Chester

One of the Joys of Motherhood is not taking your daughter school trouser shopping in Chester on a Saturday. Luckily she has reached that age in her teenage years when the worst possible scenario would be to see someone she knew while out with her Mum. So after handing over the cash for the trousers, I was excused for a couple of hours.

So I headed down to the river. 

Its a real indication of how much this whole photography bug has gripped me that I would rather be away from the City Centre taking photos than having a couple of hours solo shopping in one of the best shopping centres around. Still struggling to believe I am the same person!

The Riverside wasn't too busy and it was lovely just to wander along, mostly taking photos of birds.

Because I knew Chester would be busy I hadn't wanted to take my tripod as it does tend to get in the way. So to use my telephoto for the above shot, I had to put the ISO up quite high and open up the aperture. But this worked great as I got a nice blurred background. And the bird kept reasonably still which always helps.

There are beautiful quiet places everywhere and sometimes you just have to get off the beaten track a bit to find them.

Lessons Learned: There is something very satisfying about being a potential embarrassment to your teenage children. And I wasn't even wearing my bobble hat with the ear flaps!

Hells Mouth

After leaving the Copper Mine (see previous post) I wasn't sure where to go. The weather was still drizzly and very misty so chances are any photos wouldn't turn out great. So, where to go. You know when you just get a real urge to go somewhere despite all reason telling you its a daft idea. No? Just me then?

So ignoring all common sense I headed off to Hell's Mouth on the end of the Llyn Peninsula. Cold, windy and raining. Perfect for a walk on the beach!

Although actually, it had stopped raining by the time I got there and there were a few other people milling about. Some looking decidedly sporty and I realised that I was going to get another chance to photograph some surfers!

Learn from my last mistakes and have shutter speed as short as possible to freeze the action, so upped the ISO to 800 and opened the aperture. Managed to get speeds of over 1/2000 which worked so much better for me.

I used the telephoto lens to get as close as I could, but I have cropped in Lightroom to really bring the surfers up close and I am very pleased how they turned out.

So I had a great afternoon. Shot some surfers, visited one of my favourite places and had a paddle in the sea.

Lessons learned: Paddling in the sea in wellies is one of those wonderful things that we grow out of as adults. Well we shouldn't. It is great fun and relaxing too. Like that other wonderful childhood activity, Colouring In. Try it next time you are stressed! Crayons are cheaper than drugs or alcohol!

Sygun Copper Mine

It was a dull and drizzly start to the day so I decided to find an indoor activity to do. I had heard about the Sygun Copper Mine near Beddgelert so thought I would try that. When I got there, there wasn't anyone else around. I am used to having beaches to myself but I am starting to take this personally!

Anyway, what it did mean was that I had plenty of time going round to set up the camera and tripod. 

You start off by going through what seems like miles of tunnels about 5ft high. OK maybe slight exaggeration, but I am over 5'8 plus an extra 2" with the hard hat they make you wear, and I spent all the time ducking!

It is very dark down there and so you definitely need a tripod. Auto focus was not good in these conditions so I had to shine my torch on a spot and manual focus on to it using Live View and my reading glasses so that I could actually see what I was focusing. Oh the joys of getting on a bit!

The shutter speeds were averaging around 4-5 seconds, so I had the camera on a 2 second delay to try to minimize any camera shake and I think that all in all they worked out ok.

The tunnels took me to a couple of small cavern areas where one can admire the stalactites. But unfortunately these had railings in front of them, so you couldn't get close and I had to position the camera to shoot between the rails.

I didn't have to do very much to these pics in the way of editing as the colours were very vibrant and clear.

So that was basically it for the mine, apart from the 186 steps taking you back up to the top.

Lessons Learned: Duck!!!!

Lightroom - selective colouring

The weather has been grim today so I decided to catch a couple more Lightroom video tutorials. One I watched was all about selective colouring. This is basically having a part of the picture in colour and the rest in black and white. 

The picture below is from my birthday trip to Criccieth and I thought it would be a good one to play around with.

I reduced the saturation of all colours except green to bring out the railings. There was still some green in the background which I removed using the corrective brush tool. Added a bit of contrast and definition and brightened the green a bit.

I was pleased with the result so posted it on the North Wales Photography Facebook page. I didn't expect the heated debate that followed; whether there are proper rules for photography or whether it is completely freestyle. Should it be about faithfully reproducing what you see, or should you manipulate an image as much as you want. Do guidelines remove any possibility of creativity or do they help to produce a more aesthetically pleasing image?

Its a minefield with absolutely no wrong or right answers.

This is my own personal opinion and I daresay a lot of people out there won't agree, but this is what is in my mind when I take or edit photos:

I am more than happy with some basic editing on all pics, to improve definition, bring out contrast and enrichen colours.

I enjoy having fun with an image, like the one above. It obviously isn't how it looked in real life and I'm not trying to pretend it did.

I am happy to enhance my pictures rather than change them. If I don't like how the tree lines up, I will move with the camera, rather than airbrush the tree out later.
My images need to me to have a basis in what I actually saw. I want to make as many adjustments with the camera as I need to, rather than the computer. 

After all, I am a Terminally Unfit Photographer, not Computer Programmer!

Lessons Learned: Photography is a hobby that people get very passionate about.
There is no right or wrong, only what works for you.

Chirk Aqueduct

Having worked all weekend, felt in need of a walk today but the forecast hadn't given great weather so decided to stay reasonably local and visit Chirk Aqueduct. This is a beautiful structure, standing 70ft high and overlooking some lovely countryside.

I have visited the aqueduct a few times before, but never been brave enough to tackle the Darkie Tunnel. At 421 metres long, it is a bit scary to say the least. But armed with this new sense of adventure I seem to have found, I ventured forth!

It is certainly very dark in the middle and my little torch didn't throw out a lot of light, just enough to get me through and out the other side. Did it, don't want to do it again! Decided to follow the road above the tunnel on the way back. 

I am not sure how far you can follow the canal for but I walked for just under 2 miles to the Chirk Marina. However, in this short time the weather threw everything it had at me. I had gorgeous blue skies and sunshine, then it rained, sleeted and snowed on me, finally finishing off with very strong winds! Certainly an unbelievable mix of weathers, but I am glad to say that I wasn't the only person daft enough to be out in it!

The changing weather meant the light quality was a bit hit and miss, but I was able to do a bit of tweaking on Lightroom to bring out the colours. Still exposing for the lighter areas which seems to be working for me, but still so much to learn!.

Lessons Learned: Be brave, but don't overdo it!

Birthday at Criccieth

Yes, I know. Criccieth again! Well, its my birthday and I'll visit Criccieth if I want to!

Main difference this time was that I was dragging my youngest daughter with me to help celebrate the advancing years! So kitted out with new snow boots and a waterproof coat we ventured outward.

It rained all the way there stopping just long enough to get to Cadwaladers without getting wet. Yes, I know, again, see above! Tho this time there I had the cherry pancake sundae instead of cake and it was completely scrumptious.

Suitably refreshed we hit the beach. I have been purposely avoiding people in my photos as I wanted to concentrate on landscapes, but today I had a willing model and plenty of time, so I played.

There was a very dull sky and the colours very muted, so I have enhanced on Lightroom, which I am finding makes such a difference. It was difficult getting the shutter speed short enough as my daughter was moving and exploring, rather than posing. So put the ISO up to 400 and opened the aperture. These were shot with a telephoto but with no tripod and so I am very pleased with how they came out.

We have no idea who the dog belonged to, but it seemed to enjoy paddling beside Maisie for a while before trotting off.

Couldn't resist one last parting shot of the beach and castle before it starting raining and we headed home. 

I have found that there is something that I seem to be physically incapable of doing and that is shooting a straight horizon. I have to straighten about 80% of my pictures on the computer. Not sure why I should have such a problem with this, but I do. Its easy enough to do on the pc, but annoying to have to. Anyway, I straightened the above picture and it looked more crooked than before, so I adjusted it by eye and it now looks straight to me. I guess that sometimes you have to do things manually.

So then a gorgeous journey home via a misty and atmospheric Snowdon to pizza and birthday cake for tea! All in all, a fabulous birthday.

Lessons Learned: Sometimes you have to trust your own eyes.
Snowboots aren't waterproof, model is wearing Mum's spare wellies! 

Cwm Idwal and Horseshoe Pass

Haven't been able to get out for what seems like an age. So determined to do something today. I have unsuccessfully attempted Cwm Idwal twice before, so today was going to be third time lucky!
Stopped off in Betws-y-coed for the obligatory coffee and cake in Cadwaladers and I was on my way. It had been really drizzly but by the time I got to Llyn Ogwen it had stopped.
In practically all the How To videos I have been watching on You Tube for Lightroom, they recommend shooting in Raw. Now I don't really understand it completely, but I think that the general theory is that in jpeg your camera makes a few adjustments for you, but in Raw it doesn't so you have more control in editing. If that is wrong, I do hope someone will tell me.
So anyway, set the camera to Raw and away I went.

I have been playing around with Lightroom for a few days and even on the basic level that I have got to, I am so pleased with the results. I don't completely change a picture, because I'm still not sure I like the over produced look, but bring out the colours and definition. 

One of the videos suggested that you set your exposure for the sky as it is easier to lighten the shadows than add definition in a burnt out sky, so something else to try today.

The plan today was to walk all the way around the lake, but as I climbed up towards it, it seemed that with every step I took the wind speed increased by 1mph so by the time I got to it, I could barely stand. So head down, shoulders hunched, hat gripped I started walking around the lake until I had the realisation that I wasn't actually enjoying this at all. The whole point of this new hiking and photography lark was to have fun. And I wasn't. So I turned round and headed back down again. I've been out in worse conditions than this before and always found it exhilarating but maybe today wasn't going to be one of those days. Maybe 4th time lucky?

So the plan was to have an early evening and edit some photos. As I was travelling home via Llangollen, the sky started doing some very beautiful and dramatic things, so I detoured via Horseshoe Pass and took the following pictures.

Can anyone else see the SS Enterprise in the one below, or is it just me?

So I had a play around with them on the computer and to be perfectly honest, couldn't tell the difference between Raw and Jpeg, but that is probably because I am a beginner don't really know what to look for. But I do see the difference in exposing for the sky as I have found a lot more definition there.

Lessons Learned: If its not fun, don't do it! You are not always going to be in the mood for adverse conditions so don't let it become a chore.

Experiment!

Photographers to Inspire You

Sometimes the hardest thing to do when starting on a new adventure is to find someone who inspires you. For this reason I have added a section in the side bar which gives links to the people that have inspired me in the hope that others may find them as inspiring as I do. Here is why I chose these particular people.

Stewart
Stewart is a naturally gifted photographer that I am proud to call a friend. He manages to convey in his photographs nuances of emotions that many of us miss, from the sheer exhilaration of being alive to the thought provoking beauty of this world we live in. He also inspired the unfit, inactive lady of advancing years to become the amateur explorer and photographer before you today. Now that truly is a gift!

Richard

Richard has an uncanny ability to photograph the ordinary and make it extraordinary. He has been taking part in a photo a day challenge for some time, and while I have felt that too daunting to tackle, his pictures have never disappointed.


The Pentland Pirate

Mike takes fabulous photos around the Peak District but also has a passion for the Dinorwic Slate Quarry. Not only are the photos extraordinary, but the accompanying stories make a very good read!

Chris
Chris is here for the Wow factor. He is an extreme explorer, surfer and photographer. The places he gets to and the pictures he takes are completely beyond belief. Look at his work and I defy anyone not to say Wow!

Criccieth - again

Needed a beach trip today. Spent all yesterday on the computer and my head hurts! Had to fit it in between school runs but decided there was still time to go to Criccieth. And no, the fact that there was a Cadwaladers there did not affect my decision at all!

It has been observed that I am daft to drive for nearly 2 hours to get to a beach for 2 hours and then drive back again but what I say is... well actually, that's probably true. But what's the alternative, sofa and Bargain Hunt. So out I go.

The challenge today is to get different pictures from the ones I have already taken at Criccieth. So no Castle and very little beach!

I know that this isn't a great photo, but I thought I would share my attempts at having a slow shutter speed on the sea. There wasn't a lot of movement, but it does make it look a lot more milky and I love the spray over the little rock centre left. I am struggling a bit to keep sharp definition of the still areas with using longer shutter speeds. Once I sort it, I will let you know.

I walked as far as I could on the beach and saw maybe 3 other people. I am going to miss the solitude once the summer comes and the beaches are crowded. Turned to take a final look and saw that the place that I had got to was on fire! Don't think that was anything to do with me, but a little unsettling nevertheless, so if anyone out there knows the reason for the fire, would love to know.

Lessons Learned: If your wellies only come up mid calf, don't go up to your knees in the waves.
Remember to replace the dry socks that you used last time you got wet!

Llyn Ogwen and Llyn Idwal

It used to be difficult to get motivated to go out when you look out the window and it is foggy and drizzly. Not anymore. I so relish the idea of a day out that it doesn’t really matter about the weather. Ok, so I might not get some great photos but that isn’t the only reason I go out. It’s not for “exercise” as that is a pretty uninspiring reason to be doing anything. I think its just a new found love of discovery. Of what I am capable of personally and also what treasures this beautiful Country offers.


So anyway, I venture out in the fog and rain and head for Llyn Ogwen again. I know I was there only recently, but I have seen other people’s photos of it and want to look at it from a different perspective. In the crafting world this is called “scraplifting” but I think everyone else just calls it copying!


(I do of course stop on the way in Betws-y-coed at Cadwaladers for coffee accompanied by rhubarb and cherry cake. That is 4 down and 4 to go! When I was young I always wanted to marry someone called Cadwalader as I thought it such a fantastic name.)


It was misty most of the way, then suddenly the fog drops and you see the mountains peeping over the top of it, it is quite surreal and so beautiful.

When I get to Llyn Ogwen practically all the snow has gone, so I feel it is now possibly safe to do the walk up to Llyn Idwal. Actually, I feel like a proper hiker now as I have an official hiking stick! 

I go past the lovely waterfall, but no icicles this time.

The path is slippery in places, but manageable. I get to the lake relatively unscathed and it is so lovely. It is still mostly frozen and there is some snow still on the surrounding mountains. It is cold of course and eerily peaceful.
I got about halfway round the lake before I was advised to turn back as the path had become very icy and treacherous. Apparently, I now need crampons, and I thought walking was supposed to be free!

I took a few photos, but with it being dull and misty, wasn’t sure how they were going to turn out. Some I am pleased with, some not so much, but even if they are not “art” these photos are a memento of a fun day out and a beautiful place visited, after all, isn’t that what photos should be?
So, will have to leave it for a couple of weeks, but I am determined to do the whole walk one day soon. 

One thing I have noticed is that hikers and photographers seem generally to be a friendly bunch who will always give you a smile and a hello. I think it could be the shared lunacy of walking up mountains in rain and fog, but whatever the reason, if you should come across a lady in her middle years in a bright turquoise jacket who is pretending to take photos when she is actually trying to catch her breath, say hello, as it could be me!


Lessons learned: An outing doesn’t have to be just about the photographs, and the photographs don’t have to be art. Keep your camera handy and be prepared for a sudden change in conditions.
Carry an official hiking stick, it makes you feel like you look like you know what you are doing!

Portmeirion

Woke up to another gorgeous bright and crisp February morning and decided I needed to go out again. No real plan so decided to wing it today. Did the school run and looked at the map to seek inspiration and found it in Portmeirion. Been there years ago but I could imagine how gorgeous colours of the village would look with this beautiful sunlight and bright blue skies.

Quick stop in Porthmadoc for the compulsory coffee and cake first. I am completely addicted to Cadwaladers. It is on my bucket list to visit every single one of them for coffee and their rhubarb and cherry cake!

Anyway, off to Portmeirion and I wasn't disappointed.

When you get a lovely sunny day, the colours are vibrant and rich. I had a few issues with exposures here. The colours were so bright that on many occasions the shadows were almost black. Took a few readings then put the camera on manual for much of the visit which seemed to help.

There were only a few people about so there was a real air of tranquility and peace about the village. Although it looks like a beautiful summers day, it was still very cold and the water in the pond was frozen!

 But its not all about the village. There are beautiful walks either on to the beach or through the woodland to follow. I am very much a beach person, the more deserted and wild the better!

There are many bays along the route each with the strangest sands. They call it sinking sand and your feet sink in about 3 inches deep. Its a peculiar sensation and makes walking a bit more difficult, but you just have to think about all the good it is doing your leg muscles!

On the way back I came across this little fellow. He has to be the grumpiest looking robin I have ever seen. Just love him.

Lessons Learned: There are currently 8 Cadwaladers in existence. 6 in Wales, 2 in England.

Llyn Ogwen

Back to Snowdonia today and an attempt at the Cwm Idwal walk from my Snowdonia App. However, when I got to the starting place at the Ogwen Centre and saw everyone else with their crampons, ice picks, ropes and St Bernards, I thought that perhaps I wasn't really prepared for that type of walk/climb. Maybe in the Spring.

However, the walk starts off by Llyn Ogwen and the road follows the length of it, so I decided to do this instead.

The scenery is breathtaking. The lake is situated in a valley and has snow covered mountains on either side. You can walk the whole length on the road, just getting out the way of occasional traffic, and it is completely flat, making an easy walk for the unfit amongst us.

The lake was frozen in places and the snow on the paths about 4" deep and it all felt very arctic! On the way back I met a very helpful fellow photographer who suggested I have a go at the start of the original walk, just up to the bridge and waterfall. So I decided to have a look, after all what is the worst that could happen, apart from falling and breaking some bones, or worse still, the camera!

Its only a short walk up some steps, but they were covered in compacted ice, so slippery doesn't even come close. Anyway, I made it and so glad I did. This is my favourite photo that I took. 1/10 second exposure to try to get the clarity of the icicles and the movement of the water behind them.

The walk down was horrendous. I have even less sense of balance than I do sense of direction so it was very slow and tentative. I stopped every time someone else was about so there was no one to witness the humiliation of me possibly tumbling base over apex. Good thing about having a camera, you can pretend you are taking pictures!

The snow had seeped through my so called waterproof boots but luckily I have learned from previous episodes to have spare trainers, wellies and socks in the car.

Next stop on my day was Lake Padarn in Llanberis. I have seen some gorgeous pictures taken across the lake of Snowdon and wanted to have a go. 

I follow a couple of Facebook groups of North Wales photography and the inspiration is endless.

Final stop of the day was Sunset at Trefor. I had been there the once before when Stewart and I went Chasing Waves. Such a completely different atmosphere this time. Absolutely no one about, very calm water and the light beginning to dim. I followed the headland walk along the cliffs for a while until it started getting dark and I realised that it probably wasn't the safest thing to be doing! Back along the beach for a while and waited for the sun to set.

Lessons Learned: Look for the detail in the big picture.
My waterproof hiking boots can not cope with 4"of snow.

You can't drive in wellies.