Roger Bennion's photos

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

This is Christ Church College in Oxford. From Wikipedia ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church,_Oxford ) "Founded in 1546 by King Henry VIII, it is one of the larger colleges of the University of Oxford. Christ Church has a number of architecturally significant buildings including Tom Tower (designed by Sir Christopher Wren), Tom Quad (the largest quadrangle in Oxford) and the Great Dining Hall which was also the seat of the parliament assembled by King Charles I during the English Civil War. The buildings have inspired replicas throughout the world in addition to being featured in films such as Harry Potter and The Golden Compass. This has helped Christ Church become the most popular Oxford college for tourists with almost half a million visitors annually". Now, for 'Sight and Sound' I have a wayward link that will take a little bit of explaining :-) "White Rabbit" was written by Grace Slick in either late 1965 or early 1966. It has been used several times in our Group. I know I have used this classic at least once and it is now time for me to use the song again :-) According to Wikipedia, the song uses imagery found in the fantasy works of Lewis Carroll. 1865's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its 1871 sequel Through the Looking-Glass. Imagery such as changing size after taking pills or drinking an unknown liquid. Lewis Carroll attended Christ Church College and this completes my 'Sight and Sound' logic :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ White Rabbit ~ Jefferson Airplane

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 19 OCTOBER 2019 TILT SHIFT PHOTOGRAPHY Many moons ago I tried Tilt Shift Photography but I didn't have any success. I know at that time I tried the on-line TiltShiftMaker (tiltshiftmaker.com) that Val mentioned in the Discussion. I remember getting frustrated that nothing was working so I gave up. I am sure that one of my problems was not choosing the right subject. Perhaps I should have persevered :-) I was pleased to see this Challenge so that I could have another go :-) These days I mostly use 'Affinity Photo' and this has a Depth-of-Field filter that includes a Tilt Shift Mode. When I saw this photo opportunity I thought this might be a suitable subject. I was hoping that Helen would say to me "Where did you find those toy cars?" But, Helen just said "That's a photo of a car park" When I replied saying "Do they look like toy cars?" Helen said "Oh yes, I can see that now". I think Helen was just trying to be kind to me :-))) And, for 'Sight and Sound' I have chosen "Big Yellow Taxi" because one line in the song says "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Big Yellow Taxi ~ Joni Mitchell ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ Big Yellow Taxi ~ Joni Mitchell

A photo taken earlier this year. The main building is the Andrew Wiles Building in Oxford. It is the Oxford University Mathematical Institute. It opened in 2013. The building in the background is a small part of the Radcliffe Observatory. Construction started in 1772 and it opened in 1794. For 'Sight and Sound' I was looking for a mathematics link :-) I found one list that included Bob Dylan's "Love Minus Zero/No Limit". The explanation being it is "a love song that seamlessly blends in the relationship between mathematics and romance. According to Bob Dylan, the song title is a fraction and the formula for a good relationship". .......Of course I knew this :-))) I was going to use an original version but the only one I could find on YouTube didn't really sound like Bob to me!! I am, therefore, using Rick Nelson's version :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Love Minus Zero/No Limit ~ Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 14 OCTOBER 2019 CONNECTIONS This key and holder are clearly connected :-) But, I am a bit puzzled as to where you would put the holder. I was thinking the holder would go an a belt but it doesn't look the right shape to me :-) This has been in a drawer for quite a few years. It is fortunate that I kept the key and holder because it has come in very handy for this week's Macro Mondays Topic :-) And, for the 'Sight and Sound' Group I think "The Key" by The Four Tops is a logical link :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ The Key ~ The Four Tops Please view on black :-)

SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 12 OCTOBER 2019 PORTRAY "HAPPINESS" IN A BLACK AND WHITE IMAGE. YOUR SUBJECT CAN BE ANYTHING. PROCESS AS YOU LIKE I had intended to go to Oxford this week and I'm sure I would have found a subject that portrayed "Happiness" :-) But, things worked against me and I didn't get out with my camera. I had, therefore, to resort to finding a subject at home. In the Discussion Thread Val said, "There is a lot of room for interpretation" Well, I have gone for a lots and lots of interpretation with my entry :-))) I had been listening to this album ("We Ran" released in 1998) by Linda Ronstadt. It was obvious to me that listening to any of Linda's albums brings me happiness. Linda gave so much joy and happiness to millions of people during her recording career now tragically cut short by Parkinson's disease. I fetched my camera and this is the result. The processing was done using Silver Efex Pro 2. And, for 'Sight and Sound' I have chosen "Ruler of My Heart" from the album. I especially love the saxophone playing by Plas Johnson :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Ruler of My Heart ~ Linda Ronstadt ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ Ruler of My Heart ~ Linda Ronstadt

I think the lady is 'waiting' for someone :-) For 'Sight and Sound' this, of course, leads me to think of "The Waiting" by Linda Ronstadt :-) "The Waiting" was written by Tom Petty. It is the opening track on Linda's 1995 album "Feels Like Home" :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here (Live on Letterman 21 March 1995) ~ The Waiting ~ Linda Ronstadt ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here (Studio Recording, Stunning Photos) ~ The Waiting ~ Linda Ronstadt