Open University - the final submission

Open Universtity

End of a course but the start of better photography

12th July 2010

When I started the OU course 12 weeks ago I saw the end as the final submission, a portfolio of 10 images which demonstrate compositional and technical skills developed over a three month period.

At the half way point we were tested on technical knowledge (98%) and the final weeks were devoted to more technical aspects of Photoshop Elements. Its now the end and my final portfolio has been submitted so what do I think?

Its been a great way of pushing the boundaries of my photography, seeing interesting images in places I would never have thought to look for them. My familiarity with Elements is certainly being used in my blog posts, with my image processing becoming both fast and second nature.  All in all its a time investment which is paying dividends out of proportion to the cost or commitment involved.

I get the impression that a lot of people take the course but never bother to submit the final assignment. Whilst the OU points mean nothing to me, I feel compelled to finish what I started and to test my end result against their panel of assessors. I suspect that I am my sternest critic and even among my "best" ten images all I can see are faults, and I am left with a burning desire to improve next time I go out with my camera - I know I can do better. And I guess that is the whole point of the course.

So here are my top 10, some of which you have seen before in different edits. You make up your own minds.

Cubed

Corrosion

Monet Poppy

Heron in flight

Face of fear - Ripsaw

Pools of Light - Castlefields

Worcester Close

Up the creek - Blakeney

Shot across the bows - Gas St Birmingham

Dream Weaver - Weaver Navigation

Shrewsbury Canal, Berwick to Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Canal

Berwick to Shrewsbury

July 2010

These final miles of the Shrewsbury Canal are easy to follow, as clear as the lines on your hand, but there are very few solid structures left.

Sites of bridges 40 and 41

Bridge No 40, just north of the Berwick Tunnel has been lowered and used as a water pumping station and then a bit further on Downton Bridge (41) has also been removed, but with a reed filled channel very apparent.

Cottages at Kennels Bridge

We had left the other car at Uffington, and Jeff decided to skip the final four miles into Shrewsbury. Dr D and I pressed on, pausing at Kennels Bridge which used to the the site of a hump backed bridge right beside the cottage. Next up was a bridge over the arm leading to Sundorne Pool, now drained but presumably once a reservoir for the canal.

From here a well maintained path exists, good for walking or as a secluded cycling route right into the heart of Shrewsbury.  The maps give give the canal its full title "Shropshire Union Canal - Newport and Shrewsbury Branch", which is something of a mouthful. The canal is strangely narrow in this area, a tribute to the gas main which was laid in its bed and then covered to create the path.

Flax Mill, Shrewsbury

The cut finally hits its final urban stride, first crossing the inner ring road, then housing and then huge Flax Mill, currently clad in scaffolding awaiting restoration. Another development project halted by the recession.  After a basin, which will be reinstated in due course, the canal dips under a major road via Factory Bridge, flanked by some impressivee canal houses.

 Factory Bridge No 47

Finally, after all those miles, we burst upon the terminus. This is all lost with one part buried beneath Morris Oils sprawling plant and then out the other side into a big car park next to the station.

Canal Tavern, high and dry

Its been a long trek from Norbury, and very different to the usual inner city lines I follow, but a real joy to get out on our bikes in the company of Jeff and Dr D. As with many things in life, an experience best shared.

Shrewsbury Canal terminis basin 2010

The tranquil side of Alton Towers

Gardens of Alton Towers
July 2010

If the last few days images of Alton Towers hedonistic pleasures were just too much for you, here are some photos of its gentler side. It's gardens, grounds and house which provide a much more pleasing and restful backdrop than it's American counterparts.

Pergola fountain

House and garden steps

For some it's all just to much!

The gentler face of fun

Fun not fear
Alton Towers
July 2010

After yesterday's series of "fear" photos I move onto some of the fun images I captured, on and off the rides.

Air in full swing

Nemesis - a personal favourite

Oblivion - just plain scary!

The runaway train

Sideshows

 Balloons

Faces of Fear

Faces of Fear - Alton Towers

July 2010

I have to admit that I have a liking for theme parks and fun fairs.

I blame this all on Matilda, my mother, who abhored them. Naturally, this whetted my appetite and from the age of 17 I have paid regular homage to these cathedrals of thrills.

My latest venture was to take Jeff and his best friend to Alton Towers, a place that regularly adds new rides and somewhere I havn't visited for over a decade, so there was lots to see and do.

We spent the morning touring all the big thrill rides, but for the afternoon the lads did repeat rides whilst I played around with my camera trying to capture some "faces of fear" on the infrequently used sport setting.

We had a great day with loads of laughs. My favourite rides? The old stalwarts Oblivion and Nemesis won the day leaving the new upstats of Rita and Thirteen trailing in their wake.

The candid shots of punters being scared are rather amusing.

Three beautiful indian girls reduced to this...

The Sonic corkscrew

And my favourite of the day on Ripsaw...