image – Page 2 – Communicating Creatively

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 8

27/12/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

This recent collection features clouds, cacti and a few other things. The cacti flowers are from my own plants and (as with no doubt many people), clouds have always fascinated me.

I recall as a child, often laying on the grass, looking up at the clouds as they drifted on by, slowly altering shape. It was and remains, a wonderful way to relax. Remember to pop on some sunscreen though.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

27 December 2023

Late Afternoon Walk

26/09/202324/09/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Last Sunday, late in the afternoon I had just finished off an A4 Watercolour when I looked out the window and saw the beautiful Spring light. It was too much of a temptation and I knew I had to get out there and go for a walk.

I finished up walking 3.3 km (2 miles) down at the Camden Bike Track which runs along a major river in the Sydney Basin. The track is about two minutes walk from where live which is great.

Here are some images I shot on my walk with a phone camera. Such a relaxing walk to cap off my Sunday.

Written by David Johnson

26 September 2023

The Character of Trees

03/07/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

When I go for a walk, I love looking at trees.

Each tree has its own special character. The branches often remind me of veins or arteries. Here are a few that I’ve come across recently. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 🙂 All shot on an iPhone 8Plus.

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

3 July 2023

Things That Attract My Eye – 5

29/06/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Welcome to the 5th post of Things That Attract My Eye.

This crop of images comers from various places, including on a at a dinner near the City, our front garden in Autumn (Fall), the local Nepean River, Millthorpe (Country NSW), opposite the gym I attend and in a car wash.

Images and the beauty within them are sometimes found in the most unlikely places.

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

29 June 2023

Farewell To Autumn (Fall)

03/06/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

It’s the 3rd June 2023 here, (60km / 37 miles) South-West of Sydney, Australia and Autumn is still with us, even though it’s the third day of Winter. The Seasons have been running late here for quite a few years now.

We have a Maple Tree in the front garden and it has been so wonderful to watch the changing colours over Autumn (Fall), and I believe Autumn (Fall) is starting to enter its final stage.

I went out this morning and took a few images on my iPhone before having to dash to an appointment.

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

3 June 2023

Missing Monochrome…

09/04/202309/04/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

One of the types of Photography I really enjoy, and do miss is Monochrome, aka Black & White. For many years, pre-digital, right back to 1983 when I started learning Darkroom skills.

I had an LPL 35mm Enlarger and later, I purchased a Durst 606 Medium Format Enlarger off one of my Uncles. The latter was for developing the negatives from my battery-less Yashica 635 Twin-Lens Reflex with which I used a hand-held meter.

Whilst I wasn’t as adept in the Darkroom as some of the other Camera Club/Photographic Society members over the years, I did enjoy going into the Darkroom, developing, printing and experimenting.

Fast forward to the Digital era and certainly it is easier and quicker to get the image and there are many more options for manipulation these days compared to the Darkroom.

In recent years my focus has been squarely on learning Sketching, Watercolour, Line & Wash and Oil Painting as I remember ‘always wanting to learn them’ when I was younger. Myself, like everyone else, is not getting any younger, having recently turned 60 and I have enjoyed, and will continue to enjoy these mediums. There is still so much more for me to learn and explore!

It shouldn’t be a surprise to people that I canned my Photoshop and Lightroom subscriptions a few years back. I still have a DSLR, however, I am looking to go in a different direction Photography-wise… A smaller, mid to high range compact and an iPad, which is a far cry from what I used to carry around. Much lighter too.

These days, I can see myself with a small backpack containing a compact camera, sketchbook, pencils, pigment liners, Watercolour field kit and sundry items.

I can see myself returning to Photography via Monochrome as (apart from when I used to take Slides), Monochrome was my favourite way of shooting images.

When I’m out and about this little kit complete with a small camera will allow me to elevate Photography once again in my life.

I’ve included a some images below of some of the things I used to like to shoot in Monochrome.

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

9 April 2023

I Love Shooting Up!

04/03/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

There is a lot to look at in this world of ours.

Way back in 1982, when I first started getting serious about photography, I noticed how I instantly developed a greater curiosity about our world. I started to explore detail in subjects that I had not even noticed prior to becoming interested in communicating via this medium.

Detail is one thing however, we also need to look up (I would say more than) occasionally as how much do we miss in our daily travels as we get busy with life? This brings me to the subject of this short article.

I love shooting up!

The next time you are out and about, take a minute away from your busy schedule and look up. There is a whole new world just waiting for you feast your eyes upon it.

Happy travels!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

4 March 2023

Things That Attract My Eye – 4

24/02/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Welcome to my 4th post on – “Things That Attract My Eye.”

We are certainly blessed where we currently live, up high but only a couple of minutes walk from the Nepean River in Camden NSW.

Relatively close to the river (and closer in parts than others), there is a two-way concrete bicycle path that is shared by cyclists, walkers and joggers.

It is along this path that I have taken the following iPhone images.

I hope you enjoy them!

Written by David Johnson

24 February 2023

Familiar Places – New Discoveries

09/01/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Last weekend, we visited my Wife’s Parent’s place. They live 25km (15 miles) South East of Goulburn which is approximately 1 3/4 hours drive/166km (103 miles) away from where we live. Quialigo is located in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia.

We have had many visits there over the past 25 plus years and I always find a subject of photographic interest there. This time, even though I had my DSLR with me, I only shot with my phone camera.

I wasn’t out photographing very long and indeed, only went outside because I needed some fresh air as my eyes were starting to close, after lunch, as I did not get a good night’s sleep the previous night.

Mum and Dad have numerous trees on their 100 acre property, however, my attention was drawn to a section of tree that had toppled over.

It was only when you walked up close that the magnificent colours, patterns and detail came to light.

Here is what I saw.

The colours of the Australian Bush never cease to amaze me.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

9 January 2023

A Norfolk Island “Lighter”

23/04/2022 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

Well, the first question you might ask is…’What is a Lighter?’

A Lighter is a ‘shallow-draft boat or barge, usually flat-bottomed, used in unloading (lightening) or loading ships offshore’. Source: Brittanica.com

Norfolk Island has no harbour and the closest cargo ships can moor to it is about 1 kilometre (0.62 miles)

The cargo is lifted onto the Lighters and then the Lighters transport the goods to Kingston Pier. A further challenge is that, even at high tide, the water is only 1 metre (3.2 feet) deep so a high degree of seamanship is required.

We were fortunate even to see this careful practice take place in our second visit to Norfolk Island back in 2007.

I find the Lighters to be a fascinating subject, particularly the ones that are no longer in service. There are 3 at Kingston, placed on land to add to the character of an already stunningly beautiful area. Oh, the stories I bet they could tell!

For me, they are one of my favourite subjects on Norfolk Island and have inspired me in terms of photography, sketching, painting and poetry.

Here are few examples: