Mini Adventures

The Great Western LEGO Show

2010-10-02T01:08:00.000-07:00

I will be taking the kids to the Great Western Museum in Swindon, Wilts today to see the LEGO Show.

The display will be held at STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon on 2nd and 3rd October 2010. This year, the display will be bigger than ever, with even more activities for all the family to enjoy and participate in. All models on display are built by Brickish Association members, making it the largest display of LEGO fan models in the UK.

Doors open at 10am and the show closes at 5pm. Last admission is at 4.30pm.

There will be plenty to see and do, making it a fabulous day out for all the family:

Lots of models of all sizes built by LEGO fans such as railway layouts, buildings, space craft, cars, trucks, aircraft and much more
Interactive Building - help create an all-new giant LEGO mosaic from 100,000 bricks!
Building Workshops - enjoy short presentations by LEGO experts on the latest LEGO building software and techniques for you to try at home
Visit the LEGO Shop and other independent LEGO traders for some great deals on some exclusive LEGO sets not available on the high street
LEGO play tables for the children (and sofas for the adults!)
Competitions - win LEGO prizes
Brick Cafe - to keep you refreshed in first class style.

plus

all the regular displays and exhibits telling the remarkable story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway.

The Great Western LEGO Show: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

WALL-E T-Shirt

2010-09-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

I thought that fans of my Wall-E T Shirt might like to know that your can now get this on a T Shirt at RedBubble.com.

Its available in multiple colours and in kids sizes too!

WALL-E T Shirt at REDBUBBLE

LEGO Batman T Shirt Design

2010-09-17T02:20:00.000-07:00

Those of you who like my LEGO photos may be interested to know that you can buy some of them as T Shirts at RedBubble.com.

My latest design is of LEGO Batman. Available as T Shirts for kids, skinnys for girls and also adults!

Get yours at RedBubble...

Indy Lego Macro

2010-08-18T11:10:00.001-07:00

Indy Lego Macro, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I have a new lens which is a combination of Macro and Fish-eye.

I took this photo with the Macro half of teh set. Indy is stood about 2cm away from the glass! Its hard to be creative at this distance - so a straight forward portrait is all I can manage i'm afraid.

Mini Adventures T- Shirt

2010-08-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

You can now buy some of my LEGO Photos on T-Shirts at Red Bubble..

Here is a link to my latest Indiana Jones design - Its a Small World Dr Jones!

My T-shirts - RedBubble

Controversial evidence that says Stormtroopers are born not cloned....

2010-08-06T08:15:00.001-07:00

Controversial evidence that says Stormtroopers are born not cloned...., originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Just a bit of fun as usual.

My son found a nest that had fallen from our tree so I thought I would have some fun.

My son was subsequently not happy that I put his LEGO minifigs so close to a place where baby birds had poo'd!

Kitchen Clean Up

2010-07-27T14:41:00.001-07:00

The fairies that tidy the kitchen after I have gone to bed, have some serious machinery!, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

The fairies that tidy the kitchen after I have gone to bed, have some serious machinery! Ok so it's a digger from a Kinder Egg.

I found this on the floor while tidying up tonight and had an idea for some fun. I think I might have to try some more...

Hope you enjoy it...

"Mostly LEGO" A video by Tim

2010-07-02T01:44:00.000-07:00

I used some new software last night to create a slide show of my LEGO shots.

The slides were automated so the cutting and panning is all decided by the software - MUVEE.

Hope you enjoy.

LEGO Winter Olympics #1 Skeleton Bob

2010-02-20T06:28:00.001-08:00

LEGO Winter Olympics #1 Skeleton Bob, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I know it's an awful joke...

Well done Amy Williams!

Skeleton or tobogganing is a fast winter sliding sport in which an individual person rides a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down, during which athletes experience forces up to 5g. It originated in St. Moritz, Switzerland as a spin-off from the popular British sport of Cresta Sledding. While skeleton "sliders" use similar equipment to that of cresta "riders", the two sports are different: while skeleton is run on the same track used by bobsleds and luge, cresta is run on cresta-specific sledding tracks only. Also, the skeleton sled has no steering or braking mechanism, while cresta sledders use skates on their feet to help steer and brake the sled.

Indiana Jones and the Big Freeze

2010-02-01T03:53:00.001-08:00

Indiana Jones and the Big Freeze, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Taken in January 2010 during the Big Freeze! It was cold and we couldn't get to work, but a few days of snow and ice was fun!

Using my faithful EOS400D, I took Indy out into the gardedn for a few photos. I was disappointed with most to be honest. These two were the best of the bunch and my son uses the top one as his PS3 background image!

Tum tum tum, tum te tum, tum te tum

2009-08-19T05:24:00.001-07:00

TK328: Tum tum tum, tum te tum, tum te tum TK583: SHUT UP!, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Stormtroopers marching towards the light. Its actually my study door and the desk lamp but could easily be the open hatch of a star cruiser or destroyer. Man I am such a nerd!

Batman and Robin

2009-08-19T01:00:00.001-07:00

Batman and Robin, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

It's that classic image of the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder, Batman and Robin, running through the twighlight to th escene of a crime. This could always be seen on the TV show, in the cartoon at during the credits/title sequence. It also reminds me of the great Only Fools and Horses episode where Del Boy and Rodney went to a wake in fancy dress. Their car broke down and the had to run to the "party" through the back streets.. A classic moment in British comedy.

The light here is simply the desk lamp in my study shining through to the stone floor in our hallway.

Macro LEGO Indiana Jones

2009-07-13T12:14:00.001-07:00

Macro LEGO Indiana Jones, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

First LEGO minifig shot with my new Macro Extension kit... To get this close cost me £9.99 on Amazon!

See the rest of the set here.

DIGG This Dinosaur

2009-06-27T01:22:00.001-07:00

Stormtrooper vs Velociraptor, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I cant remember if I have blogged this shot before (turns out I have) but I figured this was noteworthy... Someone DUGG this yesterday (ie Digg.it) which resulted in more than 14000 that's 14 THOUSAND hits on the photo yesterday! Plus another 5000 today has made this by a mile my most viewed photo on Flickr! Thanks DIGG!

Click here for more Stormtrooper action!

Link to the DIGG entry that started the now 20000 hits on the image.

Star Wars figures and chipmunks by Chris McVeigh

2009-06-25T05:08:00.000-07:00

Chris McVeigh, a Canadian illustrator, captured these images of wild chipmunks in hilarious situations with action figures from the Star Wars films. Chris, 37, managed to shoot the images after he befriended one of the bushy-tailed creatures in his parents' back yard in Bathurst, New Brunswick.

"Once I got close to them I realised I could pretty much do anything and they didn't bat an eye-lid," he explained.

Check the rest out at the Telegraph Newspaper

Star Wars figures and chipmunks by Chris McVeigh - Telegraph

GOGOs

2009-06-04T17:00:00.001-07:00

GOGOs, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I know this isn't LEGO, but this is my blog and I can break the rules. The point is they are about the size of a minifig (a little shorter) and they are going to be quite fun to photograph.

They are called GOGOs and apparantly they are collectable. My son is demanding them and then losing them... What is that all about?

LEGO Stormtroopers - Cereal Killers !

2009-03-21T03:06:00.001-07:00

LEGO Stormtroopers - Cereal Killers !, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I haven't taken any photos since the snow. The mess at the breakfast table gave me an idea this morning. I carefully placed each Cheerio and chose the colours to strike th eperfect balance of wholegrain, corn, oats, rice an wheat... Not really, but I did it give it some thought.

Hope you enjoy it.. If you do please visit my Flickr photo stream by clicking on the image.

Until the next time....

Snow Camp

2009-02-07T01:36:00.001-08:00

Snow Camp, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Time to dig in for the night.

The tent looks a little drafty don't you think?

It's downhill from here

2009-02-07T01:34:00.001-08:00

Arctic LEGO, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

An arctice adventure returns after a long trek over my garden shed!

Snow Patrol

2009-02-05T04:22:00.001-08:00

Snow Patrol, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Can you believe that LEGO was the first thing I thought to photograph today! Not my kids or the beautiful landscape!

I am pleased with this one, check out the rest on my Flickr photostream.

Don't ... turn ... around...

2008-12-03T13:30:00.001-08:00

Don't ... turn ... around..., originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I know what you are thinking - Hooray Tim has posted another LEGO shot. It's hard to contain yourself, I can understand!

Please feel free to leave a comment!

Farewell my little friend...

2008-12-01T22:53:00.001-08:00

Farewell my little friend..., originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I am told that the Bat-man would never kill anybody - I gues accidents happen....

"Get in and stop mucking around!"

2008-12-01T22:52:00.001-08:00

"Get in and stop mucking around!", originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Stormtroopers are't good at hiding!

Indiana Jones (LEGO) Wallpaper

2008-11-26T06:48:00.001-08:00

Indiana Jones (LEGO) Grunge Wallpaper, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

A reinvention of one of my LEGO shots as a grunge wallpaper.

This features an Indiana Jones LEGO minifig, layered with a grungey background, globe and a compass... Blended together with a bit magic!

I'd like to thank google for some random images ! ;o)

Big things come in small packages

2008-11-20T01:32:00.001-08:00

Big things come in small packages, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Oh no, not another not-a-Lego photo...

I haven''t taken any new shots for a while... My two nights for camera playing is Monday and Wednesday... Well, Heroes is on Wednesday nights and we just bought a Wii so Call of Duty is taking up my free time...

Back to the camera next week, I promise.

Today is a gift...

2008-11-20T01:23:00.001-08:00

"Yesterday is history; tommorow's a mystery; today is a gift... that is why it is called the PRESENT": Master Oogway, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I know it's not LEGO, but the blog title is Mini-Adventures and it's mine. Besides this guy is about the size of a LEGO minifig and this is a cool photo - and cool photos is afterall what you have come here to see...

By the way, it's Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda!

What is this Bokeh Thing anyway?

2008-10-20T02:00:00.001-07:00

What is this Bokeh Thing anyway?, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I know it's not LEGO but this is my fun blog with toy pictures and .... what am I doing? This is my blog, my rules..

This is a Marvel Battle Dice Macro. And this of course is Ben Grimm or Thing from The Fantastic Four. I am really pleased with this shot as he is shorter than a minifig and my 200mm lens has picked out some awesome detail.

Check him out on Flickr -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tim_norris/2944531947/

Stormtrooper Bokeh

2008-09-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Also featured on on my Canon Blog - We want bokeh on Wednesdays......

Beyond the Stars

2008-09-12T12:49:00.001-07:00

Beyond the Stars, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I've been going a little mad with PhotoShop this week. So I thought it was time to do another LEGO shot.

Hope you like it.

Classic Albums Realised in LEGO (Queen II - Queen)

2008-09-06T11:37:00.001-07:00

Classic Albums Realised in LEGO (Queen II - Queen), originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see-
Im just a poor boy,i need no sympathy-
Because Im easy come,easy go,
A little high,little low,
Anyway the wind blows,doesnt really matter to me, to me....

Bo' Rap' wasn't on Queen II but this image is now synonymous with Queen's most famous song...

And where do you suppose we hide it?

2008-09-04T14:01:00.001-07:00

And where do you suppose we hide it?, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Just Say No !

Guys this is just mixed herbs - they are gonna make a surprise curry for the Emporer!

I think you should just squeeze it...

2008-08-22T03:59:00.001-07:00

I think you should just squeeze it..., originally uploaded by ....Tim.

I am not sure what to say about this shot other than this is a Stormtrooper with a flippin' great big spot, boil or zit !

The lighting is good I suppose.

Vintage Lego Spacemen

2008-08-22T03:54:00.001-07:00

Vintage Lego Spacemen, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

This is an oldie and one of my first LEGO shots. Some vintage LEGO Space - men. I had some fun processing the hell out of it in PhotoShop and my good Flickr Friend Joriel "Joz" Jimenez tagged it with some details that I never knew...

Not LEGO - Sorry!

2008-08-22T01:19:00.001-07:00

Motion/Radial blur..., originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Ok so these are MEGA BLOKS Mag Warriors and not LEGO. But I wanted to post this here for fans of my photos - I think there are three of you now!

I had some fun with the angle and the applying some motion blur in photoshop. There are two layers in this shot so that I could still maintain the details of the original photo whilst overlaying the circular motion blur.. I have erased the Blur completely around the head and torso of the main guy in red and applied a approx 50% layer transparancy to the other parts such as the shield and head of the warrior in white.

I am really pleased with the result. I may post more of these guys here, with some minifigs to make sure there is LEGO in the shot!

EF 50mm f/1.8 Mkii

2008-08-22T01:03:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post a link to my other Blog (Me and My Canon) and a posting about my 50mm lens. The reason: well it has kind of become my main tool and without a doubt the main lens I shoot with for my LEGO shots.

It provides a really narrow depth of field (DOF) and can create great Bokeh/Blur. Any way take a look :

Me and my Canon: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mkii

Guys, we've gotta get off this rock!!!

2008-08-20T13:17:00.001-07:00

Guys, we've gotta get off this rock!!!, originally uploaded by ....Tim.

A bit of fun with words...

RUN!!!!

2008-08-13T07:26:00.001-07:00

WALL-Evil..., originally uploaded by ....Tim.

Stormtrooper #1 "I've some extremely distressing news. "

Stormtrooper #2 "I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear anything! Oh God, it's a nightmare, I tell you, it's a nightmare. "

The quote is taken from the awesome and legendary British film 'Withnail and I' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094336/). The quote is slightly out of context as the next line should be:

"We just ran out of wine. What are we gonna do about it?"

Stormtroopers With Attitude

2008-07-28T12:41:00.001-07:00

Stormtroopers With Attitude - Classic Albums Covers Realised (badly) in LEGO [N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton], originally uploaded by ....Tim.

The latest in a series of fun LEGO shots re-enacting famous album covers.... It's not really my kinda thing (gangsta rap I mean), maybe in small doses. LEGO and Dr Dre don't really go...

Straight Outta Compton is the second album by Compton-based hip hop group N.W.A, originally released in 1988 through group member Eazy-E's label, Ruthless Records. The production came mainly from Dr. Dre with DJ Yella giving co-production. The album is generally seen as the pioneering record of gangsta rap, with its ever-present profanity and violent lyrics, it helped to emerge the new sub-genre of hip hop. The album was a hip hop groundbreaker that went on to have an enormous impact on the evolution of gangsta rap.

Straight Outta Compton redefined the direction of hip hop, which resulted in lyricism concerning the "gangsta lifestyle" becoming the driving force with sales figures. It also helped to shift the power to the West Coast from the East Coast, which had enjoyed a period of prominence in hip hop for most of the 1980s. It was later re-released on September 24, 2002 as a remastered edition with four bonus tracks. An extended version of the album was released on December 4, 2007, the 20th anniversary of the original album.

SOLITAIRE!

2008-07-15T13:49:00.001-07:00

"Seriously guys: it's called SOLITAIRE for a reason. Now LEAVE ME ALONE!", originally uploaded by ...Tim.

"It might be solitaire but the Death Star plans are on the SD card and we need them now!"

So you think you can tell....

2008-06-25T14:12:00.001-07:00

Trade you heroes in for ghosts, originally uploaded by ...Tim.

OK - so obvious inspiration from Pink Floyd. Nothing special here just some PhotoShop Phlames...

I like it and I am gonna try to do some more album, music homages in LEGO.

Beam us up !

2008-06-23T14:14:00.001-07:00

Beam us up !, originally uploaded by ...Tim.

A sort of cross between Star Wars and Star Trek... Never really been a fan of the latter.. As I have said the idea behind these shots is to experment with photoshop. I have a plan to improve on this one that I have only just thought of.

I'm gonna try to motion blur the Stormtroopers up the beam..!

"Vader's got me on this Corellian diet fad..!"

2008-06-22T12:25:00.001-07:00

"Vader's got me on this Corellian diet fad..!", originally uploaded by ...Tim.

I don't have too much to say about this other than it made me laugh out loud... Nothing clever but the f/1.4 on the 50mm lens gives a great DOF effect.

Stormtrooper vs Velociraptor

2008-06-20T07:50:00.001-07:00

Stormtrooper vs Velociraptor, originally uploaded by ...Tim.

There can be only one winner...

One of favourite shots and also the first time I have licked tomato sauce off a Stormtrooper!

On second thoughts...

2008-06-20T07:47:00.001-07:00

On second thoughts..., originally uploaded by ...Tim.

Having recently discovered my son's awesome Velociraptor toy, I have been putting it to great use. This one is called "On second thoughts..."

Two simple shots joined together to make what they call a diptych.

No real effort with background or building a set, pure and simple subject and camera with no distractions.

"Are you sure the Death Star plans are in there?"

2008-06-19T03:32:00.001-07:00

"Are you sure the Death Star plans are in there?", originally uploaded by ...Tim.

I was watching TV and adding some notes to my PDA when this idea came to me...

A really quick setup on the dining table and the lighting is courtesy of my Sony K750i being held just out of shot...

I am pleased with the lighting and the result for a 'quicky'..

LEGO Indiana Jones motorbike chase

2008-06-17T15:03:00.001-07:00

LEGO Indiana Jones motorbike chase, originally uploaded by ...Tim.

I took some of the Indy LEGO outdoors yesterday, I got a few shots and was most pleased with this one.

I am sure the neighbours wondered what I was doing lying on the stones!

Raptor Attack 1

2008-06-17T15:01:00.001-07:00

Raptor Attack 1, originally uploaded by ...Tim.

The 'raptor has been causing some trouble recently! Haha..

This is a great JP3 bit of merchandise, the detail is awesome and his mouth is the perfect size for LEGO minifigs...

If you liked this wait 'til you see what happened to the Stormtroopers!

Its a dirty job - but someone has to do it...

2008-06-05T10:36:00.001-07:00

Its a dirty job - but someone has to do it..., originally uploaded by ...Tim.

A bit of fun last night with the kitchen cupboards and the Stormtroopers.

The coloured version was a bit too bright!

"C'mon guys I've moved on! Can't you manage without me?"

2008-06-04T12:13:00.001-07:00

"C'mon guys I've moved on! Can't you manage without me?", originally uploaded by ...Tim.

Possibly my favourite setup.. A little craft card, some photoshop, a torch and a whole load of imagination...

If you didn't know Harrison Ford was Han Solo! Sorry to patronise...

Stormtrooper Gladiators

2008-06-04T12:02:00.001-07:00

LEGO Stormtrooper Gladiators, originally uploaded by ...Tim.

I suppose I had better put a link to the photo that makes my current header image. A LEGO Chessboard with some Star Wars minifigs resulted in an inspired image of Gladiators and thier PUGIL STICKS. OK they are Cotton Buds.. I am really pleased with this and the DOF effect from my 50mm lens.

Stormtrooper Getaway

2008-06-04T05:46:00.001-07:00

Stormtrooper getaway [LEGO], originally uploaded by ...Tim.

The first post to my new BLOG. I wanted to keep a seperate record of my LEGO photos so as not to put off some of the serious photographers who maybe think this is a bit imature. I can also upload to the blog and not to Flickr if I wish.

The other reason for the blog is to join in with some LEGO specific fan groups and Blog Rolls. Personally, I am having fun with the LEGO photos and I am loads about my camera and lighting.

Stay tuned - book mark - stumble - Digg - what ever you like, just come back soon.