Ebbor Insects
We had a walk in Ebbor Gorge - that stunning limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills, a nature reserve managed by Natural England. To be honest we didn’t get far because we were looking for insects. If you stop and look it’s amazing what you see. And it was great to see the gorge bursting with life after the winter season.
Westhay Moor Nature Reserve with Zoom Telephoto Macro
Crane Fly
Macro lenses are great but on this occasion I wanted to see how the Nikon Z 70-200 F2.8 with a 2x TC would perform as macro (mostly). I was quite pleased and it had the advantage of more distance being possible from the subject.
Peace Doves Wells
Peace Doves
‘Peace Doves’ is a mass-participation artwork by sculptor and artist Peter Walker. Thousands of paper doves carrying messages of peace, hope, and love are currently suspended in a beautiful, illuminated installation over the Nave of Wells Cathedral. The artwork is set to music by composer David Harper.
As part of the preparation for the installation, visitors to the Cathedral were invited to write their messages on the handmade doves that have now been included in the final artwork. In this way, the installation is unique to Wells.
For myself, I have long been inspired by the Jewish idea of Tikkun Olam - the healing and transformation of all things by cultivating human actions that reflect goodness, beauty, truth, love and compassion. This also is in harmony with the Biblical notion of Shalom - the peace, health and harmony that all of creation and all people ultimately long for and is offered as a tantalising destination for human and earth history.
So here are some photographs of the Peace Doves installation in Wells using a camera with just a 20mm lens and a bit of ICM (intentional camera movement) creativity.
Biddlcombe macro walk
Such a delight to walk through part of Biddlecombe today - this ancient wooded coombe full of bluebells, flowering garlic and so much more, today through a macro lens.
Bluebell Walk
It’s that time of year and a walk up Beryl Lane and across to Bristol Hill takes you to a lovely bluebell wood.
Present Tense at Hauser & Wirth, Somerset
We always enjoy a visit to Hauser & Wirth Somerset with its galleries and garden. The current gallery theme is an interesting one - ‘Present Tense’, with several artists exploring themes of identity, consciousness, humanity and representation. Very topical themes in a postmodern context of exploration and confusion around identity and values.
Here is a selection of images from the galleries and garden.
An April Woodland Walk
It was a windy blustery morning so for our morning photography walk…
More March Bees
It’s been pretty cold and the bees have been away for a few days but just a bit of warmth above 10C and they venture out for a short time.
Wells Cathedral Bits
A few images from Wells cathedral, a bit experimental with some ICM (intentional camera movement).
The Bees are Back
So good to see the bees back in the sunshine last week, enjoying the Skimmia.
Liverpool ICM
This is a bit experimental – I’m quite new to ICM (intentional camera movement) but had bought a variable ND filter to experiment with this on our trip to Liverpool. We lived in Liverpool for seven years and it remains a favourite city. We tend to go to Liverpool for the Liverpool International Jazz Festival each February and to enjoy the city and take some photographs. If you know the city you may recognise some of these attempts at ICM – or not. It was a great weekend, the music was good and it’s a fantastic city for photography.
Tanys Transformations in the Cloisters
Tanys Transformations currently in Wells Cathedral is a remarkable initiative that breathes new life into wedding dresses. Founded by Mayor Tanys Pullin, the project aims to transform wedding dresses into exquisite ball gowns and prom dresses. But it’s not just about fashion; it’s about making a difference. Here are the key points about Tanys Transformations:
Purpose: The project takes pre-loved wedding dresses out of hibernation and gives them a fresh lease of life. These transformed gowns become show-stopping pieces fit for a celebrity red carpet.
Charitable Impact: The magic doesn’t stop there. Tanys Transformations uses this creative endeavor to raise funds for local charities. By turning wedding dresses into glamorous gowns, they contribute to meaningful causes within the community.
Community Engagement: It’s a community-driven effort. People come together to donate their wedding dresses, and skilled artisans work their magic to create stunning transformations.
Celebrity Red Carpet Vibes: Imagine a wedding dress metamorphosing into a gown worthy of the red carpet. The project combines creativity, sustainability, and philanthropy.
Tanys Pullin’s Vision: As the 649th Mayor of Wells, Tanys Pullin champions two incredible causes through Tanys Transformations. These causes are:
Headsup: Aiding individuals facing mental health challenges and other hardships.
Whizz Kidz: Empowering young wheelchair users with equipment, skills, and confidence to reach new heights.
Mature Spirituality
As I've got older I've come to see that, at least for me, mature spirituality is not related to belief systems but rather the knowing encounter with the sacred (the Divine, the Infinite, the Wondrous, the Love) within, among and all around.
