A Sense of Place - Week ONe

I have just started Kat Sloma's course 'A Sense of Place'. In this first week Kat has posed the question 'Do you travel to photograph or  photograph as you travel?'

Thinking about this question I realise I photograph as I travel.  However I  try to take my camera with me most days as you never know what unexpected treasure you are going to find, even when you are  somewhere you know well.

Both these sets of pictures were taken during an impromptu lunch hour walk last summer.

I derive a lot of pleasure from coming upon things unexpectedly so would not always want to plan my travels around things I have identified that I really want to photograph. I also think taking photos of famous monuments is often very difficult, unless you are able to spend days in preparation. Thus my recent photos of Angkor Wat were not particularly successful whereas I was really pleased with a picture of the captain of our boat on Halong Bay that I couldn't have planned for in the same way.

 

Similarly my attempts to capture the Temple of Literature in Hanoi weren't crowned with success but I was very happy with the pictures I took of some of the young people I saw there.

When I came to look for photos to illustrate this point, I realised I had already deleted most of the more general views of the Temple of Literature!

It will be interesting to see whether, as I get more deeply involved with photography, my perspective changes on this!

Liberate your Art Postcard Swap

I got really excited by the postcard swap as soon as I read about it on Kat’s blog. The timing was perfect I was planning to have some postcards printed anyway as a way of showcasing some of my photos. An offer I couldn't refuse from MOO dropped into my inbox - I was away! Post cards arrived I choose a variety and posted them of to Kat in plenty of time -  mistake  - I didn’t make  note of the cards I choose so I have no idea which of my pictures are out there! 

They could include this picture

Or this one 

Or any of these

I didn’t realise this would be a problem until cards started arriving and some people put the ones they had sent on the FB page as well. Good idea! I thought,  especially as no one seems to have received any of my cards. Rather a problem for me in practice thought.

Getting other artists cards through the post was just great. First to arrive was this beautiful portrait from Dana in Michigan,

soon to be followed by this slightly surreal wooly mammoth from Katrin in Germany.

Next came this beautiful flower from Stephanie

 

and this textured flower from Phoenix and finally ( apart from Kat’s lovely card) this building in San Juan in Puerto Rico from Cheryl - memories of Westside Story abound. (sorry these 2 are on the same photo I am having some technical problems!)

In all a beautiful and varied selection of art to pin on my notice board in my study / studio 

I hope to be able  to visit and leave comments on others blogs during the blog hop, but am off to France on Friday and will have limited internet access - please forgove me if I don't get to you.

Finally please, please, please if you did get one of my cards - get in touch I would love to hear from you

The Friday Five - Einstein Quotes

Hi there! This week's Friday Five comprises quotes from Albert Einstein. Initially it was just going to be 5 assorted quotes, but as I started to look at my favourite Einstein quotes I soon realised there was no need to search any further. For me these quotes are profound and inspirational - I hope you find something in them that speaks to you.