Wild  Willow   Ways 

It is probably true to say that most photographers like to photograph beauty. Many will travel long distances to capture a shot of a stunning vista in an epic location while others will seek out ‘honeypot’ locations nearer home. Photographers seek subjects cast in beautiful light; they photograph pretty views and positive aspects of life while so called ‘ugly’ or mundane subjects are rejected by the majority. But there are photographers who don’t prioritize these types of pho

Many photographers don’t like summer for photography, particularly landscape photography. I heard one photographer recently saying that compared to autumn, and even winter, summer is ‘too green’ with no variety of colour. You may or may not agree with this view, but summer does pose some legitimate challenges for photography. Harsh light is one problem. As the sun is high in the sky for most of the day in summer it makes colours look flat and washed out. Harsh light also crea

Recently, I visited an eighteenth-century castle that is just a short drive from my home. I brought my camera along with the intention of doing some photography. I have been to this castle many times. I have walked in the grounds, taken a tour of the interior of the castle, visited exhibitions held there and frequently met friends for coffee in the castle coffee shop. But I have not taken my camera there recently so I decided to go there solely with the purpose of doing photo

What do you do when you come across a familiar object in an unexpected place? Do you... Wonder where it came from? Smile to yourself? Ignore it? I take a photograph. We're lost! Just hanging around. Living on the street. Can't find my way home. When you can't stand the heat...! Back soon! Off road! Fancy meeting you here. Have you ever photographed familiar objects in unexpected places? if not, why not challenge yourself to find some examples.

I have often mentioned the value of always having a photography project on the go. It helps keep your photography motivated, it stimulates creativity, it improves your skills and it provides you with new and interesting subjects. I have a few projects that I return to constantly. One is the Small Towns project, which encourages me to stop in small towns and photograph the unique features of the town. This project is ongoing and as such provides ongoing motivation. Another pro

Do you have to like the subjects you photograph? Recently I have seen several YouTube videos which have discussed this question. I think makes for an interesting discussion and it has caused me to pause and think about my own response to the question. In my photography I have been naturally drawn to beauty in the subjects I photograph. I love to capture light and shadow, reflections, colour, contrast, examples of the wonder of nature and interesting elements of the human and

I recently enjoyed some time visiting family in Co. Leitrim, Ireland. On this pleasant morning I took my dog and my camera for a walk along the canal joining the Shannon and Erne waterways. It was a predominantly blue sky day, with plenty of sunshine, although the sun did disappear at times. This walk began at the Kilclare Canal Lock and meandered along the banks of the canal. I took a combination of photographs to include the natural landscape, the built landscape and some v

My most recent venture into woodland photography occurred in the autumn, when I seized the opportunity presented by the mild weather to photograph the vibrant colours that filled the forest. Since then my photography has primarily focused on taking advantage of the rare winter sunshine and its effect on various subjects as well as some macro photography as the spring flowers began to appear. During the past week I enjoyed rediscovering the art of woodland photography as I too

One of the main aims for my photography journey is to just keep getting out with my camera and taking pictures. They don't have to be great pictures, and most of them are far from great, but I do want to capture what catches my eye, keep making adjustments and improvements, and just enjoy being out taking photographs. I took advantage of the early morning light to capture how it fell on this old building. This is my first attempt at an image of this old boundary wall. It's a

I do most of my photography in the morning. I love to go out before the day starts, when the birds are singing, the streets are nearly deserted and the world looks as though it is ready and waiting for the day to begin. Sometimes my morning walk takes me into nature, whether it's my local woodland or park; sometimes I simply wander around my neighbourhood taking in the sights and sounds of a new day beginning. What I cherish most is the peace and calmness of the morning, the