South Drain

This is a location I have photographed many times over the years South Drain Nr Burtle on the Somerset Levels.
The view up the river is halted by the iconic Glastonbury Tor (too small to view in this image) rising above the Somerset Levels.On this occasion I was simply enjoying a weekly drive across the levels with my dear old mum.I often take her here as it’s not only a favorite spot for her too but a great place to show my youngest daughter the many Swans and Dragonfly’s that occupy that stretch of river.
On this occasion I saw something I’ve never seen before and that was The National Rivers Authority (or someone) cutting the reeds on the riverbank.I’m not sure what this machine was but it seemed to be collecting any cuttings that where floating on the water.It was very graceful and had Tank like tracks which meant it simply drove up the side of the riverbank when it had finished.
Here is an image from my trusty iPhone to record the scene.

 

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A Paddle With Grandad

Im currently away on an annual family holiday in St Ives Cornwall.
St Ives is very familiar to me as I have been coming here since a child and also lived here for a short period.
This means photographing something fresh can be quite a challenge to do but an enjoyable challenge none the less.
Also a challenge is shooting on the iPhone but again it can be an enjoyable task as i find myself devoid of camera functions and allowing myself to rely only on my eye to create something interesting.
Below is an image shot yesterday and may well be part of one of my iPhone projects once I return.

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iPhone Photography, A Creative Workout

 

I’ve mentioned before on my Photography Training site that I’m a big fan of shooting images on my iPhone. There was a time when I’d never leave the house without a camera but over the years my style of photography has changed somewhat and most of what I shoot these days is less spontaneous and much more highly planned. Theabove however changed with the iPhone and I found myself shooting more and more freely like I did when I first discovered photography. I believe there are several reasons for my love of shooting on the iPhone and it definitely has nothing to do with the awesome quality or versatility which it lacks in abundance !

For starters it’s a challenge to shoot with as there is no control over aperture,shutter and little exposure or focus control so you are on a level playing ground with everyone else who shoots with it. This basically means you only have your eye to reply on for capturing something visually interesting & creative which is also another challenge in itself as there is no view finder. Secondly the above means you are released from any technical control and free just to enjoy capturing everything and anything without fear that the image is exposed correctly or has camera shake as there is little you can do to adjust it anyway.So in short you give yourself permission to become an amateur again and go wild. None of this means I don’t ever take out any of my more pro level cameras when out and about but for most day to day off the hip shooting the iPhone is always in my pocket.

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Pigeon

 

In short using the iPhone as a camera is just great fun and that after all is what it’s all about and a nice workout for the creative muscles.

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Here is a links to my Projects Gallery where you can view some of my images shot with the iPhone most recent being some captured in Menorca Spain.

Wasp,Turkish Fountain

I have added a new section on the site for personal projects that I find myself doing some for fun like my iPhone Wanderings and some a little more serious.
One of the more serious projects is a collection of images from my visits to the Aegean coast in Turkey where this particular shot was captured.
Actually that is not quite true as this image of a wasp on top the tap of a 18th century Turkish Fountain was actually captured in Kos Greece but hey it’s pretty close !

 

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A Vacation Photographer 6 Miles Up Over The Alps

A Vacation Photographer 6 Miles Up Over The Alps

I’m writing this post from the Aegean Coast In Turkey where we have a home. I never fail to get inspired by flying and the unique perspective it gives along with spectacular cloud formations. The light changes very quickly at 500 mph so just when you put your camera down there is another shot to be had. This image along with many others was shot with my very basic and challenging iPhone 4…not the camera professional vacation photographer would normally use but great fun !

 

 

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