It is very strange, as I started this blog/newsletter ages ago and then stopped. I’ve got a queue of drafts to publish but many of them were written last year… so what I’ve done is - refactor them a little bit!
New directions
I was going to publish this every Sunday with perhaps a second edition on Wednesdays but, that is just not going to happen. I can’t be as regimented as that. I am just going to publish when I’ve posts to share - job done :-)
I am also keen to introduce a subscription for it to help fund my photography work and to pursue some bigger ideas in the longer term. More on that another time...
NOTE: However it will be after some genuine planning on my part. Could I for example roughly plan enough newsletter editions to go out each week with fresh content each time.*
Photo of the week
Self Critique
Many years ago I ran a website called Nfolio which later closed due to believe it or not; competition from Flickr. It was a great site because it invited people to subscribe, upload images and members could critique eachothers work. I do miss it; as one of my friends once said, "It was the first Social Media site". A high accolade indeed.
It is important to critique your own work though. You needn't be harsh on yourself. How often do you whisk through Lightroom, ditching some photos in favour of those you deem to be amongst your best. We all strive too much for perfection; probably the side effect of Instagram.
Critique is a subjective thing though but you can always break the concepts down into some of these:
Soft focus due to camera shake or rushed
Subject too central, would have looked better on the bottom third
Should have used some filters
They are amongst some of the technical ones but how about looking for the more, I guess conceptual stumbling blocks?
Arrived on location too late, should have set the alarm earlier
Foreground was too cluttered
It was too windy and the surface of the lake/sea was too choppy
You can go to town! You can be really really harsh on yourself, don't do that. Just think of some minor tweaks you can make next time round. Don't go rushing back to the same location next time, leave it, go somewhere fresh and return to the places that went "wrong" another time entirely.
My Latest Locations
Earlier this year I decided to maintain a gallery of locations on my site, that you will find at nicklewis.net/photos - I simply keep the galleries updated whenever I photograph a location again.
Basingstoke Canal
The following was shot around this time last year:
A stormy walk along the canal last week proved tricky with the dullest of light but I did manage to get some photos.
For loads more Canal photos, go to https://nicklewis.net/basingstoke-canal :-)
RHS Wisley
Another piece from last year but we are now drawing closer to pumpkin season after all.
Wisley is our closest RHS garden and we normally visit the location a number of times every year but this year has been unlike any other, as you all know. Wisley have been operating a booking system for all visitors. It has worked really well but we have been less frequently.
The Autumn colour this past weekend was amazing and of course there were Pumpkins! Oh my Gourd!