Posts

Moments in Motion: Reading a photograph

-
Image
Welcome to my latest blog, which this week is looking at a photograph rather than photography.  Travel photography often captures more than just a destination—it captures a moment in time. In this photograph, a narrow whitewashed street opens toward a lively square, while blurred figures move quickly through the foreground. The motion of the people contrasts with the stillness of the buildings, plants, and cobblestone path, creating a powerful visual story about travel itself. It invites the viewer to reflect on how journeys are experienced: places remain constant and timeless, while travellers pass through in fleeting moments, leaving behind only memories and impressions. I am going to go through how I would tackle interpreting this image. Please note that this is my own workflow, you might approach this differently. The image shows a narrow stone street with whitewashed buildings, typical of many Mediterranean towns. The architecture, stone paving, cactus plant, and b...
Post a Comment
Read more

The 5 Cs of Photography.

-
Welcome to my latest blog, which is going to delve into the '5 Cs' of photography, namely: Composition  Camera angles Continuity/Consistency  Close ups  Cutting/Editing. 🎨 Composition, which is basically how elements are arranged in your frame. I suggest you use the Rule of Thirds, leading lines, framing, and negative space to enhance your compositions and stop them looking flat and uninteresting. Don't forget that rules are there to be broken, so don't be afraid to deviate from them occasionally if you feel it improves your composition. Another compositional device is to place you subject off-centre with perhaps a blurred background to add depth. 🎥 Camera angles, by which I mean the viewpoint or height of the camera. Most of us take photos with the camera at our natural eye level, which means that our photos are going to look much the same as everyone else's when, for example, we are photographing a famous landmark. So why not try kneeling or crouching down to gr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Snapseed vs Lightroom Mobile: which photo editing app reigns supreme?

-
Welcome to my latest blog, which this week takes a close look at the Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile photo editing apps. I have been a fan and a user of Snapseed for many years; I was also aware of Adobe's Lightroom Mobile app, in fact of the whole Adobe photography ecosystem, and had dabbled with their mobile version over the years, but had always returned to Snapseed. I decided to take a deeper dive into these two apps and see what each of them has to offer and what makes me stick with Snapseed. In the age of smartphone photography, snapping a stunning shot is sometimes only half the story, the real magic often happens in the edit. Whether you’re polishing up your travel photos for Instagram or fine-tuning portraits for a professional portfolio, having the right mobile editing app can make all the difference. Among the crowd of editing tools, Snapseed and Lightroom Mobile stand out as two of the most powerful and popular options. But which one truly deserves a spot on your home scr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Your invisible camera.

-
Image
Welcome to my latest blog, which this week is about something I am passionate about, that is smartphone photography as opposed to lugging a 'proper camera' about with me everywhere I go. Think about this statement for a moment: a photo can only work on a phone because the phone disappears. Why might this be true? Let's take a look at the evidence. First off, a smartphone is smaller than, for want of a better term, a conventional camera. When you take a photo with your smartphone the process is generally quiet, no clicking sounds as the shutter is activated. Generally, because smartphones are everywhere these days, people don't feel threatened by them, whereas pointing a conventional camera at someone, say in the street, can sometimes provoke a hostile reaction. Lifting a conventional camera up to your face is like announcing ‘I am going to take a photograph!’. Discreetly raising your smartphone means people don’t stiffen, scenes don’t break, moments stay honest and cand...
Post a Comment
Read more

Frames and footpaths: discovering Knaresborough through your lens.

-
Image
Welcome to this week's blog, which I am hoping is going to be the first of a mini-series that highlights interesting photography walks around a number of towns and cities with which I am familiar. I thought I would start with my own hometown. Set dramatically above the River Nidd, Knaresborough is one of those rare towns where every turn feels composed for the camera. Medieval stonework, steep winding streets, and the striking silhouette of Knaresborough's iconic Victorian viaduct create endlessly layered scenes, while the atmospheric ruins of Knaresborough Castle deliver sweeping views and rich historical texture.  The riverside (named Waterside) offers reflections, wildlife, and human moments, balancing grand landscapes with intimate details. This combination of history and nature makes the town exceptionally rewarding for photographers of any style. Whether you favour architecture, street photography, or natural scenery, Knaresborough provides an unusual density of visua...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to choose a serviceable smartphone photography day bag.

-
Image
Welcome to my latest blog, which is all about choosing the right day bag for your smartphone photography trips. The first thing to say is that if you're venturing out to take photos with just your smartphone, then you probably don't even need a bag, but if you're looking to carry more than your smartphone, then you might want to consider buying a suitable bag. So, here’s a short, practical blog with some useful tips about choosing a day bag for smartphone photography — focused on real-world needs. 📸 What to look for when buying a day bag for smartphone photography. Smartphone photography has never been more accessible, but to make the most of it on the go, you need the right day bag. A good bag keeps you organised, will protects your gear, and keeps you shooting comfortably all day.  🎒 1. Comfort and wearability You’ll likely be carrying your bag for hours, so comfort is critical. Look for padded straps (wide ones reduce pressure points), breathable back panels to minimis...
Post a Comment
Read more

Old and New: critiquing my own photos.

-
Image
Welcome to my latest blog, which this week highlights two of my very different photographs, which are nevertheless connected by the theme of Old and New. I have tried to give you a critique of the images, which as a serious photographer I think is something you need to learn how to do. Please feel free to add your comments, after all, it's all about learning. Taken in Berlin in June 2023. I feel this photo has a strong sense of place and contrast. The vintage Trabant cars (an iconic symbol of Communist East Germany) in the foreground are the immediate focal point, which I think inject character, nostalgia, and humour, especially when set against the clean, modern apartment blocks behind them. This juxtaposition—old versus new, playful versus austere—is, I feel, the image’s greatest strength. In terms of composition, I deliberately positioned the cars slightly off-centre, which I felt added balance and kept the scene from feeling static. However, although the clear dayli...
Post a Comment
Read more