2. Lockdown

365 days

The impact of lockdown since March 2020 has been challenging. With challenge comes opportunity. This gallery is a combination of 365 days (and beyond until UK is fully open) . All photos captured throughout the year from my own garden gate in South Leicestershire, East Midlands.

The Lockdown gallery is a combination of straight forward photos alongside a few more challenging. For information on how I captured some of the more technical images I have put together a number of useful 'how to' guides. Do check them out - https://www.markhumpage.com/How-to-guides

Lockdown commenced on March 23rd 2020 (UK), a date I won't forget, as it also coincides with my daughters birthday!

The gear list:

Cameras: -
Olympus OMD, EM-1 mk3 (most work)
Olympus EM-1 mk1 & EM-5 mk1 (some night work)
Lenses:
300mm pro
100-400mm
12-40mm pro
7-14mm 4/3
8mm 4/3

Stay safe everyone and see you on the other side!
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  • Dunnock singing

    Dunnock singing

    Dunnock perched in hedge singing. Captured on local walk 10th April 2021.

  • Red Kite close up in tree

    Red Kite close up in tree

    Close up of Red Kite resting and perched on a tree branch, captured on local walk 7th April 2021, Leicestershire

  • Hypnotic stars 7th April 2021

    Hypnotic stars 7th April 2021

    Captured at home on evening 6th & 7th April 2021. Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: 7-14mm Objective with this one was a true hypnotic spin centred around polaris (celestial North Pole star). Cloud cover killed the perfect result but overall I'd give this 7/10. This star trail was captured by using the Olympus in-camera function called Live Composite (Setting B on top dial). I chose 15s exposures and set the camera shoot for 2 periods. The first was 2.5hrs and 2nd for 5 hours, starting at 2100hrs. The maximum time setting on live composite mode is 6 hrs. Anything longer than 6 hrs requires multiple live composites (joined) or firing continuous and post processing. The final image you see is a 7.5 hrs composite made from joining both Live composites captured in camera or 7.5 hrs x 15s in a single image. BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: Olympus 7-14mm Tripod - Mounted in garden 15s exposure time using Live Composite mode in camera. F4 ISO 200 I mounted the camera on a tripod in the garden and set up the composition using a 7mm focal length composing the camera centred on Polaris (Celestial North Star - easy to locate, just follow the last 2 stars on the blade of The Plough). Using the Live Composite mode on the Olympus camera I shot 2 Live Composites. The first was 2.5 hrs and the 2nd was for 5 hrs. Both star trail composite are generated in-camera. A cool feature to reduce post processing. I put both Live Composite images together with software (StarStax) to create a final single composite image. A shame that cloud came along through the 2nd composite - notable in bottom left of image with the light brown colour and a few notable gaps in the startrail but overall not a bad shot. I will try this one again when conditions allow! The resulting wide shot reveals 7.5 hrs of Earth spinning around the celestial North Pole - cool :-) Stay safe.

  • Sunset close up 5th April 2021

    Sunset close up 5th April 2021

    Sunset on a cold Spring day with sun bursting through tree branches. Got close up using the 100-400mm lens & the x2 tc (MC-20). Captured on local walk route 5th April 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Sunset through trees 5th April 2021

    Sunset through trees 5th April 2021

    Sunset on a cold Spring day with sun bursting through tree branches. Got close up using the 100-400mm lens & the x2 tc (MC-20). Captured on local walk route 5th April 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Jackdaw with one eye

    Jackdaw with one eye

    An ailing Jackdaw with one eye perched on bird feeder frame at home in garden. This fellow gets picked on a lot by other jackdaws so we look after him :-) Captured above my home on 4th April 2021

  • Red Kite close up

    Red Kite close up

    Red Kite flying in clear blue sky with wings open. Captured above my home on4th April 2021

  • Easter stars

    Easter stars

    Captured at home on evening 3rd & 4th April 2021 (Easter weekend). Camera: Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: 12-40mm This star trail was captured by using the Olympus in-camera function called Live Composite (Setting B on top dial). I chose 15s exposures and set the camera shoot for 2 periods. The first was 2.5hrs and 2nd for 5 hours, starting at 2100hrs. The maximum time setting on live composite mode is 6 hrs. Anything longer thn 6 hrs requires multiple live composites (joined) or firing continuous and post processing. The final image you see is a 7.5hrs composite made from joining both Live composites captured in camera or 7.5hrs x15s in a single image. BEHIND THE LENS Camera:- Olympus OM-D EM-1 mk3 Lens: Olympus 12-40mm Tripod - Mounted in garden 15s exposure time using Live Composite mode in camera. F2.8 ISO 200 I mounted the camera on a tripod in the garden and set up the composition using a 12mm focal length composing the camera with horse chestnut tree in frame. There was no moonlight to provide natural light so light painted the tree for a few seconds with a torch. Using the Live Composite mode on the Olympus camera I shot 2 Live Composites. The first was 2.5 hrs and the 2nd was for 5hrs. Both star trail composite are generated in-camera. A cool feature to reduce post processing. I put both Live Composite images together with software to create a final single composite image. The resulting shot reveals 7.5 hrs of Earth spinning above the conker tree :-) Stay safe.

  • Robin singing in tree

    Robin singing in tree

    Robin singing whilst perched in a tree. Captured on local walk 3rd April 2021 in Leicestershire.

  • Bee on flower

    Bee on flower

    Bee collecting pollen from tree blossom in sunshine. Captured on local walk 2nd April 2021 in Leicestershire.

  • Friendly cows

    Friendly cows

    Mother and calf cows in farmers field, shot into the sun. I was nervous only for one minute, honestly! ;-) Captured on local walk 2nd April 2021 in Leicestershire.

  • Goldfinch

    Goldfinch

    Goldfinch standing on bird feeding station. Such lovely colours on these birds. Captured at home 30th March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Peacock Butterfly

    Peacock Butterfly

    Peacock butterfly with folded wings sitting in grass field. Shot into the sun to assist with lighting subject. Captured on local walk 31st March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Hare in trees

    Hare in trees

    Hare hiding away in tree growth. Captured on local walk 31st March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Robin singing in tree

    Robin singing in tree

    Robin perched in tree and singing. Captured on local walk 31st March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Woodpecker in tree

    Woodpecker in tree

    Woodpecker standing on tree, pecking away at trunk. Captured on local walk 29th March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Wood Pigeon on wire

    Wood Pigeon on wire

    Wood pigeon standing on wire cable, overhanging road. Captured on local walk 29th March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • International Space Station flyby

    International Space Station flyby

    The International Space Station (ISS) captured flying over UK skies 2024hrs on 29th March 2021. The flyby rose in the west and flew almost overhead to the east. Used a local field for some tree landscape and lit using torch during the multiple 4s exposures (lots!). Olympus EM1 (mk3), 8mm, mounted on tripod. Live composite mode 4s (approx 90 exposures), f3.5, ISO 200

  • Buzzard flying

    Buzzard flying

    Buzzard flying in sky, wings open. Captured on local walk 29th March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Spring Blossom

    Spring Blossom

    Trees are now starting to blossom nicely. Got lucky with the bee on this shot :-) Captured on local walk 29th March 2021, Leicestershire

  • Space Station and moon

    Space Station and moon

    The International Space Station (ISS) captured flying over UK skies 2009hrs on 26th March 2021. The pass flew over the moon before disappearing into Earth's shadow. Used a local field for some tree landscape and lit using torch during the multiple 10s exposures (approx 20). Olympus EM1 (mk3), 8mm, mounted on tripod. Live composite mode 10s (approx 20 exposures), f3.5, ISO 320

  • Sunset 26th March 2021

    Sunset 26th March 2021

    Sunset on a warm Spring day with sun bursting through tree branches. Captured with vintage art filter at home 26th March 2021, Leicestershire.

  • Waxing Gibbous 90%

    Waxing Gibbous 90%

    Captured on 25th March 2021. Olympus EM1, mk3 with 100-400mm lens + x2 TC (MC-20). Total effective focal length = 800mm x2 = 1600mm (35mm equiv). Camera/lens set up on tripod with no telescope and no tracking mount. Camera & lens Image Stabilisation (IS) switched off. f13 - minimum achievable due to lens + MC20. ISO 200 - Higher ISO reduces clarity with MC-20 (& increases noise). Low ISO is fine with bright subject/good ambient light. 1/160 - I tested 1/160 up to 1/200 and this seemed to expose best. Silent mode for shutter release eliminates vibration, together with using remote shutter cable. Silent mode had no delay (0s) but can be increased in menu if no cable release is used. Vey little wind and pretty clear skies - very good shooting conditions. Final image is approx 50% crop The MC-20 performs really well in right conditions when you work the settings. Very impressive results and remember this is a single image (no complicated stack or telescope work).

  • Lunar halo shining

    Lunar halo shining

    Captured on 24th March 2021. Lovely moon halo (360) shining down on the motorway traffic. Olympus EM1 (mk3), 8mm, mounted on tripod. 10s, f3.5, ISO 250

  • Red Kite feeding

    Red Kite feeding

    Close up of Red Kite feeding in a tree, captured on local walk 24th March 2021, Leicestershire

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