Cuban history in bricks and mortar..

Penultimate post on Cuba, I'm certainly going to miss looking at the blue skies in these photos compared with the constant grey sky and rain we've been experiencing for how long now!? Anyway, still this one and one other to go to help keep SAD away! Buildings were so ornate, yet so run down in some places, and everything had a lot of character. 

This is the Hotel Nacionale in Havana, as you can see, not run down like the photo before. This hotel was built by the Mafia and is an amazing building inside and out with beautiful gardens. A definite must if you find yourself in Havana.

This is the old wall that surrounded Havana. The wall was knocked down to enlarge the city but parts still remain such as this one and denote 'Old Havana'. 

Some of my favourite images from 2013!

As I start any new year I like to think about the things I have achieved in the previous 12 months. Reflection is really important. Sometimes time passes by so quickly that it's easy to forget all that you've achieved, even if it's only something little. You did it! And you should pat yourself on the back for it.  2013 really was a bumper year for me, I had work featured in online magazines, my first photo shoots, a new course started with The Photography Institute to name but a few and I have learnt a lot along the way. It's very easy to carry on and feel like you are not improving or getting anywhere. 

So this is my own little pat on the back and I hope you enjoy sharing it with me! 

Would love to hear what your favourite images of 2013 have been, post links and comments in the box below, here's to 2014! :)

Sarah & Dave's Recent-ish Wedding!

I had the pleasure of being invited to two of my friend's wedding at the end of August. I couldn't make the day ceremony due to the day job but I was able to go to the lovely evening reception. And lovely it really was! I was just gutted I didn't get to make the whole day as the photos I have seen since are awesome and look like so much fun! Different to your 'average' wedding which is always refreshing in!

So, although there was no official photographer on the day, I took a few in the evening and here they are. Thank you Sarah and Dave for letting me part of your wonderful day!

A bit late, given but that's what moving home does to your time! ;-)

I've only done this image larger because I love the movement in the photo, makes Dave look like a ghost!

How beautiful?! X

Can't get enough of the Cemetery!

I hope this post finds you well and not experiencing a bad case of the January blues! Hopefully some sunshine in these pictures will brighten up your day a bit. And guess what? I have been back to a cemetery to take them. ;-) I just love going to a cemetery and taking shots, I'm sorry but I do! There are some beautiful graves and some also beautifully cared for plus you get lots of greenery and pretty plants. And when the sun is shining it can look truly magical. That's what I think anyway.

This is my fave image from this shoot and you wouldn't even know it was taken in graveyard would you? I just love the reflection in the puddle, who cares how dirty that water is?!

I Literally just turned 180 degrees to get these two shots and look at the difference in terms of light and general appearance?! Could have been in two completely different locations. Amazing what a simple change of direction can do...

Mamiya C330

I'm thinking about getting myself a new camera in the very near future. I currently use a Panasonic Lumix G1 and have bought and had bought for me, various camera accessories for it. Now, I was thinking about getting some new lenses for it in a few months time and then thought it was maybe time I joined the Canon/Nikon crew! Anyway, Canon/Nikon/Panasonic, it got me thinking about the other camera's I've had the pleasure of using............

Ahhhhh, this little beauty, the Mamiya C330 camera. Absolutely beautiful piece of gear, if you ever get the chance to use one. I loved everything about it; the look, the feel, the film. I was allowed to use it when I was doing my photography course at college.

It's a Twin Lens Reflex Medium Format camera so it uses 6x6 negatives and the images come out a square shape. You use one lens to focus and the other lens is used for the shutter. It was really, really easy to use and produces some really lovely images.

The images are not as crisp around the edges as other cameras but actually, I think that this really adds quality because it draws your eye to the centre of the image where the subject is very clear. It makes the camera really good for still life and if I got my hands on one again, I'd definitely do some portraits with it.




Here are some of the images I took with this camera. As I said before, I used the camera to take still life pictures. Those being of graveyards!

Spring has Sprung!

Every year we have a lovely, vibrant red Japanese Acer come out in the garden and this year I thought I'd make a little photo diary to share you with you all.