Difference

It’s a bit of a treat for me today; my Internet hasn't been working well at home for the last few days, but I was determined to write a post. Presently, I’m sat in a local coffee shop with a large cappuccino, a blueberry muffin and my laptop.

I attended a family friend’s wedding a few days ago. After the service, the bride and groom left to have photos taken, leaving the guests to their own devices. As a creature of habit, I took my camera with me. While we were left to talk to the other guests, I walked around the small country church with my camera, and found a stairwell, approximately two feet wide maximum. As I was looking up, a man walked down the stairs. We started talking; it turns out that it leads to an office!

I tried to hold the camera as close to the central post as possible, to place the most focus on this and to use it as a lead in line. I also tried to include a few steps, the uppermost steps as a background, and the small window; I did this is order to give the photo context so it wasn’t quite as abstract. I increased the contrast of the image and sharpened it, to make it more eye catching. I also desaturated it, but not completely as I liked the slightly “washed out” look. I’m off to a concert tonight, but hopefully I will get chance to go for another wander soon!

Bex

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Jigsaw

Wow! It’s been a very busy week and a long holiday from the blog. I must apologise for abandoning Daily Wanders in favour of a 9-day respite; I’ve had a week full of exams and have barely found time for coursework, let alone our readers or my camera! Finally, I can breathe a sigh of relief and flop down in front of my laptop as it’s all over (for now anyway). Of course, having the week that I did, I haven’t had time to go for another walk since last weekend. This is both a blessing and a curse, as I have missed my walks but still have plenty of photos to upload.

This is one of the first photos I took but, as usual, it’s one of my favourites!!! It was arranged that we should meet the photography group in the café of a local music venue before parting company. As we left, most people walked straight to the harbour, while Mat and I walked around the city centre. The venue is modern and quite large, but is set back from the busiest part of town on a small street collaged with different buildings. This small back street exhibits the modern venue next to a small, run-down building, which looks somewhat like it’s been abandoned- a sort of 3D jigsaw. On the side of this building was a grate over an air-conditioning unit, which pulled in fresh air from its surroundings. Unfortunately, it had also managed to pull in some leaves, which entwined themselves with the grate.

I tried to take the shot at a low angle with a wide aperture to make it seem more mysterious. I also used low- key gradation to add contrast to my shot and make it darker to suit the mood of the image. I haven’t edited this image at all as I was pleased with the original. I can’t wait to go on another walk with my camera. As a hobby, it’s interesting on more than one scale; as well as paying closer attention to your surroundings, you can also end up in a few strange situations. Well, you do if you’re me!
Bex
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Hello World!

This will, with any luck, be our first post of many!!!

Allow us to introduce ourselves- two lucky idiots who have managed to acquire an SLR. We normally fill our days by wandering round our local area and hopefully getting lucky with some shots jumping out at us. We’ll try to bring you some close ups of the world around us and perhaps a few random pictures like this!

First off, I’m Bex, I have a strong passion (perhaps obsession!) for photography. I’m in love with my camera, an Olympus E-500. ­My favourite shots are the ones that show the most detail, showing things that you wouldn’t often see at first glance. However, I do love the odd spur-of-the-moment picture.

Secondly I’m Mat. I enjoy taking photos of just about anything, from machines to close ups of swans! I’m one of those patient people that don’t mind waiting to set up the perfect shot before taking it. I don’t have my own camera just yet, so for now I borrow Bex’s when I’m allowed! I plan on purchasing my own camera soon, preferably a Pentax K-r.

I (Bex) took this picture today while on the way to our local woods. I sat down on the floor trying to gain a different perspective for another shot when I saw this opportunity. This inquisitive dog lumbered towards me, ears swinging so I took the chance.

We hope you’ll join us tomorrow and futher into the future for another wander shot. See you soon,

Mat & Bex

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