2008 – My Year In Pictures

Title: Frosted Fern
Location: Hylands Park
Camera: Canon EOS 30D / 17-85mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM
Notes: The sun shone for most of the day. But with little or no wind to speak of, it seemed warmer than yesterday, even though there was frost on the ground for most of the time. Delaying work for as long as possible, I went to Hylands Park with Alistair to look for another couple of geocaches. The gardens were rather wintry, and this poor fern looked like it could do with a bit of sun on its leaves!

Title: A Chink In The Clouds
Location: Chelmer Park
Camera: Canon EOS 30D / 17-85mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM
Notes: I managed to snatch a few minutes in the park this afternoon, in between showers and meetings. I liked the silhouette of Galleywood Church on the horizon, framed by these two trees.

Title: Up The Garden Path
Location: Moulsham Mill, Chelmsford
Camera: Canon Ixus 850IS compact
Notes: Found myself at Moulsham Mill again this evening, this time to judge a photo competition for Chelmsford Camera Club. And I realised I hadn’t yet got a picture by the end of the evening. But one thing I’ve learned over the last 310 days is not to panic – picture opportunities will present themselves. Just as I was leaving, I noticed this path through an ornamental garden, and rather liked the light filtering through the trees, even though it was pretty dark.

Title: Leaden Skies
Location: At home
Camera: Canon EOS 30D / 17-85mm EF f/4-5.6 IS USM
Notes: Another busy day at home. During the afternoon, the skies became rather menacing, and I was able to dash outside for a quick shot of the neighbours’ tree before the heavens opened.

Title: The Heart Of A Lily
Location: At home
Camera: Canon EOS 30D / 50mm EF f/1.8 + 12mm extension tube
Notes: I nearly missed taking a shot today! Made it by about 20 minutes, after having had a very busy day and then getting home just after 11pm to realise I’d still not taken anything. The lovely  bouquet I got for judging the other day was looking a little bit sad, but I managed to home in on one lily and take a few macro shots of its central form. Then I remembered I’d not changed my camera back to GMT, so it nearly got recorded as being taken on 28th after all!

Title: A Fine Crop Of Fungus
Location: Mountnessing
Camera: Canon EOS 30D / 24-105mm EF f/4 L IS USM
Notes: Managed a quick walk in Mountnessing today, and found this rather fine crop of fungi growing at the base of a tree. Typical Autumnal scene.

Title: The Judge’s Bouquet
Location: Discovery Centre, Great Notley
Camera: Canon EOS 30D / 24-105mm EF f/4 L IS USM
Notes: I was recently asked to judge a photographic competition based on the Flickr Great Notley group, choosing the top 30 for an exhibition at the Discovery Centre. The private viewing for photographers and friends took place this evening. As a judge, I’m used to receiving my expenses for attending such events, but I was rather pleased to be presented with this lovely bouquet as well, as a thank you from the organising committee.