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7 Key Insights From 7 Years of Photography
I have been doing photography now for just over 7 years. I started off with an entry level DSLR and kit lens and a vision of doing landscape photography. Below are two of my first images, taken in auto mode. There are some aspects of the images that I like. For example, I like that the swans are swimming into the frame in the second image. There are a lot of things about them that I don’t like and wouldn’t do today, such as capturing a scene without a proper subject, as in
WildWillowWays
5 min read
Discovering the Value of Everyday Photography
During the past year I discovered an interest in photographing what I call the ‘everyday landscape’. For me, this involves getting out with my camera as often as possible and looking for potential subjects wherever I happen to be. There is no particular theme to this photography, I just stop at something that catches my eye and take a picture. Sometimes I will plan on taking a certain route close to my home to see what subjects reveal themselves to me, at other times I will g
WildWillowWays
2 min read
The Beauty of Embracing Winter for Stunning Photography
Winter is often considered to be the least popular season for photography. Many photographers avoid the colder months, thinking the season offers limited opportunities for good photography. Light is often poor, skies can be constantly dull and grey, and in many locations weather conditions are not conducive to being out with a camera. Yet, winter presents unique chances to capture scenes that other seasons cannot match. Embracing winter for photography can often lead to stunn
WildWillowWays
2 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
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
9 Tips for Capturing the Essence of a Place While Travelling
When I travel to a new location, particularly if it is in a different country, I love to capture the real essence of the place through my...
WildWillowWays
6 min read
7 Tips for Documentary Travel Photography
Vila Real de San Antonio, Portugal When I am travelling, one of the most interesting things to do in photography is to capture some...
WildWillowWays
4 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
7 Ways to Improve Your 'Staycation' Photography
Photography can take us on a journey when we have to stay where we are.
WildWillowWays
7 min read
How To Do Travel Photography Without Too Much Travel
Can we still do travel photography, even when travel is limited?
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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