[php] wp_enqueue_script(‘ghost_fader’, ‘https://www.hyam.net/blog/wp-content/ghost_fader.js’); [/php] I’ve been having fun this weekend with a postcard that was posted in 1925. I think the image on the card was taken quite a bit earlier maybe even at the end of the 19th century. The scene is of Old Bakehouse Close, Edinburgh, off…
100 Portraits: Phil
I caught Phil collecting plants in the garden. He is a very smiley guy so it was tough getting one which was a little more revealing. I did a straight mug shot that I liked as well but this was my favourite for the collection.
100 Portraits
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100 Portraits: Jimmy
I finally managed to get talking to Jimmy when he was free and I was free and the light was OK. We stepped outside to a covered area with soft light. Still a bit top heavy but not bad. I took about ten shots. There were two shots I liked,…
100 Portraits
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100 Portraits: Tamsin
I’m really pleased with today’s photo. Tamsin comes along to the meditation group on Fridays and for breakfast after. The room has two story South facing windows. At this time of year we finish up soon after dawn so the light can be really variable but is often incredible. I…
At Auchmithie
At Auchmithie, a photo by National Galleries of Scotland Commons on Flickr. I find this shot from the National Galleries collection strangely moving. It was taken in 1881 up the coast from Dundee. The older girl (a working women really) is wearing the apron of someone who processes fish (probably…
Edinburgh
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First attempt at rephotographing St Giles
This is a lovely postcard combined with a quick snap. I’ll have to go back when the Christmas lights are down and it maybe isn’t so crowded. I also need to find historic images in which people figure more prominently. It is people who are interesting after all!
Goal setting is good – even when you ‘fail’
[column-group] [column][/column] [column][/column] [/column-group] These are two photographs from my series of 100 Portraits in 2013. Sheila, my mother-in-law, is 86 years old and Mary, her granddaughter, is 18. These were among 48 portraits I made in 2013. I failed to make it even half way to 100 portraits but…
Rephotography – Making a Start
I have not blogged for a while. I’m not sure if the urge has left me or if I just haven’t found time. There seem to be too many words in the world so I’d like to move to doing more visual stuff and this tends to be sucked into…
When did you stop thinking you were beautiful?
After I photographed Morag she sent me this video clip. First time I have emedded an advert – but I think the message is good… you just don’t need too much soap! Cannes Gold Lion Winner 2013 Ciclops 2013 – Gold for Direction Kinsale Shark awards 2013 – Gold Directed…
Living as an Embedded Buddhist
When I first heard of Engaged Buddhism I made a common mistake. I presumed it was all campaigns and demonstrations. I didn’t think it was for me. I’d been on a few demos and sat on some committees but they all felt far too confrontational for my newly developed sensibilities….
Mark The Gingers Man
I’ve know Mark through work for years. He is a botanist working on Gingers (Zingiberaceae). He came into the office to ask for something and I asked in return if I could come up to his office and take his photo. The herbarium offices have big windows with blinds which…
Quantified Self – Back To Front
Such a frustrating programme on Radio 4 Analysis. The quantified self: can life be measured? The “quantified self” movement promises that life-logging and data-tracking can make us smarter. Frances Stonor Saunders asks whether by measuring what we do we miss who we are. You can listen to the MP3 Podcast…
100 Portrait Photos
I love my photography. Although I enjoy making close-up and landscape images what fascinates me most are portraits of people. I’d like to concentrate on this kind of photography from now on so, as an ice breaker, I have set myself the goal of photographing one hundred different people by…
Seton Collegiate Church
A Historic Scotland Property. Good For Learning about the history of the area – battle of Preston Pans is not far away. Also good to stop on the way past. Could form part of a walk up from the coast. Not So Good For A day out. There isn’t that…
Practicing Back To Front
As with many of the best things I can’t remember how I stumbled on it but a few weeks ago I came across a TED talk by Simon Sinek called “How great leaders inspire action“. I was so impressed with this simple idea that I went on to buy Simon’s…
House of Binns
A National Trust for Scotland Property Good For Views over the Firth of Forth. Not been in house yet. Not So Good For Visiting out of short season. Wandering on your own – guided tours only.
Blackness Castle
Historic Scotland Property. Good For Views of Forth bridges and lots of fresh air. Castle is really curious. Walking in woods along the coat to the East. Not So Good For If there is a cold wind then it is really exposed so would not be very pleasant. Check opening…
My Work Blog Is Moving
I have been on core staff at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a year now and, as part of my role there, have established a WordPress blog for the institution. This will act as a combined blogging platform for everyone associated with the organisation as well as a more…
Biodiversity Informatics
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Twenty Years And At Least Twenty Pounds Lighter!
A friend just sent this photo of me collecting Rhododendrons in SW China in 1994 – as good as twenty years ago. Looking in the mirror I think I need to loose some weight. Thin suited me better!