If you had asked me what aperture, shutter speed, ISO settings were back then I’d probably chuckle nervously and look the other way. My language then was point and shoot, digital camera style! However despite this ‘photography innocence’ the necessity of composing good pictures was innately instilled.
Visiting beautiful places like Niagara Falls, Washington D.C, Quebec and Montreal, a picture wasn’t a picture until the object in my frame was carefully angled and the lighting was perfect. Little did I know I was limited greatly by a few basic settings.
After seeing such creative photos taken from SLR cameras by two of my friends, Brendan and Gem, I was inspired to finally purchase my own. I now own a Canon 450D with 18-55mm IS.
My amazing UK trip from December 2009 – January 2010 was when I realised photography was more than hobby but a love. It is an art. A form of expression to escape the routines of life and its complexities. A type of media I can only hope to evoke emotion and narrate my experience to viewers about the world in which I view and love.
After visiting picturesque places like London, Stonehenge, York and Edinburgh my eyes became like a camera frame. I would often think to myself “gee, this building looks good if I angle the photo like this” or “the sun makes the Stonehenge rocks look spectacular like this” or “black or white or colour?”. Visiting any place anywhere will never look the same again!
To date, my favourite pictures I like to capture are landscape/seascapes, architecture/buildings, black and white, lights and shadows, and people in their natural environment. I’ve always been hypnotised with the structural lines architecture creates. Or the abundance of colour illuminated by the sun through nature and buildings.
I believe show stopping pictures aren’t magically produced by hundreds out of thin air. Out of 500 photos I shoot, I could possibly get 5 great photos out of it. Patience in photography is a must even if it’s not your best personality trait. It’s this love and hate relationship with my SLR I enjoy the most – the persistent desire to be better and photograph the things I love.
For that and since I’m only new to the SLR world, I am currently enrolled in an online photography course so I can learn more about my camera. I’m also exposing myself to as much photography media out there in the internet i.e. Flickr to gain more experience, knowledge and criticism of my own work. Learning from more experienced photographers have been a great blessing and learning tool.
In essence, I hope to continue mixing travel and photography. To share with others my journey to foreign and magnificent places of the world and maybe one day, be recognised for it!
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If you want to take part in our photography profiles then why not get in touch. As always, please encourage the work of others by commenting below.
I am constantly amazed at how good you just-started-to-do-photography newcomers are. Back when I started I had a long period of being utter rubbish.
You’ve taken some stunning shots and I am glad that my country was a factor in inspiring your love and understanding of photography. I love the Stonehenge photograph (above) especially, having had many attempts at capturing it’s nature and atmosphere myself. Keep at it, love what you do.
Thanks Jose! I hope I can keep this hobby ongoing for years to come. I need to constantly remind myself to be proactive and not let this ‘desire’ become a phase and dissipate.
What part of the UK are you from? If I could, I would migrate to London and live in a terrace with 2 fireplaces in close distance to some Cornish Pastry.
That is one of the more natural looking photos I’ve seen of stonehenge. The choice to include the sun really makes it flow into the landscape.
That Stonehenge shot is fantastic! I love that your new skills are making you think in new ways when you travel. 🙂
Paula, that is one of the most original photographs of Stonehenge I’ve seen. The natural inclination is to step back, wide angle it and get those thundering clouds in frame (Don’t get me wrong … I LOVE those shots and plan on getting one of my own someday!) But your perspective has brought something new and fresh. In fact this is how I would picture it was seen when first constructed: raw and primal! Well done!
And Bravo on the perspective that “show stopping pictures aren’t magically produced by hundreds out of thin air”. Hard work plus love plus luck makes for that!
Threeark
Thank you! The park was actually closed that day due to severe weather conditions i.e carpark wasn’t shovelled that day, so I had to take a picture from behind the fence! Nonetheless the view was spectacular, clear blue sky…i could not include the sun 🙂
Shawn
Thanks Shawn, I wish travel wasn’t so expensive so I could travel to more places. I’m planning to come back to NYC in the near future..your pictures of Manhanttan makes me want to go back immediately!
SusanG
Funny you should say that because the shot was actually taken portrait with the big blue sky (you can see the full picture in my Flickr page) and the Stones towards the bottom of the fram, haha! David had to resize the picture for me so you just got the Stones plus the sun. Thank you for your compliments though, as a ‘newbie’ to SLR, its really good to get feedback from other people! I hope to come back to Stonehenge when its all lush and green!
It is a great picture of Stonehenge. But as someone who travels through King’s Cross station most days I like that one too!
I am really inspired by these photos and the fact you consider yourself as a novice in photography. I love both photos, the use light in the Stonehenge picture is stunning to the effect. I also love the Cross Station photo with the vivid colours leading to the light at the end of the ‘tunnel’
Your words about patience and only finding a few photos which you consider good is something I need to learn as I am often disappointed to find when I get home the photos I thought I liked were not acceptable. I really want to learn more and now see it is by taking as many shots in different situations that someday I will have photos I am really happy with.
Encouraged by your thoughtful words and your photography.
David
Thanks for the compliment! Being a Harry Potter fan, have you found platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station? 🙂
Beverly
Thanks for your comments, I appreciate it alot and that its encouraged you also. Don’t worry I have so many days where I go out to take photos and come back only to have taken 1 nice one. Its sometimes disheartening but I suppose thats where your learning will happen. Keep it at it! Its nice to know someone is in the same boat as me! If you don’t already have a Flickr account, join! I find Flickr is really useful as you can see numerous photos that you can learn from and i’m now asking alot of my contacts o there, if i like a photo of theirs, i ask for tips on how they composed that shot and so forth.
Paula, yes platform 9 3/4 is known to me! I’m a fan too! Every time a new film gets released people turn up just to see it!
The Stonehenge shot is awesome. Nice work!!
David – Unfortunately I didn’t get to find that bridge in the station where Harry and Hagrid walked on in the first film. When I go back, hopefully, I’ll be sure to find it!
Chris – thanks for your comment! The shot is one of my favourites. By the way, I’ve added you on Flickr, your shots are impressive!
It’s been said time and again, but I agree, that is one of the most powerful Stonehenge shots I’ve seen in a long time. Both here and at your blog, it’s my favorite of your shots.
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one shooting 500 shots for those 5 good ones! 😉
Hi Bill, thank you kindly for your words. Stonehenge is such a beautiful place to see. I only wish I had the opportunity to actually see it up close and personal but it was closed that day.
I still up to this day, shoot one good photo out of 100 or 200! Practice makes perfect!
I’ve never seen Stonehenge in the snow before! I love the star burst sun in the shot too!
good work!
Denise
Thanks Denise! It’s quite a sight with the snow. I was really taken away with the sight. Even though the sight was closed that day and minus degree temps, it was worth every minute I was there. And i was only there for about 10 mins!