Lovely, Gill. As for camera bodies, my Z7 gets a lot of rest these days, and I am inseparable from my iPhone16pro. It lets me work in a new way, magically responsive, and as long as I’m not aiming for my usual large wall space images….I’m never at a loss….
Thank you very much for your comments Bonnie. The phone is such a great tool as we usually have it with us at all times and therefore don't miss anything. I tend to use mine for sketching and trying out different compositions.
Ok. I read about the importance of having a backup camera quite a bit. I get that, if the job is to photograph an event that can't be duplicated, like a wedding. But the problem is that cameras and photography is crushingly expensive. I use a mid-grade cropped sensor DSLR that is 5 years old now and was a 5 year old model when I got it, because that was all I could afford. What would I do if this camera breaks? I can't afford to buy another one.
Here's the thing. As artists we are trying to communicate our vision of the world, its majesty and brilliance, and the sublime truths about life we find in it. We do this because we think the message can be valuable to others and also, in some way, help protect our subjects through an enhanced recognition of its value. Ultimately, the camera is just a method for communicating that message.
I think you have delivered a strong message in your writing in this essay. You describe nature, as you experience it, very evocatively. It is your vision that has value, and your words carry it here. I'm glad to hear that you were able to get a 2nd camera (I love your photos, btw) and that your primary will be repaired eventually. But, as you say, the really important thing is just to experience the world and communicate what is learned.
Thank you so much for your comments Erik and your really eloquent words as to why we take images. You have described exactly my motivation and feelings.
I found being without my camera very difficult, it felt like part of me was missing, but despite this it still felt important to get out. I think it is more valuable to cherish our experiences in nature than worry about making images, or miss out altogether because we don't have a camera - probably not a good business plan for a pro but valuable nevertheless. 🙂
I am still waiting on news of camera, its been several weeks now and no update which is not very impressive. Fortunately I could invest in another body so all is good and I can keep making images.
Haha! Not a good business plan, for sure, but I'm starting to think I should deliberately leave the camera behind every now and again just for the different perspective.
This post says everything Gill. Beautiful writing, and your photos really convey the feeling of peace. I especially love the frosted seed heads which I expect would have been easy to miss.
Sounds like a lovely walk you have access to amongst nature.
Another interesting read Gill, with noticing being a skill of a photographer. This is one of the reasons I enjoy photography as it encourages me to slow down, look and notice and, I guess practice mindfulness in the landscape. Always good for my soul. Saying that, I often go out without my camera, mostly when walking the dog and when doing so, I find I’m still in the habit of ‘noticing’ as I find photography over the years has gradually made me look at my surroundings differently. If something does catch my eye on these walks, I’ll often stop and experiment/play with my camera phone as I find this helps with forming ideas for when the camera is with me.
Thank you very much for your comments Steven. I find I am exactly the same - I seem to think like a photographer even when I don't have my camera with me. Like you I will play with compositions with my phone and come back with the 'proper' camera when the conditions are right. I really think photography is a great way to notice and connect with our environment and as you say really good for the soul. 🙂
A beautiful series of observations from ‘just being’. I miss hearing curlews, they were my favourite haunting sound to hear in the Peak District. ‘Get well soon’ to your camera. How frustrating, and expensive.
Thank you very much for your comments Michela, I am glad you enjoyed my observations. The sound of the curlew is one of my favourites and so evocative. To me it is definitely the sound of early mornings on the river.
It’s lovely to read the flow of words that accompany your photography, the thought process and inspiration, experiments and palette of colours. You achieve such a sublime calm, quite gorgeous.
Great read, Gill! For me it is not so much the question whether or not I have my camera on me, but if I am able to observe and notice either way without immediately thinking of making a photo. The pure act of slowing down and connect with what is in front of us is so important!
Thank you so much for your comments Susanne. I completely agree, connecting with the landscape, nature and the world around us is so important and we don't need a camera to do that, just some time to slow down and notice.
Beautiful essay Gill. I pretty much always carry my camera (in fact, I have two!) unless it's the middle of the day and I know I won't have time or inclination to "get creative'. As you say, I find great value in slowing down, just sitting and observing - sometimes it takes time for me to realise the opportunities right in front of me (unless the light is going off - in which case, I can be like a headless chook!)
Thank you very much for your comments James and I am glad you enjoyed the post.
I don't always carry my camera with me but I really should because I miss so much. I do enjoy being out in nature without it sometimes as it is easier to slow down and really connect.
Such a beautiful description of your walk Gill. Love the experimental images, it is always good to do that after getting the more ‘regular’ images. I remember the first image from ig and how I commented on that beautiful slither, exceptional. Your work is simply a joy. Hope you get your z8 back soon.
Thank you so much for your kind comments Jon. I am glad you enjoyed the post and the experimental images. It was fun to play and not put any pressure on myself to get a good shot. Much more relaxed! 🙂
In the past I would go down to the Madison River and just sit and meditate and contemplate. Those walks are what got me started in wanting to take pictures of the area. I think I need to follow through on the picture taking now. 'Berta
Your first photo is a stunning capture of the sunrise and the shapes along the river. I really enjoyed reading your post also. It is a good reminder to all of us to take some time to put down the camera and enjoy the nature that surrounds us.
Yes it is not good. Unfortunately I am still waiting for the camera store to confirm what is wrong with it. Their lack of communication is not good either. Basically the camera kept freezing up and displaying a random selection of colours on the rear screen instead of a picture. The only way to get it to return to normal was to remove the battery. It seems to be a known problem and is possibly something to do with the main circuit board.
Morning firstly I really enjoyed the refocus images for me it makes me look into the image for longer and yes I do go out with out my camera a look for possible images and it takes time to keep going back to see and watch the changes
Thank you very much for your comments Pat. I am glad you enjoyed the images. The defocused ones were very much an experiment but I was quite pleased with the colours and patterns I was able to create.
Lovely, Gill. As for camera bodies, my Z7 gets a lot of rest these days, and I am inseparable from my iPhone16pro. It lets me work in a new way, magically responsive, and as long as I’m not aiming for my usual large wall space images….I’m never at a loss….
Thank you very much for your comments Bonnie. The phone is such a great tool as we usually have it with us at all times and therefore don't miss anything. I tend to use mine for sketching and trying out different compositions.
Ok. I read about the importance of having a backup camera quite a bit. I get that, if the job is to photograph an event that can't be duplicated, like a wedding. But the problem is that cameras and photography is crushingly expensive. I use a mid-grade cropped sensor DSLR that is 5 years old now and was a 5 year old model when I got it, because that was all I could afford. What would I do if this camera breaks? I can't afford to buy another one.
Here's the thing. As artists we are trying to communicate our vision of the world, its majesty and brilliance, and the sublime truths about life we find in it. We do this because we think the message can be valuable to others and also, in some way, help protect our subjects through an enhanced recognition of its value. Ultimately, the camera is just a method for communicating that message.
I think you have delivered a strong message in your writing in this essay. You describe nature, as you experience it, very evocatively. It is your vision that has value, and your words carry it here. I'm glad to hear that you were able to get a 2nd camera (I love your photos, btw) and that your primary will be repaired eventually. But, as you say, the really important thing is just to experience the world and communicate what is learned.
Thank you so much for your comments Erik and your really eloquent words as to why we take images. You have described exactly my motivation and feelings.
I found being without my camera very difficult, it felt like part of me was missing, but despite this it still felt important to get out. I think it is more valuable to cherish our experiences in nature than worry about making images, or miss out altogether because we don't have a camera - probably not a good business plan for a pro but valuable nevertheless. 🙂
I am still waiting on news of camera, its been several weeks now and no update which is not very impressive. Fortunately I could invest in another body so all is good and I can keep making images.
Haha! Not a good business plan, for sure, but I'm starting to think I should deliberately leave the camera behind every now and again just for the different perspective.
This post says everything Gill. Beautiful writing, and your photos really convey the feeling of peace. I especially love the frosted seed heads which I expect would have been easy to miss.
Sounds like a lovely walk you have access to amongst nature.
Thank you very much Hayley, I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Another interesting read Gill, with noticing being a skill of a photographer. This is one of the reasons I enjoy photography as it encourages me to slow down, look and notice and, I guess practice mindfulness in the landscape. Always good for my soul. Saying that, I often go out without my camera, mostly when walking the dog and when doing so, I find I’m still in the habit of ‘noticing’ as I find photography over the years has gradually made me look at my surroundings differently. If something does catch my eye on these walks, I’ll often stop and experiment/play with my camera phone as I find this helps with forming ideas for when the camera is with me.
Thank you very much for your comments Steven. I find I am exactly the same - I seem to think like a photographer even when I don't have my camera with me. Like you I will play with compositions with my phone and come back with the 'proper' camera when the conditions are right. I really think photography is a great way to notice and connect with our environment and as you say really good for the soul. 🙂
A beautiful series of observations from ‘just being’. I miss hearing curlews, they were my favourite haunting sound to hear in the Peak District. ‘Get well soon’ to your camera. How frustrating, and expensive.
Thank you very much for your comments Michela, I am glad you enjoyed my observations. The sound of the curlew is one of my favourites and so evocative. To me it is definitely the sound of early mornings on the river.
It’s lovely to read the flow of words that accompany your photography, the thought process and inspiration, experiments and palette of colours. You achieve such a sublime calm, quite gorgeous.
Thank you so much Sarah, I am glad you enjoyed it.
I absolutely love the triptych images especially the seedhead, I’d have that on my wall if had space 😀
Thank you very much Gavin, I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Great read, Gill! For me it is not so much the question whether or not I have my camera on me, but if I am able to observe and notice either way without immediately thinking of making a photo. The pure act of slowing down and connect with what is in front of us is so important!
Thank you so much for your comments Susanne. I completely agree, connecting with the landscape, nature and the world around us is so important and we don't need a camera to do that, just some time to slow down and notice.
Beautiful essay Gill. I pretty much always carry my camera (in fact, I have two!) unless it's the middle of the day and I know I won't have time or inclination to "get creative'. As you say, I find great value in slowing down, just sitting and observing - sometimes it takes time for me to realise the opportunities right in front of me (unless the light is going off - in which case, I can be like a headless chook!)
Thank you very much for your comments James and I am glad you enjoyed the post.
I don't always carry my camera with me but I really should because I miss so much. I do enjoy being out in nature without it sometimes as it is easier to slow down and really connect.
Such a beautiful description of your walk Gill. Love the experimental images, it is always good to do that after getting the more ‘regular’ images. I remember the first image from ig and how I commented on that beautiful slither, exceptional. Your work is simply a joy. Hope you get your z8 back soon.
Thank you so much for your kind comments Jon. I am glad you enjoyed the post and the experimental images. It was fun to play and not put any pressure on myself to get a good shot. Much more relaxed! 🙂
In the past I would go down to the Madison River and just sit and meditate and contemplate. Those walks are what got me started in wanting to take pictures of the area. I think I need to follow through on the picture taking now. 'Berta
Thank you very much for our comments Roberta.
Spending time in nature contemplating is one of my favourite things to do and it very often sparks some sort of creative response.
Your first photo is a stunning capture of the sunrise and the shapes along the river. I really enjoyed reading your post also. It is a good reminder to all of us to take some time to put down the camera and enjoy the nature that surrounds us.
Thank you very much for your comments Randy. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Z8 issue only 3 months in is a worry? Could you include in your post what the final problem was please?
Thank you very much for your comment William.
Yes it is not good. Unfortunately I am still waiting for the camera store to confirm what is wrong with it. Their lack of communication is not good either. Basically the camera kept freezing up and displaying a random selection of colours on the rear screen instead of a picture. The only way to get it to return to normal was to remove the battery. It seems to be a known problem and is possibly something to do with the main circuit board.
Morning firstly I really enjoyed the refocus images for me it makes me look into the image for longer and yes I do go out with out my camera a look for possible images and it takes time to keep going back to see and watch the changes
Thank you very much for your comments Pat. I am glad you enjoyed the images. The defocused ones were very much an experiment but I was quite pleased with the colours and patterns I was able to create.
Fantastic read as always,we are so lucky to have this on our doorstep inspiring!
Thank you so much Laurence. I am glad you enjoyed the post and I agree, we are very lucky to have this beautiful place on our doorstep.
Any photographer who is looking for inspiration has to be motivated by Gill's excellent images
Thank you so much Stewart, that is really kind. I am glad you are enjoying my photography.