Roger Bennion's photos

MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 132 : NAILS And, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ I have chosen "The Last Nail" by Dan Fogelberg Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ The Last Nail ~ Dan Fogelberg ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ The Last Nail ~ Dan Fogelberg

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL NEW YEAR SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 21 DEC 2019 ANYTHING RELATED TO CHRISTMAS This is a framed picture that I found in our loft when I was getting out the Christmas decorations. Helen says we bought it last year but clearly it wasn't used because it was still all wrapped up in cellophane. The white lights flash once you have put batteries in it :-) I added the words and the border using Photoshop Elements. And, for 'Sight and Sound' I have chosen my favourite Tractors Christmas song :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Jingle My Bells ~ The Tractors ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ Jingle My Bells ~ The Tractors

MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 131 : ANYTHING TO DO WITH WRAPPING. PERHAPS PAPER, RIBBONS, STRING, BAGS, SELLOTAPE.... And, for 'Sight and Sound' I have chosen "Run Run Rudolph" by The Tractors from their 2002 album "The Big Night". Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Run Run Rudolph ~ The Tractors "The Big Night" is my second best favourite Christmas album. But, my all-time favourite Christmas album is "Have Yourself A Tractors Christmas" by, surprisingly, The Tractors :-))

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 14 DEC 2019 PHOTOGRAPH 3 ITEMS TOGETHER IN "SQUARE (1:1) ASPECT RATIO". ITEMS CAN BE ALIKE OR DIFFERENT JUST MAKE SURE THERE ARE 3 IN TOTAL A can of Doom Bar Amber Ale, a can of Lemonade and a can of Ginger Ale. I have drunk the Amber Ale and there is a possibility the Ginger Ale will be mixed with a small whisky :-) Now for 'Sight and Sound' ~ A little bit of an obscure link methinks. Can and Music come to mind. Which, of course, leads to "I Can Hear Music" by The Beach Boys :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ I Can Hear Music ~ Beach Boys I also came across a version by Kathy Troccoli with the Beach Boys ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ~ I Can Hear Music ~ Kathy Troccoli with the Beach Boys I don't know anything about Kathy. Maybe view my photo on black, please :-)

I don't know the lady in my photo but I was pleased she was wearing red :-) Also, she was holding a dog lead but I think her dog must be hiding behind the tree :-) This is the Eleven-Acre Lake in Stowe Landscape Gardens. It is not massively wide but for 'Sight and Sound' I think it is wide enough to allow me to use "The Water is Wide" by Karla Bonoff :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Water is Wide ~ Karla Bonoff ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ Water is Wide ~ Karla Bonoff Please view on black :-)

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 130 : COFFEE Cappuccino by Roger :-) A while back we bought a coffee machine that takes coffee pods. It was reduced quite a bit in a sale. And, because we bought another item we were given a voucher for £25. We, therefore, finished up paying £4.99 for the machine! I kinda thought that at that rock bottom price it would a fun thing. But, I figured that the coffee would probably be pretty average and the machine would soon be put to the back of a cupboard :-) However, I think it makes really good coffee :-) Here I made a cappuccino. We also bought a hand milk frother that I figured wouldn't work that great! But, wrong again! I think I am getting pretty good at adding frothy milk :-)) Finally here I sprinkled cocoa powder on the top.......might have been a bit heavy handed though :-))) Now, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Coffee Time ~ Natalie Cole

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 7 DEC 2019 TAKE A PHOTO FEATURING ANYTHING TO DO WITH BOOKS Pages from "Steve Goodman Facing the Music : A Biography by Clay Eals". It is a book I bought a while back. It has 778 pages and it could be sometime before I reach the last page :-) The introduction by Clay Eals starts ~ "Steve was an incurable romantic. He was a little guy who never tried to make out he was bigger. He was as engaging a performer as they come. And, he was unabashedly old-fashioned." That was the opening for a combined obituary/tribute for Steve Goodman that I wrote in September 1984 for a Seattle newspaper. I had enjoyed Steve's recorded music for more than a dozen years. But, what I held more dear was twice sharing time and place with him as he performed in concert - both times in Eugene, Oregon, where he opened for Randy Newman in a basketball arena in 1977 and played a solo show in a more intimate hall in 1981. Emmylou Harris, among the last of my more that 1,000 interviewees for this book, hit it on the button when she told me, "There are a lot of great people out there that are not household names, and you know what? It's not a bad thing. Someone like Steve really touched you in a way that music is supposed to touch you, and the people who are fans of Steve Goodman will be fans till death. That's really the best success you can have as an artist." Till death. In many ways that's what this book is all about........................................ Steve was born 25 July 1948, in Chicago and passed away on 20 September 1984 at UW Medical Center, Seattle aged just 36 years. Steve suffered from leukaemia for almost all his adult life and died of complications from a bone marrow transplant. A devastating blow to the world of music but, at least, we still have his wonderful music. I became aware of Steve's music when he performed his song "City of New Orleans" on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' here in the UK. This performance is on YouTube ~ www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SfPyg-mGhU It says it's from 1972. It wasn't until some years ago that I fully realised what marvellous music Steve made. I still don't have all of his music but I am well on the way :-) For 'Sight and Sound' I have chosen Steve's totally 'off the wall' performance of his song "The Twentieth Century is Almost Over" :-))))) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ The Twentieth Century is Almost Over ~ Steve Goodman ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ The Twentieth Century is Almost Over ~ Steve Goodman

For 'Sight and Sound' ~ Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Splendid Isolation (Live) ~ Warren Zevon ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, here ~ Splendid Isolation (Studio) ~ Warren Zevon "Splendid Isolation" features on Warren's 1989 album "Transverse City".

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 129: SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN GRATED OR SHAVED I found this week's Topic really, really difficult! I don't have a lot of staying power and I was going to admit defeat. But, then I realised that Helen would be very cross with me if I gave up. This is because I sent Helen out (I asked nicely) to get some carrots and a hand grater for me! This entry is the best I could do :-) And, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ A carrot is a root vegetable and I have, therefore, chosen "Vegetables" by The Beach Boys :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Vegetables ~ The Beach Boys

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 30 NOVEMBER 2019 DROSTE EFFECT I used the Droste Effect filter in GIMP Photo Software :-) ipernity says I took the photo on 29 November 2019. Nope!! I actually took the photo on 27 November 2019. On the 29th I added an 'Art Border' and ipernity has clearly decided to use this date :-)) And, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ There seem to be quite a lot of songs about time but one of my all-time faves is "Time Passes By" by Kathy Mattea from her 1991 album of the same name. It was written by John Vezner (Kathy's husband) and Susan Longacre. I have loved Kathy's music since early 1990 when I bought her album "Untasted Honey". This was when it was on cassette!! :-)) We have been so very fortunate to have seen Kathy in Concert a number of times over the years when she has visited the UK. In fact we saw her back on 29 January 2019 when Kathy played at The Stables, Wavendon, Milton Keynes :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Time Passes By ~ Kathy Mattea ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, listen here ~ Time Passes By ~ Kathy Mattea

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 128: OIL ON WATER I spent a long time getting nowhere and was about to give up :-) But, I did eventually get one shot (this one) that I thought wasn't too bad although I was still a bit disappointed. I wondered if there was a way of smoothing the result and I tried the 'Dream Smoothing' filter in GIMP Photo Software and also added a 'Mirror' effect. I think I like this result a lot better :-) Now for 'Sight and Sound' ~ As I used a 'Mirror Effect' filter I have chosen "MIrror Image" by Rosanne Cash :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music This is from Rosanne's 1990 album "Interiors". One of my fave albums :-) ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Mirror Image ~ Rosanne Cash

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 23 NOVEMBER 2019 COMPLIMENTARY COLOURS We have knives with coloured handles and I thought this would be a good subject. However, I didn't very much like the initial result because I thought it was a bit harsh! I then played around with the 'Dream Smoothing' filter in GIMP Photo Software and I think I prefer this softer result :-) I also used the 'Array' filter in GIMP :-) Now to the colours......I found that there is a 'Triadic Colour Scheme' that uses colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel. I believe there are three colours between the Red and the Yellow, three colours between the Yellow and the Blue and three colours between the Blue and the Red. My original photo had very strong Reds, Yellows and Blues but the filter has changed the colour tones a bit and some of the red decided to go bit orangey :-) Now for 'Sight and Sound' ~ In the Group I have previously used "Dreams of the San Joaquin" by Linda Ronstadt. One of my many absolute faves by Linda :-) Anyway, not that long ago I accidently came across the original version by one of the writers of the song. This is Randy Sharp who co-wrote the song with John Wesley Routh. I think it is an amazing song and I love the lines ~ Every day I struggle With the distance and the fear That I will not return or find A way to bring you here My emptiness grows deeper I feel my spirit fall As night comes like a blanket That brings no sleep at all Love it when Randy, initially, doesn't quite get the title of Linda's album right :-)) The connection is 'Dream(s)' :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Dreams of the San Joaquin ~ Randy Sharp

Explored! Thank you very much :-) The guy here is real. I'm assuming he is playing an electric sitar. His playing was brilliant! I'm not sure if he is sitting on the case for the sitar. On the side it says 'Grant Vibes' and perhaps this is his name :-) The Bird of Prey is real too. I'm not good at identifying Birds of Prey but I am wondering if it is a Peregrine Falcon. Perhaps someone would enlighten me, please? :-) The background is a hoarding that is hiding extensive building work taking place at Jesus College. Now for 'Sight and Sound' I am hoping it is a sitar because I have a tenuous link relating to sitar :-) "Love You To" by The Beatles from their 1966 'Revolver' album features George Harrison's most extensive and adventurous use of the sitar. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Love You To ~ Beatles

MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 127: TAKE A MACRO PHOTOGRAPH OF SOMETHING WITH LIGHT SHINING THROUGH IT I decided to try some shots of Autumn leaves. I went out with my camera but couldn't find any suitable leaves on the trees. But, there looked to be some possible ones on the ground. I collected a few and went back home. The sun was starting to go down but there was still some sunlight coming through the bedroom window. I tried to suspend this leaf in front of the window but it kept moving about!! I then hit upon the idea of taping it to the window so that it didn't move!! I did wonder what the neighbours might be thinking :-) I've just noticed that the EXIF info is missing but I guess that's because I fiddled about with the photo in Photoshop to add a drop shadow border :-) I think I have found the info - 1/200 ~ f/7.1 ~ 6.0 mm ~ ISO 80 ~ Nikon Coolpix P7800 And, for 'Sight and Sound' I am using a track that has been used quite a few times in the Group. That is the wonderful and perfect version of "Autumn Leaves" by Eva Cassidy. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Autumn Leaves ~ Eva Cassidy

Explored! Thank you very much :-) SATURDAY SELF-CHALLENGE 16 NOVEMBER 2019 MINIMALISM IN STILL LIFE I have a drawer packed to the brim with all manner of cables, electric plugs, connectors, audio plugs with cables, video plugs with cables, photography cables and connectors etc. etc. etc. I rarely go the drawer and I am reluctant to throw away anything in case it might be needed one day :-) When I was trying to find something for this week's Challenge I thought I would look in the drawer. And, I found these items that I believe are RCA connectors. They are, apparently, also known as phono connectors or phono plugs. They are used for analog or digital audio or analog video. I would have liked the plugs to have been quite a bit smaller in the frame. But, I have run out of time :-) And, for 'Sight and Sound' I figured that any combination of audio and video would work :-) I found audio and video by The Pointer Sisters. Absolutely adore their version of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" :-) In my opinion a truly sensational performance :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Fire ~ The Pointer Sisters

Explored! Thank you very much :-) Not always sure about adding soft focus to my photos. But, soft focus added here so 'tis too late now :-)) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ 'Tis Autumn ~ Rosemary Clooney Please view on black :-)

Explored! Thank you very much :-) MACRO MONDAYS 2.0 TOPIC 126: THICK / THIN 'Mecklenburg-Foto' used batteries in the last Topic and it gave me the idea to use batteries for this week's Topic because I figured I must have some thick and thin batteries in the drawer :-) Thank you to Mecklenburg-Foto :-) I promise to use a different background at some point in the future :-) Honest :-)) Now, for 'Sight and Sound' ~ I don't know much about Golden Earring but they recorded "Chargin' Up My Batteries" and this is my 'Sight and Sound' choice :-) Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Chargin' Up My Batteries ~ Golden Earring ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Or, here ~ Chargin' Up My Batteries ~ Golden Earring

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. ...........................................Robert Laurence Binyon This beautiful tribute is in Oxford. Added to Sight and Sound : Pictures & Music ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Listen here ~ Hymn to the Fallen ~ Band of The Coldstream Guards