Team Up Thursday - Week 7

Theme: Flower

The theme this week was my choice and after last week photographing people I couldn't resist another one of my favourites - photographing flowers. I get a real kick out of the close up detail, the vibrancy and unexpected surprises which come with photographing flowers - of course the fact that it is summer in England and there are flowers in abundance didn't hurt :0)

The background in my photograph this week was one of those unexpected surprises - I spent a bit of time playing around with my manual settings while taking these shots and just love the fact that the background looks like it has been desaturated while the flower is popping....all done in camera with no manipulation I promise. I was so inspired in fact I ended up doing a whole "Rainbow Garden"

Claire's beautiful hydrangea is for me so peaceful, I can't explain the feeling it is just how the photograph "speaks" to me, a lovely capture!

Other bloggers taking up the challenge:
(I have only linked in to one participant in each partnership, you should easily be able to navigate from there)
Kirsten & Marcelle
Corey & Berta
Megan & Melody
Joanne & Rose
Cat and Shayne


Photo's that didn't make the cut...

Team Up Thursday - Week 6

Theme: Relationships

I was excited about Claire's theme for this week the minute I saw it - I LOVE photographing people and trying to capture the "relationships" between them is something I find extremely challenging and rewarding.

As you will see from my shots which didn't make the cut, I have had plenty of fun photographing my children over time trying to get it right, but the relationship between this mother and daughter taken on a photoshoot last weekend was extra special and I think this little snap in time shows it rather well :0)

Love the touching hands in this shot, really shows the intimacy between her daughter and niece, a special relationship indeed.

Other bloggers taking up the challenge:
(I have only linked in to one participant in each partnership, you should easily be able to navigate from there)
Kirsten & Marcelle
Corey & Berta
Megan & Melody
Joanne & Rose
Cat and Shayne


Photo's that didn't make the cut...

Team Up Thursday - Week 5

Theme: Abstract

It was my turn to chose the theme this week and the idea was to photograph something that wasn't immediately obvious as to exactly what it is.

I have to confess to already having the photo and choosing a theme to match it as I really wanted to use it :0). Whilst photographing the bridge for last weeks theme I wondered underneath it and the shot below was taken down through the arches - I love the colours and shapes in this shot and must admit I was very pleased with the way it turned out

Claire is definitely a master with light and every week I find myself saying something about how I LOVE the light in her shot - well this week is no exception, the contrasts on this photo are fabulous and I have ABSOLUTELY no idea what I am looking as so she really nailed the theme as well - BRILLIANT, well done Claire.

Other bloggers taking up the challenge:
(I have only linked in to one participant in each partnership, you should easily be able to navigate from there)
Kirsten & Marcelle
Corey & Berta
Megan & Melody
Joanne & Rose
Cat and Shayne

Photo's that didn't make the cut...

Team Up Thursday - Week 4

Theme: Bridges

When Claire chose our theme for this week I instantly knew what my photograph would be of - we have the most AMAZING viaduct a couple of miles out of town and I couldn't wait to get down there and start shooting.

Unfortunately the weather didn't clear much so I had to settle for cloudy photos as opposed to the perfect blue sky I saw in my mind - I took a lots of different shots, some of which you will see in upcoming themes, but I think the one I chose really shows the magnitude of this magnificent structure. Great theme, thanks Claire, really made me get out there :0)

Claire's photo this week is fabulous, I must say I do think the gentleman photographed is EXCEPTIONALLY brave as there is NO WAY you would find me hanging like that on a suspension bridge.....in fact there is no way you would find me on the bridge full stop, the completely TERRIFY me :0) Great capture Claire, again I love your depth of field in this shot.

Other bloggers taking up the challenge:
(I have only linked in to one participant in each partnership, you should easily be able to navigate from there)
Kirsten & Marcelle
Corey & Berta
Megan & Melody
Joanne & Rose
Cat and Shayne

Photo's that didn't make the cut...

12th June Challenge

The idea behind this challenge is to carry your camera with you through the day and shoot 12 shots on the 12 day of every month....nice record at the end of 12 months...so here goes.

First shot of the morning just after I had woken up and still lying in bed
Very spoilt to enjoy breakfast in bed while browsing through my new camera manual

View from my bedroom window - at least the skies are blue!

A "happy" Pansy's on my terrace

View from my terrace while enjoying a cup of coffee

Spent the morning getting our bank statements etc together for Simon and the children's Shengen Vis application

Nicholas had a second birthday party in the afternoon so off we went

Jelly was on the menu....always a firm favourite with kiddies

The beautiful birthday girl

Very quick and easy dinner, fresh soup and home made bread rolls

Some peace and quiet with a bit of Biggest Loser - I love love love this program and have watched every series, so inspirational

Last bit of Stephanie Meyer before finally climbing into bed

Team Up Thursday - Week 3

Theme: Sports

I chose our theme for this week and considering I am not in the slightest bit sports inclined I have NO IDEA what possessed me, I don't go anywhere even vaguely resembling a sports facility or field EVER lol. Fortunately my eldest son is the exact opposite and plays Rugby, Table Tennis, Football and Cricket and very kindly obliged by putting on his kit and letting me take some shots. As some reader of my other blog will know I purchased a Nikon D90 on Saturday last week and so this weeks photos where the first taken on the camera, without time to read the manual ;0)

I am pretty please with the final result even if it took a while to achieve - it was inspired by World Cup Fever (I am South African after all) and Phil's total obsession with Manchester United.

click on images to enlarge

The depth of field on Claire's shot is excellent and somehow the scratches on the side of the row boat tell a story of many hours spent on the water....such a different take on the theme and I think it is fantastic.

Other bloggers taking up the challenge:
(I have only linked in to one participant in each partnership, you should easily be able to navigate from there)
Kirsten & Marcelle
Corey & Berta
Megan & Melody
Joanne & Rose
Cat and Shayne

Photo's that didn't make the cut...

Team Up Thursday - Week 2

Theme: Red

Claire chose our theme this week and I must admit it had my creative juices flowing, I tried a couple of different things but unfortunately as the weather was really grotty here the light was for the most part shocking and so most of them failed :0I

In desperation I had finally settled on a photo I took a while back in London (see the end of the post) but as red is for me first and foremost the colour of love, coming up the stairs this afternoon and finding Nick's little red crocs lying there in the sand my heart welled up and suddenly I had my shot.

Just a little bit of love

Claire's photo this week is wonderful, I love the wine falling into the glass and the light in the top half of the photo, all I said when I received it was WOW!

Other bloggers taking up the challenge:
(I have only linked in to one participant in each partnership, you should easily be able to navigate from there)
Kirsten & Marcelle
Corey & Berta
Megan & Melody
Joanne & Rose
Cat and Shayne


Photo's that didn't make the cut...

Nothing say "red" quite like a london phone box

Messing around with some red jumping castle balls and natural sunlight through our lounge window