Why you should always take your camera with you...

6/6/2015

I'm very fortunate to live in an exceptionally beautiful part of Cornwall, a short drive away from the beautiful beaches around Trevose, the fishing port of Padstow and the ever changing river Camel. I have walked around this area for more than 25 years and you would think that there wouldn't be anything that I haven't photographed!

The majority of my walks are dog walks.....and the camera comes too, rather than an outing with a photographic intention and the dogs tag along. Knut is well trained now: when the camera comes out of the bag, he immediately sits.....at a safe distance so that he doesn't get yelled at for being in the shot! Baz, the Jack Russell, just does his own thing which generally involves frenetic digging to oust a mouse or rabbit from its nest.

Since ditching my full frame Canon 5D mark II along with the expensive L series lenses I'd so carefully garnered and making the change to Fuji, my photography has taken on a new lease of life. I'm presently using the Fuji flagship, the XT-1 together with the 18-135mm WR lens. This lens has been on the camera since I bought it back in January because it's supremely versatile, weather resistant and beautifully sharp. I carry them in my Ona Bowery waxed canvas messenger bag, along with my Lee filter set (and lots of spare batteries!) and it's light, easy to get at at a moment's notice and, more importantly, always with me.

And that's the point of this Blog! The photographs below are just a selection from the last month or so of dog walking around the cliffs, bays and along the Camel Trail. Some are 'in the right place, at the right time' images, others are opportunities spotted on an earlier occasion and the conditions have become just right. Like most photographers, I'm ALWAYS looking at the light and at various compositions. Enjoy.....and always take your camera with you!

Let's start with this afternoon: Saturday 6th June...

The Valerian is fabulous along the dunes at Tregirls. Fuji XT-1 with XF 18-138mm OIS WR ISO 200 1/1100 @ f/5.3 66mm

Fuji XT-1 with XF 18-138mm OIS WR ISO 200 1/250 @ f/11 18.5mm

Fuji XT-1 with XF 18-138mm OIS WR ISO 200 1/200 @ f/16 18mm

And this morning. Yes, we were out on the Trail at about 4.50 a.m!

Fuji XT-1 with XF 18-138mm OIS WR ISO 1000 1/200 @ f/22 18.5mm

The iron bridge which now carries cyclists along the Camel trail from Wadebridge to Padstow. Fuji XT-1 with XF 18-138mm OIS WR ISO 1250 1/200 @ f/22 @ 52.4mm

Yesterday morning 5th June....