Rooty Tangle

Burnsall, River Wharfe. I had this idea in my head, that trees could be as big below the ground as they are above it, considering the massive network of knobbly roots they burrow deep into the ground to secure their lofty presence. Trees are pretty awesome all things considered. Of course my rooty idea is not entirely true, but this shot almost captures that thought and through using black and white creates a simple but effective image to reflect upon. 

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Ocean Stacked

Great Ocean Road Twelve Apostles, Victoria.  Watching the sun slide beneath the horizon from a rocky outcrop with a sharp wind numbing my fingers and body. This was one of those times where I almost did not appreciate quite how staggeringly beautiful the view was until I got home and saw the pictures again months later through a fresh set of eyes. The ocean erroded limestone coastline, with the pink candyfloss clouds and cobalt blue water- I went into photo overload. Not really a clever or admired technique but it was one of those once in a lifetime opportunities I didn't want to miss or mess up, and felt that one of the pictures I took would give a close representation that would match the one I'd sellotaped in my head forever. It is also nailed on my bedroom wall. 

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Super Market

Market day in Chichicastenago and an acknowledged spiritual day in the Mayan calendar. The plaza put me into sensory overload with the vibrant colours of the rambling endless maze of stalls, busy purposeful people, the ringing sound of market trade, hot bright sun and the smoky sandalwood incense drifting across the square. I sat down for a while on the church steps to allow myself the time to take it all in. I thought it would be a good opportunity to attempt some people photography- something I am not so familiar with. I soon realised why a zoom lens would be very helpful for future attempts. The woman photographed had just left the church with her shopping and small cannister still smoking from the incense she had just burnt while observing her ancient ritual. Depth of field was used to blur the background and focus in on the subject. 

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Twin Peaks

 

Lake McDonald Glacier National Park, last days of summer. In awe of the pure open beauty contained within the ancient ice carved peaks. 'Give a month at least to this precious reserve. The time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal.' John Muir, naturalist and explorer (taken from a plaque in Glacier NP). I took a polarising filter on this trip and put it to reasonably good use with this shot, bringing out the mineral tones of the jagged rocks resting beneath the surface of the water, but still capturing the reflected outline of the mountains in the distance. It also enhanced the already very blue sky.

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