January 2016
1st January
I was looking back over my photos for 2015 and thought I'd set myself the task of picking out what I consider to be my most ten pleasing images. Not easy as I generally like the latest work I have produced, however I feel that I'm at a plateau with my photography and want to take stock and maybe review basics whilst I'm waiting for details of a possible new course to come through.
I spent hours sifting through photos and then decided to simply pick out the one which kept entering my mind; the boy and the match.
I was looking back over my photos for 2015 and thought I'd set myself the task of picking out what I consider to be my most ten pleasing images. Not easy as I generally like the latest work I have produced, however I feel that I'm at a plateau with my photography and want to take stock and maybe review basics whilst I'm waiting for details of a possible new course to come through.
I spent hours sifting through photos and then decided to simply pick out the one which kept entering my mind; the boy and the match.
2nd - 4th January
I've been working with my camera using spot focussing on improving my skills to get sharper images. It's clear that I still have some way to go, however I have learnt that practise does make perfect. I want it to become more second nature. As ever though, it's a question of making sure I look for opportunities wherever I am able.
I've been working with my camera using spot focussing on improving my skills to get sharper images. It's clear that I still have some way to go, however I have learnt that practise does make perfect. I want it to become more second nature. As ever though, it's a question of making sure I look for opportunities wherever I am able.
5th January
A really blowy walk around the mountain first thing. Almond blossom is already fully out because of the mild temperatures. In the afternoon the beach called. The air was so clear, cloud formations sped across the sky and the waves created some lovely patterns.
A really blowy walk around the mountain first thing. Almond blossom is already fully out because of the mild temperatures. In the afternoon the beach called. The air was so clear, cloud formations sped across the sky and the waves created some lovely patterns.
6th & 7th January
I'm still practising my spot focussing and have downloaded a plug in which shows me what I have actually focussed on when taking the photo. It's interesting to see where there is a difference and will maybe enable me to make slight adjustments to ensure sharp focus more often than not, as is the case at the moment! I did manage to get the almond blossom in focus and didn't actually notice the buzzing bee until afterwards.
I'm still practising my spot focussing and have downloaded a plug in which shows me what I have actually focussed on when taking the photo. It's interesting to see where there is a difference and will maybe enable me to make slight adjustments to ensure sharp focus more often than not, as is the case at the moment! I did manage to get the almond blossom in focus and didn't actually notice the buzzing bee until afterwards.
8th-11th January
Blimey, where does time go? At least I do have a list of jobs crossed off my list to show that wherever it has gone, I have been productive! I have also been taking photos. I'm trying to break out of the conventional way I would usually approach a shot; sometimes it gives me a different feel, sometimes it's just rubbish. I always feel that I'm learning something though; hopefully I'll be able to remember what that was in the future!
Blimey, where does time go? At least I do have a list of jobs crossed off my list to show that wherever it has gone, I have been productive! I have also been taking photos. I'm trying to break out of the conventional way I would usually approach a shot; sometimes it gives me a different feel, sometimes it's just rubbish. I always feel that I'm learning something though; hopefully I'll be able to remember what that was in the future!
12th - 18th January
The year continues to run away from me! A trip to the Sierras didn't produce many snow photos, however a different angle was possible because of all the rock/ice climbers about. It was a glorious day nonetheless, plenty of sun and not too much of a wind chill factor.
Visits to the beach have been enjoyable as the weather continues to belie the notion of winter. Walking around the mountain as well, the light has been so clear, different perspectives of a much visited scene can be found.
I have spent more time photographing and editing photos of the newest family member of a friend. I am really please how my learning curve is enabling me to produce much better images. It's great fun as we all get more confident about what we're doing and trying to achieve. I am hoping I may be given permission to upload a few images to my blog before too long.
The year continues to run away from me! A trip to the Sierras didn't produce many snow photos, however a different angle was possible because of all the rock/ice climbers about. It was a glorious day nonetheless, plenty of sun and not too much of a wind chill factor.
Visits to the beach have been enjoyable as the weather continues to belie the notion of winter. Walking around the mountain as well, the light has been so clear, different perspectives of a much visited scene can be found.
I have spent more time photographing and editing photos of the newest family member of a friend. I am really please how my learning curve is enabling me to produce much better images. It's great fun as we all get more confident about what we're doing and trying to achieve. I am hoping I may be given permission to upload a few images to my blog before too long.
19th - 20th January
A glorious day followed by a duller one. Rain at last, not a lot, however every drop is welcome. It meant that I was able to get round to sorting through and scanning old photos. I spent several happy hours sifting through and remembering various occasions and adventures.
I also had a go at using the Brenizer photograph technique which enabled me to include part of an old ruin looking out through a doorway towards almond blossom. It's only possible to get the doorway itself included otherwise. The swallowtail butterflies seem to hatching in abundance at the moment. I tried capturing an image of a back lit one for a change. None of the images are anything special, however I'm keeping my hand in and who knows, great photos may be just around the corner!
A glorious day followed by a duller one. Rain at last, not a lot, however every drop is welcome. It meant that I was able to get round to sorting through and scanning old photos. I spent several happy hours sifting through and remembering various occasions and adventures.
I also had a go at using the Brenizer photograph technique which enabled me to include part of an old ruin looking out through a doorway towards almond blossom. It's only possible to get the doorway itself included otherwise. The swallowtail butterflies seem to hatching in abundance at the moment. I tried capturing an image of a back lit one for a change. None of the images are anything special, however I'm keeping my hand in and who knows, great photos may be just around the corner!
21st January
Back to warmer and settled weather for a while. A lovely long walk and I seemed to want to concentrate on improving my focus and sharpness with my images. There were some opportunities presented with flowers and seeds. A skylark also came and sat close by and provided a chance to capture a different stance from the norm. As I was walking up one hill, a couple of Spanish guys on their bikes came past. I shot from the hip to take some photos, however the focus wasn't spot on so I used an editing process to at least make it a record. The most striking thing about the moment was the really strong smell of body cologne which hung in the air after they'd disappeared!
Back to warmer and settled weather for a while. A lovely long walk and I seemed to want to concentrate on improving my focus and sharpness with my images. There were some opportunities presented with flowers and seeds. A skylark also came and sat close by and provided a chance to capture a different stance from the norm. As I was walking up one hill, a couple of Spanish guys on their bikes came past. I shot from the hip to take some photos, however the focus wasn't spot on so I used an editing process to at least make it a record. The most striking thing about the moment was the really strong smell of body cologne which hung in the air after they'd disappeared!
22nd January
A day at the coast on a photoshoot. The only specific task I had in mind was to speak with the owner of the horse riding establishment I came across the other day. I was able to confirm that horses are exercised on the beach in the afternoons between 4pm and 5pm. As soon as there looks as if there's going to be some good light and maybe a colourful sunset, then it will be down to the beach and hopefully some good photos.
I had some fun taking photos of Nell. It'll be her 12th birthday soon and I was hoping for some which I can upload to her breeder's page. I think I managed it.
A day at the coast on a photoshoot. The only specific task I had in mind was to speak with the owner of the horse riding establishment I came across the other day. I was able to confirm that horses are exercised on the beach in the afternoons between 4pm and 5pm. As soon as there looks as if there's going to be some good light and maybe a colourful sunset, then it will be down to the beach and hopefully some good photos.
I had some fun taking photos of Nell. It'll be her 12th birthday soon and I was hoping for some which I can upload to her breeder's page. I think I managed it.
23rd - 24th January
Having taken photos of a newborn I was reluctant to post them without agreement from the parents. I've been assured that it's perfectly OK, so here goes.
The first six photos are from my initial attempt at capturing images of a small moving baby! The rest of the images show not only more of an idea of what I wanted to achieve, they also include ideas from the parents. I shall look forward to experimenting more as the baby grows; both of us are likely to become more adventurous over time!
Having taken photos of a newborn I was reluctant to post them without agreement from the parents. I've been assured that it's perfectly OK, so here goes.
The first six photos are from my initial attempt at capturing images of a small moving baby! The rest of the images show not only more of an idea of what I wanted to achieve, they also include ideas from the parents. I shall look forward to experimenting more as the baby grows; both of us are likely to become more adventurous over time!
25th January
A really great day in the mountains yesterday. We may be in a drought, however I found water pouring down high up and creating waterfalls. It was a glorious day and standing in a ruin it was possible to understand why that particular site had been chosen. It really is a beautiful part of the world in which I live.
A really great day in the mountains yesterday. We may be in a drought, however I found water pouring down high up and creating waterfalls. It was a glorious day and standing in a ruin it was possible to understand why that particular site had been chosen. It really is a beautiful part of the world in which I live.
26th & 27th January
The first time for a little while I went out for a long wander. Setting off before there was much daylight I was able to watch as the sun came up behind a huge bank of cloud out to sea. As the sun rose, so it touched the almond blossom and trees. There was also a heavy dew which created some surreal close up images with plenty of bokeh.
The first time for a little while I went out for a long wander. Setting off before there was much daylight I was able to watch as the sun came up behind a huge bank of cloud out to sea. As the sun rose, so it touched the almond blossom and trees. There was also a heavy dew which created some surreal close up images with plenty of bokeh.