The annual Photography Show and Video Show, normally held in Birmingham, England, is going virtual this year with a planned ‘Virtual Festival’ on September 20th and 21st. The move to an online platform for 2020 will open up the photography show to a global audience and give a chance to those who would not normally be able to attend, myself included, to participate in this annual exhibition of all things photographic. From the comfort of your home you can browse through over 100 exhibition stands and view the latest photography and video gear, including the latest offerings from top camera brands such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm and Panasonic. You can develop your creativity and stimulate your imagination by checking out the varied programme of tutorials, workshops and practical demonstrations and get advice on everything photography and video related from a team of experts. There are over 170 free talks and you are invited to drop in and out, ask questions, listen to interviews with top photographers and watch and learn from location shoots and projects by well known creatives that will inspire and motivate. There are sessions on all types of topics, suited to all levels of photographer practising in all genres, including talks and demos giving practical tips on how to get the most out of your camera. Here is a small sample of what’s on offer: “Street photography – editing on the go” “Creating the perfect online portfolio” “So… you want to be a photographer” “Shooting a BBC documentary series on an iPhone”, where the presenter of BBC4 documentary series ‘Canal Boat Diaries’ talks about his experiences of shooting and presenting the series on his iPhone. These are just a few of the many workshops available over the two days. There are so many sessions to choose from that there should be something to interest everyone, whether professional photographer, enthusiast or complete beginner. Registration for the event is free and once you register you will be sent an email with a link. If you can’t attend the live event you can use the link to watch the content online for four weeks after the event, with the exception of the live chat and Q&A sessions. This blog post is just my 'taster' for the event. Please share it with anyone you think might be interested in attending the show. For more detailed information and complete programme of events over the two days of the show, check out the official links below www.photographyshow.com https://www.techradar.com/news/the-photography-show-2020-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-cameras-festival https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/the-photography-show-goes-digital-on-20-and-21-september

Can we find our butterfly wings? After more than two months of almost total lockdown, we in Ireland are beginning to emerge from the severe restrictions and are taking our first tentative steps towards a new normality. With the knowledge that we need to tread carefully so that we don’t run the risk of encountering a second wave of the deadly coronavirus, we are testing the waters in many areas of society to see what the new normal will look like. While I have not been officially ‘cocooning’ it does still feel as though we are collectively emerging from a cocoon and trying to find our butterfly wings. With the fervent hope that we will not have to endure this situation again, I feel that it is an opportune moment to reflect on what has just gone and ask what lessons I have learned through this crisis. When I think back to the beginning of coronavirus arrival in Ireland, I remember words such as uncertainty, fear, anxiety, chaos and panic being prevalent in the conversations of people I know and in the media. Phrases like ‘cocooning’ and ‘social distancing’ became part of our new vocabulary. Parents became separated from children, grandparents from their grandchildren. Those with ‘underlying health conditions’ were suddenly plunged into a place of unexpected anxiety. People were told to ‘stay home’, even though home was not a safe place for some. There were the dreaded daily briefings from the Department of Health telling us how many people had got the virus and the number who had sadly died. Relatives could not sit with their loved ones or hold their hand on their last days on this earth; only a chosen few could attend funerals. Frontline workers were clapped and praised as they courageously went into battle with the virus every day, often leaving anxious spouses, parents or children at home. Many succumbed to the virus, most of them beating it but some, sadly, unable to win that last battle. Most of us stayed at home and were told we were doing the right thing, helping in the fight against the virus by not spreading it any further. Gradually, as the days turned into weeks, the sun came out, the temperature rose, and our usually cloudy skies turned blue. The dawn chorus was louder than ever, the trees seemed greener as they dressed for summer. We got into our gardens, played with our children, took family walks, talked, baked, painted, worked from home and began to accept the situation we were in knowing that it would take a common effort to beat this thing, despite the fact that at times we thought we were living through a horror movie. Changing Times Many things have changed. I have not seen my elderly mother, nor been in the same room as my daughter or granddaughter for months. Every day I look forward to that time when we can travel beyond 20 km and we can meet again. I have kept busy. I have had ‘Zoom’ calls with groups of friends, WhatsApp calls with others. I have listened to podcasts, learned some new photography skills, attended classes on topics of interest and taken a few photography challenges. I have watched videos on macro photography, close-up photography (and learned the difference!), on improving composition, even on landscape photography, and wished I could go somewhere different to take new photos. I have taken photos. I have captured some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I have played around with shadows, reflections, and silhouettes, I have done some research and planned a future project. The evening sun has given lots of opportunities to experiment with reflections Moving on I feel truly fortunate that those closest to me have escaped this virus, and I hope that will continue to be the case. But we can’t stay locked up forever in our homes and gardens. We must be careful, but we have to emerge and embrace the new uncertainties. We must protect ourselves and each other. We must protect loved ones and those we casually meet. But we have to live, to love, to come together again as humans, to face our new reality. Never were the words of W.B Yeats, although written for a different context, more relevant than they are today: All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born What have I learned from the crisis? I have come to realise that we are powerless over so much. I have a new understanding of living one day at a time. I have learned to slow down, to stay calm and to appreciate those who are making tough decisions for us all. I have learned not to speak unless I have all the facts, because there is so much I don’t know. I realise how much we depend on one another and the importance of reaching out to others, even if it has to be by phone or social media. I have discovered how much I have taken for granted and know that those are the very things I truly wish for today; time with friends and family, meeting someone for a cup of coffee, a summer outing, driving in the countryside with my camera and stopping off whenever I see a photo opportunity, moving around without fear. I hope these simple pleasures will return soon. Travelling around the country and stopping off at interesting locations is something I have enjoyed and I look forward to returning to this simple pleasure. Reading my blogpost from last year entitled Travel photography without too much travel https://www.wildwillowways.com/post/travel-photography-without-too-much-travel gives me some inspiration and hope that normal times will return. We may not be able to travel abroad for a while but we do have a beautiful country to explore! Just take your camera or smartphone and go look for a beautiful image to capture.

I always look forward to taking part in Darkness into Light, the annual fundraiser for www.pieta.ie, the charity which provides help for those in suicidal distress, those in crisis and those bereaved by suicide. I have fond memories of joining thousands of joggers and walkers in yellow tee-shirts as we moved from initial darkness into the gradually unfolding light of a new day, supporting those among us who have survived suicide attempts and those have been bereaved by the tragedy of suicide in their family or friendship group. It is truly humbling to hear the stories of strength and survival from many of those who support Pieta because of the hope it has brought to their lives and to the lives of those they love. Last year’s walk was particularly memorable as we walked along with a young person who had struggled with her own darkness during the year and who had come through that difficult phase in her life thanks to the support of the volunteers in Pieta. We were walking in gratitude for her life and in support of others in a similar position and their relatives. The term Darkness into Light resonates with people on so many levels. It describes the physical action of rising in darkness and being up to meet the sunrise but it also refers to inner darkness and the journey into light for those suffering from mental health issues. It represents moving from despair into hope. It is a particularly apt name for the fundraiser as participants are symbolically moving from darkness into light, as well as physically doing so. Darkness into Light 2020 was a different than usual event due to COVID-19. There were no gatherings of thousands of people in parks or along forest paths or coastal walkways, wearing the trademark yellow t-shirt, coming together in a spirit of communal support for those in pain and distress in our community. But Darkness into Light did happen. It happened in small ways, with pockets of people gathering, walking (2 km apart), greeting the dawn and donating to this very worthy cause. It happened with the help of a TV and radio campaign and an online appeal. Visual images were broadcast of lines of lights as vehicles gathered in many parts of the country to create a convoy driving from darkness into light. Some people walked in family groups or jogged to favourite spots, others simply set alarms so that they could get up to greet the dawn in their own gardens, balconies and yards. Many people spread the message by wearing a Darkness into Light t-shirt and sharing their sunrise moment. Despite COVID 19, and even though it happened with a difference, Darkness into Light 2020 still happened. For me, it was a privilege to get up at 5 am, go to a spot a few kilometres from my home, and greet the most amazing sunrise. These are some memories of that beautiful morning. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise - Victor Hugo

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy and is managing to remain somewhat active and positive. We are living through scary times, not just in terms of the Covid 19 pandemic itself but also because of the economic and social problems associated with it. Social isolation is increasingly becoming a problem for people and it is now being addressed by governments and various organisations throughout the world. An initiative which has just been launched by the Irish Government is #inthistogether, which aims to help people to stay connected, stay active and look after their mental health during the Covid 19 pandemic. Among other things, people are being urged to set a new daily activity to help boost their positivity and feel healthier, physically and mentally. The initiative states, “Now that more of our time will be spent at home, it is a great opportunity to get creative or pick up an old hobby.” This is where I believe photography has a part to play. It can be carried out inside or outside the home; it needs little investment in order to get started (a mobile phone camera!) and it takes care of both our physical and mental health. These might be lofty claims, but I have come to regard photography as my mental stimulation, my passport into the great outdoors and my go-to creative activity, so I speak from my own experience. My own journey into photography began about two years ago, simply with a suggestion. I had taken early retirement from my job and needed something challenging, something creative, something meaningful, and in photography I found all of that, and more. Photography has helped me to become more observant in everyday life, it has given me a greater appreciation of nature, has helped me discover new places, has given me a creative outlet and has taught me the importance of being in the moment. It has given me patience and the ability to strive for perfection while always being willing to accept my best. One of the strengths of photography as a hobby is that it can be as simple or as complex as we wish it to be; it can remain at the level of enjoyment and receiving positive comments on Instagram or it can open doors that lead in all directions and bring us on a new journey of discovery. First off, I am by no means an expert in photography and this blog has charted my learning from a position of almost complete beginner. When I started out, I had a lot of photographs filed on my computer under the name of the place in which they were taken. They were mostly holiday ‘snaps’, photographs taken quickly, usually with a fellow traveller or family member positioned in the middle of the picture and the landscape a mere background feature. I had no idea how to correctly compose an image to achieve the best visual impact, I didn’t always expose correctly or take account of light, and I usually took my photographs from the same position – that of a standing adult. These ‘mistakes’, and how I have learned to improve in these areas, have formed the basis of my five tips for turning snapshots into photographs and making a beginning on becoming a photographer rather than someone who takes occasional photographs. At first glance this might not seem to be the ideal time to begin photography but I hope my 5 tips will show how this is exactly the right time to get started at an activity that could go on to provide a lifetime of pleasure. During this lockdown phase opportunities to get out and about with a camera are somewhat limited but these 5 tips can be tried out close to home, with a camera or mobile phone, and still have the potential to transform our images from snapshot to photograph, and ourselves from beginner to enthusiast photographer in a short time. 1. Become more observant With or without camera at hand, I think one of the main strengths we need to have if we are to become good photographers is the ability to be continually observing our surroundings and constantly on the lookout for a good photo opportunity. I have found that I am generally becoming more observant and am beginning to see things that I had often overlooked. We can look up, look down, look around, and particularly at this time of year, even if we can’t walk very far, nature is unfolding before our eyes. If we are confined to our own backyard or garden, we can still observe the sky as it changes minute by minute, and the sun as it casts its light around us. Observation is a key skill and one that will be developed over time but one that can begin right now. 2. Pay attention to composition Composition is one of the photographic skills that I am constantly learning more about, and always trying to improve. Often when I take photos I don’t include people in them, but when I do I usually try to position them off-centre, in as natural a pose as possible, rather than have them smiling, centre picture, as I used to do. While I have learned about the ‘rules’ of composition, I don’t stick to them rigidly but do try to find a composition that to me is aesthetically pleasing. And keep compositions simple! Even at times like these, when I cannot go too far afield with my camera, I can still practise composition. I took the photograph below in Marlay Park (which is within my 2km limit). I concentrated on the leaf and made that the focal point of my picture, rather than trying to include everything. Even when using a mobile phone camera, I have learned to set the focus by tapping on the screen, thereby choosing exactly which part of the scene I want to have in focus. I like to concentrate on small parts of things, unusual or overlooked items, and these are the kinds of photographs I can still take close to home. 3. Vary the angle and perspective Most photographs are taken from the position of a standing adult. In order to have our photos appear more unique a simple technique is to vary the angle or perspective. Shooting flowers from a low vantage point lets us see them in a way that we don’t normally see them from our standing position. Placing the camera close to the ground can give a change of perspective and I even lie on the ground at times to get a more unique view. This technique works particularly well with a mobile phone since we aren’t using a viewfinder. Placing a mobile phone on the ground provides a more unusual angle from which to take our image Looking around for the best perspective is a good rule of thumb as it helps us achieve the best background against which to set our subject. For example, in the image below, moving around and shooting up against the sky, rather than shooting against a coloured background of trees, gives the subject more emphasis. Looking down, too, can present unexpected opportunities to capture something unusual. This leaf print is set into a concrete path in my neighbourhood. I walked past it many times without noticing it until one day I happened to look down and realised it had probably been made deliberately, and it is not something seen often, so I took the photograph. 4. Pay attention to the light I have often spoiled an otherwise decent photograph by not paying attention to the light. Sometimes I want to take a certain scene, but the light is just too dull, and the result is a very flat, lifeless image. In many cases subjects were over or under exposed because I didn’t ascertain where the light was coming from and adjust my position accordingly. Sometimes, I look out at my garden and know that any photograph taken will be dull and uninteresting because the light is dull and uninteresting. At other times, a sliver of light falling on a leaf, a petal, a surface, can transform the possibilities for getting a decent image. It is generally agreed that early morning and late evening are the best times for getting good light, though many will say that just after rain is good too! Harsh midday sun is not as good as the soft morning or evening light but sometimes we need to make the best of the light we have, as long as we are aware of that and work accordingly. At times, I have even found myself identifying what I want to shoot then waiting for the light to arrive! 5. Learn something from an expert While I feel confident in passing on tips that worked for me, I believe there is no substitute for learning from an expert. There are countless tutorials online and free photography lessons for beginners, some more useful than others. One link I am happy to recommend is https://iphonephotographyschool.com/mobile-photography-tips/. This site has lots of tips for improving phone photography, and they can be applied to all smartphone cameras, not just iphones. The tips given are easy to incorporate into our everyday photography and I believe that they have helped transform the way I use my mobile phone for photography. In these days of limited movement, mobile photography may just be the place to begin the photographic journey! "To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it." -- Kurt Vonnegut

I’m working on a blog about how to stay motivated in this difficult time yet it seems so unreal to try and force myself to live as normal and do normal things in what are without doubt the most abnormal times any of us have ever lived through. I found this article today and want to share it as it resonates with how I feel and it has helped me realise that it’s ok not to be ok all the time and we just do our best with something that is so totally out of our control. I’ll get back to reading, writing, creating, but for today I’ll just allow myself to be in the place that says it’s ok to be rather than to do. I know that in allowing myself that space I will emerge stronger. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ie/blog/prescriptions-life/202003/covid-19-it-s-ok-feel-overwhelmed-and-be-unproductive The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where Who knows where… Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. If you like this post and think it would be of benefit to someone else, please share.

There are lots of things I’d like to do and places I’d like to go this Easter and none of them are going to be possible. My situation is the same as for so many of us. No visits to family, no trips away from home, contact with friends and family limited to phone and video calls. Yet, despite all of these restrictions I do feel that I still have a choice. I can lament the fact that the weather is good and there is so much I could do if only…. Or I can accept the situation as it is and be grateful for what I do have today. I have a number of areas in my life that I like to call my passions. My main passion, which brings with it a love of walking and being in nature, is photography, which has given me the added gift of becoming more observant and being present in the moment. Coming a close second to these simple pleasures is music, which I have always loved, and which has sustained me at many junctures of my life. So many of the world’s best known (and even lesser known) artists are performing in so many different ways to raise our spirits, and music certainly has the power to do that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huTUOek4LgU A friend sent me this link to a performance by music icon Andre Bocelli, which is billed as a message of love, hope and healing to the world. Easter Sunday, 10am LA, 1pm NYC, 6pm UK and Ireland, 7pm CET To add to my list of passions, I am an avid reader and am also rapidly discovering a love for cooking and baking. In truth, none of these things have been taken away from me in the current lockdown situation. My photography trips may have been curtailed somewhat but I am discovering little delights in my own garden and realising that I have much to learn in the realm of close-up photography. Whatever the weather, a good book is never far from my side and access to music knows no bounds with all the technology at our disposal today. This Easter there are many people working long, exhausting shifts in our hospitals and care centres, in supermarkets and in the area of transport, ferrying people and goods around the country to meet the demand for essential services. All I have to do is be grateful that I have a home in which to ‘isolate’, and stay there! I have picked a few of my photographs to remind me that the world wasn’t always in the grip of a virus, and that we will return to that state someday, hopefully someday soon. Happy Easter 2020

This is a question that has never been more pertinent than it is today, when the whole world seems to be falling into chaos. It’s difficult not to become fearful in the current Covid-19 situation, given the constant bombardment of news bulletins, constant updates and commentary on social media, global panic buying and stockpiling of goods, countries in shutdown and instances of virus infection growing every day. While it is undoubtedly a very serious situation, and a certain amount of fear and anxiety is inevitable, I think the scaremongering, sensationalism and doomsday predictions are making a bad situation a lot worse. Fear has become a real problem all over the world, and we tend to feed off each other’s fears, exacerbating our own. While I know that there are measures we can take to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, I think it is equally important to tackle the spread of fear and panic in our communities. Many people already struggle with anxiety issues and the wave of panic spreading over the world is doing nothing to help the situation. While I claim to be a fairly positive person and work on keeping a positive outlook on a daily basis, I find that recently I have succumbed to the fear that surrounds me, the ‘What if…?’ questions. So rather than allow this way of thinking to take hold I have tried to work out ways to counteract fear for myself. There are probably lots of articles written in the same vein in recent days but these are the things that work for me. 1. Change your thinking Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is based on the belief that if we can change our thinking we can change our feelings and behaviours. If our thoughts are focused on worst case scenarios then we will feel afraid and behave accordingly, often becoming over-anxious or depressed. In reality, unless we are being physically threatened or are in a life threatening situation in this moment, fear is rarely a present moment thing. Fear is always about the future, about what might or could happen. It is not happening now. If we get back to living in the present, to being present in this moment, there is no fear present. Easier said than done, but I find that taking this approach can keep fear at bay. 2. Change the channel If the radio or TV channel is broadcasting back to back 'Coronavirus' then do we need to switch off? It is obviously important for us to keep ourselves properly informed and to be aware of how to keep ourselves and others as safe as possible, but how much do we really need to hear? It seems that we have almost become obsessed with hearing every minor detail, over and over again. I am very aware that many people are facing their own personal difficulties at this time that will still be there, virus or no virus, and it is important not to feel that nothing else is important in our world. Also, there are those who become panicked by other people's panic, and those who become unduly anxious due to over-exposure to negative information. While driving today I was delighted to be entertained with banter and small talk and fun. Well done to those DJs who are doing just that. 3. Distract yourself I have found that my choice of reading material is important at this time. Normally, I like a serious read that I can discuss with other readers but right now I want a good old page-turner. This could also be a good time for me to learn something new, something to distract myself and change my thinking. Writing down my thoughts as I’m doing now, in particular writing solutions to negative thoughts, is also a good means of distraction. 4. Continue to have social contacts in whatever way possible for as long as possible While a few weeks ago it would have seemed unthinkable that our social life could be disrupted to the extent that we would be forced to self-isolate, we have seen how that reality can come to pass in any country, so while we can still do so I think we need to talk to people - meet in open spaces, go for a walk or run, and find topics other than Coronavirus to talk about! So much of our fear has arisen because of the technology at our fingertips but technology will also prove to be our friend if we are socially isolated, and we need to use it to make real contacts with real people, not to frighten ourselves more. 5. Take positive actions Meditation, taking quiet time to focus on something positive, finding humour around us, are all things that help to direct our thoughts in a more positive direction. Taking part in a creative activity is often a good way to help absorb our attention and leave less time for negative thoughts. Author Neil Gaiman says, 'The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before'. I have started a project called A Photo a Day for Thirty Days. Every day I am going to take a photograph of something positive, something beautiful, something colourful, something that speaks to me in a way that is affirming. I won’t worry whether I use a camera or phone, what will be important is the act of choosing a positive image, and doing so every day as a therapeutic action. Some days I may share my photo on Instagram (wildwillowways), sometimes not, but doing this project will give me a reason to think positive, look for the positive around me and share that positivity with others. “Bran thought about it. ‘Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?’ ‘That is the only time a man can be brave,’ his father told him.” — George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing. Joanne Raptis I love trees, in particular I love to enjoy their majesty as they stretch skywards, witness their dark silhouettes against the evening sky, marvel at their changing form as seasons change around them or listen to the soft rustle of their leaves swaying in a summer breeze. I love their individuality, their strength and their diversity. Many people remember a favourite tree from childhood. My favourite was a tall oak which provided a perfect hiding place for secret childhood meetings and which even had its own swing – a branch which we children grabbed ‘Tarzan-like’ and used to propel ourselves across a small pond. At the time I wasn’t aware of the unique and important role that trees play in our human existence, and indeed the role they have played in the history of mankind. An awareness of the real significance of trees as habitats and life givers was brought home to me years later when a drive to ‘develop' land saw the felling of hundreds of native trees in my local area, including my beloved oak. I think this action was the beginning of my desire to support tree life in all its various forms and while I may not exactly consider myself to be a ‘tree hugger’ I have taken an interest, throughout my career, in raising awareness of the importance of protecting our trees. I have regularly taken groups of students to study and support biodiversity in an effort to understand the importance of trees in our world ecosystem, and have encouraged tree planting and care of the trees around us. To read that eighty per cent of the Koala habitat has been destroyed in the recent Australian Bushfires brings home very clearly once more how important trees are to the survival of our planet. Tree Planting Day 2020 It is heart-warming to know that groups of concerned volunteers are gathering in different places this weekend as part of tree planting day (Feb 15), when hundreds of native Irish tree species will be planted in an effort to rebuild our stock of native trees and thereby restore a valuable aspect of our biodiversity. Far from being a hindrance to making land more productive, the growing of native trees can support soil improvement, provide shelter for animals and become a thriving habitat for many living creatures as well as supplying an important part of the food chain. Below are just two links to events happening on the day. https://www.treesontheland.com/plant-trees https://www.glencullenfarm.ie/event/tree-planting-day-2020 Photographing Trees Although it is far from their main purpose, trees do make great photography subjects. They look good singly or in groups, they evoke the mood of a particular season and they lend themselves to being shot from different perspectives, happy to allow their trunk, their branches or their leaves to tell their story and reveal their essence. After all, when taking a portrait of a person we don’t always take the whole person; sometimes we focus on the upper body or sometimes the face and it is the same with a tree. “Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees.” ― unknown Whenever I walk in a wooded area I just have to take another tree image even though I may have dozens of such images already. They just seem to call out to have their portrait taken! However, a National Geographic article warns: “Trees are willing subjects but don’t be fooled - to create a compelling photograph you need to take time to get to know them”. I feel lucky to live in a country that has beautiful native trees plus many imported species that add their own particular beauty to our landscape. As subjects for photography they provide an unending source of inspiration, yet as I begin to photograph more trees I realise that it is not as easy as it might appear to get a good photograph that does justice to my subjects. One photography writer talks of seeing trees as characters in a play, with one being the leading actor while the others play supporting roles or act as interesting props. Thinking of trees in this way can improve the composition of the image as it encourages us to think carefully about the scene rather than just snapping randomly. When we decide which tree is the leading actor we place that tree centre stage with the other trees placed around it. Other supporting actors can be shadows or sunlight coming through the branches. Sometimes trees can be used to frame another subject or to 'shoot through'. They make great subjects for reflection photographs Sometimes we might want to draw attention to certain features of a tree Light and the way it hits the tree is also an important consideration And of course tree silhouettes can really reveal the majesty of trees “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” ― Chinese proverb

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right ~ Oprah Winfrey Last year I wrote a blog entitled ‘Turning the Page-Thoughts for a New Year’. https://www.wildwillowways.com/post/turning-the-page-thoughts-for-a-new-year It was one of my most-read blogs and it is good to re-read that blog at the turn of another year to see whether I have achieved any of the goals I set for myself in terms of photography. At the time I stated my intention to update my blog regularly and, despite the fact that I am often disappointed at the lack of readers, I still try to post at least every two-three weeks. The discipline of doing this is good for me as it forces me to keep learning and reflecting on what I have learned. I have also responded to others who are getting started in this field and shared any tips which I found useful. I have found most interactions with others in the blogging community to be helpful and supportive. Writing my blog has indeed given me the impetus to find new inspiration and to keep developing as a photographer. It has ensured against becoming stale or giving in to times when I have lacked motivation. I am still in the process of identifying my own particular style and preferences, but I am not in any hurry to do so as I am enjoying the journey of discovery. I have found photography teachers, both online and in photography workshops, whose style of teaching I admire and from whom I have learned a lot. I have also learned from casual conversations with other enthusiasts. I have taken myself out of my comfort zone and embarked on some street photography sessions, I have used travel as an opportunity to experience something new in terms of my photography and I have taken some time to study the photography of professionals and ‘masters’. It is often a good idea at the end of one year and the beginning of another to reflect on our accomplishments in an area of particular relevance to us, whether this is work related or a personal project. In my case I think it is worth reflecting on the photos I have taken during the last year, particularly to pick out those I was happy with. This exercise has the added benefit of helping me to think back over the year just gone, to remember the places visited and the adventures undertaken in photography terms. My goal at all times was self-improvement so I want to evaluate my images in terms of composition, interesting subjects, good use of light, unusual angles, and find the ones where I have succeeded, to some degree, in creating the image I set out to create. These are some of my ‘favourite’ images of the year with a short explanation as to why I think they succeed. Foggy morning This was an unexpected shot on a foggy morning in April. I was driving past a lake and decided to see what I could capture. I particularly like this one as it has a minimalist feel and the drops of water on the branches are in contrast to the dense fog in the background. To me it conveys a feeling of loneliness, which might not appeal to everyone, but it does create a mood of sorts. Mid-flight This particular photo was a personal victory as I waited for a long time to capture the girl in mid-flight as she jumped into the water. If I had had more confidence I would have moved closer but it still speaks of the possibilities that await in photography with more practice. Castle by night I love taking silhouette pictures and this was a perfect opportunity from a boat on Lake Garda at sunset. Reflection on the lake Another favourite of mine is capturing reflections, and this is something I would like to improve in the future. This image was taken on a still December day and I like the reflection in the water coming from the side of the picture as well as from the centre. In the frame I have tried some natural framing of subjects. I took this one with my phone camera and I like the composition of the branches framing the background. On the streets I have made some inroads into the world of street photography, again something that I wish to continue to improve in the coming year. One of the things I look for on the streets is human interaction so this shot appeals to me in that way. It's not a great shot (I think I missed the best moment of this particular interaction) but it does show me the potential that this genre holds. In the coming year my hope is to improve my vision and to begin to shoot more creatively than I have been doing as a learner. It’s time to take what I know out ‘into the field’ and use my skills to create more interesting compositions. I want to continually train my eyes, using my smartphone or my ‘inner vision’ when I don’t have my camera available, for any future projects that I might undertake. And I would like to try my hand at architectural photography, an area that I haven’t yet explored, as it offers the potential to shoot from different angles and perspectives, and it provides a challenge in terms of composition. My hope for my blog post so far has been that I would create something that would be of relevance and interest to others by taking the approach of responding to what comes naturally to me, doing further exploration into areas of particular interest and sharing these findings online. I am aware that all new ventures take time to become established and that some of these succeed while many do not. Although my blog has not been attracting as many readers as I might like, I am still sufficiently interested in the journey to continue travelling down new avenues (even what may ultimately be cul-de-sacs) in search of inspiration and motivation, and to continue sharing as I progress. New Year’s Day isn’t all about leaving the past behind – it’s about carrying on the good to make it even better; it’s about looking forward to facing fresh challenges with a new perspective. Above all, a new year is about making new mistakes, because making mistakes means we are trying new things, learning, improving, pushing ourselves to grow and change, not just ourselves but hopefully also a little part of our world. My new year’s wish is to make mistakes, plenty of them, to embrace them and learn from them as I look forward to another year of blogging and another year with my camera. Happy New Year. Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can install in us. - Hal Borland

As I was looking through my images for my last blog I realised that I have a lot of images that are parts of things rather than images being made up of whole objects. Photographing subjects in this way is a semi-minimalist approach, but one to which, judging by my backlog of images, I seem to be drawn. I have compiled a gallery of images which I call ‘Bits ‘n’ Pieces’. “Art is anything you can get away with.” – Marshal McLuhan

Leonardo de Vinci is sometimes credited with saying, 'simplicity is the ultimate sophistication', but whether he did actually say this or not is debated. Even if he didn’t say these words, the sentiment is a good one – whatever it is, keep it simple! My study of photography is about trying to become proficient in the art of photography, trying to learn as much as I can so that I will be pleased with the photos I take and be motivated to continue. This blog, on the other hand, is more about what photography is teaching me – the lessons I am learning about photography and about life through the pursuit of photography. In that sense the blog is not strictly photography, but yet I can credit photography for bringing me many new insights. I have referred to some of the life lessons offered by photography in earlier blogs, but a main goal that keeps cropping up in life, and in photography, is to ‘keep it simple’. According to American poet Walt Whitman, “Simplicity is the glory of expression”. As a life skill, keeping it simple is a very positive, life enhancing skill. It urges us to stay in the moment, to appreciate the little things but also not to sweat the small (irrelevant) stuff! It encourages us not to over complicate life or create unnecessary drama and to have gratitude for what we have. In art too, simple can be best, but it is not always easy, nor always successful. To quote Steve Jobs, “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains”. Minimalism in photography In everyday life the term minimalism has become popular in recent years. Minimalism is really the act of cherishing what is of most value to us, and discarding the rest. Many people nowadays are embracing minimalism in their lives, whether in de-cluttering, simplifying daily routines or trying to reduce consumption of material things for environmental reasons. The mantra ‘less is more’ has become a popular one in many sections of society. If minimalism in general is about cherishing what we value and leaving the rest, minimalist photography is about composing images that focus on a simple subject, leaving out all other distractions. This style of photography is popular on platforms like Instagram, particularly as it works on small screens. In my photography practice my preferred style is simplicity in images. While it is sometimes good to take a sweeping landscape (assuming you have the right equipment for that) I find that I tend to prefer shooting small parts of a scene, finding something unusual or something that might normally be missed. Having looked back over my image collection of the last year I realise that I have a lot of images that are simple in composition and, although I don’t think I would like to shoot entirely in this way, I have found myself embracing minimalist photography techniques on many occasions. However, taking a minimalist approach has to be a creative choice otherwise we simply end up with a boring photograph with too much empty space, as I have done on a few occasions! To this end, how we compose our images is very important in minimalist photography and the challenge is in choosing a strong subject and deciding what to leave out of the frame. I try to make this decision while I am shooting rather than cropping unwanted parts of the image afterwards. I like to try and think in a minimalist way when doing this type of photography. Using a shallow depth of field can help in isolating a subject from the background. It is important in all types of photography to know what it is we want to say through our images; to be clear as to the message that we would like to convey to the viewer. I love to watch birds in flight, to admire their grace and the freedom that their flight conveys. In this image I focused on capturing just the bird in flight, nothing else was of value to the image. Composition In employing a minimalist style in art or photography the subject in an image is kept simple, but simple should not mean boring. As already said, the subject choice is important as it will be the strongest element of the shot, even though it does not take up most space in the shot. The ‘negative space’ itself will also be significant; this can have blurred colours through the use of a wide aperture or have a background colour that accentuates the subject (e.gs) At times, shooting against a blue sky provides a good contrast to the subject. Colour and Texture Colour can provide a focus for our photography and can give us a way of keeping images simple while providing a sense of mood. Concentrating on one colour helps concentrate our minds as to how that colour speaks to us. Strong colours, complimentary colours and contrasting colours are all useful tools in minimalist photography Texture too often provides a good subject for minimalist photography. I often like to capture the textures on walls and door handles, rather than always capturing entire buildings. Angle and Perspective Finding the right angle from which to shoot is important from a minimalist standpoint – do I shoot straight on or do I shoot high or low? Each of these choices will have a different impact on the final image. I often find that shooting high and capturing the highest part of a building makes an interesting minimalist shot. A minimalist approach can be employed to good effect in nature photography. It is relatively easy to isolate a good subject in nature – flower, leaf, twig – and again, angle of shot and depth of field will make a difference. There could be a tendency to assume that any subject in nature will be a good one and this is not necessarily always going to be the case. As in every area of photography, a subject in nature must be a strong visual image, particularly in minimalist photography where it needs to ‘speak’ to the viewer. Visual Storytelling Minimalist photography can be used in visual storytelling in that a simple image can speak to the viewer’s emotions. When there is not a lot of clutter in the frame the viewer has the space to think about what is happening in the image – the story! These three beach images, although simple in content, each has its story to tell. Sometimes a leading line can be the entire image, and this is full of suggestion as to where it is leading. Minimalist photography can be a very subjective form of photography, and what may appeal to one person may not be appreciated by another, but for those who enjoy this type of photography it can be very rewarding and can lead to some very interesting shooting. Below is a link to 50+ examples of minimalist photography, many of which I admire greatly. When I compare my efforts to these images I realise that my own are lacking in similar visual appeal, but these examples do set a bar for me to aim towards. https://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/less-is-more-50-examples-of-minimalist-photography--photo-3914 Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. Charles Mingus