Same bridge, different day - My World

It's snow different to all the other bridge images

For those still counting.... No 24

My world just wouldn't be complete without the legendary Ramsey Swing Bridge capture. Well it's iconic to this blog and it's stalkers, I mean followers. The challenge to photograph a single standing item, building, whatever goes on and I chose the bridge and I'm stuck with it now until I finally nail that 100th shot. Actually I have probably taken over a thousand but as this blog is supposed to be about the whole of this one horse town then it would be unfair for me to inflict upon you daily images of the bridge from numerous angles. I do try and stagger them, no more than one a week and do try and show you those dreaded cliche photography words... from a different perspective, dontcha just love that composition, the occasionally juxtaposed person to bridge and of course good use of rules of thirds. Today you just get a carbon copy of the very first image I posted to kick off the blog with one fundamental difference.... you got it covered in a whole lotta snow, reeal snow not photoshopped in. I may be taking the urine with the writing, but the photography I do mostly take seriously.


If you really want to know more about the bridge, see it swing, and how and why I started this challenge in the first place then look out below at the rotating images from the annals of the blog. One of those will tell you all you need to know. For other offering around the world, bridges may feature but not compulsory, click here

Ramsey Swing Bridge - Skywatch

Twenty three


Skywatch

So while I'm not here I just had to leave with the most iconic bridge in the world. Well the most iconic bridge in my world anyway. You all know by now what this about, why the bridge again, and again and of course again. This then would be twenty three shimmering and shining in a blue glaze. For those of you who know what I'm else I'm on about you can also see a dolphin, but not your usual kind. The clouds just obliged nicely by planting themselves at varied intervals around the sky just for aesthetic effect.


Again I hope you are seeing these OK. I'm not here, I'm lost in France on holiday. I know lucky girl, but I do have a photography assignment while I'm there, so not all fun. Who am I kidding. Photographing France, never a chore.


For more skies around the world do take a peek here

Birds, bridges, and blue skies - Skywatch

Can you tell what it is yet?


Ramsey Swing Bridge 22 in view

You know what day it is on the blog circuit. Yep! the one where we all crane our necks to get that particular image of the sky above and beyond, lost horizon, or in the clouds. For those in the elusive club though that grace my ever so 'umble blog with your presence we have the other special day. Wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more and don't forget the secret handshake. All I can reveal is we are up to number 22(or in the terms of bingo speak two little ducks, whatever that means) of the game we know as 100 images, 1 subject. Or how I am slowly going mad photographing the same metal structure over, and over, and over again from many (so, so, many) different... wait for it perspectives, angles, compositions and of course juxtaposition just to prove a point. The point being it can be done, they can all be individual unique images and you can stay sane. Not actually sure about the last one. So here it is 22, oh so blue, with a bird atop the bridge girders too.



I'm sure the other bridge photos will pop up at bottom of the post for you to compare eventually. If it's skies you're after click here to take you on a mini tour of Skywatch.

Y is for yiarn

Key of the door, 21

What is yiarn?

You are all reading this and thinking I know what this image is and it's not anything at all beginning with a Y aren't you? Certainly not a yiarn. Not that you know yet what that is. Only found out myself yesterday. You think I have lost a letter again don't you? Well it is that certain landmark of the town I reside ( 21 for those who know what that alludes to, nudge nudge wink, wink, say no more, walls have ears) and it is also yiarn. That doesn't stand for what it is, that stands for what it is made from. The material the bridge is made of is iron and the word iron in Manx, the native language is ...... wait of it...... yiarn. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water the old RBS jumps out of the screen at you.



If you have uncontrollable urge to dive below 21 then click here to find out what all this numbered images refers too. Ramsey Swing Bridge is an iron bridge then, but not the worlds very first Ironbridge. Coincidentally I used to live near that very first one too. So it begins.

THE FULL MONTY SWINGING BRIDGE - SKYWATCH

Twenty Twenty Vision

Ramsey Swing Bridge 20/100

Has it been a whole week and a day since we had "The Cult of Babooshka's Ramsey Swing Bridge"as well? Yes it has and it's about time we had the full monty bridge in all it's natural glory shot. Ooh er, can you handle it. Well as it's obviously not as big as The Golden Gate then I think you can. Good things small packages remember. Gone for a full on view, a frontal peek of the whole arc from the dockside quay. I know a risky angle but I think you can cope. As you can see this is the bridge's blue period and the low light really highlights the glass like shimmer of the water. Not exactly hindered those glistening reflections either. I make that 80 left. Make it stop someone perleeeeeeeasse. For those that know what's going on I will of course continue. For those that don't, how lucky you are.




The water is very blue today isn't it? The light was low which added to the scene.

HAVE I EVER SHOWN YOU RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE ?

Bird's eye view

19/100

Ramsey Swing Bridge

I'm sure the irony of the title is not lost on my most ardent readers . Yes of course we have had images of the bridge inordinate amount of times(ok a slight exaggeration as it says 19 duh!) but have we ever had one with a bird and people.... at the same time. I know exciting isn't it(we are still doing irony aren't we?) what's more it's a whole new angle. No, really we are now get this... over the bridge. Yes Yes I'm on the other side. I know so exciting. I ventured forth once more unto the bridge, a bridge to far most days broke on through to the other side all to bring you number 19/100. I even shot and stuffed the bird for you. No, No, No, that is a complete lie, a joke. I'm a vegetarian after all. I didn't say that's not how I got the people in position on the bridge now did I. I need to shut up now don't I and explain my 19th nervous bridge breakdown to the uninitiated?

THEME DAY SHADOWS AND SKYWATCH

Ramsey Swing Bridge 18/100

Skywatch/Theme Day Shadows

Cobweb

Here we go again. Almost overlooked the CDP theme of Shadows. Actually almost overlooked Skywatch too. Oops! So today a combination of two themes Skywatch and CDP Mayday. A shadowy, sinewy skywatch. For those that know the story we are up to 18 of the" Cult of Babooshka's Swing Bridge"For those that haven't a clue why on earth the image has a magic number of 18(not Hanger 18, just 18) and is entitled "Cobweb"(working title, you may call it lace or golden diamonds, blah di blahs, I'm easy on the name game) all you need to know is I need to get 100, and they must appear on the blog. Not every day obviously but at random intervals. Bit like my posts at the moment, random intervals. Obviously this was either an early evening or early morning image(I take so many I have genuinely forgotten and didn't digital timestamp the image as I was using the little point and shoot not the big camera) due to the golden sun filtering through metal grid work of the interweaving iron lattice....oh enough twaddle you decide.


For more wonderful shadowy images, just for fun remember, click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Skywatch watchers can be found here. Many thanks to Dot for the inspirational idea, Tom for the first caretaking and the My world gang for looking after skywatch now.


This weekend I will be at the Laxey Blues Festival. Finally. Don't expect me around a lot, busy organizing few images for a music magazine and a travel website. Jack Daniels in one hand camera in another, working or not I intend to have fun. I take my music enjoyment very seriously. If you are good I'll let you see the images that aren't used on the blog. So behave!

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE- THE ABRIDGED VERSION

Here we go again

15/100

If you're here for skywatch that was so yesterday. In other words scroll down for the post below. On the other hand if you are here for the never ending saga about a bridge stay tuned.

We are up to 15/100 of how to shoot one subject a zillion ways(well 100 ways) as challenged by Joe who probably has given up, as I never see a comment or received another email off him. Anyway the cult of Babooshka's Ramsey Swing Bridge continues. You only have yourselves to blame. This was second on the most requested things to see on the blog.

The bridge is a good subject to use the little no frills point and shoot olympus. It does have manual setting (they all do be brave have a go) but no extra lenses. Went for a nice tight close up in yer face close up. Right on the harbour edge. Do you have any idea the life and limb I risk to get you these images? I may have to start hanging off the bridge when I get seriously creative, and subsequently arrested for abusing a bridge to causing a disturbance of some kind. No cropping needed as I was so close in. Tried not to make this too tidy and image to bring out those lines and layers. Dullish blue sky which was OK as it allowed the red and cream to zing. 

I'm going to concentrate on a few building next week. I do say few with good reason. Ramsey is not a city. It is a town. Not quite one horse town, but teeny weeny. One high st, one shopping square, but lots of pubs. Not an awful lot but I'll show and tell for you the little there is. You'll see why I shop online put it that way.  Had you even heard of the Isle of Man before you stopped by here? I'd be interested to know.

Babooshka, Ramsey Daily Photo, http://dailyphotoisleofman.blogspot.com/

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE- INSIDE OUT

It's 14/100 Everyone

What is the surprise shot going to be today? Can you guess. I bet you can't(can).

Here we go again! It's time for the obligatory "Cult of Babooshka's Ramsey Swing Bridge" Image.Today we have reached the grand total of 14. The challenge 100 shots

of the same subject at varying angles, times etc. So here you are.

It's taken from the very heart of the bridge(yes they have hearts, minds and souls) the centre of the pathway, underneath the apex of the arc taking in the pathway and the left hand side arch. Taken around noon on a sunny day to create those interweaving shadows. I included a slither of the right hand arch so you can contextualize the width of the pathway. You can see the raised path/sidewalk on the right and the left is the driveway for cars. Small distance isn't it. I went with black and white as the last few have been colour. You also see locals, yes real live people in the distance chatting or perhaps just waiting for me to take the image so not to be any closer to in the frame. Spoilsports. Either way I sneaked them in so ha ha!

I do like to tone things down after skywatch which is click here is that's the one for you.

Thanks for all the techie advice. I had tried word but no it seems it's IE. I've switched to Safari and the line breaks seem to now be in the right place. For now anyway.

So is anyone else photographing the same subject over and over or am I the only nutter?

ONCE MORE UNTO THE BRIDGE!

Blue and green should n'er bee seen except upon a fool

It's Saturday and I know you may have been expecting the infamous Ramsey Swing Bridge after my skywtach frday but afraid not. Not until I can open the precious file or take some new ones. Instead another sweet little connecting bridge. Luscious green isn't it? So once more unto the bridge!(stop groaning)


This footbridge stands outside the two schools in Ramsey, one on either side of the road. A few weeks ago I uploaded a shot of Lezayre Road and I mentioned the footbridge. Why do we need footbridges for such a quiet place you ask? Ah well, that would be for the famous Isle of Man TT Road Races. When the motorbikes are here the roads around the island that are part of the course are closed off to traffic. So you really can get trapped in one part of the island for a few hours and indeed trapped on one side of the road. The footbridges were erected to enable the kids to cross from one side of the road to the other. Good idea eh. Pity the kids aren't actually in school that week. Doh! To be fair there is practise week for the bikes(outside of school hours though so double doh!) and exams are occurring so perhaps there is method in the madness. I will exercise the benefit of the doubt. Have I ever see anyone use the footbridge, no. Have I used it. Your'e kidding me aren't you?


In keeping with photographing one subject a zilion times I will show you a shot from the other side wthin the space of a Manx minute and you won't believe the change in light and shadows. Cartier - Bresson for those of you taking note will come to mind for that shot but then so many of mine are anyway, like the black and white of this shot. You want to be a real photographer, not a computer manipulation whizz kid you will understand. Before I realised who he was I was taking images that way naturally. Photography comes from within you, not a computer.

Click below for ideas and info.

Bench
Isle of Man TT
Lezayre

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE- MY WORLD

Ramsey Swing Bridge- Golden Wonder - 13/100

I can't believe I haven't had the bridge yet for My World. So here it is the most famous bridge in the world, well my world, Ramsey Swing Bridge. Why is it numbered 13 of 100, because I was challenged to shoot one subject 100 different ways, and the subject just happened to be the bridge. Crazy I know, but the public get what the public wants otherwise I would be in a right jam with some of you out there not pandering to your whims. So the underground cult of Babooshka's Ramsey Swing Bridge contiues.


I actually do love this bridge, but I like bridges anyway. From the mechanics, the design and the purpose. Bridges afterall are connecting places. In this case the very little bridge connects one side of the harbour to the other. Over the bridge takes you to another world, Mooragh Promenande, Mooragh Park, the new swimming pool and the most importantly the beach. It may be bracing, ok blowing a gale, a little wet, ok torrential rain but it's still a beach that most people would like to relax and walk along but don't have and without the bridge above I wouldn't be able to get there. Well actually I could get to the beach, by taking a really, really long walk round the harbour but then I wouldn't be able to photograph such a picturesque bridge would I? That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. It swings by the way to allow ships with sail masts to pass through out to sea. Would you like to see it swung out. You would, click here( red is always a link)


Well still on the borrowed laptop and still on the old photos. I may have to do some night photography as the Christmas tree is up in Ramsey and the lights are on. I have also seen Santa Claus in someones garden but don't tell the kids. He looks like he has had too may mince pies already and I can't see him getting round the world in one night.

For more my entries click MY WORLD and thank the skywatch gang once again for another inspired idea.

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE- WHAT ELSE DO YOU EXPECT IN RAMSEY?

Ramsey Swing Bridge 12/100

Let's get this bit out the way. If you have found your way here for skywatch it's the post below.
It's Saturday, so it must be a Ramsey Swing Bridge photo. This wasn't meant to happen but Saturday's have become a sort of of Bridge Day. Anyway for those that know apologises for the next sentence. For those that don't, I was challenged by an some idiot to photograph one subject 100 different ways, which they thought was impossible to do. Doh! It's not at all complex, but well his pea sized brain obviously can't fathom out one more than two angles maximum. So here you go No. 12. So now we've had a dirty dozen of the bridge. Zillions more to go. It's taken again with the point and shoot Olympus. I try and take the bridge on a blue sky day purely as the red and white of the bridge stand out more. When I show you a monochrome shot of the bridge you can guarantee it's a crappy day weather wise. No alterations apart from re sized for the blog.


In case you think the tone of the text is a tad clipped well yes you'd be right. Sometime ago I was approached by a group of island photographers inviting me to join them on their site. I asked for a little more info. We traded emails. Their work is predictable, safe and in the main poorly shot. This for me was not a problem as the aim was to get them up to my level. Their idea was for me teach them add my images to their site to increase their sales base, and in turn they introduce me to the island. Sounded good. Time elapsed nothing happened until a curt email explaining that as they couldn't use my Ramsey Daily Photo blog, then I couldn't join theirs. Remember they approached me. Recently they have been desperately trying to mimic my photography and trade off my reputation instead. Sad!


The moral of the tale is... Many things! All I can say to them is it's your loss boys. You keep your small island market if it means that much to you and I'll tell you what I'll keep my online world market, you know the one you wanted me to introduce you too. You just can't help some people.
This happened a few months ago, but things have reached a point where something had to be said.


Scheduled post. Won't be around.

S - SHELLAN MAEY- TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE?

shellan maey- bumble bee

Fancy learning some more Manx? You do? Well you already have. Shellan is the Manx word for bee. Shellan maey is the Manx for bumblebee. Shellan breck is also Manx for bumble bee is used less frequently. The Sheelan Maey above disappearing into the flower head could actually be disappearing now if we don't act soon. Changes in countryside practises, crop rotation, climate change and urbanization( modern housing estates and car parks again!) have lead to a decline in numbers of the poor British bumble. The humble bumble is is a pivotal creature in the pollination of many British crops and rare and garden flowers so don't dismiss the Shellan Maey. Please Take care when you see one, maybe plant some bumble bee friendly blooms. For more the the decline of the British bumblebee and those friendly blooms click here.




Hands up those you thought I was going to have Sulby River or the Ramsey Swing Bridge Swinging for S. Tsk! To bee or not to bee predictable - that is the question. The answer I always choose to be one step ahead- catch me if can you.The original, the best Ramsey Daily Photo.
Ha! Ha!

Want to join ABC got the lovely hostess with the mostest, MRS NESBITT'S PLACE

REFLECTING ON A BRIDGE THEME

11/100

Could it be? No not Ramsey Swing Bridge again. It's been a while but the challenge was to take 100 shots of the same subject, but snapped in a different way/angle/time of day etc. About time we had another then. Come in No 11 your time is up! To be honest I had several emails asking what had happened to the bridge so I am posting the image due to public demand and also as requested a long shot. Ooh you are a fussy lot.


Small isn't it? I don't think this is something that has actually been conveyed in the partial bridge shots, just how small the bridge actually is. It is afterall just a short hop skip and a jump to the other side of the harbour, but it beats walking all the way round to get to the other side on a wet blustery day. Can you see how high the tide is too? The rippled reflection was due to a swan diving (no not a heavy metal fan, the bird kind) just out of shot. Liked the mottled pattern the ripples made cutting through the reflection. They don't all have to be glass like reflections do they?


What else can I tell you. The weather conditions, poor but dry. This kind of blue/grey light or (lilac grey light) is most common over the island. Again this is not the Big Nikon, it's my tiny point and shoot straightforward olympus. No whistles no bells, no groovy lens, tilt screen or light meters. Not even it's tiny zoom on. No need, right on top of the subject, cloudy setting point shoot away we go. Cameras don't take images, photographers do. Cameras just enhance what you compose. Go on have a go. Don't be so serious just have fun with the camera.


It seems there are problems with blogger, mr linky and of course our own server on the island. Posts maybe scheduled for a while. Slowly catching up with the emails. I couldn't open any for 5 days and a lot of sites/ blogs I am having difficulty accessing. Had to download new software which I am trial running with fingers crossed. So far so good.


More Bridge shots from the series. Remember it's all just for fun.

Here
There
And Everywhere

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE AND POO, POOP, DE POOP

Ramsey swing bridge 10/100

Here we go again! You know the story by now, but for the unitiniated(shame on you where have you been?) I posted saying how I must have hundreds of images of this bridge and was told it wasn't possible to photograph one subject in a hundred different ways. Ta da! Number 10 is today's offering.

This is the middle section, apex, right hand side, harbour side. The gull of course is an optional extra. Please note he doesn't come with the bridge and isn't caged behind the metal rods poking up and was free to depart at any time. I am not sure whether he was responsible for the inordinate amount of bird poo on this side of the bridge compared to the other, so we won't chastise him unjustly. Innocent until proven guilty still applies. Even the Isle of Man abides by this ruling. I know I could have spent half the day cloning out the offensive poop, but what you see is what you get around this blog and it does add a certain "je ne sais quoi" don't you think? No, Ok just me then.

I should also point out, as promised to do so when applicable, that this image was my trusty little point and shoot no frills Olympus and not my all singing dancing Nikon. I should also have posted on the Mooragh Park image yesterday that was also shot on my Olympus. Sometimes it's good just to leave the Nikon and see what I can get from the little Olympus. After all, the one thing the camera still can't do without you is frame the shot, so now and again it's just good to get back to basics. It also gives you an idea what can be achieved with the point and shoot, for those who don't have the big camera and loads of lenses. It's also a much better way to practise photography, makes you work harder by using your grey matter and eye to produce the shot.

So, would you have preferred a clean no poo poop de poop, or do you prefer the real deal image.
As always can't wait to hear your thoughts.

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE

Ramsey Swing Bridge No 9 of 100
RAMSEY DAILY PHOTO

This was actually taken last week on a fairly blue sky day. It's no 9 in the series of same subject different view. It's been a while since we had the bridge so today it's bridge day. I wanted a fresh one taken today as it was so glorious, but there were funny little men with cones working very diligently and attentively so I thought best to leave them to it. Instead I took some of those pubs you asked for,a gorgeous ship called The New Wave and the odd person sneaking into the shot. OK, should say who I've sneaked into shot.

Ramsey Swing Bridge was built in 1892 by the Cleveland Engineering Company at a cost of £2o,325(what would that be in today's terms?) primarily to transport people to the other side of the harbour, to the newly built housing that had emerged around this time.

The bridge is still the main access route across the harbour. At certain times of the day the bridge is closed to cars and pedestrians when it is swung out to allow tall mast boats through. It was also featured in another British Film called The Martins, Staring Lee Evans and Kathy Burke. It's also going to feature heavily in this blog as I never get bored of photographing it.

The two paragraphs above were from one of my own earlier narratives. It's perfectly fine to plagiarize oneself, it's just others I take an exception to text images or ideas. To add a little coincidence to the post and the weird world of blogging take Mrs N. of MRS NESBITT'S PLACE .Her husband did his apprenticeship with the very same Cleveland Engineering Company, and yes Mrs N. is coming again next year for the TT. Spooky.

It's busy Wednesday here, always is. Gary is working on the cartoon for the BBC tonight, so my main job is supplying cups of sugary coffee. Obviously with the economic climate as it is this cartoon is a very important one. Lots of huffing and head shaking from him and a floor full of sketches. It's going to be a long night. Artists!

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE NO 8 OF 100

Aha! Just when you thought it was safe I sneak in the bridge again next to the pretty skywatch shot. Kerry you have found me out. Quite right I do tend to put a black and white one on after the skywatch shot. So here we are No8 in the 100 shots of the same view series. Or in my case that most iconic of Ramsey images for me the swing bridge. Don't be surprised if I sneak the colour one in one week for skywatch when I have had too much to drink or something. No I haven't had one tonight, just in better non alcoholic spirits. Here's why.

Had quite a a laugh with a fellow blogger who emailed me their negative feedback. Seriously funny. The same time everyday he gets an email telling him how he has got well just about everything wrong and how no one reads it anyway. Then they end it with thanks for reading this email, what is the point of your blog, yours sincerely "a well wisher." Honestly it's priceless. Obviously it's his biggest fan just got a funny way of showing it. I mean he checks Craig's posts everyday and comments. Now that's dedication if somewhat misguided.

A few updates. Still no news on the "Tears of Mann," but my go to Manx Man when I can get hold of him will probably know, Adrian Cain. Still no news either on that band "Tynwald. "Again if anyone knows anything about them so I can do an update that would be great. I made a booboo. I called cushag gorse. I thought I had put ragwort but nope. Looks like I have a gorse pic called ragwort somehere on the laptop. So the unofficial flower of The Isle Of Man is still cushag, but it's ragwort, which is poisoness and leaves a nasty bitter taste and is a menace to animals. So there you go ladies and gentleman. The Isle of Man unofficial flower on the Isle of Man Government website is the cushag, ragwort a nasty poisoness plant, a menace to animals that leaves a nasty bitter taste in the mouth. Ahem! I'll stick with the Fuchsia. I'd like to name check the person who updated me, as you know I always give credit where it's due, but sadly they didn't leave their name, just a comment which I had to decipher by going to another blog.

I will be answering all the emails soon, just a little bogged down with a photo project that has to be done by tomorrow night. Many thanks for the generous comments and apologises to those that have gone missing. Blogger is on it as they say. Just email me if they don't return.

This post will magically appear as a scheduled post long after I have hit the sack. Goodnight then sweeties in bloggerland and you erm"well wishers." Yes I have my mojo back.

ABC WDNESDAY- D IS FOR DUSK OVER RAMSEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

DUSK BY BABOOSHKA

RAMSEY HARBOUR BRIDGE - IN 7TH HEAVEN

My choice for the letter D this week is simply Dusk. I'm also using this image as part of my other challenge some of you are aware of. Simply to photograph one item, a 100 different ways. This then is number 7 in the series. It 's the Top of Ramsey Swing Bridge again, photographed at dusk. It does look like a scene out of Hitchcock's The Birds doesn't it. The birds are optional in the challenge and not compulsory. Just as well as they aren't stationary objects . The girders and metal framework are as you've seen in previous shots cream and red, but obviously at dusk colours change and shadows cast. Gives the metalwork the darker hues.

I've just noticed the diamond shapes in the framework so an extra D then.

Can I again state my images do not have things super imposed on them, or manipulated, unless otherwise stated, ie cropped or re szied for the blog. They are also copyrighted. If you want to use them ask or pay. As you can see really not in the best frame( no pun intended) of mind tonight. Jolly bloggy will be back another day.

Want to join ABC got the lovely hostess with the mostest, MRS NESBITT'S PLACE

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE - SCHWING! EXCELLENT!

TO THOSE NAUGHTY PEOPLE WHO PINCH IMAGES. HANDS OFF, IT'S WATERMARKED, IT'S LOW RESOLUTION, IT'S MINE. YOU WANT THE REAL DEAL BIG HIGH RES IMAGE YOU ASK PERMISSION, YOU PAY. GET THE PICTURE!

Ramsey Swing Bridge No 6( I am not a number I am a free bridge! Apologises to fans of the prisoner, including me. Babooshka is feeling like No 6 today!)

For those that don't know Blah, Blah!, photographing the Bridge 1OO times. Don't ask why or see an earlier post. I live in Ramsey, it's something to do. I have cabin fever living on an island. Someone said I couldn't show so many different views. Anyway, Here we go again. Same bridge, but here's the (yawn) reason it's called the Swing Bridge, it er swings out to allow boats and ships with taller masts to pass through the harbour. No way dude! How cool is that. Exciting isn't it. SCHWING! I seriously need a break if I am quoting Wayne's World.

Oh yes some really interesting photo stuff. As jennifer Aniston would say, here's the Science bit. Manual setting again, wide angled lens, F4, ISO 200. Um let me see anything else. I shoot all images in Raw, Big files, and convert to Tif or jpeg later and re size. Oh I'm bored with all the technical stuff, but I did promise I'd do this more often. Oh yes I cropped a smidgen of the bottom of the pic for balance, otherwise no sharpening, brightening or colour change. Best tip, think before you alter colours. Over saturated images loose, shadows and detail. Leave natural when you can. Can I stop now?

Re yesterday's funky, groovy psychedelic skywatch pic( see post below.) Why you should never shoot into the sun with a naked lens. One you can damage the lens and secondly, more importantly your eyesight. Told you it was a naughty shot, and that was why.

So what little gem of a tip would you like to pass on photography wise that you have discovered?

RAMSEY SWING BRIDGE NO 5 AND A FLETCHER CHRISTIAN TALE

Ramsey Swing Bridge No 5. ( sounds a bit like a dodgy perfume)

Fletcher Christian. Now there's name synonymous with all things mutinous and apparently Manx, that is the Isle of Man. Ooh er. How exciting!

Fletcher Christian was born In Cumberland in England, however he was related to The Christians of Miltown Ramsey. So explodes the first myth he was a Manxman. Afraid not. His family though did at one time including the man himself seek refuge in Ramsey to escape bad debts in England though.

As we all know Fletcher Christian( Marlon Brando to me) instigated the Mutiny on the Bounty (more Isle of Man/Bounty links for another time) settled with a load of mutineers on the Isle of Pitcairn(many Manxmen amongst them) and then it all gets a bit Hazy. In other words here starts the myth and fact nightmare.

John Adams the last surviving mutineer gave several accounts of Fletcher's whereabouts, changing his story several times. Firstly Fletcher had committed suicide. Secondly he was killed by Pitcairn natives, and thirdly he escaped back to England, an onto the the Isle of Man.

The poet Wordsworth was distantly related to Fletcher Christian by marriage. It is rumoured that Wordsworth and Christian met in Bristol and Fletcher recounted details of the mutiny to him. Subsequently the Rhyme Of The Ancient Mariner was written and rumour has it, the Ancient Mariner was Christian himself, as it bore uncanny details to certain events of the mutiny and time after that were never for public consumption.

The date or place of Christian's death is still unknown. No remains have ever been found. Could he in fact of died on the island, with his Miltown Ramsey relatives? Who knows, but it's a great tale either way.

Just remember this blog is a bit of fun. So please think about your comments. Don't get all po faced. I'm not an historian, it's all whimsical Isle of Man related stuff, with some photography thrown in. Ok!