autofantasia's photos

For this week's Sunday Challenge , for which we were asked to create an orb . Been a while since I did any so I was a bit rusty with the technique and must admit that some of the shots I took last week, which I thought would work really didn't do as well as I'd hoped. Still, I liked this one which is based on a photo I took at Kiplin Hall, North Yorkshire, of an allium that had gone to seed. The orb itself was create using the recognised technique of altering the polar co-ordinates while the back ground is the original image mirrored several times and then cropped. When I get time, most likely tomorrow, I'll add the original image into the Notes along with a few others that I crafted for this particular challenge, but which lost out in the end to the allium.

For this week's Sunday Challenge , for which we were asked to go back to basics : Either use a non-zoom or set your lens to 35 or 50mm only, camera to ISO100, and lets see something SOOC, no crop, no post pro, just like in the old days of film, or even use ISO100 film, mono or colour. The only post processing allowed will be your watermark-signature. To meet the challenge I used the 18-105mm kit lens that came with my Nikon D90 set to 50mm. I couldn't select ISO 100 as such because the D90 only goes down to ISO 200, so I had to select Lo 1.0 , which apparently equates to ISO 100. For my subject I decided to go with this thought provoking and imposing piece of art called Eleven 'O' One (11:01) which can be found near the Terrace Green cenotaph in Seaham, Country Durham. Known locally as 'Tommy' the statue was built using special CorTen steel, an alloy material originally produced by United States Steel. This corrosion resistant steel when left uncoated develops an outer layer patina that protects the steel from additional corrosion and gives the statue its distinct appearance. Standing 9ft 5ins tall, it weighs 1.2 tonnes and was created to mark the centenary of the start of the Great War by artist Ray Lonsdale. Looking decidedly war-weary 'he' sits thoughtfully, head bowed, rifle in hand, as he reflects upon the sheer horror of World War One during the first minute after peace was declared in 1918, which is where the official name comes from. Apparently, the sculpture is also intended to represent Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which many of the returning soldiers endured even though at that time the condition was little understood and was simply referred to back then as "shell shock" as it was attributed to concussions caused by the impact of exploding shells. Shell shock was characterized by "the dazed, disoriented state many soldiers experienced during combat or shortly thereafter". And when soldiers who were not exposed to exploding shells were found to be experiencing similar symptoms it was assumed that these soldiers were cowardly and weak. Treatment was brief, consisting only of a few days of comfort, with the "firm expectation that the soldier return to duty" and because 65% of shell-shocked soldiers ultimately returned to the front lines, treatment was considered a success. Anyone who wants to know more about the installation and the artist behind it might like to read the following article, which was published in the local press shortly after the statue was put in place: www.thejournal.co.uk/news/news-opinion/sculptor-ray-lonsdale-reveals-story-7374302 A tricky challenge I found as I missed the flexibility that being able to change the SO can give you and it also made me realise how much I rely on post-processing to tweak my shots and supposedly bring out the best in them even down to the fine border that I always add, but which I've managed to resist doing here ... even if how the photo merges into the white background really, really annoys me!

For this week's Sunday Challenge , for which we were asked to take a photograph of a place you love . I was torn between RHS Harlow Carr and Fountains Abbey for this particular challenge, but in the end decided to take a shot of the latter if only because we had a trip to there already planned. This is the view as you walk down towards the ruins from the main Visitor Centre and I like it because I think it encapsulates what the place has to offer in addition to the abbey: peace, tranquillity, beautiful scenery, wildlife and a feeling of wellbeing. And in case anyone is wondering if the sheep and the solo bird were added or cloned in I can honestly say they were not, I was just lucky I guess when it came to getting my shot. Please view on black for best effect.

For this week's Sunday Challenge , for which we were asked to find an S-curve . We were told if we were really struggling we could simply photograph the letter S , but ideally we were to find something that resembled the S-curve . Sounded straightforward, but when it came to getting a suitable subject like many I found it to be a more difficult challenge than it first appeared. In the end I managed to come up with a couple, both taken this week at Newby Hall in North Yorkshire. This ornate bit of stonework was found on a wall within the grounds, whilst the one in the Notes is of a Willow tree that I noticed had a bizarre S-like twist to the trunk. Apologies for the late posting and being behind with comments, but the Bank Holiday weekend has been very busy ... so a big thank you to Chris for keeping the 'door' open so that I could still post an entry this week!

What you might call a nearly ran for this week's Sunday Challenge , for which we were asked to find an S-curve . Initially, I had just posted a small version of this shot into the Notes on my main entry. However, it generated so many positive remarks that I decided it perhaps deserved to be posted on its own for people to properly enjoy.

Not the best of shots as it was taken through glass in poor light and at the limits of my new lens, which is why I've had to tweak it somewhat. Still, I thought it worth sharing for amusement value if nothing else. This cheeky and clever little squirrel is a fairly new, but increasingly regular visitor to our garden and obviously thinks the feeding station has been put in place for its own personal use!

For this week's Sunday Challenge , for which the theme was metal . This is one of two metal 'bikes' attached onto the fence that surrounds the car park for The Royal George in Morton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire, which is a small village a few miles from Northallerton. I'm guessing they were put up to show support for the Tour de Yorkshire. Not real bikes, although from a distance you might think they were!

For all those of you out there that like your fences on a Friday, those of you that are still here that is ... a big HFF to you all and a happy weekend to everyone for that matter - be they fencers or not! Please view on black for best effect.

Much has been said recently with regards the technical glitches people have encountered in trying to use ipernity, the so-called optimization process and what has been happening with Explore. On the whole I've kept out of the discussions of late, but I did reach out to Christophe to see if he could offer any explanations or reassurances over what's happening and this is what he has had to say: I must apologize for the last days service outages ... I've done a lot of platform optimizations lately, and yes, I've fixed hopefully the last problems this morning. Regarding the moderations issues (explore/spam) I've been speaking with the IMA today. A new "moderation" team will be in place very soon. Whilst I appreciated the fact that at least he replied to me, I was saddened that he didn't really offer any reassurances on what is happening with regards the IMA takeover, although the fact that he has been talking to them today about site moderation suggests that he is still committed to handing the platform over. I had also commented on the fact that subscription fees have been increased dramatically and suggested he think again about making a 1 month or 3 month renewal option available to existing users, but sadly he has not given any indication as to whether or not he might do this. However, at least he has made it clear that the technical glitches of late have indeed been down to site optimization; that he is still in contact with the IMA although they have suggested he was proving difficult to reach; and that between them they intend to establish some kind of "moderation team" in the near future. From a personal point of view I'm trying to decide if he has said enough to satisfy me that the IMA takeover is still on track and that he is committed to seeing it through as I must admit of late I have been thinking of leaving ipernity. If for no other reason than the fact that it seems increasingly difficult to ignore all the uncertainty that surrounds the platform and simply carry on as before, because it's simply not the place it used to be. The drawn out negotiations between Ipernity SA and the IMA combined with poor communication on both sides has seen tempers and nerves fray amongst the community; disagreements and splits have appeared where once there was harmony or at least as much harmony as you can ever have on a global online platform; and so, so many good people have left ipernity and are unlikely to return. I'm also frustrated that over the last 17 months since I posted an open letter to Team Ipernity suggesting that all was not well behind the scenes, an article that prompted them to admit for the first time that the site was in jeapordy, we are still surrounded by uncertainty and ambiguity. The comments by Christophe today with regards establishing a "moderation team", whilst most welcome, provide a clear example of why I feel so frustrated. Way back in January 2016 , a few weeks after I posted that letter, I also sent a document through to Christophe that sought to address many of the problems ipernity was experiencing back then and it contained not only my own ideas, but many of those that others had posted in various threads across the platform. And within that document the following problem with ipernity was highlighted and a possible solution was suggested: The resource issues that appear to be increasingly hampering you when it comes to doing what needs to be done to keep the site functioning properly and to keep the spammers at bay: This surely must be one area where you could utilise a group of volunteers to great effect, acting as moderators if you like, with access to certain tools that would allow them to remove unwanted messages, issue abuse warnings, and even close/block troublesome accounts. All of which just reminds me of the old adage/proverb that we have in the UK that states you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink" ... it so clearly still applies to this day.

Been wanting to try and get some shots of the oilseed rape that loads of farmers around here seem to be growing at the moment and finally got a chance yesterday. This was a field I came across on whilst exploring some of the small roads near to Kiplin Hall, North Yorkshire. I know many people hate it as a crop as it can play havoc with their hay fever, but is sure adds some colour to the landscape.

Another one taken recently at Newby Hall in North Yorkshire. I was admiring one of the many large conifers when I spotted this intruder, which appeared to have spotted an opportunity to take up residence in the upper canopy. Ran it through the 'processing room' to try and emphasise the small, but beautiful stowaway, which I hope you'll enjoy seeing as much as I did. Please view on black for best effect.

Some hosta plants as encountered recently at Newby Hall in North Yorkshire. I liked the unexpected and random addition of the solitary pink petal. Please view on black for best effect.

Created from 10 individual shots and merged together in Photoshop. This is Kiplin Hall , in North Yorkshire, an intriguing Jacobean house. It was built for George Calvert, Secretary of State to James I and founder of Maryland, USA. Since it was built way back in 1619, the house has belonged to four fascinating families, connected by blood or marriage, and some of the former owners even had royal connections. The last owner was Bridget Talbot who from 1937 until 1958 tried to interest the National Trust in taking over Kiplin, but they remained largely indifferent, considering the Hall of little historical significance and insisting that the north and south wings, which were later additions, would have to be demolished - something Miss Talbot was very much against. Then in February 1968, Miss Talbot set up the Kiplin Hall Trust, its purpose being to preserve Kiplin Hall for the benefit of the nation as a place historical and architectural interest. Bridget Talbot died in November 1971, leaving the contents of the Hall to the Trust, which still cares for the Hall and the surrounding estate today. Please view on black for best effect.

For this week's Sunday Challenge , the theme for which was glass . A challenge that finally gave me an excuse to take some shots of this cute little owl. The wings, legs and head are metal, but the body is made from a single piece of orange glass. I tried him in various positions around the garden, but decided in the end to use this shot of him sat on the roof of our smallest garden shed, mainly because I liked how the light was illuminating the glass. Once I'd decided to go with this shot though I had to get busy with the cloning tool as the roof was covered in bird poo ... nothing to do with the owl I hasten to add! Please view on black for best effect.

Most of the shots I take are captured using my Nikon D90 and the 18-105mm lens that came with it as standard. It's a good basic lens and has been pretty effective as far as it goes. However, I've often thought that (subject to finances) it would perhaps be good to get a slightly more powerful one as it might make taking certain types of shots more achievable and provide better results. Thankfully, this week I've finally managed to get my hands on such a more powerful lens in the shape of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm thanks to a small unexpected windfall. I first identified it as an option towards the end of last year when Jessops were selling it at £269, but at that time I didn't have the money. So you can imagine how gutted I was when I did have the finances in place to discover it had shot up to £305. Thankfully, Jessops offer to 'price match' albeit only against certain suppliers and it turned out that John Lewis are offering it at £264 so they agreed to match their price if I ordered it from them which I duly did. I've not had time to get out and about yet to put it to a real test, but I did set up a quick shoot in the back garden, which is what this diptych seeks to represent. I sat the small ceramic owl, which is only just over 4 inches (11cm) in height on top of my home made compost bins. Then I took two shots from the other corner of the garden, which is about 60ft away: the first using the old lens and the second using the new one. Got to say I was quite impressed by the difference the extra power made and am now looking forward to getting out and about with it soon. At least if ipernity closes down I'll now have something to do with the extra free time! Please view on black for best effect.

For this week's Sunday Challenge , the topic for which was Earth Day . This year it took place on April 22nd and the campaign was all about environmental and climate literacy. So with that in mind I thought a shot of a solar farm might be an appropriate subject, but the trouble was finding one nearby. I'd seen various articles online about planning applications being submitted for solar farms in my area, but hadn't heard of any actually being built. One such application was for two potential developments at Ainderby Steeple in North Yorkshire, but I'd not seen any sign of either being built. However, on the way home yesterday my wife thought she spotted one not far from Ainderby Steeple and so the hunt was on. Sure enough it was indeed a small solar farm, but now the trouble was finding a way to get close enough to it to get some photos. Eventually, I found a small lane that led in the direction of the solar farm from the village, but it stopped a mile or so away from the panels so I had to park up in a nearby field and walk across to the site. It was all built on flat land and the entire site was surrounded by a wire fence so I had great difficulty in getting the shots I'd hoped for having to shoot both over and through the fence. Still, I managed to get a few and headed back to the car feeling quite satisfied ... that was at least until I got back to the car as I found the owner and I assume his wife waiting for me. Turns out he didn't much appreciate my interest in his solar farm and was quick to inform me that I was tresspassing on private land and had gained acess to the site via a private road. I naturally tried to explain that I'd not realised any of that and that I was simply out for a walk to get some photos, but he didn't seem all that impressed or satisfied with any of that, nor with my apology. I tell you, some days I think to myself maybe I should just not have bothered. The thing is I grew up in the country and none of the farmers near where I lived as a child back in Scotland had any problem with people out walking or crossing their land. As long as you closed the gates behind you, didn't trample across planted fields and kept away from the livestock they were quite happy. So, the question is have the laws on such matters changed, are the rules in England different to Scotland or did I just get the chap on a bad day? Be interested to know what others think and more importantly what their understanding of the laws in England are so that I can try to avoid any such confrontations in the future. I've recently ordered a new more powerful lens for my camera and was thinking that once it arrived I'd be going out more into the countryside to try some wildlife shots, but this experience has left me wondering if that's such a good idea!

Contrary to what people often say and what this lamb obviously believes the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. For HFF - Happy Fence Friday . Wishing everyone a good weekend and hoping that next week brings further news of the IMA takeover of ipernity. Oh, and in case you're wondering this shot was taken at the same time as I took the one of The Three Lambs as used for last week's Sunday Challenge .

Well, it appears that the wait is over as Christophe Ruelle, the President and CEO of Ipernity SA, has finally accepted the IMA proposals as announced in a brief update posted by William Sutherland. The next few days should see further announcements being made on both sides once they have finalised the logistics of the transfer. Got to be honest I'd almost given up hope that a deal could be struck and even today there's still a little voice inside my head saying "I'll believe it when it happens", but this isn't really a day to be negative ... it's a day to celebrate and to try and be as optimistic as we can be about the future. It's also a day to say a big thank you to those involved within the 'inner circle' of the IMA, and not just William although I suspect his part has been significant, for all they've done to get us to this stage. Thanks also to Christophe who it appears has finally showed us all that he does indeed still care about this great platform his team created all those years ago and the community that come to call it home.