"Eeeeh it makes everyone look like miniture people!"

'Tilt Shift' photos are something that has fascinated me for a while now but they're something I'd never have the time to look into creating from scratch. It's a lot more technical than this, but in short it an effect which can make people / objects / landscapes etc in photos all look miniture, - like a little toy town if you like. Try Googling for examples or looking round Flickr.
Normally it's quite a lengthy process which also involves a decent spec camera for a start. However I came across a link to this site a few months ago; tiltshiftmaker.com/
Which allows you to have a go at it with your own photos in 3 easy steps.

Decided to try it with this photo I took a few years back at St James' Park when 'The Match' was being shown on Sky 1. Obviously the original is on the left, and the tilt shifted version on the right.

Click the photo to see the full original size.

This is example is no where near as effective as some of the ones kicking around the web but I was pleased for how long it took.
If you really want to be impressed check out this example of a Tilt Shift video;

Bathtub IV from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

You constantly have to remind yourself that the video isn't just a load of toy people!

The 3rd love of my life and a post without Abigail in it!

A mate (cheers Ian) offered me a last minute ticket to the biggest football match of the year for Newcastle - the local 'Tyne, Wear Derby" against Sunderland.

Although I've got season tickets in my name, I sell them on each year (for a number of reasons) and don't really get to the match much as a result. This was actually my first game of the season.

Turned out to be a good game, mainly because Owen scored so early and that was all my nerves settled. Final score was 2-0 to Newcastle for anyone that doesn't know......and if you didn't know - Shame on you!!

More Photo's Here

The Stuff of Legends

We went to St James' Park last Sunday (8th Oct) to see Sky One's 'The Match'.

In previous years we've just watched the final on TV but this year we got in early enough to get decent seats.

Although the Celebrities (NOT 'A' listers!), were more skilled this year, so were the Legends. After the first 15 mins it was a pretty dull one sided afair with the Legends having most of the possesion.

There was a good atmosphere and the ground was nearly at capacity, although I have to say the Mexican Wave's god a bit tedious after about the 20th time round!

If this show is repeated again next year I think they'll have to change something because people are getting bored with the predictable end result of a Legends victory.