So the Olympics started with a real bang. All those who worried that the opening ceremony would be a damp, limp affair in comparison to the Chinese effort 4 years ago would never had envisaged Bond escorting the Queen to the event complete with parachuting from their helicopter transport! Its appropriate then to give you a little taste of "classic" UK from our 3 week visit which was now over a month ago.
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| Middle England |
It is a common story that those people who count themselves as globe trotters have rarely explored their native land to the same extent as their more exotic destinations and I can certainly count myself as ignorant of large swathes of the British Isles. A 5 day stay in Ludlow was a perfect introduction to Shropshire and easily convinced us all that there is much more to be had in the local area. The weather was mixed but the sun broke through one evening and it was a brief 15 minute run to the top of the neighbouring hill from our town centre accommodation to a fabulous lookout. What more could you want than lush vegetation, an ancient castle, cottages, manor and church spire bathed in golden evening light. Maybe the St George's Cross flapping in the breeze...that's there too! Definitely worth the sweaty trot before dinner!
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| The Barbers |
Now I don't normally like selective colouring in my pictures but with an overly sentimental and patriotic blog entry like this, I felt this version was a better fit than the straight black and while. I did need a hair cut but unfortunately this establishment was closed so I cant confirm as to whether it was manned by an elderly gentlemen with impressive moustache or cut throat Sweeney Todd character, both of which would fit in with the narrow streets and exposed beamed buildings to be found in many a village we passed through. There is even a trout river in (nearly) every valley, enough said!
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| Bridging the Teme |
How do you get that effect of black and white but with colour on the bunting? Methinks your camera is a brighter spark than mine ... or is it a touchup job afterwards? Probably called skill and imagination!
ReplyDeleteSome cameras do have a mode that will only allow 1 colour to show with the rest being black and white Celia. I actually used photoshop elements 4 (my only editing software which is very old now). Process the picture twice, one in colour and the other in b&w and erase the black and white one where you want the colour to show. Sounds tricky but actually very easy. I think it's a very overused/badly used effect so was dubious about including it in the blog!
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