Mindful photography for improved creativity

There’s no denying it, my mojo has been on walkabout for the last few weeks.

I’m not sure if it’s because of the shorter days or that I’ve slipped back into overdoing everything again.

Either way I’ve been here before and should know better, but it appears I don’t. Ehlers Danlos Syndrome I’d like to make my peace with you, but you don’t make it easy!

In a bid to do something that was physically undemanding I decided to get creative with my camera. Taking photos totally absorbs me and creates a feeling of peace, which is something I crave. Not forgetting too creativity is like a muscle, consistent practice makes it stronger. My sporting analogies are never far away!

Flicking through the ‘A Year With My Camera‘ workbook I deliberated over which creativity exercise to do. The book contains an array of options with most providing me the opportunity to work in a new way.

Once your brain gets in the habit of being creative you will notice the process becomes easier.

Emma Davies, A Year With My Camera (Workbook 1, Pg.133)

My first exercise was to impose some limits on myself. None of this usual staggering out the door to wait for inspiration to jump out in front of me. No, this time I was going out with the sole aim of taking 20 images in 10 minutes. That works out as one photo every 30 seconds! The experience would certainly kick start something, but I wasn’t sure what though.

Anyway, luckily for me the fabulous Long Man Morris Men were in town, well more correctly Alfriston Village. They brought with them colour, dancing and joie de vivre. I admit I had no idea what was going on, but it was fun trying to anticipate what their next moves would be.

Taking 20 photos was no problem at all, I just kept pointing the camera and pressing the shutter. It felt uncomplicated, free and refreshing, I felt rejuvenated. Letting myself go and entering that wonderful place of flow was the tonic I needed.

Riding my wave of euphoria, the following day I did a second exercise. I plumped for one specifically about slowing down and being mindful. Taking the time to quieten my brain and concentrate on my surroundings appealed to me. The aim was to go for walk without my camera so all I had to do to was observe. Observe day-to-day things unveiling their individual qualities, whether it be textures, shadows, colours or just plain weirdness.

All I can say about doing this is wow. Just Wow. I felt the tension drain from me. The simple task of looking without judgement was in essence an active meditation. Plus, while I was meditating there was the added bonus that all around me ideas for images kept popping up where I least expected them.

So, embracing creativity seems to have helped my mojo return. OK it’s not bouncing yet, but it’s certainly on its way back. Maybe be with a bit more mindful photography I’ll be back on form before heading into winter.

Let’s finish today then with me saying to myself as well as you, remember to slow down and create.

Nikki x

Using a reflector for fill light in my photography

What a scorching summer it has been and it doesn’t look like breaking yet.

My stock of sun cream has diminished and the grass is parched to a crisp.

This unending sun has not been ideal for my garden, but it has proved useful to study shadows and light direction. I’ve wanted to experiment with reflected fill light for a while and this continuous strong sun was the perfect opportunity.

Using a second light source to illuminate subjects and throw light into the shadows was something I had been itching to try. I’d seen lighting used to great effect by media savvy Instagram Influencers. Placing light rings in the correct place their skin takes on a smooth and professional polish. Not that I was going to use a light ring for this project, although seeing myself on Zoom calls I probably should invest in one!

My aim for the week was to bounce sunlight back on to the subject creating a subtle second light source.

The day I chose to carry out the exercise ended up being England’s hottest day on record! My skin literally sizzled when I ventured out from under the parasol. To cope with the unprecedented heat I kept physical movement to a minimum and instead did a lot of thinking.

This self imposed stillness revealed the perfect DIY light reflector. Right under my nose was the dazzling aluminium patio heater cover. Next step was to find a subject to photograph that didn’t require any exertion to set up. With Wimbledon in the not too distant past I spotted Ted’s tennis ball laying on the singed grass. Even he had given up any thought of running around until the sun went down.

By 5pm I peeked out of the shade and the temperature seemed a little less intense. I propped up my DIY reflector and got started. Laying at ground level alongside the ball meant I kept my movement and perspiration to a minimum. The little bit of sweat I did exude was worth it because adding the reflected light was a revelation. The result was a better, more complete image. I’ve included both images to see if you can tell the difference.

I would liked to have taken a few more pictures, but Ted brought my shoot to an abrupt end. Staring through my viewfinder I suddenly saw a huge black nose and a set of white teeth grabbing the ball and charging off with it. Ted had decided the temperature was cool enough for me to put my camera down and play ball with him!

Despite it being cut short the session was certainly a success. I’ll make use of the technique again although I’m not sure I can carry a patio cover around all the time. Maybe I’ll treat myself to a folding reflector, or just shove some aluminium foil in my pocket.

Right it’s time to top up the sun screen, get a cold drink and stay well and truly in the shade.

Nikki x

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Working with the colour of light

What a busy few weeks it’s been for me and my camera. There’s been so much going on I wasn’t sure which direction to go in first!

One day I was at Leonardslee Gardens, next was the Platinum Jubilee celebrations (fabulous fun), not forgetting the school choir competition. It’s been a whirlwind of photographic learning and enjoyment.

The common theme at all the shoots was how best to use the lighting conditions. Sometimes it was obvious, but at others it became a brain addling conundrum. Photographing with stage lighting and heavy shadows certainly tested my problem solving skills.

Luckily though it coincided with the ‘colour of light’ section in A Year With My Camera. The workbook chapter was about getting to grips with white balance. It also covered how to retrieve an image in Adobe Lightroom if everything else has failed. Perfect timing.

I’ve used the white balance function for a while, but as usual there’s always more to learn. Having consulted my manual it was apparent I’d only tickled the surface of what my camera is capable of. There’s so much to my Panasonic Bridge camera it’s like peeling back a large onion. Anyway, through trial and error I found which settings and how many kelvins suited the light scenarios I was in.

The petals of this white orchid were the perfect subject for this week’s exercise. I did consider using my running socks, but they appeared more grey than white having being dragged through so much mud! The orchid is also sentimental to me. I have been carefully nurturing it since it was given to me last year in remembrance of my Dad.

To cut a long story short I was pretty pleased with the outcome. The image presents a true shade of white with no sign of the dreaded yellow tinge from indoor lighting. It’s been worthwhile working through the drier technical aspects of the workbook. They will certainly come in handy when I move to the next section which is creativity. Much more my bag.

Right it’s time for me to catch up on a multitude of things that have fallen behind over the last few weeks. Mowing the lawn is first on the list. Don’t think I can use the excuse of ‘no mow May’ as the reason for having a meadow outside my front door anymore.

Happy snapping.

Nikki x

Simply searching for the shadows

What does the word ‘shadow’ mean to you?

A Google search of light and shade churns out plenty of suggested quotes.

For me though the contrast of light and shade is a perfect description of how life plays out. Some days are good and feel bright, whereas others are not so good and feel that bit darker. Using this analogy shade feels like it should be something to avoid.

The truth however is there is no light without shade. It’s the combination of both that reveals interest and beauty into our everyday life. Leo Tolstoy puts this idea perfectly.

All the beauty in life is made up of light and shadow.

Leo Tolstoy

With this in mind I went out on a ‘shadow safari’ to see what I could capture in my camera (A Year With My Camera workbook, page 113).

It took me a few outings to get my eye in as the weather was overcast. Trying to spot the soft, barely their shadows takes patience. The turning point in my quest was during my early morning walks with Ted. The sun rose and shone with a gorgeous mellow tone. It brought objects and scenes to life I would normally just walk past.

My favourite photo from the week was a simple abstract of the morning rain on my patio set. The light played on the water, glass and metal with aplomb. Another highlight was when the sun streamed through the window on to these candle holders. It’s a spot I sit at most mornings, but had never noticed this effect before!

Being a stickler for ticking off to do lists, as suggested I gave my in camera flash a go. The exercise left me confused as to what it is supposed to achieve. All my efforts ended up washed out, startled or both. Not the look I was going for so more practise required in this area.

Despite the flash attempt fail, I am pleased to report I now know what the flimsy white material in the light box is for. It’s a diffuser and I should have been using to soften the harsh white lights. Luckily I hadn’t thrown it away, but kept it in the hope the mystery would be solved.

On balance it’s been a good few days with me seeing in more depth and detail which is translating into my photos. Exactly what I set out to achieve.

For now though I’m off to check my tomato plants who are undoubtedly light lovers. With a bit of luck they will return my unswerving care with a bountiful crop in the next few months.

May you find the light, as well as the shade.

Nikki x

Using the direction of light to create images

The month of May has arrived and the evenings are getting longer.

I am currently in the garden bathed with sunshine whilst also wrapped up against the chill. Every so often the wind make its presence known by giving me a short blast of cold air. Even so I am determined to stay outside. Despite making progress on the house renovation it still resembles a building site. The bathroom, kitchen and bedroom are workable, but making use of the garden provides me with an alternative view to gaze out on.

Another reason I am steadfastly staying in the garden is the arrival of the new patio set. Having sofas outside is a novelty I’m making the most of. Although I have to confess the battle for the best seats has begun as Ted thinks they are all for him.

There has also been the conundrum of where best to fix the patio umbrella. I crave the shade away from the direct heat, but Jon likes the occasional bask in full sun. After a lot of discussion, pointing, looking up at the sky, shuffling it left and then back right again I think we have found a solution to suit everyone.

The ‘where is the sun coming from’ umbrella conversation mirrored my recent photographic exercises. They were all about the direction of light and its effect on the image being created. My aim was to light a subject from different directions to observe the influence it had on the overall composition.

With my torch as the light source and the subject a very fragrant bunch of bluebells from the garden I got started. Well I got started after I had reprised my childhood camping trips. What could be better than holding a lit torch under my chin (think The Blair Witch Project film) whilst laughing sinisterly in an attempt to spook anyone who bothered to engage with with me!

Anyway back to the exercise. Scrabbling around on the floor in a brick dust free area of the house, I recreated directional lighting around my bluebells from the point of:

• Above.
• Below.
• The side.
• The front.
• And finally behind.

The influence it had on the feel of each image was pretty startling, each evoking something different. The ones lit from above looked rather flat, but I particularly liked the two I have used in this blog. One was lit from below and the other from behind, and both made the flowers come alive and glow.

All in all a productive week from observing and then harnessing light both in the camera and on the patio. Success however is still to be had on removing Ted from the prime position on the sofa.

Nikki x

A week of photographic consolidation

It’s been a good week this week.

The sun has been out, my mountain bike has been dusted off and I’ve spent some time with my brother.

Also, I’ve nearly scaled a mountain of paperwork that stemmed from my recent house move and the sad loss of my Dad. At times the enormity of these tasks has felt overwhelming, both emotionally and practically.

It’s now with relief I can say everything is finally coming together. After such a long period of uncertainty, my new life in East Sussex is unfolding in a wonderful way and I am savouring every moment.

By coincidence this happened at the same time as the consolidation week in the ‘A Year With My Camera‘ workbook. It’s given me time to review the two sections already complete, as well as the opportunity to tune up my creativity.

Stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.

Tolstoy

Where possible I wanted to use a newly learnt technique, but not constrain myself tightly to a specific task. Disciplined practice is useful, but I’m prone to extreme self control sometimes even to the detriment of the outcome I originally sought. This time I wanted the freedom to let ideas bubble to the surface and then go with what presented itself in the moment. Put succinctly the aim was to drop the to do list and loosen up!

Inspired by a couple of pointers from the workbook I immersed myself in observing and then photographically explain what I saw. Creating images that told a story or left a question unanswered yet again ignited my passion for the photographic image.

Lillian Spibey also set this month’s focus as hands during her Friday Happy Hour. Apparently looking at people’s hands can provide a wealth of information about them, their lives and their activities.

Oh how right Lillie is. Hands are amazing communicators, such stories they have to tell and secrets to keep. I have become slightly obsessed with staring at hands! I’ve already filled a folder on my laptop with pictures and show no signs of stopping just yet.

My favourite hand photo from last week has to be the one I share with you here.

Who are they texting? Who are they ignoring while they text? Are they lonely and scrolling? Or is is just another game of Wordle? Those hands have so much to say without speaking a syllable.

This time of consolidation, both photographically and personally, was perfectly timed. It’s been a pause, a space that didn’t need to be filled. A point in time to reflect and gather myself ready to move forward again.

The final word has to be then ‘let’s get the next chapter started’.

Nikki x

Communicating My Thoughts Using Photography

I spoke too soon. Spring was sprung but not for long.

The warm sunny days were quickly followed by snow and cold winds! It reminded me that the numb face accompanying early morning runs is not a thing of the past just yet. It did however, give me the opportunity to catch up on the next chunk of ‘A Year With My Camera’ whilst thawing out in a bath.

What a pleasure this week’s content has been. We explored some advanced composition techniques so I now know what ‘visual weight’ is. More excitingly though we started to consider ways to communicate with people through photography.

The idea of expressing my thoughts through images is what motivates me to pick up a camera. I’d probably be described as someone who’s happy to have a chat, but that’s not the same as confidently sharing my observations of the world. I need another vessel other than my voice to do that, and this is where my camera comes in.

Light bulb moments are generally few and far between, but I had one this week when Emma Davies explained how I could engage with a viewer. It opened a door that is allowing me to appreciate the art of the possible:

Your camera can be your voice, the quality of light your tone of voice and composition is the common language you both understand.

Emma Davies, A Year With My Camera (Workbook 1 Pg.92)

Abundance

Buoyed by this insight I thought it would be a breeze to capture the images stuck in my brain. I’m afraid to say though, things didn’t quite unfold as I’d hoped.

Bursting to share my ideas with the world, I got outside with camera in hand. The problem was I just didn’t feel fluent or articulate, instead I was figuratively stumbling over my words. Not much different to trying to speak with the numb face I mentioned earlier! I suppose the experience of fumbling and stumbling is the same when learning anything new, everything just feels awkward to begin with.

On a positive note all was not lost. Feeling a little dejected I let a few days pass before I revisited my recent efforts. I’m glad I did as when I finally opened Lightroom I was surprised that there were a few photos to work with. I could see the small beginnings of me really trying to communicate with my viewer.

Up next is a perfectly timed consolidation week. It’ll allow me the space to practise more composition ideas, relax, and try to find some fluency in my photographic voice.

Have a great week and here’s to communicating in the way that suits you best.

Nikki x

Use Design Principles To Compose Your Photos

It looks like Spring has sprung.

In East Sussex we have been bathed in sunshine for the last few days. That combined with the clocks going forward means my green fingers are itching to get gardening.

I potted up some tomato plants several weeks ago. It’s been ages since I last grew things from seed, but I’m pleased I’ve started again. Rushing out every day to see how my clutch is coming along is exciting. I have everything crossed for a bumper crop in the forthcoming months. For now though I am tending to their every need as it arises.

The seedlings were at the forefront of my mind as I got started on the next chapter of ‘A Year With My Camera‘. This session was covering basic design principles and how they can be used to create great images. I have been champing at the bit to try this out for quite a while and at last the time had come.

What I didn’t bargain for though was having read the recommended exercises my mind was spinning. I literally wanted to use every design idea, on every image, whilst incorporating all I’d previously learnt. My thoughts were pinging all over the place, to the point I ended up confused and started to procrastinate!

It was time for me to take a step back and start again in a small controlled way. I limited myself to photographing only within the garden and concentrating on one design principle at a time. This cleared the noise from my brain and I felt free to just give it a go. Paring back what I was trying to achieve worked and I captured a few images I was content with.

What also helped was is Emma Davies wrote about being deliberate:

Be very deliberate about everything you include in the frame and where you put it.

Emma Davies, A Year With My Camera (Workbook 1 pg.83)

The idea of having intention struck a chord with me, not only for photography but also gardening. I now use my camera’s view finder in a more purposeful way, which also rings true for when I plant up pots and beds in the garden. I guess it’s another take on mindfulness that I was chatting about last time.

So what’s next?

As I struggled to make use of symmetry and negative space in my photos this week I will keep persevering. Practice makes perfect (or at least better) is what they say isn’t it?

More immediately though I am being nudged by Ted’s wet nose which is his signal to take him for a walk.

Enjoy your week, and if needed don’t be scared to pare things back.

Nikki x

Finding my own focus through photographic composition

I wasn’t sure how to start this post, but it can only be with a simple wish for peace.

Over the last two weeks I’ve found the unfolding events in Ukraine hard to process. The senselessness of war and its impact on people, now and for years to come, is incomprehensible to me.

It leaves me with a heavy heart.

In a bid to settle myself I picked up my camera and went in search of flowers and fresh air. I guess you could say I was practising mindful photography.

This personal need happily coincided with the next chapter of A Year With My Camera, which was to compose images with a ‘single point of focus’. I have previously relied on three composition techniques; the rule of thirds, framing and leading lines. The problem is though I’ve used them so much they feel a bit stale. I wanted something new to inspire and excite my creativity. This came in the form of some other suggested composition ideas:

• Having just one subject.
• Setting the subject against a blurred background.
• Using colour and texture to contrast the subject against.

Although not entirely new to me, I hadn’t previously stopped to think how I might effectively use these approaches. So I gave it a go with a little success, but it mainly resulted in me pushing the delete button. Looking and seeing in different ways takes time to get used to and it felt awkward.

Finding a little light in the darkness

However, I am pleased to report some good news.

Trying the different techniques certainly stimulated my creativity. I have ideas bubbling away for images of contrasting colour and blurred background. Although the highlight of the week has to be planning a photo and actually managing to capture it just how I imagined it.

I had a specific idea of what I wanted to create, even down to the title. It was a low key image with a flower centre stage shining brightly out of the shadows. It felt right, almost cathartic to go in search of light in what feels like a dark period.

The combination of having a focussed idea, as well as being aware of the single point of focus seems to have worked. It didn’t take long wandering around my garden to capture this daisy peeking out the side of the patio.

Unexpectedly I keep returning to the photo just to take the time to look at it. It means something to me, it gives me a feeling of hope. I’ve not had this emotional response to one of my images before and I’m not sure how it happened. However, it’s a good feeling and one I’d like to repeat.

Suffice to say I feel I have achieved something in the last few days, but more importantly I wish you, your family and friends peace.

Nikki x

Get moving to change your viewpoint and improve composition

I’ve been looking forward to this week.

I have so many questions around composition, particularly how can I rouse interest and emotions through photography? I suspect there is not a straight answer, it’s probably an amalgamation of things that create magic.

Hopefully though I am going to discover some tricks and tips over the next few weeks. To kick off, an instruction jumped out of the chapter I was reading:

I just want you to start moving with your camera.

Emma Davies, A Year With My Camera

Being encouraged to move around with abandon was a bit daunting. It was also a painful thought as I’m nursing a sore back. Never a truer word spoken that you have to suffer for your art!

The homework was to keep changing my viewpoint whilst at the same time changing the balance of subject, background and foreground. It sounded easy, but hard as I tried I couldn’t work out what I was trying to achieve. I got in a loop of assessing the difference between a photo with ‘no foreground’ and a photo with ‘mostly background’. I still don’t know so your thoughts would be gratefully received.

My habit of over thinking stopped me from just getting out and giving it a go. After much procrastination, I held on to the the only anchor I could find, ‘reflections’. I would set off with my camera in the hunt for reflections.

Reflections is this month’s topic set by Lillian Spibey’s at her online Happy Hour. A session full of fun, friendship and inspiration. Lillie is a super talented photographer and runs lots of courses. I’d highly recommend her as a mentor and a teacher. Take a look at her website Lillian Spibey Photography and see for yourself.

Anyway, I got myself out of the door to find Alfriston still recovering from Storm Eunice. Mud and debris were everywhere and my chosen subject, the village’s famous White Bridge, was now not so white!

Self consciously I started to move about with my camera. It felt awkward at first but eventually I was up and down, side to side, forward and back without a care in the world. To my surprise images began to reveal themselves to me. It turns out this technique works.

An unexpected bonus was that it also loosened off my back! At last normality is returning to me, too soon for a run but it is progress.

So after all that what did I learn this week?

• When stuck in a mental loop, stop thinking and just have a go.
• Movement is good for me creatively, emotionally as well as physically.
• I love my home village, even when it’s covered in mud.

On that note, I have a basket full of muddy clothes to wash so I best get on.

‘Til next time.

Nikki x