Blink... Blink... Blink...

Click image to view a bigger version

Another late backup today.
When I finally got out of bed, it ended up being quite a busy one!

Snatched Fire

Click image to view a bigger version

I wasn't sure whether this would be worth posting, because it was really just a quick snap I grabbed as I jumped into the car this morning.
I was actually quite pleased with the result when I looked at it later, so it's today's offering.

Also:
1) Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead! We finally completed the last stage of the mammoth testing job I've been stuck on for weeks today, and the customers were even happy, so that's a very good result.
Hopefully, now that the test procedure is nailed down and debugged, I can hand the bulk of the work over to someone else in future.
2) A prototype of a device I designed a while ago arrived, and looks like it will work nicely, so I'm quite excited about that.
3) HOLIDAY! No more work for a week.

3/3 excellents.

Watch For Traffic

Click image to view a bigger version

A backup photo from last night

You Must Wait

Click image to view a bigger version

(For further information).

I went for a late evening wander; I needed to clear my head.
I think it helped a bit.

Silky Sunbeams

Click image to view a bigger version

A backup image today, posted late.

My head is spinning with the amount of work that's on at the moment, and the amount of firefighting that we are doing. I have booked the week off next week - I desperately need it!

Frostbitten

Click image to view a bigger version

My Fuchsia did not enjoy the snow we had last week. It's looking quite sorry for itself now.

This is an 8-shot stack taken with Helicon Remote controlling the focus of the EF100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, and stacked in Helicon Focus.
It's the first time I've tried this technique with this lens - it works much better on this ultrasonic focusing lens than it did on the older style motor-driven Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro and EF50mm f/3.5 Compact Macro lenses.

Deadlocked

Click image to view a bigger version

I was at the limit of magnification for the 100mm macro lens on the 6D MkII, so I switched back to the 80D for this one. Its 1.6x crop sensor effectively gives a "free" teleconversion effect compared to the full frame sensor, which was perfect for getting me in that little bit closer without losing light or depth of field.

I think this is the first time I've used the new-ish-to-me Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS macro lens on this camera - all my previous macro work with this body was done with my older lenses.

Those who met the sunrise

Click image to view a bigger version

A late backup photo again today, taken last weekend.
Rather worse weather today, thanks to storm Bert.

I Just Wish To Highlight...

Click image to view a bigger version

... and I shall do so in a range of colours!

Strange Flower

Click image to view a bigger version

A 3D printed mini flowerpot, the MIOPS Splash, and some milky water went into this one.
The green was achieved by a green gel on one flash, and a black card was used to block most of the light from that flash hitting the pot.
A similar technique was used to confine most of the light from a second, unfiltered, diffused flash to the pot.

Cradled

Click image to view a bigger version

A backup photo today, posted late, to boot.
This was from my morning walk at the weekend. I was quite pleased with it.

Fluid dance

Click image to view a bigger version

Some more work with the MIOPS Splash this evening.
By forcing the camera to see the initial trigger (equivalent to a half-press on the shutter button), the timing scatter is reduced significantly. This is something I found was necessary with my earlier DIY setup, so it's no surprise it helps here too.
I've included a composite image that I quite liked, and a behind-the-scenes shot too, both after the jump.

This might be my entry for the 52Frames High Key challenge, but I'll see if I come up with anything better during the week before I commit to submitting it!

Liquid Coronation

Click image to view a bigger version

I ordered a MIOPS Splash water dropper a little while ago, which finally arrived today.
I still need to iron out some of the wrinkles in the setup (mostly down to too-short cables, and inconsistent timing for various reasons), but I was reasonably happy with this as a result from my first session.

Autumn Mornings

Click image to view a bigger version

I'm not much of a morning person, but I did manage to drag myself out of bed this morning to try and catch the morning sun.
My initial plan had been to try and capture a patch of mist that often forms in a field I pass on my way to work, but it was nowhere to be seen this morning.
Since I was up and doing, I went for a walk and enjoyed the best weather of the day - it's rained for much of the afternoon.

One Step At A Time

Click image to view a bigger version

This is my first submission to 52frames, for the challenge "Perspective".
I was struggling with ideas to meet this challenge, and I drove round for ages looking for ideas.

I had got hung up on the thought of bridges or pylons, but failed to find anything that clicked. As I got home, I got to thinking about smaller subjects, and finally landed on the idea of boots.
This is what I ended up with.

Stirling Study 2

Click image to view a bigger version

I'm late posting this backup image, the second installment of the Stirling engine.

Stirling Study 1

Click image to view a bigger version

The first of what might be a series on my model Stirling engine.

Footloose

Click image to view a bigger version

I came across this rather incongruous single shoe while I was on a walk a couple of weeks ago, and thought it made for an interesting photo.
A backup image today, in case that wasn't implicit...
This started out as the original 3:2 aspect ratio, but as I was uploading it to Instagram, I saw the square crop, and decided I preferred this composition.

Periodic Flair

Click image to view a bigger version

My christmas cactus is looking lovely with its first big flower properly out now.

I almost didn't shoot anything today; work is endlessly tedious now.
I'm feeling worn very thin, and getting almost no enjoyment from work at all, which is relatively unusual for me.
This has sapped my creativity enormously.

Carpet

Click image to view a bigger version

We had quite a nice day today, and I managed to grab this at lunch time.
I signed up to 52frames at the weekend, and was thinking about something for their challenge "Fill the frame".
I missed out on submitting this before the window closed, but I'm posting it here anyway.

My little Sony RX100 has been getting a workout over the last few days!

Peek

Click image to view a bigger version

After a very grey few weeks, there were a few small windows this afternoon where we saw a little glimpse of the sun.

Guard dog?

Click image to view a bigger version

I've got Bailey for the weekend, so I thought I'd better pay the dog tax for all the doggy people out there!

Continuous Cruise

Click image to view a bigger version

The life of a boater seems a curious one.
It sounds fun and relaxing in some ways, but I don't think I'd do very well without space for all my gubbins!

Hover

Click image to view a bigger version

This is a backup image taken a few weeks ago, but it felt appropriate for today.
The lady that runs the food van near work was recently bereaved, and on one of the rare occasions that there were no other customers waiting, we ended up chatting a bit about our respective experiences and beliefs.
We hold quite different views, but as long as everyone stays respectful, that's no bad thing.

This one's for Darren.

Just around the corner

Click image to view a bigger version

I have been very full-on at work, and pretty stressed over the last few days, so yet again, the photos have had something of a problem.
In other words, they haven't been taken!
Here's another autumnal backup shot from last weekend.

Get to the point

Click image to view a bigger version

I was very tired after work today, and almost went to bed early without shooting or posting anything.
I eventually got a bit of a second wind, so here's a 5x macro of a diamond engraving tool.

Putt Putt (Maybe)

Click image to view a bigger version

A backup image from my walk yesterday.
I saw these two engines hanging on the fence and thought they looked quite interesting, and a little incongruous.
I wish I'd taken a few more of them in hindsight, as I think a few close-ups might have been there for the taking.

Autumn Tunnel

Click image to view a bigger version

I took a walk near my in-laws' today.
It subsequently turns out that I walked straight past a friend's mum, and was so lost in my own little world, I completely missed her!

Boom

Click image to view a bigger version

All these fireworks made me think of the people in various warzones waiting for the next explosion.

Locked on

Click image to view a bigger version

A backup photo. I've been quite busy today.