Lemonlight

kiss

Goodnight internetalonians - here's a kiss from me and my lovely Diana Edelweiss. x

just call me keanu

You know that bit in the Matrix when Neo suddenly 'gets it'. They've been banging on and on at him to just 'look into himself' and feel it; to know that he is the one, but he can't quite do it. He tries to act like he's special and almost convinces everyone that yes, he is indeed the one but when the heat is on he just can't cut it.

Then it happens. He suddenly 'gets it' and everything slots into place. He doesn't need to try anymore; he is so tuned in he is in complete command and can control anyone or anything. Well, this is the kinda what happened to me yesterday.

I don't mean that I suddenly got really good at martial arts or at stopping bullets mid-air (that would be cool though). Nor do I believe I've been chosen to save the universe from mortal peril. My sudden revelation was in fact just me realising what it actually was I wanted to do with my 'free' time. Sound so simple when I put it like that!

And if the realisation and outpouring on yesterdays blog weren't enough, the comments and emails I got in return were terriffic and very moving (thank you, thank you). The internet gave me a great big hug and it felt good.

Totally going to have to watch this film again. I love it.

29 years ago today...

Spotted the date whilst looking for a vase for my sweet peas. Time flies!

Posted via email from lemonlight*lite

tell me what you want, what you really, really want

I've been having a good, hard think lately. Thinking about why I spend so much time online and what the heck am I actually trying to achieve with things like this blog.

Me: Do you want to make your fortune selling photos from your shop?

Me: Hmm, a fortune does sound nice but it's not what really drives me to do stuff. I love the recognition and the thought that someone has chosen to spend money on something I've created and even has it hanging in their home. That's MUCH more motivating. Not the 'fortune'.

Me: Do you want to be a freelance website designer (it is your day job after all)?

No. No, no, no. So many reasons for this answer but I've become quite disillusioned with it all. And at the end of the day, it's all about (and so it should be all about) somebody elses vision. Doing it for a day job is fantastic, but beyond the 9-5 - shutters are down.

Me: So, you want to be a proper 'artist'?

Me: Closer. This is feeling more me. The word artist though has so many connotations, it's a world I'm not part of and a bit too cliquey. But like I say, it's closer to what I'm after.

Me: OK, so what sort of non-artist would you be?

Me: A photographer. Sounds grand, sounds proper. Sounds like if I call myself that I ought to really know what I'm talking about. This is feeling good though! I love the thought of learning about new photographic techniques; discovering old cameras and bringing them to life - seeing what they can produce. Imagery is important, it's my passion. That's it, that's what I want to do.

Me: That's great. Is that all there is to it?

Me: Not quite - there's another dimension to it. I want to share. To show you guys what I've been doing and hear what you think. When I discover a new camera and get amazing photos from it I want to grab a cup of coffee with you and go through them, show you what I did and try and persuade you to give it a go too.

When I get a roll of film back from the developers and they're all blank I want to know I have an outlet  to let the world know what went wrong and help others avoid the same mistake. If I create a funky new action in Photoshop I want to give it away and see what amazing stuff other people do with it.

All these things are what I want, what I really, really want and now I've sorted this out in my head everything suddenly seems easier. I think I'm going to find things a lot more manageable and enjoyable. Focused.

Me: Have you quite finished?

Me: Yessss! For now, anyway.

Right then, shall we grab that coffee and look at some photos?

Pentax K1000 + Kodak Ektar 100 film

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter on film pack

Diana-F + FujiFilm Superia 100 film

four times the fun

Sometimes we all need a little more, so here we are - four time more and for free!

If you've got a photo that needs a bit of livening up or if you just feel like playing in Photoshop then here you go - a Photoshop Action by me called 2x2 that reflects your image in three directs so you end with something quite unexpected and surprising.

Some photos work better than others - branches are good for creating an abstract pattern...

And there's nothing stopping you reapplying the action again and again...

I think it works particularly well with photos of people...

The possibilities are endless!

Here's what you need to do.

Firstly - download this file and remember where you saved it:

lemonlight.atn (right-click on link and choose 'save link as')

To get this (or any) action into Photoshop you need to do the following...

1. In Photoshop make sure you have the 'Actions' palette open (go to 'Windows' and 'Actions' or press the F9 key).
2. Click open the little twirly menu in the top right of the palette (fig A) and choose 'Load Actions' - go to where you downloaded the 2x2.atn file and select.
3. That's it - all done. You don't need to do this each time - it will be there each time you open Photoshop.

Now, all you need to to is open an image - any shape, any size, just make sure it's 'flattened' (i.e. no layers). Make sure 2x2 (fig B) is highlighted then hit the 'play' button (fig C).

Tada!

That's all there is to it - let me know how you get on with it, I'd love to see.

+++ U P D A T E +++

lemonlight.atn (right-click on link and choose 'save link as')

Great news - this will also work in Photoshop Elements - this is what you need to do...

Copy the lemonlight.atn file to the one of the following locations:

Windows XP
    C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\8.0\Locale\en_US\Workflow Panels\actions

Vista
    C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\8.0\Locale\en_US\Workflow Panels\actions

1. Now, restart Photoshop Elements and go to EDIT.
2. Open an image you'd like to experiment with.
3. Go to 'EDIT Guided'.
4. Under 'Automated Actions' choose 'Action Player'.
5. From the first dropdown choose 'lemonlight'
6. From the second dropdown choose '2x2'
7. Now click 'Play Action'.

That's it! You should now see four times the photo you started with :)

sour grapes

Be warned, this whole post is basically just me me moaning about how today here in England it's the first day of 'summer hols' for all school-age children (and teachers) and that I have to GO TO WORK. Every day. Well, every weekday. Still, no fair.

I know, I know, I am (very) lucky to have a job at all, but all the same... today would have been a great day for building a den, inflating the paddling pool and begging for ice pops (red one, please). Maybe I should do those things any way now I am home FROM WORK.

LOMO LC-A + Kodak Ektar 100 film

I was always guilted into behaving over the summer holidays by being told that this lesson-free time was originally intended for children to be released to help on the land with back-breaking activities like scything hay and gathering barley. Now, I am sure there might be a kernel of truth there, but as compulsory eductaion for working class kiddie-winks happened after the industrial revolution, I can't imagine this is completely true. Either way the message was totally lost on me and it never stopped me causing mischief.

Canon 40D + 55-250mm lens

Disparagement like this knows only one cure - a trip to the the local shopping centre to relish in all the 'back to school' posters and enticements.

I sound like a right grumpy cow! It's only because I'm jealous. Jealous that I don't get six weeks off in row any more. Jealous that I'm all grown-up (ish).

organic street art

 

Posted via email from angie's quckies

sea view

This here is my local beach, Weston Shore. (There's a fantastic description of the place on the brilliant website Nothing To See Here).

If you've ever caught to the ferry to the Isle of Wight you'll have passed it; lined by a row of brutalist tower blocks. Your attention may have been drawn to the other side of the water though, where you are treated to the delights of Fawley power station and the oil refinery.

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter on film pack

You won't find this place on any tourist map or any postcards (I don't think so anyway... surely not). I secretly love it there though; it doesn't appeal to everyone so it's a bit of a hidden gem; untroubled by the regular seasidey paraphenalia. It might be bleak but it's interesting.

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter on film pack

so, that's what you all look like

Last week I had my eyes tested and was informed by a handsome, Irish optician that yes, I needed glasses. I'm alright when things are far away from me but it's all getting a bit Mr Magoo close up. He seemed to think it might be my age - now that can't be right! :/

So, I present, me 2.0 - me in glasses...

Canon 5D MKII + 17-40mm f/4 lens

And here's an outtake just to prove that I do do laundry, even at the weekend...

Canon 5D MKII + 17-40mm f/4 lens

I was quite looking forward to one of those snappy glasses cases - can you still get them? I remember my granny used to have one; it would SNAP shut with a sudden and super-fierce chomp. Playing with it used to keep me and my brothers entertained for hours... seeing how long we dared to keep fingers in it's open jaws before it snapped shut. Kids today with their Nintendos and iPhones don't know what they're missing!

Thinking about it I haven't read a book for ages, not a proper book without pictures. It got to be such hard work, doable but hard, it was easier to switch on the TV. So, I have ordered in a few good murders to see me through the summer nights, including this one and this one.

wishes for the weekend

Number one (and this goes for all weekends, please) some sunshine! A few fluffy clouds skudding along will be fine, but more blue than white, OK? (Try not to be too hot though, it's nice n'all but I can't afford the wrinkles).

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter on film pack

I'd like to wake up tomorrow with some sort of plan, rather than go through the all too regular lazy lounging around all morning trying to decide what to do, only to suddenly realise it's tea-time!

Oh, and another thing that would be awfully convenient is if you could remove the temptation to eat all the naughty things that seem to make themselves so easily accessible as soon as Saturday comes around. I'm looking at you, Waitrose french pain, and you too mr cheese.

Please, it's been more that 20 years since I had any sort of homework to do, so why do I panic every Sunday night that I haven't done it? Feeling like this completely ruins my enjoyment of Antiques Roadshow and all I can think about is how to conjugate French verbs and the periodic table (pb = iron - think that's the only one I know. plumbum).

Er, that'll do for now. Some world peace might be nice too, but don't forget the sunshine.

dust off your cameras

The ever inspiring (and lovely) Susannah has had a super brainwave and I think we should all join in.

Intriged? It's 'The August Break 2010'. This doesn't mean there won't be anything to see here, in fact there will be lots - a photo every day (hopefully)!

The idea is that we all deserve a break from thinking of words to write over the summer, just add a photo as often as you like through the month and we'll see how all our Augusts look. No rules, none at all, so any sort of camera (I have a cool new camera app on my phone to try out), words or no words, 5 times a day or just once a fortnight - you're the boss!

Read all about it and add yourself to the blogroll over on Susannah's blog.

There's also a flickr group.

Canon 5D MKII + 85mm f/1.8 lens

I know it's not August yet but here's my photo for today. No words. (Apart from these ones). Are you going to play along too?

Edelweiss

Look at what arrived in the post this week! I promise I didn't break my boring blue and black Diana camera just so I could get this super-sexy white one.

Canon 5D MKII + 17-40mm f/4 lens

It's been ages since I shot with one of these - looking foward to lots of plastic-lensed, light-leaky dreaminess...

Diana F+ using FujiFilm Superia 100 medium format film

Diana F+ using FujiFilm Superia 100 medium format film

There are lots more of my Diana+ photos on flickr.

grow

July is such a wonderful month in the garden - a time to sit back at watch it all flourish - except you don't get much of a chance because it all needs picking and eating (or plonking into jars).

I'm having a hard job keeping up with the sweet peas, this is about my tenth pickle-jar packed full of highly scented blooms and there's no sign of this single, little, magical wigwam stopping production any time soon!

Canon 5D MKII - 85mm f/1.8 lens

Canon 5D MKII - 85mm f/1.8 lens

The tomatoes are preparing to go equally crazy - and I can't wait! We've got all manner of varieties to chomp on any day now. Waiting. Waiting...

Canon 5D MKII - 85mm f/1.8 lens

As well as the aubergines, courgettes, peppers, chillies, blueberries, rhubarb and broccoli there are the two ancient apple trees to look forward to - one of which is getting impatient and plopping little reminders inches from my head whenever I walk underneath it, just to keep me on my toes.

Canon 5D MKII - 85mm f/1.8 lens

life and death

My traisping around the local cemetery is well documented on this blog (promise I'm not a goth. Not anymore).

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter

It's Victorian and not used any more but is beautifully overgrown and maintained in its ramshackle condition as a historic and beautiful site in its own right. 

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter

Amongst the dilapidated grave stones (so many stories we'll never know) nature thrives and flourishes like nowhere else I've seen in a city. There was a mound of heather covered in at least 100 tiny butterflies and the noise of the crickets/grasshoppers was constant. There were bees and weird insects of every shape and size. Squirrels, Jays, magpies and so many other birds. We saw a squirrel and have heard tale of deer living deep, deep in the undergrowth.

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter

Saturday selection

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter

I had a great day at the Asian Mela in Southampton today. Lots of colour, dancing and delicious Indian food in the sunshine. I only had a few shots left on my little Lomo so pics will follow shortly once film dev + scanned.

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter

Earlier in the day I paid a trip to the optician. As I suspected I will need glasses for close up stuff like reading. Luckily everything is fine and dandy at other distances, so things should stay mainly in focus photo-wise for a while yet! It's been hard work focusing to read and I have missed reading books - just sticking to what I really have to read. I pick up the glasses next week so may have to treat myself to a few books to devour.

Pentax K1000 + Ektar 100 film

the sun also rises

How did this one get away? I remmeber when I took it - driving back home from Cornwall in the midst of the Wiltshire countryside. I turned round and saw this! I insisted on stopping and unpacking most of the car to get to my camera collectio - this one was taken with my Fuji Instax 200 - an instant camera which did pretty well in the low light.

I recently had a spark of an idea ignite in my head and now a week later it has mushroomed into a big exciting plan. It's going to be fun but very hard work - can't wait to share - you'll hear it here first!

weekends

It's very pleasing to be able to escape to the countryside at a moments notice; only 20 minutes away from the city centre. I love that there are ponies roming free through the forest and that lots of farmers still let 'weeds' grow. That I can see where my food comes from and breathe the fresh, fresh air.

closed

Only in England, on the hottest weekend of the year... closed.

But it's OK. It's summer and the sun is shining; everything's OK.

precious and blue

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to Becky for featuring me on her brilliant blog! You should definitely check it out - not just because I'm on there, but because she takes amazing portaits and has some lovely stories to share.

Also, in a rather random fashion, are some Thursday blues...

Brighton rocks!

Saturday was a perfect summers day, just the day for a trip to the seaside! I am normally quite easily put off these things by the thought of weekend traffic, crowds etc but I was on the verge of going totally loopy from staring at computer screens all day and night - I needed to escape, if only for the day!

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film (+ND filter)

We decided on Brighton (also referred to as 'London by the sea' in case you don't know it) it's about 60 miles east along the coast from us but is a totally different place in so many ways. We arrived to blazing hot sunshine, very happy,laid back people and colour everywhere!

Canon 5D MKII + 50mm f/1.4 lens

Canon 5D MKII + 50mm f/1.4 lens

Every corner we turned there was something interesting. Literally. Every corner. 

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film (+ND filter)

It's a place where you can exhale and just be yourself - no matter how society normally sees you. 

Don't these girls look GORGEOUS! I am a bit of a scaredy-cat asking strangers if I can take their photo, but because I was using the quirky old Polaroid (and I noticed they were drinking champagne) I plucked up the nerve and got them to pose for me.

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film (+ND filter)

Oh, and you can shop! Yes, I admit, I would have gone in many more shops than I did given half the chance, but seeing as how I am trying to DE-clutter my life it's probably as well I was with my mean sensible husband ;)

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film (+ND filter)

What a fab dress! If I wasn't convinced I'd look like an oven-ready chicken in it it's just the sort of thing I would wear.

I can'y wait to get my Lomo-LCA prints back from the lab (guess I need to send them there first). SO much colour for that film to suck up. I do love colour.

Peek-a-boo

Just a little glimpse of my weekend excursion - more to come once I've fired up the scanner and typed out some words...

snooze

If I wrote about what's actually been happening these last few days I would be in danger of winning first prize for the most uninteresting blog ever. I'm not sure if that's actually a real thing but don't want to take any chances, because whilst I never normally win things you can bet your arse I'd win that one.

I promise to do at least one interesting thing over the weekend and take a photo

Until then, here's some teacups. I like old teacups. I know; thrilling!

Success!

I've been tinkering with this old Polaroid Land Camera for ages now. Months. It is literally held together with elastic bands inside - it was that or having to get the soldering iron out and I'm not allowed near that any more (long story).

Taken with my G1 Android phone

So, hurdle one, it's working.

Hurdle two was getting a correctly exposed photo out of it. Through trial and error I discovered it didn't like bright sunshine or anything outdoorsy - it is an emo camera. I brought it into the subdued light of the dining room and tried a shot or two of my 'prop of the moment', my orchid.

It's not the most exciting photo ever but it is correctly exposed, in focus and the colours look lovely. I am happy!

Polaroid Land Camera 360 + 669 film

Fuji Instax Mini 25

It's probably been a whole six weeks or so since I got my hands on a new camera, so I have remedied this with this little purchase (little being the operative word).

It's a FujiFilm Instax Mini 25. I got it from an ebay seller in Japan along with a pile of film. I am now ready to shoot out little credit-card sized photos to my hearts content!

The first thing to say about it is that is IS mini. The 'mini' cameras they made before this one were really rather huge - I love how small and flat this one is. I'll be able to carry it round with me all the time and snap away with Fuji Instax Mini film. Film that's readily available, unlike my precious, precious Polaroid :(  Just think - I'l be able to just wander into a camera shop and buy more film! Weird.

Hang on though, let's have a closer look at that gorgeous looking camera bag...

A camera this cute and cuddly deserves an equally desirable bag to live in - this one is made from vintage Hungarian cotton (so soft, I can't stop fondling it). It was created by one of my absolute favourite bloggers and crafty-gurus tinyhappy. Check out her blog and her shop - both are equally inspiring!

So, here's my first shot. I never knew I could make my eyes look in different directions like that! (That's a sweet pea flower in my hair. Hippy).

Tea

I love my new (old) tea cups.

Posted via email from angie's quckies

Orchid

Amazingly still alive after two weeks in my care!

Posted via email from angie's quckies

kites

Today was bright, breezy and a perfect day for kites. I took my FujiFilm Instax 200 out for a change - a great camera but the chunkiest (and ugliest) hunk of plastic you'll ever see!

Normally I'd crop off the frames but these ones looked better with them left on...

rosy

I finished work yesterday and took a diversion on my necessary journey into town to visit the rose gardens in the park. 

Canon 5D MkII + 85mm f/1.8 lens + some 'photoshopping'

Wow, is all I can say. It's the perfect time to visit - there are hundresds of roses, all in bloom and looking and smelling heavenly. No wonder humans are intoxicated with rose-smelling things - I want to buy some rose perfume now, the smell makes me happy.

It's also the perfect place to experiment with your cameras although you need to be careful you don't go too mad using up all that precious, precious Polaroid film.

Polaroid SX-70 + 600 film + ND filter

I have a freaky looking lens called a 'Lensbaby 3G' which you squeeze and angle to take your shots and it blurs and focuses in all sorts of unexpected ways. I found it really hard to use with my old camera, and I am thinking this may have been down to it having a cropped sensor because it's about 100 times easier and more effective on the new, full-framed superstar camera.

Canon 5D MkII + Lensbaby 3G

Late lunch

My fave 'Pret' lunch is the tuna baguette.

Posted via email from angie's quckies

engaging

The online world can be a bit over-whelming sometimes - there are just so many ways to engage with people and it can be hard to juggle it all to the best effect. I was thinking it would be cool to have everything under one web address; www.angiemuldowney.co.uk. If I was starting from scratch that would be a relatively easy process but as I have posts here going back to 2003 it gets a bit tricky to move - plus that's only the words - there's all those photos - so many photos! So, suffice to say I am going to remain here for a good while yet, plus there's some new exciting contemt on its way too!

Something else I have been thinking about for a while and actually got round to doing is setting up a 'fan' page on Facebook. Just the word 'fan' makes me feel out of my depth! It felt outrageously pompous sending invites to all my contacts asking them to 'like' me. I'm English, we aren't comfortable with self-promotion - we'd much rather tell you how we suck and then discuss the weather. If, however, you're a Facebook person and fancy looking me up, this is my page... www.facebook.com/angiemuldowneyphotography - maybe I'll see you there!

Cyanotype

Need a sheet of glass or less wind (the fronds of fennel kept moving). Will try again tomorrow, too dim now.

Posted via email from angie's quckies