Lone Swan

I didn’t get a chance to go for a photography wander this weekend so I used one of the photos from my previous wander earlier last week. I noticed a swan had made a nest on a small island in the duckpond. I thought it made an interesting composition as it was isolated on its own.

To make the most of the composition I put the camera in manual mode so I could control both the aperture and the shutter speed. I set the aperture at F5.6 and the shutter speed at 1/640^th to freeze the movement. I let the camera choose the ISO, which it calculated to be ISO1000. I also overexposed the photo by one stop.

I didn’t edit the photo as I was happy with the effect straight from the camera. The exposure had been calculated perfectly and the colours had been replicated faithfully. I didn’t crop the photo as I liked how I had composed the photo.

Both Bex and I have a very busy time now because of our school/college work. But we will still go out on photography wanders whenever we can. If we don’t get a chance then we both have a large reserve of photos that we can access on our computers.

Mat

Early Waters

Today I decided to get up before dawn to try and capture the sun as it was rising. So I got up and set up my camera equipment about twenty minutes before the sun was due to rise. Unfortunately the sky had mostly clouded over by the time I set up but I decided to carry on anyway.

I put the camera into manual and set the AF into manual mode as well so I could have complete control over every setting. I had set the camera up on my tripod. I set the aperture to F10 to keep the whole scene sharp from front to back. I had preselected the ISO speed to ISO 100 to keep as much detail as possible; I then completed the exposure with a shutter speed of 30 seconds. As I was using a tripod I didn’t need to worry about the long exposure.

To edit the photo, I rotated the rotated the image, and increased the contrast. Before, the image looked a bit flat so by increasing the contrast it makes the photo look punchier. I also increased the saturation to make the sky more orange and to make the photo look more vivid.

I enjoyed my early morning photoshoot, it was a pity that the clouds had set in, but I still enjoyed it. Maybe sometime soon I will go out again to try and capture the sun rising.

Mat

Take a Trip

My laptop broke today, so I'm going to have to take a trip back in photographic time as I'm currently using an older laptop while I wait for the other to be repaired. However, this is the exception; I went on a wander today with my new lens. I tried to focus on wildlife, in order to test the lens at higher focal lengths. I took this at 200mm as the seagull was landing in the water. It’s been incredibly cloudy all day, so I decided to couple the effect of the clouds with the theme of time.

To exaggerate the effect of the sun behind the clouds and take the theme of time into account, I edited the image in Photoshop. By taking the photo into the sun, most of the colour had been lost so I converted it to black and white. I then darkened highlights and increased the contrast. I sharpened the image and removed noise. I then selected everything apart from the bird and increased the contrast further, in order to make the cloud pattern more prominent.

I liked trying to follow a theme for a change, it made me a little more focused and provided a source of inspiration. I did suffer for my hobby today; I had to towel-dry my hair when I got home!!!

Bex

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Dramatic Red

I wasn’t able to go for a photography wander today so I looked through my computer for some more inspiration. I was looking through the photos from a fairly recent trip to the local duck pond, and I stumbled across this photo of some lovely red flowers.

This was one of the first photos that I had taken on the walk, we had just started arrived at the duck ponds and where looking around for photo opportunities. We walked round a corner and this red flower ‘jumped’ out at me. It was late evening and the sun was creating some very dramatic light effects. The light was focused directly onto the flower with the surroundings in shadow; I really liked this effect as it creates a very moody atmosphere. As it was quite late I had to take the photo with the aperture wide open (F4), which created a shallow depth of field. Also I had to use quite a high ISO to counteract the low light levels; this unfortunately added quite a lot of noise into the photo.

When editing the photo I reduced the overall noise and sharpened the photo. I also increased the brightness, I did this to emphasise the mood created by the lighting. Overall the photo has come out very pleasing I think.

Bex and I have planned to go out tomorrow, so hopefully we shall have some new material to upload for you very soon.

Mat

Floating Feather

I decided to go for a photography wander this evening, as I wanted to get some air. I walked through the local nature reserve, as it was getting dark. It had been a cloudy day, and the clouds were beginning to get darker as the evening rolled in. I had been walking for about an hour when I decided to stop and sit down by the water’s edge.

Behind me was a mini waterfall, as the lake goes down into a river; this means that if any leaves or feathers fall in, they get pulled away. I noticed feathers and leaves being sucked into the waterfall as I was sat down. I decided to stay and watch for a few minutes, and noticed this feather moving across the surface.

I must admit that a few aspects of this picture were happy accidents. I had tried taking a picture of the reflections on the water before, but it was lucky that I only got the reflections of the clouds in the picture. I used low-key gradation to try to get a more dramatic shot. Afterwards, I increased the contrast to make both the shadow and the clouds more prominent. I also increased the saturation slightly, as I lost the brown of the feather.

I have really missed taking macro shots; it’s been so busy recently that I haven’t had much chance to take pictures. I’m really pleased with how well this picture turned out, I love how it looks moody. It felt great to have a chance to get back outside for another wander- I can’t wait for the next one!

Bex

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Waterways

I didn’t manage to get out today, so I looked through my computer for some photos that I have taken previously.

This one was taken on the holiday that Bex and I went on in early July. It was taken while on a walk beside the canal. I really enjoyed the holiday and took plenty of photos; this is one of the best ones though. The canal was very calm as there was no wind, so its reflection was just like a mirror. I used a small aperture to get quite a deep depth of field. Because of the small aperture I had to boost the ISO so I could take the photo without a tripod.

I decided the photo didn’t need any editing done to it. The only thing I noticed was that a person was on the path on the right hand side. So I cropped the photo a bit to remove the path and make the scene more photogenic.

I like how the photo looks; it comes across very tranquil and peaceful. The effect is spot on what I was trying to recreate when I took the photo.

Yesterday the blog turned 5 months old! Also we’re very close to 4,000 page views. So just a quick thank you to every one of you; without you the blog wouldn’t be what it is.

I’ve enjoyed running the blog this week, but I’m away from this Saturday for a week; tomorrow being my last post after that I shall leave you in Bex’s capable (and better) hands for the week. She tells me that she has been taking many photos. Also she plans on uploading the best ones to the blog, just for you.

Mat

Calm Before the Storm

I managed to get out for a walk today; so I went down to the lake for some inspiration. The weather wasn’t amazing today so I had to dash out between the rain showers. But when it wasn’t raining the weather was really nice, presenting some great photographic opportunities.

There were a few clouds in the sky to scatter the sun’s rays, so the lighting was perfect. I composed the photo so I had a small bush in the foreground, this created some foreground interest. I focused on the background so the small bush would be out of focus. Also I tried to get equal amounts of the foreground and the sky into the frame, to create a calm and tranquil atmosphere.

When I got to the editing stage, I decided that it didn’t need very much editing. I increased the colour temperature and saturation; this makes the photo look much more vibrant. Also I turned down the highlights; this made the sky darker and the clouds clearer.

This may be the last chance I get to take a sunny photo this week. The weather forecasts are starting to change; the rain is on its way! So I think this is just the calm before the storm. Prepare for the rain, but enjoy the sun while it lasts.

Mat

Ripples

Mat and I took his dog for a walk today; I had my camera with me as ever. We walked down through the local nature reserve towards the lake. As we were walking, I spotted this bird on the edge of the water. It kept putting its beak in the water to drink, and while watching I noticed that as it’s beak emerged, droplets fell and created ripples on the surface.

The ripples caught my attention so I decided to try and capture it before Mat’s dog chased it away! I had my telephoto lens on, which saved me time, as I didn’t have to change lenses. I used a fast shutter speed to try and capture the ripples without them being blurred.

I was really impressed with this picture, as I accidentally caught a droplet just as it fell into the water. I also like how if you look carefully, the reflection of the bird can be seen, slightly distorted by the waves. Later, I sharpened the image and increased the contrast to make some of the smaller ripples more visible. I regret not using a smaller aperture as the bird is slightly out of focus, but at the same time I think it points the attention to the water.

I love this picture; I was really impressed by managing to capture the detail of the water. I have a busy few days coming up, so Mat will be doing most of the posts. I’ll be back in a few days- hopefully with plenty of photos in tow!

Bex

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Wings vs Water

It was much sunnier today, which made me feel slightly smug when Mat sent me a text to tell me he was sat in the sunshine at the side of Lake Geneva. Although it was sunnier today, the area surrounding the lake was still flooded and it was incredibly soft underfoot.

I enjoyed using the telephoto lens yesterday, so I took it with me again today. I sat down on a bench at the lakeside. While watching the wildlife go past I saw a dragonfly. It flew away before I had chance to take a picture so I decided to follow it.

When it landed I took my chance. I’m glad I had the telephoto lens on as it made it easier to take the shot without scaring it. I’m surprised at the amount of detail that has been retained even though I didn’t use a macro lens. I love the amount of detail that you can see in the wings, and how you can see the hairs on the dragonfly.

I’m really impressed with this picture, and it’s encouraged me to use the telephoto lens again. I’m really enjoying having the blog to myself!

Bex

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Stuck

If you live in the UK you may have noticed that there is no escaping the excessive amounts of rain that we have had over the last week, and you wouldn’t believe that I’m now looking out of the window at the sun shining!

I’ve had a rather eventful morning today. Mat always says that I should be more prepared (I’m forever walking in pumps!), but to be prepared today I’d need a boat! I’ve been stung, got stuck in mud while taking a picture and I’ve almost fallen in the lake! Despite everywhere being flooded this morning, I have managed to take enough shots that I am pleased with for Mat to have a two-week holiday!

This picture is of one of the paths by the lakeside, which I think sums up the past week incredibly well. I used a fast shutter speed to try and catch the spray in my image. Later, I edited the picture in Photoshop. I de-saturated the picture slightly and increased the contrast. I think it worked very well; I love the detail and the effect that the lack of colour gives.

I hope that the weather stays bright, I’m enjoying the sunshine! I just got a text telling me that it’s sunny in Geneva. Charming! Thanks Mat….

Bex

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Taking Shelter

The weather has been stereotypically British today, meaning I’ve spent a lot of time hiding under my umbrella. Despite the rain I decided to go for a walk, hoping to get some dramatic shots.

I freely admit that this isn’t the most dramatic picture, and it started off as an accident in a desperate attempt not to get rain on the lens. In one picture, the umbrella tipped too far forward and ended up in the shot. After this I decided that it might make a good effect, so made my umbrella the subject and the lake the background.

I think it turned out well, and I love how I caught the raindrop just as it was falling from the umbrella. I really enjoy taking pictures in the rain, but I’d love a bit of sunshine soon!

Bex

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Cooling off

It’s been unbearably hot all week and I’m beginning to feel summery! Clearly I’m not the only one, as I found out when I saw this dog in the local nature reserve today.

I haven’t had a lot of time to myself recently, so I especially enjoyed my walk today. I walked down to the local lake and sat by the water for about half an hour as I watched the world go by. At one point, a woman and her dog walked down the pathway. The dog was clearly feeling the heat so took a running jump into the lake, landing with a huge splash, then emerged and shook off.

I was quick enough that I managed to capture the dog shaking off the water droplets. Later, I uploaded the pictures to my laptop but I couldn’t see the water droplets clearly, so decided to try it in black and white.

I love how clearly the droplets can be seen. I think it works really well in black and white and I love how the sun reflects on the water. Let’s just hope the weather stays this nice all weekend!

Bex

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Seeing Double

I was looking in a photography magazine I regularly read this evening. A regular feature of the magazine is a section in which they pick the best photos from readers around the world to publish.

In this month’s issue they featured a picture of a herring stood on a small rock in the middle of a lake with the reflection of the bird in the water. It reminded me of this shot I took this weekend at the lake I mentioned previously. Ok, a goose isn’t by any means as glamorous as a herring but I loved how the colours of the goose seemed to compliment it’s surroundings and how the reflection was disturbed by the ripples that the current created.

Perhaps in the future I might capture something a little more sought after, but for now I’m pleased with this.

Bex

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Hide & Seek

Today Mat & I went for a walk down to a local lake, it was full of just about everything, from geese, swans and herons to this little creature. Take a closer look at the picture and see what you can spot.

We went for a walk quite early in the morning, so there was still dew on the ground. I used a macro lens to try and capture the detail of the water droplets on the grass, but was surprised to see this bug was interested in the droplets too!

It’s a while since I’ve uploaded a close up shot, and I really do think this a great one to add to our daily wanders line up.

Bex

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Heading for the Hills

I’m back! This evening I’ve been looking through some photos on my computer. I found this landscape photo taken out of the back of a railway carriage along a beautiful lake.

The quality wasn't fantastic so I washed it through Photoshop to make the image clearer. I really love landscape photos like this with the rolling hills in the background. I love how the railway tracks are in the foreground so there’s still some detail in the shot. What type of landscape photos do you prefer?

Mat