When I started doing photography and charting my progress in a blog, just over 6 years ago now, both were new departures for me.
Yes, I had done photography before. In fact, I have had an interest in photography at different times for most of my life.
But this was going to be different. This time I was going to learn photography properly and be consistent with my practice, and I felt that charting my progress while doing so would give me the incentive I needed to keep going.
My mission in starting my blog was simple – I wanted to share my journey with others who might be interested; those who were starting photography for the first time, those who were returning to photography after an absence, those who wanted to improve their photography and move on from the basics, or anyone who might be interested in following along on my journey.
When I started blogging on my own website, I had no experience of attracting an audience. My only previous experience of blog writing was for a work-related website, and that had an already-established, fairly niche, audience.
Although attracting an audience wasn’t my main aim, I did want to reach out beyond my own family and friends. I wanted to appeal to those who were already on, or about to embark on, a similar journey, but I didn’t want to be another ‘Beginner Photography Tips’ type of blog as I didn’t consider myself to be experienced enough or knowledgeable enough to appear as ‘expert’ in any sense. I did want the blog to appeal to those who might find it interesting, or even useful, so I needed my content to reflect that aspiration.
With a good idea of my purpose, I set out to introduce my content, based on my own personal experience, to the wider world. As I reflect on my blogging journey and look back over the content I have shared, I realise that my blogs fall into a few broad categories:
Sharing Learning
Sharing Experience
Sharing Inspiration
Sharing the Benefits
Sharing Enjoyment
SHARING LEARNING
One of the main aspects and purposes of my blog is to share my learning with others who are travelling on the same photography journey. They may be a little ahead of me or a little behind, they may be quick learners or need lots of reminders, they may be complete beginners at photography or they may have been doing photography on and off for some time, but whatever their stage these people will be enthusiasts, people with a passion for photography and for what this great hobby can bring to their lives. I would like to think that when these people read about some of the things I have learned along the way, a lightbulb moment may occur, the penny will drop, and they will think, as I often have, ‘Ah, so that’s what I’ve been missing all along!’
Sometimes the right suggestion at the right time can be a turning point on our learning path and I hope that I may have provided some such moments that my readers can benefit from.
Some examples of this type of post are:
SHARING EXPERIENCE
At all times I endeavour to share my own experience rather than give ‘expert’ advice, as I am not an expert. Any advice I do impart comes from experience in the field, trial and error, learning from mistakes, and from advice I was given which I tried out and found to be valuable.
As an example, a post on macro photography was based on my experience of trying out macro and close-up photography in a range of contexts, reporting on the difficulties involved, suggesting some possible solutions and providing some sample images that illustrate the genre.
(This was my first post on starting macro photography, written in 2019. I had a lot to learn!)
Since writing this post I have spent more time doing macro photography, gained more experience and some improvement, and I intend to add further posts as I gain more experience in this genre. These posts will not be expert guides to macro photography and should not be taken as such. They will simply be attempts by a passionate learner to enjoy being out with a camera and macro lens and hopefully, with patience and practice, to improve at what I believe to be a fascinating genre.
I love to 'play' with close up photography and share my experience and discoveries.
SHARING INSPIRATION
One of the best ways to learn is from others whose work inspires you. When you are drawn to the images of another photographer, whether this is from a YouTube video, a book, an exhibition, or from meeting them in person at a class or camera club, it says something about your own taste and style.
I have found inspiration from many photographers, and I have shared links to their work on my blog posts as their photography may appeal to my readers also. I think this is a useful way of passing on knowledge and inspiration that I cannot provide but which I know exists and is found in other contexts.
I have been inspired by all types of landscape photographers.
I have been inspired by street photographers, macro photographers and documentary photographers, and by many others who have a varied and eclectic style of photography.
I have been inspired by those who travel for photography and by those who photograph close to home.
Often, I am drawn to photographers who stress the importance of the process of photography over the product and who can relate to those who are passionate enthusiasts rather than seeing everyone in terms of their level of competence.
Among those who have inspired me are:
Kim Grant - Kim has helped me to appreciate taking a mindful approach to photography and using photography to be more observant and more present in each moment.
Courtney Victoria - Courtney has a love for woodland photography and particularly for macro photography in the woodland, and I have learned a lot from her entertaining videos.
Henry Turner - Henry photographs primarily in rural parts of the north of England, in the Lake District and in Scotland. His approach is very laid-back and his content is relatable to beginners and improvers alike. Henry has a great appreciation for the natural world, for his good fortune at being able to do what he loves full-time, and for his audience who make this possible.
Simon Booth - Simon is an accomplished landscape photographer who often focuses on intimate landscapes. He has the great skill of being able to find a composition and create a stunning image where none seems possible.
Chris Harvey - Chris is what I tend to call an eclectic photographer. He is equally at home photographing old buildings, machinery or farmhouses, as he is photographing local landscapes. Each of his videos follows a theme which is relevant to most emerging photographers and I love to follow his photography discussions as I find them to be interesting and thought-provoking.
Distant Media - Greg produces videos which are relatable to all photographers no matter what their skill level. He offers useful tips, techniques and demonstrates skills that most photographers, particularly beginner photographers, will appreciate and he has a very down-to-earth approach which make his videos enjoyable to watch as well as informative.
The Photographic Eye - This channel is hosted by Alex and is largely a chat about an aspect of photography that is of interest to those who prefer the photography process to what camera or lens they might use.
Alex Armitage - Alex is a photographer who travels around the US, Canada and Europe, living in his car. He has visited some fascinating locations, created amazing images, and he holds the viewer's interest with his travel tales.
Mark Denney - Mark is a US based photographer who provides great information, support and advice for those who are passionate about photography. He goes at a steady pace that is easy to follow, which makes him a great teacher. Some of Mark's videos give editing tips that are among the best I have come across.
James Popsys - James is a very popular photographer based in Wales. He has a very unique style and is known for his preference to photograph the relationship between human-made and natural subjects and for exploring human influence on the natural environment. James also constantly emphasises his belief that a photograph should be about something rather than of something.
The following names are more well known in the photography world but they always provide useful content that appeals to all levels of photographer:
Thomas Heaton
Nigel Danson
Adam Gibb
Mike Chudley (street photographer)
Darren J. Spoonley is an Irish photographer who provides inspiration for capturing stunning images in the Irish landscape, as well as producing photography guides for the best photographic locations. Each year Darren generously highlights some of the upcoming or lesser known photographers whose work has impressed him during the previous year. This is an invaluable source for anyone who is looking for new inspiration for their photography.
All of these photographers present their content either through video, social media, website, regular newsletter or other print media, in-person workshops, photography groups, or a combination of these.
They all offer genuine support and advice to others and they endeavour to provide photography related opinions and discussions that are authentic, useful and informative and that will enhance the photography development of their viewers. They can all be found through a YouTube search.
SHARING THE BENEFITS
One of the most positive outcomes of my photography journey has been the additional benefits that it has brought to my life in terms of general wellbeing. I was excited about sharing several posts on this topic as these benefits are available to everyone, even if we don’t improve very much at photography and only use a basic camera or phone to take pictures. The main thing is to get outdoors, to do something we feel passionate about, and to allow our passion to increase our mindfulness and our awareness of the world around us. Spending time with our camera can enable us to become fully absorbed in an enjoyable activity and to get a welcome break from the cares of daily life.
As an outdoor photographer, going out with my camera is my number one way to relieve stress, to re-charge my batteries and to relax in the moment. I hope that photography can provide some of these benefits for my readers too.
Some of my posts on this topic include:
Many more posts on these topics can be found using a website keyword search.
SHARING ENJOYMENT
This is probably my favourite aspect of sharing my photography journey – sharing my passion for and enjoyment of this wonderful pastime. As I have discovered and have been told often by others whose work I admire, photography is not just about the image - it is also about the journey of discovery, the stories we tell through our images, the connections we make between ourselves and the subjects we choose to photograph. It is about the experience, the emotions that are evoked, the sheer enjoyment of holding a camera in our hand, looking through a lens, and making an image of something that draws our eye and captures our attention.
I hope that I have been able to convey this enjoyment through my blog posts and that I will continue to do so as I travel forward on my photography journey.
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