It is almost a month since I last posted. I have a lot of excuses.
Firstly I am still sorting through the pile of digital photos from my trip to Somerset. I took a lot of these in both JPEG and RAW. The reason for the duplication is that everyone tells me that to take photos in Raw is much better, however, while I can take these photos in Raw I have problems when I try to view them in photoshop - so for the moment I have both. This of course means huge piles of memories to sort through.
People at the Camera Club have advocated Picaso as a good way to get in to my Raw files. I therefore downloaded Picaso 3 free from Google a couple of weeks ago, and while it went through my PC pictures pulling them into its gallery all seemed fine. Then when I went to look at my Raw images they all have a lilac saturation which I found it impossible to change to natural. At the moment therefore it is back to jpeg until I finally get this resolved. I have bought a copy of photoshop 9 which I still need to install, maybe that will help. I did try at one point to go onto the Photoshop website to get a plug in for my Panasonic raw files but could not find what I was looking for. Not even remotely. I think I need to buy a Photoshop for dummies.
From my point of view Raw files are useless if I can't just save the file to my computer, open it in a software application, and work on it and then print the final result. Frustrating to say the least. If anyone out there has experienced lilac raw files on Picasso and knows how to fix this, please, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Another problem on my recent agenda, was wireless internet. I do all my work on my desktop PC which is the main link to the internet and you. Sometimes though, like with all the lovely weather we have had recently, I want to get outside. I have had this laptop for well over three years, so I guess in 2011 terms it is very old. Internet on this was plugging the old phone line in. Wireless was available though in those dim and distant days and this HP Pavilion dv5000 did say it could be wireless. Hah!!
What I didn't realise is that I needed to know a little more than the routers and wireless booklets tell you. [The laptop instructions and help are on line?????] I gave up for a while thinking that the present day broadband had outgrown my laptop and wireless just wasn't possible. By that time I could connect with the USB socket to my then BT broadband router. I was more than a little envious of my friend who was able to connect to my broadband router elsewhere in the house with her new laptop, while I was tied to my room, or carrying the router and long cables around with me. Then Talk Talk made us an offer we could not refuse and we moved to their network. A new router and a new set of problems. My desktop linked fairly easily, however the laptop was once again a stumbling block. The cable system didn't work for some reason [my lack of program knowledge not helping] and I got a new USB cable [USB at both ends] but that didn't work. So I tried wireless. In fact I tried all 3 types of connections several times. Each time I would retire to lick my wounds, have another brainwave, and retire beaten again. Dire stuff. Me versus the somewhat more intelligent if belligerent laptop. Then one day, while sullenly trawling through the control panel, I blundered into a section I had not come across before. Could it be I wondered. I played with it. Found something miraculous that changed the computers expectations from ringing a phone number to broadband and there was a possibility I had finally found the key. I still wasn't getting the connection as I didn't seem to have all the gateway info, but I did at least know someone who did. The Talk Talk installation disc. I tried again and wow, this time it not only found the network but it managed to link up. Yes, I finally conquered my electronic Everest and had wireless connection, or so I thought.
So yesterday I sat in the garden caught up with my emails [rather tardy of me to let so many accumulate] and managed a bit of my learning direct web design course [once I remembered how far I had got with the desktop]. Life was wonderful. Next I would update my blog. The sound of what sounded like distant thunder. Laptop and rain don't mix. [never mind me and lightening]. So I logged off. Windows updates 16, do not disconnect. Damn. That would take some time to close down. I left the laptop with windows updating prior to closing down and did the rest of the packing up. Came back some time later. Still 6 to go. I undid the electricity supply as the laptop should have enough power till I got into the house, except when I got back to the house the laptop had finished. ??????? There had still been 6 updates. Just how did it get through them so quickly?
Who knows the secret of the black magic box. Needless to say it hadn't. Not only that. But when I went back on, the laptop stubbornly refused to link up with the router. Back to square one. So today I spent a couple of hours trying to remember what I did last time. Finally the little balloon down the bottom says I have a good strength connection and here I am boring you silly!!
I have managed to get out for some photos though. I have taken pictures of nearly all the red flowers in the garden. [Camera Club competition RED] I have taken a few pictures of the marauding squirrels who will not leave my bird table alone. On a quick inspection I have a couple I am happy with. I went to Ditchling common hoping the very large carpet of bluebells would be out [they are every where else] but not at Ditchling yet, so I got some photos of ducks, [with very cute ducklings] swans, Whopper swans [or ducks?] moorhens squabbling and a couple of contenders for the camera club movement competition. Alternatively they would also double for the open or the natural history competition.
An email has informed me that that World landscape competition is now open for entries, in fact I could enter 25 pictures - wish that I felt I had one picture worthy - but I shall dream of finding that picture by the closing date in July. I perhaps even have a contender for the LRPS camera club competition, so at least I should have something to show in the coming season. As well as some 'why I took this' contenders for the opening meeting!!
So I may not have completed all my blogs, but I do have something to show for the time.
and Somerset.
Well I was a little disappointed that Glastonbury Tor up close, did not fill me with the magical feeling I was expecting. Though I can see that perhaps it was once an island and possibly the Avalon of the old tales. Viewed from a distance in the mist it does have that something, but not on a beautiful sunny, cloudless day. Nor really did the Glastonbury Abbey. The the hoards of schoolkids were enjoying it. The shops were distinctly mystical with a persistent smell of incense [which I like]. I did however love the Chancery Well Gardens. Do go there. It is 20 feet from the gate of the Tor. Lovely and quiet and yes, that nice emotional air that was lacking elsewhere. I think I need to find my own magic rather than look for it in the places the ancients did. [though I doubt that will stop me looking for it].
Cheddar and the gorge is - well busy. I mean I went in March - pre season - and the car parks were full. It is expensive. £18 for an adult ticket and I only got in one cave [the other always seemed to be closed when I passed]. The bus had stopped for lunch [also part of the ticket] when I arrived but I drove up the gorge in the car and realised that even on an open top bus getting a picture to show the gorge justice was nigh impossible. It twists round corners and you can only see a small part of the steep cliffs at a time. It towers over you and is quite awesome. The shops are very touristy and I struggled to find a meaningful souvenir [apart from cheese, sweets and cider]. Especially my pre-requisite bookmark [I have a few]. The cave I admit was impressive, but then so is Wookey Hole [more later]. Watch out for the condensation misting up your lens - I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the cameras autofocus at first so a couple of pictures are, well misty, but I love them all the more for it - strangely - as it lends them a soft atmosphere [no accounting for taste].
Wells was lovely. For a city it seems tiny. The streets are old and comfortable and feel familiar. It just feels right. The shops didn't seem to be the normal chains you find everywhere else, though I suppose they must have them somewhere. Go past the National Trust Shop and through into the huge courtyard of the Cathedral. I don't think you will regret it. Wells is worth a visit. [The authorisation to take photos costs £3]. Give yourself a few hours too. I though I had put enough in the car park meter to allow for the visit and lunch but was so long in the cathedral I didn't. The figure of 8 thing that holds up the church was beautiful. The ceiling is lovely. The clock mesmerizing. The chancery steps have been photographed by people much more expert than myself [I have seen the presentation]. The new blends well with the old. That includes the visitors. Watch out for schoolkids blocking your camera few and the old retainers who are showing them round move just fast enough to blur the pic! My photos may not do it justice but they hold wonderful memories of a beautiful building. They hold music events there [so see whats on and book prior to your visit]. The shop has bookmarks - a variety - and I found my gift with a difference for friends, holy socks [yes you read it right]. All my friends loved them. They sort of tell a bible story with a difference. Do go to Wells. I wish had been able to give it more time.
Burnham on Sea with the square lifeguard tower was actually frightening and far too sunny to be photogenic. There are signs everywhere telling you not to stray due to sinking sand and mud. The locals of course seem to disregard the notice, but I couldn't. I just knew I would find that one patch if I strayed. I did get photos of course, but they have that horrible bright off white cloud sky. Uniform and boring. [and one of the sand and the tower has I later discovered a nice blob of dog poo in a strategic point]. Though at the other end of the beach seagulls were playing on the thermals and I got some nice photos of one or two gliding past. Natural history maybe? The nice thing about Burnham on Sea is that they didn't charge on the seafront for car parking till April. Every where else I went in Somerset costs.........
Weston Super Mare was expensive for car parking, however the tide was out and there was miles of beach [non sinking] to explore. The pier was a bit modern but an older more derelict version went out to sea. There was lost of people doing lots of different things, giving a few photo opportunities, and the sky was a bit wierd. It was in bands, one a hazy light yellow [pollution?]. Took loads of photos and I am quite pleased with at least a couple.
Wookey Hole was surprisingly pleasant. I say that because it is kind of an amusement style park, though an old fashioned one. The cave was spectacular and well worth the money. You come out into a kids area complete with fairy land, a dragon bridge, king kong and various dinosaurs [all quite large], a huge red rabbit [yup - photos for the red competition], a display on how some of the caves were found [I now know I would not make a good cave diver], how they make paper display and wonderful old penny arcade. The kind your parents used to go to. Regretfully, I recognised far too many from my own childhood visits to the fairs and pier amusement halls. There is the big top for lunch - which had one of the best burgers I have had. Real burgers, not a flat prepack. An ice cream parlour for snacks and additionally there is a pirate style crazy golf game. I relaxed and enjoyed it. The cave was much better presented visually with lights and stories [Cheddar is serious and scientific]. I have to admit I enjoyed the showmanship a little better than the audio presentation at Cheddar Gorge. Even if you do have to stoop [and get you camera bag stuck].
So there you have it. A quick resume of what was on offer. Photo's may follow at some later date.
It seems normal service may have been resumed.
Till the next time...................
