Slabs of light, areas of colour - # 08/173

The archivist is setting up to make a digital photo record. His assistant is at the computer cataloguing as he goes along.

I was captivated by the way the light reflected from the wooden floor and by the contrasting slabs of light and shade, so I felt bound to capture the vision.

High skills - # 08/172

Here is the BT Openreach line technician fixing my broadband 11 meters or so up the pole.

Reviewing the photo I was struck by the muscularity of his arms and related that to the concept of the telephone networks that bind our modern society together.

He worked hard for over 2 hours and displayed "rat-like cunning" in tracking down the problem - clearly a man of strong physical and mental ability.

Overall the service form BT has been outstanding - well managed, attentive to me as a customer and keen to make sure that once my complaint was registered everything was done to make things tip-top, as they should be.

(BTW..............I'm using my "time off" from DAILY photo to try out some "after dark" photography.......let's hope it works out as well as the BT lineman's effort ;-) )

Worth getting up in the morning for - # 08/169

Life is never simple and straight forward, but having a work shop like this and a job where you spend all day making useful things in wood must give you a big incentive to get up in the morning and go to work. (The boatbuilder's shed under Richmond Bridge. The colour is a bit odd because of the lighting).

You and me, we sweat and strain...- # 08/78

Ham House is often used as a setting for major film and TV productions. We assist with identifying snags and then preparing the scene so that modern fittings (electric light switches etc) are hidden from the camera. Then the film riggers take over and work their professional magic for the famous Director and world renowned cameraman . Here we are refitting the heavy security grills that were temporarily removed from windows.

Before taking this shot (setting the camera while still wearing my leather gloves and protective clothing ;-) ) I was on the ladder, until my leg muscle went into spasm. Gosh, life gets really hard.

Hidden labours - # 08/73

Handymen toiling in the cellars of Ham House.

Tim and John toil, while I stand back in my protective overalls and leather gloves, tweak the camera, and compose the shot. At least I did not ask them to "Please do it all again, but from a different perspective". This is done live! You see it as it happens!!

Camera: Olympus C7070 WZ