Beautiful North Devon - Blog

Changing Seasons

12/23/2015

Changing Seasons

As the rich colours of Autumn fade and and the gnarled fingers of the trees are laid bare we know that Winter is with us once again. With the cold, crisp air emitting a special purity that creates a special Christmas atmosphere of peace and serenity.

The shorter days give less time for photographic experiences but making the most of the clear skies, incandescent moonlight and the vivid constellations all contribute towards exciting opportunities. As do the wonderful Winter Sunsets and Sunrises which produce the most amazing rainbow of colour that paint the skies and tint the landscape with a resplendent blast of colour and subtle afterglow.

It is very rare that we are graced with a quilt of snow in North Devon but when we do and it kisses the landscape it produces an ambience and scenic picture which is truly magical. The white skies and subdued light with the crunchy snow all add to the unique atmosphere these snowflakes create.

The Winter solstice will soon be upon us and the festive season will be with us once again. Therefore, I wish to take this opportunity to wish all readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and to thank everyone for there support over the year.

Autumn

10/6/2015

The seasons pass so quickly and as August ends we move into September with the mornings and evenings becoming fresher and more invigorating.
The trees become drier and the leaves transition into a blaze of majestic glory creating a wonderful array of photographic opportunities.
Wherever I go I am drawn towards water as it creates a variety of different scenarios throughout the year. As we approach Autumn water levels rise which gives significant leverage for artistic, symmetrical compositions.
Such abstract reflections exude the vivid,warm hues from the overhanging trees which are covered in Autumnal foliage and which are so striking.

Clouds in the sky also create more interest and give depth and feeling to a composition with their soft and subdued light painting the sky . When the sun sets or the sun rises it can under light the clouds to splash an array of reds, yellows, pinks and purples across the sky and which reflect so wonderfully in puddles and the soft, wet sand.
Often the bright sun can make this season come alive with the penetrating light, dancing elegantly through the trees and making them seem alive. Or we can take in the enchantment of the misty mornings which create such moody scenes.
There is much to see and do in Autumn and I love to make the most of these serene and magical moments and capture the mood that this season emits before the trees become bare and naked and Winter is upon us once again..

Artistic Creativity

7/23/2015

As an artist and photographer I have a compelling desire to constantly be creative. I am continually using my artistic vision to progress and inspire new ideas and there is nothing more satisfying than turning imaginative ideas into reality.

Being creative can often involve seeing a range of possibilities that no-one else can see. I repeatedly study my surroundings and perceive the environment in a totally new way by taking direction from what it has to offer. Often hidden patterns, shapes and colours become more prominent and conceptions emerge which enable me to generate inspiration for a new picture or painting.

Artistic creativity is an extremely personal thing and we all have varying ideas of what we feel is aesthetic and pleasing to the eye.

For me to give people enjoyment and pleasure through art is extremely rewarding giving me the momentum to strive forward to find the next original idea. It’s this desire and passion which stretches my learning and gives me the energy to carry on.

The Power of Water

6/12/2015

Living in North Devon we are surrounded by water, be it the beauty of the meandering streams and rivers or the powerful, pounding sea. Water is a significant part of our lives and contributes towards tourism and is a valuable economic source.

Many villages and towns evolve around water and we enjoy the activities that surround it, such as fishing, walking, sailing, recreational activities and the animals and fauna that need it to survive.

For me water has an ever changing personality and appeal. It oozes a magical charm which can produce a soothing and calming affect. The sound of the babbling brooks, lapping waves and the trickling waterfalls produces an ambience which triggers time for reflection and thought.

Contrastingly water can be strong and powerful but still create an atmosphere of immersive awe and invigorating peace.

There is something about this topic which fascinates me and which I am drawn to repeatedly inspiring my photography and paintings and creating lasting memories.

New Year

1/8/2015

As another year passes we are well into the New Year and I am excited about the possibilities that this year offers. Enthusiastic about the coming seasons, the exhilarating sunsets and sunrises and just being able to experience our wonderful countryside and coastline.

I am sure that many lucky people will have had the gift of a camera this Christmas. If you were one of the fortunate ones grasp every opportunity to capture that special moment, experiment and persevere and you will no doubt come out of it with something that you are proud of and hopefully a past time that you will enjoy.

I can hardly believe where this year has gone and I have been looking back through my archives and have come across some images which I particularly like and would like to share with you.

St Mary’s Church

12/11/2014

For this month’s edition of ‘My Town’ I was asked to photograph St Mary’s Church in Bideford. Having previously visited the church to attend a funeral I was unable to concentrate fully on the wonderful architecture and interior that this house of god provides.

Walking into the church I was immediately entranced by the sheer beauty that the building radiated. I was attracted by the wonderfully wooden carved doors and ornate stonework and the uniformed pews with all the textures and bright colours in the kneeling cushions . I saw how modern etched glass has amalgamated exquisitely with more traditional pieces and is extremely gratifying to the eye.

Narratives drawn from the bible are represented through the striking stained glass windows which enhance this church and when the sun shines the light penetrates the rainbow of colour and illuminates a sense of warmth and peace throughout.

Such wonderful craftsmanship is hard to find but we are lucky to have it in our own town and I feel privileged to have been asked to visit this church and the inspiration it gave me to portray it in its infinite splendour.

Autumn

10/9/2014

We know Summer is finally over when the days gradually get shorter and the lush, green countryside is substituted by the wonderful, rich, warm colours of Autumn. The dry, brittle leaves fall to the ground and the wet, windy days seem more and more frequent.

The Autumn is my favourite time of year and I see this as being the most wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the delightful textures and tones that this season procures. The cool, crisp soft light at this time of year is extremely desirable be it first thing in the morning or during the early evening.

There is something serene and magical about the mood that this season emits and it is an ideal opportunity to photograph rivers and streams with the intense colours of the surroundings reflected in the water.

Misty mornings create an ambiance of soft, subdued light whilst penetrating sunrises and sunsets illuminate the skies with a blast of colour. Such contrasts are typical of this time of year and which make it all the more interesting and attractive to the eye.

This season will be gone before we know it so make the most of the blazing colours of red and the concentrated orange and brown glow which embellishes the landscape and relish the magnificence of our surroundings.

Black and White Photography

9/9/2014

Some photographs are more attractive in black and white to the eye. They evoke a certain simplicity which is honest and true and conveys a story which in colour may not be seen. Such images are powerful and strong and the real beauty of the subject can be captured in its entirety.
There are certain images which are more dramatic in black and white and you can see the shadows and highlights in every detail. Such compositions can radiate all sorts of emotions and tell very different stories. They project different moods and atmospheres which we feel strongly through the image.
This can be seen in street photography where you can capture patterns and textures on buildings, where you can see the emotion on peoples’ faces and the reflections in the windows. Or it may be a day when a storm is approaching and the clouds are grey and heavy and the image oozes darkness and gloom.

Whatever impression we have of a photograph there is no doubt that by taking the colour away we are more aware of the content of the picture, we are more aware of the sentiment it provides and the tale it tells. It is an art form which never loses favour and one which I think looks stunning on any wall and which is extremely contemporary.

Waterfalls

6/9/2014

Waterfalls

Water is a dynamic subject and it evokes many different feelings, not only is it mesmerising but it also has the capacity of power and strength, peace and tranquility and at the same time it has the ability to be soothing and calm.

During my travels I have come across many waterfalls and I am always magnetised by the sheer beauty of the water cascading over the rocky precipices . I love the rhythmic melody of the crystal clear waters harmonically lunging and moving with purpose and direction to a new found freedom. Sometimes trickling slowly and other times roaring like a raging lion.

I enjoy the dancing rainbow of colours that penetrate the cool waters and twist and swirl creating a maze of abstract designs. The intermingling waters creating a silver foamy mist sparkling and spraying, wild and enthusiastic.

As a photographer whatever the time of year a waterfall can offer many opportunities to capture, It may be a slight trickle or a vigorous surge but the colour of the rocks, the surrounding flora and fauna it all contributes to create a representation of that moment in time.

Next time you have the chance to venture to one of our natural beauty spots with the added bonus of a waterfall (such as Spekes Mills, Bucks Mills, Sandymouth and Welcombe) take time to discover the natural features and the magical movement of the water that nature has given us because it is truly awe inspiring, Listen to the babbling water and experience the comforting sound echoing in the the air, collect your thoughts and take in the ambience of the beautiful surroundings.

Frosty Mornings

1/2/2014

Frosty mornings

As Autumn slowly fades into Winter and the mornings get darker there is nothing more exhilarating than being greeted by a cold, frosty morning. Then dressing up warmly and venturing out into the stillness of the day with your breath firing steamily before you and the ice crunching beneath your feet.

There are so many wonderful photographs to be taken when the weather honours us with its magical abilities, be it with your iphone, hand held camera or with more advanced designs. Just the sheer delight of seeing the sun slowly rising and peeping through the trees, creating a glow which then glimmers brightly and creates a cluster of sparkling dew like diamonds, is awe inspiring.

I love the serenity of the countryside and listening to the dawn chorus in the distance as the birds serenade the opening of a new day. Walking through the once green fields, covered in a glaze of icy splendour, as the cattle search for that spare blade of grass. With the overhanging trees trailing frozen shards like long icy fingers which glisten in the sunlight. Purity at its best.

So the next time you open your blinds and see that sprinkling of nature painting the landscape get your camera and re-create that moment in time because I know you will not be disappointed.