Evilrooster Crows : Archives : April 2006

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Month archive: April 2006

The Camera is Back

Tue 4 April 2006 at 21:19 | Comments (0) | Edinburgh, a love letter, Photography

My phonecam developed a spot about a week ago. Ugly, in the way, and depressing. It ruined a number of photos that I really wanted to take.

Taken 1 April 2006

Occasionally, I could get a shot in that it didn't ruin, but that was rare.

Taken 29 March 2006

Fortunately, my phone insurance covers the functionality of the whole instrument, including the camera. I called Vodafone, and they sent a new phone to replace the old one. So now I have my camera back!

I tried it out on Fiona this morning.

Taken 4 April 2006

Then I was back to taking the pictures I've been missing.

Leaf growing through a fence, Newington

Taken 4 April 2006

Shadow of a doorknob, looking like a warmer day

Taken 4 April 2006

Cut-off fence post.

Taken 4 April 2006

Framing the world, one tree at a time (this photo has been cropped)

Taken 4 April 2006

Yay new phone!

An Unlikely Love Story

Wed 5 April 2006 at 21:42 | Comments (0) | Edinburgh, a love letter

The green shoots and the black iron were not the most compatible of couples. Their parents disapproved, their friends didn't understand. But they were happy in the springtime.

Taken 5 April 2006

(It was a trying day. I may be in a slightly odd mood as a result.)

A Trip to the Tannery

Fri 7 April 2006 at 22:41 | Comments (4) | Bookbinding, Photography

Every time I go to J Hewit & Sons, my favourite bookbinding supplier, I feel the overwhelming desire to bring a camera, tripod, and a day's free time. I don't think I will ever tire of taking pictures there.

I could take the "industrial site" type pictures of all of the machinery they use to dye leathers, or the "variety of stuff" pictures of the rolls and rolls of finished hides, or the "run down melancholy" shots of the light from the dusty windows falling on the worn boards of the upper floor. I'd photograph the staff, who always treat me so well, if it wouldn't embarrass them.

But I don't, because I am there to buy. I did take a few shots of the pale leathers they had piled on the Low Value Shelf upstairs.

Edges of a stack of pale goatskin

Taken 7 April 2006

The same grained goatskin, with the marks of the stretching clips still visible.

Taken 7 April 2006

Pale calfskin, un-grained.

Taken 7 April 2006

Maybe I can find a market for a feature article on the company - its history, its processes, its business. I'd love to do it. I'd love to have the excuse!

Biking on the Beach

Sat 15 April 2006 at 21:10 | Comments (0) | Edinburgh, a love letter, Photography

Friday, though cold, was a bright and sunny day - perfect for a family expedition. We took Alex's bike to the John Muir pathway along the Firth of Forth, just outside of Musselburgh. It's time for Alex to get more confidence in his bike and himself on it. He needs to ride faster if we're going to take his stabilisers off.

It was a good ride - he started slow and hesitant, but I started challenging him to races. As the trip went on, I found myself striding less and running more to keep up with him. He was thrilled to be pushing me, but insisted after a time that we were "a team" and should cross every minor finishing line at the same time.

At the midpoint of the ride, we all stopped on the beach. The kids threw rocks into the water. I found a couple of old bikes on the stony shore, slowly rusting in the salt and being buried by the tides.

The first bike, frame and cables