Candid People By The Coast

Images from the North Coast of England…

“Lone Rider All @ Sea” Southport

 

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“The Photog” Llandudno

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“Family Making Way” Llandudno

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© nEoPOL 2008 – 2009 All rights reserved

Flickr

deviantART

JPG Magazine

the seventh idol comic; remembered

***WARNING***

3 images towards the end of this post contain elements of nudity that may be offensive or inappropriate to sensitive readers or children. Please beware, but ALL the images are CGI RENDERS and are in the context of story telling only.

Some of you may remember that in 2006 I began a project called “THE SEVENTH IDOL”. It was primarily an attempt at an online comic but whilst in some ways it was successful, in many others, it wasn’t.

 

My plan was to create a rendered comic and associated websites etc, and in that way, I learned a lot about website construction, rendering with programs such as Daz 3D and Bryce, as well as becoming members of such online communities as DeviantART and this very site, WordPress.

A little backstory: I’ve been a budding writer since I was 16 and have generally written screen & teleplays, but that have dabbled in many other forms such as short stories, novels, poetry and comic books, and have considered giving songwriting a go to boot!

The 2006 comic had three issues, with the first effectively being a double, but its major flaw that it was too rooted in screenplay writing and plotting, and I could not get my head around the methods of telling the story through a comic, let alone the technical problems of learning new software such as Daz 3D and the highly complex Bryce. Now I’m sure some people would have something to say about Bryce being complicated but to me it was! But I managed to get a few good renders out of it so I was somewhat happy.

 Some of the more obvious drawbacks at the time regarding my Daz 3D work, was the lack of skin textures and other details, aswell as costumes. I hope to showcase some of the improved models and sample clips from the presently abandoned animated version soon.

The comic was made up of several key elements and these were: -

- Background photographs, many of which were taken locally, in Manchester.

                3D models and props rendered in Daz 3D

  

  

  

   

  

   

 

   External environments rendered with Bryce 5 & 6

   

 

 

  

  

  

   

 

 

Colouring and lighting using Photoshop & the now defunct Picture IT

After three issues and the resolution of the initial plotline, I put the project on hold and felt that I had learned a lot of  the do’s and don’ts but never really got back into it as I had intended. Life, as it often does, got in the way.

 

I do very much hope to try this again with the knowledge that I had acquired over the years and was very keen to try animation, which I have tested but still have technical reasons as to why I can’t proceed right now. But here’s a taste of  the original, which for all it’s faults, I must admit, I’m still proud of. Some of the imagery in this issue is in my opinion very good, but the pacing is way to slow and is too dialogue heavy.

 

Better luck next time…

There are more images available on Flickr & DeviantART.

 

Anyway, here is the first issue for old times sake…

THE SEVENTH IDOL: ISSUE 1

 

© nEoPOL 2006 - 2009 All rights reserved

Flickr

deviantART

JPG Magazine

Windermere Airshow @ Bowness

This photoset covers the Windermere Airshow last weekend, which was held at Bowness, on the shores of Lake Windermere, in the Lake District.

In all fairness it wasn’t the best airshow I had seen but it had a few notable moments and a few are captured here.

The U.S. Mustang was quite a site, and the sound was equally as inpressive.

“Minimulist Mustang”

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The crowd seemed to agree, but still the mood was quiet as we had to wait a long time between planes..

“Airshow Crowd Portrait” (Exlusive to WordPress)

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“Mustang From Above” (Exlusive to WordPress)

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“Mustang By Cloud”

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The aerobatics where impressive, though simple…

“Aerobatics Over Windermere” (Exclusive to WordPress)

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“Airshow Crowd Landscape” (Exclusive to WordPress)

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But this had to be the crowning show of the day. The Vulcan Bomber thundered accross the otherwise peaceful Cumbrian sky, roaring with fury. The site was as impressive as the deafoning blasts of sound.

“Vulcan By Sunlight”
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N.B. All (Exlusive to WordPress) images were so at the time of publishing but may well be avialable on Flickr or other sites afterwards.

© nEoPOL 2009 All rights reserved

Flickr

deviantART

JPG Magazine

A Brief in Black & White, Part 1

This is just a quick study my Black & White photography over the years. Some are more recent, others were taken as far back as 2005; unfortunatly with my 1.2mp camera. But on the plus side, the grain does work well with the grunge theme…

This first image was only taken a few months ago with my Nikon D40. Over exposed, obviously, this is in fact a black cat. I’ve gone for the more artistic feel with this one, again, obvliously, and she now looks almost silver. I’m personally quite pleased with the effect though I do understand that it’s an aquired taste.

Again, with the Nikon, this was taken without a flash at a high ISO. Inlike most of my Black & White images which are normally taken in colour and then mastered in B & W later, this image is almost as it was when the shutter opened… (Grain and all!)

This is one of my older images, taken in Whitby, on the East Coast back in 2005. It came out really well though considering that it was taken with my IPAQ rx3000. (1.2mp)

This now counts as an historical image. It was the once iconic Maths Tower of the University Of Manchester before its demolition back in 2005. University Place now stands there, and even thought the new complex is bigger and better, there’s something kind of compelling about this form of 60’s architecture that we just love to hate.

This was taken in 2006. This is one of my favorites. An early attempt at high key, notice the nearest light almost disapearing into its own glare. I like this one but again, it’s an aquired taste.

© nEoPOL 2005 – 2008 All rights reserved

Visit my Flckr Profile @ http://www.flickr.com/people/neopol/

people & passing

This is a collection of images which feature people caught by the camera.

The first is the Albert Dock in Liverpool.

This is from a set which I call “The Elusive Photographer”

Taken in Manchester, near G-Mex.

Sunset on the promanade at Llandudno, North Wales.

This is one of my latest favorites.  The fact that the figure is pin sharp and the world he is looking upon is blury yet somewhat recognisable seems to be a great metaphor for life. Or is it just me! LOL!

Again, taken at the Albert Dock in Liverpool, this image demonstrates how Health & Safety has even managed to  break it’s way into the  seafareing industry! Also, that the fantastic Radio City tower has just crept in, in the background and is slightly out of focus.

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

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Top 10 “most interestring” images

This is a showcase of the Top Ten of my “Most Interesting” images as determined by Flickr. Most of these images have appeared on this blog before but this does put them into context as for their popularity, though many of my favorites don’t always get the view or exposure that I’d like, but that’s the same story for everyone!!!

1 – Face In The Flame

This image has just been used in a collaboration with Kralin on Flickr.

Rose Burn

2 – Here’s Looking @ You, Kid

3 – Devil’s Duel

4 – Snail’s Pace

5 – Ladybird (Yes, I know, not the most original title…)

6 – Blue Drop

7 – Hell’s Angel

8 – Long Drop

9 – Intense Blue

10 – Shimmers & Drops

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

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A taste of the North

These are a couple of choice images from my recents travels around the North West of England.

You will honestly never guess where this was taken, so I will tell you, probably…

This one I will reveal is Llandudno’s promade, in North Wales. I beautiful sight to be sure, especailly as the sun sets over the Great Orme.

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

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Flames in the shutter

As I may have already intimated, my most successful images to day have been those of fire. So I’ve decided to showcase a selection of images from the “Flames” set from Flickr.

All these images where taken naturally with no post manipulation.

This image is entitled “Cauldron In The Flame”. This was taken at a high shutter speed but low F stop. This image to me, seems to show a figure holding a cauldron or bowl inside a flame.

This image is entitled “Horror’s End?”. Again, this was taken at a high shutter speed but low F stop. It seems to clearly depict a image of a man or woman for that matter, seemingly suffering in a ring of fire.

This image is entitled “Hell’s Angel” and simply depicts just that in my eyes. Also, it would seem to be a female form, based on the structure and pose. . This was taken at a high shutter speed but low F stop.

This image is entitled “Flaming Duck”. This was taken at a high shutter speed but low F stop. This is one of the clearest images that has come out of this set. It lookd remarkably like a cartoon duck.

This image is simply entitled “Flames”, and you may have guest it from that, that this was the first image to be posted. It is a much simpler composition and is nothing more that a piece of paper burning, again at a low F stop and hight shutter. You may be able to make out the letter R withing the flame. This has happened at least twice during this set.

And finally, this image, entitled “Flaming Macro!”, has often been seen to have certain sexual connotations, but in all honesty, I didn’t see that until it was pointed out! But now, yes, I can see it. I was more taken with fluidity of the flames and the macro of the fir shot. This was taken at a high shutter speed and a higher F stop.

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

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r – rated

This is on of my favoured images. Taken at a low F stop, the letter ‘R’ is clearly visable.

© nEoPOL 2008 All rights reserved

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Manchester: Part 1 – A Growing Cityscape

Since I first began to take up Photography seriously back in the summer of 2005, my home city of Manchester has often being my subject. It is not soley out of local pride of a strong technical interest is architecture which has driven this, but often because Iive and work here!

I would and still do, take my camera out at lunch time and on the way home and take a few shots. The challenge was to find new and interesting places to capture the city from, so particularly in 2006,  height was definatly my thing. 

This was taken on the 13th February 2006, by my Kodak Z740. This shot captures two of the landmark towers in Manchester. The foreground being the Arndale Centre’s tower, which stands over one of Britains largest shopping centres, and in the distance, on of my favoured subjects, Beetham Tower, duing in it’s construction.

This shot, taken a few months earlier, at Christmas 2005, shows one of the wheels which has graced the city over the years. This stood, as does one today, in what is known as Exchange Square, at centrepeice of the city centre used for events.

This was a lucky shot to be honest. Taken after a few drinks at about 11:00pm, again with the Kodak, the fact that is came out at all was great! This is still one of my favourites.

This was taken earlier one in the afternoon of  the 13th February 2006. This to me, sums up modern Manchester. Is this reletively small area in the heart of the city, we can see various decades of architectural designs, such as the 50’s/60’s on the bottom left, and what I suspect is a late 1970’s tower in the top right.

Now back a little earlier, November 2005. This shot was taken with my Vivitar compact. This builing, which faces the historic Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre, had just been completed at the the time and almost every floor was empty.

I forget what it became, but besides offices, but the ground floor became shops; Rather expensive ones, too!

And to finish with a more recent shot. This was only taken this year, 15th April,  with my camera to hand, which was my trusty IPAQ rx3000. The shot obviously suffers for the low resolution, but with a small amount of ‘photoshopping’, I tried to create a more artistic image.

In the foreground with have the ond Manchester Central train station, which for many years now has been known as the GMEX Exhibition Centre. It has just recently, changes it’s name back to Manchester Central, though to my knowledge, no rail services are planned!

In the background, the faded image of Beetham Tower is barly visable, in an attempt to highlight the changes this city has gone through over the pasted hundred years or so.

© nEoPOL 2005 – 2008 All rights reserved

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