DAY TWO (02.01.12)

DAY TWO (02.01.12)
Originally uploaded by YvonneSherry

I didn't feel inspired going outside it the rain today so instead I've opted for a different kind of photo - one of my eye. If you google images of eyes a whole array of inspiring and beautiful photos appear. This falls somewhere short of this standard, but it is helping to achieve my aim of trying different types of photography.

View January photos

My New Year's Resolution

I make New Year's Resolutions every year, and this year is no exception. Resolutions for the past five years have faired pretty miserably, and by early February they are nothing more than a distant memory. My distinct lack of willpower is down to my choice of resolution - getting fitter, eating healthier etc - these both involve forgoing things I like.

This year, 2012, I'm breaking this trend and opting for a resolution which involves something I enjoy - photography. For the first 31 days of this year I'm going to take a photo everyday without exception. My aim is to be inspired by the everyday and ordinary, and to take this mentality and put it into practice for the rest of the year.

Lots and lots of people have done this before, for a week, for a month or for a year (Project 365). The attraction for me is the chance to become a better photographer - more creative, more knowledgable about my camera, and better at composing shots.

So above is my first photo taken on 1st January 2012.

Happy New Year!

Experimenting with water

Water droplet

Taking photos of water droplets might be a bit cliche, but the results can be stunning. I say can be, because to date I've not faired very well will this.......

I've read lots of articles, viewed lots of photos and watched a couple of instructional YouTube clips, and yet my water droplet photos still fall someway short of expectations. There isn't one particular problem, but multiple issues - the lighting, the water drops and the camera (or should that be the person using the camera?)

Lighting
Natural light isn't enough for this kind of photography and putting the main room light on won't help, as it just casts shadows on the water. I used 3 lamps and positioned them around the water, whilst this allowed a faster shutter speed it did mean that some of light rays are visible in the photos.

Water droplets
It is much more difficult that it looks to get water droplets to fall into a dish. I used a freezer bag (as used in many of the demonstrations) and pierced a small hole in the bottom. Unfortunately the result was a continuous stream of water rather than intermittent droplets. My solution was to place this in another pierced bag so it was more difficult for the water to escape.

Camera
Once the camera is focussed and in place it is quite tricky to capture the perfect moment. I tried a variety of settings, including altering the shutter speed, manual and automatic focus, ISO, zoom and release mode. However I had the same recurrent problem - the camera would only take the photo when the droplet was present, and by the time I had pressed for the photo to be taken, it was a split second too late.

I'll try again in a few weeks time, but any comments, suggestions or tips would be very much welcome!

Brompton Cemetery

Raven at Brompton Cemetery
Originally uploaded by YvonneSherry

About Bromptom Cemetery
The dramatic increase in London's population in the 1800's led to inadequate sanitary conditions which in turn led to disease. The existing cemeteries were unable to cope, and so seven commercial cemeteries around London were established including Brompton. More information about the history of Bromptom Cemetery can be found on the Royal Parks website.

Wildlife at Brompton Cemetery
Although the grounds seem well kept, there are vast areas of overgrown grass which encourage and provide a suitable habitat for wildlife. The cemetery is very beautiful and tranquil, and although I wasn't there at the right hour to see any foxes, I did managed to spot squirrels, birds and butterflies.

Photography
My original aim in visiting the cemetery was to capture a suitable 'Halloween' style photo (hence the photo above). However, the beautiful surroundings coupled with the glorious sunshine means that most of the photos I took have a very different feel.

View all the Brompton Cemetery photos.

Learning patience.......

Beautiful Butterfly 

Originally uploaded by YvonneSherry

I've recently returned from two weeks in Mexico, and although I didn't dedicate much time to photography, I was fascinated by the wildlife around the hotel complex.

Admittedly, to date, my 'wildlife' photography has been a little short of the 'wild' bit, having frequented zoos, wildlife centres and other ready made animal spots. This meant that I haven't learned the patience that many other photographers do. Trying to photograph butterflies required a lot more persistence than I thought, but I'm pleased with the result.

I saw at least 10 different types of butterfly, but unfortunately many of the types didn't seem to settle for more than a split second, making a clear shot almost impossible. This particular butterfly was quite accommodating and the iguanas, crabs and lizards were also easier to snap.

All my photos from Mexico can be found here.

Chasing the perfect squirrel shot

I hope there is a nut in this for me (explore 29 May 2011) 

Originally uploaded by YvonneSherry

At the end of May, spurred on by good weather, I ventured to Kensington Gardens in search of the perfect squirrel shot. The squirrels there are particularly tame (so much so that one sat on my knee whilst I was taking a photo) so they make good subjects for close up shots.

The best photo I managed was this one and given that my new lens (Tamaron 70-300mm) only cost my £99, I was quite impressed with the result. However, on reflection I think the photo looks a little posed and had I not been there, I might have though this was a stuffed squirrel.

I'll continue my search for the perfect squirrel shot....probably with another trip to Kensington Gardens.

Pawtraits of pooches

Ellie

Originally uploaded by YvonneSherry

Type in 'Pet photography' to google images and a massive 21,700,000 results are returned. 'Pawtraits' of pooches are pretty big business nowadays, so I thought I'd try my hand at it whilst I was dogsitting last weekend.

Although I'll admit dogs in dress can be very funny (McDonalds, Grumpy Dad, Santa), I don't think I can, in all good conscience, put clothing on a dog. Besides, the subject in question was less that co-operative, being an older, tried and frankly less than active dog. There were no jumping shots, no fetching shots (she won't fetch, she won't even run to get a ball) and walks are determined by the weather (she won't go for a walk in the rain), the temperature (not if it's cold) and her mood (if she wants to get out of bed).

The shot above is the most 'active' shot I managed, but I'm quite pleased with this shot as she looks happy and content (more photos are on flickr and in some of these she looks a little grumpy). It's hard to get a dog to look interested when they aren't, but I suppose an over exuberant dog brings its own challenges as well.......