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Given the terrible circumstances that the Ukraine finds itself in - PLEASE Donate all you can to a charity such as the RED CROSS or UNHCR.
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In Victorian times the first postmen wore bright red jackets and it didn't take long for someone to come up with the nickname "Robin Redbreasts". They even appeared on early Christmas cards! Gradually images of the Robin bird began to appear. Male Robins have a red breast which becomes easier to see in winter when the trees are bare and snow is upon the ground. They will also eat Holy berries another symbol of Christmas. They are a common bird that is not timid and found in countryside and town. So they gradually replaced the postman and became a familiar symbol of Christmas!
The photo below was taken in November and a touch of snow added for effect.... I had a small Olympus pocket sized camera, for snapshots but it had a touchscreen which I hated and which doesn't work with gloved hands. So I traded it in for a small Leica D-Lux 7. It was a bit of a leap into the unknown as I am very familiar with Olympus cameras and like them a lot, but my fears were groundless and I love the Leica. It is really easy to use either in semi-automatic mode or manually, takes great photos and even has a small zoom lens. The photos of PLYMBRIDGE WOODS were all taken with it and turned out well despite the low autumn afternoon light. So now it is the camera I slip in my pocket if I just go for a walk, instead of carrying a camera bag. Of course I will still use my trusty Olympus E-M1 - it is a fantastic camera system!
Hi Folks!
Thanks to a miserable winter followed by coronavirus lockdown, I have failed miserably to take photos and post them. Well today, I have posted some pics of things in our garden. Better than nothing! Enjoy! And KEEP SAFE ! It's been a while since I actually used a camera; the weather has been really bad this autumn. Anyway, we went on another cruise fro Christmas, this time from Florida to California via the Panama Canal. There was nothing particularly exciting about most of the stops, the Spanish heritage made the experience very similar. However, I got some nice photos and some really nice ones of humpback whales in Mexico. I hope you enjoy them.
Hi folks!
Apologies for the delay in posting new photos but I haven't picked up my camera for a couple of months due to other things getting in the way, including appalling weather in June. Anyway, I'm back and busy editing a couple of thousand photos taken at various wildlife parks in South Africa. I hope to begin posting the first batch by the end of this week. Expect to see the big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo) and much more ! Not all of us have the luxury of going off on a photo shoot for a week or two, with unlimited time to shoot what and where you want. When I go away, time is limited, whether I am on a guided tour or just exploring on my own. So how do you shoot when time is limited? Here are my tips.
1. PLAN AHEAD. You know where you are going. Even if you are going to book a guided tour, you can easily find out what sights you are likely to see. So use the internet and travel guide books to see what there is in the area and even work out the best spot to obtain that postcard shot. With the internet you can even plan you day and route by sequencing what you want to see and how long you want to spend at each sight.e.g. VISITACITY.COM. Print out your itinerary and bring it with you. Even if you don't stick to it, it will serve as a guide. 2. AVOID THE CROWDS. If you are on your own this is easy, simply get up earlier or stay later. If you are with a group, either walk ahead of the group so you are first at a sight, or lag behind and take a shot when the group has moved on. However the latter poses the risk of getting lost in a crowded Asian market or temple! 3. USE TIME WISELY. Usually in a group the guide gives you a specific set period before you return to the coach. Don't follow the crowd. Find a quieter spot and photograph the less obvious. If you photograph the Eiffel Tower from a distance it looks like any other photo, so why not shoot it from below or as a reflection in a puddle of water or a car mirror? Different but still the Eiffel Tower. 4. BE CREATIVE. Use reflections. Shot from a different angle, either from ground level or up on a high building. Use a very wide lens or maybe a long telephoto. Shoot details rather than the whole scene. Photograph people photographing the scene, etc. 5. CAPTURE THE FLAVOUR or MOOD. You don't always have to shoot the major sights. Photograph local food or crafts, signs or shops or architecture or people (especially in local dress) to capture the flavour of a place. 6. TALK TO LOCALS. This is easily overlooked. Local people know the best spots, the little hidden gems, the quiet cafes away from the expensive tourist spots and how to get there! Ask in your hotel or shopkeepers, or even people in the street. Most people are happy to help a stranger. 7. ALWAYS HAVE EITHER A CAMERA or a PHONE. You never know what is out there, even if you are just going for a sandwich or lunch or an evening stroll. Bring a camera or your smart phone because when the unexpected happens you will wish you had brought your camera! Also pre-download maps of the area onto your phone, so if you do get lost, it will probably help. I hope this helps you take better travel photos! Apologies for the delay in posting. Christmas, bad back, bad weather and computer problems all got in the way. Anyway, Happy New Year and have a look at the new section A Misty Walk in the Park !
If you have never heard of the late Saul Leiter, then I encourage you to take a look at his work.
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/tedforbes/saul-leiter/ This is the kind of photography I admire. I love the shots taken through steamy diner windows where figures seen to disintegrate . His use of colour is genius. Enjoy ! For anyone who wishes to improve their photography, I heartily recommend this Youtube viewing (9 videos)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGEE7pGLuppTEjrviNCTwDHA00VsMzsAl In fact the whole Youtube site "The Art of Photography" is excellent. Hope you enjoy them ! Ray |
About MeI am a retired IT professional. I use my spare time by travelling and taking photographs. I love wildlife and history. Archives
March 2022
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