It has been a bit of a chequered week

I thought it had been quite a long time since I did anything with glasses (tumblers not spectacles!) . I remember coming across some rather clever pictures with glasses.

Apart from the balancing picture which really requires not only specifically shaped glass goblets, but also a dab of blue-tac to steady them in place and which can then be removed in Photoshop, the other shots are more straightforward.

I noticed how the pattern of the chequer-board changed when liquid was put in them. I though that was quite interesting. There used to be a rather long involved explanation given by a former colleague about refraction and how light passes through water – but you haven’t logged on to be educated have you?

A week or so ago I visited the Langham Glassworks in Fakenham. They were kind enough to allow me to take pictures of the glass blowers at work.  It is an intriguing sight to watch glass shapes emerging.

The working area is also very warm once all the ovens get going. In some ways the warmth was very welcoming on the cold but bright day when I was there, but in summer the workpeople must find the heat somewhat oppressive.

I had hoped to produce some slightly different images at the end of today’s blog showing a different way glass can be lit. At the moment this technique needs more work – more time to experiment with lighting. Maybe in a week or so I’ll come up with a collection of glasses lit in a novel way – work in progress.

In the interests of health and safety in your possible marital relationship, may I suggest that you don’t try the first balancing act with the cut glass water set that you were given as a wedding present.

See you soon.