Playing with B+W photography

My creative eye loves looking at street photography and black and white photography, and it is slightly rapturous when they are combined. I struggle however to actually like my B+W photography. I don't know what it is, but I'm not sure I've got my eye right yet. I also struggle with street photography. I get too nervous shooting strangers, and I care too much about what people think of me when I'm standing there taking photos of random things. I really shouldn't, I mean, they are strangers and they will likely never see me again!

With the old adage, practice makes perfect, I thought I'd practice on a recent road trip out of the big smoke. Maybe a lot of practice makes perfect, but I'll keep having fun practicing! What do you find fun to practice shooting?

A christening of sorts

Today was a special day. My darling sister christened her new baby today. A nice shiny new camera and lens. It doesn't have a name (to my knowledge). Perhaps I should have asked. After the christening (which I captured in minute detail) we wandered around the park just taking photos of anything that caught our eye. Ironcially we are both similar - like finding little insignificant things and making them come to life. 490 pictures later (say what you want, I'm an overachiever and have an inherent aversion to conciseness) I'm a little burnt but had a lovely time with my sis. Thanks for the fun afternoon!

The first shot! Poised and focused (no pun intended)

Reviewing the masterpiece. Articulated screen worth its weight in gold. Yes, we're both Canon girls...

A random wedding we happened across. The bride looked beautiful and the bridesmaids navy dresses were complemented perfectely by the beautiful blue of the agapanthus.

Not a huge spider fan - now don't get me wrong, I don't like killing them and will leave them if they pose no direct threat to my existence - but I do like taking photos of them. I discovered manual focus. LOVE IT!!!! Looking at this photos now however I"m a bit disturbed about how close I was to this to see its eyes so clearly. I don't have a macro lens or a super zoom....yikes!

This flutterby broke the monotony of the spider pics.

I'm pretty sure this is a jumping type spider. I was quite afraid it would jump towards me....

Random bug....apparently I'll shoot any sort of creepy crawly!

A much more genteel approach - floral still life

Another spider, just for fun. I hadn't actually realised how many different spiders we ended up taking the mug shot of!

 

Ducky duck duck duck...

 

 

It is difficult to capture dragonflies. They fly. It would be much easier if they were dragonstills.

   

Is anyone uncomfortable about the fact I chopped this guys feet off? I am. Never the less I couldn't not include it with the look this turkey was giving me. Who's calling who a turkey now?!?!

xxx