Tag: weather

B364 – THREE STONE HEAVIER

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ahh Tuesday morning and the end of the four day weekend, its kind of weird because I kind of feel like the four day weekend is kind of like the End and beginning of a new year, I’m not sure if its because of the end of the tax year or if its because the blog ends tomorrow. but for some reason its starting to feel like a new chapter. but before a “new chapter” starts I think its probably best if I just drag out some more easter photos just one last time.

After waking up slowly yesterday and chilling out in the morning, it was time to jump on a train back to London and sort ourselves out for work. I think its fair to say that we all left yesterday weighing at least 2 stone more. Ive had an easter egg for breakfast two days in a row and now I’m not really sure what todo with myself, I kind of feel like its acceptable to have a chocolate bar before 9am today but then again that might not be the best idea. I think I can speak for both Amy and me when I say thank you Auntie Michelle for a really really good easter break and an even better spread of food. We didn’t have the best weather but in a way thats kind of better because then everyone just goes into sleepy mode and we all just sit around chilling out, instead of trying to think of a way to make the most of the weather. kind of what easters all about, even though I wouldn’t of minded some sun and maybe just maybe temperatures above 20. today is a short and sweet post as I really need to get dressed for work, so hope thats ok with you guys.

Anyway, heres some photos from the weekend. I hope everyone had a good Easter and did exactly what they wanted too with the four day weekend.

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– Heading back to london –
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– I wish this was desert every day –
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– weather wasnt on ourside but sometime that makes weekends like this every better –
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– My dad wanted me to post this photo the other day but I forgot, Release the Chimps Beer it made him chuckle –

B331 – THE BEAST FROM THE EAST

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So earlier on as I spoke to my parents on Facetime, showing them the snow fall in Bethnal green and also updating them on how I was feeling, which by the way was a little better but still not great, I told my mum how much I wanted to go outside and take photos, she reminded me that it probably wasnt the best idea and all I would probably do is make myself more ill. But everyone knows that when your parents say the words “dont do it” your next move is to do the exact opposite, if I had listened to her then surely that would of made the past 24 years of havoc and mayhem completely pointless and thats not something Im about todo.

So I put a 5 minute timer on, took some more paracetamol, grabbed my jacket and headed down to Bethnal green road. Thats where the timer comes in, i didnt want to spend too much time outside for obvious reason but I needed to see what this snow storm looked like and how people were dealing with it. One of the best things I saw on my quick trip outside was when the lad on a boris bike cycling past me, going slower than a pederstian but do you know what? I was jealous, Jealous that he was grabbing this weather by the balls and taking a boris bike of a few laps, thats the kind of things I used todo! cycling in snow is a great way to pull some sick skids and have a good laugh at the same time, but for some reason that didnt even cross my mind, I’m not sure if its because Im not in the best shape at the moment or what, but thats a brilliant idea and next snow day I am 100% making a blog post about cycling in the snow.

Being sat here on the sofa for a few days now Ive been doing quite alot of thinking about my life style and kind of realising that I cant carry on working extra long days surviving off Haribo and Coffee, I really need to start looking after my temple and keep in shape not so I look good on a beach but more so I can carry on working and maintain the energy needed. thats why this weekend im doing what I never thought I would do and signing up for a gym, somewhere I can go twice a week and keep in shape, Im also going to go and get a sport massage and see if we can get this leg of mine sorted. for too long now Ive side tracked it, but not this weekend! this weekend is all about getting me strong enough so I don’t have to take sick days. I know that sounds weird but I actually really enjoy working.

Anyway heres some pictures of Bethnal Green Road in a snow storm.

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– this type of weather is pretty cool –
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– I love this guys determination! –
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– shes not letting a bit of weather stop her!

B330 – DAY TWO AND STILL IN BED

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Day two of virus: I think its fair to say that the virus I have caught must be something never discovered before because im pretty much knocked out, Ive slept for 25 hours of the past 30 hours with only the fair few emergency bathroom breaks. Im supposed to be going in to work today but with the snow, minus 10 temperature I dont think im  going to make it. my plan is to see how I feel in a few hours and then make a call about it.

its definitely days like today where keeping up with this blogging life style is nearly impossible, but with just over a month togo I cant cave in now. for those of you that are new to this website Ill explain a little bit about what im doing here, my plan from April last year was to post three photos a day for a whole year and to go along with that I have to write 300 words, the idea behind this is to improve my photography skills and to also hopefully to improve my writing skills (Which I kind of think Ive managed todo).

when I first started I didn’t realise how much is was going to become part of my daily life and to be honest the idea of skipping a day or just giving up and quitting has been pretty strong but I’m refusing to give in and like to think that i can make it and then in a few years time Ill be able to look back and know exactly what I did on possibly one of the busiest years of my life so far.

So again I think I need to apologies for the lack of photo content these past few days, I know its snowing in london and that can make for some great photos and I wish I could get out there but I need to kick this illness first!

Heres some shots from my flat windows!

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– A view from the spare bedroom, I cant wait till this room has been finished so we can spend more time in here –
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– yep we still have our christmas tree, the plan is to hold onto it till next year, thats what takes up this foreground shot – –
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– I went out last night to get fresh air and some bread, this shot is from inside the apartment complex –

 

B294 – WHAT TODO NEXT?

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So I’ve got to get up pretty early tomorrow, so my plan is to get this post done the night before. Im also most certain if I leave it up to tomorrow morning then I guarantee that I wont get it done in time. The photos I took today were all about Landscape, I had to take the dog for a walk up to the local pet shop so decided that we would take a bit of extra time and get some photos from the top of the grove looking down on where my parents live. Whats so good about this time of year is the way that all the colours look faded and its just as if every where is kind of getting ready for the summer, its crazy that in a month this will all be green and summer will be round the corner. but this season is just as good as the summer season.

What ive realised about doing something like this is that everything is getting easier, I’m finding enough topics to photograph and the writing is definitely getting better. you guys probably cant see my writing improving as its still pretty terrible, but 294 days ago we would have been lucky if I could spell my full name correct on the first attempt.

As im getting closer to that big 300 day mark, Im starting to think about what I was like on day one and where I am today and how my camera the Canon 5d II has really been the best thing Ive ever brought, its not the newest camera out there but for a camera thats got over 110,000 shutter count it just refuses to give in and still surprises me how good it is, the cameras been knocked about, how with me on drunken pub crawls and had its fair share of close encounters with the floor. and yet it hasn’t let me down once, If you are thinking about learning with a camera, go about buy a 5d II, it wont let you down and has enough settings to help you to always improve as a photographer.

And now Ive reached that point where im starting to think about my next camera and what I should go for, as some of you are aware im on the waiting list of the new Leica, but theres a few other cameras that I cant decide between. I want a camera that I can film slow mo on just as well as I can take photos with, so maybe the Leica isnt my best option, maybe its time I got a Sony A7R or something. I suppose I wont know until im in the shop and have the cash.

Anyway, here are my photos from today. Enjoy

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– the colours this time of year are so fun to photograph –
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– looking down on the Grove –
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– right place at the right time, the sun was breaking through the clouds just as I got there –

B264 – UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY

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Well… where to start. I just wrote a whole post and then pressed delete by accident, well done josh. 

I’m writing this post as I navigate my way around London with a million bags and just try to get to my cousins in one piece. I don’t really know how to write this post, but I suppose I’ve just got to give it ago and see where we end up. 

Yesterday I had a Christmas meal in Norfolk with all of Amy’s family and friends, as per usual they put out an absolute spread and a good amount of cheese, but by that time I’d had a few beers so forgot to take any photos, but I did get one of the pre dinner snacks. I don’t think I embarrassed myself at all last night and pretty sure I was sensible, so that’s also a pulse. 

As I said I’m now on the train to My cousins on the other side of London, I’m a place called Petts wood to see my family. It’ll be good to see everyone, Christmas is a good time of year to catch up with people you haven’t seen in ages so that’s what I’m most looking forward to and also giving flo all the presents I got her. 

I’m also going to a pub tonight with my mates, so I’ll try and take some photos of that but I’m not sure if they’ll be any good. 

also for some reason WordPress won’t let me add captions to these photos. So the top one is from a dog walk yesterday afternoon along the beach park cliff bit. 

2nd picture is of the pre dinner snacks, Christmas food is the best food. 

3rd photo is from a quick pub drink we had after the dog walk. I love country pubs. 

And also I want to say thanks to Amy Family and co. It was a really good food and an pretty fun evening. 

B252 – BANG BANG CHICKEN

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8am Monday Morning. temperature, 5 degrees. weather, rain / snow. What better way to start the day?

Thats literally what I said to myself as I walked out my front door and headed to Camden yesterday for a meeting, its hard to find a positive about the weather yesterday when the snow didn’t even set but I do quite like the rain in London, especially when I have my camera mainly because taking photos of people when its raining becomes so much better, everyone literally walks around like the are allergic to water and that makes for some cool photos. Don’t get me wrong I love to sun and the summer and would much rather be taking photos from a beach in the Mediterranean but that wasn’t an option yesterday.

After my meeting I decided to take a long walk back to the train station and grab some photos of the area, Camden is this cool part of London, which kind of feels like its separated from the rest this city and made its own set of rules and its own way of life. its kind of where punk rock has decided to plot up and fight the likes of TopShop and River Island and to some miracle punk rock seems to have won.

Josh’s Top Tip: If you ever find yourself in Camden that chances are your going to want to eat some food, now what most people would do is end up at the world food market and grab some sort of pizza of Naples or maybe a burrito for Korea but what I think is by fast the best option is to head down to the original camden market and pick up some of that Bang Bang Chicken, the food isn’t really fried chicken that you might get at KFC its more Chinese but possible the best Chinese you can get hold of. that stuff is completely out of this world and the guy who sells it might even sing you the Bang Bang chicken song. Trust me, there is a song.

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– on the bus toward to Camden –
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– Camden Market, the home of Bang Bang Chicken –
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– the snow yesterday unfortunately it didn’t settle –

 

 

 

B250 – MY FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS

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Back in Norfolk seeing Amy’s family, haven’t been up here since August so its good to get back out into the country side and just eat food and chill out. one thing is for sure, the weather up here is definitely colder than it was last time I was here. Amy told me to bring loads of layers and over course I took that information on board and completely forgot. Could of done with some extra jumpers and maybe some thicker socks, but I suppose now Ive just got to get on with it.

So of the reassuring things we did yesterday was go to the Toy Super store Symths, I seriously had thought that those places didn’t exists since the likes of Amazon and Ebay where ruling the world, But business was booming. It was pretty cool to walk around looking at all the toys and see the ones that I used to play with still going strong. and to see kids running around playing with all the toys, just like they should do. I must actually sound so old when I say this, but its so true.

After the little flash back shopping trip, there was only one place to go now and that was for a bite to eat. and since I missed Amys birthday (I was working and also on the other side of the world), we went back to the pub where she had celebrated her birthday and had some food there. the pub was called Black Boys and it was unbelievable. I obviously went for the Black Boys Burger and it was just how a pub burger should be, massive and full of everything you need, Onion rings, tomato and some good blue cheese.  but I did end up getting some food envy over the pan fried stake, that was definitely worth a try next time. It looked like something special.

After food it was time to hit the sofa and watch movies and sleep. well I slept, a lot. but how can you blame me when theres a log fire and a really comfy sofa to sit on.

anyway its now early Sunday morning and I think its a jammed packed day of taking photos for a christmas calendar and eating more food. Heres my photos of yesterday, Enjoy.

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– Dexter infront of the fire, chilled out to the max –
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– the view for the pub window, theres not a better view than that –
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– my first time in a toy store in at least 10 years –

B219 – “THE GUY CAUGHT UP IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS”

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its here, that time I never thought would come. I put it to the back of my head and tried not to think about it, im talking about the time of year when it gets dark at 4 in the afternoon. today I spent the whole day in an office, I know I said I would try and get out of my lunch hour and some cool kind of project but I wasn’t expecting 6pm to come around so quick. and then I left work and it was  pitch dark and I hadnt taken a single photo. lucky I had a quick thought and decided to run with it so here I am.

Positive thoughts josh Positive thoughts.

This time of year is pretty good for taking photos late at night, for one reason everyone looks like a character from some 1940’s black and white film. its a mixuter between the winter clothing like a long jacket, hat or dark clothing together with the lighting or really lack of light which creates these cool silhouettes as people walk or cycle along the road. I think its because all of a sudden a random office communter on their way home to sit on the sofa and eat a packed of chocolate digestives now looks like some under cover detective casing out a suspect or they look like the suspect and move around in the dark to go unnoticed. taking all this in mind when walking home my goal was to try and get a photo of what I thought the detective, the suspect and then “the guy caught up in the middle of all this” would look like.

I have no idea if this makes sense to anyone readings this but it makes sense in my head and thats kind of all that matters right. I know it helps if I get my point across but as long as you like my photos thats all that really matters.

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– the detective –
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– the suspect –
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– the guy caught up in all this –

B204 – THE DAY MY CAMERA NEARLY DIED!

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Back in New York and the main thing im going to take away from today is that New York rain seems to be something you cant find anywhere else. its non stop and literally everything just gets soaked through. I went out today not expecting to get that wet, it was just like a little bit of drizzle when I left, well that turned into some thing completely different, but a few years ago I watched that documentary of the New York photographer Bill Cunningham and in that documentary Bill talks about being out in all weathers in New York because thats when you get the best shots, and the guy is completely right, New York seems to go into this completely different mode when it starts raining. My highlight of New York in the rain today was seeing a women walk round with a metal Bin on her head to project her afro, she literally didn’t get a damm what she looked like as long as her hair stayed dry.

if you read yesterdays post you would know my plan for today was to stay around Hunter’s point and take it easy. Well after a quick chat with my parents my dad said I had to have a chill dog from a street vendor, so that became my mission, track down a street vendor and have a chilli dog on the “side walk”. and as soon as I got off the subway at 7th and 59th street, there he was a street vendor with all the goodies apart from Chilli dogs, sorry dad but I just went for a hot dog, I hope that counts. I did plan on not giving up till I got a chilli dog but I was hungry, so that will have todo.

My other plan for today  became getting a good shot of the smoke or stream that comes up from the ground around NYC and after hunting for ages to try and find somewhere, I finally bumped into the perfect location just by 42nd and Grand Central Street. ( im trying to remember the names of the streets, just so I feel like a local). Once I found this spot I only had to wait a few minutes before this guy walked past, it was a pure case of right place right time, but thats how street photography works really, the more hours you spend on the streets, the more places you end up in at the right time.  This is one of my favourite photos Ive taken in a long time, this whole photo feels quite peaceful at a time when everything is starting to get a bit crazy. Im not sure if that makes sense to you, but it does to me.

Here are my photos from today, Ive tried to take it easy today and just get some good rest, now I’m looking forward to laying in bed watching some movies and getting some proper sleep!

I hope you like my photos. oh and if your wondering about my title today, my camera nearly broke because the rain just didn’t stop and I really wasn’t prepared for that. Apart from that I would say its been a pretty successful day.

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– this is one of my favourite photos Ive taken recently –

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– mum is that you?  –

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– the rain today was proper rain, the stuff that no matter watch jacket you had on your T shirt was getting wet –

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– here you go dad, this is where I got my hot dog from –

B195 – I DELETED EVERYTHING!!!!

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It happened, my first major major cock up in 195 days.

Well today started as any other shoot day does, really early and straight on the move, nothing out of the normal, and as normal I had my camera with me and would take photos as the day goes on, some cool, some terrible photos but all of it is still useable content in some sort of way.

well after I had been hustled by a bunch of boy scouts, no joke they literally called me over to tell me about a great offer on the cup cakes, and said that we could barter for the cupcakes. I was up for it and asked for 6 for $10 something I felt was completely fair, then the head scout with all the badges basically said no deal and sold me them for the standard price of 4 for $10. I didn’t even want the cup cakes, but thought it would be good to teach these guys a lesson or two in business only for me to end up losing out and falling for their tricks.  the lesson I learnt here is don’t be fooled by the scouts, they know exactly how to get your money.

The other thing is I took photos of is the crazy size of houses in this area, we are currently in place called Bedminister, New Jersey and these houses are like something out of MTV cribs, its ridiculous. Im not sure if its because theres so much land out here or if these people have just figured out life, but these houses are impressive.

anyway I had some great examples, but ill just have to see what I can do tomorrow.

its now obviously tough post today, I did find one photo on my phone that I took this morning so that is below, the fog looked really cool in the trees and reminded me of that old TV show Man Tracker, about I guy who could track down anyone even in the harshest conditions. The other two photos I was saving up for later on but I suppose now is a good as any. they were two photos I took in New York city, and I think they sum that place up quite well. Im a big fan of black and white street photography, so I try and do as much of that as possible. I feel like black and white adds an extra element to the photos, that I think is thanks to the film photography ere that everyone is so used to seeing. it has helped to give B&W photos a timeless feel.

so here they are, enjoy the snaps and sorry of the mish mash post.

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– new york Subway after rush hour –
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– this person definitly doesn’t want to have their bike stollen –
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– my only picture that has survived from today –