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I have attended ten different locations with my camera over the last three months, looking for suitable shots that would answer the brief of Landscape photography.  

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​With my three dogs, I usually walk in rural locations no further than 30 miles from my home.  This is because I suffer with chronic pain and have to limit my travel and my walking capabilities are restricted.

​Therefore, my dreams of walking high mountains for hours as I did before, can no longer be.  This has limited my Landscape shots.  Or has it? I don't believe it has: in fact, I have become more aware of my surroundings and what beautiful, interesting subjects are upon my doorstep, so to speak.

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​I have researched some historical and contemporary photographers in order to widen my ideas which has made me alive to so many styles and locations, colours, rivers, mountains, trees, wildlife and growth:  growth and colour jump out and inspire me, demanding my attention so that I look again and again at the photograph.  Those who have made a particular impression on me are Shinzo Maeda for his colours and locations; and  Terri Weifenbach for her dreamy shallow depth of field and again vibrant colours.​

 

I am taking on average 200 photographs on each photo trip/dog walk.  This depends on weather conditions, which dictates how long I can comfortably stay out in the atmosphere and elements to shoot. However, on the other hand, inclement weather offers new possibilities in terms of atmosphere, shades and mood.

On reviewing my shots from each location, I notice a pattern developing of close-up more intimate Landscape photography: algae, water droplets, frost, catkins, mushrooms, trees, roots, streams, vegetation, heather, bark, moss.

Then I can see that subconsciously I have been taking similar photographs that appealed to me in my research: bursts of colour and growth.  I am drawn to using a shallow depth of field, to create a soft bokeh, making the subject sharp and fresh.

 

Therefore, my personal preference has developed as close-up intimate Landscape photography, with the iterative theme of growth.

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​I have consistently used my Tamron 24-70mm lens, which is capable of opening the aperture wide to 2.8 fstop, which has allowed me to make beautiful photographs.  It has image stabilisation which obviates the need for a tripod. Although a tripod helps to create magnificent shots, it is also restrictive and carrying it everywhere aggravates my chronic back pain.  I have taken many shots with my camera supported on my camera bag, using a shutter release or self-timer.  

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​Now that I have found preference for close-up intimate Landscape photography, I would like to buy a Macro lens, as on many occasions, I found that the 24-70mm lens would not focus if too close to the subject.  I have researched the Sigma 105mm Prime macro lens which will be my next lens purchase.  I will be able to photograph even closer and develop an abstract view. 

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​During this brief, I have purchased a Neutral Density filter, and experimented with slow shutter speeds, to smooth moving water, and capture motion in trees moving with the wind.  It is best to undertake these experiments  in lower light, and most definitely not hand-held.

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​I still need to practice slow shutter speed style more, and would like to perfect the tree movement by the end of this brief in eight weeks’ time.  Currently, I am ten days away from final photographs to be submitted in order to prepare for the creation of a blurb book.  I am also experimenting with zoom burst photography: using the technique of zooming while the shutter is open with a relatively slow shutter speed, generally below 1/60th of a second. Low light or small apertures are required to perfect this style of photography.

  

​The effects of zoom burst photography can create an impressionistic and abstract appearance which can be creative and fun.

​I envisage my blurb book to be softback and square in format, although my pictures will not all be cropped to square format.  I find a softback book to be more manageable to hold and read for longer.  It would also be more transportable to carry around and show friends at the cafe.