Roger Bennion's photos

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 129: SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GRATED OR SHAVED I found this week's Topic really, really difficult! I don't have a lot of staying power and I was going to admit defeat. But, then I realised that Helen would be very cross with me if I gave up. This is because I sent Helen out (I asked nicely) to get some carrots and a hand grater for me! This entry is the best I could do :-) And, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ A carrot is a root vegetable and I have, therefore, chosen "Vegetables" by The Beach Boys :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Vegetables ~ The Beach Boys

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 30 NOVEMBER 2019 DROSTE EFFECT I used the Droste Effect filter in GIMP Photo Software :-) ipernity says I took the photo on 29 November 2019. Nope!! I actually took the photo on 27 November 2019. On the 29th I added an 'Art Border' and ipernity has clearly decided to use this date :-)) And, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ There seem to be quite a lot of songs about time but one of my all-time faves is "Time Passes By" by Kathy Mattea from her 1991 album of the same name. It was written by John Vezner (Kathy's husband) and Susan Longacre. I have loved Kathy's music since early 1990 when I bought her album "Untasted Honey". This was when it was on cassette!! :-)) We have been so very fortunate to have seen Kathy in Concert a number of times over the years when she has visited the UK. In fact we saw her back on 29 January 2019 when Kathy played at The Stables, Wavendon, Milton Keynes :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Time Passes By ~ Kathy Mattea ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ Time Passes By ~ Kathy Mattea

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 128: OIL ON WATER I spent a long time getting nowhere and was about to give up :-) But, I did eventually get one shot (this one) that I thought wasn't too bad although I was still a bit disappointed. I wondered if there was a way of smoothing the result and I tried the 'Dream Smoothing' filter in GIMP Photo Software and also added a 'Mirror' effect. I think I like this result a lot better :-) Now for 'Sight and Sound' ~ As I used a 'Mirror Effect' filter I have chosen "MIrror Image" by Rosanne Cash :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music This is from Rosanne's 1990 album "Interiors". One of my fave albums :-) ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Mirror Image ~ Rosanne Cash

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 23 NOVEMBER 2019 COMPLIMENTARY COLOURS We have knives with coloured handles and I thought this would be a good subject. However, I didn't very much like the initial result because I thought it was a bit harsh! I then played around with the 'Dream Smoothing' filter in GIMP Photo Software and I think I prefer this softer result :-) I also used the 'Array' filter in GIMP :-) Now to the colours......I found that there is a 'Triadic Colour Scheme' that uses colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel. I believe there are three colours between the Red and the Yellow, three colours between the Yellow and the Blue and three colours between the Blue and the Red. My original photo had very strong Reds, Yellows and Blues but the filter has changed the colour tones a bit and some of the red decided to go bit orangey :-) Now for 'Sight and Sound' ~ In the Group I have previously used "Dreams of the San Joaquin" by Linda Ronstadt. One of my many absolute faves by Linda :-) Anyway, not that long ago I accidently came across the original version by one of the writers of the song. This is Randy Sharp who co-wrote the song with John Wesley Routh. I think it is an amazing song and I love the lines ~ Every day I struggle With the distance and the fear That I will not return or find A way to bring you here My emptiness grows deeper I feel my spirit fall As night comes like a blanket That brings no sleep at all Love it when Randy, initially, doesn't quite get the title of Linda's album right :-)) The connection is 'Dream(s)' :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Dreams of the San Joaquin ~ Randy Sharp

Explored! Thank you very much :-) The guy here is real. I'm assuming he is playing an electric sitar. His playing was brilliant! I'm not sure if he is sitting on the case for the sitar. On the side it says 'Grant Vibes' and perhaps this is his name :-) The Bird of Prey is real too. I'm not good at identifying Birds of Prey but I am wondering if it is a Peregrine Falcon. Perhaps someone would enlighten me, please? :-) The background is a hoarding that is hiding extensive building work taking place at Jesus College. Now for 'Sight and Sound' I am hoping it is a sitar because I have a tenuous link relating to sitar :-) "Love You To" by The Beatles from their 1966 'Revolver' album features George Harrison's most extensive and adventurous use of the sitar. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Love You To ~ Beatles

MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 127: TAKE A MACRO PHOTOGRAPH OF SOMETHING WITH LIGHT SHINING THROUGH IT I decided to try some shots of Autumn leaves. I went out with my camera but couldn't find any suitable leaves on the trees. But, there looked to be some possible ones on the ground. I collected a few and went back home. The sun was starting to go down but there was still some sunlight coming through the bedroom window. I tried to suspend this leaf in front of the window but it kept moving about!! I then hit upon the idea of taping it to the window so that it didn't move!! I did wonder what the neighbours might be thinking :-) I've just noticed that the EXIF info is missing but I guess that's because I fiddled about with the photo in Photoshop to add a drop shadow border :-) I think I have found the info - 1/200 ~ f/7.1 ~ 6.0 mm ~ ISO 80 ~ Nikon Coolpix P7800 And, for 'Sight and Sound' I am using a track that has been used quite a few times in the Group. That is the wonderful and perfect version of "Autumn Leaves" by Eva Cassidy. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Autumn Leaves ~ Eva Cassidy

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 16 NOVEMBER 2019 MINIMALISM IN STILL LIFE I have a drawer packed to the brim with all manner of cables, electric plugs, connectors, audio plugs with cables, video plugs with cables, photography cables and connectors etc. etc. etc. I rarely go the drawer and I am reluctant to throw away anything in case it might be needed one day :-) When I was trying to find something for this week's Challenge I thought I would look in the drawer. And, I found these items that I believe are RCA connectors. They are, apparently, also known as phono connectors or phono plugs. They are used for analog or digital audio or analog video. I would have liked the plugs to have been quite a bit smaller in the frame. But, I have run out of time :-) And, for 'Sight and Sound' I figured that any combination of audio and video would work :-) I found audio and video by The Pointer Sisters. Absolutely adore their version of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" :-) In my opinion a truly sensational performance :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Fire ~ The Pointer Sisters

Explored! Thank you very much :-) Not always sure about adding soft focus to my photos. But, soft focus added here so 'tis too late now :-)) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ 'Tis Autumn ~ Rosemary Clooney Please view on black :-)

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 126: THICK / THIN 'Mecklenburg-Foto' used batteries in the last Topic and it gave me the idea to use batteries for this week's Topic because I figured I must have some thick and thin batteries in the drawer :-) Thank you to Mecklenburg-Foto :-) I promise to use a different background at some point in the future :-) Honest :-)) Now, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ I don't know much about Golden Earring but they recorded "Chargin' Up My Batteries" and this is my 'Sight and Sound' choice :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Chargin' Up My Batteries ~ Golden Earring ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, here ~ Chargin' Up My Batteries ~ Golden Earring

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. ...........................................Robert Laurence Binyon This beautiful tribute is in Oxford. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Hymn to the Fallen ~ Band of The Coldstream Guards

SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 9 NOVEMBER 2019 DUTCH ANGLE This building is in Hemel Hempstead, some 20 miles from where we live. It was formerly known as the Kodak Building because it was the Kodak Company's UK Headquarters. It opened in 1971. Kodak vacated the building in 2005. It was then temporarily reoccupied in 2006 after a major fire at the Buncefield oil storage facility destroyed Kodak's other Hemel offices. It was subsequently converted to residential flats. The building was originally 20 storeys but two more storeys were added as part of the re-development. It was such a wet and 'orrible day when we visited Hemel Hempstead on 3 November. I didn't take my camera. But, whilst Helen was spending my money in the shops I took the opportunity to go off with my phone looking for 'Dutch Angle' possibilities :-) And, as we all know the best camera is the one you have with you :-) The sky came out as a light grey area of nothingness and looked 'orrible. I, therefore, made my own sky :-)) Now for 'Sight and Sound'....... Kodak manufactured Kodachrome 35mm slide film and this made me think of "Kodachrome” by Paul Simon :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Kodachrome ~ Paul Simon ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, here ~ Kodachrome ~ Paul Simon

Explored! Thank you very much :-) HAPPY FENCE FRIDAY, ALL. I don't know why but when I was thinking about adding this photo to 'Sight and Sound' the song "Forever in Blue Jeans" by Neil Diamond popped into my head :-)) I did find just this song on YouTube but the sound quality was poor. However, I did then find another link but this included a second song. But, no matter, it is only "Forever in Blue Jeans" that is my 'Sight and Sound', choice :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Forever in Blue Jeans ~ Neil Diamond Now for some very sad news. I was hoping that I had misread a news item. But, it seems to be true that Neil Diamond is now suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

Explored! Thank you very much :-) This is the Octagon Lake with Stowe House in the background. The Lake kinda divides parts of the garden and I figure a tenuous link for 'Sight and Sound' would be "Across the Great Divide" by Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris :-) This song was written Kate Wolf. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Across the Great Divide ~ Nanci Griffith & Emmylou Harris

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 125: TAKE A MACRO WHICH IS MULTICOLOURED. IT CAN BE ONE ITEM WITH MANY COLOURS OR SEVERAL ITEMS OF DIFFERENT COLOURS Recently, in a shop, I saw a blackboard that included a very nice painted scene. I thought "I must have this!" It is now on the wall next to my computer. The blackboard is quite small but when I want to make a note of something I find it useful to use the blackboard rather than write scrappy notes on scrappy bits of paper that just clutter up the place :-) The blackboard came with one piece of white chalk! Then, in another shop I saw a packet of coloured chalks and I thought "I've got to have these as well" :-) When Topic 125 came up I thought "Coloured chalks will be my subject" :-) Now, for 'Sight and Sound' I didn't think I would find any songs about Chalk :-) But, I found "Soft as Chalk" by Joanna Newsom. The name is a completely new to me and, initially, I wasn't too sure about the song. But, after listening a few times I'm getting to like it :-) I also found, on YouTube, an interview with Joanna. She is a uniquely talented lady and has a totally delightful manner :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Soft As Chalk ~ Joanna Newsom

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 2 NOVEMBER 2019 ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN RENDERED OBSOLETE BUT STILL BEING USED EVERYDAY BY PEOPLE EVERYWHERE PLEASE VIEW ON BLACK :-) I do download music but then I will still copy the music to a blank cd :-) I can't imagine ever getting rid of my cd collection. I just hope that I will still be able to get blank cd's and that cd players will continue to be manufactured :-) This is one such blank cd where I added music. I photographed the cd and then copied the image a couple of times using Photoshop Elements. I used a couple of interior kitchen lights that gave the coloured lines but the colours didn't really cover the cd to my liking. I then held a torch with one hand and held the camera with my other hand. I found that by moving the torch a little at a time I was, eventually, able to get a lot more colour :-) I was very worried that I might drop the camera and the torch. And, finish up in a heap on the floor!! But, all was well :-)) For 'Sight and Sound' we will have to imagine that one of the tracks on the cd is "Please Remember Me" by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt. Many moons ago I had the opportunity to buy "Linda Ronstadt - The Box Set" that was released in 1999. For some inexplicable reason I didn't buy it. Probably one reason was that I thought I would already have most of the tracks. Some weeks ago, on YouTube, I came across a version of "Please Remember Me" by Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt. This song was written by Rodney Crowell & Will Jennings. It features on Rodney's 1995 album "Jewell of the South". Rodney Crowell is one of my all-time fave singers and "Please Remember Me" is one of my fave songs. I could not believe that I had missed out on Aaron and Linda's marvellous version of the song. I then found out that as well as this track being on Aaron's 1997 album "To Make Me Who I Am" the track was also included in Linda's Box Set. I then found I could buy a second-hand copy of "Linda Ronstadt - The Box Set". I was worried that being second-hand it might have been a bit bashed about. But it arrived in almost mint condition! As well as three cd's of tracks that I already had or ones I was mostly familiar with, it included a cd of Rarities. Most of which were new to me. Of course I have also now bought Aaron's "To Make Me Who I Am" album :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Please Remember Me ~ Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ Please Remember Me ~ Aaron Neville & Linda Ronstadt A box of tissues is ready at hand :-)

I was trying to think of a witty title for my photo but, so far, I have failed :-( Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ Listen here (Studio) ~ Runnin' Down A Dream ~ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, here (Live) ~ Runnin' Down A Dream ~ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 124: BOTTLE NECK/BOTTLE NECKS It wasn't too difficult to find some bottles 'cos we do have a glass of wine with a meal. Well, okay, with most meals :-) And, using the draining board as a backdrop.......again :-) Also, for 'Sight and Sound' I have chosen one of my faves. That is "Two More Bottles of Wine" by Emmylou Harris. The song was written by Delbert McClinton and features on Emmylou's 1978 album "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town". Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Two More Bottles of Wine ~ Emmylou Harris

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 26 OCTOBER 2019 HIGH KEY PHOTOGRAPHY And for 'Sight and Sound' I was about to give up on finding a sensible link. But, I have just come up with a totally obscure link!!! I have seen on the internet that "a major third musical key sounds happy to our ears". Music by 'Hot Club of Cowtown' makes me happy for sure so let's assume that some of their music is done in "a major third musical key" :-) We have seen them at The Stables, Wavendon at least 4 times in the last few years. In fact, we will be seeing them play at The Stables again, fairly soon :-) Elana James.......Violin & Vocals Whit Smith..........Guitar & Vocals Jake Irwin............Bass Elana comes from Prairie Village, Kansas, Whit Smith from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Jake Erwin from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They formed in 1997. They split briefly in 2005 but, thankfully, got back together and they regularly tour the UK. In the video I wish that Elana and Jake had swapped places because I keep worrying that Elana is going to poke Whit with the violin bow :-))) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Time Changes Everything ~ Hot Club of Cowtown