Recently, I have seen several YouTube videos highlighting the benefits of doing a photography project. In a recent video James Popsys calls photography projects 'oxygen for photographers'. This is a strong statement but it is one that I have come to agree with. I started embracing the idea of doing a photography project early in my photography journey. I was having difficulty in knowing what to photograph when I went out with my camera so I looked online for some ideas and, 'engage in a project', was a suggestion that kept coming up. I started very simply by going out and looking for the colour yellow in the environment. This gave me a focus for my photography outing and I came home with more interesting pictures than if I had just taken random images. I progressed to doing a longer term project. My subject was boats and I looked for opportunities when travelling to photograph different types of boats in all sorts of locations. Staying closer to home I did a project called signs which encompassed signs of all sorts and gave me a focus when there seemed to be nothing to photograph, as signs are everywhere! I don't claim that doing a project results in fantastic images, but I do believe that there are many benefits in taking this approach from time to time in our photography. Benefits of a Photography Project The main benefit of doing a photography project, for me, has been that it gives direction and purpose to my photography. I often wonder what to photograph when I go out with my camera, but if I have an ongoing project I can look for subjects that might fit with that project and it gives me something on which to focus my attention. A project will place limitations on my work, which is beneficial as I often end up with too many random images that don't 'fit' anywhere. In addition, saving to a project folder, then possibly printing my finished project, presenting it in book form or in an online gallery on my website, will give an often much-needed 'home' to my photographs. A project provides interest and variation to our photography and gives an opportunity to encapsulate all the aspects of photography that interest us as photographers. For example, a project could include some macro images, it could incorporate black and white photography, it might draw on some of our most popular photography subjects and themes. In fact, the sky's the limit! A project can give a sense of achievement and conclusion to a body of work. It can be frustrating to keep taking photographs with no sense of purpose and no plan for what to do with them. A project gives more meaning to the process as there is a definite plan for the outcome. Here are some images from projects I have undertaken and a preview of my current project, as yet unnamed. I hope they give you some inspiration to start your own photography project. PROJECT: Boats PROJECT: Cats in the City PROJECT: Old and Decaying PROJECT: Off the Beaten Track PROJECT: The Colour Yellow PROJECT: Woodland Walk PROJECT: Signs My next project is about finding and highlighting beauty in mundane, ordinary places: In my next post I will outline 5 simple steps to achieving a successful photography project.

Regardless of whether I am doing rural, urban, coastal or woodland photography, or whether I am close to home or travelling to a new location, I tend to enjoy going off the beaten path for photography. In cities and towns, I will wander down alleyways or go to less visited, perhaps more ‘run down’ places to look for potential images. In rural landscapes I will park my car and walk away from more frequently visited areas to discover what I might find down country lanes and byways. Similarly in woodlands, I love to discover hidden paths with their less photographed subjects waiting patiently to be found. A quiet coastal path leading away from main populated beaches or a hidden cove that is not visited by many people are usually my ‘go to’ places for finding coastal photography images. I often ask myself why I like to go off the beaten path and I have come up with the following reasons. 1.   Off the beaten path is where I can make more unique images What do I mean by unique in terms of photography? I don’t mean that I will take truly original images that could only be taken in that place at that time. Truthfully, with phone cameras we can all do that at any time. What I mean by unique is that these images will be special to me. They will have a deep resonance for me; I will have a connection to them because I deliberately chose to go somewhere different to find them. An example of this was on a recent visit to Lake Garda. The iconic images might be of a tranquil lake at sunset but what I remember most are images I took while wandering through the backstreets of little lakeside towns, on the lookout for something that would catch my eye. For me, these are the truly unique photographs in my collection because they were my choices of location and subject. 2.   Less photographed locations offer more challenge When I stand at a well-photographed location and take the iconic shot, I often feel nothing for the resulting image. When I go off the beaten track it’s harder to find a pleasing image, but that’s where the challenge lies, and I love a challenge in photography. When I am forced to work harder, look more deeply, make more decisions about how to turn a seemingly ordinary subject into a worthwhile image, I experience what, for me, is the real joy of photography. 3.   Taking the ‘less photographed’ route provides an abundance of new photographic opportunities When I have taken the less photographed route, regardless of the type of photography location, I have never failed to find an image that I wasn’t expecting to find. Whether it’s a tiny, uncommon flower that I discover with a macro lens, an interesting old or abandoned building that no one even notices any more, or an image telling a story of our human footprint on the environment, I will find them when I go off the beaten track. FINAL THOUGHTS Going off the beaten track is not for everyone. Many photographers love the busy streets of cities and towns, and they don’t have a desire to venture any further. Others are drawn to the amazing scenery in iconic locations or to getting their own unique perspectives of well photographed subjects and locations. These are all perfectly valid types of photography, and I love them also. But sometimes I love to venture sideways, away from the centre of activity to the quieter, less frequented, often more mundane spots just to see what I’ll find there. And I’m always pleasantly surprised in terms of photography. N.B. You don’t have to go far off the beaten track to discover new opportunities in photography, but it is important to make sure that the area you choose to go to is safe and that someone knows where you are. No image is worth compromising your safety. Be safe and enjoy some photography off the beaten track.

I watch a lot of YouTube photography videos and I find most of them to be entertaining and informative and they have taught me a lot about photography. However, I am beginning to realise that, at times, I can allow YouTube videos to restrict my photography. Let me explain. Most of the popular photographers who have a successful YouTube channel tend to concentrate on one genre of photography. They might be exclusively landscape photographers or street photographers and, with a few notable exceptions, they tend not to deviate from their chosen genre. Obviously, this is part of being a professional photographer and in many ways this is an advantage for the viewer as we, too, often tend to stick with one genre of photography and this approach can give us the best chance of meeting our photography learning needs and possibly reaching mastery in that genre. Yet, for me, this approach can have its downsides too. I found myself alternating between street and landscape photography because of the videos I was watching on a regular basis and I felt that my photography was becoming restricted; that  to some extent I was boxing myself in to these genres and not being more experimental with my photography. It is for this reason that I began to watch videos from photographers who take a more eclectic approach to photography. These photographers don't confine themselves to one genre; they are experimental, creative and original. Their work resonates with me and encourages me to find the freedom to photograph what feels right to me. I realise that I love to photograph random things that don’t fit into a neat category: I love to catch a pocket of light and take a 'light and shadow' picture. I love to photograph an interesting shape that might mean nothing to anyone else, or something that might be unusual or out of place. I love to photograph old things or random objects and scenes that I come across. Often I don’t even know if the subjects will interest anyone else - I just like them. It’s hard to find support for this type of photography and while I understand that, I also believe that it is important to follow our instincts in photography and not to restrict ourselves too much. While most of us may have one or two dominant genres that we constantly go back to, I believe in diversifying occasionally, moving out of my comfort zone and just shooting what I enjoy for the sheer enjoyment of doing so. This also frees me to experiment with lots of different styles and subjects and can only be an advantage to my development as a photographer. Next time you go out with your camera, take something different. Look around, see what draws your eye and capture that image. Don’t worry if it’s not your regular type of image; be open to change and variation in your photography. Or deliberately leave your camera behind, just take your phone with you and shoot what you see. This can be very freeing as it relieves us of the burden of having to capture a certain type of image. You might be surprised at the results – I was!

Mindset is important in many areas of life and having the right mindset can often make the difference between success and failure. Psychologists often divide mindset into two distinct types – fixed mindset and growth mindset. People with a fixed mindset  tend to believe that things won’t change, that the future will be similar to the past. This can be a self-limiting belief and means that those with such a mindset are less willing to take chances and try new things since they are more fearful of failure. This is especially true if they have experienced failure in the past. Those with a growth mindset  believe that things can change and that the past does not determine the future, so they tend to take risks, avail of more opportunities and are willing to try out new ideas. It is obvious to see which type of mindset is considered most positive, yet many photographers have some attributes of a fixed mindset, which can be a barrier to the development of their craft. Photographers with a fixed mindset, particularly those who have experienced rejection in the past, are often anxious about what others will think of their work, they are overly concerned about receiving approval from others or ‘likes’ on social media and they are often reluctant to show their work due to fear of further rejection. An even more common consequence of a fixed mindset is that you go out with a plan in your head for the photos you want to take and if this doesn’t materialise you have difficulty re-adjusting and often come home with nothing. I must admit, this has happened to me and I have realised that on these particular occasions I have had a fixed mindset and it has not been advantageous to my photography. For this reason, it is good to understand how having a positive mindset can enhance your photography experience. Having a positive, or growth mindset, means that as a photographer you are open and flexible, willing to seize opportunities and take on new challenges. You are willing to make mistakes and you are not afraid of failure as you know that every failure is a learning opportunity. You can ask for advice and accept constructive criticism as part of the learning process. If you have a growth mindset you are less likely to be a perfectionist and more likely to enjoy the photography process rather than be overly concerned about the results. You will easily get into a flow state and more fully appreciate the moments that you capture with your camera. How Do You Cultivate a Positive Mindset? Since a positive mindset can enhance your photography experience it is worthwhile discovering how to cultivate this mindset. There are many ways to do this and most of them fit under the following headings: Make Connections: Making connections is important in photography. Feeling connected with our landscape, with nature, with people, with our subject helps us immerse ourselves fully into our photography. Making connections allows us to be more appreciative of the subjects that we avail of and the photographic opportunities that are presented to us, thereby encouraging a positive mindset. Be Present in the Moment: Regardless of the type of photography we do it is important that we are fully invested in what we are doing. We must be totally present in the moment, which is often called being in a flow state. Those who have a positive mindset are more able to lay aside other concerns and be present in the here and now. They embrace each moment and bring their full attention to each photograph. As we consciously strive to be more present in each moment we also cultivate and nurture that more positive mindset. Be Curious: Curiosity is a vital characteristic for those of us who want to succeed at photography. We must be continually on the lookout for the unusual, the unexpected, the unique angle or different perspective. We must be curious about our surroundings and always developing our observational skills. We must experiment, discover, ask questions and look for answers. If we develop an enquiring mind, we can support a growth mindset. Embrace What Is: A fixed mindset   is often   regarded as being pessimistic in nature, fearful of change. Yet the reality is that we can often do little to change circumstances and one thing that can help us adjust to the changing nature of life is to embrace what is rather than constantly yearning for life to be different. In our photography practice that might involve accepting our camera gear, our skill level, and our limitations for now, and by accepting what is we can allow change to happen naturally. If we can do this, we will feel more positive, not just about photography but about life in general.   FINAL THOUGHTS While it is preferable in most walks of life to have a positive outlook and to experience life from a mindset that is willing to take on life’s challenges, it is not always easy to change your mindset, particularly one that is well established. I hope that the tips above are small steps you can make towards embracing photography from a growth mindset and that this will help you to enjoy your photography more. Further Reading https://proedu.com/blogs/news/how-can-a-growth-mindset-help-my-photography-business

When I started out in photography I thought I would become a landscape photographer. It seemed to be the most obvious route to take and for the first few years I concentrated on photographing local landscapes as well as travelling further afield whenever possible. However, I was never quite satisfied with my results, and I was frustrated with my lack of success. In my early photography days I didn't know how to arrange elements to make a pleasing landscape image. I tended to 'spray and pray' and ended up with snapshots. I used to be a little obsessed with leading lines! While I accept that I don’t have the type of camera and lenses to do justice to landscape photography, the problem is not just a gear problem. I realised that I would need to constantly travel to new locations to develop my landscape photography skills, and travel was often not possible. I also knew that I would not get the best images if I didn’t photograph at either of the golden hours. In addition, I discovered that wide landscapes, beautiful as they are, are difficult to translate into good photographs. I enjoyed getting pretty pictures but I lacked the composition and editing skills required to do justice to beautiful landscapes. As I accepted and embraced the reality that I would not succeed solely as a landscape photographer, I began to branch out and try other genres of photography to ensure that I remained motivated and kept on enjoying my photography. As I live close to a beautiful old estate and woodland I started to concentrate on woodland landscapes and on more close-up images, as well as general nature photography, which I still love to do. I also continued to enjoy doing traditional landscape photography whenever the opportunity arose, and I dabbled in some coastal photography, but I knew that my primary source of inspiration had to be close to home and easy to access. This, in turn, led me to taking a 'shoot what you see' approach and photographing everyday landscapes, focusing on the things that caught my attention. Everyday landscapes are those landscapes that are around me all the time. They include ordinary subjects with potential to make extraordinary images given the right composition and light. They are full of potential images that can be taken of anything, anytime, anywhere. They provide great opportunities for capturing a range of subjects in convenient locations and they are possible regardless of time of day, season or weather conditions. Light may play a big part in landscape photography but in this case the lack of light, and the water on the road, added to the gloom of a mid-January day. The vibrant blue sky here gives a sense of time and season. The old, dilapidated building is excluded from the light, adding to the sense of abandonment. The everyday photography approach encourages me to just take a photo of anything that catches my eye. Something drew me to this subject at the time, and I still like the image even if it is not technically correct. I can almost feel the heat in these two images! Everyday photography challenges you to take risks, and some of these might pay off. Images like this one, of an ordinary early morning scene, prompt us to ask questions. Who was there? Where have they gone? Is the cat a stray or waiting for someone to return? These images also show human interactions with the environment, for better or worse, and what has been called, 'human presence in human absence'. This type of documentary photography appeals to me. This was taken one early January morning when the reflection in the water was still visible, which added to my attraction to the scene. The man's body language suggests relaxation and enjoying a carefree moment. Everyday photography can be as much about capturing moments as capturing subjects. That's one of the things that makes it so enjoyable. This 'shoot what you see' approach has brought enjoyment back to my photography, it takes away the pressure to capture certain types of image and gives me the freedom to do my photography my way. I can follow my own intuition and see the world in a different way. It helps me to notice the little things in my environment that often go unnoticed. When I began to take this new approach to my photography I found inspiration among some of the photographers whose work I admire and follow on YouTube. James Popsys  is a great exponent of capturing everyday images. He has recently published a book entitles, Human Nature, which he says is , 'a study of people and our surroundings, our structures and the landscapes we build them in.' Rural landscapes with ‘ordinary’ subjects are at the heart of Chris Harvey’s work. He believes in telling stories of ordinary places and ordinary lives through his photography and has recently been pursuing a personal project called 'Borderlands', which photographically documents the rural and agricultural landscape of North Wales where he lives. Rick Bebbington has numerous recent videos explaining why he has changed his photography approach and no longer relies on travel and finding 'honeypot' locations for photography, and how this change of approach has renewed his enjoyment of photography. This video called The Art of Noticing gives a taste of his approach. I recently came across the channel of a Swedish photographer called Jimmy West , who explains this concept in a very clear and concise manner. The video resonated with me immediately as it seems to mirror the path I have taken. Entitled, I Stopped Chasing the Perfect Photo - And it Changed Everything, this video is about the shift from 'chasing the perfect photo to appreciating the beauty in everyday photography.' "Sometimes, capturing the perfect shot isn't about what's in front of you, but how you see it." Jimmy West You can download the video here . If you feel that the everyday photography is for you, you might also be interested in reading my previous post on this topic 6 Benefits of Doing Everyday Landscape Photography

When I started out in photography, I wanted to be a landscape photographer, but I soon realised that I didn’t have the proper camera or lenses to do justice to the landscapes I encountered. I then moved closer to home, photographically speaking, and began to do most of my photography in my local woodland. From there I became fascinated with the tiny landscape of macro photography, while occasionally taking the opportunity to do urban landscape photography. All these types of photography offer huge potential for image making yet I have often been in the situation where I want to go out with my camera, but my head says, ‘ Why bother? There’s nothing left to photograph’. Of course, that’s not true, and there is always something to photograph, but sometimes we need a slight change of mindset to see that reality more clearly. The reasons for this lack of inspiration can be varied and complex,  but whatever the reasons, I have found that these three techniques have the potential to get me out of my self-imposed rut and start believing in my photography again.   3 THINGS TO DO WHEN YOU LACK PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION   # Do a photography walk without your camera   If you lack inspiration and feel that there’s nothing to photograph, then go on a photography walk without  your camera. I know that when I do this, I am guaranteed to see a potential image and regret not having my camera with me! On this walk, pay attention to what is around you. Watch out for things you are drawn to; anything that encourages you to stop and take notice. It might be the way in which the sun is lighting a particular angle of a building, or shadows cast on a subject. It might be something out of place or something ordinary that has a certain attraction. While you are not under pressure to take a photograph, you will begin to see the subjects that attract your attention. The cat caught my attention here. I think it completes the picture. I recently went for a walk with my dog. I thought I would be walking down some country lanes but I came across what appeared to be an abandoned activity centre. I did regret not having my camera as I could have captured lots of images for my current project. When I go out for a walk without my camera, I always know that I have my phone camera as backup, so if I see something worth photographing, and I did on this occasion, and often do, all is not lost! # Photograph anything, anytime, anywhere I used to only do my photography in certain locations and at certain times of the day. I also confined myself to photographing certain subjects that fitted into my photography ‘plan’. But this only contributed to a lack of inspiration at times as I was not open to photographing different subjects at different times of the day in any location. So, my philosophy now is to photograph anything, anytime, anywhere. This means that I have given myself access to numerous locations and an abundance of potential images that I previously denied myself. Images from a walk along a rural road. # Let go of expectations (your own and those of others) Failure to believe that there is always something to photograph may come down to our expectations. I often felt that there was no point in going out with my camera if I didn’t come home with something worthwhile. And worthwhile meant an image that I would be happy to show to others on social media or on my website. After all, I didn’t want others to think that I was a bad photographer! But these expectations can keep us stuck. They can prevent us from taking chances, experimenting, making new discoveries, and just enjoying our photography. Today when I go out with my camera, I just want to enjoy the process of photography and have fun. I want to discover new ways of photographing that appeal to me. I want to enjoy finding unique ways of photographing subjects that may seem mundane and ordinary. I want to shoot the subjects and scenes that draw my eye and tell a story. I want to show my own personal photography perspective to the world and not be concerned that it doesn’t fit the perspective of others. Shooting what I see, without judgement, helps me enjoy the process, let go of expectations and feel inspired to get out with my camera often. BONUS TIP - START A PROJECT Starting a project is often a good way to recover your lost inspiration. It gives you a tangible reason to get out with your camera and work on finding suitable images for your chosen theme. I have been working on a project for some months, as mentioned above, and will discuss in a future post how I got started with the project and how it has helped keep me inspired to go out with my camera, even when I think there's nothing to photograph. * If you often get the sense that there is nothing to photograph, try these ideas and see if they might change your mind.

For most of us, constantly travelling to new locations for photography is not a realistic option. While we might occasionally travel to somewhere new and exciting, for the most part we will do our photography in places that are well known, well visited, and places that we might consider to be ‘boring’ in terms of photography. Yet this is reality for many of us so I think it is important to discover how to find beauty and interest in the ordinary subjects that we come across on a daily basis. Over the last few months, due to a change in family circumstances, I haven’t been able to travel much outside my immediate location. Because of this I have started to focus on local photography and on how to make good images in everyday locations, with very ordinary subjects. This has resulted in a few discoveries that I will share for those who might be in a similar position. If you can’t travel far for photography, you can still enjoy your photography and make some good images by paying attention to a few details and rising to a new challenge. Doing photography in a familiar landscape can be challenging. Unlike ‘honeypot’ locations, where you can be guaranteed at least a few worthwhile subjects, familiar landscapes make you work harder to find a potential composition. The biggest problem is often finding something you want to photograph in the first place. You may already have a mindset that says there’s nothing interesting here, why bother to take photographs? A slight change of mindset might be all that is required. Here are some ideas. 1.    Practise the art of noticing. Often we become so used to our local environment that we take everything for granted and we stop really noticing what is around us. We are over familiar with our surroundings and can't immediately see any photographic potential. But if we are to use our local area as our photography stomping ground then we need to start practising the art of noticing. We need to look beyond the obvious. We need to look beyond houses, lampposts, signs and walls, the regular things we see, and notice shapes, patterns, textures, colours and lines. We need to look up, look down, look beyond the obvious. We need to notice little details, anything unusual or interesting. If we practise the art of noticing on a regular basis, even, or maybe especially, when out without our camera, we will soon begin to notice things that we haven’t noticed before even though they have been there all the time. Image taken with Google Pixel 7 Pro. Image is blurry but the idea is there - look up! I like to look for little stories; for subjects that prompt me to wonder and ask questions. They may not be subjects that would normally interest me but when I look at them through the lens of a camera everything changes and I see a potential story unfold before my eyes. I was drawn to this scene and prompted to ask some questions - What is it? What is it for? Who put it there? There is a story behind the image and I like to search for these type of subjects to add a little interest to what is a mundane set of objects. 2.    Change your perspective. A good way to elevate your photography is to make use of ordinary subjects but show them off in unusual ways. Look down on your subject or show it close up. Photograph a part of the subject rather than the whole thing. Shoot from the side or at an unusual angle. Shoot your subject through something else. Get down low and shoot up. An ordinary subject can look very different when shown  from a unique perspective and there are lots of perspectives to try. Sometimes a different perspective just presents itself! 3.    Recognise the importance of light. Clever use of light is another way to elevate your photography from ordinary to special.   Light streaming through a window, light casting shadows, light providing contrast, are ways that we can showcase beauty in the ordinary. Photography needs light and good photography needs good light. An ordinary subject in good light can be more effective than a decent subject in poor light. The challenge is to use the available light to our advantage. 4.    Add a splash of colour. Unless you are doing monochrome photography, in which case you’ll focus on tone and contrast, it is worth looking out for colour in the environment. As with light, colour can add a touch of something special to an otherwise mundane scene. This could be a bright colour in a dull environment, contrasting colours that stand out together, a splash of colour where you least expect it. When you start to deliberately look for colour you will begin to see lots of examples of how colour can transform a subject or scene.   FINAL THOUGHTS While it's not always possible to travel to interesting locations for photography, it is always possible to find interest in our local environment, if we look for it. I hope this post has given you some inspiration to get out with your camera in your local area, practise the art of noticing, and see what you can find. You might be interested in my previous post 6 Benefits of Doing Everyday Landscape Photography Happy shooting.

In recent days, we've enjoyed a welcome burst of early morning spring sunshine. After enduring weeks of dreary, overcast mornings, with very poor light, this has been a pleasant change for morning photography. During a recent morning walk with my camera, I spent 30 minutes taking photos where the light played a crucial role. These images were all taken within a short radius of my home but they prove to me that good light is an essential ingredient in photography and it can elevate a mundane image to something a little more special. I aim to make the most of more mornings with good light as the year progresses.

I have been interested in macro photography for many years and although I don’t focus exclusively on this type of photography I do keep coming back to it on a regular basis. While I find macro to be a challenging form of photography to get right, it still fascinates me, and I love the challenge it poses. Recently I decided to take macro more seriously and to do some work on improving my skill in this genre. If you would like to try macro photography, but don’t know where to begin, these are some suggestions from my own experience which may be of help.   A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY 1.   WHAT YOU NEED If you don’t want to fully commit to buying a dedicated macro lens there are a few alternative options you can try. Extension tubes are often recommended as a quick and inexpensive way to get into macro photography. They work by being attached between the camera and lens, increasing the magnification of the lens by moving the optics further from the camera. These can be a successful option although they don’t work with every lens. Magnifying filters are another option. Magnifying or close-up filters are like a magnifying glass and they simply screw on to the end of your lens and allow you to get closer to your subject. These filters are inexpensive and can be purchased in sets of different magnifying strengths, such as +1, +2, +4 and +10. Filters can also be stacked on top of each other to get even greater magnification. Magnifying filters are a good option to get you started at macro photography. I used them with a 50mm f/1.8 lens, which gave a reasonably blurred background and helped the subject to stand out. Reversing rings provide a simple setup. You attach the ring to the lens mount and reverse the lens. While each of these options will give you a flavour of macro photography they won’t give the same results as a true macro lens, so if you discover that you enjoy getting some stunning images by getting close up to your subject, then you may want to consider a dedicated macro lens or a lens attachment. Lens Attachment If you are not quite ready to invest in a macro lens then the Raynox DCR 250 might be the right solution for you. The Raynox DCR 250 is a lens attachment (sometimes called a supplemental macro lens) that can be adjusted to fit many of the lenses you already have. The lens is made from 'high index optical glass' so, unlike cheaper magnifying filters, it produces a very sharp image. A review such as this one https://www.cameratips.com/recommendations/raynox-dcr-250 may help you decide if this attachment is for you. A Dedicated Macro Lens is   undoubtedly the best way   to do macro photography as it has the ability to work with short focusing distances and can therefore take sharp images of very small subjects. There are many macro lenses to choose from and your choice will depend on your camera system and the price you want to pay, as well as the focal length you want to use. The most commonly recommended macro lens is a lens with a focal length of 100mm upwards, as this will provide a practical working distance from your subject and give you the best chance of success. An article such as this one will give you some guidance 11 Best Lenses for Macro Photography (2024) ( digital-photography-school.com )  but you can also do your own research based on your needs and budget. 50mm lens with macro filters 30mm macro lens (micro four-thirds fit) 2.   MAKING A START Due to the close focusing nature of macro photography, it can be a tricky genre to master, and it requires learning and practising some new skills. A slight movement of either your hand or the subject can have a significant impact on the quality of the image. I am by no means an expert at macro photography, and I have made many mistakes in trying to get some acceptable macro images. The best way to help you get started at macro photography might be to mention some of the mistakes I made and how to avoid them.   7 mistakes I have made while learning macro photography: 1.    Getting frustrated when I miss focus The very nature of macro photography, where you are getting extremely close to your subject, means that it will be hard to focus, and a lot of your subject will be out of focus. This can be frustrating, but I have realised that I need patience and perseverance if I want to do this type of photography, and that I need to accept the limitations of my equipment. Those who are serious about macro photography may consider using a tripod or focus stacking an image, which will help with stability and allow you to have more of the image in focus. Using a smaller aperture will give a greater depth of field but will not allow as much light on your subject. Also, your choice will depend on whether you want a sharp background or a blurry background. Accepting compromises is part of the frustration, and fun, of macro photography. 2.    Shooting in harsh light Doing macro photography in the harsh midday sun is rarely a good idea as you end up with harsh shadows and unattractive images. Try to do your macro photoshoot in the mornings and evenings as light is more diffused and softer, resulting in better images. An overcast day is good for macro, but if midday on a sunny day is the only time you can go out then try to find subjects that are shaded from the sun. 3.    Having a messy foreground/background You want your macro image to be impactful. A messy or cluttered foreground or background will detract from your subject. There may be twigs, sticks, blades of grass obscuring your subject, or the background may have patches of strong colour. A quick look around and a change of shooting angle can often take care of this problem. Try to shoot against a relatively plain, smooth background. A shallow depth of field giving a blurry background can enhance the subject while shooting with the sky as your background can also be effective. You may also be able to ‘clean’ your background in post processing. 4.    Relying on autofocus I constantly made this mistake when I started out in macro photography. I use autofocus for everyday photography as it is generally reliable and accurate, but for macro photography, particularly when shooting hand held at close distances, autofocus can struggle to find focus, hunt a lot or lock onto the wrong focus point. Using manual focus, and turning the focus ring slowly until you reach the sharpest point, will give more control and accuracy and ensure that the part of the image that you want to be in focus, will be in focus. 5.    Not getting close enough The terms ‘close-up’ photography and ‘macro’ photography are often used interchangeably. I do a lot of close-up photography and it can produce some nice images. Macro, however, encourages me to get closer, and closer again, and these images are more creative, more interesting and unique. Getting closer, focusing on part of an image rather than the whole image, or filling the frame with your image, opens up a whole new world of photographic possibilities and it can really spice up your photography. 6.    Getting too close This may be a contradiction to what I have just said, but it can also be a mistake in macro photography to always get too close. While filling the frame with your subject can produce a creative image with lots of impact, it may not always be the best approach. I must admit that I often want to add context to help tell a story with my image, or even to convey a sense of scale. As with all photography, macro is subjective and is as individual as the person doing it. I find that a combination of different types of macro image works for me. 7.     Taking ‘ordinary’ shots You can take ‘ordinary’ shots with your macro lens, which are basically just snapshots, or you can get creative and make some unique and special images! If you are shooting still life such as flowers, take a different perspective rather than just capturing images that are at eye level. Capture petals, stems, focus on the centre of the flower, the shape of the flower. Find aspects of the flower that make it interesting and capture those in your image. Get down on the ground to capture tiny subjects. You can be guaranteed that most people don’t ever know they are there! Be observant, notice little things that others miss, and capture their image. Experiment with depth of field, background, colour and focus. Be courageous. You might not always succeed but you will discover new things about macro photography, and you will have fun doing so! Even when a subject doesn’t translate into a macro image you have increased your powers of observation, which is an essential skill for all types of photography. 3.    WHAT TO CAPTURE Subjects in macro photography are unique to each individual. Some people like to capture images of flowers while others are attracted to insect photography. Textures and shapes can also provide interesting macro subjects. Waterdroplets are a favourite subject, while everyday objects or parts of larger objects are often used. Stone, rocks, peeling paint can all become fascinating subjects, and food is often a popular topic for macro photography. One of the most fascinating aspects of macro photography is that you continually discover new subjects to shoot. FINAL THOUGHTS Macro photography is not without its challenges but with time and patience most of these challenges can be overcome. Macro photography can change the way you look at the world, give a new emphasis to your photography and provide endless hours of interest and enjoyment. I hope some of these ideas prompt you to give macro photography a try for yourself. ***

Most good landscape photographers are expressive photographers. They express emotion, mood and atmosphere through their images. They make clever use of light, contrast and drama to accurately convey in a photograph what they see and feel while out with their camera. Many other types of photographers also make good use of prevailing weather conditions and careful choice of subject to express themselves through their photography. One important ingredient seems to be common to all these photographers and that is that they spend time in a place, with their subject, getting a ‘feel’ for their surroundings, having a sense of place, being in tune with what is all around them. They do this by observing closely, listening to the sounds of a place, feeling the mood being created by the location. They look to re-create this mood and atmosphere in their images by their choice of composition, their use of light and shadow, and by their chosen focal length and perspective. I kept this idea in mind recently when I took a winter walk on a quiet country road. I hadn’t been in the exact location before so I had no idea what to expect or if there would be any photographic opportunities available, but I was glad to just enjoy a walk. The first thing I noticed was the relative silence of the morning. The air was still and cold, the trees were motionless and no birds were singing. The only noticeable sound was the hum of traffic in the distance. Winter had definitely arrived. Leaves had stopped falling and the trees were bare. Squirrels were no longer scampering around, their winter preparations finished. No farm animals were in the fields. Pine cones were in abundance along the roadside under a small copse of pine trees, and the winter sun was creating an occasional small patch of light in an otherwise dull, lifeless environment. This was what I tuned into as I walked along. Any images I made would reflect this winter scene; the quiet beauty, the feeling of nature resting, the lack of light, the sombre mood. My walk took me through a rural agricultural area and along a pathway to a canal lock gate. Here are some images I created along the way as an expression of my thoughts and feelings on that morning. They will not win any photography prizes and in fact many photographers would not go out on a day that was so lacking in light. But that is not the point. The point is that they tell a story, a story of a place and time just as it was. I hope you like them. When I turned around there was a quick burst of light Damage from the recent Storm Darragh Capturing the winter light Although there were many modern houses and farm buildings along the route, I like to focus on old, abandoned buildings to capture the character and history of a place. They convey a sense of a time that is gone yet speak of past human endeavour and influence on the rural landscape that still exists. On some farmlands the old buildings stand alongside the new and they mark a continuation as well as a change of farming methods in rural areas. Final Thoughts Many people find winter photography to be difficult, particularly on dull, dark days of which there can be many. Expressive photography has an answer for this. Expressive Photography is about expressing our thoughts and feelings through our images. In that sense, the lack of light doesn’t matter as we are trying to create the prevailing mood and atmosphere in the photographs we make. We are attempting to convey our feelings, our mood, our response to our environment. These are very personal images, they have a deep connection to our soul, and we are making them for ourselves. Yet as we tune in to our environment and respond through our photography to the emotions and thoughts that are stirred within us, the images we create will surely resonate with others also. Why not try some expressive photography for yourself.

Macro photography is not for everyone. When I initially tried macro, I found it difficult. It was hard to get a subject in focus and I had difficulty deciding on a composition in the vast miniature world that I was faced with. Added to that I didn’t have a dedicated macro lens, and I was reluctant to invest in one given that they are expensive, and I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy macro photography. Fast forward to today and I can say that I have grown to love this type of photography and regularly go out with my recently purchased macro lens to see what tiny subjects await me. My progress in macro photography has been gradual, hence the delay in purchasing a dedicated macro lens. I started the journey with a few close-up filters. With these, despite their limitations, I did get a taste for what I could capture when I got closer to my subject. I initially practised doing close-up photography rather than macro, which I found to be very enjoyable, and I progressed to buying a Raynox DCR-250  lens attachment which worked with several of my existing lenses. This gave me the opportunity to discover the effect of using various focal lengths and, even though I still had difficulty getting an in-focus image, I enjoyed the experience. A small tripod and using a timer delay helped and encouraged me to keep trying. Eventually I invested in a macro lens – the Olympus 60mm. It’s not the best macro lens in the world and its shorter focal length means it is most suited to static subjects, but it gets very positive professional and user reviews, it works well on the micro four thirds system and it’s reasonably priced. I love spending time with it. Why have I grown to love macro photography? There are several reasons.   1.    Macro helps me to slow down and be present.   Macro is all about taking your time, being patient, experimenting, trying out different approaches, often failing and starting again. You can’t rush a macro image and that is a great advantage. In macro photography you must concentrate and stay focused, or you risk ending up with a blurry image. Because of the close working distance and the intricate nature of most of our subjects, macro encourages us to stay present and to connect closely with our subject. It asks me to stop, take a moment, pay attention and be alive to all of nature.   2.    Macro helps me to connect more deeply with nature I consider all types of landscape photography (and wildlife photography) to be a connection between ourselves and the natural world. Whether we photograph mountains or lakes, trees or coastlines, we are in the presence of the best that nature has to offer and through our photography we can experience a deep connection with nature. Macro photography brings us into the realm of the miniature world where nature hides its best secrets. Here is the hidden world, the world overlooked by most people, but which grows and thrives and helps to sustain us through its seasonal activity. It is the world of flowers, insects and tiny plants, a world of delicate patterns, beautiful textures and intricate details. It is the world which provided our ancestors with healing plants and natural food. When we attempt to transform these miniature subjects into visual experiences, we are looking at the world from a unique perspective as we connect with our tiny subjects and realise their beauty and their value to our world.     3.    Macro helps me to appreciate little things.   While all types of photography help us to appreciate the subjects we choose to photograph, macro photography goes further in that it helps us to appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed. Even if our final image is not what we would like, the process of looking for a subject draws us into a miniature world of plants and insects that we take for granted and seldom acknowledge. I have discovered tiny insects hiding in foliage, beautiful droplets on grass after a frost, magical raindrops glistening on leaves, and frost covered plants that display their beauty for a short while on a winter’s morning. I have followed a butterfly that finally landed and allowed me to capture its image, and I have witnessed nature’s amazing fungi display in an autumn woodland. I have observed the most intricate patterns and the most delicate textures that exist in nature and which I previously hardly noticed. It seems impossible not to stand in awe of this tiny world that exists at our feet. 4.    Macro helps me become more creative. Macro opens a whole new world of creative possibilities. As it allows us to explore and photograph delicate patterns, intricate details and fascinating textures often invisible to the naked eye, we get to appreciate the complexity and beauty of a miniature world we seldom get to see. Translating this world into visual form invites us to experiment creatively with colour, background, shape, form, perspective, different angles and distance. We can photograph while standing, sitting, kneeling or lying down. Whatever way we choose to do macro, it takes us on a journey of discovery and creativity where the process often surpasses the final result.   5.    Finally, a practical consideration.   Macro works in all locations, all weather conditions and has something to offer in all seasons. Flowers, plants, insects, fungi and trees all provide great subjects for macro photography, and all these exist close to home for most of us. Many of us have access to a local park, which will be a treasure trove of macro subjects. We can take a macro lens on a walk anywhere in our local area and find plenty to photograph in all seasons and all weathers. *** Macro photography is a great genre to try. The subjects are easy to find, it can be done in all weather conditions, it flexes our creative muscles and is good for our wellbeing. I still find macro photography to be challenging, but that’s part of the fun and when you come away with a pleasing image you can experience a great sense of satisfaction. Why not give macro photography a try? If you are interested, watch out for my next post in which I will give a brief introduction to macro photography, with some tips from my own experience.

One of my on-going issues is how to give my photography a purpose. I love to go out often with my camera, and I believe this is what has helped me improve at photography. I will often have a definite plan for what I want to shoot but I do sometimes go out without a plan, or I have exhausted all the plans I had made, and I end up just taking random photos. This is okay occasionally but if I do this on a regular basis I soon get bored and frustrated with my photography shoots. I need to have a purpose for my photography, something that gives meaning to the process of taking my camera with me. I regularly consider what it is that gives meaning and purpose to my photography. If you are having difficulty in finding a purpose for your photography, here are some ideas that have worked for me. You might like to give them a try. CREATING A WEBSITE Starting my own website has been one of the most effective ways to give purpose to my photography. By using themes for my photography such as devoting time to a particular genre, illustrating a discussion topic through images, or outlining my experience of photographing in a certain location or style, I can organise my images or plan a photography shoot to suit my requirements. Sometimes, shooting in a location can be followed by a blog post and images based on the experience, at other times I have a topic in mind, and I go out to make some images that fit the topic. Either way, it means that my photography shoot has a purpose, and I am not just taking random photos. HAVING ON-GOING PROJECTS Having a project, or several projects, on the go means that I will have distinct categories into which I can fit my photographs. Projects can vary from wide-ranging, such as a macro photography project, to a simple project like photographing a certain colour in nature. Projects can have a short life-span – you might plan three visits to a town centre to do black and white photography – or they may be longer term, ongoing projects, such as photographing old buildings in many different locations. The latter has been an ongoing project of mine for some time, and I have photographed castles, abbeys, old churches and cemeteries, numerous old cottages, and an infinite number of ancient trees. I have photographed abandoned buildings in rural Ireland as well as run-down urban dwellings in Portugal, Spain and Italy. I have sought out historically significant sites or planned a photography shoot to explore an area for historical interest. As I have always had a love for local history, I began this project before I knew it would become a project, but I enjoy adding to it at every opportunity. This project is two-fold in that it gives me the incentive to visit certain locations and to connect with the history of the place that I am photographing, as well as giving a purpose to my photography.   TELLING STORIES I love to tell stories of the places I visit through my photography. For example, photographs of a walk through a rural village tell the story of the place and of the people who live, work and visit there. Photographs can capture items of geological, historical or cultural interest and give a flavour of what daily life might be like for the inhabitants of the place. When we use our photography to document a place it gives real sense of purpose to our images and provides interest beyond the photography through the connections we make to the people and the place. FINDING SIGNIFICANCE We can find significance by making a connection to a place or subject, by documenting change over time, by photographing a community or place as it is in the present or by tracing a connection to the past. Even if we are not interested in a historical project, history can still provide a purpose for our photography as many of the locations we visit and the landmarks we photograph are of historical significance, whether this significance is on a grand scale or simply confined to a local community. We provide our photography with purpose by connecting with the significance which these subjects hold to the past and preserving their memory for the future. With the prevalence of mobile phones, telephone kiosks are no longer relevant yet they are a link to the recent past. It was good to be able to photograph this one before it is completely vandalised and taken away. WORKING ON A TECHNIQUE Although this may be less creative in nature, going out with our camera to work on a specific technique is always of value and gives purpose to our photography shoot. Whether the technique is related to our camera settings or to our creative process, and even if we don’t come home with any worthwhile images, there is still purpose in developing our skills and improving our overall skillset. The purpose of these outings may not be as tangible as in the other examples, but our future photographer self will thank us for spending this time focusing on our photography process. FINAL THOUGHTS Most of us have times when we feel that there is no purpose to our photography. We take random photographs and don’t know what to do with them or how to give meaning to them. I hope these suggestions have helped to give you some ideas as to how to add meaning and purpose to your photography. Enjoy shooting!