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

The Cosmic Photo Challenge: The heat is on.

On By dalecooper57In nature photography10 Comments

Hello there, whew, what a scorching weekend that was, which is handy because the prompt on The Cosmic Photo Challenge this week is; The heat is on.

I spent as much time in the garden as I could over the last few days; where the bright orange of day lilies adds to the fiery ambience and I was joined several times by an overheated, panting blackbird.

By midday on Saturday it was so hot, with so little shade, I set myself up a very pleasant “garden room”, where I could read in a more comfortable temperature…

…allowing me to listen to the birds and take in the view while sipping a cold cider.

Yesterday started off slightly cooler, so I went for a walk in the morning, before it had a chance to get really hot and captured some shots of the baking hills above Barnstaple.

How did you cope with the sweltering weather this week? Let’s see your hot shots in the comments…

*****

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 there, welcome to Friday’s homework setting post for The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Today’s prompt pretty much suggested itself; The heat is on.

There’s no reason your pictures have to be climate related, of course, but here in the UK we’re in the grip of a mini heatwave, so we may as well make the most of it.

Have a great weekend, don’t forget the sunscreen and I’ll catch you back here 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: In the garden.

On By dalecooper57In nature photography, photography15 Comments

Good morning, welcome to a packed edition of The Cosmic Photo Challenge, where this week we’re all about what’s; In the garden.

On Saturday I took a slightly damp walk round the house and gardens at the National Trust property, Nyams in Sussex. This summer, they have a “Moomin trail” around the garden, featuring characters from the Tove Jansson books I loved as a child, which added a fun element to my rainy exploration of the extensive grounds.

There were so many great photo opportunities, I couldn’t resist taking a bumper crop of pictures, I hope you enjoy the tour.

What horticultural delights have you found to show us 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

Hello there, I’ve just popped in to give you your prompt for The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

I think this week we’ll go out and capture our images; In the garden.

Your garden, public gardens, show gardens winter gardens, we’re a broad church here, so give us a horticultural showcase for Monday’s post and have a wonderful 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.

The Cosmic Photo Challenge: Take a hike.

On By dalecooper57In nature photography, photography15 Comments

Good morning, I hope your weekend went well, let’s get straight into The Cosmic Photo Challenge, which today is inspired by the prompt; Take a hike.

It’s been perfect weather for shady walks in the woods and sunny strolls across the fields recently, so here’s a selection from both Devon and Sussex.

What did you capture on your wanderings 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

Hi there, I hope your Friday is going well, here’s this week’s prompt for The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

Today’s theme is based on the very simple idea of me asking you to; Take a hike.

No, I’m not rudely throwing you out of the challenge, I’m just inviting you to get out in the fresh air, go for a stroll and capture the scenery for us.

Have a great weekend, enjoy the exercise and we’ll all meet back here 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: Say hello to Summer.

On By dalecooper57In nature photography, photography10 Comments

Hello everybody, it’s time for The Cosmic Photo Challenge to pay its respects to the new season as we; Say hello to Summer.

And what better way to usher in the sunshine months, than a visit to the seaside?

I took a drive out to Combe Martin at the weekend and captured some beach scenes to match the scorching weather.

How did you welcome in the new season..?

*****

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 afternoon, welcome to The Cosmic Photo Challenge Friday prompt, once again setting your weekend homework.

As tomorrow is the solstice which marks the end of Spring, I think we should; Say hello to Summer.

Feel free to interpret that however you like and I’ll see you on Monday for our weekly show and tell.

Have a great weekend, enjoy the sunshine.

*****

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: North, South, East and West

On By dalecooper57In photography6 Comments

Good morning everyone, welcome to another Monday’s edition of The Cosmic Photo Challenge, which today looks; North, South, East and West.

I found myself at Party In The Park at the weekend, a free community event in the village of Swimbridge, just outside Barnstaple. There was live music all day, a BBQ, a bar tent, plenty of stalls and fun for the kids, and a great time was had by all.

I took all my pictures there, with a bonus panorama, which nearly covers all four points of the compass.

North
East
South
West

Now let’s have a look at your multi-directional offerings…

*****

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

Friday already, hooray, meaning it’s time for your prompt on The Cosmic Photo Challenge.

This week I think we’ll have another round of a previous theme; North, South, East and West.

So for Monday’s post, I’d like four separate photos, one taken facing in (roughly) each direction. They don’t all have to be taken from the same spot, or even at the same time, as long as they cover the four points of the compass.

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.