Neglectful - But what a Winter Wonderland we're seeing?

Well I must admit I have been neglectful of this blog. It does not mean I have stopped taking photographs though because as my closest friends will know, Photography is my life. Whether it be quickly grabbing my iPhone 4s from my pocket to snap away, or taking my DSLR out and about - I am forever taking pictures.
I last backed up my pictures in September 2012. I have just backed up pictures from 1st October 2012 until Middle January 2013 and even I was surprised to see that actually, I was backing up over 22,000 images, videos, etc. Even by my standards - that is a LOT of photos.

Anyhow - Happy New Year 2013.

Here over in Oxfordshire we've had some fantastically cold temperatures thrown our way, including -5°C and just recently, inches of thick white snow. By all accounts I think this is early; the past few years we've had snow early February. This being said - It was my first official snow in the Oxfordshire district.

I however took advantage like any other Photographer would. It was only when I left the house to do the school run I saw the full extent of what an impact -5°C had! We had a deep white frost, icicle spikes coming off the tree branches - it looked like a Winter Wonderland. Needless to say, I did the School run and hurried back for the DSLR before it warmed up and the spikes had disappeared off the branches.

As I say we've had a lot of snow these past few days. Again - I took advantage of this and whipped out the DSLR and took some shots - I am still in the process of editing the majority of the pictures - but I will add a few to this blog.
I hope you enjoy these chilling pictures; brought to you from Oxfordshire, UK.

-5°C in Oxfordshire, December 2012.

-5°C in Oxfordshire, December 2012.

-5°C in Oxfordshire, December 2012.

-5°C in Oxfordshire, December 2012.

I must admit I like the cone shape santa hats they wear..

My boys, aged 6 and 8 years old.

Love the way I have made this look like an old photo..

Stunning tree covered in snow.

I have learnt how to deal with shadows.

Firstly, I'd like to acknowledge that it's been just over a year since my Grampy was taken, 21st April 2011 he lost the battle to live and passed away. 
Never a day goes by where I don't think of you.

Yes, it's true. There are lots of ways you can cure shadows and I admit; they have never bothered me before. However there is a photo I took some years ago of my Grampy Fred I wanted to desperately restore. Not that it is damaged, but I used a disposable camera and we all know how harsh any cameras flash is on the subject indoors, let alone a disposable camera..
Anyway, it wasn't just the shadows that annoyed me in the photo. Behind Grampy's right shoulder was a gentleman. I also wanted to remove him too.


Here's the finished article (I made the before and after into a collage).
As with all my other work, I have heavily water-marked my image to prevent it's removal from my site.

It certainly isn't perfect (well not to me anyway; but then again I am a perfectionist) BUT until my new software comes tomorrow it's all I can manage - and yes you heard right. I have MORE photography editing software coming, it's particularly built with the DSLR user in mind.. so we should get along just fine! :)

It's been quiet

Well, I say it's been quiet - it's been far from quiet.
With regards photographing I have been too busy to pick up the camera for quite some time.
However, I'd love to share the following photos with you.


To summarise the past few hectic months: ~

I bought my third car, December 2011.

I taught myself a new skill. Jewellery making. I originally set out to only make Fibromyalgia awareness jewellery but somehow I became hooked ;)

My old laptop (Toshiba Satellite) went away to be repaired 7th December and wasn't returned. Early January I bought a Samsung laptop, it lasted a month in my house, LOL - Must be the many (thousands) heavy resolution pictures... LOL... So early February I purchased my Sony Vaio. I'd wanted one for a while, but only one suitable for the spec I need. This matched the description beautifully


.

 I taught myself a new skill. Jewellery making. I originally set out to only make Fibromyalgia awareness jewellery but somehow I became hooked ;)

We had Puppies, Boxing Day 2011.

I hope to do more natural photography soon, outside, taking advantage that Spring is just around the corner. I hoped to get some great snow shots - In particular there is a local post box (very very old) I wanted to capture, but never got round to it.

I'll keep you posted.

I couldn't help but take an 'Olde' feel Photo!

Ok, well it's not too old as the pen would of been a feather or such like, but still, I think in this natural light (no sepia tones added!) it's an olde english look!

I think my glasses' set that picture off well ;-)

Some wonderful Macro shots ;-)

As with all other pictures, they are copyright protected.

It felt very insane taking these pictures, I thought ''I better be careful not to burn the camera.. or lens!'' 

A few times I even had to check I wasn't about to burn the camera, It's insane really but it's given me some really really really amazing photos.

Here are just TWO of the best pictures I've taken with it.

(For more, Please see my Deviant account.)

Oh go on, Seen as it's you - here's the third!

It's arrived :)

My Macro Lens has arrived :D

Next: Telephoto Lens :D

Added: Video

It's at the bottom of the page: Go check it out! ;-)