June newsletter: Covid, Photoshop and slowing down

What I’ve been up to this month

I feel that I have made less progress this month. Work on Dead Flowers In Vases continues, albeit slowly: I have to wait for the flowers to die!

I also attended Adrian Beasley’s excellent two-day online Photoshop workshop. I really feel that at last I can get to grips with the broader photographic abilities of the programme rather than just sticking with the few bits that I know. It will be interesting to see how this is reflected in the next edits I carry out with Photoshop.

What I learned this month

I had two big learnings this month (as well as a lot of technical Photoshop learning!). The first has been slightly forced upon me, albeit only for a few days. This is to slow down! Sometimes it is good not to feel one should be doing things. It can be better to sit and appreciate an object or a scene rather than feel the pressure to make an image. I make myself a lot of deadlines. This is highly useful for my job, but not for photographic projects. It is better for the work to take its time than to be forced.

My other learning is to understand what it is you need to learn. I am experimenting with some quite graphic abstract images. I assumed the learning curve would be in the editing. In actual fact, the learning is in the composition. The subject matter is often very different from my normal work and I have discovered that I need to learn to see things very differently to create a powerful composition.

What are my plans for next month?

Firstly, I plan to get well again! I also will be spending some family time away. But I also plan to spend so time on Dead Flowers In Vases. It feels like this project is getting close to completion. So I hope to update more on this in my July newsletter.

I also want to exlore making short videos a little more. As you’ll see in my next blog, I do regard videos as being a very worthwhile photography output. Watch this space!

What I’ve been writing about this month

This month’s blog was “Why it’s better to work in photography projects”. I strongly believe that a group of mages are far more powerful than a single image. Read the blog here. I’d love to hear what you think.

What books have caught my attention this month?

Normally, I’m not a great fan on “how to” photography books. “The Mindful Photographer” by Sophie Howarth is an excellent exception. It was recommended by Paul Sanders. I plan to read this again very shortly. There are some intriguing exercises that are suited to all photographers. And I really liked the production values on the book too. By the way, there’s a cow on the front cover. Look closely!

I have also really enjoyed “See Through It” by Hilary Clarke: a clever blend of photography and graphics.

What I have been listening to this month

I have been on YouTube watching videos of the start of the new Pixies tour. I still remember receiving a pre-release copy of their first EP, on vinyl, many years ago. If you like cathartic alternative rock then you probably already know this band. Otherwise I highly recommend them. They have a podcast with an interesting episode on the making of their forthcoming album.

Make sure you keep in touch!

I’d love to see image and projects that you are proud of. And do send me recommendations for reading, listening and more!