Rural-Light is now Powered by SmugMug

In my ongoing, almost compulsive, quest for the ultimate on-line photo hosting site, I have now signed up to SmugMug. It’s going to take a little while to populate the site with photos - but I have high hopes!!

From now on, new photos will be hosted on the SmugMug site.

Milldale to Hartington

Decided to go to Milldale, with ’she who must be obeyed’ and ’she who must be walked’. The big idea was to have a little wander around the village, follow the river a little way, then return home. The reality was a 11.5 mile round trip walking to Hartington and back.

Bakewell Show

The chance to try out a new lens, and have a day out at what turned out to be quite a good show.

Churnet Valley Walk

 A nice sunny morning, in part, so off to Cheddleton for a walk along the canal. Molly got introduced to the Churnet Valley Railway, after she had been in the canal!

On-line Printing

My experimental order with Blurb has worked out well. Good quality book, good price, lots of options and quick delivery (from Switzerland) so will be sticking with them for my on-line photobooks.

GAS

GAS - as recently explained to me by a friend, Gear Acquisition Syndrome - apparently it applies to camera gear and guitars! Decided that I need a decent Macro lens, if I’m going to be serious about close-up photography. So in an attempt to avoid GAS - a lens has to go - namely my Sigma 70-300mm APO DG Macro - currently for sale on e-bay.

A Weight Problem

That horrible moment when it suddenly dawns on you, that you have a weight problem. To be more specific, the weight of camera, lens and focussing rail on top of an old tripod. Tripod rated at 3.3lbs, camera gear the wrong side of 5lbs! - no wonder I was having a stability issue when trying to take some close-up shots. Yet more investment needed.

Close-Up on a Summer’s Evening

For once it was a half decent evening, so out into the garden with the old tele/macro lense and my new focusing rail - to have a play.

Online Printing

I have been using Photobox over the years for the limited amount of printing that I have needed to be done. Recently I have tried MyPhotoBook, I believe this is based in Germany. Photobox is good, but can be a little tedious having to do all the editing on-line. MyPhotoBook on the other hand allows the work to be done locally and then upload the finished item for printing. Delivery times were good, and I liked the software. The print quality was good, but it looks like there is pre-printing processing going on their end, this had a detrimental effect on some of the photos.

..I placed an order with Blurb yesterday - based in the States. Again, local editing and upload the finished item. Their software makes allows far more creativity and what looks like a more professional end product. with the exchange rate at the moment, this also works in my favour. Will have to wait and see.

The Future

I have been thinking (never a good sign), that I need to specialise a little more with my photography. I seem to be taking ‘record’ shots, without any real style or purpose. This is fine for taking some snaps of on walks and at shows, but it’s all a bit bland.

So………… Close Up and Macro photography has caught my eye - photos with the Wow! factor - time to start reading some books and having a go…………………!