Motion... by Daniel Kearney

EMotion: I'm an Illustrator

2011-06-14T19:22:00.004+01:00

Okay, so that may not strictly be true. However, it's not really a lie either. Since i handed in my last project, I've hardly touched a camera, apart from to take a picture of the illustrations i've been doing instead. In truth, it's all i've really done since. Just doodle, and write bits, and doodle some more.

This first one was a present for someone's birthday...

... and this second one is an illustrated version of a random story i made up for someone. Not sure my skills are up to scratch, but it could be a new career change... hmmm, another 3 years at uni perhaps. (I jest of course. There shall be no uni course in illustration for me)

EMotion: Eat Your Heart Out

2011-05-24T07:30:00.003+01:00

Richard Prince. You may know him for other types of art, but i know him for his 'word art.' Phrases hung upon the walls of a gallery. Here's my take... sort of.

Yesterday was a weird, hard and quite an up and down roller-coaster of a day of emotions, and i had to let it out somehow. So here it is. The days key events/thoughts/feelings in words. Hopefully they're not too easy to read, but i'm sure some of you will work them out.

NoMotion: Work in Progress - Edgelands

2011-04-28T16:34:00.013+01:00

Current project focusing on Edgelands and the false Disneytopias that they create. Still working on this so any feedback will be much appreciated. (ignore the colours... they'll be corrected at a later date)

InMotion: The King is Dead... Long Live the King (for now)

2011-03-03T21:38:00.010Z

So the King is dead. King Apollo of Mayhem is no longer terrorising... i mean rolling the streets of Blackpool. Finally after 10 and a half years hard graft the trusty steed had finally given up more than it could handle. (10 years doesn't seem much, but i first got the bike for high school. I'm now in my last year at university) The countless years of slogging up hills, racing down 'em, being launched of kerbs, bounced over tree roots and rocky shale paths, finally took it's toll, and not to mention the numerous times it's slid down the road on it's handles bars and pedals. (there's only one way to ride and that's flat out. So with that comes mistakes and the inevitable big crashes, of which there have been many) It finally bit the dust.

So what's replaced it.

This...

Let me introduce the new King, or Prince, as it's yet to earn it's title. It's a Savage Stealth SE (noticing anything here... Mayhem... Savage. All coincidence) It was once my sisters bike, but since she no longer uses it, for now i'll be using it. I'm not keen on bikes with suspension, but we'll see how it goes. It may convert me, and help me decide on my own bike. As you can see. the mudguards and lock have already been transplanted and the once the cones were checked and some air in the tyres, away we went.

Crack!!! But what exactly happened to the King. Well this really. The stem simply cracked and gave way along the weld. Thankfully it didn't give way fully when riding, but noticing the crack whilst levering away at the bars going uphill wasn't ideal timing. I limped home with it, and when my dad moved it next day, it gave way totally. Lucky escape if you ask me.

Also, i'd managed to snap a spoke on the rear wheel. Not a major deal. It was still round and had a fair amount of strength. It had been buckled no fewer than 3 times previously, so the spokes were by now under a fair bit of tension. To add to this the crank probably had a good few millimetres of play in it, which wasn't helping. So for now, the trusty steed is at the back of the shed. It's not being binned though. Oh no. It will live once again. It's just a matter of time, and of course that all important thing money.

So to Christen the newbie i took it for a stroll down the prom and round the houses. Covered about 8 miles or so. Not bad for it's first time out in a few years. Caught this shot from the top of the dunes (added a semi-cross processed look, hence rather yellow-green look compared to other shots)

I think it'll do okay for now. Been bobbing about for a week or so now, and it's still upright and in one piece (though I'm sure this will change at some point)

InMotion: Rally Report, North West Stages 2011

2011-02-06T22:19:00.022Z

The curtain raiser to the rally reason, once again took place on the shores of Blackpool in February of 2011, and the 103 entrants were greeted by less than pleasant weather conditions.

The event started on Friday night, with scrutineering taking place earlier in the day, something i always like to attend to, but other commitments and the dreaded M60 dictated otherwise. Even when i arrived, later than planned, the camera stayed tucked away firmly in it's bag.

Wind speeds gusting up to 70mph made standing nearly impossible on the Blackpool promenade, and the sand storm created by it was enough to keep my lens tucked away thankyou very much. It was a spectacle for the (sandy) eyes though. Seeing rally cars fighting against the weather conditions and swirls of sand lit up by the headlights.

The North West Stages had already laid down the law, and it was going to run according to it's own drum beat.

Once the cars had completed the opening 4 stages around Weeton and North Promenade, they entered Par Ferme over night, in the grounds of Norbreck Castle. The tinsel chandeliers made an interesting backdrop for the cars now covered in sand and dirt.

As well as the competitors there were also demonstration runs by ex-Group B spec rally cars, including this Ferrari 308 GTS (above) as well as the ex-Hannu Mikkola Audi Quattro (below) Both made pleasant noises, and the Ferrari in particular was exciting to control on cut slicks in the wet conditions Saturday morning had thrown at them.

Saturday morning. The wind had died down, but had been replaced by rain. The first spectator stages were in Fleetwood, on the Marina, so that's where i headed. The weather wasn't stopping me today.

It's not often you see a 1000cc Nissan Micra with number 1 slapped on the door, but that's waht reigning North West Stages winner Darren Doherty turned up in to defend his crown. Needless to say he didn't retain it. His new Impreza was still being built in preparation for the ANCC Tarmac Championship. It was still a great sight though, watching Doherty hustle the little car round the stages. He retired shortly after this shot due to water in the engine, a problem that would strike down many cars be the end of the event.

That left last years long time leader (before crashing into retirement) Kevin Procter as favourite. He wasn't going to have it easy though. Only only the 3rd stage he half spun and stalled, loosing vital seconds, but managed to maintain an over night lead. Now all he had to do was keep it.

2009 winner Tony Bardy returned to reclaim his crown from 2 years ago, once again in the now even more powerful and even bigger flame throwing Sunny GTiR. As ever Bardy started cautiously, taking time to feel the conditions and the balance of the car. He started Saturday in 3rd place over 40 seconds down.

Rob dick was also back in his nimble Darrian, and was once again out to beat the "big boys".

Steve Simpson, five times winner of the event, was also waiting on the completion of his new Impreza, an ex-Prodrive car, so he turned up in his trusty Accent WRC, now featuring a paint scheme not too dissimilar to Ken Blocks Gymkhana car. He seemed to struggle for the whole event. I think a mixture of the now outdated car, and the weather conditions may have had an effect.

Doherty may have turned up in a new car, but his old car, turned up with a new driver at the wheel. James Ford piloted the car extremely well and constantly improved throughout the rally, and earning himself a final standing of 5th overall. Proving the car is still quick and he himself has the talent to drive it.

A personal favourite of mine, making a return, is the bold as ever, flame throwing rotary powered Mk2 Escort. Old school looks and design combined with a Japanese classic power house makes for a great sight, and sounds incredible. Hopewell and Smith came home a credible 12th, third on the two wheel drive cars.

Rob Dick continued to push on throughout the day, challenging for the podium but constantly on the edge. The rain wasn't helping at all, and unfortunately had to retire after stating it "too dangerous to continue." (Not sure if that was the conditions, or more likely damage to the car)

In recognisable Tony Bardy style, he was going quicker and quicker, piling the pressure on Procter, until eventually Bardy's pace forced Procter in to a small mistake, and Bardy gained 24 seconds in one stage and with it the lead in the rally. Rain or not, this rally was just as fierce as ever.

Conor Corkill's immaculate Mk2 RS1800 was a giant killer, in and around the top 10 for the whole rally, quite impressive considering the conditions. He would eventually finish 7th overall and 1st in class.

More used to Evo power and 4 wheel drive Duncan Taylor turned up in a Mk2 Escort this year, and finished a well earned 13th.

Looking the wrong way mate! Mark Rowland gets his Escort Mk2 extremely sideways whilst the Motors TV camera man (who's getting paid for this) films in totally the wrong direction.

Some of the stages are looped, so the spectators get to see every car twice in one running of the stage. What it also means is that some of the quicker cars on their second loop catch the cars on their first. It makes for some exciting action and in some cases looks more like circuit racing or rally cross.

Tony Bardy had taken the lead with only 8 stages remaining and immediately stretched the gap to 8 seconds. With 3 stages to go, Bardy continued to extend the lead to just over 10 but with 2 stages left, Procter emerged as leader by only 1 second and with one stage remaining had the lead up to 17 seconds. He had to have victory now. And he did... just. Bardy had a storming last stage, but it wasn't enough. The final gap was just 1 second, the closest finish Blackpool's North West Stages has seen, as far as i know.

Final Standings:

1. Kevin Procter Subaru Impreza WRC 1h, 40m, 48s

2. Tony Bardy Nissan Sunny GTiR 1h, 40m, 49s

3. Steve Simpson Hyundai Accent WRC 1h, 43m, 56s.

Roll on next year. And I hope to try and get to some more events this year too.

(And hopefully have my colour balancing eyes in... Just noticed some weird colour edits in there. Apologies)

EMotion: Escape the Town

2011-01-30T16:28:00.006Z

Well, I'm back. Haven't posted on my blog for quite some time now. I've been favouring Flickr lately, but i'm having a few problems with my account, so I'm back here.

So I thought I'd lay down some landscapes i did last night. Last minute decided to go for a ride, to quite possibly my favourite place on the Fylde Coast. Was fun trying to ride in the dark once my light died. (note to self, always check batteries)

Fairly long exposure

Fairly long exposure, with flash.

(not too keen on the shadow... may well re-shoot)

Massively long exposure, with fisheye, done using the bulb setting, and my finger.

Need to buy a remote shutter release.

EMotion: What a day!

2010-09-26T22:27:00.003+01:00

I don't often do diary entry type blogs, but hey. Lets go for it. The reasoning, is today has been quite a day. Quite a weekend in fact. I covered 15 miles on my bicycle, to and from various shops in search of various items. Many of which was unsuccessful. I did however on my journey's get to play with some DAB radios. Since i am on the look out for one. It was great fun filling Curry's with the sound of BBC Radio 6Music.

Anyway to today. Got up around 9am, nothing special, nothing shocking. Had breakfast and started cleaning. I'm now in a student house and the only cupboard left over is a cupboard full of greasy gunky s@!t that seems to be welded on. An hour of scrubbing later aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand... still not clean. Yippee.

So i hopped on my bike and went for a ride down to the Tramshed's for there open day, only to change my mind and come back to do more cleaning.

Then i went for another ride. Thoroughly worth it. I got stuck behind an Evo estate. Yes folks. You read that right... an Evo. Estate. Seen it before, but never this close. They are B.E.A.U.tiful! :P :D Awesome piece of kit.

Got home to an empty house only to be greeted an hour or so later by Emily, my wonderful housemate. So i made my self some tea. Mash potato. Which i shared with Emily, much to her delight.

In amongst all that, i bought my self some external hard drives to free up some much needed space on my computer.

Raaah raaahh araaaahhh. That's about it. don't know why i wrote it... quite unprofessional, but who cares. Everyone needs a ramble now and then. Highlight of the day. Definitely the Evo estate, followed by mash with Emily.

Random photo: Blackpool Tower during the Ride the Lights event held last month. Fisheye fun time.

EMotion: tree of Life Portraits

2010-08-25T15:32:00.006+01:00

I will begin with a small introduction. Above is a photograph, featuring my sister, who regular visitors will recognise. Also featured though is my dad's Aunt, so she is sort of like a Great Aunt to me and my sisters. Born in America, raised in Morecambe, UK and now a nationalised Australian, she travelled the hundreds of mile all the way from Oz to England, on her own. Not bad for a pensioner, who's still working might i add.

Major Respect to my Aunt from Oz!
:D

The rest of the images are of my sister, in the Tree of Life. An awesome spiritual place ever so hard to find, since it's in my Grandma's back yard.
It's only the first time that i have used it for photographic purposes, particularly portraits, but i think it works well. What do you think? Feedback welcome.

Lighting info: Cactus KF-36 at full power, or half power. Ambient under exposed roughly by 1-2 stops. Small amounts of dodge and burn to enhance shadow and highlights

I've added this just because its a fun shot :D

InMotion: Lambretta Weekender Blackpool 2010

2010-08-23T14:01:00.008+01:00

When i was a kid, "scooters" never really impressed me much. My dad has always ridden motorcyces as long as i can remember, and when i was 16 i wanted to do the same. No Peugeot Speedfight for me. I got a proper bike, with a sequential gearbox and a hand clutch. However, in between times, i learned of a "scooter" that had gears, and looked sooooo much cooler than any modern plastic rubbish.
I had seen a Vespa or Lambretta, so i was told by dad from the description i had given him. A little research into them and i soon realised that these were more than just a cheap (far from it actually) and economical mode of transport. They are a way of life. And so when i learned of a Lambretta/Vespa Festival taking place in Blackpool, i had to get down there. From what i know, there were between 4 to 5 hundred bikes attending. Here's what i found when i got there.
Enjoy.

This low to the ground, with hundreds of two strokes rasoing past was seriously LOUD. But what a noise. Definitely worth it.

Old school cool. Errr... I think so.

InMotion: Blackpool Air Show 2010

2010-08-17T14:27:00.016+01:00

So it was that point in the summer, once again, when the air space above Blackpool becomes rather crowded and just that little bit noisier. It was time for the Blackpool Air Show. Boy, how i wish i could write Red Bull in front of that. How cool would it be to have an air show, in Blackpool, sponsored by Red Bull. Then guys like Paul Bonhomme and Peter Besenyei may make an appearance with some of their friends. Anyway, i digress away from the job in hand. Blackpool Air Show... not Red Bull Air Race.
Now i admit i don't know a right lot about planes. For instance i can't tell you, in the slightest what the first plane is. However, i do know that it was incredibly agile and was performing all kinds of loops, rolls and cork-screws. I wish i did know more about planes, and how to tell one plane from another, but i have enough information to remember in my brain already.

One thing i do know about planes though, is that without certain select few models, we'd probably be living under German Nazi rule.
One of the best sights of this years show was a rather slow, but highly spectacular fly by demonstration by none other than a Lancaster Bomber (one of only two remaining operational Lancasters) accompanied either side, by a Hurricane and a Spitfire (MK9 from what the commentator said). It was a nostalgic sight, and a sight that makes you proud to be British.
Below is the Lancaster Bomber, and i believe the Spitfire. (I can never tell the difference)

One of the noisiest (and smelliest) displays was the Breitling Bi-plane Wing Walkers. Compared to the other displays, a rather sedate pace, but just as exciting to watch, particularly how close they get to each other.

Finally, no Blackpool Air Show would be complete with the appearance of the Red Arrows. Whether there has been an Air Show or not, ever since i can remember, the red Arrows make an appearance in Blackpool year-on-year without fail. yet no matter how many times i see them, i can never get bored. The speed, the noise and of course the (highly appropriate and patriotic) smoke.

InMotion: Bounce Bounce, Trampoline

2010-08-16T15:33:00.012+01:00

More summer antics. This time in the form of my sister, enjoying herself at the local park on the trampolines. They still look so much fun and the best bit about them is because i weigh under 11 stone, i can go on them too... though not on this occasion. May be next time hey. Any way, yeah, my sister, dancer, and runner extraordinaire, which also means she can pretty much jump higher than a house on a trampoline.
Bounce bounce.

NoMotion: Shots in the rain

2010-08-16T15:11:00.009+01:00

I, like many photographers i suppose, take for cover when it starts to rain. Well i decided that this had to change. I spent a day making a a water proof cover out of a carrier bag, an old butter tub and some blu-tac. Needless to say i didn't have to wait too long until it rained and i got the chance to test it out down the local park. I got the odd funny look from a dog walker or two, but then i did have an empty butter tub on the end of my lens. It worked though; and here are the shots.

EMotion: Blackpool Zoo Visit

2010-08-16T14:48:00.008+01:00

So i realise, once again i have been lax with my blog posting, but this is going to be the first of many blogs ovr the next few days (hopefully)
Nothing too exciting to report really, but if i find something i will report it in one of the upcoming posts.
Last week i took a trip to Blackpool Zoo with the family, mainly for the youngest member of the family. It was a great day regardless of the occasional rain. I must admit though i love animals, and to certain extenet i do like zoos, i kind of disagree with them. Nearly all the animals look so sad. A spirit trapped with in a shell. Hence my first image, to which i have added a caption.
Cockney Gibbon... i sure would like to hear that.
Here are some more images from the day.

Seemingly, the parents of the children get more excited about seeing a Sea Lion perform tricks.

Mother and baby gorilla.
Not a great shot, but i am rather pleased with it considering it was 1/13th at 200mm.

My niece thoroughly enjoyed the day and we bought her a little souvenir of her choice. Needless to say, she has been roaring ever since.

Spot the zebra.

Penguin

EMotion: Artistic Portrait

2010-07-06T14:07:00.002+01:00

So i tried something a little different with this image. I think it turned out quite well.

So as you can probably tell from all the uploads, i have been quite busy with the camera lately, so decided on a bit of an update. All of these images, and more can also be seen on my Flickr - here.

EMotion: Froggy Frog Portraits

2010-07-06T13:55:00.004+01:00

EMotion: Back the Beard

2010-07-06T13:47:00.002+01:00

I supported ITV's Back the Beard campaign in support of the England football team. Here's the proof.

NoMotion: Funky Fungus

2010-07-06T13:44:00.002+01:00

EMotion: Suckin' Even Moar Rabbits

2010-07-06T13:06:00.002+01:00

Another shot from my Suckin' Rabbits Series.

I always do these edits and love them at the time, but always look back and think why did i do it. But hey. I've posted it anyway.

EMotion: Suckin' Rabbits

2010-06-15T22:39:00.006+01:00

I got bored today. So i made some self portraits in my new Incredibly AWESOME t-shirt, entitled Suckin' Rabbits, in support of the exceedingly talented, and incredibly individual and charismatic motorcyclist Guy Martin.

Unfortunately Guy suffered a horrendous crash at the TT at around 140mph, resulted in his bike becoming a flaming cannonball. Guy suffered, a punctured lung, a bruised lung, 3 cracked ribs and two cracked vertebrae.

Please visit his site in support.

I also made this image in support of Guy.

EMotion: (Very) Early Morning Stroll

2010-06-13T14:37:00.009+01:00

Have you ever had an urge just to get and do something? There's no apparent reason why, and no apparent and fundamental benefit, but you just feel like doing it.

Well, this is one my urges. For some unknown reason, i wanted to get up early, and go for a walk in the park to the sound of the dawn chorus.

So i set my alarm for 3:30 (A.M!!!) got up and went. However by the time i got to the park, the chorus was sort of coming to an end. Slight disappointment. The rest of the morning was great though. I finally got home at 9am, just as the rest of my family was getting up. They'd missed 5 of the best hours of my life.

I saw loads of great things, and a few slightly worrying things too, and you would ultimately stop reading... so I'll just hsare some of my images with you from the morning.

EMotion: Waayyy Too Long

2010-06-11T14:15:00.005+01:00

So i haven't posted on here for aaaaages. It's been way too long. Not the way to keep a blog running at all, hey.

So, what of this image.

It's part of a new book that i have produced, entitled;

Fluorescent Lights and Phone Calls.

For a closer look and an insight to the book please click here.

Blurb

So, today is also the start of the World Cup. A time where nigh on every man, and possibly woman will be locked to their television sets. If I am honest though i would like England to do well, i really can't be bothered with it. All the hype. Al the money wasted. I am currently watching the Isle of Man TT races, and would much rather have that continue for another week than watch the World Cup.

But in honorary style,

COME ON ENGLAND!!!

And those keen eyed of you will have noticed a new Blog layout... just to confuse you all.

EMotion: Attention, Affection

2010-04-02T22:23:00.008+01:00

So i spent more than a few hours in my room today, simply reading and looking at books, whilst accompanied by some music, looking for bits of inspiration for my current project (see my Flickr page and click the Topographical Exploration Set)

The books of the day (also detailed on Flickr) were;

Ragged Edge, by Stephen Davison, a story and photographic portrait of the power, glory and (literally) the life of motorcycle road racing.

Dark Days, by John Darwell. A photographic documentary of the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease in Cumbria and the effect it had on the roads, farms and lives of the people living and working in the farming industry with in Cumbria. It featured a brilliant forward by Liz Wells, with some great pieces of writing.

Niagara, by Alec Soth. A brilliant photographic portrait of the area around Niagara Falls, that borders America and Canada. All the images were produced with a 10x8 inch plate camera, so are of superb clarity and quality, and show both sides of Niagara, the beauty and the Falls, as well as the people who live and visit there. It ends with an essay by Philip Brookman, which is a fantastic reflection on the work and features some very interesting, thought provoking statements.

And the music to accompany all of this, Fleet Foxes, Travis and Mumford and Sons.

All in all a very worthwhile and reflective afternoon.

After reading Brookman's essay, i sat simply listening to the music, gazing out of the window, which is when, for some, i wrote this, and produced the image to go with it.

And the quote, and title for this day of though and reflection:

You desired my attention, but denied my affection.

EMotion: Liverpool

2010-03-23T21:09:00.014Z

Spent an afternoon in Liverpool on Sunday. Only stayed in and around Albert Dock, and Liverpool One, but still had great fun with the family. Found time to visit the Tate, where i saw some Mark Rothko paintings, as well as work by Thomas Demand, Karl Andre, and one of my personal favourites, a piece by Dan Flavin.

Writing over, enjoy the pics.

There are more photographs on my Flickr.

Catch up time.

2010-02-21T16:41:00.014Z

I'm aware that it's been a while since i have posted, but that doesn't mean that i haven't been busy. A lot has happened since the last post, mainly work at Uni preventing me from posting. (i have far too much work at the moment, and none of it is really photography orientated... all essays and presentations)

So i'll try to squeeze in as much as i can without boring you.

A few week ago now, i went to the 13th running of the North West Stages rally, held once again in my home town of Blackpool. It's a great event and definitely my favourite event that Blackpool hosts every year.

Here's a few photos from the two day event.

Last years winner, Steve Simpson, didn't attend this years event. Everyone thought that Tony Bardy, last years runner up would literally drive to victory, but engine problems meant he ended the first day in 11th. This left Kevin Proctor (below) to lead from stage one, continually extending his lead bit by bit. However, with only 4 stages remaining the long term leader lost a wheel and was forced to retire.

By now Tony Bardy had fought his way back into contention and was closing in on the lead, until more problems arose, and he too was forced to retire. This left Darren Doherty (below) on an easy but unexpected run to victory.

One of my favourite photographs from the weekend. Pete Rayner absolutely gunning his Mk2 Escort around the narrow but fast Fleetwood stages.

For more photographs of the event check out my Flickr. (link takes you to the Rally set)

A shot from a strangely sunny day in February, when i went to the park for a wander with a good friend.

Woke up (or rather i was woken up by a text ... hmmm) on Sunday morning to snow fall. Rather unexpected since it was meant to snow on Saturday, but when it didn't show, i thought it was coming at all; but it came on Sunday instead.

So the original plan of doing some work and a trip to town went swiftly out the window, and i went for a walk along the Mere, the De Vere and to Stanley Park. Everybody say trek. (walking on snow covered grass is hard work)

For more images of the snow... and a Long Eared Owl... visit my Flickr.

EMotion: One for the boys... i suppose.

2010-01-19T20:08:00.003Z

I say that, but the girls may enjoy it just as much.

Anyway.

When i was younger my father showed me a video. The video featured the review of a few rallies from the 1980's. I had seen modern day rallying on the T.V, but never had i seen anything like this. The cars looked totally different, and the sound... oh the sound. I'd never heard anything like it before. They were so different. So abnormal. They were aliens to me. It was exciting!

This era in rallying became legendary, partly because it got banned, after only 3-4 years in existence, but largely because the spectacle was so immense and so memorable.

The era was Group B; and earlier today, whilst procrastinating, i found this marvel of a video. No cheesy music, no funky writing, just the pure unadulterated sounds, of turbo charged, straight 5, V6, four wheel drive, monsters at their absolute best. They were effectively prototype super-cars designed to go on any surface.

I know it may not interest all you, and you may not quite understand why i have so much passion for these cars, but once you have seen them in real life they are brought all the more closer to reality, and not just some story and myth caught on a grainy video tape.

I must also say i have no copyright of this. It wasn't created by myself.

But please enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozntieZs8Bg

I also found this, epic video, in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqSGhWfkxxk

And for those of you who like this sort of thing. You can see it in Blackpool, well near Fleetwood

to be precise, next month. Though i will admit, it may not be quite as spectacular as what you

have just watched.

http://www.nwstages.co.uk/

Enjoy!

EMotion: Long & Bleak Mid-Winter

2010-01-10T22:06:00.003Z

Kind of explains it all really.

EMotion: A Blog A Day: More Sky Shots

2010-01-03T22:34:00.006Z

No words tonight. Just pictures. Well apart from these eleven words.

Oh. But what i will say is that i saw a Bittern. Now this may not mean a lot to some of you, but to me, seeing a Bittern was an absolutely great experience.

Unfortunately i didn't manage to get a photograph, i was just so awestruck. For those of you don't know what a Bittern is http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/bittern/index.aspx and for a comparison, http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/blackbird/index.aspx.

EMotion: A Blog A Day: B&W Alternatives

2010-01-02T22:33:00.007Z

Okay, i admit it. The blog a day idea has well and truly gone out the window now, with only a few days left. The blogs i had planned simply didn't get done and will have to wait til a later date. I have been busy the last few days actually doing some uni work for a deadline when i go back next week. So i haven't really done anything new.

I have however converted some of my night shots from a few days ago to Black and White, just to see what they looked like.

I quite like them, so i've posted them.

Take a look.

EMotion: A Blog A Day: In The Mid-Night Garden

2009-12-30T23:17:00.003Z

In The Mid-Night Garden

EMotion: A Blog A Day: Woops! Catch up time.

2009-12-29T23:07:00.006Z

Okay. So i have let the discipline slip a bit, and i haven't posted for four days now. Waaaahhhhhh!! I know. It's bad isn't it, but, to be honest Christmas day would simply have been a Merry Christmas, and Boxing Day i was doing exactly that. Boxing up old clutter and junk to make some space in my bedroom, which as those of you who follow my Blog will know that it isn't the largest of rooms. And the 27th and 28th, my aunt, uncle and three young cousins came and visited from Birmingham, so i was a little pre-occupied.

Excuses over... and on with todays... well okay, tonight's post!

After another day of tidying, and being in the house all day, i decided to go for a walk, to breathe in some fresh air, and just be outdoors. [Breathe in, and... aaaahhhhhhhhh]

I hadn't been for a proper walk, with no other reason than going for a walk with my camera, for quite some time. So i decided to go somewhere slightly different, and get some distance under my legs.

Mother nature on the other hand, had another idea.

Walking along the streets was fine, but turning of the footpaths and onto the gravel tracks, i came upon snow. Or so i thought, initially. Then i realised that it hadn't snowed for over four days now, so the snow could only of course be.... ICE. Mile after mile of frozen, icy, slidy-ness, with trainers that start having a paddy at the sight of a wet surface let alone an icy one. So i either had to walk with small slow steps on the ice, and risk falling with my camera in hand.... or walk along the grassy verge, which had more resemblance to a bog. I chose bog... then went back on it, and preferred the ice. Either way was slowly slippy progress.

That'll teach for taking the scenic route.

Yes folks, that up there ^^^ is sheet ice.

It was all good fun and quite enjoyable nevertheless.

Plus, when i got to the top of what is perhaps my favourite hill in Blackpool, i was greeted by one of my favourite views.

Blackpool and it's light pollution.

Now i must admit, i am a sucker for the sky. I will happily lie down, sit down or stand and gaze into it and through it for hours. Add to this the possibility of loads of different colours created by all the surrounding light pollution, in my mind makes for something quite interesting, not to mention beautiful too.

I also admit that the photos aren't great. It was incredibly windy, and the camera was twittering all over the show, on my £12.99 Lidl tripod.

I hope you enjoy the results as much as i do.

Emotion: A Blog A Day: Materialism

2009-12-24T23:11:00.001Z

Materialism

Just what you need at Christmas, a good read.

So many of us pin so much on materials. Little trinkets, thingy-ma-bobs, and whats-its. We never really stop to think what is truly important in life; like life itself, and the lives around us that we influence, and the lives that influence our own.

Yes it is nice to own things that make us happy, but most of them aren’t really necessary. For instance, I’d like a car. It isn’t a necessity. I could go so far as calling it a novelty. I should have good enough skills as a photographer to know of enough locations with my home town that I can use, with needing a car to get to them. Earlier in the week I became the owner of an MP3 player, that can also play videos, has both DAB and FM radio and other little funky party tricks. I don’t really need it though. I should be able to walk the twenty minutes to college, without having music playing. I should be able to appreciate the nature and architecture that I pass on my route to college. Though I could say that has been spoiled due to materialistic people and their things, mainly cars, and peoples houses where they have replaced a green garden with tarmac, for their gas guzzling, Range Rover Sport, which has no purpose what so ever in Blackpool, other than looking horribly vulgar and with an air of ‘oh look at me I’m ever so posh,’ and the big BMW parked next to it which isn’t much better, both tucked away behind electronically controlled gates, because the owners have become too lazy to walk.

Sorry, I’ve gone off at a tangent there. I have, … lets say, a particular dislike for big 4x4 vehicles being in town where the most they’re ever gonna go off road, is bouncing over the kerb, or speed bumps on entry to the car park in the Trafford Centre. Put them on a farm, or on a muddy lane, then I’m happy. That’s where they belong.

Anyway, Materialism… not 4x4-ism.

Yes, I didn’t need the MP3 player, I wanted it, because it’s a novelty gadget that puts a smile on my face, and allows me to hear the sounds I want to hear. I should be able to appreciate what is around me, no matter what my opinion of the particular subject.

We should be happy, and just as much, grateful of the things we have, a roof over our head, a family that loves us and cares for us, and friends that are there for us when we need them. These are not material things. These are spiritual things, things that many of us don’t really stop to think about, well not enough of the time anyway.

Like tomorrow, when your mum, your dad, brother or sister, friend, or anyone, gives you a gift, be it a card or a present, don’t just dive in and open it. Look at the person in front of you, really look at them, with all your mind too, and appreciate them, and their kindness; not what is inside over elaborately decorated packaging; the person, appreciate the person. Thank them, and smile at them, even hug and kiss them. Make them the one that feels special.

And if you can’t see the person, because the gift has been sent through the mail, when you read the name of the person who has sent it, think about them, picture them in your mind. Just spend a minute thinking about them and what they could be doing.

Go one just try it.

Materials, we don’t need them… well not all of them. Food and drink is something that we do need.

Merry Christmas Everyone

EMotion: A Blog A Day: Myself and other students in the local Paper.

2009-12-23T20:26:00.006Z

You many remeber from a previous post, not too long ago, maybe a week at the most, that i had some images published on the BBC website, from a book that has recently been published, about Blackpool. Well the local paper, Blackpool Gazette, ran a small feature on the subject, which features a photograph of all the contributing photographers with the mayor.

Well i fianlly got my hands on the paper, and had chance to scan it in. I know it's rather poor quality, since they were done on a HP all-in-one printer scanner thingy, which isn't great, but does a sufficient job i think. I don't have access to a drum scanner you see.

Scan 1, featuring a few photographs, one of which is by my friend, Lee. Top right.
Scan 2. I scanned the text as well, since the reporter interviewed some of us, though not myself unfortunately, but she did interview some of my friends and fellow students;
Hannah - http://hannahaliphotography.blogspot.com/
Lee - http://leeoccleshaw.tumblr.com/
and
Stew - http://stewartcapper.blogspot.com/
So, here is a close up view with their quotes.

Yeah. So that's about that for tonight.

Emotion: A Blog A Day: Errrrmm.

2009-12-22T23:25:00.004Z

Haven't really got anything prepared for today. It was my birthday, and it snowed... which is a Hurrahh moment... only second time ever that it's happened. Had a great day, starting with a trip out with my sister, which was good times. Her first experience of driving in the proper snow. Was great fun... very exciting for both of us... well it was for me.

It's been a good day, but for bout the last week i've had a killer of a sore throat. to the point where i've pretty much lost my voice... and today it feels like i have a golf ball in my throat. Not a great feeling, but hey. I shall carry on regardless.

Not long until Christmas now either, which is good since i'll be with my family, but i'll have been away from my friends for a week. Now i know it's only a week, but some of them are quite possibly the best friends that i've ever had. And today made me realise how close i feel to some of them. Alright, i realise i'm going a bit soppy now, so i'll pull things back on track with a photo of Blackpool in the fog. It wasn't taken recently, but the current weather conditions aren't too far off what's outside.

Not a bad blog, since it was totally unplanned... i think i've done worse before now.

EMotion: A Blog A Day: Snow... in Blackpool? Yeah!!!

2009-12-21T22:25:00.012Z

For me it was quite clear what today's post was going to be all about... SNOW. For once, Blackpool actually got snow. Being so close to the sea, we rarely get a decent enough snowfall, and when i say decent, i mean good enough to have a snowball fight, build a snowman, go sledging, and generally just have absolute fun in the snow. It was brilliant. For a few hours, i got to be 5 year old again. Running up and down, throwing snow balls, falling to the ground making snow angels, playing with my next door neighbours dog, and of course sledging.

FANTASTIC.

This is what greeted me this morning on my street. I decided the best vantage point was in the middle of the road... so that's where is stood. If you click on the bigger images, you can actually still see the snow falling.

The view from my bedroom window.

Hill... sledge... hill... sledge.... hmmmmm.

Huh...... weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.... kerplunk!

The poor people getting to work in Blackpool on a Monday morning didn't know what had hit them. Four cars were abandoned on my street, with many other sliding to a temporary halt. In the image above, you can see several cars abandoned on the left hand side of the street as they tried to get up the icy hill by the park. They were still there several hours later.

The park.

Two people looking rather happy to be in the snow... don't you think.

LOVE IT! ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

EMotion: A Blog A Day: Game On

2009-12-20T22:10:00.002Z

After yesterday's rather wordy post, i'm just giving you a photo to look at this evening.

EMotion: A Blog A Day: Expression

2009-12-19T22:30:00.006Z

Expression

We all express ourselves, but we all do it in our own individual way.

Some of us prefer to scream and shout, letting everyone know about what is going on and feeding off the response they get from the viewer. Even if it is negative, the person will take it on board to become even more outwardly expressive.

Whereas others are happy to keep things to themselves, thinking and pondering about the situation, self content with no need to let everyone know about it. They only tell if they are asked, they are inwardly expressive.

Both have a there positives and negatives. People can become sick and tired of hearing how good a particular person is, or how so and so is such an idiot. Not everyone likes to hear the latest gossip being presented to everyone in the room. In contrast, keeping everything to yourself, isn’t always best, particularly if it is something that is playing on your mind and needs to be expressed. Inwardly expressives tend to express themselves in other ways, be it through music, or dance, or maybe they spill their thoughts and feeling onto paper or in the form of a watching a film, or playing a video game. Secondly, to keep things inside for so long, means at some point they will have to come out, potentially uncontrollably and at great expense to another person.

Expression is something we all do; some of us with noticing we are doing it. We are asked a question and we may answer with our body, either the way we stand, hold our head or move our eyes, before we answer with our words. Expression is a part of our lives.

To express yourself is to be human; it’s how you express yourself that is important to your character, and it’s your character that determines your expression.

I suppose at this point I should by now be making a point, or drawing to a conclusion and well to be honest, I don’t really have one. There has been a lot of expressions over the last few days so I thought I’d write about expression.

And of course i have to include a photograph, so i have included this, that i took early last week.

This is a Ducati Desmosedici GP5 designed by Filippo Preziosi. The man is described as the quietest man in the Ducati garage. So why is it that he can design and create a machine that is so powerful, so unbelievably loud nearly un-rideable and yet at the same time so beautiful to look at. The lines curve and sway, creating the shape and contours of the bike. To look at compared to all other motorcycles, in my opinion, it is so different. This bike bridges the gap between outward expressive and inward expressive. The creator is inwardly expressive, yet his creation is so outwardly expressive. Though it's only machine, it has a character, that influences it's rider, and those in immediate contact with the machine. So in terms of humans, one persons character and expressions affects those of another, and it is up to us to remain independent, be ourselves and have our own individual character which will help to develop our expressions.

Ultimately, be expressive, but be yourself. Take influence from others, but don't be ruled by others.

EMotion: A Blog a Day: Reptiles

2009-12-18T23:06:00.008Z

So those of you reading yesterday's post will know that i visited two Reptile stores. Some of the creatures were amazing, with the second having some extremely rare specimens, including a type of lizard of which there are only 3 in the country.

Unfortunately i didn't get photos in the second store, due to the rarity of the creatures, i was advised not to take photos.

I did however get photos from the first one. Now i know that they are simply animals in a pet shop that are for sale, and i admit they're not the greatest photographs, but as i'm doing a blog a day, they take up a post, and i think they are excellent to look at and extremely intriguing.

Above and Below: Bearded Dragons

I'm not sure on the species of this guy above.

Pygmy Mississippi Musk Turtles.... or something like that.

EMotion: A Blog a Day: Borders Road Trip

2009-12-18T00:19:00.022Z

So here it is. A little late, but my blog entry for the day.

I don't know how many of you know, but Borders book shop has gone into administration, and the stores are closing down. I have been trying to get the the store in Preston since i found out, and today i finally got the chance to go, accompanied by a good friend of course, Reva. So i documented the day, not very well though, and inevitably as with most of my docu work converted the images to Black and White.

Here's me and Reva in the car on the way... don't worry, my mum was driving so everything was safe.

The day kept threatening snow, but as soon as it hit the ground, it simply melted away, though we did get a bit of stick later on in the day back in Blackpool.

Perhaps the best shop name i have seen for some time.

As well as Borders, in which i didn't take a photograph :O we also went in Toys 'R' Us... oh yeah.

Where Reva found many items that appealed to her, quite a lot of the soft and cuddly things, as well as sci-fi stuff too...

... and of course the playable x-box demo... which we played on for about 15 minutes. Reva was Harlequin, and i was Joker, and we tore apart Lego Gotham City with out amazing team work and Lego building baddy bashing skills.

Reva also tried to get into a children's play house... which proved quite difficult, but she got there in the end.

And Reva also found an area, especially cordoned off for Reva's.

The inevitable trip to a fast food parlour...

... with candid shot of a man sneezing and blowing his nose. Nice one. :D

Then my sister, who had followed us in her own car, suggested we go to the Reptile Room. Unfortunately they had experienced a fire the previous week, so it was shut.... queue Sad Reva...

But then my sister knew of another place that had Reptiles and amphibious creatures. So me and Reva swapped cars, and accompanied my sister the Water World, as well as the Reptile Room in Blackpool.... but you will have to wait til tomorrow, (though in theory it will actually be today) to see the pictures from there.

EMotion: A Blog a Day: I'm published on the BBC babee! :D

2009-12-16T18:16:00.003Z

I'm not gonna beat about the bush tonight.

I, Daniel Kearney, got my photographs published on the BBC website. Hell yeah. This is a proud moment. Apart from the fact that one of my photos has been credited to another photographer. I'm not sure whether i should contact the BBC and/or the publisher, to let them know so they can resolve it.

Here's the link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/lancashire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8405000/8405931.stm

I must admit after spending 5 hours mounting prints, and then rushing around to get frames, and getting locked out the house, it made for a perfect ending to the day. :D :D

So yeah, i don't need to post any photographs. You can look at some in the link above. :D

Enjoy!

EMotion: A Blog a Day: Observations

2009-12-15T22:47:00.004Z

So this isn't really a post about anything other than my observations for the day. I have no set photos to post, nor anything special to write, so potentially this post is a waste of time and space and electricity.

There are some people in the world who seem to make some random and pointless comments... myself included, but this one baffled me today.

Brunette Lady: Where are we going now?

Blonde Lady: We're going home.

Brunette Lady: Ahh... where did we park the car? It's got dark now; i can't remember.

Personally i found it quite hilarious why the lady felt the need to make this comment but hey, she did.

Also my friend Reva introduced me to this website: http://www.fmylife.com/ which is meant to be a place where people post there sob stories of the day. Personally though i found some of them, absolutely hilarious, in particularly these ones ... http://www.fmylife.com/love/6761205 andhttp://www.fmylife.com/miscellaneous/6760576

:D i had a right good chuckle.

And here's a final observation; from a trip to Derby i had some time ago. Pretty much every taxi saw was yellow, so here's the proof.

EMotion: A blog a day: 50mm challenge

2009-12-14T22:49:00.011Z

So here's my blog entry for the day.

I was contemplating doing two to make up for yesterday, but hey, i thought it would spoil the flow of things, having two posts in a day... it would be distracting from the theme. And, also. There's plenty to look at in this post.

I like to call it the 50mm challenge, largely because i used the 50mm focal length all day, to mirror my shooting partners focal length. He had 50mm prime, so i thought, hey, why not join him. So everything was taken on 50mm.

To see his version of events for the day, click here... http://leeoccleshaw.tumblr.com/

So yeah... check it out. Feedback welcome.

I started out with some abstract stuff, just to get warmed up...

... before moving on to some (schmexy) portraits of of my co-shooter, friend and fellow student, Lee. Regrettably though he went home for christmas the day after this shoot, because he lives in Scunthorpe, which was part of the reason for the day... spending time with a good friend.

Enjoy!

EMotion: A blog a day, keeps the brain bugs away

2009-12-12T23:25:00.004Z

As the title says, a blog a day,

will help keep the brain bugs from eating away,

all my knowledge of work and play.

I've been none-stop over the last few weeks,

University has been filling in the leaks

In my head, where my thoughtful matter should stay.

Over the festive season we become lethargic and lazy,

All memories of hard work and creativity become distorted and hazy.

A solution has to be sought and found,

To stop my creativity from decreasing and falling down.

Therefore, i intend to attempt to create a blog entry everyday,

Over the festive holiday season, starting today.

Some will be planned, some will be not.

A few will contain images from days gone by,

and some will be snapshots of time.

It may be words, a poem perhaps, or even song lyrics,

Accompanied by a photograph just for kicks.

I realise this poem is woeful,

And i'm not too hopeful,

of keeping to my promise.

I can try at least.

In the meantime, heres a photograph from a trip to Liverpool earlier on in the year.

P.S. Though this was posted on Sunday. It counts as Saturday, since haven't slept yet. So yes, i've failed at the first hurdle :P :D

EMotion: Fashion Narrative

2009-11-20T16:05:00.017Z

I've got a humdinger of a new assignment at University. I have to do 5 assignments in 5 weeks, and i have to write them all myself; which is great fun. I pretty much have free reign of what i can do, as long as the assignment is believable, and all importantly, as the theme of this year, i have to take Risks.

So these are the images from my first brief: Autumn.

I wanted to create a fashion style series that would be suitable for an Autumnal issue of Vogue magazine. Now as you can probably tell from the rest of my posts, I'm not much of a fashion expert or a fashion photographer, so this was quite a daunting shoot for me.

I decided to produce a narrative, the influence for which came from an interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood.

The story goes...

A young, fine lady is wandering through the woods, with hardly a care in the world, simply admiring the nature that surrounds her. The wonderful mixture of colours and sounds from the wildlife that inhabits the woodland scene.

She continues to walk deeper into the woods, when she comes upon a mask on the ground. She becomes intrigued by it's appearance, and resemblance to the natural world.

The Young Lady walks over to the mask and picks it up, caressing it and admiring it's appearance and texture, running her fingers through soft feather like surface.

Her fascination with the mask is too strong. She looks around to see nobody. She brings the mask towards her face; the sky darkens, a gust of wind rattles through the trees, a crack of thunder echoes all around the woodland and a bolt of lightning momentarily blinds her.

The Young Lady awakes, apparently on the ground, only to realise that she is laying upon the wings of a butterfly carved into the wood laying upon the ground. She feels warm and comforted and entranced by her surroundings. She sits up, stands up, and continues walking further into the woods.

The Young Lady begins to touch and interact with all the nature that surrounds her. She can't help herself. It's almost as though she has been empowered by nature through wearing the mask.

She comes upon a small stream, gracefully looking down into the trickling water. That is when she realises that she is wearing the mask, first startled by her appearance, before admiring her new beauty. She continues to gaze dreamily into the water, tilting and turning her head, admiring herself from all angles.

Finally she leaves the waters edge, continuing on her journey still grasping at nature. She comes to a clearing in the woods, filled with Autumnal leaves. She stands, neck arched right back looking up to the canopy of the trees, leaves falling all around her, on her even. She had never seen anything like it. In utter bewilderment she watched on, until suddenly she was thrown to the ground, the mask leaving her face, now lying dormant once again upon the ground.

InMotion: Biography of Robbie Greenaway

2009-11-16T10:16:00.007Z

These are four photos of an assignment at Uni. I had to tell the biography of another person through 4 photographs.

So i introduce Robbie Greenaway. Some what of an action man extraordinaire.

Trial Rider. Taken on the Cliffs at Gynn Square, Promenade, Blackpool. This was possibly the most fun out of all the shoots, but certainly the most challenging too. The slightest slip from either of us and we were tumbling down the rock face. We both had moments where we nearly found out the hard way.

Strobist: Sun, camera right and behind. SB-800, camera left, filling in shadows on legs. Cactus KF-36, camera left filling in shadows on face.

Basketball. Robbie is also a brilliant basketball player, though i must admit he does look more like a model in this shot.

Strobist: Bowens 500 flash heads at 45 degrees either side of subject, Bowens 500 with beauty dish, above and camera right.

Mental Mechanic. As well as sporting activities, Robbie is also a bit of a Mini enthusiast. Here we see him curse at his beloved Mini Clubman, in an attempt to get it working. Moments later he simply flipped, standing and jumping on the poor car.

Strobist: SB 800, in engine bay of car aimed at face, Cactus KF-36, camera right, filling in the back of subject.

Basketball part 2. To prove he can actually play, i included an action shot. This was also a fun shoot, but quite difficult thanks to my camera having an apparent magnetic field with the ball. After each shot i would have to roll over and to protect the camera before the ball would hit. Also made slightly more difficult by some big shot who kept coming over too. But hey these are things that i'm going to have to deal with in future.

Strobist: Sun, camera left and behind. Cactus KF36 and SB 800, camera right and front filling in basketball pole and Robbie.

InMotion: Current Brief - Risk Biography

2009-10-13T23:27:00.006+01:00

So, for those of you that don't know I'm back at uni. Wohoo!! Great to see all my friends again and get back to work too.

My first assignment is called Risk. I have to challenge myself through my photography, either physically or technically; or both.

I have decided to try and use artificial light (sometimes mxied with ambient lighting) for all my photos. Since, though i have attempted to use it several times, i feel i have never really mastered it.

The images also have to be auto-biographical. As well and auto-biographical photos i have do biographical photos on another person. So i introduce Robbie Greenaway.

I will post more photos from the assignment though this is it for now.

EMotion: Gisburn Forest / Stocks Reservoir

2009-10-13T22:49:00.006+01:00

Blackpool is a great place. It's my home and i will always love it as long as i live here, and will always have fond memories of the place if i ever leave for good. Though i like it, i do find it great to get out of here every now and then.

I love road trips. And i love road trips with friends even more. On Sunday, I was invited to join some friends on a trip to Gisburn Forest, which sits on the side of Stocks Reservoir. The Forest is situated, quite far into the Forest of Bowland, and is always a sight to behold when-ever i've been, with Sunday only being the second time i have been. The trees are so tightly packed together, light hardly touching the ground beneath them. It can be brilliant sunshine, as it was and still be quite cold under the canopy of the trees. It's a fantastic place; and it was made even better thanks to friends that were willing to stray off the beaten track and forge our own way through the forest, on occasions.

I returned home, quite tired (more from the car journey than the forestry walking - imagine five adults in a Peugeot 106) and more than satisfied with what had been a great day out of Blackpool with some great friends. However i was also slightly disappointed with myself. I only took a dozen photos... literally only 12 photos, after spending what must have been about 3 hours in the forest. I wish i had taken the time to get more photos.

Anyway here are two of the dozen.

I must say a BIG thank you to my friends. Nikki for inviting me and driving us all there and back, as well as Alex, Reva and Troy for tolerating me throughout the day. THANK YOU

EMotion: Another Self-Portrait

2009-10-03T22:38:00.002+01:00

They always say the easiest subject to shoot is yourself. I'm not sure i agree entirely, but at least you can produce a self portrait when ever you want because your always available when you want to be.

Anyway, i find them a fairly good way to practice using flash lighting... apart from having to walk back to the camera, and then back to your position, and then back to the camera, and then back to your position, and ............

NoMotion: BVPG at Fairhaven Lake.

2009-09-14T17:00:00.018+01:00

The weekend saw another event hosted by the Blackpool Vehicle Preservation Group, this time at Fairhaven Lake, and I can proudly say that i was partly responsible for the event. Normally further up the coast Blackpool hosts Ford Day, where Ford vehicle gather. However the usual show-ground couldn't be used due to construction. So i contacted the events organizer and told him about this show. He contacted the BVPG, and the two shows merged for one year only. Result.

Anyway i wasn't going to post anything about the event, but then i found this...

BMW M3 Prodrive

These cars a simply immense. I would like to baffle you with as many facts about it as i can, but the reality is that they are such a rare car, that i simply don't know a lot about it. What i do know is, that it is a rarity to see, and personally i think they are brilliant cars. Period.

And they sound good too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkQBD3eYADA

Here are some more photographs of the event.

Above: More German engineering. Porsche 911 Targa

Above: American Muscle in the shape of a Dodge Superbee.

Above: British engineering and sheer classic nostalgia in the shape of an MG Midget.

Above & Below: A combination of German engineering from VW and Karmann, and Italian style from Ghia, and you have a non-surprisingly named, VW Karmann Ghia.

Above: A small part of the many, many Fords that were on display.

Above: More British classics in the shape of Morris Minors.

InMotion: World Firework Championships 2009 Heat 2

2009-09-12T22:27:00.009+01:00

No major writing this time... i don't feel like it and i don't feel like explaining why.

World Firework Championships 2009, Heat 2, Friday 11th Sept. Competitor: Ireland

Above: Though i will say that i love this shot, with the eerie lights surround the pier's building.

Oh and some mental psychedelia for you.

EMotion: Possibly one of my best photos... certainly one of my favourites.

2009-09-12T16:29:00.005+01:00

It's quite a claim i know. But when i saw the photograph with its great contrast and the water droplets on the swans head, i loved it. You may not think so, but i think that it's great, personally.

I also got this picture which i think isn't as good, but you may think otherwise too, but i thought i'd post it anyway.

EMotion: Have you ever played peek-a-boo with a squirrel?

2009-09-11T14:08:00.006+01:00

I have; and i must say its rather fun and enjoyable. It was a beautiful day yesterday as is today (at least here in Blackpool anyway), and as i normally do i went for a walk to my park... well okay it's everyones, but secretly it's mine.

Was wandering through the wooded section looking for something interesting when i stopped against a tree, a squirrel came scurrying down. Hiding on the opposite side of the tree, constantly popping round each side to see if i was still there. It was quite funny seeing his/her little face popping out and in again. No normally i moan because i have a 55-200mm lens cos it's too short but in this case it was too big. I was simply too close to him/her to get a decent shot, plus it was really dark under the tree. So i had to wait until he/she went higher again. It was a good day, made even better when i saw a Nuthatch. Not exceedingly rare, but it's a rare enough and a quiet enough bird that puts a smile on my face when ever i see one.

Peek-a-boo Squirrel

Snoozing Squirrel

Peeping Squirrel

Hovering Black-Capped Gull

Silhouette of a Nuthatch

InMotion: British Kite Surfing in Blackpool - Edit

2009-09-10T18:54:00.002+01:00

So here's an edit of one of the photos from the kite surfing. Not sure if it works or not. I liked it when i did it. What do you think of it???

InMotion: British Kite Surfing in Blackpool (and Classic Cars in the Park)

2009-09-01T17:22:00.026+01:00

So this is about it for summer really. The weekend saw the last of the big events in Blackpool before i embark on the second year of Uni, and to be honest it was one of the best events.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, saw Blackpool's central Beach host Round 4 of the BKSA (British Kite-surfing Association) Kiteival National Freestyle Tour. It included four disciplines; Freestyle Kite surf, Course race kite surf, freestyle kite buggy and freestyle kite land boarding. I'll admit i don't know a lot about Kitesurfing, but even i could see the skill many of the competitors have to even stand up. I went to the Friday practice session and the Saturday competition, before i eventually had to give in to the extreme winds... i couldn't take anymore sand blasting.

So yet more proof of Blackpool being a great place to be... c'mon tell me you wouldn't have liked to have been to at least one of the events i have showed you this summer.

Anyway, here are some shots of the weekend.

Friday's practice session was a very gloomy one, which made for quite atmospheric photos, but then rain pelted it down, as which even the surfers called it a day before night set in as well as the rain. It did however give a taste of things to come.

Saturday was a better say. Still mainly cloudy, but the sun burst through occasionally giving some nice light on the waves. The wind was as strong as you'd expect for a kite surfing competition. The sea was a fair way out, so the competitors prepared on the beach, giving people to simply wander through the dormant kites that would soon become monstrous animals fighting with mother nature and human strength.

There were various categories, including a junior one. I spotted this guy, who looked quite young, but was also extremely talented.

One of the more experienced competitors grabbing some HUGE AIR. This just gives you an idea of how physical and technical the event is.

Story Time: The invasion began late in the morning. The hazy cloud giving just enough cover for the infiltrators. There was just a few at first, arriving by sea, harnessing the power of nature and using to their advantage, like nothing else seen before.

The numbers grew as the attack advanced, bringing more and more force with them. The beach was clear, they simply powered there way on to the land. No defense had been prepared.

They surrounded the buildings where unsuspecting civilians were living out there lives. Some dispatched of their machines, favouring instead to carry on by foot; where as the rest continued the invasion from the air, circling the main landmark ready for an attack. Sizing up their prey prey before unleashing untold force.

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Classic Cars in the Park

The same weekend, in Stanley Park there was a static classic car show hosted by the BVPG (Blackpool Vehicle Preservation Group). The event happens every year, around the beautifully kept Italian Gardens and in the shadow of the Art Deco Cafe. Personally i love the event, but it's not everyones idea of a good fun day. There are few more events before i return to Uni, which i may post on if i find something particularly interesting, otherwise i'll not bother boring you all :P

There were several highlights for me from the show, one of them being this exquisitely rebuilt and modified Mini Clubman 1275GT dating from a very retro 1971... tax exempt baby.

I bumped into a friend of mine, who invited me to come and see his car. He guided me to a rather unexpected sight of Porsche Club GB. His 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo sat proudly amongst some of the finest Porshce's in the North West.

I normally count myself as a fan of classic British and Japanese cars, but my review screen told a different story. I had taken far more photographs of American cars, in particular this Ford HotRod with and Edelbrock V8 under the "hood."

Some more American muscle in the shape of a 4.9 litre turbo charged Pontiac Transam (above) and a sleek looking Plymouth SuperFour.

Overall quite an entertaining weekend in "boring Blackpool". Come visit sometime... you might just be surprised.

Oh and next week I'm going to see some live music... though don't expect many photographs... I'll be skanking to the sound of Graham McPherson's band.

EMotion: Personality Portraits

2009-08-25T16:14:00.007+01:00

Everyone has a personality, and everyone looks slightly different. I explored this idea by producing some self portraits. In each i look slightly different, mainly due to my hair or what i am wearing.

At first they were nothing more than portraits. However i realised they are sort of an expansion on the photos i produced for my assignment on Identity. See Flickr ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielkearney/tags/identity/ )

Ideally i would have liked to use two lights just to balance things up and basically make them look more professional. However i did what i could. Hopefully when i get back to Uni i can play around in the studio more, to make them better. If so i may continue the series.

Enjoy and please comment, they all help.

No Motion: Bowland Wild Boar Farm

2009-08-19T21:40:00.015+01:00

Had a family day out to the Bowland Wild Boar Farm last week. I've spent many happy hours there as a kid so we decided to go back there to see how it has changed.

My niece loved the place. Especially the chance to touch and hold chicks.

I think this Wallaby was looking for a lighter.

The Wallabies perhaps the best attraction, because you could go in the enclosure with them and get really close.

As the name suggests, there are more boars than anything else. Perhaps not as popular with the smaller kids, because they tend to hide in the long grass during the hottest time of day, and they aren't as exciting to look at as perhaps the Wallabies. Personally though i think they're great.

We were joined for dinner by many finches and tits. The dinning room there also serves as a great hide to get some great photos. And dinner was the second reason for our visit. Some of the boars are bread for slaughter, to be used as sausages and bacon. Possibly the best sausage and bacon barm that i've ever had.

Another highlight of the day was seeing the relatively rare Nuthatch (above). However if it wasn't for my incompetence to use a high enough shutter speed i would have actually got some sharp photos; but at least i'll know for next time. I wasn't best pleased with myself.

The chick holding was held twice daily, and some of them were only a day old.

InMotion: Blackpool Air Show 2009

2009-08-19T11:15:00.017+01:00

In the post

InMotion: The Nocturne Series I mentioned that cycling is the hardest thing i have photographed, but also that this statement may change after i have photographed the Blackpool Air Show 2009. Well that statement still stands. Though shooting the planes was rather difficult, thanks to my rather small 200mm lens, it meant the planes were always in the frame, making life that little bit easier.

The event itself was great, and another fine example of how great Blackpool is if your in the right place at the right time. In previous years we have been treated to performances by the Tornado F16, the Harrier Jump Jet, a fly-by by the latest RAF plane, the Eurofighter Typhoon. This year however was a slightly more sedate pace, with far more propellor planes on show.

The first display, though rather sedate, was probably the highlight of the show for many people. It featured planes from World War II. The Lancaster Bomber, a Hurricane, and a Spitfire. It was great to these old planes flying again, in the formation they would have used during the war, with the two fighter planes flanking the bomber to act as protection from an aerial attack. What made the display even more special was knowing the the Lancaster Bomber is only one of two flight worthy Lancaster's left, with the other one based in Canada. So to see this plane in flight was a privilege.

Next up was a more daredevil display by a wing walker, with the pilot performing many sharp turns and loops, whilst the wing walker also performed various spins and flips on top of the plane. Normally there are two planes that fly in tandem, but unfortunately there was a problem with the second plane that kept it grounded.

Another great sight, and meteoric sound, was the arrival of the Vulcan Bomber. The plane that as the name suggests is as large as a bomber, but can perform turns as sharp as a fighter aircraft, as the pilot so kindly demonstrated scaring several children in the process. I thought it was excellent though.

Another display was by a team called "The Blades" which consisted of ex-Red Arrows pilots in powerful propellor powered planes that capable defying gravity by simply turning the plane vertically and powering into the sky, before spiraling seemingly out of control back towards the sea, before pulling up. They put on a great display.

Obviously the highlight for many people was the annual performance by the Red Arrows. Once again putting on a great display of formation flying as well as aggressive combat style flight, including barrel rolls, loops and corkscrews.

Concord may not fly any more, but the red arrows do their best to imitate it's famous silhouette.

I don't normally brag about my own pictures, but i love this one, so much so i have done a zoom and crop to show the reason why. I was so happy with the detail i was able to capture. Not only the smoke, but the lights and the vortices streaming off the wings too.

I hope you enjoyed the images, and i'll be bring you more images of great events from Blackpool in the next few weeks. Who says Blackpool's boring?

No Motion: Photo Story

2009-08-18T22:03:00.013+01:00

It was a beautiful Saturday summers day, so me and my sister decided to go for an afternoon out. It's slightly cheesy; but here's the day as a Photo Story, think of it as a narrative perhaps.

We went to

in my sisters car, which is a

At Guy's Thatched Hamlet there is a

which we walked along before also walking along the A6 through Bilsborrow.

We walked back along the canal and across the

We got back to Guy's Thatched Hamlet, and met a friend who has a

Told you it was slightly cheesy.

Anyway, here are some more shot's from the day.

My sisters Mini Clubman and our friends Subaru Impreza

A bigger view of Guy's Thatched Hamlet. The Hamlet is a restaurant, pub, market and also has accommodation; and set against the Lancaster Canal makes for a picturesque place. Visit their website for more info. http://www.guysthatchedhamlet.co.uk/

There are also some brilliant looking houses along the Canal.

An artistic shot of the canal water.

EMotion: Upon the fields of Gold(en Fire)

2009-08-18T21:58:00.003+01:00

Barley Field

EMotion: Self Portraits

2009-08-18T21:43:00.009+01:00

The house was empty and i had a flash gun to borrow for the weekend... so i did some self portraits just to get some practice using a flash gun for future.

Flash

Natural Light

Flash

InMotion: Barn Owl (again)

2009-08-14T22:01:00.005+01:00

So here we go again. Incredibly noisy, and slightly blurred pics of a barn owl, flying through a field, at roughly 10 pm, when it's nigh on pitch black. But i thought i'd share them anyway.

If only the Barn Owl were to come out earlier, it would make life so much easier.

I was gutted with this picture. Regardless of the noise, i would have loved it if the owl was sharp, but unfortunately not. I just love his/her wing position.

I was even more gutted with this one, because the owl is really sharp, but the noise really does spoil the image... but what else can i do to get a workable image when it's so dark.

Enjoy them anyway.

NoMotion: An Unusual View of Blackpool

2009-08-09T11:53:00.003+01:00

I'm not going to ramble on today, I'm just going to present you with a photograph.

InMotion: The Nocturne Series

2009-08-06T16:49:00.020+01:00

Blackpool is a place where drunken louts come and have stag and hen nights, and generally just trash the place without a care in the world other than themselves.

Wrong.

Blackpool is also a home, to people like myself, and other who actually appreciate what Blackpool has to offer. Every year, major British and International events are staged in Blackpool, for all types of people from, music, dance, theatre and multiple sports disciplines.

As for myself, i am more interested in the sports events that are held here. One such event happened last weekend (Saturday 1st August), The Nocturne Series. The Nocturne Series is a series of quite prestigious bicycle races. In fact there are only three in the series; one in Edinburgh, one in London, and the last being held in Blackpool., which i think is quite an achievement and privilege.

The event attracted some big name riders. Rob Hayles, Commonwealth Gold medalist, Ed Clancy, four time World Champion and Olympic Gold medalist, as well as South African rider Robbie Hunter, who has a Tour de France Stage win to his name, amongst other numerous successes.

The event in Blackpool was great. The event took place over a 950 metre course that started on the promenade, before circling Blackpool Tower, back to the promenade heading north before a tight hairpin brought them back south to the finish line.

There was a warm up race, which had more local riders in which started and finished in relative daylight. (Pictures 1-4)

The main event however, didn't start until 9 pm, and night soon rolled in, making it both difficult for myself taking the photographs, and of course the riders.

This was the third time i had tried to photograph a cycle race, and i still stand by the statement that it is the hardest thing i have ever tried to photograph, perhaps because the area for focusing is so small and they move so fast. However this time i think i finally got some good shots.

This statement may change however when i attempt to photograph the Red Arrows performing in Blackpool on Sunday (it's all go here you know)

There were many people staggering out of the bars and clubs who who were strangely bemused by bicycles flying past them them quicker then most cars normally travel down the promenade. Some found themselves being escorted away however.

I took a vantage point at the hairpin, which proved to be quite a good decision, as i got some good shots, and saw some great action. Some of the bikes such as above, were amazing. Almost pieces of art. One piece carbon-fibre frame, with deep dish rims carbon rims, which made a fantastic noise when the brakes were applied.

This guy (above) was truly spectacular...

... as you can see he likes to lean the bike over quite a lot, which proved to be his undoing. With in moments of this shot, he was on the floor with the biking kicking off the kerb and sliding down the road, just inches from my lens. Unfortunately i didn't capture the moment; i was more bother about making sure my lens was still attached to my camera.

Above: Possibly my favourite shot from the evening.

I wish i had found this corner earlier in the race when there was still some available light. Photographically not that great, but the spectacle was amazing. They were riding on cobbles, around a 90 degree bend... and did they brake... did they heck. The speed that they were carrying was emense, and trying to capture was proving to be extremely difficult in the dim light. The resulting images proved to be extremely noisy, but i kind of like it.

I hope these two shots purvey the kind of speeds they were travelling at.

Above: Oh yeah, this is Ed Clancy 4 x's World Champion and olympic Gold Medalist... did i mention he was British.

See Blackpool not all about having a good time... well it is... just in a different way.

NoMotion/Emotion: A Stereotypical Subject from a not so Stereotypical Location

2009-08-05T11:32:00.007+01:00

One sunset is always like another. Once you have photographed one you have photographed all of them. Well not always so. Normally a sunset photo is taken from the beach. However these shots are a little different. I was out for a walk amongst the trees and fields and i could see a brilliant orange glow bursting threw the trees and across the fields, so looking towards the sea i could see a vibrant red sky.

I had one problem though... i had no tripod, so i had to rely on a slightly higher ISO. So apologies for the slightly noisy images. But you can still enjoy the colours.

Believe it or not these were taken in Blackpool.

InMotion: My Best Photograph Ever ...

2009-07-21T17:34:00.009+01:00

... and here it is.

Ok, so i'll admit it isn't the greatest photograph... but i made you look hey. The reason i've put it on is because it is my first ever photograph of a Barn Owl (yes that white blurry thing in the middle)

Call, me naive, but i'd been seeing photographs of Barn Owls taken by a friend... though miles away... as in on the other coast miles away. There has to be Barn Owl's in Blackpool. So i went to pretty much one of only few Barn's that i know exist near Blackpool, and scouts honour, with in minutes of being there i'd seen my first wild Barn Owl.

Now i know the photographs aren't great, and are incredibly noisy, but it was pretty much dark... but i'm fairly proud of my efforts with a pathetic 200mm lens.

Perhaps i was naive, because i returned for the next three evenings and saw nothing but swallows and swifts. Then the weather turned bad for a few days so i didn't bother going. Then the next time i went i got this shot... my best yet... though still not very good. I simply need to get closer, and hope the owl comes out just half an hour earlier so i have better light.

Here's a snap from Stanley Park... again quite noisy, but it was late and raining... i just like the grey tones.

Whilst waiting for the owl, there are various other things to look at. Snails, such as this, moths, several Kestrels, which get dive bombed by plucky Magpies before getting chased away. There are also loads of Swallows, and Martins, though I'm not sure whether they're Sand or House Martins. But the best attraction other than the owl for me are the Swifts. They fly so, sooo fast, and turn even quicker, and when it's getting dark they don't see you until they're only a metre or two from your face, which is awesome. I had no chance of photographing them.

InMotion: Blackpool Mini Run 2009

2009-07-02T10:26:00.034+01:00

The Austin Mini is nothing but an icon, in not only British Transport History, but all over the world. There is barely a country where the Mini isn't instantly recognisable. This little car has survived the hardest testament of them all; time.

The Mini was manufactured from 1959 to 2001, in various different guises, from a saloon, to an estate, a van, a pick-up, an off road vehicle, and a sports car and there was also a popular variant in the form of the Mini Clubman which had a different bonnet, front wings and grille. The Mini was and still is an ideal car for many people.

For the Mini, 2009 is a special year and has become known as Mini 50; for obvious reasons. The Mini is celebrating it's 50th birthday, by holding what will hopefully be the biggest Mini Show ever in Longridge, Birmingham, UK, being held across three days in August.

Across the UK the Mini still holds a place in many hearts, and there isn't a week goes by that there isn't a Mini Show, or what is now known as a Mini Run.

Last weekend it was Blackpool's turn.

The organiser of the event is Tom, and his Mini is one of the best around.

The Blackpool Mini Run has been going for six years now, and gets bigger every year. Officially they're only allowed to run 150 cars in convoy, but any Mini that registers by can be apart of the event. The money to register goes to the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Charity http://www.breakthrough.org.uk/ With this year being the Mini 50 celebration, more cars than ever registered, with 237 cars in total.

The event attracts Mini owners from most of the Northwest and some from further afield. One of the biggest turn outs year on year is the effectively named club Crewe's Missiles, which have some of the nicest cars of all. The official meeting place for the event is Preston Docks. Cars from the North meet in the Lake District, cars from the South meet at Liverpool, and there is also a meeting place in Skipton. They all convoy, and eventually meet at Preston Docks before the final convoy in to Blackpool, where the cars are displayed along the Promenade, this year, next to the Sandcastle Waterworld.

This year I tagged along to Preston with my sister in her Mini Clubman called Terrii, before making the return with a friend in his Mini (round-nose) called Thug, for obvious reasons.

As ever i took photographs of what was a great day. Roll on next year.

Thug and Terrii in Preston.

Two smug Mini owners with there official Mini Run plates.

Thug eyed view.

Some of the Mini's were truly spectacular, this was one of my favourites...

... as well as the Mint Green Estate (above) and this beautiful Mini Clubman (below)

If there was a prize for the best sounding car, then it would be awarded to this Mini Van.

Terrii, so called because she's Terry's chocolate orange. Note that this is a Clubman, due to the different front end.

Thug, so called because of the final three letters on the number plate. (told you it was obvious) This is the slightly more iconic and recognisable round-nose Mini.

Overall, it was a great day, and I can totally see why these cars have such a following. Who knows, I may end up driving one yet.

InMotion: Danny MacAskill Live in Blackpool (with video)

2009-06-26T23:29:00.016+01:00

So here it is. The big post of the week; well it is for me, photographs and a video, be sure to check both videos.

Firstly I'll introduce you to the star of the post; Danny MacAskill. If you haven't heard of him, then you should have and if not then you will do. To call him a man who does tricks on a bicycle is an understatement. This is the video that introduced me to him.

With in a couple of weeks of seeing this video i heard that he would be performing in Blackpool.

However, he was not alone. He is apart of the "The Clan - Scotland's Cycle Stunt Team"

http://www.mb7.com/theclan/

Together there are six regualr riders, with guests also perofroming. for the Blackpool performances there were four riders, Danny (mtb trials rider), Duncan (trials rider), Kenny (mtb rider) and finally Nash (bmx rider). each had there own unique tricks, but the highlight for me was actually seeing Danny performing. His amazing balance, and seeing his fingers gripping and releasing the brakes so quickly but with pure precision. Oh and did i mention he produced a world record equalling bunny hop, measuring 1 metre 22 from the ground.

All the riders were brilliant, and Nash certainly knew how to get some big air.

Danny and The Clan not only performed on the ramps they had brought with them, but decided to along the promenade. danny on the other hand preferred the sea-wall. Check out what he was doing on the sea-wall, with the sea and rocks roughly about 20 foot below.

His balance was astounding. One of my favourite tricks was this J-Turn which can be seen in more detail in the video below. (If you are experiencing problems viewing the video then the video is also on my Flickr site, which also has more info on how i made the video http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielkearney)

Here is a still from the video, the speed with which he performed most of his tricks, including the backflip was amazing.

I hope i have managed to fuel your passion for this man as much as he did for me. As his bike says, "Inspired."