Photo of the day (Cats of Cyprus)

Cats of Cyprus (Aperture: 9.0, Shutter Speed: 1/400, ISO: 1250)

I love cats. They’re so whimsical. I caught these two while out taking an evening stroll along the coastline of Kissonerga.

The original plan was to take some shots of birds, because I’d taken my telephoto lens with me, but serendipitous moments often arise when you’re out with the camera. You just have to seize the opportunities as they happen.

I thought it’d make a great shot if I captured the two cats play-fighting with the sunset as a backdrop. As you can see from the photograph, though, they were far too intrigued by what I was doing with the camera to play ball and give me a good shot.

Cats – a law unto themselves …

Tips for sketching #7 (Think)

Understand that drawing is as much a mental activity as a mechanical one.

Alphonso Dunn

Spontaneity versus reflection

There’s always a sweet spot between thinking about something and doing something. That sweet spot will vary from person to person, too. Rushing in too early can lead to mistakes. Whereas overthinking can paralyse you.

A bit of spontaneity in what you do can make it more fun, after all.

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Photo of the day (Goldfinch)

It pays to be observant and patient when trying to photograph birds.

Every now and then, I noticed that birds kept coming to a large puddle in the path for a drink. So I waited patiently, camera at the ready.

Nothing happened. No birds came.

So I waited some more. Still nothing.

Even more waiting.

Then a Goldfinch appeared!

Goldfinch

Photo of the day (Nuthatch)

Taking photographs of wild birds can be incredibly frustrating. No sooner have you raised your camera and the moment is lost.

Not so today, though. This little Nuthatch was joyfully pecking away at the dead branch in shot and was more than happy to be photographed.

Nuthatch. (Aperture 5.6, Shutter speed 1/80, ISO 100).

If only every day out with the camera was like this one!

Tips for sketching #5 (Grids)

The contract

I’ll keep this one short and sweet.

An artist’s grid is invaluable for getting your proportions right, especially if you want to draw something like the sketch above.

For this sketch I drew a 10 by 12 grid in light pencil first. That not only gave me the parallels I needed for the brickwork, it also allowed me to accurately place the candles to flank the crystal ball, as well as get the proportions right for the central character.

Let’s hear it for grids! I never thought I’d have to use Maths to do drawing, but it really helps!