Photography

Expect the unexpected

I kept this piece of news quiet for some time because it took a little while to digest it.

Less than two weeks into my 365 day photo challenge, BBC Three Counties Radio got in touch with me asking if I would like come in for an interview with Nick Coffer.

Understandably, I said yes!

I went on air with Nick Coffer yesterday and I can honestly say that to date, talking on the radio has been one of the most surreal moments of my life.

I discussed my blog, the concept behind secret diary of a scavenger as well as my art practice. I felt really inspired to continue with my art and to have more confidence in myself and what I can achieve.

If you missed my interview, you can catch it here for the next seven days.

Five years ago, I could not have predicted that the shy person I was would ever have struck up the courage to go on the radio – live.

Just goes to show how much I’ve grown.

So, for day 21, here was the view from my radio mic:

The challenge continues. Tune in tomorrow!

Did any of you watch Animal Odd couples on BBC2 a few weeks ago? I was really taken by the wild buffalo who was allowed to come and go as he pleased from a ranch owner’s house.

The beast was so delicate and graceful when he walked through doorways and passed cabinets housing breakable treasures. Yet when he was back in his natural habitat he was mean and bolshy.

I met some English buffalos when out walking. There was easily two dozen and all of them instantly became preoccupied with what I was doing. They began walking towards me as a herd until all that stood between us was a flimsy fence that the recent storms could have easily knocked down with one puff.

Yet each and every one of them approchaed softly and didn’t give any inclination that they would hurt me. They simply stopped and stared, almost inquiringly, reminding me of that sweet buffaolo from from Animal Odd Couples.

Here they are. I’ve called this shot “The Inquisition”:

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Make sure you check back tomorrow as I’ll have a very special feature!

Yesterday, Ian an I took a wrong turn and almost became an animal’s lunch.

I’ve grown accustomed to our mini adventures, but this time I think we (almost) went too far.

After entering Woburn Safari Park through an exit we’re less familiar with, we ended up seeing more of the park than non-paying members are supposed too.

We noticed that something wasn’t right when we emerged from behind a cattle shed, and a park ranger’s land rover began tracking us. He didn’t approach us so we continued to walk ahead. At this point we saw another park ranger pull up on a grassy verge less than 20 metres away. I felt like a wilder beast.

As cars packed with eager eyed onlookers drove by with their windows firmly locked, I began to feel more like a safari attraction myself. It probably wasn’t the best idea to be sauntering around Woburn Safari Park where some animals are allowed to roam around freely.

Anyway, before we made a swift exit, I managed to snap a couple of bemused Zebras. I’ve always felt an affinity towards the zebra because both our names begin with an obscure letter.

Here they are:

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I added a purple cooling filter to bring out the glowing hue around the creatures.

See you tomorrow!

I’ve spent the past three days at #SESLondon sipping copious amounts of caffeine and attended some very useful digital marketing talks.

The highlight had to be Philip Storey’s presentation about “Breathing new life into your email campaign”. I’ve taken away loads of brilliant ideas and I can’t wait to apply them to my campaigns. I hope to add an email alert function to this blog at some point, but I’ll need lots more interested readers!

Anyway, whilst at the conference, I slipped into tourist mode and snaped a couple of the key attractions during breaks.

I took this nighttime scene of Big Ben and managed to achieve an awesome bokeh effect – possibly the best to date.

 

OK, so technically I didn’t take this today, but it’s been waiting in the wings for a while.

I captured this beautiful male stag whilst at an animal sanctuary in Derbyshire. It was the beginning of December and this particular Deer had sprouted his tufty winter coat, and you can still see the delicate circles marking his side.

He was quite assertive, and looked me in the eye (my lens) a number of times.

This one is titled, Stag Do:

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Please share!