Barbara's Garden

Barbara's garden is slap bang in the centre of St Ives, halfway up a cobbled hill and hidden behind high walls. If it wasn't for the sign, you'd probably walk straight past it's entrance. It is a secret haven amid the tightly packed streets and narrow houses. To take a walk around Barbara's garden is an experience not quickly forgotten. I have wandered here many, many times. There is always something new to look at. Depending on the time of year, the sculptures either blend in or stand out in the garden. The weather and even the time of day has it's own impact on them, creating light and shade in different places.

You are enticed to reach out and touch these tactile forms. I have to carry something or thrust hands in pockets, because you. are. not. allowed. It's a shame, but I understand. Almost. I don't think Barbara would mind. I think that she created her garden not just as a showcase, but as a place where senses can come alive. So I content myself with photography, and trying to take abstracts of the abstract. I can still get close and look at the shapes and colours. And I can run my hand hand along the plants as I walk around, and listen to them rustling in the gentle breeze, casting shadows in the sun.

I peer into her workshop and see her overalls hung in a line on pegs. I look at all the tools of her trade. I think how dusty it must have been. How physical the work. How satisfying to see something emerge from a block of stone or wood or slate. How it must have felt to see the result of your hard labour sit so peacefully among the plants. I sit in her sun room, and conjure up an image of this tiny formidable woman. Busy, always busy I think. I hope that she was able to stop and pause every now and again. I hope that she was able to just be in this beautiful space.

I am very fond of Barbara.

Leanne xx

The Photographer's Eye

Hello lovely people.

So regular readers may remember a recent post here about a book that I received from Marc for Christmas, and how I'd like to work through it in order to gain a better understanding of the art and design aspects of photography.

The Photographer's Eye  by Martin Freeman, is not a technical manual of photography. It's more an exploration around the idea of how a digital camera has enabled someone like me to have greater control over the composition of  a photograph, especially in post production. He argues that a knowledge of the principles of design are a necessary tool, and as digital photography has restored control on the final image produced so the ideas and principles of design are more valid.

I'll be honest, it's quite a challenging book for me to read and absorb. I guess I'm not in my comfort zone. But I kind of enjoy the challenge of it too. I don't think that this kind of book is for everyone, and I still enjoy wandering around with my camera in tow and clicking what I see. I don't want to be dictated to or start to worry that what I am doing with my camera is "wrong." And I don't want to intellectualise something I get pleasure from. (I studied D H Lawrence for A Level English Literature. Man we pulled him and his novels apart, and I can't read anything by him purely for pleasure anymore. Such a shame). However there are some interesting ideas and explanation in the book, and I'd like to focus on them in any future posts.

The Image Frame

The first chapter of the book looks at the image frame. When we look through the viewfinder we are already framing the image we wish to create. It plays a dynamic role and encourages you to make a design choice that feels good at the time of taking the picture. Although we can crop a picture later, we still feel the need to compose our photograph right up to the edges of the frame.

Most of our photography is taken horizontally. We have binocular vision which means that we see the world horizontally. When we use our eyes we scan the overall scene and pay attention to local detail. So when looking at a photograph we will scan across and then hone in on points of interest. We tend to take vertical pictures for the standing human form.

I was struck by this idea, because as I have felt more at home behind my camera I am aware that I use the frame as a tool in itself. I often find myself positioning my camera, so that the frame has a stronger influence on the image itself. It can help to draw the eye or give a more balanced view.

I took this picture of Olly looking at horses in a field. It is a vertical shot, as befits the human form. The Buddliea and the bottom bar of the gate is aligned, which gives the photo a sense of geometry.

This photo taken at Marazion has the sea wall aligned with the frame. This gives a sense of dynamism to the image leading the eye along the edge of the frame and drawing the eye into the picture.

This picture taken on Porth Kidney Sands has diagonal movement which creates a tension with the rectangular frame itself. It is the frame that allows the movement to be apparent in the photo.


The author goes on to explain some of the different influences over the image frame. I was particularly interested in the following sections:

Cropping

I often crop the photographs that I take. I find it a useful editing tool to enhance the overall effect of a photo. The author is wary of cropping, but I like that I can explore different ways of presenting a photo. It allows me to make a photo more abstract, or I can adjust the horizon levels to give a different feel to the overall picture.

I took this picture yesterday while out for a walk at Gwithian. I saw the weather roll in from the sea over St Ives in the distance, and was struck by the light and shade of what I saw and experienced. I pointed, clicked the shutter and went on with my walk.

When I looked at the photo at home, I thought that the bottom of the frame looked kind of scrappy. Honey is just in shot, as is a small depression in the grass. I thought that it detracted from the light and shade element of the picture, and ruined the overall effectiveness. So I used PicMonkey to crop it.

I prefer this photo to the one above. It is a more harmonious picture, and the light and shade is more apparent. It's a personal choice, but I love the movement created by the waves, the marram grass and the changing colour of the horizon.

Placement

I quite often intuitively 'place' my subject within the image frame. I take so many photos of stuff - gates, front doors, plants, rocks, and so on. The author argues that placing the subject in anywhere but a natural position needs a reason. I'm not sure that I ever consciously thought about placement, but it does make sense. The success of  my photo depends upon whether there is some purpose behind it.

This photograph was taken in 2012. It was a lovely morning and Olly and I were eating our breakfast outside in the garden. I went inside to get my camera and when I came back, Olly was perched on the table and scoffing his strawberries and yogurt. Snap. I guess I could crop this photo, so that it shows a close up of Pops. But I think it looks much more effective having Olly placed to one side of the frame and allowing the viewer to see the table. A little boy on a big table. The plants in the background stop the photo being too drab, but do not dominate the scene. Closing in on Olly would miss the point of the picture.

When I took this picture I was sat in the dunes looking down along Porth Kidney Sands and towards Godrevy Lighthouse.I never tire of that view. It appears before me as I travel down from the footpath to the top of the dunes. The colours and romance of the place enchant me every time. I feel like this beach is my secret, even though it's a popular spot for dog walkers and holiday makers too. I placed the grass the right of the frame, and when I look at the picture now I am reminded of my feelings for this 'secret' place of mine. Without the grass, it would just be a blurry beach picture. With the grass, the beach becomes something stumbled upon shimmering like a precious jewel.


Dividing The Frame

I think that this was the most interesting part of the chapter as it deals with proportion within the image frame. Apparently there are rules. Put simply (and trying very hard not to plagiarise), during the Renaissance many painters realised that simple ratios - 1:1, 2:1 and so on - produced a more static division in their painting. A more dynamic division could be made by constructing more interesting ratios. 'The Golden Section' which was known to the Greeks, is the best known. It's all about Geometry - two parts are said to be in the golden ratio if the whole (the sum of the two parts) is to the larger part as the larger part is to the smaller part. I'm hopeless at maths, but I think I have an idea of what is more harmonious or pleasing to my eye. Who knew it was that complicated.

The most common photograph that divides the frame is the horizon. Living by the sea, I have a glut of these photographs. There is a natural tendency to place a horizon lower in the image frame if there is no other prominent features of interest, and higher is there some interest in the foreground.

 I photographed the harbour area of St Ives from the top of town, after I dropped Olly off to nursery last summer. I like the view of town from here. You could almost kid yourself that it is still primarily a fishing town from here. The horizon divides the frame at the top. The town divides the frame at the bottom. It gives the picture a harmonious balance.

This photo was taken in Bristol last summer. The horizon level (represented by the bridge) is lower in the frame. The prominent feature is of course the hot air balloon.

.............................

 Phew! Long and wordy post that. It's been a challenge to look back at my photographs and find some that fit the brief as it were. I've enjoyed putting my understanding down here. I realise that I'm not the world's best writer, but I hope you enjoyed it too. Did any of it make sense to you?  Thanks for staying to the end. Pure indulgence on my part!

Leanne xx

I Can See

Hey there!

Well, everyone loves a rainbow.

Taken this morning while out walking the dogs.

Have a lovely weekend lovely people. What are you up to?

I shall be mainly gardening, not eating cake, reading and visiting Lamora Cove.

Leanne xx

'The Photographer's Eye'

First things first. A huge thank you for all your lovely comments on 2014 posts so far. And hello to new followers! I love being able to write that down. I write a post and punch it out into the ether, and someone reads it and takes the time to comment. Or wants to stay for more. Yay!!

.........................................

When I started this blog, I never would have guessed how much pleasure I would get from my camera. Nowadays I take my camera wherever I go. There is always something that catches my eye or sparks my interest. I snap snap snap away at Olly doing his thing. I would Sam and Alfie too, but alas they have grown camera shy. I love taking close ups of nature, and can often be found lying on my stomach in a lane somewhere in St Ives to get the perfect shot. As I go on my daily walks, my eye is constantly scanning for something of interest to record.

I am more confident with the camera when I am outdoors. I love looking at pictures of food (as my many cookery books will attest), but find I am not so good at capturing a good image myself. I admire Gillian and Jennifer for their ability to take a snap of an evening meal or some ingredients and make it look so inviting. And their images are always so sharp! I love Jane's self portraits and her funky close ups of clothing and materials. I look forward to seeing the beautiful images that appear here, here and here. There are so many more, and I find all of them so inspiring. I'm sure you have favourites of your own.

I love the story that a photograph can tell, or the way it can make something mundane look abstract and fabulous. I love the intimate close up of a butterfly or a child's face. I relish actions shots - slightly blurred off centre images that perfectly capture a moment in time. I am always excited when I download my images to see what has worked and what has not. Sometimes I surprise myself with a particular picture.
Indulge me while I show you three several that I am really fond of:

This is Nigella taken in my garden last summer. It's obviously a flower, but it has an abstract quality to it that I find pleasing. It is sharp and has depth.

I took this snap of Alfie adjusting his skinnies on the beach. It was snapped in a moment, an afterthought really, because I was chuckling to myself at the care and attention he was giving to getting them just right. This picture sums Alfie up to a tee.

The sea was so calm and beautiful on the day that I took this picture, and the yellow boat accentuated the blue and added interest to an otherwise bland shot.

I have a fascination with boats and their accessories. Lucky me living by the sea. I can often be seen homing in on bits of frayed rope and the like. This reminds me of tentacles, and the colours are good too.

Another shot taken in my garden. This time a Large White feeding from Verbena Boriensis. I used the soft focus function on my camera to get this image. I had to be patient - she kept flitting.

Smeatons Pier, St Ives. I just like the composition, and the seagull top right gives it a harmonious feel.

Alfie again. I like the depth of this picture. It gives you a sense of space. And obviously my son looks very handsome too!

This was another off the cuff snap, but I love, love, love this. I can't really put my finger on why it pleases me, other than it just works!

A Gatekeeper (I think) on a bramble. I like the sharpness of the photo juxtaposed with the blurred background. Nature is difficult to photograph, and for every one I am pleased with there are stacks that get deleted.

Breacon 2013. The mountain is in sun and the boys are in shade looking up at it. You can tell that they are looking up at the mountain, even though they have their backs to the camera. I like the sense of scale and drama.

This has a lovely sense of balance, and it's another of those off the cuff shots that came good.

Ripples left by the sea in the sand. This has a sense of movement, and I like the clarity and light.

.................................

So the reason for all this is simply that I had a book for Christmas entitled 'The Photographer's Eye.' I have been slowly reading through it, but feel that I need to work through it practically too. And what better way than here on my blog! A weekly post, chapter by chapter with some homework thrown in for good measure.

The first chapter is entitled 'The Image Frame.' I don't intend to copy and paste chunks of the book, but I will attribute when appropriate. Rather it will be my understanding (or not) of what each chapter has to say, and applying it to some of my photographs.

Oh and I think it might be a fun project for me to do and share with you too!!

My my my this old blog is starting to go in different directions....................

Leanne xx

Humdrum

From 4pm until 7pm, this house works like clockwork. We have a routine you see. It is mine and the boys week day dance.

I know that tea will be on the table by 5.00. Olly's bath will be drawn at 5.30. He will have quiet time on the sofa with me and Iggle Piggle until 7.00. Sam will be home from college between 5.00 and 5.30. Alfie will be firmly reminded of homework at 6.00. And again at 6.30. Olly and I will go up to Bedfordshire at 7.00. The light will be out by 7.30, after kisses and cuddles and two (or three) stories.

Olly's new wellies drying on the radiator. He jumped in a puddle right up to his middle.

"Booooooooooys! Dinner!" she yelled up the stairs. (Fishwife).

Cosy lamplight

Can you guess what I'll be making after 

'Bake off for Sports Relief'?

 The Silver Fox is back!

As close as I want to get to Sam's room....

Preparing for bath time 

I will most likely shout at some point. One of them will invariably leave most of their evening meal, and then complain of hunger later. Bickering at mealtime is mandatory. There will a flurry of activity concerning the dishwasher, toy tidying and endless cups of tea. Maybe a glass of wine.

Can't wait for bed tonight. 

Terrible night's sleep last night.

Loving my bright measuring spoons.

Two bunches to brighten the dullest day

Skarloey lying on the windowsill where it's warm

A few remaining toys

Born in a barn. Honestly. Head down and chow.

Countdown to me time has begun. I relish it every evening. They have all of me through the day. But the hours of eight until ten are mine and mine alone. Unless they need help with their homework. Or a chat. Or a mopped brow.

I'm always on call.

Leanne xx