Here’s my May, week three edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. I wasn’t really sure what to do with this week’s edit so I spent quite along time just playing around, seeing what I liked. Because of this there were a number of changes that I’m not entirely certain of. Eventually I decided that I wanted to focus … More One-Four Challenge: May Week Three – The Lock
You gaze upon the sun-kissed waters from the shoreline’s shaded nook, bare toes caressed by liquid chill. One by one you gather each angry thought, each nagging frustration that claws at mind and spirit, and you cast them into the depths. With a heart embracing serenity, you let the water wash away all cares. This is … More Cee’s Black and White Challenge: Liquids
Here’s my May, week two edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. For this week’s edit I decided to use a really close crop, shifting the focus away from the lock itself to the looping connections of the hasp and staple. I then added a black and white gradient map and fiddled around with the settings until the … More One-Four Challenge: May Week Two – The Lock
After having April off from Robyn’s One-Four Challenge, I’m back with my entry for week one of May. It took me quite a long time to decide which image I wanted to use for this month – even though I thought I knew until I actually started editing. Five or so pictures later I finally land on this … More One-Four Challenge: May Week One – The Lock
Whilst fashions change and technology takes flight on wings of wonder, still men and women continue to gather, summoned by the haunting cry of the train’s whistle. Eyes wide, captivated by the remembrance of a simpler time; ashes are brushed off shoulders, as darker truths are brushed from minds. This is my entry into Cee’s Black and … More Cee’s Black and White Challenge: Signs
Kicking at the stones that lie in your way, you walk the lane as it winds between freshly ploughed fields. The path is worn and uneven from the passage of countless feet, rutted and torn by tractors and cars. Bricks line the way, providing a modicum of stability – but even they are crumbling. Birdsong … More Cee’s Which Way Challenge 2015: Week #14 – The Brick Lined Path
Here’s my week three edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. This challenge asks that you edit the same picture in four ways over four weeks. For this final edit I opened the original image in Camera Raw where I increased the exposure and clarity mainly, though a few other sliders also shifted slightly. I then moved it into Photoshop Elements … More One-Four Challenge: March Week Four
Here’s my week three edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. This challenge asks that you edit the same picture in four ways over four weeks. For this edit I opened last week’s edit in Camera Raw and slightly increased the exposure, highlights and shadows. I then cropped it using Photoshop Elements before opening it in FotoSketcher where I added a mid-strength vintage look with … More One-Four Challenge: March Week Three
You follow the signposts as they lead you home through a landscape defined by a history of agricultural practice. Gravel tracks merge with tarmac lanes as dusk’s golden light caresses your senses. The trek has been long but your journey is nearly done. This photo was very nearly included in the gallery for the Monthly … More Cee’s Which Way Challenge 2015: Week #10 – Signpost
Here’s my week two edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. This challenge asks that you edit the same picture in four ways over four weeks. For this second edit I cropped it a little looser in order to keep more of the tyre tracks on the sand in the foreground. Next, rather than just lightening the face of the … More One-Four Challenge: March Week Two
It’s the first week of march and so time for a new image for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. For this first edit I decided to keep it simple. First I cropped it to better showcase the tractor and boat, before brightening it slightly using the levels adjustment. I then increased the saturation and contrast. Finally I selected the … More One-Four Challenge: March Week One
Here’s my fourth edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. For this final edit I wanted to repeat the soft, dreamy look of week 2 but with a few changes. 1) I selected the crop used on last weeks image. 2) I wanted to reduce the brightness of the whites on the ponies backs, an issue that had been raised in previous … More One-Four Challenge: February Week Four
Away from the pushing and shoving, from the crowds that jostle impatiently for place, you wait in the chill winter air. Cold light, cleansing in its purity, filters in through the iron and glass lattice of the cathedral-like roof. You close your eyes, tilt back your head and feel it wash over you. You tune … More Cee’s Which Way Challenge 2015: Week #7 – Station
Here’s my third edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. With a wary gaze she watches the world as her companion sleeps in blissful oblivion. For this week’s edit I had two things I knew I wanted to do. The first was to crop it in some way; the second was make it into a black and white image. All … More One-Four Challenge: February Week Three
Here’s my second edit for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. This week I wanted to create a soft, dreamy effect. I began by opening the original in camera raw on Photoshop Editions (the first time I’ve ever explored this area of the program). I reduced the contrast, shadows and saturation and increased the exposure, highlights and whites. I then also slightly … More One-Four Challenge: February Week Two
How many people have sat there, upon the old wood of the bench on the green, watching the slow life of the village pass by? For many years it has provided a place to stop and rest; now it’s old and worn, wearied from its long labour. Moss and lichen mottle the surface like age … More Cee’s Black and White Challenge: The Bench on the Green
It powers over the viaduct, a metallic monster with fire in its belly, breathing steam and smoke into the air in pungent billows; a marvel of Victorian engineering. Its passage is accompanied by the roaring clatter of metal against metal. Behind the engine trail carriages, filled with passengers enjoying a touch of old-fashioned luxury as … More Cee’s Which Way Challenge 2015: Week #5 – Steam Train
It’s a new month and so time for a new picture for Robyn’s One-Four Challenge. For this first edit I used Photoshop Elements. I began by cropping it a little off the bottom and sides. I then selected the smudge stick filter, which I set to a relatively low stroke length, highlight area and intensity. I … More One-Four Challenge: February Week One
For long years the pair have stood guardian over the sacred space, their presence conceived to repel what evil spirits might wish to venture within. Their features, once finely carved, are worn and weathered now with the passage of time. One sleeps in peaceful repose, free of all cares. The other watches the world. And … More Cee’s Black and White Challenge: Textures
A Path Through History Rickety fences direct your steps with genteel insistence as you follow the meandering path, uneven stone beneath your feet and the summer sun warm upon your skin. With curious eyes you explore the ruins. Once an extravagant display of elitist dominion, a focal point for struggles of class and ideology, the … More Cee’s Which Way Challenge 2015: Week #4 – A Path Through History
The lanes twist and turn across the countryside, crossing, merging and dividing as they skirt around fields and farmyards, winding in leisurely meanders in an intricate tarmacked maze. Muddied verges, puddled from recent rainfall, are torn and frayed by the tires of vehicles forced to pull aside on the narrow route. In the chill of … More Cee’s Black & White Challenge: Roadscapes
The sounds of water lapping against the rocky outcrops below drift soothingly to your ears as you traverse the Devil’s Bridge, following in the footsteps of centuries worth of travellers. Your hand trails over the stone balustrade as so many have done before. The structure may be mottled with moss and lichen, it may be … More Cee’s Which Way Challenge 2015: Week #3 – Devil’s Bridge
Show Parade in happy fulfilment the fruits of labour, cherry-picked from a host of entries as your own best in show. I’ve had such an enjoyable time over the month of Photography 101 that I couldn’t resist putting up a post for weekend 4, even though its no longer actually the weekend. Unfortunately I’ve been … More Photography 101 Gallery
Consciousness Viewing life through the glassy sheen of material reality, its gaze remains consumed by a sweeping vista beyond mortal eyes. It is your double, existing upon a wider plain, reflecting infinitely onward. It is the owner of the voice that whispers behind your thoughts. It is pure energy, encompassing self It is you, to … More Double
Divisions We draw lines, create walls and fences, borders, to divide the ground into mine and yours, claiming ownership of a landscape, of an Earth, that will persist long after our demise. Does it belong to me? To you? Can it belong to anyone? We are but a fleeting presence in an existence that … More Edge
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Looking at life through blue eyes
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Looking into why we do the things we do (and some crochet) each Monday
Amanda Tuke - nature writer and urban nature champion
A photographic journey.
Here and now, with all of it.
An Enchanted Place 