Photographic Simplicity - Take 2

“As I have practiced it, photography produces pleasure by simplicity. I see something special and show it to the camera. A picture is produced. The moment is held until someone sees it. Then it is theirs.
”

— Sam Abell

Well I did it! just posted day 31 - athough I have to say I don't think I could carry on for another month. The days just after Christmas were the greatest challenge as I could only upload via my iPhone which I found very frustrating.

The weather has been pretty rubbish here heavy rain and gales so it was a bit tempting to keep photographing the Christmas decorations and lights!

though I did come across this little tableaux in the garden which I think of as 'essence of oak'

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
”

— Lao Tzu

This stick on the dots calendar seems to embody a combination of simplicity and style

Just as this Michelin Man I spotted on a vintage truck at the Christmas Market embodies a simpler bygone age.

Back to the Christmas tree lights, before going outside again to see the leaves under the rose bush

This Buddha was the only picture where I "arranged a set"

The following day I was struck by the light on this hand blown glass ball hanging up in the window and I took a series of photos during the day with the different light and looking in slightly different directions, I chose the simplest to post in the Flickr group

But thought you might be interested in seeing some of the others

“Progress is man’s ability to complicate simplicity”

— Thor Heyerdahl

This one I prepared earlier and sent to my phone so that I could post it on Christmas Day

And this was our Boxing Day walk in the woods

I thought our Norwegian Christmas Cake met the criteria because of its simple shape and simple ingredients; almonds, egg white and icing sugar.

Almost there now, next up was some brollies in Brighton although I don't seem to be able to access the picture I actually posted so this is a similar one

“I am completely attracted to the idea of simplicity, or at least removing things that seem unnecessary when trying to get an idea out there.
”

— Demetri Martin

An almost abstract steamy window - followed by party dresses on a street stall

And finally this is it! Todays post for 31st December 2013 (with a few added words) huge thanks to Kim Manley Ort for setting this challenge and a very happy 2014 to you all - take care and see you next year.

Deck the Halls

“Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly”

— Anon

I love Christmas decorations especially lights, so it was a treat to go up to London last week and have the opportunity to see some of the street illuminations and store displays.

I arrived at Waterloo Station and looking down on the concourse from the new shopping level I was struck how Lowryesque the scene was and couldn't resist adding a filter to emphasise this look

Then it was off to Oxford Circus for some Christmas shopping, I was particularly struck by these robins in Carnaby Street

Where this shop looked a veritable Aladdin's cave

Then it was on to Liberty's which has been my all time favourite shop since I was a child - you may still be able to catch the documentary that's just been shown about it.

This year their decoration theme was the successful family musical 'Matilda' although I have to say I couldn't always see the connection!

The windows were a bit less glittery than last year with fewer rich colours than usual but the decorations inside were fun.

Then out into Regent Street where it was getting dark by now - difficult to get a good capture without getting mown down by a passing bus!

Having said that I love the lights reflected in the bus windows

Fun though these are they are not the most important decorations in my life, those are on our own tree and have been built up over the years. Some decorations remind me of a particular year, place or event like these pewter mits that I bought while visiting relatives in Norway about 15 years ago.

This nativity in a seed head was given to us by my Austrian Exchange visit friend - we are still in touch after nearly 50 years!

I will be signing off now until after the festivities but very much hope you will

Barbara x

Lightroom and Christmas Street Decorations

If you aren't interested in my adventures in Lightroom, page down to get to the Christmassy Pictures!

I have this week at last begun to get to grips with Lightroom. I got it back in the summer prior to signing up to Kim Klassen's Round Trip course - then the problems began. I had started to use it just for organising my photos and had imported my Photoshop Elements catalogue. Then I realised my hard disk was amongst completely full and that I need to find a solution quickly. Panic! delete a few photos and realise this isn't going to cut it. Next step was to buy an external hard drive and then panic again about transferring the photos without them becoming disconnected from the Photoshop and light room catalogues, or worse still losing the lot!

After extensive research we found out that you needed to transfer the files from inside the programme so I had to choose which to keep connected. In the end I choose Elements as I was more familiar with the programme and felt altogether more comfortable with it. So we spent a day transferring the photos in batches and to my great relief it all worked - I had space on my hard disk and at least I could still use elements!

Next to tackle Lightroom - in theory this wasn't too difficult; delete every thing in the catalogue and then re-import the photos from the Elements catalogue - it took several days before I managed to make myself bite the bullet in case it all went horribly wrong! Then success, I was able to start using lightroom and start on the Round Trip course which I had bought extended access to my this time!

The photos I am sharing today have layouts done with the Lightroom print module - my first attempt and very much a work in progress Enjoy!

These two are taken at the iconic Conran shop in Chelsea. I loved how they decorated their windows and the the pink delivery bike was awesome.

The Chelsea Conran shop is in an old Art Decco building that used to be a Michelin garage and is absolutely stunning!

I love Christmas decorations and the pictures above were taken in St Christopher's Place just behind Oxford Street, I think all the silver balls and reflections are just wonderful!

This final set of photos are window displays from shops in the streets just off Oxford St and Regent St. I adore the rich lush colours and textures