What's It Worth?

 I try to get out for a walk every day and aim for 3 to 5 miles depending on the weather and how I feel. I rarely take my camera on these walks although from time to time I regret that decision. Instead however I like to listen to music as I walk and think about different things. 

One thing that has occupied my mind recently is why I take so many photos and what is the value in what I do. Photography is my hobby and it gives me a lot of pleasure, sometimes I think it would be good if I could monetize my hobby but if that became my focus then it would stop being so enjoyable. That being said I have been lucky enough to sell several pictures through exhibitions and the odd commission, plus for the past 8 years I have produced a calendar which I have sold  with the profits going to charity. Selling something that I have created is so satisfying because it means someone else has seen the beauty in what I saw and captured through my lens. But what makes a good photo/image is subjective so what I may think is a work of art another observer might be unimpressed. 

I have also sold a few pictures through photo websites and stock photo services, but the websites set the price and they take a huge commission (one recently took 80% commission on a sale) and in those cases the buzz of the sale is diminished by the thought about how someone else is profiting from my work and my creativity, so I try not to dwell on that aspect and just be pleased that I have made a sale.

I was talking to another photographer recently and he commented that he doesn't try to sell his work because that way he avoids disappointment, not because he doubts the quality of his work, (I saw some of his pictures which were excellent) but because what he thinks is good someone else might not agree. He shared a story about doing some publicity photos for a friend who was opening a new coffee shop. He produced what he thought was an excellent image, which he proudly showed to his friend who then casually dismissed it as not being what they were looking for and that was a hard lesson for him at that time.

So the answer to my question "What's It Worth?" really depends on the image, why it was taken and who you ask. Take the images below for example. I really like these pictures but they're not going to win me any prizes or go up my wall. The first two shots of the couple taking a selfie have no real value to me, but the image they are capturing in their phone will serve as a nice (maybe even priceless) reminder of their visit to Colmar and the memories they associate with it. The third shot has monetary value but only in that it cost me money after I had taken it. The original shot was a wider shot of the street scene with the busker on the corner, however he demanded I paid him for his image, I argued that he wasn't even playing his instrument and that if he had been working I wouldn't mind paying him but he was insistent that I paid. I wanted to avoid a scene, it wasn't worth the trouble so I paid; and having paid for the shot I was determined to use it, making him the focus of the image whereas before he had just been a "prop" in the overall scene. 

Priceless ?

                                                                             Priceless ?

                                                                            2 Euros

A Heck of a View

A few more from my trip to Pembrokeshire and Skomer. No doubt you you will be excited to see some shots of Puffins, after all that was the reason I went to Skomer in the first place. I have chosen to share some more shots of the spectacular sunset but if it is puffins you want I have included a little teaser below, just keep scrolling...

The pictures above were taken from Woolpack point, the sky genuinely was that gorgeous golden glow which belies how chilly it actually was with the wind coming right off the sea. It was nice to be up on the point on my own for a little while but I was soon joined by a trio of guys who were, like me there to enjoy the sunset at the end of a wonderful day. I think the addition of the three figures in the first two shots really adds something to the scene and I really like the solo guy silhouetted in the third shot. I also like the impact of the single seabird in the fourth image.

Before you scroll down to the final image I should warn you that it is not going to be what you expect. It is not a "cute" shot of a puffin but is instead an example of how timing is everything in getting the shot and is a good capture, even if it makes you groan.

 I had taken one shot of this bird close to the edge of the cliff and as it started to hunker down I thought it might be about to take to the air and I had tried several times to get pictures of these birds in flight. However instead of taking to the air it was heading back underground to its burrow, presumably to sit on its nest and as it did so it jettisoned its load quite spectacularly.

Across the World

 This is just a selection of shots from around Liverpool's Albert Docks and Chavasse Park on the last bank holiday. The city is gearing up for Eurovision 2023 and it is bringing people together from around the world in a celebration of music (not that I am in any way a fan of Eurovision) at a time when there is so much conflict and division around the globe.

It is 33 years since I first came to Liverpool and I have seen a lot of changes in that time, I like what has happened to the city and although as I say I am no fan of Eurovision I am pleased that Liverpool was chosen to host it this time round and I am encouraged when I see the way the city has embraced it (despite the disruption and inconvenience) just as it did as City of Culture in 2008.

Passing Time

 So here is a small selection of shots of people round and about the streets of the city or passing the time of day in cafés.

As always when people watching I try to imagine what each persons story is; is the girl in the first image waiting for someone or just enjoy a moment of calm on her own?

The couples who are in bars, what has brought them together? what are they talking about?

For the men who are on their phones, I wonder whether they are responding to important messages that have interrupted their day in the city or are they casually passing the time while a companion is in a shop nearby?

There are so many possibilities and it is so much fun creating narratives for complete strangers. Sometimes I keep them to myself or other times I will share them with whoever I am traveling with and maybe collaborate on expanding the story into a wild and ridiculous fantasy.  If you have never done this then take it from me it is a fun way to pass some time.

The last image in today's post was a reward for patience. I had been seated near the group of people (possibly students on a break from their studies) on the bench, I took a couple of photos but thought they were fairly uninteresting and I was just walking away when the young woman leant forward to connect with the young man closest to her. It was a tender moment and I was really pleased to be able to capture it.

Street Vendors

 It was obviously a slow day for these street vendors outside Giardini Reali and the Giardinetti vaporetto stop. 

The guy in the first few pictures was selling paintings of the local landmarks. He was aware that I was taking his picture but I was grateful that he did not actively pose for me, and after three shots I left him alone.

The second guy was selling basic tourist tat and after spending a little time reading his newspaper he actually moved his chair into a sunny spot and went to sleep, at one point I thought he might fall off his chair but he woke with a start, checked his stall and then calmly leant back and closed his eyes once again.

I imagine that later in the season he will have to keep a closer eye on things as the place will likely be heaving with tourists.

Having looked at these pictures once again I am wondering whether I could pull off the pork pie hat and wayfarers look. I am sure I have a pair of sunglasses like that somewhere...

Out and About

 

I have chosen three images today from out and about in Florence. The first two connect with the pictures I shared yesterday in that they were taken at Piazzale Michelangelo where there were lots of people enjoying the sunset and views of the city. I do enjoy people watching and capturing candid moments such as these. 

The third image shows a couple who we saw several times throughout the day. They are not pausing naturally to cross the road but are actually posing for professional photographs and were stood there for quite some time. They had a professional photographer and stylist/make-up artist with them and they were being photographed around the city. In this shot they would have had the duomo behind them.

Later in the day as my son and I were seated in a restaurant we watched this same couple walking up and down the street outside for at least an hour with the photographer leading the way trying to get the perfect shot without other tourists getting in the way. It was quite amusing for a while. The restaurant was in a narrow cobbled street and had a dining room on either side of the road, our waiter was clearly getting frustrated with the couple because they kept getting in the way as he was working between both sides of the street. Anyone who has been with me while I am out with my camera will know that I can take my time getting the shot I want however, I don't think I would test the patience in quite the same way...

Down Time

 

So, today's images sort of follow of the them from my last post in that there is a story to each picture however unlike the last post where the story was different in every picture today three images share the same story while the final image has a connected story.

If you have ever been to Venice or seen the city in films or documentaries the gondola are an icon of the city and the famous gondoliers are just as iconic in their striped shirts and straw hats. The canals in the more popular parts of the city are teeming with them throughout the day and night and during the high summer season the gondoliers rarely seem to get a break. Sometimes however they manage to get a few minutes to rest and catch up with text messages and so on and those moments can make for an interesting picture. I think my favourite image today is the first one, where the gondolier is seen through the railings of the bridge.

In the final shot for today the gondolier is preparing his boat for the day ahead, no doubt he is hoping for good trade that will keep him and his family afloat.

Take a break

 

There is a different pace to each of these pictures.

In the first a man is casually looking at his phone while enjoying a glass of wine at lunchtime. He is alone and unhurried, perhaps he is waiting for someone, or just delaying his return to the office, it is a lovely day after all and a few more minutes won't hurt.

In the second image there is so much happening, one woman is on her phone while her friend in the white blouse and a star tattoo on her wrist is holding back her dog as another dog walks by without its owner. People on the next table are deep in conversation but some are drawn to the dogs in case some drama develops. Meanwhile the couple sat at the open window talking to the barman who has become very animated, I wonder what has been said.

In the third image a waitress is taking a break, leant against the doorframe while customers are talking inside the café. Has the lunchtime rush just ended or is this a pause before the rush begins? What or who is she looking at, has something just happened along the street that is more interesting than going back in to work?

I like taking pictures of wildlife and landscapes, and architecture too, I like to create an image that evokes memories but as I look back through my portfolio some of the images I enjoy coming back to most are the ones that tell a story, or that I can create a story from. These images were shot during a brief stay in Venice in 2018 while on my road trip with my youngest son. We spent a lot of time walking round and people watching and every now and then I would try to capture a scene. I have lots of pictures of buildings , bridges and canals which I think are pretty good but the ones of people feel a little more unique. My last post also shows some interesting people with interesting stories too so if you have not seen that it is worth a few minutes to take a look... 

Joyful

 

I have had many mental debates about whether I should post this image because it is a candid shot of two unknown children. I was visiting a castle in Alsace and making my way through the different rooms when I spotted this scene. One parent was standing in the way to create space while the other parent was trying to capture a photo of their children. Without thinking I captured the moment from where I was standing, but in the low light and without adjusting my settings I wasn't sure what I would get. 

A little further on when I had chance to look at this image I realised that it was quite special but by then it was too late to speak to the parents to offer to share it with them.

I wasn't sure whether I should post this stolen moment, even now as I am writing this I am hesitating, but in the end I have decided that it is too good not to share. I love this picture, I love the joy captured in the moment, I love the light and shadows and I love the wonder of the little child with arms outstretched as if to say "Look at this!"

 

Morning Coffee

Despite the sunshine the temperature was below freezing so it seemed like a good idea to pause for a hot drink and a chat with friends. This street vendor was doing a roaring trade outside of Karlskirche in Vienna. 

In Wondering Awe

I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Vienna, a really wonderful city steeped in history and culture. I  enjoyed good food, good music and lots of delicious cake and of course I took every opportunity to capture sights around the city with my camera. I have lots of pictures to sort through and work on but I knew that I would post this as my first blog picture from the trip because it is probably my favourite shot from the weekend and it tells such a lovely story.

Although it was very cold it was a beautifully sunny morning, perfect for a stroll around the Volksgarten, near the Hofburg and Parliament buildings. I had been sitting on the other side of the park people watching when I heard the sound of buskers so I went to take a closer look, as I turned the corner I saw the little girl standing in awe and wonderment as she tried to make sense of the masked musicians. She was poised to put a coin in the tray but held back and moments after the shutter clicked she turned and ran back to her parents. I love this shot and the story it tells.

NB: I wouldn't normally take pictures of other people's children without asking but I was careful to avoid capturing the child's face so she is not identifiable. As for the buskers, I don't speak Deer or Horse so I couldn't ask them. 

Colourful Backstreets and a little surprise

Yesterday I posted three pictures in Black and White and I promised to post something colourful today.

I really like these shots of a hidden courtyard framed beautifully by the big arch and the narrow cobbled street. With the clear blue sky you might think this was a summers day but in fact it was early in February.

The next two pictures are an interesting insight into daily life for Venetians; it's the bin men... I spotted this small convoy making its way over the bridges and thought it would make a good image.

Going to work...

The morning commute for most of us means getting into our cars on our bikes or hopping onto trains or buses to get to our offices or other place of work. It is often frustrating as we jostle with others for space and at the end of the day we do it all again in reverse.

In Venice the commute is somewhat different. Of course many people cram onto the vaporetto (water buses) that travel along the main waterways but many others walk the narrow cobbled streets or take a small boat through the many canals which are the main thoroughfares.

Today's pictures show firstly one of the refuse collection vessels  which is moored up while the workers go door to door collecting the city's waste. The next two shots show a couple of bargees getting ready to go off to collect their load for the day. 

I like these images of the real Venice, away from the tourist sights and crowds. Of course at this time of day there were very few tourists about and it was a nice experience being about as the city woke up.

Music On The Streets

So today I have chosen two very similar images taken 38 seconds apart. I have given them slightly different treatment, the first with split toning and the second in high contrast black and white.

We had stopped for a few moments after a long, hot walk along the river and in this shaded spot paused for a cool drink. We watched/listened to the young busker Mads Jacobsen who was himself on a tour across Europe. You can check out some of his music online at https://madsjacobsen.bandcamp.com if you like a little bit of folk rock.

I wanted to get a shot of some of the customers at this snack bar to give a little more life to the image. I liked the casual stance of this couple as they surveyed the menu to make their choice but then the woman turned and noticed me taking a photo and she looked directly at me. I can't decide whether I prefer the one where they are both oblivious or the one where I am being observed. Both are good pictures though.

The Gondoliers 2

My last post about Gondoliers in Venice was really popular so I decided to share a few more pictures today.

Being a Gondolier seems like it might be a great job, after all you are working in a wonderful environment and meeting lots of people and helping to make their holiday. But there also seems to be a lot of down time. Walking around you would see them either sat alone or in small groups, mostly they would be people watching or doing something on their phones. 

Speaking of phones, did you notice the gondolier in the fourth picture? He is using his phone while navigating his way around the city while the couple in the boat are taking in their surroundings.