Blog

"Castle Stalker Argyll and Bute" Image by Lynn Bolt

Blog written by Steve Stamford

This month’s blog concentrates on images of castles and coasts.

People started building defensive structures that as time went on became ever more sophisticated. Simple wooden barricades and ditches became stone and moats. Towers were added for look-out purposes – and to drop things on attackers. As defences grew stronger so of course did the tactics to defeat them. The simplest tactic was to simply camp outside and wait for those inside to run out of food or water – the siege.

Whilst early castles were built by anyone (which wasn’t that many) with sufficient resources of labour and cash as the assorted local leaders were either defeated in battle or amalgamated by marriage castles became more of a nationally important asset. This explains why so many were built on and around the coast and beside rivers – to defend against foreign marauders.

We hope you enjoy the selection of images our artists have on the subject, and of course – you are most welcome to support them by purchasing from the site. We promise you will not be disappointed.

George Davidson https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=8160

Phillip Thornton https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=8164

Mike Carroll https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=8161

Daniel Dent https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=8167

Ann Garrett https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=8166

Jon Jones https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=9168

Lynn Bolt https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=9172

Simon Alun Hark https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=9173

 Arum Lily Bee- image by Terri Waters

Blog written by Steve Stamford

For an image to be considered macro the image recorded on the film, or in these days of digital photography the sensor, should be at least as large as the subject. This means that when we view the image at a ‘normal’ size as a print or canvas it will be very much larger than life. In doing so it can reveal an amazing level of detail and beauty.

It is though a very unforgiving subject. When photographing landscapes the amount in focus between the foreground and background can be anywhere between a metre or so up to infinity. The distance between the nearest point in focus and the furthest is known as ‘depth of field’ often just seen as DOF. In macro though this can be in the order of a millimetre or two so even a simple dandelion clock or daisy requires extreme care and the application of specialised (expensive) lenses or a cunning technique known as focus stacking.

Focus stacking is where an image is taken where the nearest point is in focus, and we accept anything behind that is not in focus. Then we take another image focusing a little further away, accepting that the nearest one is now not sharp. We continue to do this, taking shot after shot until the farthest point is the sharp one. Now of course we have anywhere between two and – well however many are needed. Sometimes in the case of those amazing images of insect eyes hundred of images are needed – each one a fraction of a millimetre different to the other.

All we need to do now is line them all up, selecting only the sharp bit from each one, then ‘stacking’ those sharp bits on top of each other to create the final image. Fortunately there are some rather nifty software tools that largely automate this for us.

This all takes time, patience a tripod and a subject that doesn’t move and a light source that doesn’t change between images. Macro isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but then again wouldn’t it be a boring world if we all liked the same thing?

Please take some time and click on the links below to see some wonderful and varied macro and close up images from some of our very talented artists:

 Steve Stamford  https://lens2print.co.uk//albumview.asp?albumID=7093

Susan Snow    https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=7099

Kaye Menner  https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=7097

Rina Devine  https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=7095

Mary Fletcher https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=7100

Pete Hemmington   https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=1151

Anila Hussain https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=5830

Terri Waters  https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=7114

Puffin In Flight image by Gary Clarricoates

Brilliant image of this cute bird!

Blog written by Steve Stamford

Lens2Print is home to many photographers and artists and of course many of them find inspiration in the animal kingdom.

This month we have invited our artists to create albums on the theme of “Animals and birds” and they have risen to that challenge. From wildlife through to more domesticated creatures that share our beautiful world we are sure you will find images that delight and maybe even inspire you.

We invite you to make a brew, grab a biscuit (or two) and take time to peruse the selection of fabulous images we have on offer. If you have space in your life for any of them then please go ahead and order – our smallest product is under 4 inches square, the largest around 4ft X 3ft so there is bound to be something to fit your lifestyle.

Our products include: canvas prints, prints, mousemats, mugs, wall clocks and coasters.

Please – spread the word, tell your friends about our site and share with them the wonderful world we live in, all captured by the talented artists at Lens2Print.

Jay Lethbridge https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=178

Tommy Dickson https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=5982

Steve Purnell https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=475

Kaye Menner https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=118

Phillip Thorntonhttps://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=6001

Simon Marlow https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=5997

Karl Thompson https://www.lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=268

Gary Clarricoates https://lens2print.co.uk/albumview.asp?albumID=4667 

Image by Chris Langley.

Blog written by Chris Langley

Love is funny.  It is emotional.  It is warm.  It can be contentious.  It can be delighful.  It can be love for a person or love for a place. It can be love for a colour or love for a texture.  Love can be expressed in light or darkness.  Love can be found in a form or a glint in the eye.  Love is evocative.  Love is a reaction which is as large and varied as the people on Earth.  On Lens2Print you will find images which have all been loved by the individuals who created them and by a team of reviewers who felt that in their huge variety,  the viewer will surely find something that invokes that curious spark which we can love in at least one of the ways described.

There is a lot to love.

Why not treat your loved one to a special gift or piece of artwork this Valentines Day to show them your love?

Below you will find some images of love from some of our artists:

John Edwards -   https://www.lens2print.co.uk/imageview.asp?imageID=11502

Steve Purnell -   https://www.lens2print.co.uk/imageview.asp?imageID=48030

Chris Langley -   https://www.lens2print.co.uk/imageview.asp?imageID=48045

Mary Fletcher -  https://www.lens2print.co.uk/imageview.asp?imageID=48004

The Lens2Print Team would like to thank all our artists and customers for their continued support and wish each and every one of you a Very Happy New Year! 

LOOKING FOR THAT PERFECT IMAGE? This months featured editorial is a focus on SUNRISES AND SUNSETS. Editorial writtten by Phil Wareham, photograph by DAvid Hollingworth

Wherever you are in the world it happens nearly every day. The sun comes up in the morning and goes back to bed at night. Obviously the further north or south you are smaller or larger the time difference is between the two events! Photographers the world over set alarm clocks to ensure their timely arrival for the blue and golden hours before and after the actual events with fingers crossed that the weather forecast is accurate. From fiery skies to pastel shades every one is different. It’s why we keep turning out to capture nature’s free light show.

Please click on the links below to find fabulous images of sunrises and sunsets from all over the World by some of our very talented artists

HEAT

Our canvas prints are mounted on wooden frames, so avoid exposing the canvas print to extreme temperatures. In particular, take care if you are hanging your canvas prints above radiators or fireplaces as this could result in warping of the frame or burning of the canvas and wood.

REMOVING DUST

Try not to touch the surface of the canvas directly, instead blow the dust off the surface. If dust remains then brush it off gently using a duster.  Never use cleaning fluids on the surface of your canvas print

HUMIDITY

As with all works of art it is best to avoid exposure to extreme humidity. Avoid hanging your print in cellars, bathrooms or attics where humidity may affect the wood. If a canvas appears damp move it to another room

LENS2PRINT WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISUSE OF ARTWORK - IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT PLEASE EMAIL US, WE ARE HAPPY TO ADVISE YOU.

Ethical Art

At Lens2Print we describe ourselves as being "ethical", so here is an explanation of why we feel justified in using the word.  Let's start with the definition from the Cambridge English Dictionary:

"ethic" definition: 1. a system of accepted beliefs that control behaviour, especially such a system based on morals"

Many of our artists have been offering their work online for many years with varying levels of success and of course, financial reward. The founders of Lens2Print are no exception. The way proceeds of sales were, and indeed are distributed on other sites was one of the major factors in setting up Lens2Print.

By way of an example, let us take a popular canvas size 20"x 20" and compare 3 sites; a UK based, a US based and Lens2Print

Selling Site                      Retail Price                     Artist Share

 UK based                               £106.93.                             £23.14

 US based                                £84.98                                  £7.72

  Lens2Print                           £81.36                                 £38.54

We hope you notice the difference - our artists certainly do. Not only do we offer products that we are very proud of, we do so at a lower price than the other sites (better value for the customer) and at the same time provide our artists with a fair return. How fair? We allow them to make that decision themselves, they are free to set whatever value they wish on our site, for each and every product.

We do however, insist our artists make at least a minimum percentage on every sale, the other sites quoted do not - it is quite possible to make as little as $1 for that sale in the US.

Lens2Print don't think it is ethical for a site to offer the artist one quarter of the sales revenue (or worse). We believe our customers are prepared to pay  for a quality product but at the same time get real value for money and not pay more than they have to. We believe that any business has an ethical duty to look after the welfare of its suppliers - our artists

So that's us - Lens2Print, The Home of Ethical Art

"Quality Art, Great Value, Ethically Done"

Colours and Vibrancy

Display calibrations vary from screen to screen so please be aware that while every effort is taken to ensure it looks as good on your screen as it does on our products there may in some rare instances be a little variance between the two.

Lens2Print cannot accept any returns due to this as it is beyond our control.

All items are usually despatched in 3-5 working days

Delivery charges are included within the UK

PLEASE NOTE - DELIVERIES OUTSIDE OF THE UK WILL BE SUBJECT TO A DELIVERY CHARGE - PLEASE EMAIL FOR COSTS. 

Lens2Print is a partnership of three photographers who, over the years have felt a growing need to offer a fairer platform to promote photography as an art, than currently exists. 

By supporting this site you will be supporting the photographers and their art,   everyone gets a fair deal.

We aim to offer our customers a personal and friendly service and to ensure that your buying experience is a pleasant one and one where you will want to return time and again.

Please take your time to enjoy the numerous and varied styles of art and photography from our group of very talented artists.

If you see an artist and/or photo you like,  you can click on the star next to the artist/photo and this will add them to your favourite list, you can come back time and again to see what's new with your favourite artist or browse more photos before making your choice.