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  • POTD 1 Mar 2007: Separte Tables (Rehearsal) 1 March 2007


    Stockport Garrick: Separate Tables

    Tonight I was at Stockport Garrick doing cast and rehearsal photos for the next production:  Separate Tables.  This photo shows the two lead actors.  Both actors have to play two very different characters each.  For more information (including details of how to order tickets) please see http://www.stockportgarrick.co.uk/plays/07separatetables.html

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  • POTD 2 Mar 2007: Separte Tables (Rehearsal) 2 2 March 2007


    Stockport Garrick: Separate Tables

    Another photo from yesterday’s shoot at the Garrick.  Here we see Act 1 being rehearsed under the watchful gaze of the director.

    As noted yesterday, more information about the play and how to order tickets can be found at: http://www.stockportgarrick.co.uk/plays/07separatetables.html

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  • POTD Sat, 3 Mar 2007: Lunar eclipse squence 3 March 2007


    Lunar eclipse sequence

    There was a total eclipse of the moon tonight. I went out into the garden and photographed this sequence of images as the earth’s shadow fell across the lunar surface.

    The top row of images is exposed correctly for the light part of the moon. The bottom row of images is exposed correctly for the section in shadow. When the moon is in total eclipse it appears blood red.

    The timetable for future lunar eclipses can be found at:
    http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/lunar.html

    PLEASE NOTE: This is not a source of free photographs.
    This photograph is (c) Ian M Butterfield. All rights are reserved. No use Is permitted (including non-commercial use) without prior permission. If you wish to use any of my photographs please ask first.

    Image Reference: EZ0303A-E01272-SEQ

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  • POTD 4 Mar 2007: Lamp Post 4 March 2007


    An ornimental lamp post in Place de la Victoire, Tunis, Tunisia

    Returning back to the Tunisa photos for a little while… yes I’ve still got loads of them to clean up.

    This lamp post was located in Place de la Victoire – I presume that it comes from the time when the country was under French rule.  It is a lamp post that looks more continental than Arabic.

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  • POTD 5 Mar 2007: Sale: The Llandoger Trow, Bristol. 5 March 2007

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  • POTD 6 Mar 2007: Frustration 6 March 2007


    A whitewashed tower in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

    It has been a very frustraiting day.  Yesterday I had made real progress (or so I thought) on the images I’m preparing for library submission.  This morning I discovered that I had a setting in Photoshop set incorrectly for the last day and a half… when meant that over half of the images I’d worked on yesterday and some from the day before have to be recovered from back up and redone.

    For those who use Photoshop, the problem was that I thought thought I was doing a simple crop of my images but in reality the images were being resized and resampled at the same time.  (There was a value set for width in the crop perameters – it should have been (and normally is) left blank).

    So all I’ve spent most of today redoing images that I thought I finished with… yes today’s POTD is one of those images.

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  • POTD 7 Mar 2007: Closing the door on TalkTalk 7 March 2007


    A traditional blue studded door in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

    I’m wondering if this is going to be may last POTD entry for a while. 

    Today should be our last day with TalkTalk as our broadband supplier.  I won’t bore you with the catalog of problems we have had with TalkTalk but suffice it to say that we won’t be sorry to be leaving them.

    In theory, changing broadband supplier should be a simple task.  However I’ve read lots of nightmare stories where companies have ceased supplying the service but have not released the line and the new supplier has not been able to provide the service.  I’ve heard some stories where people have been without internet access for two weeks.  (The time that a line has to be dormant before a new supplier can take control of the service without the co-operation of the old service supplier).

    So having had problems with TalkTalk in the past, I’m assuming the worst and warning people that there is a real possibility that I won’t be online for a while.

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  • POTD 8 Mar 2007: Separate Tables – Full Cast 8 March 2007


    Stockport Garrick : Separate Tables

    Tonight was dress rehearsal photography for Stockport Garrick’s “Separate Tables”. Today’s POTD is a full cast photo from the play.

    What is interesting about this photo is that although all the tables were on stage all the time – then entire cast of characters (as shown) were never on stage all at the same time. (Particularly as two actors both played two characters each). This image is actually a composite made up from no less than five different photos taken at different points in the play.

    Now here’s challenge (Stockport Garrick members are not alowed to enter) which two people appear on the photograph twice? One is pretty easy to spot, the other isn’t.

    As a clue the full set of images from the show can be seen here: http://photos.imb.biz/theatre/garrick/separatetables

    PLEASE NOTE: This is not a source of free photographs.
    This photograph is (c) Ian M Butterfield. All rights are reserved. No use Is permitted (including non-commercial use) without prior permission. If you wish to use any of my photographs please ask first.

    Image Reference: EZ0308B-E01563

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  • POTD 9 Mar 2007: Bye-bye TalkTalk 9 March 2007


    Bye Bye Talk Talk

    While checking my TalkTalk account was actually closed (they can’t tell me whether it is or not, by the way – their systems don’t update in real time!), I discovered a little facility on their website…. people sketch.

    The ads in the UK consist of people making up messages and pictures and they now have a facility on their website so the we can draw pictures or write words to be spelt out by animated people.  I resisted the temptation to draw a picture consisting of two fingers in the air but instead left them this message:

    http://www.peoplesketch.co.uk/index.php?psid=4573

    (Warning the link plays some sickly sweet music… you might want to turn your speekes off first!).

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  • POTD 11 Mar 2007: Sale: IKB 11 March 2007

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  • POTD 12 Mar 2007: Sale: Rugby School 12 March 2007

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  • POTD 13 Mar 2007: Sheffield at Night 13 March 2007


    Sheffield at Night

    I went over to Sheffield this afternoon/evening to attend a presentation by Alamy Head of Content, Alan Capel.  A very interesting talk, for me it was more reasuring than new info.  It is good to hear all those things I had assumed/picked up about stock photography confirmed as true.  I also got one or two tidbits about some future developments at Alamy…. sorry stock shooters, can’t tell you any more… non-disclosure agreements and all that!

    Afterwards I spend a few minutes in front of the station (opposite the venue for the meeting) and grabbed a handful of shots of the water and light feature.  Apparently it is pretty new and has only be there a few months.  So I guess the photo will find its way to Alamy before too long!

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  • POTD 14 Mar 2007: Tiger Tiger 14 March 2007


    Mosaic of the pelt of a tiger at the Bardo Museum, Tunis, Tunisia

    I’ve been working on some photos from the Bardo in Tunis today.  Among the many mosaics there is this one.  I think there is something quite special about it.  Imagine the origianl home that had this on it’s floor.  All the beauty of a tiger skin rug without the tripping hazzard!  There is something very modern about this concept but yet the mosaic comes from the time of the Roman Empire.

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  • POTD 15 Mar 2007: Italian Flag 15 March 2007


    The italian flag at the Vittoriano, the Vitorio Emanuele Monument, Rome.

    Sold this image today – Royalty Free, so all I can tell you is the size it sold at:

    64 MB
    3768 x 5964 pixels
    1 MB compressed

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  • POTD 16 Mar 2007: Sunset in Tunis 16 March 2007


    Fountains, Place du 7 Novembre, Tunis, Tunisia

    Wasn’t quite sure what photo to pick as my POTD today.  I’ve recently been editing Tunis photos so here’s a photo of a sunset in Tunis.  I’ll try to write a more interesting comment tomorrow!

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  • POTD 17 Mar 2007: Sale: Paperclips 17 March 2007

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  • POTD 18 Mar 2007: McLaren No 3 18 March 2007


    McLaren Formula One Car

    Today started early…. 2.15am early.  I was up watching the Austrailian F1 GrandPrix.  Managed to keep my eyes open for most of it (although it wasn’t the most interesting race I’ve watched).

    It was great to see rookie UK driver Lewis Hamilton bring his McLaren in for third place.  Which reminded me that I have a photo of a McLaren F1 car in my collection!

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  • POTD 19 Mar 2007: Preparation 19 March 2007


    Heaton Moor Park

    Today’s POTD is a local park, where later this month I will be taking some wedding photos.  This shot was taken two days ago durring a recon of the location.  Earlier today I met with the couple to discuss their photos.

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  • POTD 20 Mar 2007: Video cable questions 20 March 2007


    Video cable question mark

    Today I got a phone call from a friend who was having trouble recabling his TV, Video, Cable Box and DVD player.  It it all used to work before he unplugged it… now it doesn’t since he put it back together again. 

    First rule of technology… if it is working don’t take it apart.
    Second rule of technology… if you have to take it apart… make a note where all the cables came from!

    Ok, so my friend did have a good reason for taking the cables out.  And it sounded as though he had put all the cables back in the right places.  But it still wasn’t working.  I suggested swapping over two cables.  There was no real evidence that this would solve it, but suggesting it always makes it sound as though I know what I’m talking about, and on this occasion surprisingly it did solve it.  My friend is happy, and my reputation as a technology guru remains intact!

    The whole experience inspired todays POTD, a set of video cables in the form of a question mark – that’s got to be a marketable image…. hasn’t it?

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  • POTD 21 Mar 2007: Do not disturb 21 March 2007


    Hotel door sign in English, French and Arabic.

    Yesterday I commented that I had used a phone call from a friend to inspire me to take a photo which will (in due time) be submitted for sale with one or more photographic libraries.

    Finding subjects for stock images is a strange game, and when you are doing it all the time, you start to see the world in a very peculiar way.  For example, while I was in Tunisia last year, one of the hotels we stayed at had a “Do not disturb” sign.  It was bright red and had the message in three languages.  The moment I saw it, I immediately thought “stock photo” – Three languages… that means three times the countries that might buy it.

    (Before any one says it…. yes, I know, it’s sad…. but, hey, I’d still rather be doing this than working for a large IT company!)

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  • POTD 22 Mar 2007: Sousse 22 March 2007


    Defensive tower of the Great Mosque, Sousse, Tunisia

    More cleaning up of tunisia images today (yawn).  Getting to know exactly where each of the hundreds of dust spots were on my camera sensor by this stage.  And the more blue sky in the photo the more I had to clean.

    I’ll be out taking photos over the next couple of days so at least that will be a break from cleaning them up.  There’s a chance I may not be able to post updates till Sunday… but I will if I can.

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  • POTD 23 Mar 2007: Lichfield 23 March 2007


    Main Entrance Lichfield Cathedral

    Today it was off to Lichfield to the Stockport Garrick weekend away.  We drove down this afternoon and found our hotel.  We had a brief look round the cathedral area of the city before tea.  Not really enough light to take any decent photos but I did shoot a handful of frames including this shot of the door to the cathedral complete with a carving on Mary and Jesus on the door post.  Tomorrow, or sunday I plan to go back and have another go.

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  • POTD 24 Mar 2007: The Lichfield Garrick 24 March 2007


    The Main Stage at the Lichfield Garrick

    As noted in yesterday’s entry we are currently in Lichfield with Stockport Garrick theatre.  Why Lichfield, well, it is the birthplace of David Garrick the famous actor after whom the theatre in Stockport is named.  As part of the visit here we had a tour of the “Lichfield Garrick”.

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  • POTD 25 Mar 2007: Cathedral Carvings 25 March 2007


    Carving on Main Entrance to Lichfield Cathedral

    Firstly my appologies to readers of this POTD, Ann and I have been in Lichfield since Friday for a weekend away with Stockport Garrick Theatre.  During that time I didn’t have internet access, so although I’d created my POTD for Friday and Saturday I couldn’t upload them until today.

    Today was our last day in Lichfield, but before leaving we went back to the cathedral so I could get some additional shots of the carvings on the church facade.  This is a close-up of the Mary and Jesus carving from the main entrance.  (As seen on Friday’s POTD).

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  • POTD 26 Mar 2007: Clean Up 26 March 2007


    Cleaning photos of the Roman amphitheatre / Coliseum at El Jem, Tunisia

    I’m still cleaning up my photos for library submission.  Now, I’m ware I’ve been saying that for a very long time, and I’m sure people are begining to wonder why it is taking so long.

    Take a look at today’s photo – it is of El Jem in Tunisia.  This is one of the photos I cleaned up today.  Now take a look at the magnified sections.  Look at the before image and you will see lots of black dots on the image.  This is caused by dust on the sensor.  Every single dot has to be removed from the image – it is a time consuming, pain staking process.

    Why so much dust on the sensor?  Well firstly Tunisia is a dustly place.  Secondly I had just purchased the camera (a Canon 5D) shortly before going on the trip.  I didn’t know it at the time but the 5D has something of a reputation as a dust magnet.  And thirdly at the time my sensor cleaning kit involved the use of flamable chemicals so I couldn’t take it on flights and it had to be left at home.  So the only thing I could do was to digitally clean about 400-500 Tunisian photos on my return. And that is why it is taking so long!

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  • POTD 27 Mar 2007: El Jem 27 March 2007


    Looking down on the arena of the Roman amphitheatre / Coliseum at El Jem, Tunisia

    Here is the interior of the El Jem roman arena that I showed in yesterdays POTD.

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  • POTD 28 Mar 2007: Seeing the back of King Tut 28 March 2007


    The rear view of the golden death mask of Tutankhamun, Cairo Museum

    I’ve been playing with flickr over the last few days.  Yet another attempt to raise my profile as a photographer.  (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianbutty/) I was posting a few photos today including this one of the back of King Tutankhamun’s death mask.  This is one of my favourite views of the mask and not one that you see too often.  As I was posting it to flickr, I realised I had never shared it as a POTD… so no time like the present to correct that oversight.

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  • POTD 29 Mar 2007: Monastir Ribat 29 March 2007


    The Ribat, Monastir, Tunisia

    This is the Ribat (fortified monestry) at Monastir, Tunisia.  It was also the location used for the film “Monty Python’s Life of Brian”. 

    Careful use of wide angle lenses and making sure the nearby building are just out of shot makes this building look as though it stands alone with nothing round it.  Who says the camera never lies?

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  • POTD 30 Mar 2007: Monastir Ribat (in context) 30 March 2007


    The Ribat and the Great Mosque, Monastir, Tunisia

    This is the same ribat as in yesterday’s photo.  This time it doesn’t look quite so isolated as it did in the previous photo.   A wide angle lens and careful positioning of what you are photographing can make a location appear quite different.  It’s a trick travel photographers use all the time… so don’t go believing everything you see in the travel brouchures!

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  • POTD Sat, 31 Mar 2007: Spirit of Ecstasy 31 March 2007


    Spirit of Ecstasy

    When I photograph weddings I always try to capture a few details. Such as the front of the wedding car.

    PLEASE NOTE: This is not a source of free photographs.
    This photograph is (c) Ian M Butterfield. All rights are reserved. No use Is permitted (including non-commercial use) without prior permission. If you wish to use any of my photographs please ask first.

    Image Reference: EZ0331A-E01804-Edit

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