Round and Round We Go
Have you ever found yourself munching on your favourite steak and chips every night only to realise, somewhat sadly, that it’s lost a bit of its zing? That’s a bit how photography can feel sometimes. Day in, day out, same old stunning vistas, yet the thrill isn’t quite what it used to be.
Looking back over my shoulder at the last few laps around the sun, I’ve seen my lens gradually shift focus—from the rolling hills and quiet moors of Yorkshire to the bustling streets and lively faces that give a place its pulse. But as I’ve wandered and watched, I’ve noticed a pattern or two in the paths I’ve trodden. Certain spots just keep pulling me back, camera in hand. And each time I return, something’s different. Maybe it’s me, maybe it’s the gear I’m toting, or maybe the software I’m swearing at back home has had a bit of an update.
Humble Beginnings
It all started with a simple camera and a single lens, roaming the Yorkshire dales, discovering spots only locals or lost tourists would stumble upon. Did I capture any award-winners? Not a chance. But each click added a bit more to my craft, a little more understanding of light, shadow, and how a landscape can tell a story.
Embrace Change and Revisit
Dark and Moody Adventures
As my journey with the camera rolled on, I stumbled upon the magic of filters. You know, those nifty bits of kit that can make a trickle of water look like a silken sheet, or a bright sky turn dark and brooding with just a twist of your wrist. Armed with these new toys, I revisited those old haunts that had captured my imagination early on. It was like seeing them for the first time all over again. The landscapes hadn’t changed much, but the way I saw and captured them sure had. Each shot now had a bit more drama, a bit more emotion—thanks to a bit of glass and a whole lot of experimenting.
Trending: From Ground to Sky
Then came the drones. I’ll tell you, seeing the old bridges of Newcastle from a couple hundred feet up sends a right shiver down your spine. It’s a breathtaking view that you just can’t get with your feet on the ground. The drone became my eye in the sky, revealing angles and vistas that added a whole new dimension to my portfolio. It wasn’t just about being higher; it was about seeing things from a perspective that turns the everyday into the extraordinary.
HDR: A Short-Lived Love Affair
And let’s not forget the HDR phase—High Dynamic Range, for those not in the know. It promised to balance the brightest lights and the darkest shadows into one perfect shot. And it did… sort of. But while the tech was clever, it often left the landscapes looking a tad unnatural, like they’d been smeared with Vaseline. I quickly realized that some tools are like fireworks: spectacular at first glance but not something you want to use every day.
Flashing Lights and Living Scenes
A Shift to the Human Element
The next twist in my photographic tale came when I started bringing people into the frame. There was a time I’d wait for a tourist or an eager hiker to clear the view before I’d snap away. But then, something clicked—why not make them part of the story? So, I began positioning people, cars, and even models right in the midst of those landscapes I’d come to know so well. Suddenly, those familiar scenes were infused with new life, each person adding their narrative to the picture.
With a flash in hand, and sometimes a couple of strobes rigged up in the bushes, I started to play with light in ways I’d never thought possible. We’re not just talking a splash of brightness here and there; we’re talking about sculpting scenes, crafting moments that felt both grounded and somehow otherworldly. It was no longer about capturing what was there, but what could be imagined and created.
Introducing Motion and Emotion
Adding movement brought another layer of complexity and excitement. A flowing dress, a sprinting child, a car kicking up dust on a lonely country road—it wasn’t just about the static beauty of nature anymore, but about the energy and emotion that movement could convey. Each photograph became a frozen slice of time, telling stories of joy, tension, or even solitude.
This shift wasn’t just about upgrading my toolkit or changing my subjects; it was about deepening my understanding of photography as an art form. Every flash of light, every positioned subject was a brushstroke on a canvas that stretched across every corner of Yorkshire and beyond.
Full Circle: A Spiral of Inspiration
Learning, Layering, and Long-Term Growth
It’s funny how things come full circle, isn’t it?
Or maybe it’s more of a spiral, as I find myself revisiting the same spots but with fresh eyes and new techniques each time. This journey through photography has taught me that nothing is static—not the scenery, not the technology, and certainly not the photographer.
Each phase of my adventure has built upon the last, like layers of paint on a mural that only gets more complex and captivating with time. The landscapes I once captured with a simple lens have transformed under the influence of filters, drones, and flashes. And every scene, every smile, every structure I’ve pointed my camera at has left its imprint on me, shaping my vision and honing my craft.
The Spiral Upwards
In those moments when it feels like I’m just treading water, going round in circles with no end in sight, I remind myself of the spiral. It’s not about spinning in place but climbing, learning, and evolving with each pass. What might seem like repetition is actually rhythm, the steady beat of a drum that echoes the persistent pulse of creativity.
Remember, when you find yourself in a rut, wondering if you’re making any progress at all, that what you’re learning today lays the groundwork for tomorrow’s breakthroughs. Each click of the shutter is not just a capture of the moment but a stepping stone to the next great shot.
Keep Shooting, Keep Dreaming
So, to all my fellow photographers feeling the cyclic pinch—keep going. Keep shooting. Keep dreaming. The spiral of photography is long and winding, but every turn brings new vistas, new challenges, and new joys. It’s a never-ending climb, but believe me, the view from the top is worth every step.
