Project 52 by Letrow

[Letrow]

Busy weekend, so did not have much time for photographs. It was getting warmer and warmer and the dogs were complaining about their winter coats.

Cairn terriers don't shed really, but have a double layer coat. The top layer is rough and long and keeps the rain out. Underneath they have very soft short hairs that keep them warm a bit more. A few times per year the top layer gets too long and at that point I have to trim them. Tough work, as you have to pull the hair out with your hands. If you pick the right moment the top layer is really loose and easy to pull out. If not, you get blisters and the dogs start complaining.
I have two of them, so I can easily spent one to two hours doing this 'work', feeding them little snacks now and then to keep them happy and relaxed.

Anyway, afterwards I took a few photographs.

Before (from a few weeks ago):


and After:



and once more
Before:


After:



The best thing about trimming is that suddenly their eyes are visible again. It is then that you notice that they keep an eye on you all the time (looking for easy snacks I think).

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Lovely looking dogs Peter - and great photos - especially that last one. Fantastically sharp hair detail from the tip of the nose to the ears and you've still got great bokeh in the background.

[Letrow]

No tricks or lots of PP. Just a piece of art I came across in the Metropolitan. Reminds me of an insect's eye somehow.



And I should have a few street shots later on. Nice to be using the (small) Ricoh GX200 for a change.

[Wendy Stanford]

Hi Peter, I like the pattern, and the way the shapes seem to change and move around, colour is very vibrant and looks great, perhaps a little too much beige at the bottom, it seems to be out of proportion with the amount of other colours, a very different image

[Letrow]

Hi Peter, I like the pattern, and the way the shapes seem to change and move around, colour is very vibrant and looks great, perhaps a little too much beige at the bottom, it seems to be out of proportion with the amount of other colours, a very different image

I think you are right about the beige, but it is all reflections of course. I am in there and some kid who stood to the side, and the ceiling I think or something else from that room.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Another interest photo Peter. There's balance thing happening for me here that just gives me the impression it's not quite there. I think it's the crop - perhaps a bit off the right. I'm not sure how you balance colours You always make me look hard at the photos you take!

[Letrow]

Another interest photo Peter. There's balance thing happening for me here that just gives me the impression it's not quite there. I think it's the crop - perhaps a bit off the right. I'm not sure how you balance colours You always make me look hard at the photos you take!

I think you are right. I made a few shots and in the end I think I like this one better actually.

[Letrow]

New York's Times Square. I always like to see the colours, the people, the various advertisements here, but don't stay too long. It is too much in the end. A hotel here would not be for me, I prefer a quieter location for that.

When my wife saw the sign, she suggested going to a musical, but I was able to convince her that the movie with Meryl Streep was better anyway. She bought it and we spent the evening having a nice Italian (5 course) dinner at I Trulli, which was close to the hotel. A trulli is a conical roof and is common in Puglia's Itria Valley, where the family that owns the restaurant came from originally.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

I think you are right. I made a few shots and in the end I think I like this one better actually.

Yep - definitely prefer that one

[Letrow]

Boris, the neighbour's cat spotted a potential prey



What is that?



It moves! Stay focused.

I have the prey too, but I need to do PP first

[Geoff F]

Well focused and exposed. And a nicely marked model too.

[FrankMi]

Hi Geoff! I really like the second one. Intense look, sharp image, nice colouring!

[Goldcoastgolfer]

A pretty kitty

[Letrow]

Thanks guys and here is what he was looking at further down the street. Too far away for him and anyway these birds are pretty quick to disappear



Corvus monedula or jackdaw

[Goldcoastgolfer]

They always stare so intently, don't they. Now I'm wondering why those birds are following each other in a line. You just needed to tell that third position to replicate the pose of the other two and you would have had something different.

[Letrow]

They always stare so intently, don't they.

They do, although my cairn can do it as well



I was told by my cat loving friends that you should not stare at a cat. It seems to frighten them. I am not sure that is true.
I do know that cats are slightly weird, as in going to the person that shows least attention to them.

That is me actually. I like the look of cats, but don't really care for them, just a bit indifferent. My wife loves cats and always tries to caress them. And what do the cats do...they jump on my lap.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

That is me actually. I like the look of cats, but don't really care for them, just a bit indifferent. My wife loves cats and always tries to caress them. And what do the cats do...they jump on my lap.

LOL - I'm with you on my attitude with cats but they used to do the same thing with me. Our current cat is a bit indifferent to everyone though.

[Letrow]

I visited Alkmaar this week, so have a few shots that I made during our walk



Traditional cheese carriers. Alkmaar is famous for its cheese (French cheese has more variation actually and tastes better than Dutch cheese, but that is just my opinion. We do have some lovely old cheeses)


An organ man. In the past these guys used to grind the organ themselves, now there is a little engine on board.
I hate organs and lots of Dutch people share that feeling. It is a lot of noise and the melodies are generally what is most popular at the time of playing.
Some shop owners actually give them some money (approximately 10 euros) to move elsewhere.

Ah well, on photo it actually looks nice. Great for tourists.


One of Alkmaar's old bridges. Nothing wrong with this.


Another bridge and the town hall in the background


Old Volvo in front of that same bridge. My old GP used to have one of these (40 years ago)


A mill, situated near the old town wall

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Europe always seems to have more interesting scenes to photograph than Australia. Love those last three photos - great perspective shots.

[Letrow]

Europe always seems to have more interesting scenes to photograph than Australia. Love those last three photos - great perspective shots.

Well, I still have to visit Australia one day, but it is a long flight... I do know that the nature will be different to what we have here in Europe. I experienced vast differences when I visited California a couple of years ago and expect the same when I visit Canada this summer. Photo opportunities galore everywhere.

And there is a psychological aspect that plays a role, at least it does for me. In my own 'neighbourhood' I view everything as pretty common and I sometimes struggle to find photo opportunities. Tourists don't have that problem and the same applies to me when I go abroad and find things different than back home.

Haarlem, where I live, is seen as one of the prettier towns in Holland, but for me it is difficult to photograph, as my eye is already a bit spoiled from all the lovely sights. Alkmaar (the photos above) is just a half hour drive away, but there I still find it fun to find spots to photograph.

Maybe not what you meant Mel, so sorry for rambling on like this, but this is what your comment reminded me of.