Writers’ Museum Lady Stair’s Close Edinburgh

The Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh is located in Lady Stair’s House just off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.  The house is said to be named after the 18^th Century owner Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Stair.  The house was built in 1622 by Sir William Gray of Pittendrum.  In 1719 Elizabeth, Dowager Countess of Stair, bought Gray’s House and the surrounding close.  Throughout the 1800s the house was divided into apartments which were not well maintained.  The area now known as Lady Stair’s Close was being considered for demolition.  Then in 1893 Lord Rosebery a distant relative of Sir William Gray bought the house to restore it.  He commissioned the architect George Shaw Aitken to make it a fine town house once more.  This remodelling left the house in the shape that we find it today.  In 1907 Lady Stair’s House was gifted to the city for use as a museum and is now The Writers’ Museum.

Over the entrance to The Writers’ Museum is an ornamental carved stone lintel bearing the date 1622 and the initials of William Gray and Geida Smith they are the builders of the house.  The ornamentation is inscribed, “FEARE THE LORD & DEPART FROM EVIL.”  It would appear to be a quote from Proverbs Chapter 3 verses 7-8.  The King James Version would translate the original as “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”  It could be viewed as a self help guide suggesting that true spiritual fulfilment also brings physical health, or in reverse it could be viewed as a justification by the prosperous house builders that states that those who succeed are doing the Lord’s work.

The ornamentation above the door displays a flower and star which could indicate the rise from the ground of this tower house built upon the foundation of the union of William Gray and Geida Smith whose initials are carved separately either side of the coat of arms and also in conjunction on the left hand side of the lintel.  The left hand side of the lintel bears the star and William’s initials.  The new union will combine William’s high aspirations with Gieda’s fruitful nature.  The message detailed in the carving could be their hopes that their children will continue the family name and fortune.  This combining of the star and flower can be taken into several interpretations which should rely on accurate historic attributes. 

There is a much simpler stone to interpret which bears the dates 1622-1897.  The dates are figured on oval plaques each of which has a hand affixed.  The extended hands grasp one another in a handshake.  The dates are those of the building of the house and the completion of the repairs and remodelling by Lord Rosebery.  The two hands show that the works of man can span the ages to create a continued lineage homed in a family residence.  Lord Rosebery was a distant relation of Sir William Gray so this dated stone displays the pedigree and position of the men who built and cared for this house.

The Writers’ Museum focuses on Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.   The achievements of these three giants of Scottish Literature are shown through the collection of personal objects, portraits, manuscripts and first editions.  At the time of writing the Museum is open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm and entry is free of charge.  The museum is sited next to Makars’ Court which is still in an evolving national literary monument.  The flagstones have been inscribed with quotes from great Scottish literary figures.  There are new stones being laid as a part of the continuing development.

PHH Sykes

www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

Roslyn Chapel Valentine's Post Cards

This is the framed set of Valentines cards used to advertise the cards for sale at Rosslyn Chapel.  The photographs of them were taken in 2009.  Although the originals may have been strictly monochrome I have colour processed these images to better show their current state of preservation and to illustrate the beautiful shades that time has brought to these printed works.  I do not own the original postcards nor do I claim to own the copyright of them.  My copyright notice is issued here in relation to the images taken by me.  It is worth noting that the cards issue the name of the chapel as Roslyn, today it goes by the name Rosslyn and the village close by is Roslin.  Time and tradition can be generous in giving us place names to ponder over.

Valentine’s of Dundee produced Scottish topographical views from the 1860s. 

The Valentine business had been based on engraving and printing.  In 1851 James Valentine added portrait photography to the Dundee business.  Valentine used a converted barouche as a mobile darkroom.  Valentine’s views in the nineteenth century covered locations opened up to the middle and upper class tourist market.  It was possible to buy drawing room albums containing selections of photographs arranged geographically and also to have individual larger prints. The prints were available in a choice of sizes, Cabinet, Imperial and Card.  Stereoscopic views were also produced and sold in boxed editions to accompany the stereoscopic viewers.  Locations were chosen throughout Scotland and from 1882 English sites were included.  By 1900 Valentine’s images covered resorts beyond the United Kingdom including Norway, Jamaica, Tangiers, Morocco, Madeira and New Zealand.

©2009 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

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Midlothian Winter Panoramas

The landscape in Midlothian offers great scope for panorama format pictures.  The winter has offered up stunning scenes which stretch from end to end of the letter box frame which encapsulates these pictures.  The blend of textures and shades delivered by the hills and pastures of Midlothian are punctuated by the woodlands and waterways.  The combination of natural elements and farmed lands make beautiful reading for those that pause to enjoy the narrative of the landscape.  Wandering through Scotland can be a mind opening exercise.  Various mountain scenes seem to adapt your vision into a widescreen set up.  You begin to take long sweeping views that run along ridges and continue on across lochs and over tree tops.  Here in Midlothian there are continual vistas that stretch the mind and camera to find the best focus to fulfil your vision.  This is the beginning of a collection of winter landscapes that benefit from being seen as a panorama.

©2011 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com  

For more photos click on the images below

Winter Flora Macro Temple Midlothian Scotland

Living in the midst of fields, woods and countryside it is quite easy to see the subtle changes brought about by the seasons.  In the temperate climate of Midlothian you can experience a four seasons day where you have icy white hail being melted by glorious summer sun shine and in between the cold and hot you could be experiencing spring and autumn.  The macro flower pictures that I took on 11 January 2010 were showing signs of spanning the seasons.  I could see dried autumnal stems and seeds as well spring like flowers despite there being snows on the ground and a glorious warm light from a bright blue sky.

The stark lighting I choose here was accentuated to illustrate the harsh conditions that these flowers are experiencing.  The main subjects I took to were Wild Chervil and Rosebay Willowherb.  The strong streams of sunlight gave me shadows and highlights to combine.  The setting sun gave me great colours in the sky.  The camera can fail to combine the natural conditions so I used reflected light and electronic lights to amalgamate the light sources at the levels that that I needed for these photographs.  It was a cold session lasting several hours and there are more pictures to load on another occasion but I am very happy to share these stark winter images with you.

©2011 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com 

For more photos click on the images below

Midlothian Midwinter Daytime Donder

After enjoying a stimulating breakfast as documented below I was ready to take to the countryside in search of more snow.  http://phhsykes.blogspot.com/2011/01/rocket-fuel-samsung-galaxy-gt-i9000.html

The guarana and caffeine were driving me on to fill my lens with snow, sky and stunning scenery.

The earlier snows had provided me with subject matter just two days before.  http://phhsykes.blogspot.com/2011/01/scottish-snow-scenes-midlothian-meander.html

So I went back to the previous locations to record the changes made by the heavier snow fall.

This was a longer tour than the Midlothian Meander and the conditions were superb.  Even though the snow was heavy underfoot it was a pleasure to be surrounded by the winter landscape.  All around was covered in the sumptuous snow cape idly left by the passing winter weather spirits.  They had transformed every aspect of the views available with the bright white covering that extended in all directions.  The windswept sheets of snow gave unexpected textures making familiar sights seem startling and strange.  There were some superb scenes to enjoy and to photograph as I journeyed around in search of light, colour and perspective.  There was no disappointment as the winter weather had created beauty and majesty across the Pentland Hills and over the pastures to the edge of the frozen waters where I thought it was time to pack away my camera.  Then just as I was closing in on the warmth of our open hearth in Temple I saw a flock of sheep that caught my eye and had me opening up my camera bag once again.

©2011 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

For more photos click on the images below

A Servant of Two Masters performed by Beloit Memorial High School Theatre

Here are just a couple of pictures from the Royal Mile in Edinburgh 2010.  I was fortunate enough to photograph the cast of A Servant of Two Masters performed by Beloit Memorial High School Theatre.  These pictures have been posted in an increased size and number after a contact was made on Flickr.  It is quite a revelation of power the global community to have a comment made on my pictures which lead to me being able to make new edits and more pictures available to the people in the pictures about 4,000 miles away.  The High Street in Edinburgh throughout August is a great place to take wonderful candid pictures as there is so much going on there.  It is good to be able to make contact with the performers and to release pictures to them.  In this instance I was sure that there were more pictures available to share, but after looking through a few thousand digital files I have only found a few of this group.  One day there will be better way to organise and find pictures.  At the moment I have to rely o my memory and go searching numbered thumbnails hoping to discover the right files.  One day the camera will record the names of the people being digitally recorded at the release of the shitter.  It may be a while yet before we are all fitted with personal recognition transmitters and it could be a civil liberties outrage to suggest that this will at least make recording and sharing of photographs easier!

©2011 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

Scottish snow scenes A Midlothian meander

This is a brief record of an outing in the sunshine and snows of Midlothian in Scotland.  When the sun shines on the snow there is a winter beauty freely on show.  With a hop, skip and a jump I was out in the frost and chill to record the bright light on the fresh white.  The snow is not very easy to capture in pictures, but that is a part of the appeal.  The pictures I took were all created with manual settings.  I enjoy struggling over dials and buttons with frozen fingers as I take just one more exposure in an attempt to capture the natural beauty in front of me.  There is some flash in some of these exposures to provide illumination on the foreground subjects.  This outing has left me wanting more days out in the snow.  There could be a swaddled photographer taking to the chill again very soon indeed.

©2011 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

Rocket Fuel Samsung Galaxy GT-I9000 Photo Breakfast

Having recently purchased a jar of caffeine and Guarana I was ready for the ultimate wakeup call before I went out to capture the snow scenes that await my digital sensor in Scotland.  The coffee goes by the name of Rocket Fuel so I decided to capture some images with the Samsung Galaxy GT-I9000.  These two stellar performers are all I need to take me to the stars.  The coffee with the Guarana gave me a sprightly feeling.  The Samsung Galaxy does not have a photographic flash fitted but with my eyes widened by the Rocket Fuel I was not in need of extra lighting.  I like coffee, I like photography I will soon post the results of the Rocket Fuelled photography outing that followed this breakfast and see if you like the results.

©2011 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

Nabs Woods by night

These pictures were taken in and around Nabs Woods in the Parish of Silkstone Common in United Kingdom.  The former owners of the woodland lived in Knabbes Hall and the Knabbes name link to the woods comes from the name of the hall and of Knabbes Road.  The hall has been reputed to bear the Royal Coat of Arms in recognition for the allegiance shown by the owners of the hall.  The family is said to have helped to hide the Prince who was later to become King Charles II when he was a fugitive on his journey to France after the English Civil War.  This story has been printed in several histories and it is a pleasant historic tale to share whether it is true of false.  The English Heritage description of the Grade II listed building does mention the Coat of Arms.

Kanbbes Wood, or Nabs Wood is the recorded site of the House Carr Colliery drift mine.  The sloping drift entrance is sometimes called an adit or day hole.  The local accent rendered the colliery’s name as Huskar.  The Huskar pit is remembered for the disaster of 4^th July 1838 in which 26 children died.  The mine where the children were working was flooded after a great deluge of hailstones melted quickly.  A memorial to commemorate the mining disaster is situated close to the roadside entrance of Nabs Wood.  It is said that there are two capped mineshafts and the drift mine entrance present within the wood.

These pictures were an absolute pleasure to take as the woods offered shelter from the harsh winter conditions that night.  Some of the pictures combine ambient lighting and fill in flash.  The two lighting sources help to create more colour combinations within the finished images.  The street lighting near the Huskar Colliery Monumuent casts a red and yellow glow on the trees and on the snow.  The flash when used brings a clear white light on to the snow.  The light from the flash illuminates the foliage close to the lens and helps to build the perceived depth of the images as the more distant trees are darker.

Silkstone - The Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silkstone

Silkstone Parish Council History of Silkstone & Silkstone Common

http://www.silkstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/Contents/Text/Index.asp?SiteId=936&SiteExtra=19148120&TopNavId=464&NavSideId=13210

The Woodland Trust - Nabs Wood

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/our-woods/Pages/about-this-wood.aspx?wood=4155

Knabbes Hall

http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-334295-knabbe-s-hall-silkstone

©2010 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

A comparison between Under the stars in the snow 101 and 102

The first two pictures of my Flickr set titled Under the stars in the snow are a comparison of photo editing techniques.  Under the stars in the snow numbers 101 and 102 were created from a single digital photographic exposure.  After the camera sensor had collected the light on the scene for 30 seconds an image file was created on my CF memory card.  The details of the creation of the image are recorded in the Exif data.  The Exif details are available to view in Flickr if the photographer has allowed them to be seen.  The details for my images are available on Flickr if you use the drop down menu from the, “Actions,” tab you will see the option to, “View Exif info.”

Under the stars in the snow 101 - Exif details - (some not all)

Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Exposure 30 seconds

Aperture f/9.0

Focal Length 16 mm

ISO Speed 800

Exposure Bias 0 EV

Date and Time 17 December 2010, 9:47:31 PM

This original image was then processed in two separate ways.  Under the stars in the snow101 has had Vibrance, Gamma and Brightness increased to create a greater glow all along the horizon than that presented in Under the stars in the snow 102.  In the midst of the dark night scene the glow of Under the stars in the snow 101 is rather bright indeed.  Under the stars in the snow 102 has had less of increase and it more closely resembles the view as seen by my eyes.  In general I only load one version of any single exposure.  Often I will show more than one exposure when I have altered the camera settings between exposures.  It is good to compare the effects of shutter speed, light sensitivity and aperture settings on pictures that are taken in a single photo session.  Sometimes it is also good to see just how basic differences in photo editing settings completely change a scene.

Pictures on Flickr

Under the stars in the snow 101

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/5270538537/in/set-72157625623425930/

Under the stars in the snow 102

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/5271137360/in/set-72157625623425930/

©2010 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

Under the stars in the snow Dec 2010

The snow always transforms a landscape and makes many wondrous changes that you cannot imagine.  The familiar view is altered and that which you have previously overlooked takes on a new prominence.  These few shots are part of a series that were taken on a single journey through the snow. Although I have seen these scenes many times before they are made magical by the snow and the stars.  Not everyone takes to the road when the snows fall and even fewer venture forth when the stars are sparkling.  Some of these pictures may form a view of the other side of the page, they are the hidden underside of the day lit snowy landscape photographs.

On a cold frosty night I was thrilled to be under the stars out in the snow.  Each stop involved a quick set up for a few long exposures.  As I waited for the light to form an image I took to my heels and toes to dance a warming jig.  Each exposure was between 10 and 30 seconds long and the dances of were each terminated by the awakening of the preview image.  If you should happen across a well wrapped man dancing strangely in the frozen landscape who stops to view the images being created by his camera don’t pause to see if the dancing gets better.  The dances are not of any great artistic merit I hope that the pictures make up for the bad shuffles and the icy stumbles.  Without the dances I would not have stayed out so long so these images are my record of my dancing under the Stars in the snow.

Pictures on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/sets/72157625623425930/with/5271199764/ 


©2010 PHH Sykes
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies 
http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

Snowy Silkstone December 2010

Here are a few examples of the glorious images that the snow creates.  I have chosen several compositions here that are made into photo opportunities by the snow.  Without snow and icicles some of these settings would not being photographed and uploaded.  I enjoy recording something that would often be overlooked, or undervalued.  When the snow falls it creates great vibrant images in so many unusual places and it also enhances scenes that were spectacular before the snowfall.  I am sure that most people want to see the stunning snowscapes that show us the splendours of the winter landscape.  I am not so sure that there is a wide audience for my less breath taking images.

The snow does pose several challenges and I am trying to preserve my delicate health so I have not ventured far into the white wonders that have been beautifully laid out all around me.  It is quite frustrating to be missing out on some of the stunning scenes that have been so close by but just out of reach for me.  I do however enjoy offering up my photographs of guttering, soffits and fascias as these would not have been my chosen subjects without the snow and ice.

If you are struggling through the winter conditions and not enjoying the cold snap at all then I still hope that you can see the beauty in the seasonal transformations.  I have some big journeys to make soon through the worst of the snows soon and I am not looking forward to those planed work trips that are becoming expeditions.  Instead of a packing extra fruit and a drink to make sure the journeys are going to be good I am packing crampons, sleeping bags, arctic stoves and ensuring I have food to last for a few days.  Right that’s me off now to test out the mobile electrics and see if anyone has hints on husky powered locomotion, or tips for troika steering.

Pictures on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/sets/72157625550097674/

2010 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

Gnosis Dance Class 2010

Some say infamous I say legendary.  The legendary Gnosis Dance class deserves the reputation that it gets.  It has attracted an ardent following of rhythm loving fans some of whom are aware that they have left and right feet but they are not claiming to be capable of putting them in the right order at the right time or to the right places.  It is a fun dance gathering for all levels of ability to enjoy moving to music.  After a Friday night partying in a huge castle involving elaborate costumes and a total disregard for the need of sleep the one thing guaranteed to rouse the weary revellers is a Gnosis Dance Class.  The first spark to light the dance class tinder is the bright eyed and bushy eared Flopsy.  His sparkly efforts are bright enough initiate the ballroom preparations and folklore states that, “If you clear the floor and crank up the sound system then they will come.”  So we built the dance class scenario in the ballroom and the dancers came.

The Saturday dance class was so successful that the attendees of the class stepped to it to put on a display in the Sunday night Gnosis Variety Show.  One spectator did say that the dance performance on Sunday was like watching dance bingo.  Flopsy called out the singles and doubles from the front and the dancers marked their dance cards behind him.  My score cards for the class and the performance were very high indeed with a great appreciation for the effort from all.  Next year, if there is a next year maybe we could have a live internet feed with a scoring system for the viewers at home.  No one should be voted off; maybe higher votes could lead to dancers stepping nearer to the front?  Please send all suggestion for the dance class to the Gnosis Committee marked for the attentions of, “The Tango loving Flopsy.”

YouTube videos edited by Flopsy

Gnosis 2010 Dance Class No.1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oki0Ayae46E

Gnosis 2010 Dance Class No.2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aea75ZqjaZ4

Gnosis info

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=122620187766202

©2010 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

Andrew Macpherson Blue Room Studios Gnosis 2010

So there you are with your checklist making sure that you have everything needed for your event and in the case of Gnosis it may run a little like this, “13^th Century Castle – check, room for 100 attendees – check, groceries to feed everyone – check, special dietary requirements catered for – check, entertainment prepared – check,” and then you have one very important final ingredient to ensure that the whole recipe is magically brought together, “Master of Ceremonies able to cope with all eventualities,” and this vital element to your event design can be given a, “check,” once you have secured the services of Andrew Macpherson. 

These pictures were taken in the Blue Room of Featherstone Castle on Saturday 20^th November 2010.  They show Andrew in just one of his many guises that he donned to complete his duties in the castle.  It appeared that he slipped from one outfit and corresponding role into each successive appropriately attired creation as he seamlessly smoothed the events at the castle into a happening worth remembering.  There were many great moments at Gnosis this year and Andrew was one of many to provide entertainment.  He told stories on Friday and hit the decks as a DJ on Saturday.  He took the reins on Saturday to guide the unfolding evening events and on Sunday he compared the Gnosis Variety Show.  He is I am assured a man with a jacket for every occasion and a personality that can fit each jacket to ensure a performance set to meet the occasion.  Without a doubt he is an accomplished Master of Ceremonies.

These photographs were taken using two studio flash units.  One was reflected on a silver brolly and the other was reflected through a translucent white brolly.  The two light sources were set to gently overpower the ambient room lighting and to generate a crisp but warm light.  I hope that the rich tones come through and help to show Andrew Macpherson’s finery in a fitting a light?  These poses were set to the most amusing banter and I am pleased if the joy of taking these pictures comes through to you in the images presented here.

Photos on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/phhsykes/sets/72157625493370090/

Gnosis info

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=122620187766202

Andrew Macpherson further info

http://www.fuzzbomb.net/category/master-ceremonies

©2010 PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com

Gnosis Caterpillar Dances 2010

Having arrived early on Saturday morning we were able to avail ourselves with relevant permissions of the Friday night caterpillar mask.  This mask seemed to our Saturday vision to inspire a dance.  This footage is taken from Flopsy’s camera and he has edited the files into the films presented on the Wyrd Web Wonders YouTube Chanel.

The ballroom was in a state of post enjoyment having been the venue for the Friday night formal opening of Gnosis.  There were signs of merry making still evident in the ballroom when we began to prepare for the dance class on Saturday morning.  The opening performance had been completed many hours before we arrived at Featherstone Castle, but we were keen to give our belated and unrelated additions to the opening of Gnosis 2010.

Gnosis info

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=122620187766202

Gnosis 2010 Caterpillar Dance No.1 Production Credits

Dancer  - PHH Sykes

Camera - Flopsy

Editor   - Flopsy

Gnosis 2010 Caterpillar Dance No.2  Production Credits

Dancer  - Flopsy

Camera - PHH Sykes

Editor   - Flopsy

PHH Sykes

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Fancies

http://www.phhsykes.co.uk

http://phhsykes.blogspot.com