Luke Images

Something about this tree stopped me scrolling as I reviewed my photos. Perhaps the flat light allows it to take centre stage. I love the elegant swoop of its lead stem.  Sunlight and shadows would add drama here. But this image has a calming effect on me. It’s not exciting but it is restful. It’s the bit in between life’s high and lows. —-  Snapped on my iPhone 6s on Beechen Lane, Lyndhurst in the New Forest.  —-  Photo ref: 20220910-Beechen-Lane IMG_4730

Sometimes you’re just taken with the colours in a scene. Here, it was the lovely sunbathed floor contrasting beautifully with the baby blue sky and dappled leafage that caught my attention.  The shadows convey a depth to the forest – one that looks a bit dense and dark and not particularly inviting. But, in these early morning moments, this particular space enjoyed an attractive transformation. —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s in the area of Beechen Lane and Parkhill, Lyndhurst, New Forest. --- Photo ref: 20220829-Beechen-Lane-32 IMG_4693

I love the form of that tree on the right. Its splay of branches seems well balanced in contrast to the more chaotic branch on the left.  It might not come across just how wonderfully the low morning sun lit up this scene – bringing out so many shades and catching leaves from underneath, the side and above.  Such experiences have me staring for ages, like standing in front of a masterpiece at an art gallery. I don’t really comprehend it. I just appreciate it.  Here’s a slightly different view: And here are both shots in black and white: —  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s on Beechen Lane in Lyndhurst, New Forest.  —  Photo ref: 20220829-Beechen-Lane-41 / 20220829-Beechen-Lane-42 IMG_4702 / IMG_4704

It was a stunning morning with a lovely warmth from the rising sun as it illuminated the leaves. I loved the light hitting the underside of those high branches.  A morning like this takes some beating.  I carried on for another hour or so following various tracks through the forest, deciding on a whim which route to take at each junction. A rare occasion to feel so relaxed and free to explore.  Wonderful.  ---  Here again slightly cropped: ---  Here are the same two shots in black and white. The warmth is lost but I’ve tried to retain the sense of morning glory. ---  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s at the end of Beechen Lane, Lyndhurst, New Forest.  ---  Photo ref: 20220829-Beechen-Lane-7 / 20220829-Beechen-Lane-5 IMG_4666 / HRGF9964

Description  The colour version of this snap didn’t work for me – it felt too busy with the varying colours of the boats clustered in the middle.  But I think it possibly works in black and white – the lone boat in the foreground drawing the eye and adding interest.  Notice how it’s facing the opposite way to the other boats.  And then there’s the lone figure on the harbour wall, offering a counterbalance to the boat perhaps, or a continuation of theme.  I don’t know. Just playing with ideas.  It’s not an amazing shot but I like the overall feeling it provides through the stillness, the sunlight and shadow, the lovely clear sky. It gives me a sense of quietness with not many people about.  ---  Here’s the same view in portrait: In this one I notice the darkness of the water. The boat is obviously more prominent, as is the building in the background. The lone figure has moved on but now a couple in white tops offer a small counterbalance of interes...

Description  There’s a photography book I want to get called ‘Why It Does Not Have to Be in Focus’. It’s a curious title that suggests that a focused photograph isn’t as important as we may think.  I wonder if this snap would qualify. Something about the subjects being off-focus seems to date the image and give it a certain timeless or authentic quality for me.  Perhaps it suggests action – I’ve caught them just as they’re moving for a better view.  Contrast this with the shots below where the subjects are both in focus. Still nice moments captured, but lacking that something of the first one, I think.  Maybe it’s just their position that’s more appealing and it would work equally well if they were in focus. Maybe it’s a combination of the elements that make it more interesting – their posture, the background, the seagull.  What do you think? ---  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s at Lyme Regis harbour.  ---  Photo ref: 202208-Lyme-Regis-Holiday-71...

Description  Just mooching about on a grey and breezy summer’s day at the seaside.  That’s the Marine Museum at Lyme Regis harbour in the background.  The tide’s out and it’s like everything is on hold until the sun comes out and the sea comes in.  ---  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s.  ---  Photo ref: 202208-Lyme-Regis-Holiday-64 / 202208-Lyme-Regis-Holiday-66 / 202208-Lyme-Regis-Holiday-68

Description  This feels like a moody shot although it wasn’t a particularly moody day – just a typical grey English summer’s day!  The darkness of the muddy sand finds little relief in the rather ominous approach of the clouds. But those three people on the distant harbour wall are silhouetted against a brighter horizon. Perhaps things are looking up!  The motionless boats set in the mud at different angles give the harbour something of a junkyard resemblance. Yet tidal ebbs and flows are everyday occurrences. The boats are used to it!  It makes me think how – even with the nice things of life like these boats – we’re ultimately not in control. Cheery thought, huh?! Just like the overall mood of this shot. But then there is that horizon...  ---  Snapped on my old iPhone 6s at Lyme Regis harbour.  ---  Photo ref: 202208-Lyme-Regis-Holiday-62

Description  It’s a grey summer’s day at the seaside. The tide is out and the boats are beached. They’re stuck under weighty grey clouds.  To be honest, it wasn’t as grim as this photo suggests. I’ve added a little drama by darkening the clouds a touch. And the black and white effect has lowered the mood some more.  Like other holidaymakers, we were out and about trying to make the most of our time whatever the weather. We had enjoyed a stunning day at the beach just two days prior. But when you’re at the seaside and the weather isn’t in the mood, what do you do?  It’s easy to feel stuck like these boats with nothing to do and nowhere to go but here. So you mill about like the people in this photo to the left of the buildings which make up Lyme Regis Marine Museum. And perhaps you climb the harbour wall and expose yourself to the elements – like those people on the right – blowing the cobwebs away in the wind whilst watching a choppy sea.  It’s all part of the e...

Description It’s one of those moments you want to capture whilst on a family holiday – a brief pause to refuel in between activities. Here, away from the busy beach, I appreciate the sense of calm and stillness as the boats gently drift about their moorings.  It’s a stunning day. An impressive fleet of clouds makes its way across the gorgeous clear blue sky. I stop, aim, click.  Taking it in again now, I notice the wiggle of the mast’s reflection first; it suggests an easy breeze. And the two rows of lovely old wooden boats; they’ve seen some years. And the gull on the bow taking a familiar stance; waiting, watching.  Who doesn’t enjoy a scene like this? The clutter and order of boats moored-up in sheltered harbour. Their readiness to provide leisure and pleasure. The idea of messing about in boats.  What are their owners doing right now, I wonder? Why aren’t they in them on a day like this?  ---  Here again in black and white: I am not sure if this offers ...

A gorgeous day that brought out the crowds to the beach. The stillness of this scene belies the activity of our day bathing, building sandcastles, queuing for ice-cream and crabbing off the harbour wall.  The slight ripple is nice. I like how it catches the light and paints the wiggly reflection of the mast.  And the clouds add interest to a beautiful sky. Everything looks good and serene and tranquil.  I preferred it here, away from the hustle and bustle of the seafront and arcades. Not sure my 5-year-old daughter did though! --- Here again in black and white:  --- Snapped on my old iPhone 6s at Lyme Regis harbour. --- Photo ref: 202208-Lyme-Regis-Holiday-56-2