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2013-05-25 23:00:32 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

The new Pʜᴏᴛᴏɢʀᴀᴘʜʏ ENGAGERS Cɪʀᴄʟᴇ is out!    [May 23, 2013]  New G+ interface this week!  Great turn out!

Quick start instructions:
➀  post a URL link to a G+ photo in the comments below,
➁  check out some photos from others and +1 and comment on them,
➂  publicly share this circle-post, from a new friend's stream (instead of ours)
➃  +1 this post to say "thanks", and add this circle  (replace it every week)

You will get a comment from us and be added (or stay in) the circle share next week!  Questions?  Ask in comments below - you'll get help!

Full story: This circle is for meeting engaging G+ users about photography.  The interaction happens in the comments and re-shares.  Every Thursday, post a link to a photo from yourstream during the last week in the comments... more »

2013-05-25 10:28:15 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

I am resharing because I don't have many recently edited photographs.  It's from last month.  I found this Pale Tussock Moth ( I think a male from the antennae) on the path outside my house.  I 'd never seen this variety before and found it very fascinating.  I have many pictures of it from various angles.  It seemed rather docile as it didn't move very much through the day

2013-05-23 11:46:09 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

If you're a b&w/monochrome photographer or simply a fan of the medium do have a look at this G+ community that I created and moderate along with +Hamish Niven and +Caspar Thomas.  Our members submit  wonderful photographs :-)

2013-05-17 14:00:41 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 30 +1s)

Another of my photographs from a few weekends ago.  I gave it a vignette so there's more emphasis on the foreground Cardamine Pratensis Wildflowers :-)
#promotephotography   #natureinmonochrome   #blackandwhitephotography   #naturephotography  

2013-05-17 14:00:11 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Another of my photographs from the weekend. These dainty Cardamine Pratensis wildflowers have been growing in between the grasses at the front of my home the last few years.  They only last a short while but they make an interesting subject...  They really are quite small by the way :-)
toned b&w
#promotephotography  

2013-05-13 07:59:38 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

I photographed this at the weekend they grow outside my home  

2013-05-10 07:54:21 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

starburst
I photographed these velvet grasses last May.  I particularly like they almost look as if they are shards of crystal and there's so much energy.  
toned b&w
#promotephotography   #naturephotography   #blackandwhitephotography   #abstractphotography  

2013-05-08 10:37:09 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

A photograph from last year that I only recently edited.  This was early in the morning as you can see from the dew on the dandelion seeds
toned b&w
#promotephotography  

2013-05-07 13:38:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

We have reached 400 members (exactly because the 1 of the moderator is actually my avatar for the Nature In Monochrome Page) Thank you all :-)
I have finally getting back into my photography Winter lasted rather longer than usual and I have been sat here feeling rather frustrated that I couldn't photograph until recently. I feel a little rusty as such. I think once I am in full swing again I will begin regaining my confidence in my abilities. Last year was the rekindling of my experience in photography and so I have been questioning my skills in these barren months (I guess because of the lack of practical application). Thank you for your entries and do remember if you really like a photograph maybe leave a plus or comment I am sure the photographers will appreciate it and it may even keep them from doubting themselves :-)
Thank you +Caspar Thomas and +Hamish Niven for helping with them... more »

2013-04-30 22:15:43 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

My last entry in the #winwithwex  light and shade G+ competition.  Another photograph from last May on an early morning.  light shining through the trees giving a dappled effect and the light and shaded parts on the honeysuckle
toned b&w

2013-04-30 19:21:02 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

middle entry of 3 for the #winwithwex  light and shade G+ competition.  Making use of some paper behind a dandelion, outside my home .  This photograph is from last May.  There's some vignetting from the actual preset in lightroom that I used but it goes well.  I had only recently started using the software
Selenium toned B&W

2013-04-30 12:30:04 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

An entry in this months   #winwithwex  light and shade G+ competition.  I photographed these group of trees last year not far away from my home.  I like the way this looks in toned b&w almost like silhouettes. I think many times we forget about looking up because we're so focused on what's in front of us. I was initially fascinated by the way the light illuminated the foliage.  The bright light from the sun contrasts the dark areas.  There's also some light cloud which gives an overall balance in my opinion :-)

2013-04-29 00:50:27 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

My entry in last Months Wex G+ competition that finished 3rd has been featured in their blog :-) You can see more about it along with the other winners at the following link 
http://www.wexphotographic.com/blog/the-google-photography-all-creatures-great-small-competition-march

2013-05-03 09:13:50 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 33 +1s)

I photographed this in May last year its always been a favourite of mine for it's pureness.  If you look closely you can see droplets of dew and what seems like a strand of silk from a spider

2013-04-25 18:51:22 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 18 +1s)

A photograph from last Autumn I like the different textures and light and shade. This was a puddle under some trees not far away from my home.  In the middle there's a twig, it kinda reminds me of a crocodile 
(best viewed large)
toned b&w

2013-04-21 11:11:00 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

I found out a few days ago that I''d finished 3rd in last month's winwithwex I have never won anything before for my photography :-)

2013-04-18 23:48:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Hand Painted Silk
While browsing the internet for silk painting I found the creations of Lena Korolyuk.  You can find more links showing her works on pinterest.  This is some of the most beautifully done silk art I have ever seen. 

2013-04-17 10:44:58 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Another photograph from last year that I thought could be improved.  A tighter composition and different tone.  The bokeh in the background was caused by the early morning light shining through gaps in the fence.
#promotephotography  

2013-04-14 10:32:48 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

THE FIRST 300 PROMOTED!!!!

You have been chosen by +Promote Photography because your work is very good and have to be promoted / shared.

If you do not share this circle you will still be in it! But if you do share we will be thankful to you!

Next share at 400

If you like to be in, tag us with #promotephotography . There is no guaranty but it will help us found your work!

Share if you like!  

2013-04-13 22:57:11 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 27 +1s)

These daisies were photographed last year early in the morning. The sunrays were peeking over the wooden fence behind creating the flare and seemingly illuminating the flowers. 
toned b&w

2013-04-09 23:47:42 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Which photograph do you prefer?
I am torn between editing out the sky in the photograph or leaving it. Which do you think looks better.  For me without the sky you can't get a sense of the brightness of the sun i.e the full effect.  The only problem with the sky is that white spaced curvature in the middle.  
The left photograph the sky has been cropped while the right photograph is unedited 

2013-04-05 22:01:48 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Part of the reason I like early mornings is the quiet and the other is the wonderful directional light you get :-) . I photographed this honeysuckle last year. This variety of flowering shrub probably won't bloom until May.
toned b&w

2013-04-05 18:58:29 (3 comments, 4 reshares, 20 +1s)

My entry in this month's #firstfridayartwalk  G+ event  curated by +Samantha Villenave and +Lena Levin  , a recent fractal creation made with 7x and rendered using Chaotica
(best viewed large)

2013-04-05 07:33:22 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Early morning honeysuckle
I was going through my archives of photographs from last year and quite liked the look of this.  I have converted it from the original.
toned b&w

2013-04-03 11:41:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

If you are thinking of buying a carbon fibre tripod then this Manfrotto is definitely worth looking at with its range of features.  Note it does not include a ball head this must be purchased separately :-)  This in a way is an advantage as you can choose whichever you like, even choose a different brand if you so wish

2013-04-03 11:39:00 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Unexplored features of tripods
I believe many photographers do not make the best use of tripods.  You will see people only photograph landscapes from standing view.  They never think of changing the height of tripod or scouting for different angles that might work for a given photo.  They see the wide vista and forget.  So my tip is learn what your tripod can do try different heights and various angles.  Remember though you must counterbalance the camera weight against that of your tripod otherwise it could topple over (so be careful).  Make sure you hold your camera while making adjustments or have someone else holding it so its okay  Learn the limits of what your tripod can do.  Anyone can take a photograph from eye level on a tripod but there are so many other ways of photographing the same view.  That's probably why it seems rather cliched or average when you see pictures at eyelevel fr... more »

2013-04-03 11:08:27 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

A photograph from last year that I recently edited.  This variety of honeysuckle isn't due out until May and so I thought I 'd share this from my archives.  If you look closely you can see tiny droplets of dew on the flower.  I have given it a selenium tone.  I do like their architectural looks

2013-04-03 09:49:09 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

My fractal Art
Another variation of a recent creation
This was made with 7x and then rendered using Chaotica and final editing in photoshop (creative suite3) As the fractal is on a transparent layer I added the colours you see under the large flower like shapes.  

2013-03-31 21:18:57 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

All members should read this before posting
These are the rules on acceptable photographs* (a must read for all members)
Your Nature Photographs should

focus on the nature, this  should be the primary and most important element
There should be No people in the photograph 
They must be in Monochrome , B&W or toned B&W 
I will accept IR B&W but would prefer if you didn't use a preset in editing software later for this but rather use a lens filter on camera i.e the old fashioned way 
Split toning might be allowed but make them subtle
No Full Colour Photographs
Lithographic B&W is allowed

Pixel Blending and Paintography effect photographs are not allowed
There should not be a large percentage of man-made structures, features and buildings in your photograph. Iwil... more »

2013-03-30 18:34:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Dear photographers if you recently joined the community do read the guidelines about  photos (found under the category named rules about photos) thank you 

2013-03-30 15:43:36 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Dear Photographers do remember you can only share 3 photographs a day  

2013-03-28 16:40:15 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

The Vortex Being 
From my fractal art G+ album Noir

2013-03-28 13:08:13 (5 comments, 4 reshares, 19 +1s)

My first submission in the +Wex Photographic competition All creatures great and small #winwithwex  
Early morning droplets on grasses and I found this little bug who seems like he's in the land of the giants

2013-03-28 09:32:07 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Lani in her gown
My favourite digital painting that I have ever done (well so far) I don't use Painter much these days. Its a fantasy creation with no model and the design of the dress is by me.  I think that the part I like the most is the hair flowing down her back. This a rework of the original painting as that has a normal edge around the painting. 
#digitalpainting   #corelpainter   #wacom   #art  

2013-03-27 12:25:40 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 23 +1s)

A photograph from last year in the early morning, dew mixed with droplets of guttation

2013-03-27 07:55:03 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

My Fractal Art
I have been trying alternative looks with this recent fractal. I have added some gradients on separate layers (in adobe creative suite) I set them at multiply and changed the original colours that I rendered the fractal in. Variations sometimes can yield interesting combinations. Its starts out from inputing the type of fractal I want generated and what kind on background I 'd like. Then it randomly creates a batch of fractals. From which I chose this fractal and began modifying it and tweaking it. That's about the simplest way I can explain it.
Created and rendered with 7x with final editing done in photoshop

2013-03-26 21:02:53 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I don't feel very enthused lately for posting here on G+.  I am having a rough time with my anxiety.  My family seem more distant (I already rarely see them) than ever and my plans for starting landscape photography again this year seem in disarray.  I know they would tell me I shouldn't feel this way but I feel like a burden on them.  I wish I could sound and be more happy but truthfully I am not, I can't pretend. 

2013-03-26 13:31:42 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Not quite sure of the colours of this fractal.  I have different versions I prefer more.  It was created from a random batch fractal, then I have moved and tweaked the transforms