What is the true purpose behind my passion for photography? In my view, it goes without saying that photography is not just about capturing a moment in time. It is also about all the moments that come before that moment in time and all the moments that come after it, as well as all the moments that surround it. It encompasses all the planning, walking, observing, questioning, considering, wondering and deciding that go into the capture of just one image. Photography is a journey – a creative process of learning, discovery, experimentation, challenge and achievement. Photography provides an opportunity to be fully present in each moment, to be absorbed and motivated. Photography offers a time to escape from the stresses of everyday life and to create something precious. Photography engages our senses and supports our physical, mental and emotional health. Photography is creative, challenging and enjoyable. It is for these reasons that I do photography; they explain the true purpose behind my passion for photography. I have written several posts on why I believe that photography supports our physical, mental and emotional/spiritual health. I have linked them below. Recently I watched this video from Distant Media Photography, the YouTube channel of a photographer based in the UK. The sentiments of the video resonate with me and the visual media adds something extra that the written word misses. I’d like to share this video with you. I hope you enjoy it. The Soul of Why I Do Photography Distant Media Photography

“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me) It’s always our self we find in the sea.” — e.e.cummings I love the sea. I have always found that walking by the sea is a way to attain a sense of serenity and perspective. Listening to the crashing sound of waves as they break, followed by their gentle lap onto the shore, is a form of mental therapy that I have come to appreciate. Being by the sea gives me a chance to breathe more deeply, to momentarily let go of worries and to get a sense that all is well in this moment. I’ve always been drawn to water. As a child, my favourite place-to-be was at a small river near my home, paddling my way through the water or sitting by the bubbling stream enjoying the peace and quiet. As an adult, when I am attempting to process an issue in my mind, trying to make an important decision, trying to deal with problems or difficulties, or when I just want some ‘me time’, I still find myself heading for the nearest source of water for inspiration. Strolling along a bank or walkway by a flowing river, sitting by a lakeside or walking along by the coast watching the ebb and flow of the tide are always my go-to places. It comes as no surprise to me that my photography has led me to many different places where water can feature in my images, whether as main subject or background. I am lucky to live in a country which is surrounded by a fabulous and varied coastal landscape and which also has an abundance of inland waterways to explore and photograph. Water in landscape photography A look at the work of most landscape photographers will reveal a substantial number of water-related photographs. The most obvious reason for this is that a body of water in a photograph has the potential to add beauty to the scene in a way that is hard to beat and water can also enhance the beauty of the other elements around it. A sea, lake, river or waterfall will often act as a focal point in an image or as an interesting element in our composition and all of these water subjects can be captured from numerous different angles and perspectives or using a range of different camera settings, adding to the variety of possible images that can be produced. For close-up photos of coastal vegetation, the sea can provide a stunning backdrop. It can be the middle layer of a composition where there is foreground interest and sky above. Water can provide great reflection images and is good for long exposure photography. Without question, a sunrise or sunset over the sea or lake brings an added dimension to that scene. For close-up photos of coastal vegetation, the sea can provide a stunning backdrop Coastal photography Whether it is interesting rock formations, sea grasses blowing in the wind, the colours thrown up by the intermingling of sand and sea, or a nearby cliff face, there is always something interesting for the photographer near the coast. Bringing your camera to a coastal area gives countless opportunities to experiment with composition and interpretation of a scene. A beach with just sand and sea can be boring and end up being just half sea and half sand so we have to find some interesting feature on which to centre our image, or try an unusual perspective. The sea itself with its fascinating wave formations might provide our subject, and our images will benefit from the inclusion of rocks, seaweed on the shore, or the effect of the sun on the whole scene. As well as the bigger landscape, the coast also offers smaller opportunities for interesting shots, such as sea shells on the beach, footprints in the sand or small coastal flowers growing among the rocks. This jellyfish drew my attention on a recent visit to the coast: Other elements that can provide interest for our photos are: Boats – I love abandoned boats, or photographing parts of boats Piers Fences Vegetation Seaweed People Fishing objects Buildings – lighthouses are a favourite and we can get some interesting angles for shots As well as trying to find interesting features in your coastal landscapes you can vary the position from which you shoot in order to get a different perspective . Instead of shooting straight ahead you can get down low or shoot down from a high vantage point. Often, we shoot directly out to sea, but we can get interesting perspectives by looking up or looking down the coastline. Sometimes when I am walking along the coastline or climbing a cliff I am looking ahead for potential images, but it is always a good idea to turn around and see what is behind me. Often you will find a completely different scene with another set of possibilities just behind you. Foreground can become a main element. At the coast you will already have your background elements – sea and sky – so for variation you could concentrate on the foreground. If you make the foreground look interesting it has the potential to change a snapshot into a photograph. Many photographs taken straight on from a standing position will be good snapshots... But varying our perspective or composition can ensure that we produce more interesting photographs. Seascape photography I consider seascape photography to be different to coastal photography. A quick Google search gave me this definition of seascape photography: Seascape photography is a kind of landscape photography where one of the main subjects is the sea or the ocean. The main difference is the ever-moving water, which influences your picture and your settings. https://expertphotography.com I haven’t yet tried standing in the water to photograph waves or being so close that I have to consider what the tide is doing, but it sounds like an exciting form of photography and one that I definitely intend to try out at some stage. If seascape photography is something that interests you, this short video gives 5 tips you might like to think about before you begin. https://youtu.be/K26-SjwLWIU Inspirational water photography In many areas of life water plays a leading role as a source of inspiration and many ‘daily reflection’ or meditation type apps regularly feature images of sunsets over the sea, silky waterfalls, a gurgling stream or gently lapping waves. In fact, most water scenes evoke a mood of reflection and contemplation. ‘Life around water’ as photography subject As well as water offering itself as a subject for my photographs, I find that animal and plant life on or close to water, the effect of weather conditions or light playing on water, and signs of human activity around water also provide good photographic opportunities. Creating emotion through water images Water can evoke emotion in a photograph. The lack of colour on a wide expanse of water can create a feeling of loneliness. A person looking out to sea suggests contemplation. Water images can tell a story of strength, of power, of resistance; they can suggest infinity in time – the water will still be flowing long after we humans have passed on. Water can sometimes serve as a good background to a main subject and can help evoke a mood or emotion in this way. Capturing reflections Water makes a great vehicle for capturing reflections, whether from a calm lake on a clear day, a puddle after the rain or to enhance the lights of a city reflected in a river at night. “If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” - Loren Eiseley Further reading For a comprehensive and knowledgeable guide to seascape photography, with tips on becoming a better seascape photographer, check out this post: https://www.landscapephotographyireland.com/blog/seascape-photography-explained Updated August 2024

Water is a great subject for creative photography. It lends itself to long exposure, intentional camera movement (ICM), water reflections, water droplets, and rain photography, without even mentioning sea water and all the possibilities that brings. For this gallery I have concentrated on creative use of long exposure and intentional camera movement. I have experimented with these techniques using both camera and phone, and although my results were hit and miss, I thoroughly enjoyed the process. Here are some of the resulting images: Image Gallery - Use of Water in Creative Photography Why not try some creative water photography? You can experiment with different shutter speeds, a variety of movements, and even use the long exposure setting on your phone. There is no right or wrong way to do creative water photography, there are no rules and you are the judge of whether the images turn out as you expected. Creative water photography is all about experimentation, discovering something new and having fun with your camera.

I love to go for a daily walk in my neighbourhood and I always bring my camera with me even if I don't end up taking a photograph. This is different to my two or three times weekly photoshoot, where I deliberately plan where to go and what type of photography I’ll do. This is a walk with my small camera, a wrist strap and one lens. My walk usually takes place in the early morning. I love this time, when the world is quiet and still, the birds are singing, dog walkers and early walkers and runners are the only humans to be seen, and the world hasn’t yet awakened to the working day. I love the crisp air in winter, the warmth and sweet aromas of summer, and everything in between. Even getting caught in a light rain shower can be invigorating. I am fortunate to have many walking routes and trails near my home. Just a ten minute walk from my home is a large park and woodland where I do a lot of photography. In addition to this park there are also paths around the suburb where I live, a small town centre close to my home, a riverbank walk and many local walking trails I can follow. The main purpose of my daily walk, as it is for many people, is exercise, but it gives me much more than physical exercise. My walking time is a time for myself. It is a time to slow my thoughts, to appreciate the world around me, to reflect on any ongoing issues in my life, and to put things into perspective. It is a time to enjoy solitude and to exercise my creative mind by observing what is around me and occasionally creating some images. This time is not about making great images – it is about capturing what catches my eye. It is about enjoying the limitations of just one lens and increasing my awareness of what is around me, both in the natural and in the human-made world. My daily walk has become an essential part of my day, a part of my day that I try not to miss, and by taking a camera with me it has become an even more special time. Here are some images from a week of daily walks with my camera:

I previously wrote a blog post about the value of curiosity to our mental health and how photography can help us enhance that curiosity. You can view that post here. In this post I will discuss the topic from another viewpoint - that is, how curiosity in turn adds value to photography and why it’s good to follow your curiosity in photography. Following your curiosity in photography: PROVIDES YOU WITH NEW AND UNEXPECTED PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES Curiosity continually opens up new worlds and possibilities. Being curious helps us to discover things that are not immediately obvious or visible. By following our curiosity in photography we will open ourselves to new photographic opportunities, we will begin to discover that we like certain subjects that we previously didn't notice or disregarded, and we will realise that there is a world of photographic opportunity waiting for us that we didn't know existed. To give an example, I had a vague sense of being drawn to photographing old abandoned buildings and sheds but until recently I hadn't acted on the urge. Once I began to make some of these type of images I started to follow my curiosity and this has led me to a new set of subjects that I really enjoy photographing. ENCOURAGES YOU TO KEEP LEARNING NEW SKILLS Curiosity keeps your mind active, always asking questions, seeking new ways of doing things, searching for solutions to challenges. To give an example, in my photography I have been curious about discovering the effect of using different shutter speeds so I have experimented with various slow shutter speeds and combining them with a range of focal lengths. I have achieved some reasonable results which I like but I have also discovered that to do long exposure photography properly I will need to invest in a tripod. In a similar way my curiosity about depth of field has led me to experimenting with aperture and distance from subject. This has given me new skills to employ when doing close up and macro photography. When we are curious we keep trying new things, and new ways of doing familiar things, and we are continually led down new learning paths. ALLOWS YOU TO DO PHOTOGRAPHY YOUR WAY When you follow your curiosity you are in charge of the things you photograph and share. You can photograph subjects simply as experiments, because you want to, or you can allow your curiosity in photography to take you in lots of different directions, propelled forward by your desire to discover new things, to take on new ideas and to see photography as something that is fun for you, not something that is dictated by the opinions of others. To give an example, I have followed my curiosity into macro photography. Despite not having proper macro equipment I have compromised and improvised by using magnifying lenses, a Raynox diopter and an inexpensive macro lens. My curiosity and open mind regarding this type of photography has, despite many frustrations, given me countless hours of very enjoyable photography. FINAL THOUGHTS There is much research into the benefits of having a curious mind. Curiosity has been the driving force behind some of the world's best inventions, scientific discoveries and creative works. It is certainly an important value to foster in our lives. By being curious, always asking questions and seeking answers, we can live more purposeful, fulfilling lives. When we apply a mind-set of active curiosity to our photography we set ourselves free to experiment, to grow, to continually feel motivated and to enjoy all that our craft has to offer. Why not go out with your camera and just follow your curiosity!

I think there is an onus on all of us who do photography to practise our craft in a responsible way. Any discussion of street photography or documentary photography will almost certainly include the ethics involved in those types of photography, such as not photographing vulnerable people or not taking images of minors without a parent or guardian’s permission. Ethics around landscape photography are not given as much thought, or worse, the attitude is, anything goes in the pursuit of a good photograph . While this is most definitely not the case, it is largely left up to each photographer to take care of the environment in which they are working, and inevitably some are more careful than others. As part of my work in education I have always felt passionate about enabling children and young people to be custodians of the future, and part of this involved education in caring for the environment in which we live. I undertook environmental awareness training and, with my students, participated in many projects aimed at raising awareness of the many human activities that detrimentally affect our environment, and how we can live more sustainably. As a photographer I am aware of the damage that is being done to some of our most beautiful locations by lone photographers, groups of photographers and those with phone cameras who all want to capture that perfect photograph. Flowers and young plants are being trampled, parts of plants are being broken off and discarded because they are ‘getting in the way’ of the photograph, and paths are being created through green spaces to provide a short cut to a location. And that is without mentioning the litter being left at beauty spots! Protecting our environment and ensuring that our behaviour contributes to its sustainability involves raising awareness in any way that we can, which is why I am prompted to share this website, www.naturefirst.org , which addresses this issue with photographers in mind and gives guidance on how to be a responsible photographer. To quote from the website: No one can be “perfect,” reducing their impact to zero, but we can all be mindful and responsible with our nature photography. It’s simply the ethical thing to do. While recognising that historically photography has played a role in environmental protection, concerns are being raised about current trends of over-visitation of some of the world’s most renowned beauty spots, largely due to social media sharing, and of a widespread basic lack of knowledge of ‘outdoor ethics’. I love to experiment with close-up flower photography and am always saddened when the beauty of the flowers is spoiled by discarded litter which often blows into the flower beds. Nature First has produced a set of core principles designed to help photographers to enjoy photography in the natural landscape while also behaving responsibly towards the environment. What are the Nature First Principles? The 7 Nature First Principles are: Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. Use discretion if sharing locations. Know and follow rules and regulations. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. Actively promote and educate others about these principles.   You can read about these principles in depth here .   You can read about how these principles apply to smartphone users here .   The principles are easy to remember and should become second nature to all photographers. In particular, it is important to actively promote these principles and to educate others about them so that we reverse the trend of contributing, as photographers, to increased negative impact on our natural environment.   National Parks are popular places for photography but it is essential that photographers abide by the common principles of environmental protection. One of the 7 principles of Nature First is to use discretion if sharing locations, particularly on social media platforms, as increased visitation can have a negative impact on sensitive areas. Another of the principles,  always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them , expands into a further 7 principles which are 'minimum impact practices' for anyone frequenting the outdoors and they form a set of practical ways to make a difference as photographers. As well as leaving no litter, the principles also urge us not to create paths where no paths exist, not to trample on flowers or plants to get a photograph, in other words to leave everything as we found it, and to take away everything that we bring with us. The principles also encourage us to leave places better then we found them by picking up litter even if it doesn’t belong to us. Areas such as wildflower fields are 'seasonally sensitive'. On her first visit to a bluebell woods my 3½-year-old granddaughter was tempted to run through the bluebells, but she was happy to comply when we explained to her why she needed to use the path that was already there. If environmental awareness begins at a young age children are more likely to grow up with a genuine respect and care for nature. I hope that reading this blog on how to be a responsible photographer will encourage you to visit the nature first website, familiarise yourself with the principles outlined and encourage others to adopt them also. FURTHER RESOURCES Sarah Marino & Ron Coscorrosa Photography ( smallscenes.com ) Landscape Photography Ethics - Are you a good ambassador? Alister Benn 'In nature, everybody is an influencer' - Nature First https://youtu.be/F70bRuu9TAY

In today’s world the human race may be more technologically advanced than at any other time in history but we are also reporting an increase in stress-related illnesses due to the pressures and increased demands of modern living. For this reason, there has been much research into ways to combat stress and to live a more fulfilled life. There has been a rise in popularity of approaches such as that of positive psychology which looks at what is going right with people, and research is based on how to use this information to produce a set of science-based tools which can be used to help people develop coping skills, increase their overall wellbeing and to flourish in life. The positive living approach recognises that our mindset and attitude affect our physical and mental wellbeing and offers steps we can take to develop a positive mindset and attitude to life. These include: ·      Taking regular exercise ·      Spending time away from screens and gadgets, preferably in nature ·      Developing mindfulness – being present in the moment (paying attention) ·      Having a purpose ·      Being curious ·      Developing creativity ·      Having a hobby or pastime How Does Photography Support Positive Living? Photography seems to support the positive living approach in numerous ways. For those of us who do photography for pleasure rather than for a living it is a hobby that is meaningful, engaging, creative, enjoyable and fulfilling. Regardless of the type of photography we do, it gets us out into the great outdoors and is an excellent way to take regular exercise  and spend time in nature and away from screens and gadgets. As we spend time out with our camera we are paying attention, observing, and being present in the moment. This encourages us to develop a mindful  approach which can carry over to other aspects of our lives. Photography gives us a purpose . It gives us a reason to learn new skills, to keep mentally and physically alert and to embark on a journey of lifelong learning. As we document our days we discover meaning and purpose in the activities we engage in. Being curious , have an enquiring mind and developing creativity  are all activities that support our health and wellbeing, particularly as we age. Photography gives us opportunities to engage in these life-giving activities. FINAL THOUGHTS Health of body and mind should be a priority for all of us, regardless of age. Photography is an ideal support for our health journey as it can be practised by people of all ages, it appeals to all skill levels and it can be as serious or as easy-going as we want it to be. If you are not already convinced by the importance of this great activity, I hope these ideas will give you some food for thought and hopefully help you support your health along the way.

Recently, a friend asked me what the point of my photography blog is. The question set me thinking about why I continue to write and publish my blog each week. I came up with two main answers. (a) It could be because I love writing and because writing helps me to clarify my thoughts and understand myself a bit more. If that’s the reason, why not simply keep a journal? (b) It could be because I want to share my thoughts with a wider audience. If that's the reason, why do I not try to grow my blog so that I reach a greater number of readers?   I’m going to consider the arguments relating to both answers.   1.  If it’s writing I enjoy, why don’t I simply keep a journal? My original reason for choosing to write a blog and publish it online was that, as well as clarifying my thoughts and discussing topics related to photography, I wanted to share my photography journey with others who might be starting out on their own photography journey or those who were thinking of starting this wonderful hobby. I wanted to share my experiences as a beginner.  I wanted to share the highs and lows, the things I learned, the difficulties I encountered and the discoveries I would make along the way. As my journey progressed, I continued my blog as I wanted to share how photography was encouraging me to get out into nature, to get more exercise and to enjoy the great outdoors. I wanted to share how photography was helping me to become more attentive to my surroundings, more observant, more in tune with others, with the natural world and with myself. I wanted to share how photography became my way to relax and unwind, how it has helped me to slow down and become more mindful. I am not a professional photographer, and never will be, so I wanted my suggestions to be straight forward and jargon-free. I hoped they would appeal to beginners and, as I progressed, to intermediate photographers also. Part of my aim with my blog has been to introduce the work of other photographers and build on their advice where it has resonated with me. I hope that this has resonated with others too. My reason for writing a blog is because I want to share my thoughts and aspects of my journey with a wider audience and that is not possible with a personal journal. This answer brings me to address the second point. 2.   Why do I not try to grow my blog so that I reach a greater number of readers? My honest answer is that I know very little about growing a blog. I don’t understand the workings of SEO or how to optimise my site to be found on Google. And this is not where my interest lies. My interest lies in creating content and I did do an online course to understand the basics of attracting readers through creating good content. I learned some useful tips on this course which I continue to make use of. My readership has increased steadily although it is by no means a large readership. Yet chasing numbers is not the primary purpose of my blog. What I hope for is to see people finding something that is of value to them and hopefully making a return visit. I believe that this will happen naturally if I continue to put out content that is real and genuine. Through this content I would like to inspire others to enjoy photography and to discover the great benefits it can bring to our lives. My blog is primarily about sharing my photography journey. FINAL THOUGHTS I hope I have succeeded in explaining what I consider to be the point of my photography blog. It is a very rewarding experience which you might like to try for yourself.

Most of us will come to a stage when our enthusiasm for our photography wanes and we lack the motivation to get out and take photographs. Some people refer to this as being in a photography slump  or a creative rut . I recently saw the term photography plateau  being used and I thought it was a good way to describe the feeling that your photography has become a bit flat and lacking in new ideas. In previous posts I have given some suggestions that might help breathe new life into your photography when you reach a plateau. These include trying a different genre, using a creative technique such as ICM, shooting in monochrome, using one focal length for a set period of time, giving yourself a challenge, taking on a project or working on a theme. However, sometimes I have tried all of the suggestions above and despite my best efforts the long, dreary winter takes it’s toll on my photography and I seem to stay on the plateau for longer than I want to. This prompts me to think a bit deeper and consider what I need to do to get my photography moving again and sustain my progress until nature and weather conditions provide better opportunities. After a few months of doing landscape photography in very poor weather conditions I reached a plateau where I felt I needed to make a change to get back my enthusiasm. I decided to go into Dublin on the eve of St.Patrick’s Day national holiday to see if I could get some different photographs. The combination of lots of people, a carnival atmosphere and colourful costumes meant that I had plenty to see and I enjoyed my day of something different. HOW TO OVERCOME A PHOTOGRAPHY PLATEAU I have identified 3 practices that I fall back on at times when motivation may be low. Practice #1 Develop the Art of Noticing One thing I always do when I reach a photography plateau is to take a break. I don't mean a break from photography but a break from the pressure to find good photographs. It is a pressure I place on myself as I don’t want to go out with my camera and feel disappointed by a lack of success. Yet it can spoil my enjoyment of photography and result in my photography experience becoming flat and uninspiring. My break usually involves going out to walk and observe, sometimes with a camera but mostly without. As I go slowly and take in my surroundings I notice things I hadn’t noticed before. In the woodland or on country lanes I notice the patterns on tree bark or tiny flowers hiding from sight. I notice a splash of colour among the green or an unusual shape in the tree branches. I notice patterns and shapes and textures that I normally miss. Along the coast I notice interesting seaweed shapes or water patterns, while on the streets my interest is ignited by the animated interactions among people. By closely observing those around me I can notice facial expressions and hand gestures that may disappear in a moment. One of the greatest revelations to me has been noticing the ever-changing sky above me, something I hardly noticed in the past. I have now witnessed dark, brooding skies, vibrant red skies, skies with fluffy white clouds or light wispy clouds. I have seen stunning sunrises and amazing sunsets. I have looked in awe on dull, grey days as a parting in the clouds allowed a small sunbeam to light up my surroundings. And every day there is something different to notice in earth's amazing canopy. By observation and being curious I have begun to notice things that others miss and this is an essential ingredient in making unique and individual images. Developing the art of noticing has been a way for me to renew interest in my photography whenever I have reached a photography plateau and it is a skill worth developing for all photographers. Practice #2 Develop the Art of Compromise Sometimes my photography plateau comes as a result of having high expectations. I have my choice of lenses, opportunities to capture good subjects and a range of different locations to visit yet I can become frustrated when I don’t make the most of these opportunities. I can become blinded by choice so my solution has been to limit my options and learn to accept compromises. This gives me a challenge as well as being an important skill for photographers since we must regularly accept compromises due to many conditions which we can’t control. Recently I spent several outings with just my 30mm prime lens. It has macro capabilities but also doubles as a fixed focal length general lens. Initially I missed the fact that my regular companion, a telephoto lens, can produce images in many different scenarios while I was confined by the fixed focal length of this lens, but I learned to accept the limitations imposed by the lens and enjoy what I could capture. I believe this was also an important skill to develop which will prove to be beneficial to my photography. Practice #3 Develop the Art of Appreciation When I go out to a woodland on a dull, grey morning the opportunities for photography are limited. Yet often the birds are singing, there’s a stillness or a gentle breeze in the air and I feel fortunate to be able to experience all that is around me. Sometimes I come away with a photograph, sometimes I don’t, but it’s not the most important thing. When I develop the art of appreciation it helps me to feel grateful for being out with my camera, getting exercise and fresh air, being immersed in the natural world and knowing that if I don’t get a photograph on this occasion it’s still a great occasion on which to be a photographer. And I am always learning and improving my skill. FINAL THOUGHTS The practices I have mentioned above can be of benefit when you reach a photography plateau as they take the emphasis off any lack in motivation and put the focus on more general practices that can help you sustain momentum over a longer time. I hope they can help if you  experience a plateau in your own photography.

Flowers make great photography subjects because of their vibrant colours, varied shapes, diverse textures and because of the intricate details you can capture in this captivating genre. In addition, flowers are in abundance during spring and summer as well as being free and easy to access. When doing flower photography we can often be satisfied with capturing the standard flower shot, but flower photography has so much more to offer than that which a regular snapshot will produce. To get the most from our flower photography we must be prepared to put some thought into our equipment, our camera settings, our composition and our shooting techniques. There are many photography guides that will give you expert advice on the best camera, lens, aperture and various accessories to use for flower photography, if this is what you require. I am simply offering 12 techniques I have used to improve my flower photography, with images to illustrate each technique. I hope they give you some inspiration. 12 ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUES FOR STUNNING FLOWER PHOTOGRAPHY Get to know your subjects: Becoming familiar with your location and with the subject whose image you want to capture is an important part of every photography genre, and flower photography is no exception. Spend time observing flowers. Get to know where and how they grow, become familiar with the different stages of their growth, admire their variety of size, shape, colour and texture. If you spend time with your subjects, observing their beauty, they will begin to reveal much more than is visible with just a cursory glance and they will repay you with more stunning images. 2. Vary your composition and shooting angle: Most flowers are low growing so by getting close to their level you can get a more natural and intimate perspective. Kneeling or lying on the ground gives you a good vantage point from which to shoot and helps to separate the subject from the background. If you use a tripod try one with low level capability, or you may like to use a beanbag to support your camera when shooting at ground level. As well as shooting up from the bottom of the flower, another option is to shoot down from above. This works well when shooting a flat flower. You can shoot the whole flower, zone in on a part of the flower, keep part of the stem in the picture or focus solely on the petals. Don't forget to shoot the back of the flower as well as the front as this will show the flower in a unique way You can fill the frame with the flower or move back and include surrounding details to tell a story with your image. The main point is - vary your shooting style and composition to create the most interesting images. 3. Check your background: Background can make the difference between having a compelling flower image that the viewer will linger over and having a cluttered image with no obvious focal point. If the background is cluttered, has too many competing colours or includes random objects such as twigs or other plants, there will be no clear contrast between subject and background and the subject will not stand out. Move around and position your camera to ensure that your background is relatively plain to avoid detracting from the subject. Alternatively, use a wide aperture to create a pleasing background bokeh. 4. Get closer with a macro lens: I must admit that the purchase of a relatively cheap macro lens has elevated my flower photography, as well as increasing my enjoyment of the genre. I no longer have to settle for capturing flowers from a few feet away but can get closer to each flower to create more unique and interesting images. I can focus on tiny details that cannot be seen from a more distant viewpoint. However, a dedicated macro lens is not essential for good flower photography. Some magnifying filters will give you an opportunity to get closer to the flower and while you will lose some image quality you will get to experiment with closer compositions. 5. Keep a part of your flower sharp: The closer we get to our subject the more difficult it becomes to keep all of the image in focus. While a soft image is acceptable in macro photography, it is important that at least part of the image is sharply in focus so that the viewer has somewhere to look. Without a definite anchor point for the eye to land on the viewer will quickly move away. 6. Try ICM: ICM (intentional camera movement) provides a creative alternative to the standard flower image. Flowers are an ideal subject for ICM because of their vibrant colours, often found in near proximity to each other. Almost any type of lens can be used to create beautiful ICM flower photography, and you can experiment with different lenses and various shutter speeds to get the effect you are looking for. One simple technique is to use a telephoto lens (a kit lens is fine) and turn the zoom lens as you press the shutter button, providing a burst of colour. You may need to keep trying until you get the hang of this technique but the results make the effort well worthwhile. 7. Choose the right light: Flower photography is best practised in soft, diffused light. Morning and evening light are best for getting the best flower images, and a cloudy day will also work as the clouds will provide a soft box to diffuse the light. Harsh midday sun is not conducive to good flower photography as it creates harsh shadows and leaves while spots of light on the petals. 8. Use a shallow depth of field: A shallow depth of field can take care of unwanted distractions in the background of your image and this technique also provides a beautiful aesthetic to your images in the form of background bokeh. The best bokeh effect is created by using a wide aperture (below f5.6) and putting some distance between your subject and its background. It is important to note that lenses differ in the type of bokeh they produce, with faster lenses producing a more pleasing bokeh, although even this can be subjective and a matter of individual taste. Personally, I like the bokeh effect in flower photography. 9. Use backlight for effect: Positioning a flower between the camera and a light source, such as the sun, produces another unique viewpoint in flower photography. The flower subject is backlit and becomes almost translucent. While not how you want to view flowers all the time, using this technique occasionally can add something extra to an otherwise regular looking flower image. 10. Go out after a rain shower: Flowers take on a wholly magical look when their petals glisten with raindrops after a shower which makes this a great time to photograph them. In this instance it is important to get as close as you can to capture the raindrops on the surface of a flower or hanging from the tip of a petal. As well as giving you an opportunity to capture raindrops on petals, a recent shower brings out the saturation of the colours of the flowers and helps you create more vibrant flower images. 11. Tell a story with a wider view: This might seem to be a contradiction of the advice to 'get closer' to your subjects in flower photography, but sometimes a large patch of colourful flowers can look compelling, particularly if you include some other elements to provide a context. While some photographers might consider this approach to be closer to a snapshot than a flower photography image, it can still result in a pleasing composition and it tells a story of the place. If telling a story with flower images is something you like to do, which I do from time to time, then I say go for it! 12 . Edit your images: The art of post processing is an important part of flower photography, in my opinion. As in all types of photography, flower shots will come out of camera looking flat and de-saturated, especially if you shoot in raw. A few adjustments to exposure, contrast, texture, vibrance and clarity, as well as raising shadows and reducing highlights, can make a world of difference to your image, but you don't have to stop there and you can get as creative as you wish with post processing. Alternatively, if you don't wish to spend time editing your photos, a quick click of the 'auto' tab in a program such as lightroom is often all that is needed to transform your image from flat and dull to alive and vibrant.   FINAL THOUGHTS Flower photography is an interesting, challenging, enjoyable and rewarding form of photography. With some basic equipment, a little bit of imagination and a lot of patience you could soon be producing stunning flower images. If you haven't already given flower photography a try then I hope I have given you some ideas that will pique your interest and help get you started on what could be a wonderful photography adventure. Why not make a start today?

Most of us don’t aim to fail at what we do. We don’t usually plan for failure or celebrate failure yet failure often comes our way. As children we were taught to cope with inevitable failure, to embrace failure as part of the learning process. But in reality that didn’t always make failure any sweeter. We still hoped for success and failure was inevitably a disappointment. I am going to suggest that in photography we discover that failure is not always something negative. In fact, in photography, failure can be turned into success. Here are 5 reasons why embracing failure can improve your photography skills. You will probably think of many more.   1.   FAILURE PROVIDES LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Failure presents us with learning opportunities. It gives us a chance to notice where we have gone wrong and to rectify our mistake next time. There’s a saying, ‘failure is our best teacher'. In photography it’s true. 2.   FAILURE ENCOURAGES COMMITMENT AND INCENTIVE TO IMPROVE Failure can prompt us to decide we're no good, we'll never make a photographer, we might as well give up now, OR failure can bring out our determination, our commitment to our craft, our dedication to improving our skills and to not letting initial failure define our future as photographers. 3.   FAILURE DEVELOPS OUR ABILITY TO SELF-CRITIQUE Rather than see our ‘failures' as disasters, we can turn them into opportunities to hone our self-critiquing skills. We can examine our images to see what we have done right as well as what we have done wrong and use the information to make adjustments next time we are taking photos. We might find that there is a commonly occurring mistake – Do we always over expose? Do our images often lack a clear subject? Do we get our compositions wrong? By examining our work in this way we can gain valuable information that will help us move on in our photography journey. 4.   FAILURE ALLOWS US TO BECOME MORE DISCERNING Seeing some of our images as failures may ultimately be a good thing. It shows that we are not easily pleased, that we are not happy to just produce any old image, that we want to aim to create the best image that we can create. As we begin to create more and more images we will more easily accept the failures for what they are, part of the process, and become willing to discard them and move on. 5.   FAILURE POINTS TO OUR FUTURE SUCCESSES We can often be our own worst critics. We can sometimes see failure where another might see success, or at least they might see the potential for success. That’s why it’s worth taking a chance with some images and not discarding them immediately. Ask yourself, is there anything I like about the image? Could some editing help? Should I save it and look at it again with fresh eyes? I have often looked back at older images, taken them into lightroom, made some adjustments and realised they weren’t as bad as I had initially thought. Your future self might thank you when you find a hidden gem that you once dismissed as a failure! FINAL THOUGHTS It can be disheartening to come home with a set of images and realise that we don’t like many, if any of them. It has happened to me many times. But failure really is just part of the process in photography. It doesn’t mean that we are failing as photographers, just that some of our images do not reach our own high standards. We can learn to live with our failures, even embrace them and turn them into successes. And remember, even if our photographs don’t come up to scratch on any given day we still reap the benefits of being out with our camera, getting fresh air and exercise, observing the world around us and having fun capturing some images. You might like to watch this video from Irish photographer Darren J Spoonley called, 8 BEGINNER MISTAKES TO AVOID IN YOUR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY Darren’s video is an enjoyable presentation with well described tips for avoiding common photography mistakes. I hope you enjoy it.

Storytelling in photography refers to 'the art of telling compelling and captivating stories through photography'. Storytelling through photography, also called narrative photography, gets the viewer involved in the photo, it gets them thinking about what is happening and wondering about what the photographer is attempting to convey. Storytelling engages the imagination of the viewer and often elicits an emotional response to the image. I like to make an effort to engage the viewer through my images and when I visit a new place I love to capture images that tell a story of the place and bring that story to the attention of an audience. Sometimes this will be a single image, other times it will be a series of images. Here are some tips for improving your narrative photography: 1.Be aware of the story you wish to tell When it comes to telling a story with your photography it is important to plan your story in advance as this will help you order your ideas and capture more effective images. However, planning ahead may not always be possible and often, when you unexpectedly encounter an interesting subject or scene, you may immediately see the potential for storytelling. Even in this scenario, having an idea of the story you wish to convey will help you to find the images that accurately tell that story and help the viewer interpret the story that you want to tell. During a recent street festival I was looking for an image that suggested an ongoing performance rather than show the actual performance. I think this image conveys the story well. 2. Engage emotionally with your subject The best way to encourage your audience to engage emotionally with your image is to photograph subjects which resonate with your own emotions at the time of capture. When your eye is drawn to a certain subject you can try to tune in to what exactly attracted you to that subject and the way in which a story is conveyed to you. Taking the boat out 3. Caption your images Providing a brief caption with your image will guide viewers in the right direction and encourage them to look more closely at the image than they may have otherwise done. The morning after... 4 . Support your narrative You will be more likely to capture the imagination of your viewers if you give them something different, something interesting and engaging. A multi-faceted image - an image which includes detail and a variety of elements - will be more effective in conveying a narrative than a single subject. Try to enhance the main feature of the story by incorporating as much supporting detail as you can. Colour, light, shadow, contrast and tone can be used to create mood, while a good composition will draw the viewer's attention to the main subject and is key to creating a successful story. An image such as this one allows the viewer's eye to wander around the scene 5. Be clear and simple While adding some supporting detail to your subject will enhance your narrative, including too much detail may have the opposite effect. A cluttered image will deflect from the main subject, leave the viewer uncertain what to look at, and detract from the overall narrative. Ask yourself, Does this add to the story? If the answer is No then leave it out! I took several images as the fishermen walked up the beach with their catch. In my view, this one is the simplest yet it is the most effective. 6. Create a sense of mystery Good storytelling images leave the viewer with questions rather than answers. It is important that the image leaves space for questions in the viewer's mind, that there is some element of mystery, that you encourage the viewer to stop and think. Your image should create a balance between giving enough detail to suggest what it might be about but not enough for the viewer to be certain. If the viewer sees something different in the image than that which you intended, that in itself makes for a good storytelling image. Who are they? What are they doing? Why have they gathered here? Where will they go next? BONUS TIP: THINK IN THREES While it is entirely possible to tell a story with just one image, it is often a good idea to think in threes, especially if you are new to storytelling. Images which are strong stand-alone images become even stronger when put in a set of three with a connecting theme. Called triptych photography , this can be a great way to begin storytelling in photography. FINAL THOUGHTS ON TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR NARRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY If you are interested in storytelling through photography, the tips above may give you some pointers to get started. While not every image needs to tell a story, making an effort to choose images that have a strong narrative will add interest for the viewer and help to improve your photography.