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Capturing History: The Beauty of Photographing Old Buildings
While there is a wide range of subjects that I like to photograph, old buildings seem to take top spot on my list. I am always drawn to old period houses, castles, churches, and even to ruins of these buildings. As well as these more ancient buildings I also like to make images of abandoned houses, old sheds and buildings that may be falling into disrepair. Marlay House, an 18th-century historic house located in Marlay Park and Demesne, Dublin, Ireland Small Church of Ireland
WildWillowWays
3 min read
Why I Believe it’s Worth Having an Everyday Carry Camera
In a recent post I explained why I feel that I need to adopt a daily photography approach. It's something that I have been considering for some time, but a few things have helped me make up my mind. Recently I made a train journey to meet some old friends. I was travelling to a location that was relatively new to me, and I thought there may be some photo opportunities. However, since my trip involved some walking I simply carried what I needed – wallet, keys, phone and one o
WildWillowWays
8 min read
Exploring the Balance Between Random and Intentional Photography
I normally take one of two approaches to photography. Sometimes I go out with no plan; just my camera, a lens or two, and a decision to just photograph whatever catches my eye. That could be an interesting, unusual or particularly striking subject, it could be the way in which light illuminates a building or an alleyway or even a person, or it could be the way in which a pleasing composition suddenly reveals itself to me. This type of photography is often challenging, surpris
WildWillowWays
2 min read
The Benefits of Developing a Daily Photography Habit
Over the last few months, I have not been out with my camera on a regular basis. There are a few reasons for this. I used to go out in the early morning when the light was soft and I felt that I would have the best chance of getting some good images. But since getting a puppy in early February that routine has had to take a backseat. The last few months have involved early morning dog walking and training, and although the dog is now in a routine, he does not yet wait patient
WildWillowWays
3 min read
How I Brought Joy Back to My Photography
Although I got my first camera at around age ten, I didn’t persevere with photography and over the intervening years I made several attempts to get back to this wonderful pastime, some of them short-lived. I have been taking photography seriously now for almost seven years and have amassed a catalogue of thousands of images. I have charted my progress here in this blog, covering all the different types of photography that I have tried out over the last seven years, and I have
WildWillowWays
3 min read
Capturing Moments: Bray Seafront
Bray is a popular seaside town in County Wicklow on the east coast of Ireland, about 20km south of Dublin city centre. Bray was planned as a resort town in the 19th century when the Dublin railway was extended, modelled on the resort towns of the English coast such as Brighton. It is characterised by its Victorian Promenade with numerous English-style bandstands and beach huts, extending to Bray Head, a popular headland of the WIcklow mountains. Although Bray is no longer the
WildWillowWays
1 min read
What Are the Hidden Inspirations Behind Every Photograph?
Do you ever wonder what it is that draws you to take a certain photograph? I constantly ponder this question when I look at some recent photos and see that I can be drawn to the beauty of a tiny flower in macro photography yet equally drawn to photograph old buildings or random objects that don’t initially appear to have much photographic appeal. So, what is it that inspires me to take these photographs? Often, I seem to be drawn to finding beauty in the mundane as well as p
WildWillowWays
3 min read
5 Ways to Enhance Your Photography in Mundane Settings
Recently, I have noticed a change in emphasis among many YouTube photographers. Instead of bringing us, via their video channels, to exotic locations with dramatic landscapes and breath-taking subjects, there has been more focus on photographing close to home, and even a focus on how to produce good images in what are called 'mundane' settings. There may be many reasons for this change of emphasis. It could be a response to the reality for many who watch these videos – many p
WildWillowWays
5 min read
This New Project Inspires Me
Sometimes I see beauty in how the morning light casts its shadows Jimmy West is a photographer based in Sweden. In his YouTube channel he regularly discusses the importance of finding photographs wherever you are and he gives lots of tips and examples from his own work to illustrate how this can be done. His approach is echoed by others that I currently follow on YouTube, as it is a way of photography that I am drawn to. As part of his effort to build a community of like-mind
WildWillowWays
2 min read
Capturing Moments: Sandymount Strand, Dublin Bay
I recently made a photography trip to Sandymount, a coastal suburb in Dublin, Ireland. Sandymount Strand has a 2.5km promenade and an extensive beach set along Dublin Bay, while Sandymount village is set back from the coast. One of the most famous landmarks along the Dublin coastline is the former Poolbeg Generating Station, which is home to two chimneys, affectionately known locally as the Poolbeg Stacks. These chimneys are among the tallest structures in Ireland and can be
WildWillowWays
1 min read
Capturing the Essence of a Place Through Photography
When we travel to new or different places there can be a temptation to try and photograph iconic landmarks or look for well known 'honeypot' locations. I know that I used to do just that and I felt that, with these particular shots to take home, I had indeed captured the essence of the places I visited. As I continue further into my photography journey, my opinion on iconic landmarks has changed and I no longer line up with dozens of other photographers to capture iconic vist
WildWillowWays
3 min read
How to Re-Invigorate Your Photography
I love to experiment with photography, and I have tried most genres at this stage. There are two things that I need to keep in mind if I don’t want to allow my photography to get stale. One is to take photographs as much as possible and the other is to stay open to new approaches. In fact, these are interconnected as failing to take on something new could mean that I get bored and stop going out with my camera; while taking on new approaches is a way to guard against stalenes
WildWillowWays
2 min read
5 Photo Challenges That Will Help You Get Creative
In my last post I outlined some ways in which I have found a photography challenge to be beneficial to my photography. Here are 5 of my...
WildWillowWays
2 min read
How a Photo Challenge Can Help Your Photography
I recently took part in a photography challenge posed by photographer Kim Grant on her YouTube channel. The challenge was the first of...
WildWillowWays
4 min read
How to Re-Connect With Your Creativity - Watch This Video From Kim Grant
Updated 2023 This is a slight departure from my usual type of post, but something has prompted me to share this video from Scottish...
WildWillowWays
3 min read
How Do You Reveal Your Unique Voice as a Photographer?
“I love photographing. It’s that simple.” – Stuart Franklin How Do You Find Your Voice as a Photographer? is a question I have heard...
WildWillowWays
5 min read
How To Become More Creative with Your Photography
Well-known landscape photographer Thomas Heaton has said of photography: “It’s not about taking the picture. Technically that’s easy....
WildWillowWays
7 min read
7 Ways in Which Your Local Area Could Become Your Dream Photography Location
Avoca, Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow, Ireland I love to take photographs wherever I go. When driving I often stop along my route at a place...
WildWillowWays
6 min read
Reflections on How Photography Can Enrich a Familiar Place
“We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” — Ralph Hattersley I’m writing this on my return from spending some...
WildWillowWays
3 min read
How Including an Awesome Subject Can Immediately Improve Your Photography
“For me, the subject of the picture is always more important than the picture,” – Diane Arbus This quote from controversial American...
WildWillowWays
4 min read
WildWillowWays is a personal blog to track my journey into photography and to explore how we can use photography to enhance our wellbeing. Over the last number of years I have been involved in promoting health and wellbeing and have undertaken mindfulness training. I see a strong connection between photography and wellbeing and intend to explore this further by delving more deeply into the many and varied aspects of photography. I realise that this is the hobby that will help me to slow down a little, to become more observant, more attuned to what is going on around me, more attentive in life. Through my exploration of photography and wellbeing I would like to help others to discover how we can use photography to improve our physical and mental wellbeing. Feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions. I hope you enjoy the blog. Mary ©
Follow me on Instagram @wildwillowways.
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