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 views of the canal and lock gates. I then travelled to Ballinamore, a popular stopping point for cruisers and loved by those hoping for a day (or week's) fishing, where I continued my walk along the canal bank. These photos are typical of the type of photos I like to take when visiting somewhere different to my usual locations. I like to capture a combination of close-up landscape scenes, document the human-made environment that surrounds the natural landscape, and look for anything unusual or interesting along the way. I also like to include people at times, in the right circumstances. The early summer sunshine added to my enjoyment of the day. I was glad to have finished my walk at the aptly named Cherry Blossom Centre just when it's cherry blossom tree was in full bloom. I hope you have enjoyed my images of a very pleasant canal bank walk. This is the type of morning I love; no pressure, no striving for perfection, just an enjoyable morning of photography.

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 took my telephoto lens and made an early morning trip to my local deciduous woodland. This is a woodland with which I am very familiar, yet there is always scope to find something new to photograph - new subjects, new perspectives, different light - even to discover changes that have occurred after the winter. I began by taking a few images close to the entrance to the woodland. There was some damage to the boundary wall due to winter storms. Repair work is ongoing at the moment. I carried on down the main path, capturing anything that caught my eye. After the wider scenes I took some close-up images. One of my favourite trees became a victim of the storm. Back to the wider scenes to finish off. I don't believe that I got any great images but I enjoyed my wander through the forest in the early morning sunshine. Capturing photographs in the woods is challenging. Although I find it enjoyable, I frequently feel frustrated by my inability to capture a good image. However, I plan to keep trying because I believe woodland photography is an art form. With patience and practice, I'm confident that I will eventually take a woodland photo that I can be proud of. If you find pleasure in woodland photography, what aspects make it enjoyable for you?

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 subject that interests me but I'm not happy with this composition so it's one I'll return to at another time. An attempt at slow shutter speed is always worthwhile doing. This small waterfall was fuller than usual after the recent rain. This tree was one of the casualties of the recent storm. I had crossed this bridge so I just looked behind and framed up this image. I tried out a low angle for this flower picture. I think a macro lens would do a better job. I like the way the sun caught the old wall here. I use the framing technique whenever I think it will work. I'm happy that it works here. This is the second edit of the tree image, the other is image number one above. It's a difficult subject to get right. I don't think I've nailed it yet! A simple scene. It's a little over-exposed and it might have worked better with just the person or the vehicle, but not both. A close-up from the tree above. I always see the same face! I took this final image with my phone camera. I edited in Lightroom (below) without much success. For me, the main aim of photography is being out with my camera, looking for potential images and enjoying every press of the shutter. Even the 'failures' are worthwhile as they teach me something useful for future outings.

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 absence of hustle and bustle, the anticipation, and the freshness of a brand-new day. What is your favourite time for photography?

A while back, I wrote a post about how selecting a single word, even at random, can serve as a foundation for our photography and enhance our creativity when we're unsure of what to capture. My post was inspired by a video from UK photographer Andrew Banner, who participated in a photography challenge centered around the word 'bleak'. He explained how the challenge of capturing a fitting image sparked his creativity, and he also explored the word 'direction' and its various uses in photography. To revisit the challenge, I chose the word 'waiting'. This idea came to me when I saw an empty children's playground one early morning, and it seemed that the play equipment was waiting for children to arrive and play. This inspired me to seek out other examples to depict the word 'waiting' through photography. They illustrate the concept in different scenarios: waiting for the day to start, waiting for someone to come, waiting for a bus, or waiting for their owner to come back. Below are some examples.

I enjoy discovering new places for photography. Whether it's a woodland, coastal landscape, or country road, all offer fresh creative possibilities. At the beginning of the year, the wet and windy weather led me to explore nearby parks and estates for my photography outings, frequently discovering new local areas. Ireland is home to many large estates, which are historically believed to have covered more than 5% of the country. Some remain privately owned, while others are now public parks following state-led restoration and conservation. A number of these parks are just a short drive away from where I live, and Marlay Park, House and Demesne are within walking distance. I have outlined an ongoing project here. Another local estate that I recently visited for photography is St. Enda’s Park in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, which is a 50-acre parkland and home to an 18th century house. The house has an interesting and varied history. The residence housed several notable individuals, including two men involved in the suppression of Republicanism in Ireland, followed by a tenant responsible for policing during the 1916 Rising. In 1910, it became home to its most distinguished residents, Padraig Pearse, leader of the 1916 Rising, and his brother William. Pearse opened an Irish language school in the house in 1910. Following the execution of the Pearse brothers in 1916 the house was occupied by the British army. In 1968 the house came into state ownership, and it is now the home of the Pearse Museum which celebrates the life of Padraig Pearse and his brother William. St. Enda’s Park is a designated National Historic Park. There are many eighteenth and nineteenth century follies to be found on these attractive grounds, where a wild river valley and forested areas, as well as ancient trees and an abundance of varied wildlife, provide the backdrop to the historic mansion. Through this collection of images I attempt to capture the historical essence of St. Enda's Park.

I often take my camera with me on a walk or short outing. My purpose is two-fold. Firstly, I like to take every opportunity to take photographs. Secondly, I aim to constantly review my images and discover how to improve my photography. I recently took a Sunday morning stroll along the promenade of a local coastal town. Sundays have a different vibe as they are more leisure focused, and my walk took in scenes from all walks of life. Families were out together enjoying some spring sunshine on the beach, a group of young people were enjoying a picnic, swimmers braved the cold sea water, while others took to the sea in sailing boats. Many people just strolled along the promenade walking their dog or chatting to each other. Children played on the sand or paddled in the water, and the ice cream parlours had long queues as people waited to enjoy an ice cream by the sea. The welcome burst of spring sunshine enticed young and not so young to visit the coast and make the most of the day. When a location is busy it can be difficult to pick out good compositions. Most of the scenes, while enjoyable for the people involved, offered nothing exceptional for photography. I walked to the old pier and harbour where a few boats were heading out for a leisure sail. Here are a few images from the day. I was drawn to the colour here, as my starting photo. The light was very flat so this image turned out to be nothing special, I liked the similarities between these two men walking in front of me; the black clothes, white socks and trainers and the way they seemed to be walking in step. The swan heading in the opposite direction to the boats adds a bit of interest to the photograph. I didn't realise I had cut off the top of the railings. Rookie mistake! My favourite image of the morning. I like the way the couple seem to be interacting, which creates a sense of story. While I often like to isolate subjects and avoid a cluttered image, in this shot I think the additional objects serve as supporting subjects, which helps to create the story. While I enjoyed my morning of photography the images were disappointing, but that's all part of the photography process. It did give me the opportunity to identify my mistakes and see how I can improve.

When I think of meditation or mindfulness a few words come to mind: serenity, stillness, listening, being present, using our senses, focus, breath, calm, clarity, awareness, grounded, reflection When I am out with my camera I can experience many of the attributes of meditation and mindfulness. I am present in the moment, calm, listening and observing what is around me, engaging with my senses. My mind is clear and focused, my breathing is relaxed. I am aware of my surroundings and often experience a sense of gratitude, especially when photographing in nature. This sense of being mindful to all that is around me and all I am doing comes in a special way when I'm doing photography, and the experience is enhanced when I do black and white photography. Meditation takes me away from the reality of everyday life, even for a short while. I can let go of stress and worry and just be . In a way, black and white photography is the perfect complement to this way of being. Since we normally see the world in colour, black and white takes us away from the reality into a version of the world that we don't see. When I set my camera to monochrome, I strip away the colour and I am left with shape, pattern, light and shadows. Because colour is so strong and omni-present, it fills the frame all the time. With black and white I encounter the bare bones of an image. I start looking at the structure of my subject, I engage with contrast; with bright light and deep shadow. I seek simplicity because, in my opinion, clutter rarely works in black and white. In black and white, I am drawn by a feeling rather than by visual reality. I may not be drawn to the subject as a colour subject, but in black and white it's an emotional choice. In this scene I didn't just see a seat on a pavement of weeds, I saw light, shadow, shape, line and texture. CONCLUSION Black and white photography serves as a form of meditation because by stripping away colour we are left to concentrate on form, shape, pattern and texture. When the distraction of colour is removed we slow down, become more deliberate with our choices, focus more closely on light, shadow and composition. These choices may be emotional rather than rational, allowing us to connect more deeply with our subject. Black and white photography draws us into a more mindful state; observing the moment, being present, seeing without judgement. It allows us to find 'poetry in the everyday'. I suggest that you take your camera, set it to monochrome. and let black and white photography offer a fresh way of seeing and a new perspective, capturing the essence of a subject with emotional depth.

BACKGROUND I live close to a large suburban parkland which is home to a beautifully restored 18th century house. The house, which was originally a 17th century house called 'The Grange', was purchased in 1764 by David La Touche, a French Huguenot and first governor of the then newly established Bank of Ireland. La Touche refurbished and extended the house and renamed it Marlay House after his wife Elizabeth Marlay. After changing hands numerous times, the house and demesne was finally donated to Dublin County Council in 1972 and designated a People's Park. Marlay house is a central feature of the 300 acre recreational park which is now one of the most important outdoor music venues in Ireland, with well known Irish and international artists appearing here every summer. Due to its proximity to my home, Marlay Park has provided me with countless photographic opportunities over recent years. It's my favourite spot for woodland photography, offering a wealth of subjects for nature and macro shots. Additionally, its weekend market, numerous cultural events, and popularity among walkers and casual gatherings present great opportunities for people-watching and candid photography. THE PROJECT Last year I started a project specifically focusing on Marlay house, which has become an on-going project providing interest, inspiration and focus for my photography. Concentrating on a single subject turns it into a straightforward project, enabling me to practice my photography skills and experiment with various camera settings and lenses, while keeping a clear focus and having a final goal in mind. Being close to my home allows me to work on the project at times that suit me best and when the lighting and weather conditions are ideal. Initially, I set myself some parameters: I would complete the project within a year I would incorporate photos from each season, captured at various times of day and under different lighting conditions I would experiment with a range of focal lengths and shoot from various angles and perspectives To conclude, I would print some of my photos, either as wall prints or in a photo book, and showcase a selection as a slideshow on my website. THE METHODOLOGY Every time I visited the location, I evaluated the lighting conditions, considered the lenses I had, and determined if there were chances to capture new and unique images of my subject. On returning home, I edited the images I considered worth keeping and stored them in a specific 'Marlay House Project' folder. I now possess a substantial collection of images that I will eventually evaluate for their printing potential. Here is a brief collection of the images I have captured to date. FINAL THOUGHTS I hope that by outlining the steps in this simple project, I've inspired you to start one of your own. Beginning with a project centred on an easily accessible topic allows you to use different photography techniques and keeps things engaging and diverse. Why not consider undertaking a project like this yourself? You might like to read my previous post, Key Considerations for Launching a Photography Project

What’s the purpose of a photography project? A photography project is frequently recommended as a means to enhance our creativity, spark our interest, offer motivation, and give our photography a clear direction. Engaging in a project can push us beyond our comfort zone, thus improving our skills, and achieving a tangible result, like a photo book or exhibition, can give us a sense of fulfillment. A project can help move you out of your comfort zone and try new techniques. What are the key aspects of a photography project? ·      Purpose: Will the project centre on a theme, a subject, a story or a technique? What do you hope to achieve through doing the project? ·      Duration: Will it be a short, snappy project, e.g. shooting the colour yellow/red/blue; will it be a long-term project or a project of fixed duration? ·      Outcome: How will the project be presented? Photo book? Slideshow? Exhibition, either physical or online? Online gallery? Looking for examples of a certain colour can be an interesting short project and can look effective when presented. Considerations Your choice of project will generally be based on the key aspects outlined above. Purpose When deciding on the purpose of your project you will consider your objectives in doing the project and decide on the best way to realise those objectives. Will you photograph a subject in one location (e.g. a tree or woodland) over time, in varying conditions and using different focal lengths, or will you take a theme (e.g. abandoned buildings) and photograph various examples from many different locations. You might want to do a documentary-style project, so your approach might be to make a collection of images that tell a story, or you might prefer to focus on one aspect in a range of different subjects (e.g. light, colour or shape) and present your observations. Ultimately, your purpose for the project and your goals will determine the decisions you make. I included this image in a project on photographs that tell a story. Although there are no people present, to me the three chairs tell the story of three people meeting for a cup of coffee, the different colours representing their three different personalities. I can imagine them chatting together at the table. Duration While the timeline can change, it's helpful to set an initial duration. The length will depend on factors like subject accessibility, your availability, and your project's goal. For example, one recent project I undertook was to photograph a period house close to my home from a range of viewpoints, with different focal lengths, in various weather conditions and through all seasons. This will naturally take at least a year to complete. A project photographing examples of one colour will have a shorter duration, possibly just a day or two, while undertaking a project that involves travel from your home might be more complex and require a longer duration, as time and opportunity allows. Outcome How will you present your project to make your objectives clear to the audience? Will you compile your work in a photobook with an appropriate title, display it in an online gallery accompanied by relevant captions, or exhibit your project through a selection of prints? The final presentation doesn't need to be complicated. For my ongoing project, I print and paste photos into a project book as I take them. This affordable method keeps me motivated and results in a finished product to share with family and friends. I recently started a 'small town' project. It will include features that portray the character of a selection of small towns in Ireland. I have curated and printed a selection of images taken so far and will add more as the project develops. As this involves some travel it will continue to be ongoing for at least several months. Final Thoughts If you are considering a photography project I hope that these suggestions will be useful in helping you to get started and will aid you in completing a successful project.

Although I enjoy photography at all times of day, and I try to make the most of all weather conditions, I still get the most enjoyment from photography when I have some good light producing light and shadow effects. This kind of light isn't limited to golden hour or blue hour, although at other times, particularly when the light is harsh, we might need to work with the available light and adapt it to meet our photographic needs. During this photo session, I had some free time in the late morning, so I took my camera and headed out. Despite the sun being intermittent, it offered a great opportunity to observe the effects of light and shadow when it did appear. Here are some images from the morning. The images might not be perfect, but I had an enjoyable morning chasing light and shadow, and that's what truly matters to me!

It has been a winter of almost incessant rain, grey skies, flat light and dull, dreary conditions. It’s no surprise that these conditions have not been conducive to getting out with a (non weather sealed) camera. On this morning it seemed as though it was going to be more of the same. Seeing the overcast sky and sensing imminent rain showers, I went for a quick morning walk in the woodland without my camera. Unexpectedly, the clouds gave way to some sunshine so I decided to make the most of the conditions I was given by taking out my phone camera to see what pictures I could take. Unfortunately, the early morning winter light confused my phone camera and the dynamic range was more than it could handle at times. Nevertheless, I did enjoy my morning and I have a few images that will serve as memories of a brief respite from the rain this winter! And my takeaway from the morning is – always make the most of a photography opportunity.