On close consideration

This is a poppy seed-head taken with my Asahi Pentax Takumar 35mm 3.5 lens reversed on an adapter for my Fuji X-T1. Here is the science - a normal lens reduces a wide view (eg a landscape) onto a small area (you sensor). When reversed, the lens work in the opposite way - a small area is enlarged onto the sensor.

EXIF: 1.5" f16 35mm ISO 320

Derelict Thursday 

Here are my personal favourites from this week's Derelict Thursday challenge. As we did last week, Herself has made her own choices and we have not conferred.

Shipwreck by paused
This is a beautifully processed mono landscape and I particularly like the way the sparse derelict elements turn the image into a statement about our relationship with the natural world.

Hop Kiln by Miffy
The skilful processing using desaturated colours adds a sensuous quality to this old building which is very appropriate to the subject.

Derelict Shed and Fireplace by osuzanna
I like this little building being enveloped by natural growth and the vintage treatment helps it along. There is a hidden story about its use which makes the image all the more interesting.

Derelict yet beautiful by Talpa
Rust and colour combined and the type of scene we get frequently here. I am strangely fascinated by the '13' and the very noisy/grainy image adds to the textural quality.

Decapitated chair by Youoregon1
I like this because it goes to disprove the idea that 'dereliction' is a downbeat subject. This little chair is jolly, has a story to tell and the contrast between the blues, reds and greens just sing with life.

SarumStroller mentioned, in a comment on my entry for yesterday, a reply he has received from Blip Central about having this challenge listed on the 'Activities' page. Here are their reasons for not doing so...

1) The subject matter is too downbeat.
2) It might encourage blippers to endanger themselves, which Blip HQ could not endorse, and
3) The tag is too long.

While I can understand (but not agree with) the second reason, the others seem to be very silly. At first I was very cross about it but have come to the conclusion that it is best to just laugh this off. In fact Derelict Thursday may be better as an unofficial challenge - it suits the nature of seeking out dereliction and the whole ethos of the 'Urbex' style of photography. It is worth saying, however, that dereliction and decay have been key subjects for photography from its very earliest days and some of the greats of the medium have included it in their repertoire. Some of this week's entries, including one I have selected, disprove the assumption of the first reason given above.

I would welcome your considered opinions, but maybe without too much blip-bashing because I think the community needs to rise above some of the moaning that has been going on about recent changes.