Crystaltips Blog

Elderflower Buds

2007-04-17T11:04:00.000Z

My husband obviously found the early budding elderflowers as interesting as I did!

Young Photographer

2007-04-16T21:21:00.000Z

This photo of my youngest, taken at Broadsands beach, Paignton, shows that he certainly takes after his mum and dad in his liking for photography!

Hawthorn

2007-04-15T20:37:00.000Z

I took this photo of a solitary hawthorn tree near to Broardsands, Paignton.

Old Boat

2007-04-14T19:53:00.000Z

I took this photo of an interesting looking old boat at Galmpton Creek. The bird wading through the water in the middle right of the picture is a white heron.

Tree in Flower

2007-04-13T12:09:00.000Z

This is another photo of the magnolia tree (see 6th of March and 4th of April), taken at Dartington.

Dartington Sculpture

2007-04-12T18:47:00.000Z

This spherical swirly sculpture is in Dartington Hall gardens.

Castle Shadows

2007-04-11T21:11:00.000Z

This is the inside of Lydford castle (visited on 12th of March). I think the contrast that the shadows create is interesting. The doorway is the one I stood in to take 'Shadow Self' (13th of March).

Swansea 3

2007-04-10T20:36:00.000Z

Another picture of the beach at Swansea, The sky was particularly interesting on this day.

Peacock Butterfly

2007-04-09T11:58:00.000Z

I captured this shot of a peacock butterfly at Stover lake, it was basking in the sun long enough for me to take this photo (which made a change as butterflies usually fly off just as I take the photo!).

Pine in the Sky

2007-04-08T17:56:00.000Z

Same woods as yesterdays photo, this time looking up into the canopy of the pine trees.

Pines

2007-04-07T21:24:00.000Z

This photo was taken in the woods next to Stover lake. I like the way the sun is filtering through the pine trees.

Reflective Trees

2007-04-06T11:22:00.000Z

Reflections of trees at Stover lake.

Great Crested Grebe

2007-04-05T11:13:00.000Z

This isn't a particularly good or clear photo of this male great crested grebe, but they are really hard to photograph, and I have tried for ages to get a half decent photo of one! He is one half of a few breeding pairs at Stover lake. Not only are they fairly shy (they tend to stay in the middle of the lake, rarely venturing towards the shores), but every time I lined my camera up up for a photo, they dived down under the water coming up in another place several minutes later! I can't wait to see them in a month or so with their young, which they carry on their backs!

Open Magnolia

2007-04-04T12:59:00.000Z

This is a fully open magnolia flower taken in Dartington Hall gardens. I like the almost velvety softness of the flower that comes across in this photo.

The Dart at Totnes

2007-04-03T21:26:00.000Z

This is another photo of the river Dart, but this time a few miles further up (than at Dartmouth), taken looking down the river at Totnes.

Swansea 2

2007-04-02T21:00:00.000Z

Another photo taken on the 20th of March on the beach at Swansea, Wales, looking over towards The Mumbles (I think!). I can't wait to return to Wales, which we should be doing more of as my daughter got into university there (Yay! - Well done!! over 300 applicants for 20 places!!) and will be moving up there in September.

B&W Lake

2007-04-01T10:56:00.000Z

This photo was taken at Stover lake and I thought it looked better in black and white.

Ropes and Links - B&W

2007-03-31T10:53:00.000Z

A black and white version of yesterdays ropes and chains photo.

Ropes and Links

2007-03-30T16:44:00.000Z

These ropes and chains were part of a long row of chandlery hanging in a boat yard at Kingswear. I loved the colour of the rust on the old chain.

Calm River

2007-03-29T22:40:00.000Z

This is another photo taken at Kingswear from the other evening, this time looking up the river. I thought the calmness of the evening really came across in this photo.

Bare Tree

2007-03-28T18:05:00.000Z

Even though the warmer weather gradually creeping in, and the spring flowers are in full bloom, it is noticeable that most trees are yet to burst their buds. I'm sure it won't be long now though.

Dusk at Dartmouth

2007-03-27T20:30:00.000Z

Looking across the river Dart to Dartmouth, from the Kingswear side on a clear spring evening.

Cockington Church

2007-03-26T01:38:00.000Z

Went to Cockington today and towards the end of our walk the sun came out. This photo is of the tiny church next to Cockington Court.

Forgotten Window

2007-03-25T22:33:00.000Z

I noticed this tiny abandoned window in Cockington Court. It is still has a few panes of leaded glass left in it but it is boarded up behind so it no longer serves any purpose.

The Dart At Totnes

2007-03-24T01:28:00.000Z

Today was another warm, clear day and we went for a walk by the river Dart at Totnes. This photo is taken looking up the river towards the boatyards.

Spring Flowers

2007-03-23T01:19:00.000Z

This is another photo taken at Cockington. It is of a trough planted with spring bulbs and plants.

Steps

2007-03-22T01:15:00.000Z

These ancient steps are in the grounds of Cockington Court. It looks a bit like they lead into a magical wood (or I am very tired and I really need to go to bed!!).

Horse Chestnut Bud

2007-03-21T21:21:00.000Z

This is a Horse Chestnut tree leaf bud, bursting into life. Spring is definitely here at last and it is so nice to see evidence of it all around.

Swansea

2007-03-20T21:04:00.000Z

My mum and I took my eldest daughter to Swansea in Wales today because she had an interview at Swansea university. It was the first time I had been to Swansea and I was impressed, it is a beautiful place. This photo is the beach that is just across the road from the university.

Ivy Berries

2007-03-19T21:51:00.000Z

Today was another beautiful, clear spring day. This photo, taken at Hollocombe headland, Paignton, is of the fruit of an ivy plant (I think!). In the background is Torquay.

Herring Gull

2007-03-18T23:43:00.000Z

This fine chap (or chapess) is a herring gull, they are the most common gull in these parts. Many people hate them because they think they are a nuisance, they do tend to get into rubbish bags and make a mess, but that is only because we humans leave that rubbish lying around. But I think they are beautiful, cheeky and graceful and am glad to have them around.

Daffodil

2007-03-17T23:33:00.000Z

Just one this time. This is another daffodil photo taken the other day in the grounds of Dartington hall. I think it really portrays the warm, spring atmosphere that is filling the air at the moment.

Clear Waters

2007-03-16T22:51:00.000Z

Today was a beautifully clear, warm day. This was reflected by the clear, blue sea. It was so clear that one could clearly see the rocks (and rubbish!) at the bottom of the sea near to the shore! This picture was taken at Preston beach, Torquay and Thatchers rock can be seen in the background.

Skylight

2007-03-15T12:33:00.000Z

Well not really an intentional skylight, just the lack of a roof in Lydford Castle. I like the contrast of sunlight and shadow in this picture.

Castle Path

2007-03-14T12:20:00.000Z

Yet another shot of Lydford Castle. This one is of the path leading up to the castle. I love visiting castles, I love the history behind them and the atmosphere they create. There was no-one else visiting this castle when we were there which gave us a chance really feel the atmosphere and enjoy being there without feeling rushed. I would like to visit more castles!

Shadow Self

2007-03-13T20:09:00.000Z

This is a photo of myself taking the photo (well, the shadow of me taking the photo!). It is taken round the back of Lydford Castle in the entrance way.

Lydford Castle

2007-03-12T21:58:00.000Z

We stumbled upon this castle whilst driving through the village of Lydford in Devon. I thought it looked interesting and decided to investigate. It was built in 1195 as a prison. This photo reminds me of the castles I used to draw as a child, square ones on a rounded hill.

Another Fritillary

2007-03-11T22:26:00.000Z

Another photo of a fritillary taken at Dartington Hall. I'm not sure what type of fritillary this white one is though.

Dartington Hall

2007-03-10T21:43:00.000Z

Another black and white photo taken at Dartington Hall, this one is looking over the gardens between two ancient trees.

Henry Moore Figure

2007-03-09T23:18:00.000Z

This statue of a reclining figure is a Henry Moore sculpture in the grounds of Dartington Hall. The hall can be seen in the background. I thought the sculpture was an important feature of the photo so I felt that it was appropriate to keep its colour whilst the rest of the picture is black and white. 'The sculpture is a memorial to friends who loved the quiet mellowness of the Devonshire landscape'. Apparently.

Snake's Head Fritillary

2007-03-08T13:00:00.000Z

I photographed this Snake's Head Fritillary in the grounds of Dartington Hall. It was amongst other spring flowers in a wild flower meadow. It appears to be flowering quite early this year as we have had a very mild winter.

Daffodils

2007-03-07T09:23:00.000Z

This photo is taken in Dartington gardens. I think these daffodils look like they are sunbathing! Spring is definitely here now and I think this photo really brings that feeling across.

Magnolia

2007-03-06T22:45:00.000Z

This photo is of a magnolia tree in flower. I think the photo almost has an oriental feel to it, there is also a 'soft feel' to the picture, I think it's because the colours are mainly soft pastel colours.

Trees

2007-03-05T02:41:00.000Z

I love the contrasts and shades in this black and white photo. There are so many shades that I think that it almost looks like the photo is coloured.

Preston Downs

2007-03-04T10:35:00.000Z

It poured down with rain all day today so I didn't get a chance to go out and take a photo, so here is another photo taken the other day at Preston Downs, looking over at Paignton, showing Paignton Pier and Roundham Head. I particularly like the mid-ground focus that this picture has.

Eclipse

2007-03-03T10:24:00.000Z

Tonight there was a total eclipse of the moon. There are much better pictures around of it, but this is my humble effort, taken whilst balancing my camera on a wall and wobbling in the wind! I think I would have done much better if I had had a tripod with me!

Bubbles

2007-03-02T10:03:00.000Z

This photo is taken at Preston Downs, which I can see from the back of my house, there are fantastic views form there and it is a popular place for walking dogs and a good place for watching fireworks from. This is my youngest son blowing bubbles, in the background is Paignton, Tor Bay and Brixham in the far distance.

Cormorants

2007-03-01T21:10:00.000Z

After taking this picture of cormorants at Stover lake, I changed it to black and white. I think it works well with this picture.

Fairytale Woods

2007-02-28T19:39:00.000Z

This photo is of a carved wooden mushroom in Stover woods. I did some editing in Paint Shop Pro using the Gaussian blur effect and some other effects which I thought it gave it a kind of magical fairytale look.

Lighthouse

2007-02-27T23:09:00.000Z

We walked along Brixham breakwater today. Yet another place that I have never been to before (the breakwater, not Brixham). It was very windy but luckily the rain held off while we walked to the end of the breakwater and back (a mile in all). This photo is of the small lighthouse on the end of the breakwater.

Rainbow

2007-02-26T22:29:00.000Z

Well there is one if you look very closely! Another photo taken on Sunday 25th February at Stover Lake. Spent a fair amount of time chasing the great crested grebes to get a photo of them, but they are very camera shy and I didn't get any good shots of them.

Robin

2007-02-25T23:07:00.000Z

It's not often I take a satisfactory bird photo, though I often try. This photo is no exception, but this little chap let me get really close and posed for several photos for me!

Double Take

2007-02-24T21:41:00.000Z

Didn't go out today so I am using this photo that was taken on the 20th of February at Stover. I didn't intend this picture to turn out like this, it's an unintentional double exposure (I wouldn't know how to do that even if I wanted to!) There was just one coot on the water when I took the photo, but it looks like there is two! I thought the picture was rather interesting anyway.

Rays

2007-02-23T21:29:00.000Z

I was really looking forward to spending the day on the moors walking and having a picnic. But the good old British weather let us down again and it rained. We still went to the moors and had a brief walk between showers, and the picnic was eaten in the car. This picture, of probably the only bit of sun we saw, was taken on the way home.

Torre Abbey

2007-02-22T00:57:00.000Z

This photo is part of the outside of Torre Abbey. There is no access to the inside of the abbey because it is being restored at the moment. It's one of the many places within a few miles of my home that I have never really visited, that I would like to visit (the inside) when I get a chance to.

Lake

2007-02-21T01:10:00.000Z

Another photo from Stover Lake. This one is taken overlooking the lake at dusk. I do quite like the serenity I feel this picture portrays. Not sure if I should have cropped a bit of sky off it to make it fit the 'rule of thirds' rule?

Catkins

2007-02-20T20:28:00.000Z

Took advantage of a bit of nice weather and went to Stover Lake for a walk. It was quite late by the time we got there but that made for some interesting light. I could really feel like spring was beginning to creep throught the heaviness of winter. There were a lot of birds too, some that I had never noticed before. I saw Cormorants, a Grey Heron, a pair of Great Crested Grebes, a pair of Mute Swans, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Rooks, Tufted Ducks, Gadwalls(?), Canada Geese, Pochards and many others. This photo is of some catkins and their reflection.

More Curly

2007-02-19T08:43:00.000Z

Another photo of the curly bridge taken yesterday. I turned up the contrast so the white of the bridge stood out more.

Curly Bridge

2007-02-18T23:30:00.000Z

Went for a walk in Torquay today. The place we originally wanted to visit, Torre Abbey, was closed until next year for refurbishment. So (having paid £2 to park!) we went for a walk along the sea front and along the harbour wall. I have lived in this area all my life (mostly) and I have never been along Torquay harbour wall before. This taking a picture a day thing is getting us to places we wouldn't normally go, which is great! However, as it was quite dull today, the longer exposures I was having to take contributed towards some pretty blurry photos, so I took this chance to try out some post processing effects. I must credit much of the processing to James, as I got frustrated trying to get it right myself. I couldn't decide which photo to post so I posted them both! These photos are taken on the 'curly bridge' on Torquay seafront.

Wave

2007-02-17T23:43:00.000Z

This is one of the more successful shots I took the other day (Feb 15th). In the background is Paignton pier and Roundham Head. The row of trees behind the block of flats on the headland behind the pier, are the ones featured in February 12th's post that is called 'Roundham Head'

Salad Hand

2007-02-16T23:39:00.000Z

Strange subject matter - it is one of my salad hands (no, not a strange medical affliction, they are wooden 'hands' used for serving salad, just in case you were wondering!). I posted it partly to remind myself that I would like to eat more salads!

Preston

2007-02-15T18:32:00.000Z

Today was one of those wonderful windy, sunny days. I felt energised after going for a walk along Preston seafront. The sea was really choppy and it was quite a feat getting a picture of one (I seemed to press the shutter just as each wave subsided thus missing the really spectacular shots!). I also spent half the time avoiding getting wet as the waves were crashing over the wall in places!

Two Hearts

2007-02-14T23:27:00.000Z

Today is February 14th, Valentines day, and I got two cards!! Ok, one of them was from my 6 year old son! The other one being from my husband of course! The heart on the right of this picture is a detail from the card from my husband, and the one on the left is a detail from the card that I made for him. We had a really nice meal in the evening (an impromptu fondue no less!!). Oh and today is our dogs birthdays (Happy Birthday Poppy and Bess!!), they are nine years old!

Dried Flowers

2007-02-13T21:16:00.000Z

A vase of dried flowers, not a lot more I can say about them really! Well apart from the fact that my flower arranging skills need (a lot of) practice. Oh and that is my favourite vase!

Roundham Head

2007-02-12T17:10:00.000Z

More silhouettes of trees, these ones are at Roundham Head, Paignton. In the background is Tor Bay and Torquay. When I took this photo the sky looked quite dull and flat, and it gave an uninspiring light to everything, however, despite this I think this picture turned out quite well.

Pier

2007-02-11T22:59:00.000Z

The tide was unusually low again today and I took this photo on Paignton beach with the aim to capture a bit of reflection. The two chaps are my husband and youngest son strolling across the beach. The pier itself is a bit overexposed, which is a shame, and the horizon line could be a bit straighter!

Postbridge 2

2007-02-10T01:01:00.000Z

Another photo of Postbridge on Datmoor. This one is of the more 'modern' bridge which is next to the claper bridge depicted on the 6th of February.

Goodrington

2007-02-09T18:27:00.000Z

I had to drag myself out today to take a photo because i was really tired and feeling lazy. Went for a walk around Roundham Gardens, Paignton, and I'm glad because I felt a lot better afterwards for a bit of fresh air and exercise. However, it was cold and the light was uninspiring, but I got quite a few good photos. This is a close up of some gorse flowers (isn't it a bit early for gorse flowers?) with Goodrington Beach in the background.

Sky

2007-02-08T18:14:00.000Z

This photo is taken on Dartmoor on a hill near Princetown. It was taken late in the afternoon on a fresh, crisp, clear day and I think this photo captures this to a certain extent.

Dartmoor Pony

2007-02-07T21:21:00.000Z

A picture a wild Dartmoor Pony, taken at Coombestone Tor. I removed some prickly gorse foliage from her mane and as a way of saying thank you, she posed for some photos!

Postbridge

2007-02-06T01:43:00.000Z

This is an ancient clapper bridge at Postbridge on Dartmoor. Did a tour of various places on the moors to take photos as it was such a nice day. I miss the moors if I don't go there regularly, it is relaxing and somehow comforting to go up on the moors.

Book

2007-02-05T21:38:00.000Z

Polish Cookery to be precise. I took my exam for my counselling course today, went ok I hope. I just need to finish writing up my journal and that's courses finished until September.

Oystercatchers

2007-02-04T21:00:00.000Z

Today was another nice pre-spring day. Went to beach (best time of year for beach) but many of my photos today looked a bit washed out and not as vibrant as yesterdays pics. Not sure if it was because I turned the ISO up to 800(?). Must read the manual! This is a pair of oystercatchers flying across Paignton Beach.

Tree

2007-02-03T03:40:00.000Z

Another tree silhouette. This one is taken on Dartmoor at Combestone Tor.

Dartmouth

2007-02-02T03:36:00.000Z

This photo is taken from Kingswear looking across the River Dart to Dartmouth. I really like this time of day for taking photo's, the light and colours are so interesting, and I love the stark contrasts you get.

Clennon Valley

2007-02-01T03:30:00.000Z

Today was a really grey, dismal day. All my photos looked 'flat' and lifeless. However, I did take a few shots as I walked through Clennon Valley, just clicking as I swung my arm. It was a sort of experiment that I thought would produce a load of rubbish, but I got a few interesting shots, this being one of them.

Azalea 2

2007-01-31T03:28:00.000Z

And here is a close-up of the same azalea.

Azalea

2007-01-30T03:14:00.000Z

I quite like this photo of this azalea that my youngest son (6 year old) gave me at Christmas. I like the lighting and composition, however (there always has to be a 'however'!!!), I don't like the focusing, its not very good really.

Coffee Bean

2007-01-29T11:06:00.000Z

Well it's not really a coffee bean, but I thought it looked a bit like one. It's actually the end of a glasses case. I was experimenting with lighting and thought this one came out ok.

Ivy

2007-01-28T18:37:00.000Z

Went for a walk around Cockington today. I felt like I had been cooped up inside for days, and it was refreshing to get out in the fresh air! This one is a close up of some ivy leaves (obviously!), in the background is (a fuzzy) Cockington Court.

Cob House

2007-01-27T23:57:00.000Z

Did some more experimenting with black and white effects, using the channel mixer to get the desired look. This is a traditional cob house at Cockington organic garden.

River Dart

2007-01-26T23:39:00.000Z

I took this pic of the river Dart at Totnes on my phone camera (Samsung D600E), hence the quality not being all that good. A few minutes after I took the photo and just as I was leaving, the sun came out and the sky became a really nice blue colour, but I didn't have time to stop and take another photo. Typical!

Chard

2007-01-25T23:14:00.000Z

Well not a lot happened today, this time of year seems a bit stagnant, waiting for spring to happen, everything still dormant, just waiting. This is a photo of Swiss Chard (I think!?) growing in Cockington organic garden. It was really nice to see this growing in winter, it was a sort of reminder that spring isn't that far away.

Fairy Cakes

2007-01-24T02:12:00.000Z

Did some baking with Ethan tonight. We made a pineapple upside down cake an some chocolate topped pineapple fairy cakes. The photo is of the fairy cakes.

Tide

2007-01-23T01:32:00.000Z

Went for a walk on the beach this afternoon. It was nice to see such clear skies as we have had such stormy weather recently. The tide was really far out, and there was thankfully no sign of any pollution from the ship that has wrecked a few miles down the coast (The Napoli). This picture is taken looking down Paignton beach towards Torquay.

Pizza

2007-01-22T19:33:00.000Z

The weather today was quite atrocious. Windy, rainy and cold, hence I didn't leave the house at all! This is a photo of what I made for dinner before it went in the oven, a sweetcorn and pineapple pizza with mozzarella cheese. Not the most fantastic of photos, but one lives and learns! However, the finished pizza went down very well with everyone!

Windswept

2007-01-21T23:05:00.000Z

I love silhouettes, especially trees. This tree is on Dartmoor and I took it last October. I often see trees that I think would make a good picture, usually when I am either driving along or haven't got my camera with me! I would like to take more pictures of trees and might pick a tree and take a picture of it in all seasons.

Henge

2007-01-20T22:09:00.000Z

Went out for a meal this evening with my parents and some of their friends. It turned out to be a really nice eventing, nice food, good company and we had a laugh! Didn't get to take any pictures though! I took this photo of Stonehenge last September, on the way up to London to have my eye operation. It was very busy and disappointing that there was no access to the stones themselves. It was an interesting experience though and I'm glad we went.

Coffee Beans

2007-01-19T22:47:00.000Z

Today I found out a bit more about my course that is starting in September. It sounds fantastic! I am really looking forward to having a new tutor (though I will miss the old one). I think that she will bring a fresh approach to the course and it all sounds very interesting. The photo of the coffee beans was taken at the last minute because I couldn't think of anything else to take! Think it turned out okish though.

Bess

2007-01-18T11:35:00.000Z

This is one of our dogs, Bess, posing nicely for a close-up! I need to practice focusing my shots a bit better, as I took a load of photos today and my focusing was pretty rubbish in most of them!

Stover

2007-01-17T00:25:00.000Z

This picture is taken near to Stover Lake, and I have been experimenting with black and white!

Pumpkin

2007-01-16T02:46:00.000Z

I found out today that due to yet more thoughtless incompetence from the WEA, my course is not running until September. To say that I am p****d off is an understatement! I took some more pictures in the light tent. This is a pumpkin that I really need to use up!

Vase

2007-01-15T02:41:00.000Z

The weather was particularly bad today so there was no chance of going out anywhere to take photos. So James set up his light tent. This was my first time using one and I took some photos of various (and strange!) things. This one of some dried flowers in a vase turned out ok.

Reflection

2007-01-14T02:33:00.001Z

Managed to get a little further than the settee today to take pictures! This is taken in Oldway Gardens. I tried to take photos of the squirrels we were feeding but they were much too fast! Wish I'd been quick enough to take a picture of the one that ran up James' leg!

Lazy

2007-01-13T02:19:00.000Z

That's me today, lazy, so lazy that I can't even be bothered to get up to take today's picture! So I just stayed here on the settee and took a photo of the fireplace. Pretty uninspired really!

Harbour

2007-01-12T22:49:00.000Z

Went for an evening stroll round Paignton Harbour. Took lots of photos of which there were only a couple of half decent ones. Must go for quality rather than quantity in future! It is still so dark at the moment, even though we are a few weeks past the Winter Solstice, roll on the lighter evenings!

Beach

2007-01-11T23:34:00.000Z

Went to the beach today, it was good to make the most of the dry spell as it has been raining and really stormy for several days. The tide was right out and the sea was calm, got there just as the light was fading. This picture is of my 6 year old on the windy beach.

Candle

2007-01-10T23:46:00.000Z

I have decided that actually trying to take a picture every day may be a bit unrealistic for me. So I have made a new rule for myself... to post a photo for every day, even if I haven't taken it on that actual day, though I will try to take it on the day if I can. This one, of a glass candle holder, I took a few days ago.

City

2007-01-09T10:38:00.000Z

Went to Moorfields eye hospital in London today for my final post-operation check-up, which went really well. We had a few hours to wait before our train home, so we went exploring. I had planned on taking loads of photos but as it was quite late and dark by the time we left the hospital, options were rather limited. This photo is of Paddington Basin, an interesting re-developed part of London. Not sure about the glaring of some of the lights, but don't know how to avoid that. Got home late and tired, glad my eyes are fixed and we don't have to do that (500 mile round) trek to Moorfields again.

Mask

2007-01-08T02:09:00.000Z

My daughter made this clay mask at school. I have been wanting to take a photo of it for a while. Not sure if I have the lighting, exposure etc right. I am doing it all by guesswork at the moment, and by what I think looks ok, which is possibly not what others think looks ok. I'm not sure I really want anyone else to see my pics because I think they are crap, but letting others see them and criticise them is a good way to learn. Sigh.