Gav

I've still got the Megadeth t-shirt with the blue logo from this gig. I travelled down overnight from Edinburgh after spending the preceding 3 months trying to persuade my mum to let me go, and by the time I got home I don't think I'd slept for about 3 days. I agree with you, the Cro-Mags were awesome. I think that was the first time I experienced a circle mosh. Got more than a few elbows in the face and ribs during that set! I think my favourite band of the day were Kreator though, but I was *really* into them at the time. I think the worst thing about the venue was the lack of a bar though, that was unforgivable!

Jonoco, were you at this one? http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/live-review-christmas-on-earth-festival-13-12-87/

FInally got to see one of my all-time favourite bands on Thursday night, The Misfits, that I never ever thought I'd get to see live. This wasn't the Jerry Only fronted abomination either, this was Danzig & Doyle, as close to the "classic" Misfits as anyone will see now

First World Manifesto by legendary Chicago punksters Screeching Weasel. It's their first new album in over 10 years and it truly is a work of awesomeness. I've played it through 3 times already since I got it this afternoon, and I suspect it'll get at least another 3 plays today

Three great games this weekend. I've had a tough year, and TGG hadn't been top of my priorities, but this weekend has reminded my why I fell in love with the sport in the first place

Exactly the same as the post I made on "another site", but I liked them and thought I would share: Thought I'd try something different for a change, so took a wander round the National Watersports Centre this afternoon. These are some of the results: The full set can be found here if anyone's interested: http://public.fotki.com/NottinghamOutlaws/...national-water/

My latest efforts from a walk round my local nature reserve today:

I'm in a bit of an Oi! mood tonight...

It's only Rock 'n Roll, but I like it! Definately my best gig shots so far. I've finally got to grips with what my camera/lens combos can do in low light, and how much I can push the shots in photoshop afterwards. This was the first gig I've done where the photos have looked pretty decent straight off the camera without needing too much tweaking. But where's the fun in that? Technical details: All shots at ISO 1600, 1/60s shutter speed. Lens was a Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM non-IS. The photoshop filter used was the "hollywood" setting in Virtual Photographer. The framing and strange angles of the shots was thanks to about a gallon of Black Sheep.

This is what happens when you're out of work. A small camera, a copy of Photoshop, and too much time on your hands, and anyone can do this:

Get the 450D. If you're going to make an investment in an SLR, you're better buying something you can grow into slowly, rather than something that you'll grow out of quickly. There's plenty of lenses available for the Canon to suit all budgets as well. Oh, and I think Canon are still doing

Had a go at photographing "the dark side" on saturday. It's a lot more difficult than League, as (certainly at Midlands 3 East (North) level) not very much actually happens that doesn't look like a game of pile-on. I managed to get a few decent shots though. Rest of the set here I'm still not sure about the new camera though. On the plus side, the Autofocus seems to work a lot better than the 350D, ISO1600 is actually usable, and having an extra 4 mega-pixels to play with is really useful, but there are a few issues that are almost tempting me to take it back and ask for a refund. The metering is just terrible. Without any exposure comp, everything comes out at least half a stop overexposed. On the default "picture style" colours look really flat and dull, but changing any of the settings turns the pictures into a horrible contrasty, over saturated mess. The White Ballance setting seems a bit off as well, Auto made everything look a bit cold, and the "cloudy" setting added a little bit too much yellow. Apart from that it's great though...

My favourite pic from saturday's game: