Pixel Perception

Weston Super Mare Oil Rig Picture

Took this picture when I was in Weston Super Mare a few weeks back. Didn't know it at the time, but this oil rig, or sea monster as the media puts it, had recently been transported to this location and is soon to become some kind of art piece. One of the biggest in the UK apparently. Glad to have photographed it in its original form. Or, at least its original form when it arrived in Weston. I believe its from the North Sea. Next time I go back to Weston, I would really like to visit Steep Holm. It's an Island around 5 - 6 miles across from the Weston beach front.

Here is some information Steep Holm. Steep Holm Island is a natural reserve where not that much human activity takes place. The Bristol Port Authority manages Steep Holm Island as a nature reserve and sanctuary for birds and mammals. This means no buildings can be erected on Steep Holm Island without prior approval from the Port Authority.

In addition to being a nature reserve, Steep Holm Island is also a tourist destination. To accommodate visitors to this part of Somerset, the Bristol Port Authority has built an interpretive center on Steep Holm Island’s west side where there used to be a Christian monastery. There's also an old Inn [a pub].

The victorian barracks interpretive center serves as an information point about Steep Holm Island’s natural history, wildlife and geology as well as its history. It also has souvenir shops selling postcards and other local souvenirs from Steep Holm Island’s attractions and view points.

Steep Holm has been serving as an important area for protecting wildlife ever since it became such an established site for conservation purposes. Today it continues to be both a nature reserve — managed by the Port Authority — and tourist attraction due to its natural beauty combined with its historical significance

If you are interested in visiting, please note that once on the island, all visitors will be there for 12 hours due to the tides I believe. So take note. A visit to Steep Holm isn't having a quick look around and then jumping back on the boat and leaving. You will be on the Island for 12 hours. So take some food and be prepared for a long but very interesting day. More information on how to book your visit can be found here: https://www.steepholm.online/visiting-the-island

What Are The Best Websites For Royalty Free Images

Royalty free images are photos that are used by internet users without having to pay a license fee. Anyone can use royalty free images on their website without having to pay. Creating a website can be expensive [starting a Blogger or Wordpress site for free is always an option], so using royalty free images is a good way to make it look nice without spending money. Many people also use royalty free images on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Dubai - Schweizer_Solutions Pixabay

Businesses use royalty free images because they are cost-effective. There are many websites that offer royalty free images with no copyright for free or at low prices. Most websites allow you to upload several different types of royalty free images and choose which one works best for your project. Many users also find it helpful when websites have filters to help them find the perfect image for their project. This makes it easy for businesses to use royalty free images and create a professional looking website or social media page.

The internet has made it easy for you to find the best royalty free images. All you need is the right tools, basically just an Internet connection really, and you’re ready to start searching. There are several apps available on both Android and iOS that make finding royalty free images easy.

Some of the best sites include Pixabay [Best], Canva, Unsplash and Pexels. There are many more. These websites allow you to quickly scan through different images and graphics until you find one that works well with your project. Some of these sites now also offer free videos for projects. Believe it or not, you can also find great deals on royalty free images if you buy them in bulk through online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay. I'd stick to free though if I were you. There's so many professional pictures to choose from.

Cruise ship - Pixabay

You can find the best royalty free images by searching for keywords like “royalty free”, “free stock photos”, “free stock video”, “free photos”, “freebie” and other similar words on various search engines like Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Brave Browser and Baidu etc. You can also visit website eStockPhoto which lists all available stock photos under various categories including business ideas, design, education etc.. Other websites list their own photography under various price points ranging from $0-$1000+. Check out a list of some of the best sites by visiting: https://buffer.com/library/free-images/

Businesses use royalty free images because they are cost-effective and easily found online using apps or search engines. For paid, you can easily find great deals on these photos if you buy in bulk through online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay as well as sites like Fiverr and Canva, which are either free [Pixabay and Pexels are the best] or have 1000s of extra stock photos available at very low prices per photo.

Where To Find The Panasonic Lumix GX9

First off, an incredible, well built portable mirrorless camera with a truck load of excellent features. I know where you can find it for sale. It's no mystery. Although there has been some talk of the model being discontinued, I think that was only in Japan. The GX9 is a few years old so that could have changed. I believe its no longer in production. This model can still be bought online though in brand new and also used condition.

Find it here: https://amzn.to/3zd39o5 [Available in USA, UK and Canada with lens or body only in Black or Black with Silver trim]. Or here with the hand grip / 32GB SD memory card bundle: https://amzn.to/3uUeDtY

Macro with the GX9

The GX9 is capable of recording video, then taking a single still image from that video, the part you require, and turning that into an 8 mega pixel 4K image. For those who love black and white photography Panasonic have put special monochrome features into the camera. So black and white pictures will potentially look more like what was produced by the film cameras of the old days.

Landscape style

Shooting at night and in low light conditions has also been given a boost, too. Several new features are available for night photography, including enhancing / lighting up the display screen for very darkly lit scenes, and better manual focus assist. This has the ability to be much more accurate when focusing on objects in the sky at night, such as stars, planes and even UFO's. These are great features for those into astrophotography.

Birding with the Black Bird

Some Quick Lumix GX9 [DC-GX9MK] Specifications

20.3 Mega Pixel MOS Sensor with targetted three dimensional colour control to determine hue, saturation and brightness for the best outcome

5 Axis Dual I.S. and an O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)

In Body Image Stabilization [I.B.I.S.]

2760K dot Live View Finder is tiltable to 80 degrees with almost 100% colour duplication and 100% field of view

49 Focus Points plus Custom Multi Auto Focus setting

3 Inch touch screen

4K 30p video recording [4K is limited to a recording time of just under 30 minutes]

Video @ 4K Ultra High Definition @ 2160P

Bluetooth = Yes

WiFi = Yes

The only area which I have seen slightly criticized is the battery life. So, while this is an excellent camera for those who travel or go out for long periods hiking / doing street photography etc, it would be wise to buy a second battery.

Although this can be rectified somewhat due to the fact that the GX9 can be charged by a micro usb cable [battery can remain in the camera], so the use of an external power source is an option [like a power bank / battery pack]. Albeit, a heavier one than purchasing a backup / second battery. Is this still a good camera today? Without a doubt, yes. Check out the video "Panasonic GX9 Long Term Review" below.

Other than lenses [see a list of compatible lenses here: https://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/connect/gx9.html], there's also some other add-ons available like the MW-EC5 Eyecup, which offers more comfort and less light leakage, and the DMW-HGR2 Hand Grip. Add to that also the many full and half cases available for the GX9.

Bart Simpson The Secret Graffiti Artist

Funny image of Bart Simpson being caught living out his secret life as a mask wearing Graffiti Artist. Where was the picture taken. Probably somewhere in downtown Springfield, United States. Down a few streets from 742 Evergreen Terrace. If you want to use this photo as a wallpaper you can grab a full size version from here.

#ArtSimpson #CanonEOS90d #LXV #Rollstein #BartTheHoodyCriminal

Gangster Pug Dog Picture

Pugs are one of the cutest dogs ever. But this half human Pug is a real gangster. Hangin out in the hood. Wearing some Nikes. Kitted out with the Tatts. He even has the "Illuminati" style one eye symbolism tattooed on his "hand" / Paw. He is down for whatever.

#PugDogPortrait #GangsterPugs #FunnyPictures #PugSelfie