Just me, having a little fun and silliness with some glasses! I hope you had a good Christmas. It’s all a memory now, isn’t it? Not blurred around the edges- honestly! I only had a couple.
It’s Saturday again and time to find six words to describe your week. Have you been going round in Circles? I sometimes think I have!
A gentle day, on the north east coast of England. My friends and I amble along, in search of a bench where we can sit for a while, admiring the view.
A good-looking bench, but facing the wrong way
Ah, here it is! Spotlit so we can’t miss it
It’s not a perfect day, but pleasant, in a very English way. The kind of day when it’s good to be on a cliff top bench, gazing out to sea. After a while we ease ourselves up and carry on.
These posts frame the bay beautifully
At this time of year small orchids radiate out from the grass. Careful not to tread on them, I kneel down for a closer look. Pretty, aren’t they?
I’m astonished at the colour!
When our walk is done I carry on down to the small marina at Seaham, looking for a sheltered spot where I can read. There must be a bench or two?
This one might do- no back rest, though
This one’s much more fun, but maybe not very comfortable!
Careful not to upset Judge Jude by breaking any rules, I’ve been quite subtle with my post processing of Benches. But I just had to give Lunapic one more whirl. What do you think? All of the images except for the last one were done in Ulead Photo Express, in quite an old version.
It’s Saturday again so it must be time to find your six words. Pop along and share them with Cate at Show My Face. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday for a walk.
I’ve been playing again. Can you tell? It all started when Suzanne wrote a guest post for Thursday’s Special entitled Abstract. Looking for a subject matter with which to create an abstract or two, I turned to the flowers I’d bought that day. I have never seen hyacinths used as cut flowers before, but I think they work rather well alongside a purple iris or two. And when I come downstairs on a morning, I have the wonderful fragrance of Spring.
I do have a tendency to get carried away though. Remember Lunapic?
It hurts your eyes after a while, but isn’t it clever? I used to love my kaleidoscope as a child, and what could be more abstract?
I hope you find something that makes you happy this weekend. Why not share it, in six words, with Cate at Show My Face. And Happy Mother’s Day to you ladies!
Can you read the time? It’s just after midnight and I’m feeling a little tired. Can’t go to bed though, till I’ve found something interesting for Lisa’s 1 Day 1 World Project.
How about this?
The cellphone is very old and battered so it needs a little spicing up. It’s sitting on a postcard Viveka sent me from Istanbul. I hope she doesn’t mind.
The watch? Well, I only have skinny wrists so I often wear a child’s watch. This is my current favourite and it too has an exotic location. And the time? Definitely, time for bed!
If you’re a night owl, Lisa would love your company. She’s taken to late night visits to the icecream parlour! Me, I just play with Lunapic.
Hartlepool council have organised Seaton Celebrates , to mark the completion of major sea defence work and the extended promenade at Seaton Carew. Activities are to include sand sculpture workshops. Well, there’s no shortage of sand on our beach! Which is just as well, because world champion sculptress Nicola Wood will be creating a large scale sculpture.
I’m hoping it will be on a par with the amazing themed sculptures which feature each year at the FIESA festival in the Algarve. To be fair, they have a whole team working on them. We are also promised a roller skating display, and street theatre, which will include sea creatures and a mermaid. There’ll be nautically themed craft stalls and the singing of sea shanties too.
How do I know this? The White Crane t’ai chi group (I’m a member) will be giving a demonstration. I expect to be there, camera in hand at least part of the time. It’s on all Saturday afternoon, between 12 and 5pm.
What do you have planned for Saturday? Can you describe it in six words? Pop over to see Cate at Show My Face and see exactly how it should be done. This post is just so Summer, I really think it could find a home in Summer Lovin‘. Don’t you?
I must stop playing with Lunapic. It’s becoming a bad habit! Have a happy Saturday.
It’s squeaky clean time!
And I’ve brought a book
Or three!
And a nice glass of red
And LOTS of bubbles!
It’s after 11.00 and time for a bit of a soak. I’m just about to climb in so you’d better go and see what Lisa is doing at this hour. After the midnight hour I’ll probably be sleeping. Even Restlessjo sleeps sometimes!
The 1 Day 1 World Project has been fun. Follow the link to see more. Oh, and I’d better say another ‘thank you’ to Lunapic.
One of my old shots, given a new look
Superb effect, isn’t it? I could bore everybody witless with this one but I think it’s SO clever! You might have seen the photo on my Thursday’s Special, using the same technique? It’s done by using a free download called Lunapic. I think it’s absolutely amazing!
And another oldie, brought to life!
The forecast is for storms this weekend so if you’re stuck at home, here’s something to play with. If I can find the time, I will too! Both photos are of Hartlepool Headland.
But first I need to visit Cate at Show My Face to play Six word Saturday. Have a happy weekend!
I always wanted a houseboat!
Do you know, I think I know what it must feel like to have your name up in lights on Broadway! Or, maybe Shaftesbury Avenue? Not once, but twice this week I have found my name in a blog! Fame, notoriety, or just really lovely friends? I think you know the answer.
First I’m invited to go Split-toning with Sonel. Now you know, and I know, and even Sonel knows that technique and me are strangers when it comes to photography. But I have been known to mess about a bit.
Whilst I was thinking how best to approach this, I suddenly found myself a sparkling diamond on Paula’s beautiful Thursday’s Special. What’s a girl to do but slap on some powder and paint, add a few spangles, and step onto the landing stage. Ahoy there!
The marina transformed!
Of course, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m like a child with a paintbox- a splash of this, a dash of that! I only know what I like, and am limited to Ulead Photo Express 4.0 to effect the changes.
I like a working boat too, don’t you?
I could have sketched this myself? Maybe not!
I’m not at all sure that this is appropriate but I really like the effect. I used a variation of “Oilpaint” in Ulead Photo Express. I think it looks a bit like a negative, or a picture in a child’s colouring book.
I don’t mind a boatyard, now and then
And Sonel knows I like sepia. It’s kind of my era!
Such an exotic name for a tiny boat!
This is a watercolour effect- unsure if it’s appropriate, but I really like it.
I rather like the reflection on this one
But, for me, it comes alive with the blue effect.
Talking of reflections, this one I really love
And with a pink tint, too.
This little wooden craft is a favourite of mine
Do you like the blue tint?
And finally, in the harbour, mighty paddlesteamer PSS Wingfield Castle
Sepia takes it right back in time, don’t you think?
I have to humbly apologise to Sonel if this wasn’t quite what she intended. Do, please, visit Sonel’s Corner to see how it really should be done, and maybe try it yourself. She is an expert in my eyes, and also the loveliest friend.
Meantime, the star of the show is Hartlepool marina. I have spent many happy hours there taking photographs of boats. Paula knows I love them. I’d like to say thank you to her for making my Thursday very special. Do you have something special you’d like to share? Thursday’s Special is the place to do it.
Hartlepool marina
I didn’t really expect to take part in Sonel’s Black and White photo challenge again this week. Then I saw the subject matter and just couldn’t resist having a little play around.
I have an awful lot of shots of my neighbourhood, so the real challenge was in finding out which ones might best convert to black and white. I find I have a preference for sepia. How about you?
I love the hunched shadow at the rails on this photo.
The sky on this particular day was practically black already!
How wild and angry does this look? The houses are huddled against it!
I can watch the sea trying to leap the pier all day.
But this is undoubtedly one of my favourite shots from Hartlepool Headland.
Thanks again, Sonel, for getting me to look at my world a little differently. I rather like what I see. This challenge business is a little addictive, isn’t it? I’ve seen some wonderful entries already. Come with me to Sonel’s Corner and take a look. How about these for a start?
http://travelwithintent.com/2013/06/26/el-born-barcelona/
http://marantophotography.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/a-beautiful-spot-in-the-neighborhood/
http://bopaula.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/black-white-photo-challenge-neighbourhood/
http://weliveinaflat.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/abandoned-but-for-the-sun-and-moon-above/
Time to try a new challenge?
This one’s for Sonel
She tells me that she likes horses.
I love writing my little photo stories and the emphasis is always on the story. Along the way I’ve met some superb photographers, and sometimes been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the person behind the camera. I’m dedicating this post to Sonel, who this week started the Black and White Photo Challenge. The subject for the first entry is Nature.
So, it’s time for a little gentle experimentation. I am astounded by the facility with which even someone as inept as me can change the appearance of a photograph. Whether that results in a good photo or a bad photo, I’m really not equipped to say. I only know what I like. Mostly that means a world of colour, from palest pastels to vibrant reds. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate black and white and all those interesting sepia shades.
I love the drama of my north eastern coastline
Cliffs like these are commonplace in Yorkshire
But flowers? To me it seems a little cruel to divest them of their colour.
What about my delicate hellebores? I think they need their jewel colours.
And how can this black and white version be called a sunflower?
I know it’s chiefly my lack of skill, but I think I will be using black and white sparingly. I’m more than happy to leave it to the experts. Sonel’s images are amazing. She’s even designed a wonderfully dramatic rose logo to accompany the post. So, what are you waiting for? Go there right now and admire, and then join in. If I can do it, you surely can.
Oops! Nearly forgot to thank Cate at Show My Face for letting me participate in Six word Saturday.
restlessjo 
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