Where have I been?

Yes you could well ask yourself the same question. Unless you happen to work in the city you could be like myself and have to belong to a photographic club the management of which do a lot of research before they choose a site for their members to come and photograph.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! But is this the city of Perth? The city I have lived in since the seventies? yes I am THAT old! BUT it doesn't mean I don't recognise positive change when I see it. And I thought the Architectural schools were forever stuck in the fifties with their box-like houses and fascination with triangular constructions. But you decide! I think it is all fantastic and it makes me proud to belong here...at last! I can encourage visitors to come here and not have to hang my head in shame. We are progressing! OH YES we are!!!
Maybe a few triangles here and there but what fantastic structures. I loved it! And what a way to run in a new camera. But, the bad news is that I still am not using my new tripod. One day, one day, soon, I know it will be soon.

The idea was to photograph an abstract idea and this I did and I have given nothing away. My competition picture is still a secret.

More of the same? A visit to Busselton, almost!.

Actually the number of times we have visited this site now can be counted in double figures. But this was the first experience in climbing up endless stairs to reach the top of the Photo Tower. An extensive view (360*) was ours. And before this we could admire some Art Works and listen and watch a nature video...all for a miserable $2.00. Very Generous I thought!

A new face surprised us. We hadn't seen her before this but we thought her looks and presentation were just 'IT'.










Then the camera was drawn to the usual and all this before the cup of tiger water.

 But what I really wanted to write about was the couple of photos which didn't win any rewards last night but at least the members once again showed that they had a sense of humour. The judge was kind enough in his words...these images would win prizes in any competition...but he forgot to add...Not in this one!
So see what you think!

The competition was ...the use of words...!













But this last one, the OPEN entry, really worried him...perhaps the author should have focused only on the top of the image...the solid trees...or perhaps the movement of water in the center...or on the reflections on the bottom of the image...BUT on all three at once? NO,no,no!!!
You can only please some people some of the time certainly never all of the time! I must stop entering my favourites.

How much courage does one need?

I thought this is it! A competition of photographs taken in Pemberton. And, we had spent 4 days there in late December. So, surely I could find some suitable snaps. And I thought I could.
For instance this one...nature's bell! Great in this size but try and blow it up to be printed then maybe it is not of competition value.

Then again this one...the threatening weather taken from the sand dune aspect.

I tried to register it but it wasn't wide enough! never mind I told myself, it
remains a favourite of mine.
The picnic table below you've seen before, no matter, it exudes peace in my mind so it won't attract a judge's opinion.

 This next one just might be too busy but it shows me that life and growth will go on no matter who or what tries to call a halt to it. There must be life where
you never expect to find it.

Another favourite of mine! Blackboys and cloud formations.











And of course, sand dunes. Not out of Africa but right here amongst the trees of Pemberton.

 And that is exactly one of the three themes of the Pemberton Photographic Competition. So why aren't I rushing to enter? Simple! The one time I have endless choices for the competition I won't be around when the dates for the competition begin and finish. Oh well I still love my photos so much that I will probably find a spot for them on my own walls. That is the least I can do. Maybe I'll enter some of them in the clubs' competitions too.
This one of the grasses is called 'In the Wild'. I liked the angles. Guess where it was taken.....