1000/407: 02 April 2011: Pizza

1000/407: Pizza a photo by nmonckton on Flickr.

Was struck by the rather graphic 12" on this pizza box - that's it really. Sometimes small details lke this catch my eye, and I simply have to shoot them.
The offspring take the mickey because I take photos of bits of pavement and odd bits of waste, but it keeps me out of harm.

1000/400: 26 March 2011: Shrek?

Shrek? a photo by nmonckton on Flickr.

Demonstrates clearly why an ultra wide angle lens is not really ideal for portraits. Took this one because I was trying to amuse two of my nieces and all I had to hand was my camera. They thought it was great - their Mum, big sister and my better half were less impressed when i shot them the same way to keep the joke going - and I've had to promise not to show the photos - mwhahahahaha!

I do like the way that my glasses have been widened to almost cartoon proportions, but I'm less sure about the elongated head and the fact that i have a nose the size of a tapir.

1000/393: 19 March 2011: Emboucher

1000/393 a photo by nmonckton on Flickr.

Thought I'd put in an appearance again. Am doing a people module in my degree course and, while I have no issues with taking people's photos, I don't feel inclined to bother them with my hobby - so I'm tending to self-portraiture - which is harder than it seems. This one is taken from a series which I took as part of my first assignment - the others will appear on my dgree blog at some later date.

Taught myself to play the flute a few years back, and I'm sure any genuine experts loking at this would find fault with the way I'm holding/playing the thing. James Galway and Ian Anderson are unlikely to feel threatened.

1000/386: 12 March 2011: Atishoo!

1000/386 a photo by nmonckton on Flickr.

Have a cold and feel particualrly lousy this evening. This seemed appropriate and was, frankly, as much as I could be bothered with. Normal service will be resumed ASAP

1000/378: 04 March 2011: Crispy Tangy Fish

Crispy Tangy Fish is a recipe from a Sainsbury’s cookbook we’ve had for pushing 30 years, and now has the honour of being a family favourite. Basically its white fish covered in a roux flavoured with salad cream or mustard,  topped with bacon rashers, cheese and breadcrumbs and baked. Easy, delicious and colourful – what more can you ask?

365/361: 15 February 2011: Feeling Fruity

Predictable title for a bowl of fruit I’m afraid, but the sheer colourfulness – is that a word – anyway, colourfulness of this bowl of fruit meant I couldn’t resist them.

It’s the Final Countdown – Number 5

365/355: 09 February2011: Little red crab

For some reason No 2 daughter has a thing about these little toys which seem to inhabit Hawker’s Bazaar. This one is particularly appealing – which is more than can be said for the snail she had previously.

365/352: 06 February 2011: Pan Pipes

I’ve been tempted to photograph these on a number of occasions, but couldn’t think of an interesting angle – until I was hit by this rather obvious idea. It leaves me wondering if there are left and right handed pan-pipes – this version has the low notes on the right, but I’m sure I’ve seen versions with the low notes on the left.

 

365/349: 03 February 2011: Bass pedal detail

One thing I’ve almost become used to – although I still don’t approve – is finding bits of Ashley’s drum kit strewn about the house. It’s an unavoidable fact that having a drum kit left in your living room is a bit more intrusive than having a flute left in the same place – I guess I should be grateful that he didn’t go for the harp or the double-bass.

This particular piece of kit – his double bass-pedal - was left on the top in the utility room so instead of complaining I used it as inspiration.

365/342: 27 January 2011: Still travelling

Another night in the Tortworth. To be honest I simply couldn’t motivate myself to go out in the freezing cold for a photo tonight, so I went for an interior shot to add to my Hotel Anywhere collection.

In case you were wondering it’s the joint between the legs and the upright pillar of the coffee table in my room.

365/327: 12 January 2011: Thanks Mr Taxman

Got a very handy letter several months ago saying I didn’t need to worry about a tax return this year – then less than 20 days from the deadline they change their mind. Well, thanks a bunch. How to make friends and influence people – I don’t think.

365/306: 22 December 2010: Toaster design

Once upon a time toasters were rather scrappy bits of kit that sat unlovely and unloved in the corner of the kitchen – but I’ve noticed recently that they’ve become all art-deco, neo-classical, shiny chrome kitschy kitchenware. Anyone know why? After all is said and done they’re just machines designed to burn adequately cooked bread.
Anyway – here’s ours – I’m just fascinated by the amount of design effort someone has put into it. It even has a cold toast warming button.

365/297: 13 December 2010: Salad days

A nice crispy mix of chopped peppers and celery for today’s shot. Struggled with the lighting a bit on this one – needed a more diffuse source to lose the large highlights on the pepper.

365/274: 20 November 2010: A trip to IKEA

Had to drop youngest daughter at school at some absurd hour for a school trip. Then we went on to the Metro Centre for some serious shopping. Bizarrely we got to IKEA before it was open so we had a delicious Asda fry-up before having another go.

Not seen this stuff before, but it’s basically instant, self-assembly, rye bread. Just add water, shake, transfer to a baking tin, cook and take a bow. Guess what’s on the menu tomorrow.

365/273: 19 November 2010: Phalaenopsis

Which is kind of white orchid – fairly common as a house plant – for the un-initiated. Like a lot of orchids the flowers can look vaguely erotic, vaguely threatening or just very pretty. Went for the middle one with this treatment – the strange lighting is a result of the sun coming through a window and hitting the flower from the back left as you look at the photo.

365/271: 17 November 2010: Moldovan Merlot

Can’t remember whether I ordered this or whether it was one of the extra ‘free’ bottles I get as a reward for membership, but I’m pretty sure it’s the first Moldovan wine I’ve ever drunk. And very pleasant it was/is too. Thought I should photograph it before my camera arm lost its steadiness.

365/229: 06 October 2010: More hotel trivia

Travelled to London today for an internal Comms course starting tomorrow. Apparently the cheapest hotel the booking agency could get was on the Strand – so nicely located. Sadly it was essentially dark when I got there so taking a shot of the sights was not a goer. The room was cell sized but had some rather attractive resin lampstands – so here’s one for the record.

365/206: 13 Sept 2010: More hotel abstraction

Amazing what you can find to make an interesting photo when you’re pushed. No prizes for guessing what it is.

365/194: 01 Sept 2010: Mmmm!…Chocolate Sponge

Marion is in the kitchen baking things – like this chocolate sponge. Seriously guys – its the best chocolate sponge in the world. But I’m not allowed to eat it because apparently – and unknown to me – I’m on a diet.

365/147: 16 July 2010: Holiday Time

No – I haven’t given up, but I’ve been in Egypt for 2 weeks and didn’t want to advertise the fact to the whole world. So now I have 16 days posting to catch up – starting with the hotel room the night before departure. Just another of those slightly odd abstracts I’m afraid – this time from the Premier Inn at J21a of the M6.