40/52 Sunset over Vicarswood

There was a stunning sky this evening and I was pleased with the watercolour-like shading of the trees and such on the horizon.

39/52 Workshop with a difference

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This week I attended a different kind of photography workshop. Apart from photographers, there were midwives, bereaved parents, medical illustrators, and NICU/SCBU nurses. The workshop was delivered by Todd Hochberg who had travelled from the US to share his way of working with us. We learnt about how to take photographs for parents who lose a baby and therefore lose the lifetime of memories that won't be captured by family snaps.

Todd tried to explain depth of field to non-photographers (hence hand being held out to demonstrate - focus on your hand, then switch to what is beyond your hand - pretty good device I thought) and how to use even a basic camera to lock focus on a detail such as a baby's hand or feet, then recompose the image. Using role play, we took turns to pose as parents/caregivers and so were able to photograph likely scenarios. See Todd's work here, and click to view slideshow, but be advised, the images there are real and powerful, but can be so beneficial for the parents in the months and years following their loss. And that's why I feel a need to help provide such images, having been there myself. (See 96/365.)
Note: If you wish to help fund this work in my area, click here to contact Derby Sands.

38/52 Cobbled Street

The main street at Crich.

The event was a Classic Ford day.

37/52 Erasmus Darwin House

The sun shone and the rain rained, but we captured all we needed, dodging the showers. This was the venue for a wedding on 11th September. This shot taken in the herb garden shows a view right from the back gate through the house to the open front door. Miss West arrived through the front door and left as Mrs Stagg by the back door after a short ceremony with family and friends. Find out more about Erasmus Darwin House here.

Its all in the details...left click for larger.

36/52 Toad Lily

My Toad Lily plant has survived the winter and the slugs to bloom beautifully for me again. I love these flowers. And I love this lens too - Sigma 105mm 2.8 EX macro.

35/52 The Piper's Lament

After a minute's silence for all the fallen, a lone piper plays. Re-enactors and living history enthusiasts stand in the arena, the crowd stand looking on at the close of the first day of a multi-period event at Sheffield's Norfolk Park. Can't wait for next year.

34/52 One sheep

We were lucky with the weather, it remained dry. I'm not much of a landscape photographer yet due to lack of time to devote to visit landscapes, but with the Derbyshire Peak District almost on my doorstep, I should make more time. This is near one Edge or another, Curbar or Stanage. The sky had started off blue with wisps and big fluffy clouds, but the cloud cover thickened as the day progressed.

33/52 A day at the races

We visited York Races and it was a real eye-opener. 

Photographically, rich pickings.

Collage necessary.
Can you see her winnings stash?

32/52 Left out in the rain

Several things were left out in the rain this particular day. Summer seems to have disappeared and rain is the order of the day most days at the moment. Summers didn't used to be this wet when I was growing up!

31/52 Eye of the Equine

I captured my shadow reflected in the eye of a magnificent shire horse at Croot's Farm. Jodie likes to make a fuss of the horses, I like to photgraph them, and we both enjoy a treat in the cafe. Win, win, win. ;0) I was glad of the long lens (Sigma EX 70-200mm, f2.8) because this horse was curious and craned his head over the fence to investigate me. His ears swivelled as he listened to the shutter mechanism.