Sunday, October 30

I don't go anywhere without my camera

As the gardening season slows down, many garden bloggers are diversifying a little. Some are writing more about their cooking and others have hobbles such as quilting or knitting. Although I have been known to click a couple of needles together occasionally, I can’t imagine anything that I may write on such subjects would be even remotely interesting and so I thought I would include some posts about my interest in photography. I know lots of garden bloggers share interest and so I thought it would fit in comfortably.

I’m going to start with a bit of background as to how my early ‘ take the camera on holiday’ perspective changed to a ‘don’t go anywhere without my camera’ one.

The initial reason for the change in attitude came when technology in the form of the digital camera released me from the constraints of concern about wasting film and the disappointment of waiting over a week for a film to be developed only to find that the photos were not very impressive or worse still the negatives had been lost or spoiled when developing. On top of that there were the extra hazards of forgetting to wind the film on, film snapping in the camera, light getting in and ruining everything and … I could go on.

As digital cameras improved so my interest grew. I can understand why some of those who had spent years perfecting the art of film photography were against digital photography. They saw their skills being eroded as people like me started to take half decent photos.

The new digital cameras provided the means but it was starting a blog, creating websites and producing multimedia resources that provided my reasons for taking more photographs.

My photographs were really taken to illustrate and record. It was almost just a matter of pointing the camera and pressing a button. I didn’t consider anything other than the object that I wanted to capture an image of.

I didn’t take into consideration that my shadow could dominate and be the main thing that any viewer focused on.



Nor was I aware of objects in the photo that detracted from the general view.
 
I had sort of photographic tunnel vision and was only aware of the object on which I was focused.


So how have I changed as a photographer? I still take photographs to illustrate and record but I am no longer limited to this and now take photos just for the sake of producing a pleasing image. I am more aware of the overall composition of my photographs which means I take a little longer to view the shot before pressing the button.
My photography is no longer limited to what I can use on my blog. Although I do now include a Wordless Wednesday post through which to share some photos, I also share some of my favourite photos on social media and Martyn and I have an online Zenfolio photo album - there is a link to this on the sidebar of the blog. It does help that we share an interest in photography as this way when we are out and about one of us isn’t hanging around waiting for the other to finish lining up the ‘perfect’ shot.

There is so much still to learn not least due to technical developments in cameras and photographic software which no doubt will continue at a pace that we struggle to keep up with. There are plenty of tutorials on the Internet which will give me something to think about over winter and brilliant photographers like my blogpal, David Ford who has guided and inspired me to try new things.

In later blog posts, hopefully by sharing what I have learned I can show you that  there is a lot more to this photography lark than meets the eye. Please feel free to pass on as many tips as you like, I am ever ready to receive them.

Copyright: Original post from Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments http://glallotments.blogspot.co.uk/ author S Garrett

18 comments:

  1. My experience has been much the same as yours. In my early days with the DSLR I played quite a lot with software for altering / enhancing photos, but that was a passing fad. I do still use Picasa and Google Photos to adjust contrast, brightness etc. I also add a frame to all the photos I publish, because I think this makes them look just a little smarter. One technique I use a lot is the vignette, which really focusses one's attention on the subject. Some of your best photos are the Macro ones, I think.

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    1. I do enjoy macro photography, Mark. More fort the detail not visible with the naked eye that is revealed.

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  2. The photography journey is an evolving experience for me too ♥

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    1. There is just so much to learn and explore isn't there Summer?

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  3. My photography has grown since the advent of digital as well. I always find things to photograph down at the allotment. I shall have a look at David Ford's blog.

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    1. Just such a pity digital didn't come along sooner, CJ as lots of earlier activities were not recorded.

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  4. I think blogging has increased the amount of people who would class photography as a hobby, that and the invention of digital cameras. I do still get some of my photographs printed out even though they're stored on the hard drive, there's just something I love about sitting down and flicking through a photo album.

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    1. Have you thought of creating a photo book, Jo with something like Blurb?

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  5. I look forward to the next instalment! Thanks

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    1. I hope that I don't disappoint, Belinda.

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  6. I don't think yor shadow profile does you justice Sue
    I too was new to a camera until five years ago when I started blogging.
    One things I have discovered is how by cropping you can often retrieve somethings useful from an apparent 'write off'

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    1. Wouldn't you have recognised me Roger? You are right about cropping - one of my posts will be about it.

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  7. Blogging certainly increases interest in photography. I have been creating a new blog about my photography. I will get round to publishing it when it's finished!!

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  8. The photos look beautiful! Especially the big tree with yellow leaves! The photo with your shadow look creative! ;)

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  9. Interesting post, I always love your photos, especially the ones you take of birds and wildlife. I love taking photos for my blog but feel I've still got such a lot to learn about taking good photos. Most of the ones I take at my plot are on my phone which is so quick and easy. But do have a better camera for when I visit gardens. Do want to learn to use it properly though, just need more time!!

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  10. I think there is always more to learn where photography is concerned, Annie. For me that is one of the attractions to it.

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