David has a clone...

One of the tutorials on the Swan Dive course this week was cloning. I found that the trick is to make sure the camera doesn't move at all between shots.  After getting the images I opened them in Elements, placed one as a layer on top of the other and erased the top layer where David was to let him appear.  Would like to have a go at cloning cats next! 

Thank you to David who lurked obligingly outside the RSC for to help me with this experiment.

Send in the clones... 

(I know, I know...)

Charlie's thought for the day...

Fact...

(Text actually inspired by the towel holder

I have hanging in my loo!).

(Charlie inspired by goodness knows what...)

More photos... Bosworth Battle Field

Last day of freedom before going back to work tomorrow. I took myself off early with camera to Bosworth Battle Field (it's about a 15 minute drive from where we live) and had a lovely time walking around that beautiful place, with the sun shining, the sky a brilliant blue with big white clouds, and a freezing cold wind blowing the battlefield flags about like things possessed. Every time I go there I think I must go more often... 

The Swan Dive course is this week concentrating on textures so I took the opportunity to go a bit mad with some on a selection of today's images.

Blossom...

Flag and a bit of sun...

That quotation isn't from Richard III (or Dick 3 as we like to call him),

but it fit the image too well not to use it.

 Virtual gold star to anyone who knows which play it's from...

... and a bit of Robert Frost too

More images from Swan Dive...

It's not about thinking you've always got to create the perfect image - it's about being playful, and experimenting, because sometimes that's when you might make something wonderful.  I read a lot of photo mags and articles about the technical side of photography and I use the techniques whenever I pick up my camera - but this course is making me think more about the creative side of photography - and it's fun :O)

Easter eggs with a LOT of edits...

Helen wrapped inside rainbow colours...

Charlie gets a bit textured...

This is the Feelin' Retro preset in LightRoom

(... did I mention that I loved LightRoom?)

Wordless Wednesday...

The Swan Dive course has started and I've had great fun with the first 'assignment', which is about going a bit crazy with post-processing.  I usually stick to Light Room with maybe some Elements thrown in for any processing, but I stepped outside my comfort zone and tried Pixlr Express, a free online editing tool (which is possibly more addictive than is healthy).  I used old photos and just did whatever I wanted to them - very therapeutic to not have to think technically for once...