At the time of writing this, 2020 has just started and it is at this time of the year where a lot of us reflect on the past 12 months. We question what good has come out of it and what could we have done better. For a while, we sense a wave elation as in the new year, we know we can put wrong to right. Resolutions maybe short lived but if we remain disciplined, who knows can be achieved.
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Landscape Photography – Not as planned
BlogI wasn’t working on Friday 18th October so I planned to head up to what has become my second home, the Lake District. My intention was to start the day exploring Borrowdale, hoping to video and photograph the early Autumn colours and then hike up to Glaramara and Allen Crags. My days often include a hike as I am currently on a mission to complete all the Wainwright fells by next year. Based in Yorkshire, the drive is usually around two to three hours so I wanted to make the most of my visits.
Landscape Photography – Learning Composition
BlogI remember the first shot I took on my DSLR and it was a memorable one. It was a flashing rectangle of whiteness. The image was overexposed to a point where that bar thingy was heavily leaning to the right, leaving the left hand side empty. I had no idea what I had done. I also knew at that point that this new expensive toy was either returning to the shop or something that I was going to invest my time in. This story is about the time invested, in particular my progression of what makes a good image rather than the technical side.
Failure is an option
BlogLocation: Alcock Tarn & Stone Arthur, Lake District
The above 2 images at the bottom of this page at the time of shooting, were classed as a failure. This was the theme of the vlog. Looking back at these images and since uploading and editing in my digital darkroom, these shots have come to life. It was a failure however as I had pre envisioned exactly what I wanted to capture but I failed to achieve that.
2019…a great year
BlogI’ve seen a lot of posts on social media showing their favourites images of the year. Indeed it’s good to look back on 2018 and review your achievements. I find this very motivating and as a sentimental person, love to relive those moments when I took the image. To be honest though, I haven’t looked to find a favourite. My goal for next year is to plan better and allocate time for photography rather than fit it in wherever possible.
Limit planning
BlogI recently released a vlog which I filmed from Yew Tree Tarn. A beautiful little body of water situated just North of Coniston Water in the Southern part of the Lake District. I had planned my trip to park near the Tarn as close by were both Holme Fell and Black Fell, two fells I had yet bagged in my conquest to climb all the 214 Wainwright’s of the National Park. I had also arranged myself to arrive early, sunset in fact. That’s my planning done, it was time to discover and enjoy this new location.
If in doubt, go for it!
BlogOn Friday 12th October England was battered by one of Autumns regular visitors, a storm. Storm Callum was like an uninvited guest to a party. As a result the Lake District was subjected to floods, road closures and leaves ripped from trees. The same leaves that us landscape photographers long for at this time of year to be part of our images. On Saturday 13th October I was on social media, reading suggestions to avoid the area and Autumn has been ripped away from us this year.
Story of an image – Grisedale Horseshoe
BlogThis image is one to come back to. I’m still in doubt whether to post in my Portfolio. It has the elements but at I post this blog, the negatives outweigh the positives.
Fine Art is just good photography
BlogI asked the question in one of my latest vlogs (click here to watch) , what is Fine Art? It was one of those questions that is often avoided as can involve the writer to get into a corner which so often they find difficult to get out of. I have a simple approach in life. I believe the answer is easy, with the help of those who answered my question of course.
Create a story
BlogI have heard many a time the importance of using photography to tell a story or take a photograph that tells a story. I have often struggled with this theory in all honesty when it comes to landscape photography. Here’s my interpretation.
James R Burns Photography 