This is so lovely to read - I did wonder if you felt frustrated by our good conditions on Thursday and am so glad it was an enjoyable morning whilst we rushed around with our tripods! I put my comments about how good the non-photographic side of the day was on Instagram (feel free to use, if wanted) - I totally agree that it’s not just about the images. Thanks again, I had such a good time.
Thank you so much for your comments Mary and for the lovely write up on Instagram. I am so glad you enjoyed the day and I hope you will continue to enjoy your print once it is on the wall. 🙂
Very well said and I agree entirely. For me photography is about connecting with the world instead of drifting through it unaware. It's about my own personal well being, the pleasure of creativity, the never ending learning curve where there is always something new to discover. As an expat a big part of it is the opportunity it gives to encounter a new piece and a new culture. It's the sense of "I did that" when a new Blurb book turns up in the post. All of this and more. Yes it would be nice to make money out of it but I don't so the value of photography for me has never been financial.
I couldn't agree more! Landscape photography for me is the joy of just being out in nature, taking in and connecting with all that is around me, whether the conditions are right or not for photography. It also contributes so much to my overall wellbeing. Even when the conditions are right for photography, the whole picture that's unfolding is sometimes so incredible that I just have to put the camera down and immerse myself in the scene.
Some beautiful images here Gill and, just as an aside, I used to get bitten to pieces until I found a product called Skin so Soft that the army use up in Scotland to keep the bugs at bay! Well worth a try!
A lovely read Gill. Social media has fuelled a competitive streak in landscape photography that is unhelpful. ‘Whilst I would be lying if I said that the end result didn’t matter, for me it is the joy that photography brings to my life that is important.’ I wholeheartedly agree; the experience both short term and over the years is transformative and brings a richness to life that I would not want to be without - even if it has been to the detriment of walking pace and distance.
Love your thoughtful words as well as the pretty, soft images. And I have to say, I listened to the nightjar at the link you posted and admit if I heard that sound, I would have thought there were frogs calling to each other. Super interesting post.
Thank you so much, I am glad you enjoyed the post. The nightjars do sound a little like frogs, they also look like huge moths when they fly. They are very unusual birds.
Gill- The stand-out piece to me is the third to last photograph (lavender-hued plain with the solitary tree in the middle). Something about it really speaks to me. I appreciate your work here. Hope you're well this week. Cheers, -Thalia
An excellent and honest piece of writing Gill! I agree, If I have my camera with me I also feel a sense of being able to take more notice of the things around me and it’s very calming to slow down and see what’s going on instead of walking blindly by at a fast pace!
I must get out on another of your photographic outings again soon!
So pleasing to read Gill. I enjoyed every minute of your workshop last week and I think I heard you say you’d had fun which is great. The passion and enthusiasm you have is infectious and I am sure keeps everyone wanting to support you in future.
Thank you so much for your comments Terry. It was lovely to meet you and I am glad you enjoyed the workshop.
I think one of the best things about running workshops - aside from meeting new people - is seeing how everyone interprets a landscape differently. I love this aspect of photography and find it is always a great learning experience.
Another thoughtful and inciteful piece Gill. Much of what you say resonates... For me, photography is "me time". It is not really a pastime you can share with non-photographers or combine with other pastimes... no-one really wants to hang around waiting while I compose my shot, (Well, except my OH - he never minds!) So, most of the time it's a solitary pastime. And actually, as someone who has many pastimes and is often very busy - that suits me fine! That is where the value lies for me - "me time" and creativity - it's done wonders for my mental health. Lovely images.
Thank you so much for your comments - I enjoyed reading what photography means to you. I can relate to the 'me time' and I always find I work better on my own. I often go out with my other half who is a photographer too but we usually end up heading in different directions and only meet top again when we need some tea and cake! 🙂
I too love being out with my camera. I'm out more or less everyday and get quite frustrated if something stops me being out (bad back a few weeks ago). Every day is different, you never quite know what's going to happen.
Thank you very much for your comments Peter. It is good to hear what photography means to you and lovely to know that you get out every day - you are far more disciplined than me! 🙂
Great post and definitely resonates with me. May I ask how you do manage to make a living from your photography? I've found that nobody wants to pay for anything anymore!
Thank you very much Thomas, I am glad you enjoyed it.
I think for me the key has been to stay local and really specialise in images from one place - so I mainly focus on the Suffolk Coast. I design my own cards, calendars, postcards and books and sell to shops along the coast. I also sell images, articles and I run workshops. I have been doing it for about 15 years and really feel that I know the area so well now and I definitely think this helps.
This is so lovely to read - I did wonder if you felt frustrated by our good conditions on Thursday and am so glad it was an enjoyable morning whilst we rushed around with our tripods! I put my comments about how good the non-photographic side of the day was on Instagram (feel free to use, if wanted) - I totally agree that it’s not just about the images. Thanks again, I had such a good time.
Thank you so much for your comments Mary and for the lovely write up on Instagram. I am so glad you enjoyed the day and I hope you will continue to enjoy your print once it is on the wall. 🙂
Excellent essay, and I find the photo of the spiderweb over the blooms stunning!
Thank you so much Erik, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Gill I so love the images and the post.
Thank you so much Shital, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Very well said and I agree entirely. For me photography is about connecting with the world instead of drifting through it unaware. It's about my own personal well being, the pleasure of creativity, the never ending learning curve where there is always something new to discover. As an expat a big part of it is the opportunity it gives to encounter a new piece and a new culture. It's the sense of "I did that" when a new Blurb book turns up in the post. All of this and more. Yes it would be nice to make money out of it but I don't so the value of photography for me has never been financial.
Thank you so much for your comments Olli, they were so lovely to read and I can relate to everything you say. 🙂
“The experience, personal connection and well being.”
You’ve described it perfectly 🙏🥰
Thank you Haley 🙂
I couldn't agree more! Landscape photography for me is the joy of just being out in nature, taking in and connecting with all that is around me, whether the conditions are right or not for photography. It also contributes so much to my overall wellbeing. Even when the conditions are right for photography, the whole picture that's unfolding is sometimes so incredible that I just have to put the camera down and immerse myself in the scene.
Some beautiful images here Gill and, just as an aside, I used to get bitten to pieces until I found a product called Skin so Soft that the army use up in Scotland to keep the bugs at bay! Well worth a try!
Thank you very much for your comments Lin and for the 'Skin So Soft' recommendation - I will look out for it.
I agree with everything you say about the joy of being out in nature - it is so restorative and often more valuable than the photography. 🙂
A lovely read Gill. Social media has fuelled a competitive streak in landscape photography that is unhelpful. ‘Whilst I would be lying if I said that the end result didn’t matter, for me it is the joy that photography brings to my life that is important.’ I wholeheartedly agree; the experience both short term and over the years is transformative and brings a richness to life that I would not want to be without - even if it has been to the detriment of walking pace and distance.
I absolutely agree Michela. Thank you so much for your comments. 🙂
Love your thoughtful words as well as the pretty, soft images. And I have to say, I listened to the nightjar at the link you posted and admit if I heard that sound, I would have thought there were frogs calling to each other. Super interesting post.
Thank you so much, I am glad you enjoyed the post. The nightjars do sound a little like frogs, they also look like huge moths when they fly. They are very unusual birds.
Gill- The stand-out piece to me is the third to last photograph (lavender-hued plain with the solitary tree in the middle). Something about it really speaks to me. I appreciate your work here. Hope you're well this week. Cheers, -Thalia
Thank you very much Thalia, I am glad you enjoyed the image. It is always good to know what images speak to viewers and why. 🙂
The joy of doing what you love and doing it in places that speak to your soul cannot be diminished by lackluster results.
I absolutely agree - for me it is always about the experience first.
An excellent and honest piece of writing Gill! I agree, If I have my camera with me I also feel a sense of being able to take more notice of the things around me and it’s very calming to slow down and see what’s going on instead of walking blindly by at a fast pace!
I must get out on another of your photographic outings again soon!
Thank you very much for your comments Alan. I definitely think the camera helps you to see the world in more detail.
It would be great to see you out with the camera again sometime. 🙂
So pleasing to read Gill. I enjoyed every minute of your workshop last week and I think I heard you say you’d had fun which is great. The passion and enthusiasm you have is infectious and I am sure keeps everyone wanting to support you in future.
Thank you so much for your comments Terry. It was lovely to meet you and I am glad you enjoyed the workshop.
I think one of the best things about running workshops - aside from meeting new people - is seeing how everyone interprets a landscape differently. I love this aspect of photography and find it is always a great learning experience.
Outstanding lines, beautiful pictures with an amazing call of a nightjar in the background. A nice gift for the World Photography Day, Gill.
Thank you so much Tom, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Another thoughtful and inciteful piece Gill. Much of what you say resonates... For me, photography is "me time". It is not really a pastime you can share with non-photographers or combine with other pastimes... no-one really wants to hang around waiting while I compose my shot, (Well, except my OH - he never minds!) So, most of the time it's a solitary pastime. And actually, as someone who has many pastimes and is often very busy - that suits me fine! That is where the value lies for me - "me time" and creativity - it's done wonders for my mental health. Lovely images.
Thank you so much for your comments - I enjoyed reading what photography means to you. I can relate to the 'me time' and I always find I work better on my own. I often go out with my other half who is a photographer too but we usually end up heading in different directions and only meet top again when we need some tea and cake! 🙂
I too love being out with my camera. I'm out more or less everyday and get quite frustrated if something stops me being out (bad back a few weeks ago). Every day is different, you never quite know what's going to happen.
Beautiful images to illustrate your writing Gill.
Thank you very much for your comments Peter. It is good to hear what photography means to you and lovely to know that you get out every day - you are far more disciplined than me! 🙂
Great post and definitely resonates with me. May I ask how you do manage to make a living from your photography? I've found that nobody wants to pay for anything anymore!
Thank you very much Thomas, I am glad you enjoyed it.
I think for me the key has been to stay local and really specialise in images from one place - so I mainly focus on the Suffolk Coast. I design my own cards, calendars, postcards and books and sell to shops along the coast. I also sell images, articles and I run workshops. I have been doing it for about 15 years and really feel that I know the area so well now and I definitely think this helps.