Project 52 ... 52

The End. Finally. The project has finished and what a journey it has been. I couldn't have done it without the help of my daughter, Katy. So it was only fair that she got to take the last portrait; me.
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Noel

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Here is Katy's experience of the shoot...

This was the last portrait of 52 in 'project 52' and one of my first photo shoots. Taking photos with my Dad is always fun but when he isn't behind the camera he has no control on how I take the photo  IT'S GREAT! I used one flash; an SB800, fired into a reflective umbrella which I closed down to limit the spill of light.We tried using a reflector behind Dad's head but I wasn't happy with the results. We also tried putting a flash with a grid behind his head but the light was too powerful even at the lowest setting. it took a while to get the shot I wanted, but it was worth it. I had lots of fun.   

Thanks Katy, for taking a great shot, even if it is of me. And it was a different experience to be behind the camera for a change.

Flight of a lifetime!

Catena Magazine

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Back in March this year a rather special event took place, The Bracknell Forest Catenaian Circle held a raffle in aid of its Presidents Charity. The tickets were £10 each and the prize was a flight in a Hawker Hunter T7A jet fighter. The lucky recipient was Gil, who passed on the ticket as a birthday present to his son, David. Here he is with ex-RAF Pilot Ian Chruchill, who piloted the plane.

David and Ian

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I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph the day and to write an article for inclusion in Catena Magazine, the magazine of the Catenian Association. The full article can be read here. David's family all turned up to wish him well and share in this wonderful day; an experience of a lifetime.

The Topgun moment

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Pre-flight checks.

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The day was captured on video by Andy of Cam Ara

who specialise in Aviation Event Filming

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Preparing to taxi.

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David and Ian making a fly-by.

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The event was hosted by Mr Mike Harding of Bracknell Forest Circle and Delta Jets, both of whom went out of their way to made sure the day ran flawless and was amazing for David and everyone else. A big thank you to all concerned. 

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Back on solid ground...

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David and his Wife, ecstatic after his flight!

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Once again, a big thank you to everyone at Delta Jets, Mr. Mike Harding of Bracknell Forest Circle and Cam Ara for making the day really special for David and for the rest of us.

More information on The Catenian Association can be found on their home page, here.

Delta Jets events and services are listed here.

For Aviation Filming, Cam Ara information is available here.

A little time out in Oxford

A few weeks ago I realised that I had not had a holiday for sometime, so I booked a few days off and we all headed for the lofty spires of Oxford; Morse and Lewis country. Oxford is a little crowded; not least of all with the thousands of tourists that come to see the magnificent city, so driving in the city is difficult at best. We stayed in a hotel on the outskirts and got a bus to wherever we were going.

Katy

'Katie' Boat

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No trip to the city would be complete without gazing at some of the wonderful architecture, for me God is in the details...
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Oxford Sculpture #1

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There are also a huge number of bikes around town...

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Oxford Bikes #1

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Oxford Bikes #2 (+ Angel)

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One of the things I always enjoy when exploring a city is to really look at the details. Sometimes what you see is surprising; there are Angels everywhere...

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Oxford Angel #2

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Oxford Butterfly #1

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Oxford has been photographed to death; so if you have the chance to go there, try to show a different view of the city. I must admit to have taken all the other shots over the years, but you will have seen them already.

Tom

This is Tom. Tom is one of my oldest friends. We have known each other since we were about 13 in secondary school in Cabinteely in Dublin.
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Tom #1

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Tom is taking the plunge and moving over here to England to get his new business off the ground. he came down to see us one Sunday evening a few weeks ago and I couldn't let the opportunity of taking his portrait go by.

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Tom #2

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So I set up my gear and told him to do serious, well he couldn't. Which wasn't helped by another onlooker, whom shall remain nameless... giggling and taking the proverbial. Sometime later we reached a happy medium.

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Tom #3

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And I got the shots I was looking for.

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Tom #4

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Tom was instrumental in sparking my interest in photography; he was one of the founder members of our camera club in school. I shall never remember the day when I brought in my Dad's Agfa Silette and Tom asked for a look. he took it; noticed there was some dust on the lens and went to blow on it to clean it and something else came out of his mouthand covered the lens. Quite. That being said - and I shall never let him forget it - Tom is a great friend and one that no doubt I shall have when I am seventy. Thanks Tom, for your patience, and your friendship over the years.

Noel