All Change!- website news.

 Well, at last I have been able to put online the new website. This new site will introduce visitors to all aspects of my work. The way this new site works means that this blog page will become redundant and this is likely to be the last post on here.
Do go over to the website and have a look- see you there!

www.andybeckimages.co.uk.

The Website "on hold"

With the pressure now really on to get my Wainwrights in Colour project completed and the book published I have decided to sort of put the Andy Beck Images website "on hold" for now. This doesn't mean that it is offline but more that it has had to take a bit of a back seat. Recently I have had requests for prints, cards and the use of my images in a couple of leaflets and magazines and whilst this is all rather encouraging it does take up my time.
 If you have been following my work on Facebook you will see that I do still get out and about with my camera almost daily but updating the photography website takes time and this time will be better spent elsewhere. I will be still posting on FB as this is an almost instant tool and in the future I have some rather exciting plans for the way I run my different websites, including this one.
In the meantime, if anyone has an interest in my photographs then you are free to email me at: info@andybeckimages.co.uk
For a good example of my range of photographs you can find them on my Flickr page where the images are arranged in a variety of albums such as Teesdale, Waterfalls, The Lake District etc. Here's the link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/andybeck-teesdale/ and then check out the various albums. Flickr is also a great platform to view the images in detail such as this one taken yesterday of Low Force here in Teesdale.

Hints of Autumn, Low Force.

 

Out on display.

 Well this is a little different for me, after running my own gallery for so long it was nice to be asked to exhibit in someone else's gallery for a change. This time however it wasn't my paintings which I actually don't have any to show at this time but the space was for my photographs. The gallery in question is The Nest Gallery, just along Newgate in Barnard Castle not far from where my shop was a the top of The Bank.

The Nest Gallery has a really nice collection of work on show, paintings, ceramics, sculpture and of course photography. Combine this with a rather nice cafe and it's a setting in which I am pleased to have my work on show.

 I have put on show a selection of framed images, some of which are featured in The Teesdale 2014 Calendar as well as other mounted prints and of course a selection of greeting cards.

 The Nest is open everyday and although I will not be there in person I hope that if you are in the area you may take time to call in and have a look round.

 My work  is on display there up until Christmas, who knows, you may just find the perfect gift.

A bit of Black and white.

 Whilst on a short walk up by Low Force today I was looking for something different. I go here quite often as it is only a short drive from home. However, it is easy to come to such places and take the same old shot. It turns out that both of the shots which I was most pleased with worked better in black and white.

The three trees.

I have photographed this small stand of trees often and in all seasons. It's not difficult to do so, they are just by the path that leads down to the falls. Today my eye was caught by the patch of sunlight on the grass which seemed to replicate the shape of the trees.

Going with the flow.

Right place right time, a couple of canoeists were having a run or two at this cascade, a good chance for me to try some of the faster settings on the camera and the light across the water really added to the effect.

It's great to come away from a favourite haunt with something new, all in all a success. 

A night on The Toon

 I had a delivery to do up near Newcastle this evening so I made the most of the drive. Newcastle Quayside is often photographed in fact this at least my third time of getting this sort of shot. It is not my usual sort of subject but there is nothing like a challenge.

Grey Street.

Instead of just staying by the Quayside we had a walk up to the city centre. A place I haven't been to for years. Lovely to see the old buildings at night.

Theatre Royal.

Recently re-furbished and looking very smart.

Newcastle Quayside.

This is a regular subject for many a photographer and difficult to put my own spin on it. However I an pleased with how it turned out.

The Baltic.

More of a difficult shot, taken from the bridge which actually bounces slightly as people walk across it. Not very helpful for a long exposure shot.

Still, a very pleasant way to spend an hour or two at night in Newcastle.

The turn of the Plough.

 Something different from me today. A local farm was holding a vintage ploughing event so it was a great opportunity to drive along for a look. The weather wasn't up to much but the characters and their old machines were very photogenic.

In full flow.

The bright paintwork against the stubble and clay.

 

Keeping an eye out.

This combination was just perfect with the little terrier in his own box. You can see how muddy it was. A great setting to capture these rare sights.

Some recent work.

 Well the new camera is really proving to be a marvellous asset. I try to get out with it most days, even on the shot walks along the lane when I am giving bailey his run out. I love fiddling with the various settings of exposure, aperture and timings, it really takes me back to the days of film cameras.
 Currently I am only using 2 filters, a UV filter which is really there to give the front glass of the lens a bit of protection and a circular polarising filter. This helps to reduce reflections off water and enhance clouds and sky.

Pony in the Eden valley.

I just liked the setting, the pony on the fellside with the light on the lands behind.

Rutter Force.

This delightful waterfall is not far from Appleby. It is a wonderful setting even though the opportunities are limited due to footpath restrictions.

Hudeshope Beck

I took a wander up this small river and decided to give longer exposures a bit of a try. The polarizing filter came into its own here and the longer shutter speed really caught the swirl of the water.

Long-horned Cow.

Using a shallow depth of field I was able to focus on the cows head whilst putting the distant farm out of focus and less of a distraction.

All in all I am really rather pleased with my efforts with the camera so far. I don't think you can beat actually getting out and using a camera such as this. The main thing is not to be afraid of it and use the full range of settings and features.