Sometimes when you take a photograph it’s good, the subject is framed well and you’ve captured the essence of the shot, but sometimes there is something missing that makes that good shot an excellent shot.

The above shot is one such example, the original shot (below) straight out of the camera was good, but as I sat and looked at it, for me there was something missing, it didn’t jump out at me.  This is where Lightroom 3 comes into play and for me adds the value of not only being my main cataloguing tool, but giving me the flexibility to adjust and tweak  many of the photo’s settings.

After converting the photo to black & white and adjusting contrast, tone curves and highlights I ended up with the final result seen above.  It’s funny but the minute I finished and looked at it I knew that was the result I was looking for and it really makes the photo stand out.  So from my perspective a good photo has now become an excellent photo and one that stands out on it’s own.

Most of the time photos straight out of the camera are good as they are, then other times they need a little help to reach full potential

Earlier as I was going through my morning updates on Google Reader and Twitter I came across a link to an old Abbott and Costello clip of ‘Who’s on First?’ and just had to watch it!

It’s been a while since I’ve watched it all the way through, but watching it again this morning just made me realize how funny this sketch still is!  I remember watching Abbot and Costello when I was younger and this sketch must be up there as one of my all time  favourites, along with Morecambe and Wise - ’The Breakfast Sketch’ or the Two Ronnies -’Fork Handles’.  On the subject of Abbott and Costello I used to love the Abbot and Costello films and must have watched all of them a number of times in my youth, who remembers ‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein’ or ‘Abbot and Costello Meet The Invisible Man’, those were the days! And while we’re on the subject of classic comedy films, anyone for a good old iconic Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis film featuring Doris Day?

Anyway enjoy ‘Who’s on First’ and what was your favourite sketch or comedy film and who starred in it?

Over the last few weeks George has been mastering eating with a spoon on his own. Today over breakfast he mastered it and ate breakfast without help

It’s taken a while but we’ve seen real progress today, but there have been days when George seemed to be wearing more food than actually got into his mouth!

After the very dark, but very good “The Waters of Mars” last night, not long to wait now before Christmas and the last two Doctor Who specials with David Tennant.  The trailer at the end of last night gave us just a glimpse of what is in store including Donna, Wilf, The Ood, Mrs Saxon and a very different looking Master!

The big question is will we see the Doctor regenerate or will we be left waiting until the new series in 2010?  In the meantime enjoy the trailer

]]> http://blog.gronow.co.uk/mmmmm-blackberries/feed/ 0 http://blog.gronow.co.uk/pigeon-impossible/ http://blog.gronow.co.uk/pigeon-impossible/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:51:10 +0000 Russell G http://www.gronow.co.uk/Blog/?p=197 [...]]]>

It’s not often that I’ll republish a video clip directly on my blog, but with this clip I make an exception as it’s so good!

This CGI film is only 6 minutes long but took nearly 5 years to complete and is the first attempt at animation by writer/director Lucas Martell: “When the project started, it was mostly an excuse to learn 3D animation, but by the end of the project I had spent so much time reworking and polishing the story that I just wanted people to laugh.”

A far cry from Pixar who have a whole company that produces full animated films like this, but the idea and quality is excellent and more information can be found on the website here

If you’ve got kids they will love this, but even if not the big kids out there (me included) will enjoy this short film and the YouTube HD version is great full screen!

Enjoy!

I don’t know where the last year has gone as it seems to have flown by! The boys are growing up so fast with Henry turning six next month and George heading towards 14 months. Trying to get a photo of them together is near impossible because George won’t sit still long enough and Henry just won’t have his photo taken (Does any 6 year old!) So this is a rare moment where I managed to capture both together, even if H doesn’t look that happy about it and G is being distracted off camera by Sarah!