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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
How to Make the Most of Grey Days
You can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your sails Living in Ireland, an island constantly at the mercy of Atlantic weather fronts,...
WildWillowWays
4 min read
Doing Photography in Nature Has Benefits for Mind and Body
It is a widely held belief that spending time in nature has multiple benefits for our health and wellbeing. While I may not have concrete...
WildWillowWays
4 min read
A Basic Guide to ICM Photography
Intention Camera Movement (ICM), while not a new concept in photography, has grown in popularity over the last few years. Most...
WildWillowWays
9 min read
What Are the Signs That Your Photography is Improving?
It is now five years since I returned to photography after an absence of many years due to the pressures of work and daily life. It’s...
WildWillowWays
4 min read
How to Become a Better Photographer
How do you become a better photographer? Here are some reflections from my own experience.
WildWillowWays
4 min read
How To Learn Photography Without Buying Expensive Equipment
My first camera was a point and shoot film camera, and that’s exactly what I did. I pointed the camera at my subject and took the shot....
WildWillowWays
6 min read
6 Resources That Will Improve Your Smartphone Photography
With the rise in popularity of mobile photography has come a growing range of resources to help us make the most of the camera in our pocket
WildWillowWays
7 min read
How Taking a Challenge Can Improve Our Photography
Do you sometimes find yourself in a creative rut with your photography? Why not try a Photography Challenge?
WildWillowWays
4 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
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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