The big buzz

I get a buzz from cycling, overcoming the challenges of steep hills is part of it.

Unfortunately it was a solo ride this morning, and as is usual when this happens, I couldn't decide if I wanted to go. Much easier to stay in bed a little longer. But get up I did; so now I had to think where to go, and on which bike. Yes dear reader, I have a road and mountain bike. I knew I didn't fancy off road but that didn't rule out the MTB, the poor state of local roads means it more comfortable than the light but stiff road bike. Oxted was to be my destination; along a route Matt and I have, I think only done once. The reason is a steep hill. I didn't remember it exactly but I knew it was one of the steepest we had climbed. As I descended it became clear that it was steeper and longer than I remembered. No stopping now though, Oxted was beckoning. I kept the speed down, it was narrow and twisting. I'm no adrenaline junky, it hurts too much if I fall off.

I rarely attain super speed

The pics on this post are of a funfair I passed on Oxted green. They look a little like they are sleeping without the lights and the noise, resting before the next night of excitement.

The problem with going down a hill is that you have to come go back up. As I left the green on my way home the sign at the bottom of the hill said 20%. This is definitely the steepest I have climbed. This is where the extra gears of the MTB make the climb easier. I think I may have struggled on the road bike.

What I do find weird about the steepness signs is that they don't always seem right. I am sure other hills are similar to this one, but their percentages aren't as high. Maybe they should rate the climb and use a face that gets redder the worse the hill is. This would not only take into account how steep, but how long the climb is. Also if there were flatter bits where you could get your breath back the rating would be less severe.

Here is the cyclemeter log of the ride.

Not the longest ride, but a hilly one.

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graffiti

The outfit chosen for the first location emphasised Xandria's stature with big heels and tall hair. The fluorescent top looked good against the busy graffiti background of Leeke St. It was a challenge to photograph in this dimly lit area. There were spotlights in the roof to pick out areas of the wall, which although not bright helped. I was glad to see them as I planned where we would shoot.

The second outfit, a colourful jumper, needed a clearer background so we went outside to a park. The tunnel had required the use of a flash with a 24-70mm f2.8 zoom lens. With more room I changed to an 80-200mm f2.8. This is a great portrait lens if you can step back a bit. I know in a previous post I mentioned the 85mm f1.8; the consensus being that this and the 50mm are default portrait lenses. But the way the telephoto zoom gives separation from the background is brilliant. It helped to make Xandria standout. I use it as much as I can.

This meant I was some way from Xandria, which can mean you lose connection. Pausing to show Xandria the pictures and discuss the next shot more often than normal ensured we stayed connected. It was a busy area but no-one walked into shot, everyone saw what we were doing and paused before walking between us.

We were near the river so I suggested we use that as a backdrop. To get there we passed a carousel, I couldn't resist using it.

As with the previous shoot, Xandria's mum set the style and Xandia and I worked well together to deliver her ideas. It is a joy to work as part of a good team.

Now that the weather is becoming colder and less predictable further shoots may have to wait until the spring. Which is a shame.

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Completed task list

It's not often I get to cycle during the week. Today I cycled to a pub I have been to a few times. Both on my own and with friends. It's also the destination known as the lake. Chipstead and back is around 30 miles so it's a good distance if I have some spare time, but not enough to get to Brighton and back.

I had the week off and thought about cycling every day, but bad weather at the start of the week and a lengthening task list meant it was not to be. This morning I completed the last item on the list and was free for the afternoon. As always when I'm on my own there was a moment where I could easily have stayed in the house, and as is also always the case, I was glad that I didn't.

The early morning rides mean the Bricklayers Arms at Chipstead is closed. Today I left the house at around 11 o'clock and arrived just before the lunchtime rush started. I got a seat outside and ordered a pint of Harveys Wild Hop blonde beer, not too heavy but very tasty. And a burger. It was a little pricier than I expected but worth it. So much so that I didn't stop to take a picture. I gave them a great Trip Advisor review after my last visit, and the quality was just as good this time.

Then on the way back the constant reminder that this glorious summer was coming to an end. Cloudy sky and bales of hay in the fields.

As if this wasn't bad enough, work on Monday.

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Lookbook shoot

It's been a while since Janayah and I had a photoshoot, not far off a year in fact. She emailed me about producing a modeling lookbook. The shoots always go well and produce better and better pictures so I said yes straight away.

It was planned a while ago while the weather was incredible, as the day drew closer though it became more unpredictable. As it turned out it was overcast without too strong a breeze; perfect. We meet late in the afternoon and the south bank of the Thames was very busy so we moved north, which was a good decision. The streets were nearly empty and we found two locations that worked well with the Janayahs' outfits. We quickly dropped into the easy rhythm that characterise our shoots, and make them so productive.

There was also no jobsworth quoting non-existent rules to stop us, unlike Saturday at the hill garden pergola on Hampstead Heath. Actually people were very helpful, the Pret a Manger near our first stop and Cafe Rouge near the second allowed Janayah to get changed in their facilities.

I used two lenses, a 35-70mm F2.8; a zoom and a 85mm F1.8; a prime. When I have the room the 85 is the one I prefer. It's not just the shallower depth of field, but the colour, sharpness and tone of the pictures it delivers, they are all more pleasing. I can make changes during processing, but the shots from the 35-70mm are still missing the polish of the 85mm. It's a good lens, until I compare it to the prime. I have a 50mm F1.8, I will maybe just use the two prime lenses for the next shoot.

The pink tracksuit were taken with the zoom lens, the orange top with the prime lens.

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Wandering

Cycling this morning and saw these two friends having a chat over breakfast. Much like Matt and I most weekends. But unfortunately not today. I was in the garage when I had a text about a change of plans. This always prompts an internal discussion, return to the house or go for a ride.

I decided to go out, but where to? Westerham had been our planned destination, but it just seemed too far now. I cycled aimlessly for a while; deciding at each junction, left or right? And found myself in Westerham. The tea room was closed, there were other places open. But I didn't fancy sitting alone in what you might call a formal breakfast establishment. I choose a bench and ate both lots of cereal bars. Then headed home.

When I had left the house the sky was dull and grey, and there was a chill in the air. Now as I retraced

my route the sun was out and there were patches of blue sky, but the view through gaps in the hedgerows confirmed summer is over. I don't think it will be too bad for a while yet, but I'll be digging out the extra layers that haven't been needed for six months. At least we have the cottage as a winter stop.

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No photos at the weekend.

Today was a first for me. I got told I couldn't take photos, and had to leave a location. I did check the website beforehand, it said commercial photography needed a permit, this is a hobby so no problem. But oh no, the jobsworth (JW) had to throw his weight around.

I arrived and took pictures of the location, JW didn't like that. He told me I couldn't take photo commercially, I said it's only a hobby. Not convinced he loitered close by. I'm not sure what his problem was, maybe a "big pro like" camera meant I could only be a pro photographer. When Sam arrived JW's spider sense went into overdrive. He marched over and told us we needed a permit. And that would only give us a weekday pass, no photography was allowed at the weekend. Again I said it was just a hobby and there wasn't a commercial angle. He then said if you post on Facebook etc that was marketing and wasn't allowed. I had to laugh, I had seen plenty of pictures of this place on social media. It seemed to me the location would be benefiting from any marketing.

It was a weird situation, a tourist location that you can't photograph and certainly can't post on social media.

We left and started shooting just outside the walled off area.

 We chanced it for one sneaky shot with me on the other side of the fence and Sam inside.

Caught by JW, he then compared us to children. So it wasn't all bad.

Which one do you think looks better, the black and white or colour version?

Then one as we left the park.

I haven't photographed many men so it was a change to have to think about different angles and poses. Especially when JW had made a great location off limits.

But even with the change I liked what we achieved, and I had another photography experience.

What a tourist would have thought had they tried taking some pictures and been marched off, JW even threatened to call the police. I'm sure they have more important things to do.

At the end of the day no-one died, the structure didn't collapse or suffer any damage and I got some good photographs and a story to tell.

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