tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15320244533719606692024-02-20T06:50:01.364+00:00Caz PhotoMy blog about photography, techniques, equipment and tutorials<br />photographs © Caroline Mockett ARPS all rights reservedCaz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-88745245643623234662008-06-13T19:41:00.006+01:002008-07-07T14:31:11.230+01:00A New Home!It's always been my ambition to get my various blogs integrated properly with their relevent photographic website. And whilst I've enjoyed being hosted with Blogger for the past couple of years, now I've finally managed to get everything set up properly on my general photography website.The main site lives at cazphoto.co.uk and you can now find this blog migrated to the site too, with a properly Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-90292702023905745772008-04-06T00:19:00.001+01:002008-04-06T00:29:42.367+01:00March ReviewMarch seemed to fly by. We had variable weather - some days were a complete washout, but others gave us a bit of sun; then we had snow on Easter Sunday! Early in the month, I inviested in a new lens, which I've been using whenever possible since. I'm pleased with the resutls so far. And mid-month, I had the pleasure of meeting two of my 366-buddies when I visited Sussex for a conference. Great toCaz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-40021925194842330872008-03-05T19:20:00.009+00:002008-03-05T19:35:11.098+00:00On LensesI took a long, critical look the other day at some of the photos I'd recently taken with my Canon 17-85mm lens [left]. It's built for digital and as such, can't be used on any 35mm or full-frame censor CCD cameras (such as Canon's 5D - not that I have one!).I've had it a couple of years, bought as a replacement for the original 18-55mm kit lens which came with my EOS 300D in 2004. That lens was Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-41100256728689544662008-03-02T18:28:00.002+00:002008-03-05T18:39:05.670+00:00February ReviewFebruary was of course longer than usual this year, but us 366 folk didn't get a day off! I've still kept up the photo a day discipline quite easily. And I think my "mundane" days have been more interesting than those during January, so maybe I'm learning!I'll kick off with some "near misses" that almost made it as shot of the day during February:[Millennium Window - the lovely new stained glass Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-39236309736957049092008-02-22T23:38:00.006+00:002008-02-22T23:47:21.642+00:00Cooking Up Some InterestI was idly fiddling with Photoshop CS3 this afternoon and thought I would have a little play with the Filter Gallery. I'm not normally one for over-using filters with my images, but I wondered if some shots could be improved with a little creativity. Here are three quick recipes for cooking up some interest in your pictures, even when they might seem pretty uninspiring to begin with.Delicious Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-33592175227231793342008-02-02T10:58:00.000+00:002008-02-10T01:09:22.919+00:00January ReviewI've managed to keep up the My Year In Pictures project throughout January without too much trouble. They're not all masterpieces by any means, but I'm pleased with most of the shots. Some days it was a quick grab shot with my compact camera, others I managed to get out with the DSLR specifically to take some shots (and get some exercise!)First, I thought I would show you some "near misses" that Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-13819676417549940652008-01-29T19:06:00.000+00:002008-01-29T19:13:07.339+00:00How To Take... Water SplashesI've often seen other people's photos of water splashing into a surface and thought I should have a go at it myself. With the My Year In Pictures project, I've kept a list of subjects I should try, to give some inspiration on days when it's not nice outdoors or I just can't think what to take.Today, I had a go at some macro shots of water splashes. It's harder than it looks! You need a fast Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-13606744366788197392008-01-22T13:18:00.000+00:002008-01-22T13:26:25.734+00:00Exhibition In BatterseaSince the beginning of December, I've had an exhibition of my rugby photographs at The Castle, a gastropub in Battersea High Street.Last Sunday I invited a few friends over to have lunch and admire the pictures. The pub has recently been refurbished, and the pale wooden frames suited the new decor. Apparently the pictures are popular with the locals too!Here's a few shots of how they look hangingCaz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-68467171945842884552008-01-19T13:03:00.000+00:002008-01-22T13:05:33.773+00:00My Year In PicturesAfter my enforced rest with my broken elbow/bashed knee last year, I decided that I would try to keep a photographic diary of 2008 - taking at least one picture every day, even when I'm just slogging away with work and not going anywhere interesting.So far, I've managed to keep it up. I'm not sure they will all be masterpieces, but it's an interesting challenge to keep the momentum going, and notCaz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-26159078504483406342007-11-12T20:59:00.000+00:002007-11-12T21:18:34.661+00:00High ISO Noise ComparisonI have already talked a little about the effects of high ISO noise in a previous post. And one of the reasons I wanted to upgrade from my Canon EOS 300D to my new 30D was it's alleged better performance at high ISO settings, plus the ability to choose ISO 3200 in really dark situations, whereas the old camera would only go up to ISO 1600.So I thought it might be useful to take a closer look at Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-37644540441114684312007-10-26T23:27:00.000+01:002007-10-29T22:51:23.365+00:00How To Take... Kids PortraitsI'm not a great proponent of formal portrait for adults, let alone kids. They rarely sit still and pose how you'd like, and I find the pictures usually end up looking stilted and a bit false. I admire photographers who can get good results from the studio, but I prefer a more candid approach.Here are a selection of pictures I've taken of friends' kiddies.[Alexander in front of a window, natural Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-75264106659384590242007-10-25T19:55:00.000+01:002007-10-29T22:03:14.217+00:00How To Take... A Photo EssayA Photo Essay is a set of pictures which tells a story. It need not be about anything profound, but the images must tell the story with little textual explanation. As you can see, each individual image is no masterpiece, but taken together they form a coherent set which fit together well.For a bit of fun, I decided to photograph the story of my lunch a while ago. I used my Canon IXUS 850 IS, Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-63353883929509294602007-10-21T20:43:00.000+01:002007-10-24T20:51:55.826+01:00Out And About AgainAfter five weeks of frustration, hobbling and a sore elbow, I'm finally able to get about a bit better now, and spent a lovely morning wandering round Galleywood Common, close to where I live.The autumn colours were in full force [left, Autumn Oak leaf] and the sun was out, with a blue sky all round. It was a bit cool, but I didn't mind.And despite living close by for 4+ years, I'd never set footCaz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-75852334285681254122007-09-15T16:41:00.000+01:002007-10-24T16:42:51.686+01:00Out Of ActionNot sure when I'll be out and about to take photos again - I've had an accident which has bashed up my left knee and broken my left elbow - so holding a heavy SLR is out of the question at the moment!I'll just have to stay at home and watch a bit of rugby - there's plenty on the telly at the moment...I've even watched the reruns of the two Rugby World Cup games I saw in France. Here's a shot fromCaz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-71632068308478695022007-09-10T16:18:00.000+01:002007-10-24T16:26:43.531+01:00Coupe du Monde en FranceI was lucky enough to take a trip to the Rugby World Cup which started in France on Friday. I was on a tour which took in the Opening Ceremony, first game with France vs Argentina in Paris, then England vs USA in Lens the next evening. The trip was a lot of fun.The links above give you photos from the two games, but I also took some shots in and around the ground to illustrate the ambience and Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-16247467656426528792007-09-02T22:41:00.000+01:002007-10-24T15:51:58.783+01:00Big Band SendoffThe Rugby World Cup has rolled around again pretty quickly, and I was in Regents Park this afternoon for the Scrum In The Park event. The fans were able to see the England Rugby team training some lucky kids, there was a double-decker bus to sign with good wishes, and a Military Band provided the music to send off the team in stirring style. You can see more photos of the rugby-related stuff at Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-4012348729450097302007-07-08T11:59:00.000+01:002007-10-24T14:09:33.702+01:00Summer Evening JazzFor years, I've been meaning to get along to the Ingatestone Jazz Concert which is held in the grounds of the Elizabethen Ingatestone Hall in Essex. This year, I finally managed it, after being invited along to take some photos for the local Rotary Club.It was a lovely summer evening, and I wanted to capture some of the atmosphere of the open air picnics as the audience listened to the music. Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-28408648563839035102007-06-18T00:13:00.000+01:002007-10-21T20:47:32.891+01:00How To Take... Concert PhotographyNovice photographers are often disappointed with the shots they get from their cameras at concerts and other low-light situations. This is usually due to the fact that, if left to it's own devices, the camera will decide what ISO speed to use, and can also insist on using on-camera flash.If you're at a concert, using flash can be enough to get you thrown out of the venue (to say nothing of it Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-45606321258542168472007-06-01T15:22:00.000+01:002007-10-21T15:46:10.466+01:00Thinking Around The SubjectI take a lot of photos at rugby matches, but sometimes during the break or after the game can provide some really interesting subjects, not just the players on the pitch. This is particularly true when it's a big Cup Final game.On 19th May, I saw Bath vs ASM Clermont-Auvernge play the European Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stoop. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and by the time the game Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-71770377404779315322007-05-06T21:57:00.000+01:002007-05-07T20:00:35.219+01:00Dallying In WellsAlthough not strictly part of my "Coast & Cornwall" trip, I took the opportunity to stop off in picturesque Wells, in Somerset, on my way back home, via a stop in Wiltshire to visit friends. I'd seen the Cathedral on a previous trip, but I had never visited the Bishop's Palace Gardens, which are well worth a visit:[The Bishop's Prison is in the garden, tucked away in a shady corner]You can wanderCaz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-3638794636037971632007-05-05T22:50:00.000+01:002007-05-07T18:09:36.307+01:00Coast & Cornwall Day 9 - Tintagel & BoscastleI set off from Padstow this morning with a hazy sky above, but by late morning it had burned off a bit. I had a look around the ancient village of Tintagel and King Arthur's alleged castle. It's a stiff climb up the cliffs but the views from the top are worth it:[View from high up on the cliffs at Tintagel, with ruins and the rocky cove below]My next stop was just a few miles up the road, to the Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-22596638166583593352007-05-04T23:52:00.000+01:002007-05-07T18:09:00.103+01:00Coast & Cornwall Day 8 - Lappa Valley & PadstowlMy first stop after leaving St. Ives was the Lappa Valley Steam Railway, a few miles south of Newquay. They have a narrow gague track which was running a lovely little engine called Zebedee today:[Lappa Valley Railway No. 1 "Zebedee" chuffing off from East Wheel Rose station]I drove through Newquay, but didn't see anything which inspired me enough to stop for pictures. After some lunch at a Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-78122272880462876662007-05-04T00:07:00.000+01:002007-05-07T18:08:23.632+01:00Coast & Cornwall Day 7 - Newlyn To Land's EndAnother stop-start day, with a bit of driving followed by a break for pictures.My attention was attracted first off by the ruin of an old mine near Cripplesease, as I was heading for Penzance & Newlyn. Both had lovely harbours, but Newlyn's was a little more picturesque:[Float My Boat - just how many fishing floats does one boat need?]I moved round the coast to Mousehole around lunchtime, but Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-28811323957181826902007-05-02T23:38:00.000+01:002007-05-07T18:07:49.313+01:00Coast & Cornwall Day 6 - Goonhilly, Lizard & St. IvesMy first stop of the day was at Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station, where visitors can see lots of the dishes and even get a guided tour round one. I guess the old engineer in me never dies! Here's a shot of Arthur, built in 1962 to track the fast-moving Telstar satellite - apparently it can do one full azimuth revolution in 3 minutes![Arthur, the oldest dish at Goonhilly, and you can tour round Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1532024453371960669.post-48453573042531094702007-05-02T00:30:00.000+01:002007-05-07T18:07:05.547+01:00Coast & Cornwall Day 5 - Roseland Peninsular & FalmouthQuite a few short stops today, with plenty of variety of things to see. I started off with a short detour off the main route between St. Austall and St. Mawes to visit the peculiar round houses in Veryan. I didn't know they existed until I saw them on a local postcard last night in Mevagissey - it's always worth looking at postcards for inspiration of places to visit! Here's one of my efforts:[Caz Mocketthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10460489611014669888noreply@blogger.com0