Looking Out Through Athens

Sun Leaf

Came across this image with no intention of photographic practice. I had simply forgotten to take sun glasses out with me, and in an attempt to block the sun began playing with some images. This photo caught my immediate attention. The way I interpret it, the leaf is the sun.

65 Caterpillars

During a walk up Leviticus Hill, I stumbled across a working line of 65 caterpillars. They made their way across the concrete in a perfect chain that did not break even once.
 After some research when I returned to Wales, I discovered this species is known as Pine Processionary. They live in large tents, usually in Pine Trees, and march out at night in single file to feed along pine trees in their single filed manner. The caterpillars I came across were out close to mid day, which according to online research, indicates they were now fully grown and in search of pupation sites. A spectacular event I hope to catch more and more throughout my life.
More information on The Pine Processionary here:- http://web.cortland.edu/fitzgerald/pineprocessionary.html

Athens Graffiti

While exploring the streets of Athens, it was evident the majority of the city was covered in Graffiti. Not the kind of Graffiti seen back here in Wales, where there is the odd gratifying scene, but this kind of artistic standard was found across almost every wall.

Beauty against the Austere

Venetian Couple

There were many people wandering St Marks Square in Venetian styled clothing. 

Stained Glass

A stained glass window along the streets of Venice. I found this interesting as an image as it seemed as though the colour and brightness was prevented from spreading.

Love & Hope

We found these notes all over Venice. People would post details of a job, then attach their number vertically along the bottom. A person interested would rip one of the numbers to keep to be able to get in contact. I thought these were a n admirable alternative.

Despaired Mannequin

During the study trip we came across a group of people on strike. This was one of a couple of mannequins hung from street lights. Again I found it contrasted the beauty of Venice. I never did understand what the group were striking for.

Decomposing Alley

One of the many canal alleys of Venice. Its ruining structures and decomposing walls give this image a chilling sense of dissolution.

Venetian Church

Near our hotel was an old church. Due its age it had yellowed in colour, and I like the contrast it had against the darkness of the sky. 

Iced Over

When I visited Venice for a study trip last year, we arrived when it had iced over for the first time in 20 years. When leaving the airport, we boarded a water taxi to take us to our next destination. The area around us was cloaked under one giant sheet of thin ice. 

Venice, Like any Other

Venice has ugly sites to see as well as beautiful. This image shows that it is not all beautiful as brochures portray it. The works in the background really contrast the angelic state associated with Venice.

Winter Sun

A Winter sun with a silhouette of trees in front of it. The sun is always seen as a source of hope and joy, so I wanted to make an image where the sun seemed the opposite. I wanted it to appear eery and secretive. I think I achieved that through this picture.

Settled Snow

I waited until a few days after the snow had settled to see how images would work. I found a big difference between the soft effect snow had on the environment, to how harsh it appeared after a few days of settling as ice. I much prefer the sharpness the after effect of snow gives.

Empty Sun Set

My last image showing soft and sharp together. I wanted to show a hint of sun set, but I didn't want the sun being the main focus, I wanted that to be on the trees. I had to position the camera to shoot just above the sun. 

Sharp and Soft

A soft sky and plane trail, mixed with slight sharpness from tree tops. I was hoping to only get the corner tree top, as though the plane was emerging from that, but the neighbour trees were a little too tall to be completely out of sight. 

Subject and Reflection

Following on from recent reflection images, I found this unknown object dangling from the tree to be a perfect test for a combination image. I'm going to combine the two to create one picture. One showing the subject, and the other showing its reflection. 

A Sharp Silhouette

The name of this bush escapes me, but I love the sharpness against the soft sky. As the closer plants are blurred, it looks as though it is emerging from a cloud of black smoke. 

DOF Examples

These three images were simply tests at the different Depth of Fields. I am considering doing more like this one, but more professionally.