Sony/Minolta pictures of the week / 29 March 2015

[howardstanbury]

<p>This past week what was known as the New Bodleian Library reopened after a lengthy refurbishment as the Weston Library.</p>

<p><a title="Weston Library by Howard Stanbury, on Flickr" href=" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8699/16709046249_f722c11c14_c.jpg" alt="Weston Library" width="800" height="535" /></a><br>

The building has retained much of its external form from the building designed by Scott in the 1930s but has opened its frontage onto Broad Street. (A7 / LA-EA4 / Sigma 18mm f/3.5)</p>

<p><a title="The Broad transformed by Howard Stanbury, on Flickr" href=" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8718/16899451706_fa27cfa5a4_c.jpg" alt="The Broad transformed" width="800" height="531" /></a><br>

This in turn has given more space to admire the classical buildings at the heart of Oxford's university quarter. (A7 / LA-EA4 / Sigma 18mm f/3.5)</p>

<p><a title="Fox Talbot glass by Howard Stanbury, on Flickr" href=" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8720/16899997215_32454a9bc6_c.jpg" alt="Fox Talbot glass" width="536" height="800" /></a><br>

Inside there is an exhibition, Marks of Genius, that features highlights from the Bodleian's holdings. Here a photograph of articles of glass from Fox Talbot's monograph, <em>The Pencil of Nature,</em> is shown below glassware from the Fox Talbot family home at Lacock, now held by the library. (A7 and SEL 28-70 zoom)</p>

<p>As ever, please add your selection of pictures taken with Sony/Minolta gear, digital or film, to a maximum of 3 photos.</p>

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[randy_cooprider1]

<p>The parks and rec department have been developing a walking trail which has a stretch lined with fencing. </p><div></div>

[randy_cooprider1]

Here is a closer look at the lone walker.<div></div>

[randy_cooprider1]

Lastly, the surprise of the early flowers promises spring even though it was 18 F this morning.<div></div>

[dianedh]

<p>Well I made my spring visit to my brother in Vegas and got back the 19th. Spent the last week down with an awful sinus infection - one of the worst I've had in years. When I flew out, nothing here was blooming but by the time I got back, EVERYTHING was in bloom here in NC.</p><div></div>

[dianedh]

<p>Howard, I was anxious to try the Rich Tone Mono feature we talked about a month ago. I did enjoy playing with the settings. <br>

All three of these shots were with my A67, Sigma 10-20 (shot at 15mm), F11 and ISO 400.</p><div></div>

[dianedh]

<p>These shots weren't exactly the same but close enough. I'd love any thoughts/suggestion you all might have for me!</p><div></div>

[dianedh]

<p>I should say that all three of these were shot during the middle of the day.... worst time!</p>

[paul_de_ley]

<p>I like all three versions Diane! As far as further tweaks go, you could maybe try cropping about 10-15% off the top from the 1st and 3rd versions, framing them more like the wide panorama shape of the 2nd image.</p>

<p>By coincidence my weekend included a wildflower and buzzing bugs hike up to a different Red Rock Canyon: RRC State Park halfway between Ridgecrest and Mojave, CA.</p>

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[paul_de_ley]

<p>Tiny and spiny jewels: desert calico</p>

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[paul_de_ley]

<p>Last one is from the drive home, a few miles southeast of Palmdale going up into the foothills on the northern side of the San Gabriel Mts (all shot with a65 + Sigma 70 2.8 macro)</p>

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[howardstanbury]

<p>I think all three have their merits, Diane. I like the tonality of rich tone mono and the drama of the high contrast version; the colour version might be best at dusk, of course. It's interesting to see these outdoor shots as I'm taking a holiday in May that will take in a number of the national parks in the southwest.</p>

<p>That green hairstreak is a lovely shot, Paul, and I like the shadows in the first shot, Randy.</p>

[Robert DeCandido PhD]

<p>all with Sony A6000 and the 10-18 F4 lens:</p>

<p>Bronx Street in the snow: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=17990541</p>

<p>Central Park in the snow: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=17990546</p>

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[randy_cooprider1]

<p>Palisades... dizzyfying!</p>

[dianedh]

<p>I like the Central Park shot - but I'm really glad we're done with the snow in my neck of the woods!</p>

[dianedh]

<p>Joe, they are certainly cute and make me miss my old Fred even more! Hope to see more of your shots soon.</p>