembled what I'm calling my "mega macro rig"

It's made from a set of Kopil bellows that were designed to fit some kind of screw mount camera, a Canon EOS T mount, a Canon FD 10mm extension ring, and an FD 50mm f/3.5 macro lens.
The bellows and lens were given to me with the closure of some old darkrooms where I used to work, and I already had the T mount. The FD extension ring was the only bit I bought (I got a set of 3 off ebay to scavenge the bayonet from at least one)

The T mount doesn't properly fit the bellows, but the threads engage for a couple of turns and the whole thing seems pretty secure. I glued the FD mount to the front standard of the bellows so I can use any FD lens I want.
If I've done the maths right (by no means guaranteed ;)), I can achieve a maximum magnification of 3.6:1 with the 50mm lens.
Click image to view a bigger version

10-01-11: Reflected Trees

2011-01-10T21:22:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

09-01-11: Loughborough Carillon

2011-01-09T21:12:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

08-01-11: Rooted

2011-01-08T23:14:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

07-01-11: Waiting

2011-01-07T23:22:00.002Z

No idea what I'm waiting for, but I'm waiting all the same ;)
Click image to view a bigger version

06-01-11: To Trains

2011-01-06T23:12:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

05-01-11: Cold, wet, and generally unpleasant

2011-01-05T23:57:00.004Z

Station Street Tram Terminus. Very cold, and spitting rain.

I had to go in to the job centre in town today, to "sign on" - for non UK readers, this is what you have to do every two weeks when you're unfortunate enough to be claiming unemployment benefit - something which I sincerely hope I'll not need to do for much longer...

[rant (select if you really want to read it)]
I really despise going to sign on; you get treated like an errant child, and there's always a fair collection of right charmers also signing on - a few weeks ago it was a bloke playing "music" from his phone's loudspeaker (ignoring the "No mobile phones" signs, naturally)
I seem to recall hearing something about "F*****g all mah b*tches, yeah" I'm no prude, but that's beyond crass. Not to mention I don't particularly like rap at the best of times...

Today is was a couple with a crying baby; the mum, in the direction of the pushchair: "We wouldn't be here if yer dad hadn't knocked me up". Classy. Very Classy.
[/rant]

Ah well, onward and upward ;)

Click image to view a bigger version

04-01-11: Moo

2011-01-04T20:47:00.000Z

Belvoir castle in the background.
Click image to view a bigger version

03-01-11: Source of power

2011-01-03T22:12:00.002Z

Power lines leading to Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station

Click image to view a bigger version

02-01-11: 2011 Begins

2011-01-02T00:27:00.002Z

You'll probably need to view this one full size to see the detail!

The spheres are a set of BuckyBalls, a massively addictive desk toy. On the face of it, 216 small spherical magnets might not sound much like fun, but believe me, if you have a set of these on your desk, you'll get very little work done.

Click image to view a bigger version

01-01-11: 2010 Disappears

2011-01-01T23:00:00.003Z

Click image to view a bigger version

2010 - Well, that worked...

2011-01-01T18:59:00.004Z

...Or not...

2010 wasn't a particularly brilliant year for me, creatively or generally.
It started off with a lot of changes and hassle at work, being moved from my office, studio and control room, into a basement in the IT building.
At the time I half-jokingly said to my colleagues "give it 6 months, and we'll be redundant"; life may imitate art, evidently it listens to snarky comments too.
We got our marching orders in late July, and I left in early September.

What with the hassle hanging over me in the early part of the year, and the lack of work since September, I've not been in much of a mood to shoot a lot, so the camera got a bit of a light year. Hopefully 2011 will be better.
I'm going to try and do the 365 again this year, to get me out of the rut.

Being off hasn't been all bad though; as well as trying my hand at winemaking and a few other bits and pieces, it has given me a chance to build a website, something I've been wanting to do for some time. You can see it here if you're interested: http://www.ben-s.co.uk

To 2011!

4/52: Orion decided to stand on the tree

2010-01-29T20:00:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

3/52: Moonlit Road

2010-01-22T02:08:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

2/52 - Flames Triptych

2010-01-15T23:56:00.002Z

Hot... Hotter... Hothothotttt!!!
Click image to view a bigger version

1/52: Snow

2010-01-08T20:46:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

2010

2010-01-07T14:37:00.003Z

I'm planning to do something a little less intensive this year, a photo a week instead of one every day.

I've also been working quite hard on a new project, an automatic weather station. I've wanted one for years, and I finally got one late in December.
The station itself was very simple to set up, but I wanted to make it a bit more than just a simple station, displaying current data on it's LCD, so I've built a webserver so I can put the data online - mainly for my own entertainment, but if you're interested, you can see the live data from it here: http://ben-s.blogdns.org/wx

Expect to see the first instalment of my 52 weeks project soon.

31-12-09: Blue Moon / Mission Complete!

2009-12-31T23:59:00.001Z

Thus concludes a year in photos!
When I started this, I really didn't think I'd make it, but I have.
I'm proud of that.

This was a really special moment; the clouds had banked up in the minutes before midnight and almost completely obscured the moon.
Almost on the stroke of midnight, the clouds cleared and the brilliant light of the full moon flooded the scene.
Click image to view a bigger version

30-12-09: Make A Wish

2009-12-30T23:26:00.001Z

The orange trail is one of those little candle-powered hot air balloons. Someone set several of them off in fairly quick succession.
It's surprisingly moving to see them silently float off into the night.

Click image to view a bigger version

29-12-09: Night Village

2009-12-29T20:25:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

28-12-09

2009-12-28T23:24:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

27-12-09: Moon Rising Through Trees

2009-12-27T23:22:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

26-12-09: Moonlit Path

2009-12-26T01:20:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

25-12-09: Give Way

2009-12-25T23:19:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

24-12-09: Icicles

2009-12-24T23:17:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

23-12-09: Glowing Orb/2

2009-12-23T23:16:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

22-12-09: Glowing Orb/1

2009-12-22T01:11:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

21-12-09: The Avenue at Dusk

2009-12-21T23:24:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

20-12-09: Bells (and maybe bats) lurk here

2009-12-20T21:41:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

19-12-09: Glowing Slash

2009-12-19T01:37:00.002Z

I was amazed at how much this contrail popped against the sky.

I've boosted the highlights here very slightly to play to this effect, but it's not lassoed or dodged or any other digital trickery - this is how it appeared.

Click image to view a bigger version

18-12-09: Sliver

2009-12-18T01:29:00.000Z

2 day old, 4% moon.
I had to use a slightly nasty lens for this one, the longest decent lens I had at work was the 17-40 f/4L; I needed something longer for this shot, so I used the old kit lens that came with the office 30D, the EF-S 17-85. On the whole, I think it's come out fairly well though.
Click image to view a bigger version

17-12-09: Wilted

2009-12-17T01:28:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

16-12-09

2009-12-16T01:26:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

15-12-09:

2009-12-15T01:24:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

14-12-09: Old Log

2009-12-14T01:23:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

13-12-09

2009-12-13T01:22:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

12-12-09: Iced Track

2009-12-12T01:19:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

11-12-09

2009-12-11T15:10:00.000Z

Click image to view a bigger version

10-12-09: Stripped By The Seasons

2009-12-10T15:09:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

09-12-09: Tranquil Lake

2009-12-09T14:29:00.002Z

Click image to view a bigger version

08-12-09: Bare Trees

2009-12-08T15:06:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version

07-12-09: Muddied Sky

2009-12-07T15:04:00.001Z

Click image to view a bigger version