Lonely Buoy

Lonely Buoy, originally uploaded by Dark Dwarf.

More shots of HMS Albion.

HMS Albion Ship Visit, a set on Flickr.

The shot of the Union Flag is my favourite. I also took a picture of the amphibious landing craft that's mounted on board.

Zeppelin over Liverpool

Good Year Blimp, originally uploaded by Dark Dwarf.

"Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveller of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed"
DADADAN DA DADADA!
DADADAN DA DADADA!

OK - so it's only the Good Year Blimp, and not a Zeppelin - but I did find myself humming "Kashmir" as I took this photo :)

HMS Albion

HMS Albion, originally uploaded by Dark Dwarf.

This ship is docked outside our office this week on a six day visit to the Mersey. It's an assault craft for amphibious warfare - didn't know the Royal Navy was in conflict with Armoured Battle Frogs!

Shortlisted Photo

Everyman Shortlisted, originally uploaded by Liverpool Cathedral CofE.

Here's the photo that I was talking about in my last post.

Also a couple of links about the competition:

http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/404/section.aspx/403/inspiring_places_winners_announced

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2011/09/23/tony-mallon-s-parent-with-child-wins-liverpool-cathedral-photography-prize-100252-29472806/

Photography Award

A couple of weeks ago I discovered that a photograph I took of Samwise had been chosen by the judging panel to be one of three shortlisted entries in it's category in the 2011 Liverpool Anglican Cathedral Photographic Competition. I was asked to keep this quiet until the public votes were in for the 'People's Winner'.

To be honest, it wasn't the greatest picture I've ever taken - I put it into the competition just to make sure that I had an entry in all 3 categories. I thought that my entries in 'The City Centre', and 'Hope Street Area' categories were far better. This one for the 'Everyman' category showed Samwise with a cheeky grin holding up a bunch of pantomime posters.

The competition photos are all on display in the Cathedral until the end of October - I took the family there to see them last Saturday, and there's some great shots on display. Not sure if I'm allowed to publish my entries elsewhere - which is why they aren't online yet.

The awards reception was held tonight at the Hope Street Hotel. The invitation was for myself, and a guest - so I took Samwise along. Champagne (orange juice for Samwise), canapés and a chance to talk to the judges and other entrants. We got to meet Mike McCartney (a well known photographer / musician and local character whose brother once played bass in a popular beat group). He said that it was great to see children in the competition, and would like them to take, as well as be in, the photos Samwise said that he wants to try his hand at this next year.

I was looking at an exhibition of Mike's work at the museum a couple of weeks ago - so he was looking at my work at the same time :-) Mike was the Chair of the judging panel - he talked about each of the shortlisted entries, and announced the winners.

I was quite pleased to see that the picture I voted for as the 'People's Winner' (not one of my own) was the one that won the public vote.
Didn't win the first prize in the 'Everyman' category - but we did get a runners up prize of a book about the Everyman theatre, and a family ticket to see 'Sinbad the Sailor' in November. !!!! :-D !!!!

Little Monster

Little Monster, originally uploaded by Dark Dwarf.

We all had fun at a family christening party today. Samwise had his face painted.

Queen Mary 2 Ship Visit

Queen Mary 2 Ship Visit, a set on Flickr.

There were crowds of people at Princes Dock today to see the gigantic Queen Mary 2 arrive in the Mersey.

Queen Elizabeth Ship Visit to Mersey

Queen Elizabeth Ship Visit, a set on Flickr.

The Queen Elizabeth was due at 08:15 this morning, so I drove in to work early at 07:30. I found that the ship was early too, and was just finishing it's turn before docking. Loads of photographers were there, or arriving and snapping away, including one chap who'd brought a set of folding steps to give him a view above the crowds. Lots of people walking past all day to see the huge ship, quite a sight to see. Dark inside the office today :) Will be the same again next week when the Queen Mary 2 visits.

Four Seasons Gate

Four Seasons Gate, a set on Flickr.

Took a few shots of Summer at Four Seasons Gate on the last day of August.

Tomato Plant - Watering

Tomato Plant - Watering, originally uploaded by Dark Dwarf.

Samwise' Tomato Plant has produced some Green Tomatoes.

Lavender

Lavender, originally uploaded by Dark Dwarf.

Parent's Garden.

Sunflower

Sunflower, originally uploaded by Dark Dwarf.

Parent's Garden.