It is wonderful to revisit the old times via familiar places. I have yet to find a spot for me to take me to my "memory lane".

FLOOG: You are so right, Mroy. I'm fortunate in having formed so many little havens where I can do just this

Love how you're processing these images. They have a fluid-like glowing-quality. Really nice!!!

FLOOG: Many thanks Marcie, I'm glad that you like them.

I know that not everyone will like my style and directional change, but, like my life itself, my blog was created as an enjoyable outlet for my passions of writing and photography. I'm never one to follow a straight road, I like to wander off and explore various avenues, and for me, that means a little experimentation.

Who knows where it will take me, but it's darn fun along the journey

that weird looking fence you got there matey.. on a side note, i usually end my stroll with a can of cold beer.. hehe..

FLOOG: Ha ha..... If I did that, I'd never find my way home again

Whao!
Lime-jellied post&rail fence...that's innovative, Paul.

I like your little narrative about parallels between your life's journey and your amble down the lane...both have a pleasing cadence.

FLOOG: Good morning Ray, ah yes, the lime jelly fencing that is synonymous with parts of kent ha ha

It took me a bit, but I realize now it's a fence. Very artsy.

FLOOG: Me, artsy! I'm shocked that you would even say such a thing, Sherri ha ha

I just hope that the farmer did not spot me pushing his fence over to make it look old and more interesting for this photograph!

tes couleurs vertes sont splendides

I love the treatment of this picture; it really enhances the narrative! The slightly misty quality, the darks and brights - yes, just like "life" and how we remember the things in the past.

FLOOG: Hi Patrushka, I'm pleased that you like it

"I am intrinsically a good man, though deeply flawed!"

I think that applies to a lot of us.

Twiddle on Sir Floog

FLOOG: Hi Bill, I believe that realising our weaknesses can help make us beter people

interesting take

and interesting twiddling too

Excellent image. I like the framing. Nicely done.

Nice restful picture _ I concur with your sentiments too Paul

FLOOG: Many thanks, Mr Phillips

Great write-up to accompany this image, paul.

FLOOG: Thank you most kindly, Mr D

Love Rays comment

FLOOG: Ha ha... me too

I like the effect, but am concerned I amy be having acid flashbacks - and I have never taken acid, man!

FLOOG: Most of the eighties were like that for me, Brian...... ha ha

Oh, i like this processing. I like it a lot. How do you do it?

FLOOG: Good afternoon Jessie, and many thanks. I did some basic sharpening in Picassa, and then removed some of the colour elements using a very basic tint. Then I used Paint shop Pro and enhanced the image with a lacquer feature which gave it that almost liquid feel. I had to manually select various levels to create the image you see. I increased the white light flecs to make it sparkle a little.... then I had a cup of tea and a rest ha ha

Everyone needs such a place, Paul, and everyone needs to come to the same conclusion!

FLOOG: Hi Ginnie. I guess I am very fortunate to have so many places that I can hideaway and contemplate life. I also wish I were a better man, in many ways, but it's so hard to fundamentally change one's character. I think people have to accept me, even with my flaws ha ha

Interesting treatment Paul - less obvious than some of the others. I wonder though, that given your words about the simple beauty of this location whether it would be better left to stand on its own without the twiddling? I understand that a lot of people will disagree with me, but as I'm sure everyone knows by now, I'm not a great fan of this kind of digital manipulation!
Ingrid

FLOOG: Hi Ingrid, and many thanks for stating a very valid point of view, one that is shared by many people.

I can only answer with my personal thoughts. I always used to use filters to manipulate my images in the days of 35mm film, and darkroom techniques to enhance and alter them, and I personally have no problem with manipulation other than my refusal to clone anything out, or digitally superimpose something into the original that was not there in the first place.

My blog is predominantly fantasy and fiction based words, and with the use of several enhancement techniques, I think the tweaking of my work actually sits better with my narratives. Not in all cases, naturally. Answering your question about the 'natural beauty' in the original photograph, again a matter of opinion, but I believe that the beauty of the scene still shines through with the enhancements, which merely inject a vibrancy and light specs into the image, and give it a new dimension to match the narrative.

At the moment I am really enjoying learning about the processing side of photography utilising three very basic, and out dated programmes which allow me to play with elements of the original images, without adding anything more than colours and shapes, and definately not taking anything away.

There are those who believe that photographs should be left as were taken, and I completely understand that point of view. For me, photography has always been a source of fun and pleasure, I will not change the world with my images, nor make any money, so the key to personal satisfaction for me, is change and experimentation. I'm content with my current direction, very new, and I feel, fitting with my style of writing. I understand that I may well lose some of my regular commentators who simply do not like this style, as a few voices have already expressed a dislike for manipulation, but we are all different, and I hope that those who tire of my tweaking, understand that I am lead by what gives me pleasure and enjoyment, and at present, I am experiencing both.

Once again, many thanks for raising a very interesting and valid point of view, and one which I totally understand and respect, though personally see differently within the context of my own photographs and naratives

Really like the creative processing and tones in this shot, very impressive. I agree with the narrative about the simple things in life, especially true as you get older.

FLOOG: Thank you John, your words mean a lot, coming from, in my opinion one of the finest 'processing' technicians around. Yes, I find that age allows me the luxury of seeing life and the world with a good deal more clarity than in my younger days

love the liquid-like quality in this pic. amazing.

FLOOG: Hi Claire, and many thanks for taking the time to visit and comment. I have been delving into your archives, simply wonderful photographs

I like the stain glass effect Paul,but also agree with Ingrid I like the best of both worlds

FLOOG: Hi Tracy, I have no problem with that I think Ingrid has a very valid point of view. I always say that diversity makes this an interesting world, and it would be so boring if we all agreed on every subject and liked the same things.

Have a great holiday

I'm very intrigued by your technique.

FLOOG: Ah, like myself it is very simple really....ha ha

This turned out quite good, my good and flawed man

FLOOG: Ha ha... thanks Louis

Love your processing!Well done.

FLOOG: Good evening Zohre, and many thanks. I'm really pleased that you like it.

I just read your answer to anniedog. I do not disagree with what you wrote, just want to add in my 10c worth.

Interesting the notion that now we have gone digital we can twiddle as long as we don't exceed the tweaking of the film only days. I know, I have used that argument as well. Recently I realised - what kind of a standard can that be, it means nothing. Why should we be limited by old technology when I have paid a little house full for new technology? It is in my hands and I can't use it?

Photographic societies (at least over here) deal with the issue by having different categories of entry.

Personally, I like to leave my pictures as standard as possible, since it forces me to understand the instrument I use much better. But we all know I can also twiddle when I want to.

Your remark about fun and pleasure, now that is a standard I understand. Keep twiddling, just don't wreck the picture beyond recognition.

FLOOG: Hello again Louis, and thanks so much for your point of view, it's always very interesting to hear what people think on subjects such as this

ha, sounds like me "a good man with flawes" lol, This time tomorrow i too will be sat on me own camera in tow gazing over the ocean wondering what the hell is this all about lol. Nice one Paul, away for a week so have the best of bank holidays mate

FLOOG: And to you, Mr Tim

oh and as for the twiddling, its your blog do whatever you like mate, judging the number of views and comments everyday your sure bringing a lot of pleasure to a lot of people Paul

I think you like this filter, Paul!

Fantastic! The quality of light in this shot, Paul, gives a whole ethereal feeling...very dream-like! Love it.

Lightning stroke? :-P

Sigh, Paul! You remind me of myself sometimes. Only if I could express myself as beautifully as you.

Nice bit of pping Paul.Keep the faith, twiddle away.It has been going on for years in a place called a darkroom.

FLOOG: Hey Michael, I sem to remember those places from my youth ha ha Many thanks, and yes, you are right