[ d u n g c a r t d o t c o m ]A place for the stuff that leaks out of my head

Fly Away Home from duncmc via flickr.

Having read about the so called “reverse lens macro“ technique I thought I would give it a try. This was taken in natural daylight with a 50mm lens held reveresed in front of my regular telephoto on full zoom. It’s a pity the highlight has blown out, and focussing isn’t perfect due to the very shallow depth of field, but given that it was all hand held I am quite pleased with the result.

The Last To Remember Her Name from duncmc via flickr.

It’s two weeks since the 2007 Ferens Open Exhibition finished. I was fortunate enough to have one of my three submissions accepted, but not so fortunate that anyone liked it enough to buy it. My entry came back yesterday.

This is a photo of the same subject, taken from a different angle last Thursday. And I just made 5000 views on my flickr photostream, so thanks to all those who have visited.

Kolour Kast from duncmc via flickr.

Third and final shot of the series from Hessle Skate Park. This is probably my favourite because of the colours.

Basket Case from duncmc via flickr.

Ultrawide shot of the same graffiti covered ramp in yesterday’s picture. The second in a series of three from Hessle Skate Park, East Yorkshire.

Beneath The Wire from duncmc via flickr.

End view of a graffiti covered skate ramp at Hessle Skate Park. This is the first in another series of three, and also my first posted shot from the 400D.

Despite having become quite attached to the old Canon EOS 300D, times move on and I have finally replaced it with the 400D. The fact that Leigh from the band was eager to take the 300D off my hands smoothed the upgrade path considerably. However, as I was selling it to a mate I felt that I ought to do something about the specks of dirt that had accumulated on the sensor (or more accurately, on the infra-red filter that sits in front of the sensor in the camera).

The circular spots on the image that are a result of these miniscule bits of sensor dust have gradually become more noticeable over the last couple of months, to the point where they were really quite annoying. They often required retouching in Photoshop, but the prospect of damaging the delicate sensor with a cotton bud put me off taking the plunge and cleaning the thing. As it happens I needn’t have worried.

After a spot of Googling, the concensus seemed to be that the Photographic Solutions cleaning kit was the best bet. And I can heartily recommend them. They offer three starter kits for different sizes of sensor – number 2 does the EOS series, and I picked one up from local dealer Hilton Photographic for £22.95. It took a couple of swabs to remove all the dirt, but the process was painless.

Although the sensor inside the camera is undoubtedly very delicate, the greatest risk is that the shutter curtains get damaged if they close while the swab is inserted in the camera body. The actual process of swabbing the sensor is relatively straightforward and risk free if the instructions that came with the cleaning kit are followed.

Of course if you do happen to mash up your sensor as a result of reading this post, then I’m afraid I can’t be held responsible. But it really is a breeze.

Seafish from duncmc via flickr.

The sun sets behind the Seafish Industry Authority’s offices on St. Andrew’s Quay (East) in Hull. The north tower of the Humber bridge is just visible in the distance to the right of the building, above the derelict lock gates in the foreground.

The lock gates are at the entrance to the now silted-up St. Andrew’s Dock, which was the main trawler dock in Hull until it was decommissioned in 1975. This must once have been one of the busiest parts of the city, but most of the dockside buidings here are now decaying and overgrown. The site is now earmarked for regeneration.

I took this picture in December 2006 and it featured in the BBC Humber Photo Galleries for that month.

Chimneys #3 from duncmc via flickr.

The third and final image in the series. This one I like for the shapes, and is probably my favourite of the three.

Chimneys #2 from duncmc via flickr.

The second in the series. I like this one for the tonality in the image.

Chimneys #1 from duncmc via flickr.

This is the first of a series of three pictures taken while walking near the river. The subject matter and treatment of all three photos is very similar, but I like each one for different qualities. This one I like for the symmetrical composition.