Hiphopsideproject

One of my 27 things is to master the art of HDR photography manipulation. If you’ve never heard of HDR photography before, let me divulge the little I know on the subject…

HDR stands for ‘High Dynamic Range’ and is an out of camera processing method to produce richly saturated, highly contrasted images that better represent the real life lighting of the scene. The usual method of achieving this is by layering several differently exposed versions of the same image and tone mapping the image until you get the desired result. Some of these can look quite garish (and sort of like they came from 1990s deviantart portfolios), but there are some really, really pretty results in quite a few of the more subtle examples.

I’m going to be having a go at this when I can afford the tone mapping software that’s required, unfortunately it’s not something that can be done purely in photoshop.. boo! Here’re a few of my favourite examples of HDR photography, oh and, you should check out this blog, HDR Spotting, where there are daily (amazing) examples of HDR photos.

Check out this amazing tentacled giant squid couch that lives in games company ‘Three Rings‘ office. Their entire San Francisco based work space is styled to look like The Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

& they appear to have a well stocked bar. Amazing. Hands up if you’d like to work there?!

You can see more shots of the office on Wired, definitely worth a look!

A couple of weekends ago I introduced mine and Adam’s Mums to mojitos at the Huddersfield food festival. They enjoyed them greatly.

We’re having a party this Sunday, I’ve stocked up on Rum, 8 bottles of Soda water, & mint. Adam’s Dad’s bringing 30 limes. I’m sure fun times will be had by all.

How to make a mojito

Grab a tall glass, add a shot (or two, if you’re feeling frisky) of white rum (seriously, don’t bother with a branded version, you won’t tell the difference!). Cut up a lime, bung it in the glass, add a good handful of mint & some sugar syrup/granulated sugar… get a drink masher thingy, or the end of a rolling pin, and pummel the mixture together. Top up with ice & soda water, yummers! Enjoy! Raspberry it up by adding uh.. raspberries.

Item number 5 on my list of 27 things is very simple, Visit Wales.

I’ve managed to travel across the USA on a train, visit Australia (New South Wales, infact), drive around the Canadian Rockies, and even spend a couple of weeks in Hong Kong – all in recent years – yet I have never stepped foot across the Welsh border.

I added this to my 27 things as I think it’s quite ridiculous for someone so travelled to have missed out on an entire land-bordered Country, one that’s a measly 1.5 hours drive away!

I’m not exactly sure when I’ll be making the trip, I’m thinking this could make a great spur of the moment Sunday morning jaunt, in which I will take photos of a valley, eat an oggie & some welsh cakes (which are absolutely fucking delicious) and be done with it. Although it could turn in to a weekend getaway, some of the scenery on the Visit Wales website looks super pretty, and the adverts with Rhod Gilbert pretty much sold the Country to me (I love Rhod, he’s amazing, here’s a video…).

I have honestly got no idea how I’ve managed to go so long without visiting certain parts of my own land-mass, considering it’s such a small one. I’ve also never visited anywhere higher than Glasgow, or anywhere lower than London… and I’ve never been to anywhere in the bottom left of the Country. They can all go on my 28 things list :)

Where should I go in Wales?! Please let me know your suggestions, so long as it doesn’t involve climbing Snowdonia.

I’m busy, busy working on things for FinestImaginary. I had a market last Saturday and have another this Saturday, alongside several other things that I’m working on… exhausting. We’re also getting things together for a BBQ this Sunday, thank gods it’s a long weekend!

SO, as I feel guilty for not posting on here much over the past week or so, here’s a cute ‘guest picks’ post that I had the honor of writing on the Super Cute Kawaii blog today…

I’ve also just started advertising on the yes&yes blog, and there’ll be an interview on their later this week. And I have another interview to answer questions for. Anymore for anymore? Seriously, though, if any of you makers/crafters/creators would like interviewing for this blog, then please hit me up! I’d love to feature some of you!