For many years (1972-1992) I had been an artist (painting and sculpture and had my own studio out in a rural location in Berskshire. I exhibitd in one man exhibitions all aroud Britain probably two or three a year. I was very happy and extremely industrious. Certain circumstances brought this idyll crashing down in ruins and ended my art.

 

But now that I am retired and through circumstances and health have given up on career, aspiration, ambition, and all my hopes in life a creative element has returned naturally.

 

I had used photography in the past for either recording data to be used for my art, or the private vieiwng/press show of exhibitions, or just for personal items such as holidays or day trips. Also, for short periods of months in the past  I had been a wedding photographer and also a fashion photographer. I used to develop my own films and print my own photographs in my own darkroom. So the art and process of photography was not new to me

A small number of paintings hang on the walls of my home (the rest are in storage) and I have begun to restore these. Gradually a sense of pride in past n artistic achievemnets dawned. And by a natural process a renewed interest in light and colour, texture, form, Nature awoke in me. Obviously space and finances precluded any hope of engaging in my art as it was.

 

But I did have two cameras. One was an old Pentax 35mm slr partly broken. The other was far more practical: the camera on my mobile phone.

 

My Camera:

Purists would dismiss such cameras of course. However the facts are that for many aspects of photograpghy a good mobile phone camera is actually quite techncally and professionally proficient.

 

I have a Nokia N97 and the camera on that is 5megapixcel Carl Zeise lens. This means that in terms of quality it is at the start of the highest quality range of the high end systems.. With 2592 x 1944 pixels, the maximum size print of very high (professional) quality is approx. 10" x 8" at approx. 280 dpi. Which is more than sufficient for profesional quality photos I wish to take until/if I decide to enter the realm of exhibiting larger size prints in an art gallery.

The features of my camera are:

1. The Carl Zeiss 5mp lens.

2. Color tone settings allows me to take photos in colour or switch to monochrome, or negative or sepia, or intense colour

3. Allows me to shoot instant multiple images (up to 18) from 1 click,. Plus of course usual delayed (timer) shot.

4. Image cropping.

5. Scene mode setting (close up; portrait; landscape; sport; automatic; or user define).

6. Settings for Contrast; Sharpness; White balance;

7. Light sensitivity settings and exposure control.

I have begun to equip myself for longer treks and a greater range of images. So far I have obtained:

1. A professional tripod.

2. Telephoto lens.

3. Colour filters.

4. Small camera bag which hangs conveniently over the shoulder or around the neck and has 6 compartments.

 

Next I shall obtain a wide angle and macro lens.

I never set off with the intention of taking photographs. I do have in the back of my mind the hope that soemthing will grab my attention or inspire me or fascinate me, and of course subconsciously one's eye is taking in the surrounding scene.

 

I set off for a walk, for some exercise, or for a period of reflection, relaxation or meditation in Nature. Then when my mind is clear and I am relaxed by a natural process I begin to feel part of or absorbed and at one with the landscape. It is then that my intuitive creative skills and observations and reactions come into play.

 

Then when I do come back from a walk, or hike, or day-trip with a number of images stored,  I feel at peace. That I have something for my memories of course, we all like that. But also that I had gleaned a deeper insight into and relationship with the landscape I had just visited. A sense of enrichment and privilege ensues.

 

With my exploration of the landscapes, coasts and islands of Britain set to expand over the coming years the range and quality of compositions will also develop.