First commission

A while back a work friend of mine approached me and asked me if I would be able and willing to do a photo session with her dog Sky, a female Alsatian. It was her husbands birthday in a few month time and as he was totally obsessed with their dog she would like to present him with a big print of Sky. I was first reluctant to take on that challenge as I have never done commission work before.

Personally I prefer to shoot what I like and when I like it rather then being told by someone else what they would like and work to orders like that. But Gaenor, my friend from work was very open to my suggestions. We made a date with the intentions of taking the dog out for a nice walk across the local field upon which I would attempt to photograph Sky in various poses,- standing, laying down, running and such like. I was going to use the natural daylight and background to my advantage. --- Or at least so I hoped.

It all turned out quite different though. The day was more then miserable, with hardly any daylight to be had. It was chucking it down with rain and both dog and owner refused to go out in it. After a cuppa tea and explaining my problem of not having enough light and now decent background to work with I hoped to be able to retreat and fight another day. Gaenor however had other ideas as she started moving furniture around and switching on  every light in the house.

I gave in... and unpacked the gear. Despite owning a flash gun and numerous attempts to learn how to use one I found I just could not get on with it at all, so I never even packed it that day. I ended up on the floor with Sky, fed him and in general tried to make him look reasonably comfortable. After about 2 hours of failed attempts of getting an image I liked I settled on the settee to finish my by then cold cuppa tea. Sky showed me the cold shoulder and settled on the rug in front of the fireplace. Well.... I never... slipping down from the settee, caterpillar crawling closer to Sky without disturbing her, a quick burst of the shutter release and there it was ... the image I wanted all along. I managed to get 2 images altogether out of the afternoon shooting. What do you think...... ????

                 

I was told today that Gaenor's husband was very pleased with the images and both of them are now hanging over the fireplace. Personally I like the first image best. Not necessarily performing to any rules with the ears cut off and the very close crop, it portrays the relaxed and quiet nature of Sky.

I am rather proud of my attempts of photographing  a strange animal in what ended up being very difficult conditions. I am even more proud of haven been given the opportunity to spent an afternoon with a lovely animal.

Twice a Winner

I am very proud to announce that twice now I won the Friday Give Away Competition in the Photography Monthly online Magazine competition. My first Win was on the 4th October 2013 within the " Capturing the Elements" competition. I put the following image into the competition, which I named very in-imaginative "Strumble Head Lighthouse".

Photography monthly commented that "This image caught our eye straight away because of its clarity. The photographer has used a long depth-of field and this has enabled the viewer to see all the detail of the landscape. We think that the cliff face on the left hand side of the image versus the sea covering the right hand side of the image creates balance and forces the focus of the image to be the lighthouse in the distance which is central. The dark grey clouds contrasted with the bright yellow sunlight create the image to be dramatic and atmospheric and this is why we think it’s a perfect image to win this category!"

The second win was only tonight, 18th October 2013 within the competition " Shore to Summit". I used my image entitled "Llyn Idwal Sunrise".

Photography monthly comment about the image was as follows "This image caught our eye straight away because of the beautiful reflection in the water and how it creates symmetry and is a well balanced image. We also love the warm light coming from the right hand-side of the image and think this creates a nice glow to the mountain in the background. The focus of the image is the mountain and we think that the photographer has used the rule of thirds really well".

In both cases I was he proud winner of a book. I hope that I will be able to win further competitions and enrich my knowledge by reading the books I won.

Bersham and Minera

Bersham and Minera are two Parks that are part of the Clywedog Valley Trail that follows the Clywedog river for around 6 miles. Both Bersham and Minera has historical importance for the population of Wrexham.

Bersham not only housed the workshops of the skilled Davies brothers, it was one of the cradles of the Industrial Revolution. This is the place where British iron making began in 1670, where smelting iron ore with coke began in 1721, and where John Wilkinson, the 'Iron Mad' pioneer of the Industrial Revolution, set up shop in 1761. For many years the area was one of the most important iron manufacturing centres in the world. The Bersham Ironworks Museum tells the story of the man who bored cannon for the American War of Independence and cylinders for James Watt's revolutionary steam engine that changed the face of the world. (Wikipidia)

Remains of the Workshops and the Ironworks can still be seen and although they are only accessible by prior appointment the views from the road can be very interesting in itself. 

Minera also is steeped in history. The name Minera has an unusual source, being derived from the low Latin for "mine" or "ore". This name was recorded as early as 1339. The parallel Welsh name Mwynglawdd translates roughly as "ore mine".

In common with many Welsh settlements, Minera did not develop as a compact 'village' in the English understanding of the word until the 19th century. Under the manorial administration imposed after the mediaeval English conquest of Wales, Minera existed as a manor and township within the Lordship of Bromfield. Unlike many of the surrounding manors, such as Esclusham, Eglwysegle and Ruabon, land tenure within Minera was mostly servile, rather than free.

The history of Minera is closely related to that of its lead mines. Although earlier use, dating back perhaps as far as the Roman occupation, has been suggested, the first clear documentary evidence of the industry appears during the reign of Edward I, when miners from Minera were sent to Cornwall to help develop the tin mining industry. Extraction of lead and coal was later joined by the quarrying of silica stone and limestone, with three lime kilns being recorded in operation at Minera Mill in 1620. Further industrial development took place in the 19th century. The lead mines expanded under the guidance of engineer John Taylor and the Minera Limeworks came into operation, while a branch of the North Wales Mineral Railway was built in 1844 to serve the area. (Wikipedia)

 

Remains from the Minera mining days can still be seen and are well worth a visit at any time of year. 

Although Minera and Bersham are two locations that make for some awesome photography its the bit in between these locations that are of particular interest to me personally. Bersham woods, or Power Woods as its known comprises of 2 waterfalls, a lovely church and some awesome personal memories. 

Next to come: St Mary Church and Plas Power Woods