Havana, Cuba and spring flowers

I have been busy doing more Cuba shots. Have added more new pics to view on my website - www.timgartsidephotography.com if you would like to see them or why not try my new Flickr page - http://www.flickr.com/photos/garty/.

Going off to find some bluebells over the next week or so. Have been messing about with Painter x on some spring shots. It is a very interesting program allowing some amazing artistic effects although you do have to work hard at it to get the best results.

Boats at Hastings

Just finished teaching an interesting workshop down in Hastings with James where we photographed the boats pulled up on the shore. Took some shots at sunset but the best were the night shots which we painted with flash during 3 minute exposures using the 'Bulb' setting. Got some really amazing shots which were much nicer than I thought they were going to be. It goes to show if you work hard any location has the possibility of yielding good photographs. The dead fish were an 'interesting' prop!

Snowdonia, Wales and Photography Workshop

It's Friday the 13th-spooky!
Well, the day has been quiet so far but still time for an axe murderer! Just been to Snowdonia to do a workshop with Linzi and her clan. Great time, great company and great place. Some beautiful landscape in Snowdonia and we had an amazing experience where we got lost in a forest while photographing a beautiful sunset on Anglesey but luckily had a full moon and a grizzly bear to ask for directions. Good job it wasn't the 13th! Here are a few shots.

More Cuba photos

Been very busy retouching my Cuban photo's and still loads more to do! Post production is damned time consuming. Had a bit more hassle with my computer. If you transfer data from one Apple to another it can mess up serial numbers. I lost my Aperture serial number but because I had proof of purchase they gave me a new one. If you also have a similar problem find out more at:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1861?viewlocale=en_US

Sold a photo of Tower Bridge to be used as a jigsaw puzzle which is a first.

Viva Cuba!

Just got back from 7 days in Cuba-thanks Steve and Fan! It was great to be with you. Hope it's not too cold in Canada Fan!! A special hello to Shannon too! Havana is great, a photographers heaven. There are simply photo's on every street corner. The old architecture, the vibrant people, the 50's American Classic cars, sunshine and narrow streets all add up to great photo opportunities. It was remarkably safe, yes a few people wanting money but they never got heavy when none was forthcoming and always had a smile on their faces. The main problem was the car exhaust pollution (old Russian engines) which was quite nasty and a bit annoying but not enough to put me off going again, hopefully real soon.
Definitely recommended to go. It is changing and 'beautiful' decaying streets are being renovated (for the better in my opinion) but don't worry it will take many many years to finish. Now just got 60Gb worth of cards to wade through!

apple mac problems

Well, I've just got my computer back from Apple. What a fiasco! The dvd superdrive has failed twice before and after 2 weeks in 'hospital' they brought it out and it failed again in front of the manager. Fair enough they did refund the entire amount and I ended up buying a new computer and screen and they were very sorry and in the end helpful but Apple are not reliable anymore which is bad news considering the high cost of purchase. A friend also had a problem and the shop said before Intel processors were fitted they never had one back for repair but now get loads back. I just don't see it being economically viable anymore. Perhaps 2 pc's next time-one as a backup would make better business sense? My beautiful old G4's are now obsolete thanks to the swap to Intel processors and Adobe not supporting them with CS4.
Oh for the old film days when life was so much simpler!! I spend more time on IT than on my photography now!

visit to the Natural History Museum, London

Had a delightful trip to the Natural History Museum yesterday. Really interesting place to visit for photography and learning. The architecture, especially the details are beautiful. Nearest tube is South Kensington. Mid week will probably be quieter. Signing off for Christmas, so Merry Christmas wherever you are!