Amsterdam Russ

How????

First time I ever saw a nuthatch I was sitting quietly in an elder tree watching for birds and it landed on a branch right in front of me. I was perhaps 13-14 years old then and maybe a couple of years into birdwatching. I was so excited at seeing one - and especially as it was so near to me. For me it was a really magical moment.

Nuthatch in the woods of Amsterdam - taken earlier in the year, of course.

A worthwhile read for anyone interested in the Preview label... https://www.soul-source.co.uk/articles/soul-news/my-obsession-with-the-preview-label-a-feast-of-teris-r2639

A very timely tribute as the 30th of October was Jim's birthday. He would have been 47 today. Will look forward to giving the show a listen.

Known in the Netherlands as a Slechtvalk, with "valk" meaning falcon and "slecht" meaning bad, evil, malign, wicked... Pigeon fancying is very popular over here. At least it is in our small corner of the country. So it's easy to imagine that the damage peregrines might cause to a flock of treasured birds gave rise to their name.

More colours of autumn still life images as photographed on the dinner table. This macro of hazel nuts is from the same table-top session as the earlier one I posted. Sweet chestnuts - foraged in the woods of Amsterdam.

Now that you say that - if I take my specs off and step back a bit from the screen - so that the blurry image becomes even more blurry because of my bad eyesight - you're absolutely right. It is a fried egg!

In light of the 'blurry antelope' photo being accoladed with 'best photo', I've rethought the merits and artistic value of my own photographic mishaps. I see them now not as the product of shoddy camera work on my part, nor can I think of the untimely pressing of the shutter's button as some accident. Instead of mistakes, I see creative genius at work. In fact, given the number of blurry pictures I've taken over the years, I can only conclude that I'm an as yet unrecognised giant of the photographic world whose work should stand as an inspiration to millions. As proof of my ability to compete at the highest level — and with the fantastic 'blurry antelope' masterwork in my sights — I give you my very own 'blurry daisy'. Ta-da…..

Yes, I thought it looked a bit like early cave art as well. In spite of that it's still just a blurred photo to me.

I think I got it... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2804839/You-naturals-Earlier-year-launched-amateur-wildlife-photography-contest-received-10-000-stunning-entries-announce-winners.html If so - wow - what amazing pics! Second thought though is to wonder why the story of these pics is filed under the Daily Mail's 'female' section!

And that's sitting on the fence? You got an online link to the vole pic by any chance?

Very mild for this time of the year, and a lot better than Burnsworth, I'm sure. Don't think she's the 'go to girl', just the person the media naturally want to speak to while the film's on a high.

I take it you didn't read the BBC story, Steve. The picture came about when the photographer got out of his vehicle, stepped into a hole in the road and pressed the camera shutter by mistake. Luck or skill - I think that's utlimately irrelevant. It's either a good pic or it's not. I don't know about you, but I've collected quite a few blurry shots over the years and I don't think any of them are up for an award just yet.

James Cameron wasn't on the Titanic and Jeremy Brett never lived at 221b Baker Street. What's your actual point?

A blurry photo of antelope taken by a 'known' wildlife photographer has been accoladed as "best European wildlife photograph" 2014. With my excuses to the photographer, I've upload the pic here so you can see it. The photographer reckons he knew it was special the moment he reviewed it on the back of the camera's screen. What's your opinion - is it a truly fantastic photo worthy of being described the best wildlife photo in Europe this year - or is it just a blurry image? Source story: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-29770415

This is a brilliant routine - it must be late 40s/early 50s. It's got spins, backdrops, floor work, splits and even a 'Breakdance style' one-knee spin. Incredible stuff!

I recall reading an excellent article somewhere years back that explained very logically the inspiration for many of the moves we associate with Northern Soul dancing. The steps, the article stated, were copied and adapted from the choreographed routines performed on stage by many groups such as - in the 60s - the Temptations. Acrobatics have their origins in countless sources and trace a lineage back to troubadours, minstrel shows and so on. Wherever there's been entertainment there's been acrobatics and acrobatic dance routines (witness the NIcholas Brothers, Bill "Bo Jangles" Robinson and many, many others). In the days of the variety shows at places such as the Apollo, many entertainers specialised uniquely in performing dance routines. To stay on top of your game - and win that much needed applause from the audience - you had to innovate; come up with new moves and combinations of moves. Your routines had to be fresh. Musical groups quite naturally incorporated acrobatic routines into their choreographed dance moves. People, wanting to impress their peers, copy these moves, invent their own and in turn these are copied by other people. Next thing you know you have a whole new dance style. The article that I read said that one of the most influential 'dancing groups' of the 60s was Alvin Cash and the Crawlers. Apparently their on stage routines were something to behold. Did martial arts influence Northern Soul dancing? Of course it would have done - for some people, but not everyone. And once somebody does a 'martial arts' move for the first time, the person copying or adapting it won't see it as being a 'kung fu kick' or whatever. It's just a move. At the end of the dancing day, Northern Soul moves have been inspired and copied from many sources. Once copied though, moves and styles are adapted and become something unique by itself. Northern Soul dancing is Northern Soul dancing no matter who in history first thought of doing a spin, a backdrop or a high kick.

Just seen the release date of early November in the opening post!

Ha! Notice that there are only two and a half pears in the photo - and we picked considerably more nuts than you see in the photo. Thanks a lot. The set up was done using a very basic softbox kit, side lighting (two small domestic spot lights), macro extension tubes, the camera on a tripod, and a dinner table! The backdrop to the pears photo is a wooden chopping board along with a checked tablecloth out of a picnic set. For the hazel nuts pic I used a different tablecloth. The background to the faded autumnal flowers photo I posted recently is a beigey-brown hand towel.

I do like autumnal colours in photos. Here's a couple of pics I took during a dining table-top still life photo session... Dutch hazel nuts Ripe, autumnal pears

Acetates were often cut and used as promo items sent to radio djs, etc - typically before the disc was pressed.

A 45 I bought from a seller in New York went missing even though it was trackable through the USPS system. Some weeks later it showed on the tracking service as being back in New York. Next day though, it arrived at my door. On the package was a stamp stating that it had been "missent" to the Caribbean island of Montserrat! If only they'd arranged for me to collect it in person!

The media bandwagon rolls on, this time with an article in the Independent. Less a review of the film and more an essay on youth tribes - and the woeful lack of them - written by someone whose appreciation of the Northern scene come from the fact that "…I was there". https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/northern-soul-where-have-all-the-style-tribes-gone-9807056.html

Have you checked the attic recently? You never can tell…