Your R System Images - July 2026

[PKM-UK]

Astounding…I don’t know where to begin.

We are blessed with such beauty in nature, and oftentimes are so wrapped up in our own little world that we fail to see it. Thanks for slowing down to see it, and taking the time to share it with us. Very well done!

Hi Dale,

Thank you for your very kind words - much appreciated!

P&K

 

[Grumps]

Having just finished the edits from the first venue of our most recent Frank-Fest, a few compilations from the associated gardens.

(Shot raw and processed with: DxO PL E/ Nik, Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels and Topaz Labs Studio. These shots are all by Phil as Karen eschewed taking a camera along on this trip... Plus, we were getting to grips with Arfur - our new DJI Neo 2 Drone).

Phil and Karen


And now in Colour...

Names?

Working from top. And left-to-right.

Selection 1. Lavatera (x2). Centaurea dealbata (I think)
Selection 2. Alstromeria (x2). Echinops.
Selection 3. Teasel. ? (stumped me there). One of the many types of (bulbous) lilly.
Selection 4. Salvia (type/species not identified). Allium (seed head). Another of the many types of (bulbous) lilly.
Selection 5. Delphinium. Another of the many types of (bulbous) lilly. Phlox (I think).
Selection . Acanthus mollis. Geranium (possibly type Ann Folkard). Some sort of fencing. Centaurea cyanus. Veronica (possibly type of longifolia).

(I saw a close relative of Neo in a local Currys)

(Last edit - veronica - brought on after scanning a list of names of species, which jogged the grey matter. That still leaves one "stumped")

 

[PKM-UK]

Names?

Working from top. And left-to-right.

Selection 1. Lavatera (x2). Centaurea dealbata (I think)
Selection 2. Alstromeria (x2). Echinops.
Selection 3. Teasel. ? (stumped me there). One of the many types of (bulbous) lilly.
Selection 4. Salvia (type/species not identified). Allium (seed head). Another of the many types of (bulbous) lilly.
Selection 5. Delphinium. Another of the many types of (bulbous) lilly. Phlox (I think).
Selection . Acanthus mollis. Geranium (possibly type Ann Folkard). Some sort of fencing. Centaurea cyanus. Stumped me again.

(I saw a close relative of Neo in a local Currys)

Hi Roy,

Top marks matey!

(I just call them by the colours… ).

Phil

 

[AOC]

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[PKM-UK]

View attachment 47459

Hi Art,

The wonder of nature, beautifully captured and perfectly presented.

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

Images from Temple Newsam, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PL E/ ViewPoint, Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels and Topaz Labs Studio. These images are all by Phil as Karen was working in nearby-ish Wakefield).

Resembling a block of flats, this property holds a rich history - and many wonders. You can learn more about Temple Newsam by clicking Here.

Phil (missing Karen)


1. The manor of Newsam (‘new houses’) was first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. In 1155 it became a property of the Knights Templar, the military-religious order who guarded the pilgrim routes to Jerusalem.

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2. After the Knights Templar order was dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312, the estate moved ownership several times before passing to the Darcy family. Thomas Lord Darcy built a new house on the estate in the early 1500s.

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3. Darcy was executed in 1537 for his part in the Catholic revolt known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. King Henry VIII claimed the estate and gifted it to his favourite niece, the Countess of Lennox, and her sons Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and Lord Charles Stuart were all born and raised here.

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4. Now effectively a minor royal palace, in the mid-1500’s Temple Newsam was a site of political intrigue, with Darnley’s marriage to Mary Queen of Scots and his subsequent murder. After Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned, Queen Elizabeth I seized the estate and it became Crown property.

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5. Darnley’s marriage to Mary was highly consequential, resulting in the birth of her only son and heir, James. James became King James VI of Scotland, then later King James I of England, the first time the two crowns were united - ushering in the Stuart dynasty.

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6. Temple Newsam became neglected for nearly 80 years before being bought by the Yorkshire-born entrepreneur Sir Arthur Ingram who remodelled the house, into the basic form seen today. (Of note, this was the first room in which I encountered another visitor... ).

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7. In 1642, ‘china drinke’, or tea, as we know it, was supplied to the house - the earliest mention of tea in Britain...

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(Source: Temple Newsam).

 

[SwampGrizz]

Excellent as always. Thanks for sharing. Your colors, to me, are spot on.

 

[THXGEEK]

Excellent as always. Thanks for sharing. Your colors, to me, are spot on.

+1

 

[PKM-UK]

Excellent as always. Thanks for sharing. Your colors, to me, are spot on.

Hi Dale,

Cheers - much appreciated!

This property was fascinating and I enjoyed having a crack at its many photographic challenges (with a range of outcomes!).

(The surrounding parkland was also a joy to wander around).


Talking of colours, the files I'm currently working on have us wearing searingly bright orange cycling shirts in a building with many reflective surfaces - leading to some interesting colours. I'm starting to think B&W may feature heavily...

Phil

 

[ACEkin]

Images from Temple Newsam, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PL E/ ViewPoint, Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels and Topaz Labs Studio. These images are all by Phil as Karen was working in nearby-ish Wakefield).

Resembling a block of flats, this property holds a rich history - and many wonders. You can learn more about Temple Newsam by clicking Here.

Phil (missing Karen)


1. The manor of Newsam (‘new houses’) was first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. In 1155 it became a property of the Knights Templar, the military-religious order who guarded the pilgrim routes to Jerusalem.

View attachment 47467

2. After the Knights Templar order was dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312, the estate moved ownership several times before passing to the Darcy family. Thomas Lord Darcy built a new house on the estate in the early 1500s.

View attachment 47468

3. Darcy was executed in 1537 for his part in the Catholic revolt known as the Pilgrimage of Grace. King Henry VIII claimed the estate and gifted it to his favourite niece, the Countess of Lennox, and her sons Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and Lord Charles Stuart were all born and raised here.

View attachment 47469

4. Now effectively a minor royal palace, in the mid-1500’s Temple Newsam was a site of political intrigue, with Darnley’s marriage to Mary Queen of Scots and his subsequent murder. After Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned, Queen Elizabeth I seized the estate and it became Crown property.

View attachment 47470

5. Darnley’s marriage to Mary was highly consequential, resulting in the birth of her only son and heir, James. James became King James VI of Scotland, then later King James I of England, the first time the two crowns were united - ushering in the Stuart dynasty.

View attachment 47471

6. Temple Newsam became neglected for nearly 80 years before being bought by the Yorkshire-born entrepreneur Sir Arthur Ingram who remodelled the house, into the basic form seen today. (Of note, this was the first room in which I encountered another visitor... ).

View attachment 47472

7. In 1642, ‘china drinke’, or tea, as we know it, was supplied to the house - the earliest mention of tea in Britain...

View attachment 47473

(Source: Temple Newsam).

I like that you preserve the mood at the location rather than attempting to show more detail. I subscribe to the same, even wrote about it some years ago.

 

[PKM-UK]

Hi Cemal,

Cheers - appreciated!

I'm always juggling the desire to show people the gist of the places we visit, while preserving the ambience - many of the properties are kept relatively dark to reduce the potential for degradation due to exposure to harsh sunlight and the lighting whether through open/ screened windows, or artificial sources can be a complete nightmare (for photography, not conservation). None of the properties we visit allow the use of tripods or flashes, which is totally understandable.

(I've never asked, but I suspect a portable smoke machine - for some tasteful angel beams - would be right out... ).

Sometimes I'm tempted to adopt a 'chiaroscuro' approach to photography, the only things lacking being the necessary skills (and talent) plus, as mentioned, control of the lighting in these places is not in my hands and the space is shared with other visitors/ room guides - I don't have free rein to do my own thing, even if I knew what I was doing. Combine this with having to regularly fit in with limited time scales during our 'run and gun' visits - and we're back to juggling...

When I do get the opportunity for some creative editing, I'll often lean towards 'less is more' (particularly so with B&W).

All good fun...

Phil

 

[ACEkin]

Hi Cemal,

Cheers - appreciated!

I'm always juggling the desire to show people the gist of the places we visit, while preserving the ambience - many of the properties are kept relatively dark to reduce the potential for degradation due to exposure to harsh sunlight and the lighting whether through open/ screened windows, or artificial sources can be a complete nightmare (for photography, not conservation). None of the properties we visit allow the use of tripods or flashes, which is totally understandable.

(I've never asked, but I suspect a portable smoke machine - for some tasteful angel beams - would be right out... ).

Sometimes I'm tempted to adopt a 'chiaroscuro' approach to photography, the only things lacking being the necessary skills (and talent) plus, as mentioned, control of the lighting in these places is not in my hands and the space is shared with other visitors/ room guides - I don't have free run to do my own thing, even if I knew what I was doing. Combine this with having to regularly fit in with limited time scales during our 'run and gun' visits - and we're back to juggling...

When I do get the opportunity for some creative editing, I'll often lean towards 'less is more' (particularly so with B&W).

All good fun...

Phil

My editing motto has been this for a long time: Regardless of how much editing I may apply, my work should appear to the viewer as effortlessly done. No editing artifacts, no HDR halos, no sharpening effects, ... But, again, I have never tried a portable smoke machine; who knows ...!!

 

[THXGEEK]

Chilling out....

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Puffing up...

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Climbing a fence...

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[PKM-UK]

Chilling out....

View attachment 47573

Puffing up...

View attachment 47574

Climbing a fence...

View attachment 47575

Hi Craig,

Three wildlife captures with plenty to interest (and entertain) the viewer.

Beautifully rich colours - and incredibly agile squirrels are always a giggle.

Thank you for sharing...

P&K

 

[PKM-UK]

Let's start the week with a few from our most recent visit to Chester Zoo, Cheshire, England.

(Shot raw and processed using: DxO PL Elite, Adobe LrC/ PS with Tony Kuyper Panels and Topaz Labs Studio. Compilations feature Karen - R7 and Phil - R5 II).

Phil and Karen


1. What a bunch of little cuties...

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2. We can see you...

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3. The red panda enclosure is next to the snow leopard enclosure (one of these would like a connecting door installed)...

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4. In other news...

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5. Zingy birdies...

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6. Cheetah Cub Club - Made in Yorkshire (Wildlife Park)...

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[Bucolic Old Sir Henry]

Some of your best there, Phil. Love the first bird. Looks like it’s complaining about the colour the hairdresser’s given her…

 

[PKM-UK]

Some of your best there, Phil. Love the first bird. Looks like it’s complaining about the colour the hairdresser’s given her…

Hi Gareth,

Cheers - appreciated! Definitely regretting having been oversold about the current fashion for loud hair...


We were very lucky on this lap of the zoo - the creatures were in a very relaxed mood and seemed content to pose.

(We both adopted our 'talk to them' tactics, so they were also probably wondering whether we were a pair of idiots).

P&K

 

[Si Keen]

A few from a very hot and sunny Donington Park World Superbike round.

The heat haze was a real issue with temp around 30°C, luckily there was a small breeze but it was still hot.
All shots hand held with the R1 and RF600f4 which meant tight shots and with the amount heat haze long shots were horrid.
I lost my R5mkii and 100-500mm and more importantly my mono pod to my friends son who is just starting out in photography and loves motor sport and bikes and with just shy of 15,000 shots fired he liked the shutter button!
The R1 continues to surprise me with nearly 2000 shots taken and 95% sharp (considering the heat haze) the issue now is culling as it's now only down to poorly composed shots. and miss fires.

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If aviation is your thing then Donington can provide both, as aircraft pass overhead coming into land at East midlands airport

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I was particularly happy with slow shutter speeds, but due to the light I was having to run f10 - f16 just to get the shutter down to 1/160

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[PKM-UK]

A few from a very hot and sunny Donington Park World Superbike round.

The heat haze was a real issue with temp around 30°C, luckily there was a small breeze but it was still hot.
All shots hand held with the R1 and RF600f4 which meant tight shots and with the amount heat haze long shots were horrid.
I lost my R5mkii and 100-500mm and more importantly my mono pod to my friends son who is just starting out in photography and loves motor sport and bikes and with just shy of 15,000 shots fired he liked the shutter button!
The R1 continues to surprise me with nearly 2000 shots taken and 95% sharp (considering the heat haze) the issue now is culling as it's now only down to poorly composed shots. and miss fires.
View attachment 47605

View attachment 47602View attachment 47603

If aviation is your thing then Donington can provide both, as aircraft pass overhead coming into land at East midlands airport

View attachment 47606
View attachment 47604

I was particularly happy with slow shutter speeds, but due to the light I was having to run f10 - f16 just to get the shutter down to 1/160

View attachment 47601
View attachment 47600View attachment 47597

View attachment 47598

View attachment 47599

Hi Simon,

Absolutely magnificent!

You've got that R1 singing on-cam - matching those glorious bikes (and BIF). Truly remarkable (as least it is in your hands).


(15,000 shots though - damn... ).

P&K

 

[Si Keen]

Hi Simon,

Absolutely magnificent!

You've got that R1 singing on-cam - matching those glorious bikes (and BIF). Truly remarkable (as least it is in your hands).


(15,000 shots though - damn... ).

P&K

Yes there’s lots of grass, Run off, sky and chain link fence and a large amount of his feet… but he’s got some good shots in between.
So this afternoon’s job is cull down to 100. So he can have a play at editing them.

 

[PKM-UK]

Yes there’s lots of grass, Run off, sky and chain link fence and a large amount of his feet… but he’s got some good shots in between.
So this afternoon’s job is cull down to 100. So he can have a play at editing them.

Hi Simon,

A 15,000:100 keeper ratio will make for an interesting afternoon (if a tough one for the [Delete] key!).

However, 'take lots, delete most' is also one of our favourite mantras...


After lots of practice, we now only average around 4-5 foot/ hand/ pavement shots per session...

P&K

 

[SwampGrizz]

I think my all time record for a street photography day was 160 or so shots. I can’t comprehend 15,000. Granted, it’s probably a lot of burst shots, but still….I was happy with about 5-6 of my little pictures. My hat is off to sports/action/wildlife shooters that deliver high quality photos like the ones above. Well done!

Edit:
Just thought of this after I hit the button. If y’all are shooting 15k shots raw, how many sd cards did you fill? How big is your storage system at home?

 

[SwampGrizz]

Phil,
“After lots of practice, we now only average around 4-5 foot/ hand/ pavement shots per session... ”

I’ll bet that I have more pictures of my thumb and forefinger than you and Karen have of yours….

 

[Si Keen]

I think my all time record for a street photography day was 160 or so shots. I can’t comprehend 15,000. Granted, it’s probably a lot of burst shots, but still….I was happy with about 5-6 of my little pictures. My hat is off to sports/action/wildlife shooters that deliver high quality photos like the ones above. Well done!

Well the cull went well, and surprisingly quick.It looks like my young apprentice had been hitting the shutter button while sitting and walking around. And to be fair he has some good shots when he’s pointed the camera in the right direction

 

[SwampGrizz]

Simon,
“And to be fair he has some good shots when he’s pointed the camera in the right direction ”

If he wants to learn how to get photos of the inside of his lens cap, tell him to call me.

 

[Grumps]

View attachment 47584

Is that crowned pigeon still sitting on its scant, twiggy nest?

 

[Grumps]

Hi Roy,

We're kind of hoping this isn't a self-portrait...

A very eye-catching image - and possibly the last good night's sleep many viewers will have had for some time.

Inspirational stuff! Thank you for sharing...

P&K

Late reply.

Is it an LED therapy mask (or the effects of one)?

 

[PKM-UK]

Is that crowned pigeon still sitting on its scant, twiggy nest?

Hi Roy,

Indeed. It's either very happy to be there, or an animatronic...

P&K