Share this:

Share this:

For the last few days I have noticed a beautiful blossom tree at the top of the road where I live, its bows arched regally towards the ground laden with the softest of pink blossom flowers. So, yesterday I decided to wander up, camera in hand and take a closer look, most of the blossom trees around here have already lost their flowers and are now all leaves but this one is simply beautiful. Its unusual because there are no individual clusters of blossoms that you would usually associate with this type of tree, but each and every bow is covered from end to end, which gives the appearance of fireworks trailing across the night sky and blossom is not a deep cherry pink, it is the palest pastel pink you could imagine which against the light appears white, almost translucent, with a heart of deepest crimson. Shooting upwards towards the sun gave me the best angle at which to show the blossom in all its beauty, the sun just giving the softest of highlights, like a ballerina in the spotlight.

 

White on White

Spring

Share this:

In my last post I mentioned that it is snowing yet again! So,to keep the ‘white’ theme going I am posting a photo that I took some time ago. I took a simple shot and then using PS just inverted the image and then raised the level of contrast until I got a pleasing image in black and white. I really like the effect and may just have to try this again some time!

Share this:

Share this:

This is another of the images taken last weekend whilst out enjoying the recent snow. I wanted to keep the theme of white whilst trying to go a little off the beaten track, those of you who have followed me for a while know that I have tended to stay with tried and trusted methods but with the sheer brilliance of the snow I tried breaking a few rules and wanted to achieve something different. Some time ago I posted a shot of a swan sleeping, in colour, detailing the feathers and highlighting the colour in an otherwise white bird. This time I have photographed this very willing subject with the emphasis on the whiteness of his plumage. He was an absolute star, preening and posing to perfection, a beautiful Swan indeed, white as the snow around him, not in the least bit bothered by my constant fiddling with the camera and recomposing the image! So here he is in all his winter white glory…

Share this:

I set out last year to photograph all that is around us, everyday life that seldom achieves recognition as a way of teaching myself how to use my camera. I have photographed lots of different things since I began, and more and more I am trying out my own ideas rather than copying others or play follow my leader. My logic behind this is that those people can obviously do it a lot better than me, so I am leaning more and more towards going my own way, finding a different perspective on the ordinary, but all the time finding inspiration in others. This shot is one from the weekend, id spent a good couple of hours wandering the parklands, noticing others with cameras, observing their endeavours…. all the time wondering what they had on their memory cards yet feeling as though I wanted to do something far removed from their creations. So, feeling a little despondent I headed home along the lane that I travel almost everyday on my way to work and that’s when I saw the views I had created in  my mind, the single hedgerow cutting through the snow laden land posted a few days ago, and a single gate left open, faded string reaching out on the icy breeze, the only movement in an otherwise frozen vista, the gate open but to where with the horizon lost in the glare of the snow, stubble standing rebellious above the whiteness and a feeling of glorious isolation…inspiration indeed.

 

Share this:

Finally winter has arrived here in Leicestershire and although it got off to a slow start it has continued to snow over the weekend and is still falling hard as we speak. Yesterday I decided to risk it and drove over to a local country park although the roads had been cleared and so it was quite a picturesque drive. The park looked beautiful although the sky was still heavy and grey, and so  I made the most of the quiet (think most had decided to stay at home) and took a steady walk round before it got too cold to shoot! Here is just one of the shots, as I may not get chance to shoot over the next few days I will upload some more this week.

Share this:

Share this:

This afternoon, after I had taken Mum out for a spot of Christmas (yes Christmas!!) shopping, I decided to head for a local park known as Bosworth Park in the old market town of Market Bosworth (the name kind of gives it away!). The park was relatively quiet as the afternoon was wearing on and the light was beginning to descend behind the woods and parkland leaving pockets of soft wintery light on the small lake. Standing quietly and not really looking at anything, just silently taking in the scene allows you to forget everyday cares and escape to somewhere else. I must have stood there for a good 10 minutes, just rooted to the spot before a very enthusiastic dog bounded up to me a almost knocked me over and out of the daze I was lost in! The owner was most apologetic but I love dogs and was wearing appropriate wear so not as to mind too much that I was now covered in very muddy paw prints! Walking around the edge of the lake I came across some ducks, busily chasing each other around an area suitable for an evenings roost, jostling for the best spot! But what caught my eye was a swan, already tucked up, head positioned under it’s white downy wing, eyes closed but still lit by the dying embers of the sun, he too lost in another place, I wonder where he goes to dream, maybe Swan lake?

Share this:

Simple, beautiful, the horse. Having owned horses in the past I came to have a small understanding of these beautiful animals and yet they still hold so much fascination for me. Once you have formed a bond with a horse you never forget what it meant at the time, they are not just simple animals to be used and abused as we humans see fit. They have great character and kindness within and if treated well will repay you with service and spirit. Having owned several horses they each had their own personalities, quirks, likes and dislikes, they are not so different from us. They too have their bad days and good days, moods and moments, but still they surrender their wild ways and conform to the saddle, the bit, they learn the commands of the riders hands and legs and display skills as asked of them. From the smallest pony to the largest heavy horse these creatures have served us for thousands of years, through war and famine, for pleasure and out of necessity, they have worked underground in mines and reached the top of their game in horse racing, show jumping, eventing, and every other human pursuit whilst carrying their master to glories attained. Yet they are still subject to terrible abuse and neglect born of human greed and selfishness. The next time you find yourself in the company of an equine just pause for a moment and consider where we would be without this gift from God…….Although the image is not my horse the post is for Spring Mischief better known as Missy, my wonderful Connemara Arab who I still miss dearly.