Friday 14 August 2015



I’m a child of the 80’s and 90’s, so I grew up on a steady staple of repeats from the 1960’s, I’ve since been a fan of the man from UNCLE.
The show originally ran from 1964-1968 and revolved around a network of spies who worked for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement, (UNCLE). UNCLE polices the globe from the threat of T.H.R.U.S.H. An organisation, which is erm absent from this iteration.

Henry Cavill Stars as Napoleon Solo opposite Armie Hammer as Illya Kuryakin in Guy Ritchie’s and Lionel Wigram’s film adaptation.

Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” centers on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two team up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organisation, which is bent on destabilising the fragile balance of power the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

This is fast paced, action packed, sexy and stylish international adventure, shot through with humour that is as much about the rocky relationship between two sparring super spies, as it about the job they have to do.

The cinematography is breathtaking and details everything that made the 1960s cool – from its art, fashion music and cars. Lionel Wigram and Richie once again prove to be a great team.

The one thing that always bugged me about the series, is that we never really knew how Solo and Kuryakin, became partners, or how U.N.C.L.E. was formed, Ritchie and Wigram fill in the blanks.

Overall, I enjoyed this film, however I feel they missed a trick not having a cameo from Robert Vaughn or David McCallum.

I look forward to a sequel.

If you have not done so already check out the second trailer below.




Due for release at the cinema on Friday 14th August, 2015.

Tuesday 17 February 2015

Three Mobile: Feel At Home: Flamenco Dancing - Spain


With Three Mobile’s ‘Feel At Home’ (FAH) network you won’t have to worry about incurring extra costs whilst using your phone as you jet-set to one of the 16 destinations that is part of the FAH package.



With this, Spain has recently become the latest destination to be included to the FAH network, which means all those snaps that you take can be uploaded up to your favourite social media in a flash, or you can keep in constant contact with friends and family that you want to make very jealous and you will not have to worry about incurring any charges.

I was fortunate to be invited to the event, thanks to @lovelylittlejas, which was being hosted by Three Mobile to join in with the celebrations of Spain becoming the new addition to the FAH network and I got to experience, first-hand, the art of Flamenco dancing and got also got to try out the iPhone 6 and take advantage of the camera to take various pictures and videos.


Taken With the iPhone 6

Firstly, the Flamenco Dance Experience was something I had never dreamed of doing in my life, but when the opportunity arose that I would be having lessons in the Flamenco I jumped up and said I was in. Mind you, when I did get there I noticed that I was the only male there but I was not fazed and soon got stuck in. It was very interesting, Flamenco Dancing, and you will get a good work out. Even I was not expecting to burn so much energy.

In between learning various steps and trying to remember them we each learned an easy routine (I say easy for the instructor, not for the rest of us), separated in to groups and took turns to use the iPhone 6 and record the other group as they recited their dance lesson. I think the iPhone 6 has one of the best cameras on the market of camera phones to date and can take some of the best images in low light as I had experienced. Apple has added some new features with the new iOS 8; Time Lapse and Slow Motion. With this we recorded and was recorded using these features, which we all agreed the time lapse was the best feature of the camera app.


Once we had concluded our recital in Flamenco Dancing our experience of Spain continued on as we moved on to a Spanish restaurant called Bar Gansa which is located in Camden Town. There we had Tapas and continued to use the iPhone 6 to take more images of the interior of the restaurant, our food and of each other. The atmosphere in the restaurant was vibrant and relaxing at the same time with the staff being very welcoming. The food was delicious and everyone talked our own experiences with the Flamenco dancing.


Taken with the iPhone 6

Taken with the iPhone 6
Whilst we talked I used my DSLR to take some shots of everyone. Comparing the images taken by both the iPhone 6 and my camera it was pretty hard to tell what image was taken by what device, the quality of the image from the iPhone was so clear. If I were an iPhone user I would leave my camera at home and take a good portion of my pictures with the iPhone 6 instead. Of course, the iPhone still has its drawbacks, sometimes the images can become over saturated with light and can take its time to focus. But, I did get an enjoyment out taking pictures with the iPhone 6 that I don’t get with my current phone when trying to take a quick image.


Taken with Nikon DSLR
Taken with iPhone 6
All in all I had a very enjoyable evening, with the lessons in Flamenco Dancing and then heading off to Bar Gansa to have Tapas with like-minded people who enjoyed the evening as much as I did, and as I am already a customer with Three Mobile I will be using my Phone abroad, in one the 16 destinations and I will be uploading my images with ease to my Social Media.


I would also like to say a huge thank you @justlovelylittlejas, whom invited me, and I attended the event with and made it a good evening as well.
As I mentioned this before this event was in partnership with Three Mobile and their Feel AT Home network, and the inclusion of Spain in to there ever expanding network. With the Feel At Home network by Three Mobile you can use you phone abroad in one of the 16 destination in the plan at no extra cost.


Follow this link to find out which destinations are included in the Feel At Home network and how much you could save, and if you are looking to upgrade to a new network, Three Mobile have the iPhone 6 with some amazing deals!!


Taken with Nikon DSLR


If you have not done so already go and check out Justlovelylittlethings and see what she thought of the event.

Tell me of your experiences using Three Mobile's Feel At Home network, and show me your images that you had taken whilst you were abroad in one of the 16 destinations.

 



Monday 15 December 2014

White Orchid

 
 



This was taken a while ago. I had recently bought the Tamron 70-300 Tele-photo/Macro Lens as I wanted to start taking pictures of wildlife, without getting to close to them and being chased around by angry animals.

Whilst at home I was testing lens at close range and I took this image of the orchid. unfortunately the Tamron lens took its time trying to focus on the petals and, so I chose of the manual option, which was far easier and quicker than the auto-focus option.

My main focus as you can see was on the detail on the in the flower itself. It came our very clear. I used a timer to take the picture as it was on a tripod, on the table which was not that sturdy. This image was the end result of several test shots and different angles and lighting. it is by far one of my favourite shots.

I did enjoy taking this photo and although the Tamron 70-300mm Lens wasn't the most reliable whilst using autofocus it did take an incredible shot which was incredibly detailed.

Tell me what you think and what you would done differently in the comments below.

Gerrod Charles

Thursday 4 December 2014

A view of the Eye


Believe it or not, when I had taken this picture there was a large number of individuals in this shot. I used a long exposure to capture the light and of course anyone who didn't stand still long enough was not captured in the image.

Of course, to anyone who is fond of taking images and does this on a regular basis, or, in the business of taking photographic images knows that you will need to take several photos just to get that one perfect picture.

What I have also realised is that I am going to need to take this photo again with a NDF "Natural Density Filter" to help reduce the blowout, which you cans see at the of the Eye.

It is thoroughly enjoyable, especially when you take that picture that you believe has been well done.

ISO - 200
Exposure - 13 Seconds
Aperture - f22


Of course all this pictures are taken with my standard Nikon D3100 with the 18 - 55mm kit lens. As I upgrade I will keep you all updated.

ALSO, if you have any suggestion for taking better images comment in the box below and I will try it out.

G.C. Amateur Photographer

Monday 5 May 2014

The marriage of my sister


This was taken at my sister's wedding. She asked me to take some photos of her and her husband. My idea was to take a photograph of them looking at me from the reflection of the mirror of the attendees. I had to use no flash as there was a paid photographer there taking pictures for the whole event.

Click the picture to enlarge.


Here are the settings used for this picture:-

F-stop - f/4.5
Exposure time - 1/15sec
ISO Speed - ISO-1600
Focal Length - 32mm
Max Aperture - 4.3
Metering Mode - Pattern
Subject Distance - 33.5m
Flash Mode - No Flash

The eye from a views point


Now... This image was taken on the sky bridge with my standard kit lens, which to my surprise took this absolutely beautiful picture during the evening.

Here are the settings used:-


F-Stop - f/11

Exposure Time - 30 sec
ISO speed - ISO-200
Focal Length - 18mm
Max aperture - 3.6
Metering Mode - Spot
Flash mode - 1334m


Tuesday 15 April 2014

Fashion Shoot




This picture was taken of my friend for blog, of her outfit. She preferred me not to shoot with flash as it compromised to the look of the image, and the actual design of her attire. I increased the ISO in order the censor to collect more light, but I had to be careful because her blouse is white and skirt is black meaning that I could increase the ISO too much or slow down the shutter speed or the blouse would have become too bright and ruined the image.


Here are the settings for the picture taken.

F-stop - f/4.2 = Aperture
Exposure Time - 1/60 sec.
ISO - 200
Metering - Spot
Flash - No

Why not follow my friend's @ justlovelylittlethings.blogspot.com