Swan Lake...

Canon 400D,28-135mm,f5.6,1/10,ISO100

It was the reflection that first drew me to take this image. Again the straight vertical lines with the contrasting smooth shape of the swan really make the image more appealing. Composition wise the water line and the swan both sit on a 3rd line, with  makes for a good image (however I don't always like to follow the rules of thirds).

Taken at a local lake just before midday, the light was good and the water was calm, couldn't really ask for more.

All the single Ladies...

Canon 400d,28-135mm,f16,1/125,ISO100

I first went to this location to try and get an elevated shot of a nearby village, but that didn't really work out. These cows seemed interested in what I was doing and followed me as I walked along there field. They lined up at the gate which just created a great image. Didn't manage to get them all to look at the camera at the same time. (can't have everything).

This is one of the few times that B&W really works for me, the pure black and white of the cows hide with all the grays in the rest of the picture. I also try and get a good contrast of straight and soft lines.  

Help...

Canon 400D,28-135mm,f5.6,1/250,ISO100

The main thing is the eye's, that's what all the books say. It's true, without the sharpness, the catchlights or the look, this photo wouldn't give the effect that it's supposed to. 

This monkey was happy enough in his cage with the others. But it was only when he came up close that for a frame or two I got a slight look of sadness (or maybe he just didn't like the camera). Which makes me realize that a photo is a fraction of a second which may not portray the whole truth. And sometimes it's that par second that only catches the truth.

Secured before the Storm...

Canon 400D,10-20mm,f8,1/30,ISO100

Taken at a local lake around midday. I didn't have my tripod, so I was shooting in bursts of 3 or 4 (the idea that one of them would be sharp enough). The aim was to get the anchor ring in the bottom right, with the chain leading up to the boat, then the sides of the boat leading to the background. The stormy looking clouds made a nice touch to the boat being secured with chains to the shore. The boat looks a bit battered but I think that adds to the charm and obviously the owner cares enough to keep it locked up. The mono conversion was made to add more drama to the overall scene. 

Down in the Gutter...

 Canon 400D,10-20mm,f22,0.5,ISO 100

After getting up early for a sunrise that never really materialized, I went in search of something else. I noticed a large open drainage system that fed into the lake I was at. The sun was just around the tree line, which made it dark enough to get the longer shutter speed.

However a word of warning, you will get some strange looks and people saying "morning" whilst trying to look over your shoulder to see what your doing at 0715 with your head near a drain.

No place like home...

Canon 400D, 28-135mm, f5.6, 1/200, ISO 100

Well first of all this is the first time I've had a blog or even the first time that I've tried to write about the photos that I take, so please bare with me. I thought I'd start with this image. It was taken to day at a local zoo, the zebra seemed not to be interested with the general public and instead favored looking towards this little hut. It came across to me (and hopefully in this image) that the zebra would rather be running free than stuck within his pen, however he seem content within his usual surroundings whilst dreaming of bigger things.

This somehow relates to my photographic style. I've been stuck for the last few years with finding my feet and area/style of photography. A few lucky shots here and there, but no real direction. So my idea was that with keeping a blog and hopefully getting feedback might just be the thing to point me in the right direction and get me out of this beginners rut.

So let the adventure start with the first click of this post.