February 25 ~ Plastic Fantastic

Not a tacky shot in sight! Models are hard to work with sometimes, but she was a dream. Posed just as I envisaged every shot :)

I feel wonderful today. I had a message on RedBubble from the person who bought my photo. It is to be hung on a kitchen wall to brighten up the room, I'm told. Hooray!

February 24 ~ Waves

A lovely and mild morning, but unfortunately not much of a sunrise. At least I managed to find a new location. Went out and met up with D and E this morning and we wandered down to this little cove. The rocks are beautiful down there, and on a morning with a nice sky it could be stunning. Well worth another visit!

February 23 ~ Passing Time

Mini-Me is just passing time ...

February 22 ~ Terracotta Soldiers

I love archaeology and studied it at university. I've always wanted to see the Terracotta Army, but this is as close as I'll get, I think. Thanks to A for lending them to me :)

February 21 ~ Delicate and Determined

The hard frosts of recent nights still cannot prevent this determined new growth. Despite its delicate appearance, it's a hardy little thing.

February 20 ~ Bright and Breezy

Bright and breezy summed me up today when I had that email from RedBubble, that's for sure! Nice to see the first daffodil in our garden echoed my mood :)

My First Sale!!!

I have made my first sale! Woke up this morning and found an email from RedBubble ( http://www.redbubble.com ) telling me that this print has sold!



I can't believe it! I'm really excited and proud and pleased all at the same time. Never knew that my bumbling around and playing taking my images for my Photo A Day project would ever sell! (This is February 2nd's photo, by the way).

What a start to my day The day just got a WHOLE lot better!

Here's hoping this is the start of something, and not just a flash in the pan.

February 19 ~ Surviving the Frosts

Despite the hard frosts we've had the past few nights, the crocuses in our garden are still doing well.

February 18 ~ Mini-Me's Treasure

He wishes he were a pirate... he loves the idea of treasure. Good thing he doesn't have to bury it though, it would be a mighty big hole!

February 17 ~ Morning

It was another cold and frosty start to the day here, but what a glorious morning! As planned, I drove to Chester-le-Street again in search of a better vantage point to photograph Lumley Castle from. Unfortunately I couldn't find a spot where the castle wasn't obscured by trees. Undaunted, I packed up my gear and headed to Herrington Country Park in Sunderland instead. This was the sight that greeted me down by the water. I was also fortunate enough to capture a shot of this swan as he flew past along the water's edge:

February 16 ~ Frosty

The hard frost last night hit the early spring flowers hard. I headed to Chester-le-Street and the Riverside (of cricket fame) to scout out a location to photograph Lumley Castle and the River Wear. I didn't find the spot I was after today, so this is all I came home with. I'm thinking of trying my luck there again tomorrow though, so keeping my fingers crossed.

February 15 ~ Kisses

Last of the imported chocolate!

February 14 ~ Duckie Love

Not a very inspired image, and perhaps one that is a bit cliche, but the sentiment behind it is genuine. Happy Valentine's Day!

February 13 ~ Writer's Block

I feel like my creativity has been stifled somehow. Figured a photograph representing writer's block would work to describe my current frame of mine regarding my photography. I'm putting it down to not being able to get out on the weekend with the camera and I'm hoping that this weekend will give me the creative kick-start I need. Being out of doors and taking photographs relaxes and refreshes me; it really makes me feel energized and enthusiastic. I often come up with ideas and concepts for my indoor still life work for the upcoming week while I'm out taking photos - it seems to have a very positive effect on my thoughts and creative process.

February 12 ~ In Search of Zen

In need of some inner peace! Been a busy day.

February 11 ~ Snowdrops

The first of the snowdrops in our garden.

It's been a glorious day today. The air was balmy and the sunshine was warm. What a pity I had to spend most of it in the bank working and not out in the fresh air with the camera enjoying it. I awoke to a beautiful misty sunrise and drove home in the glow of a pinky-orangey-bluey streaky sunset. Just lovely.

This is the end result of my playing with previously unprocessed RAW files yesterday - an image that I am happy to print out and submit as an entry in my camera club competition. I think it works even better than the colour version I posted yesterday, although I like that as well.

February 10 ~ First Crocus

This is the first crocus I've spotted this year, and it proves that spring really is just around the corner.

I didn't get to go out anywhere with the camera this weekend, to my disappointment. I spent Saturday morning at work (boo!) and missed a glorious start to the day. Today I got up at 6am all set to head to the beach for some photos, only to be greeted by a thick, thick fog. I could hardly see the houses across the street, nevermind get any decent images. I have therefore spent time today going through RAW images from past shoots and processing images I've not touched before. Here are my favourites:

Lindisfarne - taken September 9, 2007.


Summer Morning - taken August 5, 2007.


Stormy Skies - taken May 28, 2007.

February 9 ~ Sneaker

Another view of my sneaker. I'm really enjoying exploring the photographic possibilities of them; makes me take a careful look at everyday objects. Looking back, I wish I'd not cropped quite so closely in-camera - at least on the top of the image. Oh well - live and learn! :) Tomorrow is another day, and another PAD!

February 8 ~ Laced Up

The sneakers are still providing much photographic joy in addition to being darn comfy to wear!

February 7 ~ All Star

Another shot of my beloved Converse sneakers. I think there will be more photos to come of these All Stars.

February 6 ~ Ranunculus

Ranunculus are wonderful to photograph. All those layers upon layers of paper-thin petals and all the detail. Just lovely.

February 5 ~ Mushroom

I love mushrooms. They are so intricate and delicate (not to mention delicious!). Now that I've photographed them, they will make a lovely addition to breakfast.

February 4 ~ Favourite Shoes

Have you ever had a pair of shoes that you absolutely loved? Ones that you couldn't bear to part with, despite them being battered and worn? I do. These are my Converse All-Stars. I remember wanting a pair when I was a little girl, and finally got a pair about three years ago. They are so comfortable and I associate them with laid-back weekends and lazy days. Even though they are far, far past their best I cannot bear to get rid of them in favour of a new pair. I'm not a shoe girl per se, but I really do love these sneakers of mine!

February 3 ~ Rockpools

We got out again this morning - what a great weekend! This is the second day running Chris and I have been out together with the cameras; Chris has produced some superb images, and it's such a pleasure to enjoy this hobby together.

February 2 ~ Cherry Soda

This is today's photo. It's a reshoot of an idea I had a few months back, but didn't get the focus quite right that time. Now I've redone it, I've entered it in Digital SLR User Magazine's Kitchen Macro competition. Keep your fingers crossed for me please! :)

What a wonderful day it's been today. Chris and I headed out together at 7am, armed with our cameras. We enjoyed a lovely sunrise on the beach, then got the week's grocery shopping over with nice and early before the hordes descended on the supermarket. I can't describe what a terrific feeling it was to be out taking photos with Chris - seeing him using a camera and enjoying himself was amazing. Here's to many more such outings to come! This is my favourite shot of the morning:

February 1 ~ Hyacinth

In contrast to today's snowy, wintry weather I figured that a good way to start off February in my PAD blog was to give a further hint of spring!