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5 Video Recommendations to Enhance Your Photography Skills...and a Bonus!
When I started this website and blog my intention was to share my journey as a beginner photography and to pass on what I learned to anyone else who might be starting a similar journey. I wanted to share my passion and enthusiasm for photography and hopefully encourage others to commence or continue their own photography journey. My blog posts have taken the form of sharing personal experiences, passing on discoveries I make, discussing how I view the link between photography
WildWillowWays
2 min read
Capturing the Essence of Winter: A Video Gallery of Memories
To celebrate the ending of January the coming of slightly longer days and the gradual beginning of spring, I have created a short video of winter memories. I hope you like it.
WildWillowWays
1 min read
Capturing the Winter Landscape in 20 Pictures
In this post I want to share some of the images I made during this winter season, where I experienced all kinds of weather, some types more conducive to photography than others. There was rain, fog, frost and some beautiful sunsets, all part of the winter photography experience. I hope you like them.
WildWillowWays
1 min read
Capturing the Magic of the Irish Countryside in 20 Photos
This morning's walk was a slightly different one for me. I was visiting family in a rural part of Ireland during the autumn and I took a stroll around a small village and its surrounding area to see what I might capture with my camera. The weather was not the most conducive for photography. The sky was grey and the light was gloomy as I set out, although the sun did make a brief appearance and I managed to take advantage of some good light. Otherwise, all I could do was to cr
WildWillowWays
1 min read
Why Photography is Good For Your Wellbeing
During times of difficulty and turmoil it can be hard to keep doing the things that are good for our health and easy to allow ourselves to slip into bad habits. The constant bombardment of negativity that currently seems to be all around us can leave us feeling disheartened and wondering what is the point of it all? This is the time when we need to be more vigilant about our mental health and take steps, even small steps, to keep ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally
WildWillowWays
7 min read
7 Key Insights From 7 Years of Photography
I have been doing photography now for just over 7 years. I started off with an entry level DSLR and kit lens and a vision of doing landscape photography. Below are two of my first images, taken in auto mode. There are some aspects of the images that I like. For example, I like that the swans are swimming into the frame in the second image. There are a lot of things about them that I don’t like and wouldn’t do today, such as capturing a scene without a proper subject, as in
WildWillowWays
5 min read
Discovering the Value of Everyday Photography
During the past year I discovered an interest in photographing what I call the ‘everyday landscape’. For me, this involves getting out with my camera as often as possible and looking for potential subjects wherever I happen to be. There is no particular theme to this photography, I just stop at something that catches my eye and take a picture. Sometimes I will plan on taking a certain route close to my home to see what subjects reveal themselves to me, at other times I will g
WildWillowWays
2 min read
Capturing the Moment: 20 Photos from a New Year Walk
This was my first walk of the year with my camera. The morning was cold and bright and the overnight frost still lingered in places. The sun was making periodic appearances creating a contrast between light and shade. Otherwise, the light was soft and diffused, perfect for photography. My walk took me to my local park and woodland – Marlay Demesne - where I knew I would get at least a few photographs. Marlay Park is approximately 300 acres of suburban public park located ab
WildWillowWays
2 min read
The Beauty of Embracing Winter for Stunning Photography
Winter is often considered to be the least popular season for photography. Many photographers avoid the colder months, thinking the season offers limited opportunities for good photography. Light is often poor, skies can be constantly dull and grey, and in many locations weather conditions are not conducive to being out with a camera. Yet, winter presents unique chances to capture scenes that other seasons cannot match. Embracing winter for photography can often lead to stunn
WildWillowWays
2 min read
The Joy of Photography: Thoughts for a New Year
Do you remember why you first picked up a camera? Did you want to use it to travel and capture iconic locations? Did you want to use it to document your daily life and that of your family and friends? Did you intend to use it to share your images on social media? Did you intend it to be your daily companion, to capture whatever caught your eye? Did you pick up a camera to learn a new skill and express yourself in new ways? Or did you first pick up a camera to give yourself a
WildWillowWays
2 min read
Why Fairgrounds Make an Ideal Winter Photography Subject
Fairgrounds tend to be mainly associated with summer time, when they are filled with hustle and bustle, screams and laughter, thrills and spills. I almost never photograph fairgrounds in summer, and if I do, it’s in early morning when the funfair is closed. But winter is different. While some fairgrounds may open for the winter holiday season, many of them lie empty and silent, a complete contrast to how funfairs are meant to be. But empty fairgrounds make ideal subjects for
WildWillowWays
2 min read
Embracing the Stillness of Mid-Winter Landscapes
Mid-winter light can be many things. It can be bright and beautiful, lighting up the sky at sunrise or sunset with an array of vibrant colours. It can be soft and diffused or even dull and bleak. But Mid-Winter light is sometimes none of these things. It is often just there, low in the sky and subdued, as if it is waiting for something to occur. It is at these times that we can embrace the stillness, accept the light as it is, and be content to photograph the quiet landscape.
WildWillowWays
1 min read
WildWillowWays is a personal blog to track my journey into photography and to explore how we can use photography to enhance our wellbeing. Over the last number of years I have been involved in promoting health and wellbeing and have undertaken mindfulness training. I see a strong connection between photography and wellbeing and intend to explore this further by delving more deeply into the many and varied aspects of photography. I realise that this is the hobby that will help me to slow down a little, to become more observant, more attuned to what is going on around me, more attentive in life. Through my exploration of photography and wellbeing I would like to help others to discover how we can use photography to improve our physical and mental wellbeing. Feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions. I hope you enjoy the blog. Mary ©
Follow me on Instagram @wildwillowways.
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