SPRING LAKE

As you can already tell I am quite keen on going to the seashore. When I am on holiday that is no exception! This beach is situated in Spring Lake New Jersey and was about an hour away from where I was staying. The day trip was full of fine dining at a beautiful place called The Mill (http://themillnj.com/) walking on the beach and of course some shopping.

The town was very clean with mansions for homes, boutique shops and beautiful white sands. There weren't many people about but the odd few we came across seem to be relaxing. I imagine this town to include a few Desperate Housewife characters and retired millionaires - not bad!

CLEVELEYS

This weekend was full of thrifting and a trip to the seaside at Cleveleys. Although I was only about half an hour from my home it was almost like I was on holiday. I have never been to the beach at Cleveleys and found it a mixture of stones, sand and interesting poles and pipes giving me lots to photograph!
On reflection I think I would miss the seaside if I was ever to move away, it always offers a great day out even in the colder months there is nothing better than a walk along the prom all wrapped up.

Seascape

After a short trip to see the new Blackpool Comedy Carpet I decided to take a walk on the beach. The tide was out and it revealed the new stairs and water front that has been regenerated over the last year.
Looking back on Blackpool I could see a big change in its landscape and with new art work appearing it was a good chance to get a landscape.
Using the stairs as a guide to the shapes I decided it was best to keep the water stream in the foreground.
The sky was another part that was very busy with movement, shapes and shadows. I bought these out with the use of the HDR tool. I am no expert with this and don't really like to use anything on my images but what I took at the time but this combination was quite dramatic and so I kept it.
Let me know what you think and to this effect?

Morecambe

Looking through some past shoots and I came across this little beauty! It was shot a few years back but I love the bright lights of Morecambe captured over the still sea.
I think the tiny colourful landscape is really effective giving emphasis on the enormity of the sky and sea.

Fleetwood

 Yesterday I was fortunate enough to visit Fleetwood for a networking event. I knew that the venue was over the road from the beach so decided to go early and take my camera.
I got these shots on my iphone and although I have been using the Hipstamaic app quite alot to shoot, I just love the effect it has given to these shots!
The dreamy, vintage feel of summer being here and a mixture of clouds and bright sun.

Summer!

Despite all the flaws regularly pointed out to me about Blackpool through various mediums you have to agree we have the best sun sets right?
When the sea is out and your sat in the shelter of the new spanish steps you get this beautiful calm sense and its a great way to end the day!

..now all we need is a cocktail in one hand and some warm weather - staycation here we come!

Uncertain Times

With all of the uprising in various countries, Tsunami, earthquakes and the ongoing wars I felt that we are in for uncertain times. The earth seems angry.
The seaside town I live in has always been hit by bad weather and the other day was particularly windy. I headed down to the sea front to get a glimpse of the sky. It had blown the clouds into wisps and swirls making the sun diffused but bright.
I had my point and shoot camera with me at the time and have to say its potential has stunned me. This shot is so moody and exactly how I wanted to capture it so a success in terms of technicalities.
I have left a hint of the sea in to show the enormous sky and give some perspective.

Stormy Skies

This is the moodiest shot from the sequence and I think it works well as the dark skies really bring out the colours coming off the rig.

Let me know what you think of this photo.

Rig At Sea

I have tried a few combination's of shutter speeds during this shoot and as you can see this has made a difference to the Sea - it now looks more calmer and smooth. The overall scene is a lot more moodier with the darker sky but you will see in my next blog it isn't the moodiest of the shoot.

Let me know what you think of this photo.

Calm Sea

I have wanted to take photos of this rig for quite some time now and finally got the chance to get to it last night. I am happy with the results as the long shutter speed and white balance combination, gave the image an overall pastel blue pallet helping the rig to really stand out.
More from the shoot will be uploaded shortly but this is my favourite so far.

Let me know what you think of this photo.