On the Way

When I go out with a camera I have no idea what I will find to capture. Even if I am going somewhere special with obvious images that I will want for my archive as a record of where I have been, there will always be the unexpected. Pictures taken literally – ‘On the Way…’ or perhaps ‘By the Way…’

And that is the thread that links today’s images. The one above was taken on Reigate Hill. It’s a place we had heard of with commanding views southwards. A mixture of woodland and open hillside. Actually (although it was well worth the walk) I found no memorable record shots of Reigate Hill itself. But…there was a small herd of Belted Galloways up there. Most of you will be scratching your heads and thinking: what the heck is a Belted Galloway? Click the link. It’s a heritage breed of cattle originally from Galloway in Scotland. They are black with a wide belt of white hair around their middles – hence the name. I got close to one of them, slowly, and took this shot. The ‘black’ part was not truly black which I think added to the interest in the image. Maybe this was a young animal or an old one – that might explain the lack of pure blackness.

More recently I was in  London to see Christo’s installation on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Click here to view me post about that. Crossing the road on the way into Hyde Park I saw this sculpture. Getting closer I was struck by the streaks under the chin of the closest head.

Worth a shot. A detail that attracted me – I can’t explain why. Streaks created perhaps by the weather and maybe enhanced by the pollution inevitable in London.

A week later I was back in London again, visiting the Royal Academy. Wandering around new areas of the Gallery I found myself staring at the back of a marble feature and the quite extraordinary patterning thereon.

A true abstract with an almost 3D effect.

Three up-close images that are the result of always having a camera in hand, a natural state of curiosity and an interest in texture, pattern and line. There’s something special about holding a camera in your hand – it sends a sub-conscious message to your brain that says: ‘I’m looking for pictures’. It works for me. Next time you are out, don’t have your camera in a bag, try holding it in your hand, lens cap off, ready to shoot. You may be surprised what a difference that simple action makes.