Blog Post #23
Happy New Year
With 2021 firmly behind us now and Christmas now only a fading memory, its time to look forward with hope and excitement as to what 2022 will bring. It is also a time where many reflect on the year gone past and their successes and disappointments in that 12 month period. I think its true to say that photography wise it has been a strange year. When we haven’t been locked down we have been out in limited numbers wearing our face masks. These are not ideal conditions for street photography but in between the restrictions, opportunities have to be taken and used to our advantage. I am part of a photography collective called “StreetSnappers” and at the end of each year we post up our favourite five photos from the past year. It was a bit easier this year as I had less photos to pick five from. My photography expeditions in 2021 were mainly limited to the “staycation” breaks we took around the country, and I would like to share my favourite photos from 2021 with you to start off the year.
This was taken in October on a day out to Blackpool, We were on the Central Pier and my 7yr old granddaughter wanted a go on the Waltzers. Since I don’t do the Waltzers and my daughter didn’t fancy it either, my wife stepped forward and volunteered to take her on, based on the fact she had been on the waltzers before and there was nothing to it! I think the picture speaks for itself in that one was enjoying it more than the other. It was the fastest and spinnyest waltzer I had ever seen. A panning technique was used. The image was taken as a Raw file and post-processed in Adobe Lightroom.
Camera: Fuji X-T3 Lens: 35mm (53mm equ)
Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec Aperture: f8
ISO: 1250
In August we took a trip to Somerset and based ourselves just outside Bath. On a day trip to visit the city I was walking down the main street when I heard a clattering noise close behind me coming down the road. I turned around to see this lady pushing mannequin parts along in a small barrow. It was a busy scene behind me so I waited until she was level with me and I could isolate her from the crowd, leaving just one curious onlooker. The image was taken as a Raw file and post-processed in Adobe Lightroom.
Camera: Fuji X-T3 Lens: 23mm (35mm Equ)
Shutter speed: 1/200sec Aperture: f8
EV: +1 as the light was starting to dim. ISO: 1250
In September we decided a visit to the south coast was long overdue so found a nice place for a week, just outside Hastings. During a day out to Eastbourne I noticed these two ladies sitting with their backs against the wooden groyne reading their books. The sun was beginning to set but it was illuminating them perfectly. The image was taken as a Raw file and post-processed in Adobe Lightroom.
Camera: Fuji X-T3
Lens: 23mm (35mm Equ)
Shutter speed: 1/250sec
Aperture: f16
ISO: 200
Being a Glaswegian, I am biased in saying the The Barras is one of the greatest places on earth, especially for photography. During a visit to Glasgow in June to see the exhibition on “Barras 100” which featured many of my archive pictures, I came across this chap. I approached him and asked if I could take a few shots of him. He was very approachable and told me that he had been told he was very photogenic so “aye, wire in” (yes, go ahead). I took a number of shots but I liked this one the best. The Barras has many such characters and I love it for photography. The image was taken as a Raw file and post-processed in Adobe Lightroom.
Camera: Fuji X-T3
Lens: 23mm (35mm Equ)
Shutter speed: 1/250sec
Aperture: f8
ISO: 320
Another favourite location of mine for photography is Brick Lane in London’s east end. Like The Barras in Glasgow it has many great excentric characters wandering around. This young chap was standing chatting with his mates and was happy to let me take his photo when I approached him with my request. The lighting and weather was really poor that October day but I managed to get a few shots before the heavens opened. The image was taken as a Raw file and post-processed in Silver Efx Pro2 and Adobe Lightroom.
Camera: Fuji X-T3 Lens: 23mm (35mm Equ)
Shutter speed: 1/250sec Aperture: f8
ISO: 1000