Archive for January, 2010
Posted on January 28, 2010 - by benmullay
Shetland Photography – Iceberg!
Pictured above is another image I took during the cold snap we experienced a few weeks ago. The image shows Foula with Ireland in the foreground. I really liked the cloud formations coupled with the late-afternoon light. My cousin George, owner of Shetland Powder Coating, thinks Foula looks like Bart Simpson lying down. I’ll let you judge for yourselves…
The weather forecasters are predicting another bout of snow and ice this coming weekend so it’ll be interesting to see what develops.
For up-to-date information on the Shetland weather then I suggest you visit Dave Wheeler’s website here.
Posted on January 26, 2010 - by benmullay
Up Helly Aa Individual Squad Photos 2010
Individual photographs of this year’s Jarl Squad are available from The Camera Centre with photography from Cecil M J Hughson.
This year the entire squad is available as a canvas gallery wrap – a superb memento of the event.
Also available are photo gifts such as mugs, mousmats, placemats, keyrings and coasters. Ask in-store at The Camera Centre for details or telephone 01595 694345.
If you’ve taken a special Up Helly Aa photograph then you can order a canvas gallery wrap online at www.thecameracentre.net or ask in-store.
-Ben
Posted on January 22, 2010 - by benmullay
Shetland Liberal Democrat’s Burns Supper
As another General Election approaches, Shetland Liberal Democrats held a very well attended inaugural Burns Supper, as a fund raising event, at the Freefield Centre on Friday 15th January.
Theo Smith, Chairman of the local party, welcomed the guests and called on the Rev. Magnus Williamson to say the ‘Selkirk Grace’ after which Gussie Angus piped in the haggis. Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, dressed in kilt for the part, gave a superb rendering of Burns ‘To a Haggis’, where after the guests were treated to a traditional meal of soup, haggis, clapshot, carrots, sherry trifle, coffee, truffles and fudge.
Following the meal guest speaker Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, delivered a highly entertaining ‘Immortal Memory’ which was followed by a more politically charged ‘Toast to the Lassies’ by Tavish Scott MSP for Shetland. Guest speaker Silvija Crook ably gave the ‘Reply to the Lassies’. Tavish Scott then gave an emotional thank you speech to Elinor Nicolson, who is retiring from the constituency office, for her dedicated eleven years service to him as constituency secretary.
Alistair Carmichael concluded the evening with a vote of thanks to everyone who had helped make the evening such a success and in particular to the guests who had attended and contributed so generously to the local party funds.
Click on thumbnail for larger view
Links:
The Liberal Democrats on Twitter
The Liberal Democrats on YouTube
The Liberal Democrats on Facebook
Rabbie Burns – your complete guide
Posted on January 19, 2010 - by benmullay
Up Helly Aa 2010 Photo Tips
Pictured above is a guide I prepared with The Camera Centre on taking pictures at Up Helly Aa. The event is very tricky to photograph so hopefully this guide can help. The guide is available in print form in-store on Commercial Street.
The Camera Centre now allow you to go further with your photographs by ordering items such as the following online:
- photo mousemats
- mugs
- keyrings
- canvas wraps
- collages
For a full range of possibilities, and to order online, visit The Camera Centre’s new and improved website here.
-Ben
Posted on January 18, 2010 - by benmullay
Film Amnesty Campaign at The Camera Centre
So many people have canisters of film sitting in drawers, hidden in cupboards, and forgotten in shoeboxes. Most people are not even aware that they can still develop their rolls of film…until now.
The Camera Centre has launched a Film Amnesty campaign which encourages customers to process their canisters of film before the quality disintegrates. The benefit is not only rediscovered memories, but also discounted prices on developed film strips, prints, and CDs of scanned images.
Dig out your old films for processing today and drop along The Camera Centre, 72 Commercial Street, Lerwick.
Posted on January 17, 2010 - by benmullay
NEW Still Life Gallery
Leaf
Pictured above is a still life image of a leaf. I have added this to a dedicated ‘Still Life’ gallery section of my main website. To vew the new gallery then please click here. Please note that purchase options are available from mounted prints to canvas gallery wraps.
-Ben
Posted on January 12, 2010 - by benmullay
Shetland Photography – Cold Snap
Pictured above is a photo of a dramatic sunset at St Ninian’s Isle during the big freeze (click on image for larger view).
After a hazardous walk down the road to St Ninian’s Isle due to the hard ice, I was surprised to find the sand in exactly the same condition.
It took a little while to get the right angle for this photo, but I love the way the reflection of the clouds on the water creates a circle which really adds to the composition.
-Ben
Posted on January 8, 2010 - by benmullay
Malcolm & Gina, 10th December 2009
Malcolm Gray and Gina Edoc married recently at Lerwick Baptist Church.
It was a particularly poignant day as it will be the last wedding held in the church before it is demolished and converted into Hjaltland Housing Association flats. Conversely, it was Rev Iain Morrison’s first ever wedding which he handled admirably.
When Gina and Malcom contacted me about taking the photographs, I was very excited about doing a December wedding. The weather leading up to the big day was very dull and dark; however, the conditions on the day were ideal considering the time of year.
I met Malcolm and his best man, David Henderson, at the Lerwick Hotel for some photos down around the cliffs.
I then moved onto the couple’s home where I met Gina and her bridal party. The wedding dress had been a closely guarded secret leading up to the wedding. As you can see from the above photograph, it was a beautiful dress and Gina looked stunning.
This wedding also had a celebrity element with Alistair Carmichael, MP for Shetland and Orkney, giving Gina away. I had a little joke with Alistair when taking the photograph below that it would have been more appropriate with a number ’10′ on the door!
I’d met Malcolm, Gina and Alistair a few days prior to the wedding at the Lerwick Baptist Church to finalise arrangements. On entering the church for the service the interior had been transformed by Gina & Malcolm’s family and friends to create a beautiful setting. After the service I took some time with the bride and groom to capture some more images.
I’d like take the opportunity to thank Gina and Malcolm for inviting me to be a part of their big day. They make a fantastic couple and I hope they have a very happy future together.
-Ben
Posted on January 4, 2010 - by benmullay
RELAUNCH of www.thecameracentre.net
International collaboration helps local business conquer the web
Local retailer The Camera Centre has just launched a new internet store at www.thecameracentre.net with some international help.
Owner Cecil Hughson and Manager, Ben Mullay knew that to extend their business a fresh online initiative was needed. This was especially important as many of the Camera Centre’s customers are in the outer islands and don’t travel into Lerwick often. There is also a large expat community who like to order photos for delivery to relatives in Shetland.
Working with New Zealand based marketing strategists, First Retail Ltd, Canadian software developers Dakis Decision Systems Inc and Cecil’s son in law John Smith, owner of yadUK, The Camera Centre has developed a product range that includes home-wear, gifts and décor – all created using customer’s own photos.
First Retail’s Director, Chris Wilkinson knew the Camera Centre’s dilemma well. With clients in many island territories including the Channel Islands, The Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Fiji the web has been a key element in helping these businesses engage with their community.
Up until recently, many of the products needed to be sent away for production. New technology has allowed stores in remote areas to create these on-site. The Camera Centre has invested in equipment, systems and training that will ensure work can stay within the Islands. In the future it is hoped the store will also develop export markets to the mainland and beyond.
Timed to launch in the key gift giving period leading up to Christmas, www.thecameracentre.net has already proven popular. Within hours of going live, orders began to arrive. Most popular lines so far have included photo collages, coasters, placemats and mousemats.
