A wonderful read as usual Gill. The photographs were gorgeous, especially of the yacht hidden in the reads - I keep going back to that one time and time again.
With regard to bringing back childhood memories, I am looking from the opposite perspective. 12 months ago we came to live in a little Lancashire village which is surrounded by lovely countryside, and nestles next to a canal. I joined the local Facebook Noticeboard site, and regularly post photographs I have taken of the local area. I am finding that people that spent their childhood in the village but have now moved away (America, Canada, Australia) say how they look forward to my photos as they bring back such happy memories. After a year I have taken all the obvious shots, but changing weather and looking for worthy photos of small details keep me fresh and creative.
Thank you very much for your comments Mark and I am glad you enjoyed the article. Photography is such a powerful tool to evoke memories. I often find people buy my prints because of a personal connection or memory.
It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job photographing your local landscapes and I am sure it is lovely to hear when your images resonate with your audience.
Hi Gill, I enjoyed reading this. We are going to the Broads next weekend, first visit back for well over a decade to somewhere we used to visit regularly. We have hired a half decker and hope to be sailing , weather permitting. You've encouraged me to think about photography too, including getting up for sunrise - not something I am good at! - and given me a few ideas. Thanks
Oh that is brilliant Sarah, I am very envious. I hope you get some lovely weather, some good sailing and lots of photography. Enjoy and thank you for the comments. 🙂
Thank you James. It was a really enjoyable day and took me straight back to my childhood. It's always lovely to revisit places and rediscover old memories. 🙂
Gill, you have brought joy to a dull Monday morning, the way you have explained your thoughts and experience has taken me back to my youth. Camping and house boat stays, sailing, fishing and canoeing on the broads. That special mist that comes up to about waist height, obscuring the scene whilst sitting, but clear when standing. Pleased that you identified the 'mills' as Wind Pumps, as many think mistakenly that they are grain Mills.
Lovely images to accompany your delightful text.
Yes you see things differently from the water, took a very interesting boat trip last summer from Horsey Mill, well worth it, the owner has great local and bird knowledge, we to saw kingfishers but likewise didn't have a long enough lens to capture them. With regard to perspective I also took some shots with my full spectrum converted camera, which gave interesting images.
Perhaps we need to also revisit the broads with the motorhome having spent a few nights a Ludham a couple of year ago!😀
Thank you so much for your comments Chris and for sharing your memories. The Broads is a special place and being out on the water is wonderful and much the best way to experience the place and its wildlife.
If you have a motorhome I would definitely recommend the CL site at Upton, although it is only a grassy field so may get muddy in the winter.
“There is so much to photograph, but often our mindset can be our biggest obstacle. I have found that if I relax and open my mind to all possibilities then creativity flows much easier.”
That’s interesting. I went on a photo day out recently to a classic car workshop where we knew there were dozens of things to shoot: old cars, light and shade, junk, symmetrical patterns, derelict buildings and so on. I found I was stressed for the first hour, worrying about finding the ‘best’ thing to take a picture of, especially as I discovered my preconceived plan wasn’t going to work.
But after a sandwich and a coffee, I just wandered about without a plan and took some really rewarding shots.
Thank you so much Mark, it is really interesting to read your experience. I think sometimes we can put too much pressure on ourselves to come back with great shots. Letting go of our preconceived ideas, relaxing and just allowing ourselves to respond to whatever we find will usually produce much better results - and gives us a more enjoyable experience. I am glad you found some good shots in the end. 🙂
Great piece Gill. I remember when I first joined my camera club, we had a new member’s session focused on getting out of your comfort zone. Trying new perspectives was a main takeaway for me, and I’m always giving it a go. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s doesn’t… but as you say, gotta keep trying!
A great article Gill and some beautiful images, the wooden boats are quite lovely. I've not visited the Norfolk Broads but they are on my wishlist - the light up there is very gentle and painterly.
A great read Gill and fab images. I was forced to use a different perspective because, after a night of torrential rain and some very black clouds by the time I reached my venue today the clouds had broken and the light was harsh. I had read that black and white images are often better in harsh light. I now have quite a few and I am interested to see how they process.
Thank you very much for your comments Rod. I hope you enjoyed your session out this morning despite the challenging conditions. Hopefully black and white will suit your images but whatever happens I think there is always value in experimenting and trying different things.
Stunning photography. Totally resonate with the Swallows and Amazons aspirations!
Thank you very much of your kind comments Fionnula. I am glad you enjoyed the images.
A wonderful read as usual Gill. The photographs were gorgeous, especially of the yacht hidden in the reads - I keep going back to that one time and time again.
With regard to bringing back childhood memories, I am looking from the opposite perspective. 12 months ago we came to live in a little Lancashire village which is surrounded by lovely countryside, and nestles next to a canal. I joined the local Facebook Noticeboard site, and regularly post photographs I have taken of the local area. I am finding that people that spent their childhood in the village but have now moved away (America, Canada, Australia) say how they look forward to my photos as they bring back such happy memories. After a year I have taken all the obvious shots, but changing weather and looking for worthy photos of small details keep me fresh and creative.
Thank you very much for your comments Mark and I am glad you enjoyed the article. Photography is such a powerful tool to evoke memories. I often find people buy my prints because of a personal connection or memory.
It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job photographing your local landscapes and I am sure it is lovely to hear when your images resonate with your audience.
Very enjoyable and informative read. The photographs captured the tranquility of the Broads very nicely.
Thank you very much Philip, I am glad you enjoyed the post and the images.
Hi Gill, I enjoyed reading this. We are going to the Broads next weekend, first visit back for well over a decade to somewhere we used to visit regularly. We have hired a half decker and hope to be sailing , weather permitting. You've encouraged me to think about photography too, including getting up for sunrise - not something I am good at! - and given me a few ideas. Thanks
Oh that is brilliant Sarah, I am very envious. I hope you get some lovely weather, some good sailing and lots of photography. Enjoy and thank you for the comments. 🙂
Inspiring read. Thank you Gill
Thank you Pat, glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Gill, sounds like the most idyllic day. I most enjoyable read, and beautiful photographs as always.
Thank you James. It was a really enjoyable day and took me straight back to my childhood. It's always lovely to revisit places and rediscover old memories. 🙂
Gill, you have brought joy to a dull Monday morning, the way you have explained your thoughts and experience has taken me back to my youth. Camping and house boat stays, sailing, fishing and canoeing on the broads. That special mist that comes up to about waist height, obscuring the scene whilst sitting, but clear when standing. Pleased that you identified the 'mills' as Wind Pumps, as many think mistakenly that they are grain Mills.
Lovely images to accompany your delightful text.
Yes you see things differently from the water, took a very interesting boat trip last summer from Horsey Mill, well worth it, the owner has great local and bird knowledge, we to saw kingfishers but likewise didn't have a long enough lens to capture them. With regard to perspective I also took some shots with my full spectrum converted camera, which gave interesting images.
Perhaps we need to also revisit the broads with the motorhome having spent a few nights a Ludham a couple of year ago!😀
Thank you so much for your comments Chris and for sharing your memories. The Broads is a special place and being out on the water is wonderful and much the best way to experience the place and its wildlife.
If you have a motorhome I would definitely recommend the CL site at Upton, although it is only a grassy field so may get muddy in the winter.
“There is so much to photograph, but often our mindset can be our biggest obstacle. I have found that if I relax and open my mind to all possibilities then creativity flows much easier.”
That’s interesting. I went on a photo day out recently to a classic car workshop where we knew there were dozens of things to shoot: old cars, light and shade, junk, symmetrical patterns, derelict buildings and so on. I found I was stressed for the first hour, worrying about finding the ‘best’ thing to take a picture of, especially as I discovered my preconceived plan wasn’t going to work.
But after a sandwich and a coffee, I just wandered about without a plan and took some really rewarding shots.
So I absolutely agree with you!
Thank you so much Mark, it is really interesting to read your experience. I think sometimes we can put too much pressure on ourselves to come back with great shots. Letting go of our preconceived ideas, relaxing and just allowing ourselves to respond to whatever we find will usually produce much better results - and gives us a more enjoyable experience. I am glad you found some good shots in the end. 🙂
Love the last quote! Applied to artistic endeavors and life in general. Thank you. And I just love your work!
Thank you so much for your comments. I am glad you enjoyed the post and my work in general. 🙂
Wonderful as always!
Thank you very much Susanne, glad you enjoyed it.
What wonderfully vivid writing! This is amazing Gill, and the photos are incredible!
Thank you very much Erik for your kind comments. I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Great piece Gill. I remember when I first joined my camera club, we had a new member’s session focused on getting out of your comfort zone. Trying new perspectives was a main takeaway for me, and I’m always giving it a go. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s doesn’t… but as you say, gotta keep trying!
Thank you very much for your comments Charlie. I agree, it is always good to try different things even if they don't work.
A great article Gill and some beautiful images, the wooden boats are quite lovely. I've not visited the Norfolk Broads but they are on my wishlist - the light up there is very gentle and painterly.
Thank you very much Lin. The Broads are lovely as is the light. I hope you get to visit sometime soon.
A great read Gill and fab images. I was forced to use a different perspective because, after a night of torrential rain and some very black clouds by the time I reached my venue today the clouds had broken and the light was harsh. I had read that black and white images are often better in harsh light. I now have quite a few and I am interested to see how they process.
Thank you very much for your comments Rod. I hope you enjoyed your session out this morning despite the challenging conditions. Hopefully black and white will suit your images but whatever happens I think there is always value in experimenting and trying different things.
A lovely piece Gill, thanks.
Thank you very much Finn, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you Gill. I found the read both relatable and inspiring.
Thank you very much for your comments Steve and I am glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂