Because everyone needs a place to let off steam
Somwhere to rant.com
What is Somewhere to Rant.com?
Somewhere to rant.com is the personal website of Neil Blakely. The site contains photos, videos, a blog, and offers overviews and how-to's for various gadgets I use.
The site can also be accessed through the domains www.nezza.net, www.nezza.org and www.zenlan.net
Where did the name come from?
Honestly, what happened was that I woke up one morning and found a couple of e-mails informing me that I'd registered the domain! The domain remained parked for a year or so mainly because I'd forgotten I'd registered it.
When I eventually realised that I'd never use the domain for any specific thing, I decided that I would use it as the primary domain for my personal website.
When I eventually realised that I'd never use the domain for any specific thing, I decided that I would use it as the primary domain for my personal website.
So where is the ranting?
Well I have my blog, but I wouldn't really call it ranting. The thing to remember is that this site has my name all over it. Unlike the old maxim 'what goes on tour, stays on tour', what goes on the internet tends not to stay on the internet.
Slight whinging will be the best I can do. Unless of course the subject switches to the price of internet access in Guernsey.
Slight whinging will be the best I can do. Unless of course the subject switches to the price of internet access in Guernsey.
So who are you?
My name is Neil Blakely.
I'm 30 years old, and I live in Guernsey, Channel Islands. I grew up here and I love the island.
For years, I would have told you my sole passion was football. I'm a huge Tottenham supporter, and have been known to scare the hell out of the neighbours when we score. Today I would say that my main passion is photography, followed by my love of movies and reading.
I'm a very technically minded person, I love to find out how things work. So photography and movies are two perfect hobbies for me. Photography, because there is just so much to learn in respect of techniques, equipment and seeing the world around you in a different light. Movies, because I find the entire process fascinating, how an idea in a persons head can be turned into what we finally see on the big screen.
As mentioned books are a passion. They are the perfect antidote to the drudgery of everyday life. They can take you to new worlds. Years into the future or take you back into the past. Books are probably responsible for more late nights in my life then anything else as I always need to finish this page, no this chapter - in fact sod it, I'm close enough to the end that I may as well finish it.
I'm 30 years old, and I live in Guernsey, Channel Islands. I grew up here and I love the island.
For years, I would have told you my sole passion was football. I'm a huge Tottenham supporter, and have been known to scare the hell out of the neighbours when we score. Today I would say that my main passion is photography, followed by my love of movies and reading.
I'm a very technically minded person, I love to find out how things work. So photography and movies are two perfect hobbies for me. Photography, because there is just so much to learn in respect of techniques, equipment and seeing the world around you in a different light. Movies, because I find the entire process fascinating, how an idea in a persons head can be turned into what we finally see on the big screen.
As mentioned books are a passion. They are the perfect antidote to the drudgery of everyday life. They can take you to new worlds. Years into the future or take you back into the past. Books are probably responsible for more late nights in my life then anything else as I always need to finish this page, no this chapter - in fact sod it, I'm close enough to the end that I may as well finish it.
Photography
I started to get into photography in a big way a few years ago. I'd always taken snapshots of friends etc, but never really looked at the scenery around me. I took a picture of a fountain in Bordeaux, and something just clicked. It was the first time I actually tried to achieve a desired result, rather then just a snapshot.
The photo that started it all.
After returning from that holiday, I bought my first 'proper' camera and resolved to teach myself how to use it. As a result of that, I bought my first SLR (a Nikon D50) and fell victim to that dreaded disease NAS - Nikon Accessory Syndrome. If there was a gadget that I could attach to my camera then I bought it. Tons of lenses passed through my hands, every single screw in filter you could imagine, I used it. It all came to a head on another holiday in France. I couldn't possibly carry everything with me, and so I took only my D50 and a 28-300mm Tamron superzoom. We visited the mountains, and I came back with what were without doubt the best photos I'd ever taken.
It made me realise that its not (all) about the camera. I still have enough equipment to make the average point and shoot user grown and roll their eyes. However my shooting kit is relatively simple.
Nikon D80 DSLR
Sigma 50-150mm f2.8
(and a 2x teleconvertor to take it to a 100-300 f4
Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4
Nikon 50mm f1.8
SB-600 speedlight
I've also got some miscellaneous equipment as well, and I use Adobe Lightroom for post processing, which is an excellent program.
I also carry a compact camera with me most places. I use a Panasonic Lumix LX3. An absolutely brilliant peice of kit, that has had me taking more photos then ever before. It's building quite a reputation amongst photographers as well.
I don't consider myself a good photographer. Maybe in another 15 years I'll reach that level. Enthusiastic amateur is about my level.
My proudest moment as a photographer was when my friends Steve and Gina asked me to shoot their wedding.
The photos on this site will be a mixture of 'artistic' photography and those photos that get taken on a drunken night out that give us all such fond memories.
The photo that started it all.
After returning from that holiday, I bought my first 'proper' camera and resolved to teach myself how to use it. As a result of that, I bought my first SLR (a Nikon D50) and fell victim to that dreaded disease NAS - Nikon Accessory Syndrome. If there was a gadget that I could attach to my camera then I bought it. Tons of lenses passed through my hands, every single screw in filter you could imagine, I used it. It all came to a head on another holiday in France. I couldn't possibly carry everything with me, and so I took only my D50 and a 28-300mm Tamron superzoom. We visited the mountains, and I came back with what were without doubt the best photos I'd ever taken.
It made me realise that its not (all) about the camera. I still have enough equipment to make the average point and shoot user grown and roll their eyes. However my shooting kit is relatively simple.
Nikon D80 DSLR
Sigma 50-150mm f2.8
(and a 2x teleconvertor to take it to a 100-300 f4
Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4
Nikon 50mm f1.8
SB-600 speedlight
I've also got some miscellaneous equipment as well, and I use Adobe Lightroom for post processing, which is an excellent program.
I also carry a compact camera with me most places. I use a Panasonic Lumix LX3. An absolutely brilliant peice of kit, that has had me taking more photos then ever before. It's building quite a reputation amongst photographers as well.
I don't consider myself a good photographer. Maybe in another 15 years I'll reach that level. Enthusiastic amateur is about my level.
My proudest moment as a photographer was when my friends Steve and Gina asked me to shoot their wedding.
The photos on this site will be a mixture of 'artistic' photography and those photos that get taken on a drunken night out that give us all such fond memories.