Author: dalecooper57

dalecooper57 may or may not necessarily be my real name, although I couldn't swear to it. An aging hippy living in Devon, I do all this stuff (and I do mean everything - blog, animation, music, photography, the lot) on my lovely smartphone because I started like that, and now I'm too stubborn to get a computer. I don't have a theme, because I don't see why I'd want to talk about the same thing all the time, so why only write about one thing? So if you like eclecticism, humour, nonsense, opinionated ranting, and occasionally educational stuff, you've come to the right place. Any and all feedback is welcome, both positive and negative, on the content, style and overall look of the blog. You keep following me, I'll keep telling you stuff, ok? Cheers, dalecooper57

Cosmic Photo prompt.

On By dalecooper57In photographyLeave a comment

Hello there, Friday again, so it’s prompt time on The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

This week we’re going exploring, because the theme for Monday’s post is; Off the beaten track.

Have a great weekend getting away from it all, see you all soon.

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

The Cosmic Photo Challenge: Summer fun.

On By dalecooper57In arts, editing and effects, photography9 Comments

Good morning, it’s time to welcome in the week with The Cosmic Photo Challenge and our look back at the seasonal shenanigans we’re calling; Summer fun.

As the holiday season comes to an end and we begin the cooling off period before autumn arrives, let’s revel in the making of memories and recap the summer highlights of 2025.

As I hinted at on Friday, this week’s theme was largely an excuse for me to post some photos from Honeyfest festival at The Barge Inn, which we attended over the bank holiday weekend, so without further ado, here are some of the best bits.

From the front, an idyllic English pub by the canal…
…but in another world, not so far away; “Igor Rasputin’s Caravan Of Lost Souls” arrives to amaze and entertain
And when night falls…
…we prepare for the music to begin
The Honeyfest Illuminations
Day two and our host, Lenny, braves the whip cracking trick as Mr Rasputin and co return…
…also providing fiery entertainment as the sun goes down
Our weekend accommodation
My video diary of musical highlights
My favourite outfit of the weekend, what a dapper gent he was
A live rock band, playing classic rave anthems? Yes please!
To bring proceedings to a close, the incredible (and incredibly strange) Experimental Sonic Machines set up his DIY studio next to the stage
What a fabulous weekend, look forward to doing it all again next year

So, what floated your photographic boat this Summer? Come on, let’s see your sizzle reel…

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Cosmic Photo prompt.

On By dalecooper57In photographyLeave a comment

Hello, happy Friday to you all, I’m here to give you some inspiration, in the form of your prompt for The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Full disclosure: This week I’m cheating slightly, because I already have an idea of which photos I’ll be using. So I’ll make the theme as broad as possible, allowing me to crowbar them in and to give you a chance to plunder your archives, should you need to.  ;~}

We’ve had a pretty good Summer in the UK (for a change), but it’s nearly at an end now, so for Monday’s post I’d like to see some sunny images to remind us of this year’s; Summer fun.

Whatever you consider “fun” is eligible for inclusion, because everybody’s different and we’re all about embracing the differences here, so show us your happy place!

Have a great weekend, see you all on Monday.

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

The Cosmic Photo Challenge: Early one morning.

On By dalecooper57In photography9 Comments

Hello, everybody, welcome to the final bank holiday before Christmas and, more importantly, The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

This week we’re looking for images which fit the prompt; Early one morning.

I was at Honeyfest over the weekend, the annual music festival of “the best pub in the known universe”, The Barge Inn at Honeystreet.

Two of these shots were captured at 6.30 on Saturday morning, as I made my way across a silent campsite on my way to the showers. The other was from very early Sunday morning, when I was sitting around a fire pit with some local musicians.

Which photographic worms did you early birds snap up over the weekend..?

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Cosmic Photo prompt.

On By dalecooper57In photographyLeave a comment

Hi there, time for your weekend homework from The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Following on from last week’s evening-centric theme, I thought we’d go the other way with; Early one morning.

So get to bed in plenty of time, to catch that special morning light for Monday’s post.

Have a great weekend, see you soon.

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

The Cosmic Photo Challenge: As the sun goes down.

On By dalecooper57In photography8 Comments

Howdy, I hope you all had a pleasant weekend, now let’s get to today’s Cosmic Photo Challenge.

It’s been another couple of scorching days here, so it’s just as well we were out taking pictures; As the sun goes down.

I took an evening’s riverside walk in the park on Saturday, when there was a very hazy sunset.

So now it’s time to take a look at your searches for sundown…

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Cosmic Photo prompt.

On By dalecooper57In photographyLeave a comment

Good evening, hope you’re all doing well, I’m just in time to give you your prompt for The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

I think this week we’ll wait for it to cool off before we take our pictures; As the sun goes down.

Have a great weekend, see you all on Monday.

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

The Cosmic Photo Challenge: Close up.

On By dalecooper57In photography9 Comments

Hi there, welcome to The Cosmic Photo Challenge, which this week is all about the detail, because we’re taking a look at everything; Close up.

I did something you’re only allowed to do if you’re a grown up (or at least look like one), I played with some matches, capturing them in various stages of conflagration. Oh, and a nice shot of a rose.

What did you get up close and personal with this week..?

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Cosmic Photo prompt.

On By dalecooper57In photographyLeave a comment

Good evening, here’s your Friday prompt for The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

On Monday I’d like to see some details, as we’re going in for a; Close up.

Have a great weekend, see you all soon.

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.

The Cosmic Photo Challenge: In town.

On By dalecooper57In photography9 Comments

Hello, it’s a new week and a new edition of The Cosmic Photo Challenge, which today focuses on pictures taken; In town.

I went into town on Saturday and thought I’d capture some of the larger old buildings in Barnstaple. The problem is, it’s often difficult to get further away than just across the street, so I decided to use a wide angle for all my shots, adding a bit of extra drama.

How did your urban exploration go? Let’s have a look at what you found…

*****

To get involved with the challenge; check out the Cosmic Photo Prompt each Friday, then post a photo (or photos) on your blog the following Monday, with a pingback link to my Monday post.
Tag your posts with #CosPhoChal.

Any and all effects, editing, Photoshop, Instagram, morphing, collages, animation, gifs, or whatever other post production techniques you fancy are permitted, (in fact, they’re actively encouraged!) so get creative and turn your photos into artworks for the Cosmic Photo Challenge.