Here is another Calorie Killers action shot mixed with a little cross-processing for luck.

The Photo Friday challenge this week is grey... how apt!

I am off work today, full of good intentions for swimming or maybe a trip to the gym. Or possibly a viewing of the Kurosawa classic the Seven Samurai. I really ought to go over the CM programs to revamp this site.

Maybe I will just chill and watch the rain...

Here is an abstract shot from Tenerife.

I am having a nostalgia SciFi moment watching some Blake 7 episodes. Man, I can barely remember this on TV but I still feel prehistoric!

I am posting an old photo here, not because I really like it, (it's alright for a quick snapshot), but because I need a photo for a flash 'spot the difference' movie we are making at work.

A quick black and white of my princess near old John (or is it Ol' John?).

I'd post more tonight but a 10 1/2 hour session at work in front of a computer has left me feelin' a bit whacked out!

In the middle of all this rain, glorious green fields!

Something a bit different here. Another abstract shot, taken on the way home in the car a few sundays ago. I must admit I quite like some of these types of photees and think I may do a few more. Its fun to start to use the photography much like illustrating, painting with light or finding wonderful tones in the images. It's something my friend at Rock Shape has mastered wonderfully as you can see in his artwork.

I was still looking for a wide lens for my D200. After having a discussion with a chap at Jessops, I am now reconsidering getting one now.

The problem is that Nikon don't have a full frame camera and the speculation is that, despite their continual support for the smaller sensors on their cameras, the commercial pressure may force them to look at making a full frame camera. I have read on the net that some photographic big wigs are meeting with Nikon and they are to announce something rather special - Quote ' ...something that will blow Canon away...'. Maybe it's to confirm a coming full frame camera? I mean Canon have had FF cameras for a while now so really if Nikon are going to develop the FF on its models it should be soon.

The chap at the shop showed me the Canon lenses as well to demonstrate how much more room their apertures have compared to NIkon, which still uses a basic collar design from the '70s' (Canon's is from a '90s' design. This narrow aperture has been causing Nikon a few headaches apparently). This presents problems in developing full frame technology.

If Nikon are moving toward a FF camera it means the range of DX lenses built for the smaller sensor really will have problems on the new body, especially at the wide end (and depending on the lens range itself). So vignette would become a real pain when using DX lenses over any new FF sensor.

So, all the lenses I have been looking at: Tokina 12-24, Sigma 10-20 and the Nikon 12-24 are, guess what? That's right! DX lenses. The only full frame lens out of the wide end is the Sigma 12-24 which isn't DX.

So for the moment I am on hold until I know what is going on with any full frame development, and whether I want to get a camera that has FF ability.

I have also been looking at smaller compacts for my Nik as she wants to take some snaps, rather than stand and watch me, when we are out together. We are looking at the P5000 (Nikon - my large flash would fit it. In fact it would be bigger than the camera!) & Panasonic's Lumic DMC-TZ3 which is wonderful as a point and shoot model amoung others. We have not decided yet.

Photographed more times than Jordan, Old John still is a favourite of the photographer here-abouts.

My Noo is ill and this is what it looks like.

This is from a wall sculpture at the front of the hotel in Los Gigantes.

I have been umming and arghing about whether to get a wide angle lens from Jessops or Jacobs, or wait and get one from an eBay shop, (which is a lot cheaper, but you have to have the cash now, unlike the former who offer interest free credit). The high street shops however won't bargain and meet me on the price or throw in a filter, (and so lose a 650 quid sale!?), so I am afraid it is looking like another web purchase.

You can really see why places like Jessops are in so much trouble. I mean they just can't match web prices so really, how long can they realistically last?

Oh, and my pal Minty has written up his trip to LA which is kinda funky.

Another holiday shot.

Right that's enough for the weekend. It only remains for me to wish me ol' pal Minty a Happy Birthday and prey he is still in one piece after yesterday.

The wind is blowing a bit here in Moont Sore-ell, so I snapped the washing.

Almost got a Nikon 12-24 the weekend but Jessops wouldn't match Jacobs rather good price and Jacobs is closed today. I have found the lens even cheaper on an eBay shop so I may just save another month and get that (Jessops & Jacobs do interest free credit so I could have got that straight away).

The original lens I was thinking of getting was a Tokina 12-24 but I may wait for the Nikon. We shall see. No rush.

Just a Quick entry tonight as I don't have much time left and I am bushed. Busy day!

Oh after I got back to mine this evening I quickly shot this sculpture on a roundabout near me with the stormy clouds in the background.

Another studio shot here - this time it is Ian, my buddy from work, looking a bit surreal. If you are wondering about the title for the entry, it is from the state Ian appears in and the fact that he is retracting from the back of the camera, which is a Phase One back.

Work is eating through the hours and this weekend I just don't have much free time so I am missing poker and Minty's Birthday bash (sorry pal) which is stinky. And there is not much time to blog too! Booooo...

Here is a shot from the catalogue shoot yesterday.

The shoot was a great success and I will go into details another time. I am so tired I can just about post this.

I am busy shooting the Winter Catalogue for the Collar Company and so haven't had time to post anything recently. I hope to get something on tonight, but if not I will post tomorrow for sure.

Well after my induction at the gym and my one-to-one programme session with a guy called Giovanni I now can't hold up my arms. Toned muscles come at a price it would seem. So if you want to get fit, go out and play sports, but avoid gyms as they are the source of all evil.

Why do I still go you may ask? Well, for all the pain, already I can feel the difference. Everything is starting to pull back into place already so I do hope I will keep going.

While we are on fitness, here is another Calorie Killer photo. Oh, and the title simply is in reference to the guys at CK trying to take control of their lives, exercising more and eating more healthily.

God, I have had another Chinese tonight! That makes three takeaways in as many weeks, with beer in-between. I HAVE to go get some exercise tomorrow.

Now here is a guy in the Calorie Killers that is doing it right. Five portions of fruit and veg a day gentlemen and ladies. (Posting this will get me brownie points with the missus!)

For all those goths out there I am listening to the Mission. A blast from the past. Tower of Strength is very good (no, stop throwing things at me people!).

Not good news about my nan so I am only posting a quicky tonight here. Something with a bit of motion.

I don't have a shot of me for the theme at photo friday challenge this week which is 'How I see myself' so I have borrowed this fun shot from Ian (thanks pal).

My nan is in the hospital today so good luck to her.

I am looking forward to the future where my family is well for any significant period of time (me included).

Oh and started at the gym. The instructor looked quite abash when after she asked why I wanted to exercise I honestly said "I want to look good naked!" Nik just laughed and said "we don't have THAT much money to spend here."

Here's another Calorie Killers shot - the Team Photo.

I went with Nik to her food and nutrition evening with the Calorie Killers – A gents healthy lifestyle group who get together, talk about nutrition and exercise. I must admit I went to take photos and ended up playing footy (and getting very sweaty).

More Giants from Tenerife.

Ian at work bought the Sigma 10-20 today. I have mulling over whether to get the Tokina 12-24 for my photography but I do like the extra 'wide' of the Sigma. Equally I have heard great things about the Tokina with its sharpness and the F4 throughout. I guess we shall see.

Of course in an ideal world I could just get the superior Nikon 12-24 at double the price. And then hand Nik my still beating heart!

Here's a quicky tonight as Nik has just got back so I am gona spend some time with her.

Looks like my mate John is back from Hollywood with lots of tales to tell. I suggest you check out the Menagerie for a thorough.

Don't listen to the bit about his computer playing up though. Impossible! It'ss a Mac. Those sort of things just don't happen, do they? (I myself am looking forward to getting my new battery for free in the post from Apple as my old is... dare I say it? Faulty!)

More snaps from the trip to the Canaries. If you are wondering about the title it comes from the Hills (Nik and Marg) and the Gigantes cliffs in the back.

It has been worrying with my Nan being ill but I am trying to keep upbeat for mum and nan.

How great was the weather today? More tomorrow I hope.

Ian has been posting some great images on his site - I suggest you check the wedding section which is awesome. Oh and give him a shout if you are getting married.

Right time to listen to some Kosheen and finish the new months blog page (that you are in now BTW).