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 photos; who prefer to find unique subjects even if they don’t conform to the conventionally beautiful. I consider myself part of the latter group. I enjoy photographing beautiful scenes, but I am also drawn to finding a more personal way to interpret them. Rather than simply recording a scene as it appears, or as others might photograph it, I prefer to explore a different angle or perspective and create an image that feels distinctly my own. At other times, I move away from well-known tourist spots and try to capture the true character of a place, even when that means photographing less picturesque scenes. I rarely seek out ‘honeypot’ locations; instead, I prefer to work close to home, focusing on ordinary or mundane subjects and revealing their quieter, less obvious beauty. Bray, Co. Wicklow, is a coastal town on Ireland’s east coast, close to where I live and easy for me to visit. Rising above it is Bray Head, a 241-metre hill and headland that forms part of the well-known cliff walk. With its sweep down to the sea, it is an obvious subject for photographers seeking beauty, especially when the headland is lit by sunlight. On my most recent visit, I tried to include Bray Head from a different perspective while also photographing the quieter, more ordinary parts of the area that are often overlooked. Finding unique and interesting perspectives in commonly visited places keeps the fun in photography. It is worth embracing difference and making your own unique images rather than replicating images that have been created thousands of times. Why not give it a try.

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 photography. My main photography aim was to see if my skills had improved since the last time I photographed there. I resisted the temptation to watch a YouTube video about photographing castles and to base this visit on my own developing skills in areas such as composition, choosing different perspectives and making the best of available light. The castle in question is not particularly old so it doesn’t have the look and distinctive features of an older castle, but it is still photogenic and it stands in grounds of outstanding beauty, surrounded by a small woodland of native deciduous trees. On the morning I visited there was intermittent sunshine, periods when the sun disappeared and rain took it’s place, before a return to sunshine again. It was also quite windy, so I had a mixed bag weather wise. I brought just one lens with me – a micro four thirds 12-45mm – and experimented with different focal lengths. I walked around the castle looking for wide views with foreground, close-up, detailed shots, and views using various natural frames. I also took some detailed shots and photographs of the gate house and courtyard buildings. Below are some images of the session. CONCLUSION Taking one specific subject and shooting from a variety of different angles brought a fresh approach to my photography that was very enjoyable. I had the opportunity to practise techniques, experiment with different angles and use a range of focal lengths in a short telephoto lens to bring variety and interest to my photography shoot.

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 project is where I visit a historical site and photograph it at different times, in various weather conditions and in different seasons throughout the year. I use a range of perspectives and compositions and enjoy returning to the site often in an attempt to create a few pleasing images. As well as the more long-running projects, I also like to do an occasional short-term or mini project. This might extend through one or two photography sessions but is always of short duration. A topic such a a specific colour works well for this type of project. Why do a mini project? There are a few reasons why mini projects are a good idea. They encourage us to pay attention to what is around us. They provide opportunities to develop our creativity. They sharpen our observational skills. They increase our range of subjects to photograph. Mini projects can remain self contained or they may serve as jumping off points for more detailed projects. Exploring the colour blue through a mini project. In this project I decided to confine myself to just two photography sessions, and to use two different locations; a coastal town and an urban setting. The only rules I set for myself were that each image should primarily highlight the colour blue and that I should try to get a variety of subjects or a variety of compositions for similar subjects. Here are some results: Why not try a mini photography project for yourself? It works with almost any topic, it's quick and easy to do, it provides you with lots of potential subjects and it's a fun activity with your camera.

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 natural world. I will spend time patiently waiting for a bee to settle in a good position on a flower (they seldom do!) or go out after a rain shower in search of raindrops on an interesting surface. I love to find a scene or object that tells a story, even when there is no human presence. I like to depict emotion through my images and hope to evoke emotions in those who view them. There are many aspects of daily life which draw my eye and prompt me to make an image. That being said, I have also been drawn to finding and showing examples of beauty in the mundane or finding hidden gems, often in unusual places, and sometimes these are things that would not be considered to be beautiful in the conventional sense. I sometimes ask myself – Do photography subjects have to be beautiful? Do we have to like the subjects we photograph? Should we take photographs of the reality we see around us, the less beautiful places and subjects, as well as showcasing beauty? In this context I’m not talking about leaving a piece of litter in an image because it’s reality or refusing to eliminate distractions from our frame because the image will be less realistic without them. I am talking about photographing subjects that are not intrinsically beautiful or appealing to the eye. I'm talking about subjects that we walk past every day without giving them a second glance because they don’t immediately look attractive. As I progress in photography, I am beginning to realise that everything is valid as a subject in photography and that we don’t always have to like what we photograph. In fact, the subjects we don’t like may teach us more about photography than the subjects we like or that we are normally drawn to. Taking photographs of subjects that we are not immediately drawn to can: (a) Take us out of our comfort zone and force us to work harder for an image. (b) Improve our creativity as we work a scene that is unfamiliar to us or edit our subject in an interesting way. (c) Provide more photographic opportunities as we find ourselves making more images in places we may previously have bypassed. (d) Improve our observational skills as we look for interesting features in what may be less ‘photogenic’ subjects. I tested out this theory recently as I took a walk around my local area. I paused at an area where there were some temporary buildings and sheds. There was nothing beautiful about the subjects, but I decided to take some phone images that I would not previously have considered taking. I think that this experiment took me out of my comfort zone, improved my observational skills and creativity, and increased my potential photographic opportunities. I later spent some time editing the images in an attempt to enhance the beauty of what were ordinary, mundane subjects. Here are some of the images. The images were all taken on the Pixel 9 Pro using both the native phone app and the Open Camera app, which I have recently been experimenting with. Edits were done on my phone using Snapseed. Although these subjects are not intrinsically beautiful, I believe that they show that we can make images almost anywhere; in places where we would not usually find images and with subjects that we would normally bypass when looking for potential photographs. Why not experiment with subjects or places that you would not normally consider for photography?

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.