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!

It has been a long, cold, wet and windy winter where I live but at last the signs of spring are well and truly here. That means increased opportunities to get out with my camera and capture the first photographs of the new season. Yet the dilemma for any photographer is that spring photography can tend to be very similar from year to year. There are the first spring flowers, new growth on trees, better light and occasional dramatic sunrises or sunsets, yet most of the photographs we produce can be repetitive. I am guilty of this, and many of my spring image collections don't vary much from year to year. I have tended to photograph daffodils and tulips, singly or in groups, but, beautiful as these flowers are, the photographs tend to be a bit mundane and boring after a while. So this year I decided to take a new approach. This year I asked myself, What can I do differently this year? How can I become more creative with my spring photography? I have focused on 7 ideas that might inject a bit of creativity into my spring photography in this new season. # Take a different perspective The flowers and plants that are appearing now are appearing for the first time, and they represent the wonder of this new season, so they deserve to be photographed in a way that brings out their beauty and shows them in all their glory. To do this I decided to pay attention to perspective. I tried to avoid photographing flowers from standing height, but rather attempted to get down low and photograph flowers and plants from where they are. This takes a bit of experimentation with aperture to get the correct focus but you can make creative choices by choosing to have an image that is sharp from front to back or work with a shallow depth of field. # Pay attention to background Often we concentrate on the subject we are photographing without paying attention to background, yet a good background can make all the difference to our subject. Looking for suitable backgrounds can add interest to the process of capturing your subject as well as to the images themselves. You can use a wide aperture to create a blurry background # Explore the tiny world A macro or close-up lens will allow us to explore the tiny world which is exploding around us in spring. I enjoy macro and close up photography and look forward to having an abundance of subjects to photograph as nature comes to life again after the winter. # Use a supporting subject A daffodil or a tulip can create a captivating photograph on its own, but add context and you create a story to go with the subject. Are the flowers growing along a winding pathway? Are they close to a building or trees? Are they in a woodland or a garden? Using supporting subjects will add interest to your composition and give you many different scenarios to photograph. # Look for something different In both images above a single daffodil stands out as a contrast to what is around it. # Try some intentional camera movement or abstract images Daffodils with their well defined stalks and splashes of yellow make great subjects for ICM photograph Abstract photography can add a bit of creativity and fun to your photography # Incorporate a theme such as growth and change or new life By incorporating a theme we give ourselves greater inspiration to look for multiple and varied compositions that fit into that theme. We are not confined to photographing the obvious subjects and we can get creative with our photography. Do you have any creative ideas to enhance your spring photography?

Over the last few months, I have taken an interest in what I call ‘everyday’ landscape photography. To me, this involves taking photographs in my immediate landscape, wherever that may be. It’s not a specific genre that I hear much about, and it’s hard to define. Some might call it ‘casual documentary photography’, others might just use the term ‘general photography’, but whatever the name, I believe that there are numerous benefits to doing this type of photography, both on a personal level and in terms of our photography. Here are 5 benefits that come to mind for me. You might think of some more. 1.   Everyday landscape photography broadens your photography horizons We can often allow ourselves to become pigeon-holed as photographers. When people ask what type of photography we do they usually expect an answer such as landscape, street, coastal, woodland, portrait, macro, etc. They are asking what type of photography we specialise in. I have always had difficulty answering this question as I love to experiment with all kinds of genres and not specialise in any genre. One of the main benefits of doing everyday landscape photography is that it spans all genres, and it can be done in all locations. It can involve wide vistas or intimate landscapes. It can include rural, urban, coastal or woodland landscapes. It can involve the natural environment or the built environment. Everyday landscape photography gives us the opportunity to break out of self-imposed limits and broaden our photographic horizons. Sometimes it's enjoyable to take a random photograph for no reason. 2.   Everyday landscape photography improves your observation skills Since I began to focus on everyday landscape photography, I have become more aware of my surroundings in all locations and become more connected to the subjects I photograph. I have begun to see photographic opportunities that I would previously have missed and come to realise that opportunities for photographs exist everywhere, and all kinds of subjects have the potential to become good images. Since observation is key in photography, improvement in observation skills is a key benefit of everyday landscape photography. We become more acutely aware of small details, of ordinary things that have the potential to become extraordinary in a photograph, of simple subjects that are transformed by a good composition. Everyday landscape photography helps us to look around and to see what others miss. This is just an ordinary country road yet it provides an unexpected photographic opportunity. 3.   Everyday landscape photography is a genre for all times and seasons We often fall into the trap of believing that good photography is only possible during the golden hours, possibly extending to blue hour, but certainly to be avoided in the midday hours or in dull, flat weather conditions. And many believe that autumn, with its abundance of colour, is the optimal season for photography. Not so with everyday landscape photography, as the purpose is to photograph everyday subjects in normal conditions. If the weather is dull and overcast, we want to convey this mood and atmosphere in our image. Everyday landscapes do not always provide ideal conditions, but we can find ways to compromise and make the most of the conditions we do have. By working in less-than-ideal conditions we get to make creative choices such as, should I include the sky to provide drama and mood to the scene or should I eliminate the sky if it is too bright and only serving to draw the viewer’s eye away from the main subject? Everyday landscape photography gives us more scope for our photography and fewer excuses not to get out with our camera. I had driven down this country road many times, yet a walk with my camera revealed much potential for making images. 4.   Everyday landscape photography gives you an opportunity to improve your photography skills One of the best ways to improve your photography is to take photos – often! Everyday landscape photography gives us an opportunity to get out on a regular basis and gives us more opportunities to practise our photography skills. We can use our time to experiment with different focal lengths, to work on depth of field and motion blur using aperture and shutter speed, to perfect our compositions and to really get to know all that our camera can do. Getting out with our camera on a regular basis gives us an opportunity to seek out subjects that we like to photograph and experiment with how to represent these subjects in a photograph. We learn about our own taste and preferences, find out about our style and what we enjoy, and discover new directions in which to take our photography. Since there is an abundance of subjects and potential images available, we have the freedom to experiment without undue expectations. 5.   Everyday landscape photography encourages you to get outdoors often Research constantly reminds us of the benefits of spending time outdoors, particularly time in nature. Everyday landscape photography brings ample opportunities to get out with our camera and enjoy the benefits of the great outdoors. As we wander in our local environment, we can begin to de-stress and our problems seem smaller and more manageable. In quiet environments we can breathe fresh air and take time to be present in the moment. There is something very relaxing about strolling in nature, feeling no pressure to produce good images, having the freedom to create a photograph just because you want to. There are many benefits to getting out with your camera in your local environment and just enjoying making photographs. If you don't already do everyday landscape photography, why not give it a try?

A combination of stormy weather and a busy home schedule, which included new-puppy training, have meant that I haven’t been able to get out with my camera very often over the last few weeks. I hope to remedy this situation very soon but in the meantime I have been keen to keep an ongoing interest in my photography. How to do this without being out taking photographs was the dilemma. I didn’t want to watch too many YouTube videos, as they just give me a yearning to be out with my camera. I did make some images close to home, but inspiration quickly dried up. I spent some time working on my website, which is always productive. But it was a Google notification on my phone, reminding me of ‘on this day’ photographs from recent years, that gave me an idea - why not re-visit some old photographs and analyse them with the benefit of increased knowledge and experience? Would any of them be better than I originally thought? If not, would some additional editing improve them in any way? Would I find a gem I had overlooked? Hardly likely, but worth a try. Since it was February, I decided to start with my February folders of the last few years. I wanted to pick three images from each of the previous five years that I would bring into Lightroom for a re-evaluation. From there, I planned to choose three images that would go into a new ‘Best of February’ folder, to be added to in coming years. Below are some ‘re-vamped’ images: I remember watching this woman feeding the birds and I took a few images. I like the overall composition but I consider the image to be too busy. I would prefer a simpler image, such as an image of the woman feeding a single swan, though that may not have been possible! Since I took this photograph I have learned about long exposure. Today I would try a different shutter speed to smooth out the water. At the time of taking this photograph I was working on composition and using different perspectives. I like this image although today I would consider it to be a little unbalanced in terms of composition. This was one of my first attempts at ICM (intentional camera movement). I was pleased with it at the time. Although this is a JPEG, and there wasn't much I could do in post-processing, it does reflect one of the themes that I like to capture to this day - old buildings - and a subject that I still love - boats.  This exercise was well worth doing for a few reasons: 1.    I realised that my photography, in terms of composition and exposure, has definitely improved over the last few years. I mainly shoot in RAW rather than JPEG so I have more information to work with in post-processing. 2.    I discovered that I do have some images from the past that I quite like and it’s worth re-editing them. 3.    It is a good learning exercise and I have noticed many mistakes that I used to make that I can rectify in the future.   I also resurrected some forgotten images that I made using Adobe PaintCan, an app which I played around with occasionally. Why not look at some of your older images? You may find a hidden gem, and at the very least you will see the improvement you have made in your photography.

We all experience times when our photography experience becomes flat and uninspiring, and our creative spark has all but died out. We might not be getting out with our camera as often as we would like due to adverse weather conditions, family, work or life commitments, or simply because we have lost the motivation to go out regularly with our camera. We may feel that we have reached a plateau in our photography, that we are not improving and that our photographs are ‘no good’. We may simply have lost the motivation to take photographs and are finding it hard to find that motivation again. If this applies to you, if you feel that the creative spark is missing in your life, here are 4 tips you might like to try that may help to re-ignite your creative spark, re-invigorate your photography and help you to move forward again. These are all tips that I have tried for myself and found to be successful. #1 Play If the reason for your lack of motivation is that you don’t believe you are improving at photography, then maybe you need to take the focus off the results and take the pressure off yourself to achieve good results. Play, practice, have fun. Don’t worry about the result. Play with camera settings, focal length, composition. Try different apertures and shutter speeds. Look for something new, an unexplored area or subject. I took my camera with me on a winter walk in the countryside. I took a photo of anything that attracted my interest. Doing so has given me many memories of an enjoyable day out. Experiment, make discoveries. The word play is not usually associated with photography yet play can be an important part of your photography journey, and a good way to let your creative-self run free. When we take our camera out to play, we are letting go of expectations; we are experimenting, experiencing the fun of each moment and enjoying our pastime with no pressure to achieve or succeed. Play is freeing, allowing us to make mistakes, to learn by doing, to discover new things and to follow our own interests and desires. When you allow yourself to play with your camera the process becomes more important than the result and the discoveries you make beat anything you’ll read in your camera manual or on any photography tutorial. You’ll learn through experience and have fun while doing so and that is what photography should be about. I often experiment by taking photos of the everyday landscape I see around me. They might not be photos worth sharing but I do enjoy trying new things in photography. #2 Fall in love with your own location We might feel that we need to travel to do good photography, but nothing could be further from the truth. While travelling to a new location will give us a fresh perspective and invigorate our photography, for most of us constant travel is not a possibility. Our own locality can provide all we need in terms of photography opportunities if we change our mind set and begin to explore our surroundings more deeply to discover what is there to be found. This can be especially true if we have a local place where we can be close to nature. My closest photography location is a local park and woodland. I have often gone there when I was lacking in motivation and come away feeling renewed and excited by new photographic opportunities I found there. #3 Shake it up Try a new style, new genre, new location… If you primarily shoot in a wide landscape, try some woodland photography. If you are a rural photographer, try an urban landscape or do some street photography. If you tend to do your photography inland, take a trip to the coast, if that is possible. Hop on a bus, train or take a car trip to another town or village and see what you find there. Or keep it simple and just stay close to home and photograph something that you wouldn’t normally consider photographing. #4 Be cruel to be kind Don’t dwell on the failures, let them go or treat them as valuable learning opportunities. Dwelling on your failures can lead to feelings of inferiority and a sense that you are not improving. When you begin to accept that you will have good photography days and bad photography days, and that not all photographs will be ‘keepers’, you will realise that the ‘failures’ are merely showing you how you need to improve, and it's ok to learn from them and let them go. I took this with my phone camera as I walked past. Something about the gate drew my attention. This is hardly a keeper but I don't regret trying out the composition even though it was a failure. I could return to the location, stand further back and wait for a red car or van to come along. That might provide some balance in the photograph. Or I could scrap it! If you are feeling flat and unmotivated by your photography I hope that at least one of these ideas will help you re-ignite your creative spark. Why not give them a try.

Old style telephone booth in Co. Leitrim When I started photography, I tended to look for big landscapes – mountains, lakes, epic forests, dramatic coastlines or well-known landmarks. I believed that these were the only kind of subjects worth photographing or sharing with others. Two things have changed since then. I now try to take photographs of subjects that I am interested in, and I am not overly concerned about making images that others will like, as I know that there will always be those who like an image and those who don’t. I no longer focus my photographic attention on iconic subjects or honeypot locations. Instead, I often wander down country lanes, stroll through rural villages or spend time in what might be considered unremarkable landscapes, and I make images to document what I see during my time there. The question is, can you create captivating images in unremarkable landscapes? I would venture to say ‘yes’ to this question, for a few reasons.   1.    Unremarkable landscapes give you time to make images that are uniquely yours. They will be images that appeal to you, that you are invested in, that you have an emotional connection to. They will be specially chosen images, not images taken because they happen to be in honeypot locations that everyone photographs, and therefore they will be captivating in their own way.   2.    Unremarkable landscapes force you to stretch your photographic muscles. They are not obviously beautiful or photogenic so you must work harder to find a suitable subject and supporting subject and to create a pleasing composition. But when you find something that resonates with you, there is a great sense of satisfaction in having created something of your own.   A red van might have provided a better pop of colour and provided more interest in a drab environment, but I settled for the only one that came along! 3.    Unremarkable landscapes help you to become more observant as you try to find potential compositions where none are immediately obvious. They give you an opportunity to think about photography, to observe light and weather conditions and to experiment with different compositions.   4.    Unremarkable landscapes enable you to discover, capture and show the beauty of the world in your own unique way, especially when that beauty is hidden in plain sight and un-noticed by most people. I like to create images that show the connection between the human and the natural environment, and there are abundant opportunities to find subjects in what are generally described as mundane landscapes. 5.    In unremarkable landscapes you often come across something interesting and unexpected, such as an abandoned building, a ruin, a subject of historical or geological interest, or an interesting part of the natural landscape such as an ancient tree or uncommon plant. Even old churches and cemeteries can offer interest. These subjects may not attract a lot of photographers but they can provide good photographic potential.   6.    Unremarkable landscapes provide many opportunities to discover new topics, to lean into what appeals to you, and to tell stories that no-one else is telling.   Why not explore some unremarkable landscapes for yourself?

A photograph from my local woodland - one of my favourite places to go with my camera. When I started doing photography and charting my progress in a blog, just over 6 years ago now, both were new departures for me. Yes, I had done photography before. In fact, I have had an interest in photography at different times for most of my life. But this was going to be different. This time I was going to learn photography properly and be consistent with my practice, and I felt that charting my progress while doing so would give me the incentive I needed to keep going. My mission in starting my blog was simple – I wanted to share my journey with others who might be interested; those who were starting photography for the first time, those who were returning to photography after an absence, those who wanted to improve their photography and move on from the basics, or anyone who might be interested in following along on my journey. When I started blogging on my own website, I had no experience of attracting an audience. My only previous experience of blog writing was for a work-related website, and that had an already-established, fairly niche, audience. Although attracting an audience wasn’t my main aim, I did want to reach out beyond my own family and friends. I wanted to appeal to those who were already on, or about to embark on, a similar journey, but I didn’t want to be another ‘Beginner Photography Tips’ type of blog as I didn’t consider myself to be experienced enough or knowledgeable enough to appear as ‘expert’ in any sense. I did want the blog to appeal to those who might find it interesting, or even useful, so I needed my content to reflect that aspiration. With a good idea of my purpose, I set out to introduce my content, based on my own personal experience, to the wider world. As I reflect on my blogging journey and look back over the content I have shared, I realise that my blogs fall into a few broad categories: Sharing Learning Sharing Experience Sharing Inspiration Sharing the Benefits Sharing Enjoyment   SHARING LEARNING One of the main aspects and purposes of my blog is to share my learning with others who are travelling on the same photography journey. They may be a little ahead of me or a little behind, they may be quick learners or need lots of reminders, they may be complete beginners at photography or they may have been doing photography on and off for some time, but whatever their stage these people will be enthusiasts, people with a passion for photography and for what this great hobby can bring to their lives. I would like to think that when these people read about some of the things I have learned along the way, a lightbulb moment may occur, the penny will drop, and they will think, as I often have, ‘Ah, so that’s what I’ve been missing all along!’ Sometimes the right suggestion at the right time can be a turning point on our learning path and I hope that I may have provided some such moments that my readers can benefit from. Some examples of this type of post are: Improve Your Woodland Photography With These 3 Tips What I Learned from My First Attempt at Photographing Fungi Discovering Hidden Gems: The Art of Finding Photographs Everywhere SHARING EXPERIENCE At all times I endeavour to share   my own experience rather than give ‘expert’ advice, as I am not an expert. Any advice I do impart comes from experience in the field, trial and error, learning from mistakes, and from advice I was given which I tried out and found to be valuable. As an example, a post on macro photography was based on my experience of trying out macro and close-up photography in a range of contexts, reporting on the difficulties involved, suggesting some possible solutions and providing some sample images that illustrate the genre. Up Close and Not So Personal...Humble Beginnings at Macro Photography.   (This was my first post on starting macro photography, written in 2019. I had a lot to learn!) Since writing this post I have spent more time doing macro photography, gained more experience and some improvement, and I intend to add further posts as I gain more experience in this genre. These posts will not be expert guides to macro photography and should not be taken as such. They will simply be attempts by a passionate learner to enjoy being out with a camera and macro lens and hopefully, with patience and practice, to improve at what I believe to be a fascinating genre. I love to 'play' with close up photography and share my experience and discoveries. SHARING INSPIRATION One of the best ways to learn is from others whose work inspires you. When you are drawn to the images of another photographer, whether this is from a YouTube video, a book, an exhibition, or from meeting them in person at a class or camera club, it says something about your own taste and style. I have found inspiration from many photographers, and I have shared links to their work on my blog posts as their photography may appeal to my readers also. I think this is a useful way of passing on knowledge and inspiration that I cannot provide but which I know exists and is found in other contexts. I have been inspired by all types of landscape photographers. I have been inspired by street photographers, macro photographers and documentary photographers, and by many others who have a varied and eclectic style of photography. I have been inspired by those who travel for photography and by those who photograph close to home. Often, I am drawn to photographers who stress the importance of the process of photography over the product and who can relate to those who are passionate enthusiasts rather than seeing everyone in terms of their level of competence. Among those who have inspired me are: Kim Grant - Kim has helped me to appreciate taking a mindful approach to photography and using photography to be more observant and more present in each moment. Courtney Victoria - Courtney has a love for woodland photography and particularly for macro photography in the woodland, and I have learned a lot from her entertaining videos. Henry Turner - Henry photographs primarily in rural parts of the north of England, in the Lake District and in Scotland. His approach is very laid-back and his content is relatable to beginners and improvers alike. Henry has a great appreciation for the natural world, for his good fortune at being able to do what he loves full-time, and for his audience who make this possible. Simon Booth - Simon is an accomplished landscape photographer who often focuses on intimate landscapes. He has the great skill of being able to find a composition and create a stunning image where none seems possible. Chris Harvey - Chris is what I tend to call an eclectic photographer. He is equally at home photographing old buildings, machinery or farmhouses, as he is photographing local landscapes. Each of his videos follows a theme which is relevant to most emerging photographers and I love to follow his photography discussions as I find them to be interesting and thought-provoking. Distant Media - Greg produces videos which are relatable to all photographers no matter what their skill level. He offers useful tips, techniques and demonstrates skills that most photographers, particularly beginner photographers, will appreciate and he has a very down-to-earth approach which make his videos enjoyable to watch as well as informative. The Photographic Eye - This channel is hosted by Alex and is largely a chat about an aspect of photography that is of interest to those who prefer the photography process to what camera or lens they might use. Alex Armitage - Alex is a photographer who travels around the US, Canada and Europe, living in his car. He has visited some fascinating locations, created amazing images, and he holds the viewer's interest with his travel tales. Mark Denney - Mark is a US based photographer who provides great information, support and advice for those who are passionate about photography. He goes at a steady pace that is easy to follow, which makes him a great teacher. Some of Mark's videos give editing tips that are among the best I have come across. James Popsys - James is a very popular photographer based in Wales. He has a very unique style and is known for his preference to photograph the relationship between human-made and natural subjects and for exploring human influence on the natural environment. James also constantly emphasises his belief that a photograph should be about something rather than of something. The following names are more well known in the photography world but they always provide useful content that appeals to all levels of photographer: Thomas Heaton Nigel Danson Adam Gibb Mike Chudley (street photographer) Darren J. Spoonley is an Irish photographer who provides inspiration for capturing stunning images in the Irish landscape, as well as producing photography guides for the best photographic locations. Each year Darren generously highlights some of the upcoming or lesser known photographers whose work has impressed him during the previous year. This is an invaluable source for anyone who is looking for new inspiration for their photography. All of these photographers present their content either through video, social media, website, regular newsletter or other print media, in-person workshops, photography groups, or a combination of these. They all offer genuine support and advice to others and they endeavour to provide photography related opinions and discussions that are authentic, useful and informative and that will enhance the photography development of their viewers. They can all be found through a YouTube search. SHARING THE BENEFITS One of the most positive outcomes of my photography journey has been the additional benefits that it has brought to my life in terms of general wellbeing. I was excited about sharing several posts on this topic as these benefits are available to everyone, even if we don’t improve very much at photography and only use a basic camera or phone to take pictures. The main thing is to get outdoors, to do something we feel passionate about, and to allow our passion to increase our mindfulness and our awareness of the world around us. Spending time with our camera can enable us to become fully absorbed in an enjoyable activity and to get a welcome break from the cares of daily life. As an outdoor photographer, going out with my camera is my number one way to relieve stress, to re-charge my batteries and to relax in the moment. I hope that photography can provide some of these benefits for my readers too. Some of my posts on this topic include: Why Photography is Good For Your Wellbeing How Can Being Curious Support our Wellbeing? 10 Benefits of Taking a Mindful Approach to Photography Benefits of photography Doing Photography in Nature Has Benefits for Mind and Body What Makes Photography So Rewarding? How Photography Can Help You To Become More Mindful Many more posts on these topics can be found using a website keyword search. SHARING ENJOYMENT This is probably my favourite aspect of sharing my photography journey – sharing my passion for and enjoyment of this wonderful pastime. As I have discovered and have been told often by others whose work I admire, photography is not just about the image - it is also about the journey of discovery, the stories we tell through our images, the connections we make between ourselves and the subjects we choose to photograph. It is about the experience, the emotions that are evoked, the sheer enjoyment of holding a camera in our hand, looking through a lens, and making an image of something that draws our eye and captures our attention. I hope that I have been able to convey this enjoyment through my blog posts and that I will continue to do so as I travel forward on my photography journey.