I’ve talked about new chapters and this would be a good time to show how you can follow my journey and my learning. I’ve had a few social network accounts for some time now but I’ve got to the point where I decided to create more of a brand if you like. The three main online accounts I use for sharing my photography will be Google+, Facebook and Flickr. It would be great to hear from people on these networks, spread the word and get general support and tips so feel free to follow or add.

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Apart from that, feel free to follow on any of the these other social networks too…

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In October I finally got round to buying myself a DSLR (which I have been planning for about a year now) and I see this as a new chapter really in my photography (or at least one of two, the other being a more minor addition). So I just wanted to post a few pictures from this Summer’s camping trips before I start on some new ventures.

First up was a week camping in Wareham Forest, Dorset. We’ve been there before and it’s a great base for heading out to some lovely bits of the country. Our longest day trip was out to Highclere Castle (just south of Newbury) which has been made famous through its use as “Downton Abbey” in the hit ITV series of the same name.

Highclere Castle (AKA Downton Abbey)

Following our stay in Dorset (and after a brief spell back at work), we set off to Oxford for the week. I didn’t really take many pictures this year as I took so many last year however I can’t wait to return again soon. However here are some shots I did take…

Christchurch College (Oxford)

I was particularly impressed with the museums of Oxford this year having visited the Ashmolean Museum we also visited Oxford University Museum of Natural History with its spectacular steel roof….

Mesh (Steel roof of the University of Oxford's Natural History Museum)

With the Royal Wedding this week I decided to use three of my holidays in order to get a cracking 11 days off work. A good return in my opinion and to add to this, the weather has been fantastic. Therefore it would have been rude not to get out on the bike and tie it in with a bit of camping.

Day One: Dolgellau to Barmouth (and back again)

We set up camp in Dolgellau and promptly set off on a “bimble” on our bikes along the Afon Wnion River to Barmouth; a 17.5 km ride through impressive valleys, crossing a wooden railway bridge across the estuary to Barmouth.

River, sea, ocean - Dolgellau, Wales

The sea was a beautiful turquoise colour…

Sea of green - Barmouth, Wales

Setting sun back at the campsite after 33.5 km of biking…

Setting sun - Dolgellau, Wales

Day Two: Mountain Biking on the Cyflym Coch Trail

Second day we went for another bike ride however this one proved to be more of a test. We took on the red route at the Cyflym Coch Trail and it was slightly more challenging than the flat route from the day before hence much fewer pictures.

Sunlight through the trees - Cyflym Coch Trail, Wales

Welsh landscape - Cyflym Coch Trail, Wales

Our final day of the bank holiday and having already visited Cheshire and Derbyshire we decided it would be fitting to visit somewhere in Lancashire while we were seemingly visiting our local counties. Rufford Old Hall is 16th Century building near the village of Rufford. Apparently a young William Shakespeare performed here for the owner; Sir Thomas Hesketh. Highlights included the Great Hall, the wall carvings and the gardens.

Rufford Old Hall - Lancashire

Carvings in the roof of the Great Hall…

Angels on high - Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Wood carvings - The Great Hall, Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Bluebell way - Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Second day of our bank holiday adventure took us across the Peak District to Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield. The hall is an Elizabethan building and was built in the 1590s by Bess of Hardwick. The box-like structure of the building made it quite characteristic and there were plenty of good views from the surrounding gardens.

Hardwick Hall (rear) - Derbyshire

Hardwick Hall (Side) - Derbyshire

Hardwick Hall (front) - Derbyshire

The lighting indoors wasn’t great for pictures with my camera but it did work to my advantage on this picture…

Pipe & Slippers - Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

So… Bank holiday and we actually have some decent weather? After the shock passed we decided to make the most of it. Good Friday we went for a drive in Cheshire taking in Jodrell Bank, Capesthorne Hall & Gawsworth. Easter Sunday took another drive out across the Peak District to Hardwick Hall.

Jodrell Bank

Calling out to space - Jodrell Bank, Cheshire

Jodrell Bank, Cheshire

Capesthorne Hall

Capesthorne Hall - Cheshire

Eagle watch - Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire

Gawsworth Hall

Church of reflection - Gawsworth, Cheshire

Mirror pond - Gawsworth, Cheshire

Finally I had a bit of fun flipping the previous two pictures 180 degrees. With the stillness of the water the reflections are very clear so it isn’t obvious what is wrong with the pictures at first 

Visa Versa - Gawsworth, Cheshire

Which way up? - Gawsworth, Cheshire

Well I’ve not really been too up to speed with this lately due to exams but here are a few pics from Christmas. We went for a bit of a walk round Lymm centre and the dam. Naturally it was pretty cold but it was well worth it just for the pictures. I particularly like how dark the pond looks in contrast to the whiteness of the snow. I also enjoyed framing the church using the trees. Looking at the full size images will naturally give a better impression of the pictures. Click here to see the album in my Picasa account.

Taken in the centre of Lymm…

Too cold for a swim

Frozen Lake

Church across the lake

Framed Church

Framed Church 2

After a short walk through the woods, we reached Lymm Dam, pretty much fully frozen over…

Retro Postcard

Then finally, just to finish off, I had a little play with an app on my ipod with decent affect…

So… this is something I’ve fancied doing and have been talking about for sometime however I have never actually got round to it. I’m not much of a walker but I knew I would enjoy it if I did it. Anyways, a few weeks back, a friend let me know he was going up Snowdon with some other friends of mine in aid of a great charity called River Of Life who are working to support vulnerable people in Uganda.

So, the twelve of us set off up the mountain and despite it not being a clear day by a long shot, the result was that I ended up with some pretty atmospheric shots…

[Edit] I should really mention that there are more pictures from this visit in my Picasa collection.

Train To The Summit

Never Ending Rainbow

Making Tracks

Tracks In The Mist

View from a window - Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, UK

I Recently visited Northumberland for the third time in my life. Having been before, I was already appreciative of the scenery and the historical sites but on this occasion I was visiting with a keener eye for a good picture. Still only on a point an shoot (a decent one mind) I was somewhat limited in the creativity department but I got some shots I’m quite pleased with. Now I can’t wait to return to this part of the country with a DSLR and put it to good use.

Dunstanburgh Castle, Craster, UK

The rugged coastline is amazing for photography and light lends a hand too. The coastal route is scattered with castles such as Dunstanburgh (see above), Bamburgh and Lindesfarne which make for great photographic opportunities.

I’ve also started playing with black & white pics too lately although these effects have been added afterwards…

Dark doorway

Hogwart Lantern - Alnwick Castle

It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from tigerbluemusic but plans are being made for some new material.

In the meantime, enjoy some of the classics…

Ain’t No Other Jukebox

or go to…

http://www.myspace.com/tigerbluemusic

or download…

http://tigerbluecreative.com/tigerbluemusic/