Best of 2017

As I usually do, I've selected a few of my favourite photos from 2017. Again, it hasn't been the best of years, but I managed to fit in two wonderful photographic trips to Iceland, a great long weekend in Berlin and 10 relaxing days in the stunning Lake District with the hubby. The dog got ill this year, hence not having our usual  'proper' long-haul holiday, but fingers crossed he's all better now and hopefully we'll make it to Hawaii next year... We bought a car this year (an oh-so-sexy 15-year-old Vauxhall Astra!), which has meant that I've been able to spend more time visiting nearby Richmond Park, discovering my favourite trees and views.

I have had a great year for discovering and engaging with some fantastically talented photographers, mainly on Twitter, which has helped to inspire me with certain areas of my photography (eg. macro) (and I even managed to meet one of my Twitter tog friends in real life!). Thank you for all your support!

Anyway, here's to a wonderful, creative, inspiring 2018! And here's a few of my 2017 favourites, in no particular order.

My favourite photo this year - fortuitous timing by this woman wondering into my shot on Stokksnes beach, Iceland

I know he had his back to me, but I just loved this shot - and this moment - of a stag on an incredibly gorgeous morning in Richmond Park, London

Having never even heard of this place a year ago, I visited Shingle Street in early December - what a magical spot!

I finally got round to visiting Berlin - what a cool city! I particularly fell in love with this building, and loved the segway tour in this shot

Such a delicate plant - ferns look so striking in winter. Also shot in Richmond Park

I knew the Westfjords of Iceland had stunning fjords and mountains, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover stunning beaches too, like this one (Tungurif)

So many stunning sights in the Lake District on my December trip, but this brief patch of intense light at my local pier on Coniston Water was one of my favourites

I finally made it to Bruarfoss! What a stunning waterfall it is, worth the effort, although I do hope it doesn't get spoilt by too many other people finding it...

The most impressive iceberg I've ever seen in Jökulsárlón Lagoon, Iceland - the patterns were mindblowing!

A horse enjoying the afternoon sun in Ashley Green; just loved the shadows

I guess it makes sense that one of my favourite things about Iceland is the sea (given that it's a big island!) - I particularly love the amazing waves and light off the coast at Jökulsárlón beach

Seeing this (magpie inkcap) in the woods near my parents' house in Little Chalfont was definitely a highlight of my year - definitely the coolest fungus ever!

The wonderful old posts at Lakeside, Derwentwater - what a piece of luck to have such lovely mist on the one day we get around to visiting...

Put simply, I'd like to live here. Do it up, and become a reclusive photographer, living among the Icelandic elements

One of the most exciting moments of my year was finding my first ever couple of globbies! Didn't even have a concept of these guys' existence until recently, and now I will be on the hunt for more! (this one is 1-2mm long...)

One of the best things I did in 2017 was to do the MoonWalk - and the best part of it was my training walks because it meant I got to spend hours and hours with my old schoolfriend Christianne (thankyou honey!!). This is taken in the woods along the North Downs Way between Guildford & Dorking

A Mild Winter's Morning in Richmond Park

I'm making the most of borrowing a neighbour's car for the next few weeks by nipping down to Richmond Park when I get the chance. I went last week when there were possibly northern lights visible over London (of course not!), and again this morning - the first nice day for a while. I didn't get up quite early enough (bed too late again), so only got the park as the sun was rising, just after 8am. I had a good wander through some woods, hoping to get some nice rays through the trees, but it didn't quite work, although the light was still quite nice when it finally poured onto the trees and dried ferns.

I walked up a couple of hills past some awesome old trees, and passed a few people walking their dogs.

I got to a spot where the parakeets were extremely noisy, where I'd captured them before. As I shuffled along the path I suddenly realised that I was next to a number of stag deer, many eyes upon me suspiciously (they were pretty well camouflaged in the dried ferns and undergrowth).

By the time I left the park was teeming with cyclists, dog-walkers, joggers and cars - everyone wanting to enjoy the park's loveliness on yet another ridiculously mild winter's day.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Week 4

Still just about managing to take a photo each day for my #30dayphotochallenge - last 10 days!

Day 30 - This Year
Well the challenge is over. I didn't particularly enjoy it, and didn't really get any great shots, but I did it. This Year... well, better than last, but was somewhat overtaken by the fact that I started a day job during the middle of the year, so not as much photography time as I'd have liked. I thought it was only fitting to take a picture of my office, with a little OTT monochrome processing. My office is the one at the top of the shot, as if you'd ever be able to find it from this! Now it's time to have some fun with some friends, camera-free. Until next year...

Day 29 - Time Travel
I had thought of getting off the Tube at Earl's Court to photograph the Tardis that sits outside the station, or photographing the time capsule in Canary Wharf, but neither of those was practical. Instead, I went back in time to a place I used to drink over twenty years ago when I first started working in London - the Princess Louise on High Holborn. It still feels the same with all its little rooms and intricate decorations. So, not really time travel, but it felt a bit like travelling back in time. Here is my lovely hubby, processed to make the shot look a bit old. This would actually have been a better shot for yesterday's topic of candid. Ho hum.

Day 28 - Candid Photo
I didn't actually go out today, until the evening when I met a friend for dinner, as I was working from home. This made the whole candid photo subject a little tricky.

At lunchtime I noticed a woman sitting on the bench opposite my house having a cigarette and reading the paper. I didn't get a particularly interesting shot, but it was the best I could do from the inside of my house!

Day 27 - Feel Good
It felt good to wake up early this morning and head down to Richmond Park (again) in my borrowed car, on the first day of nice weather in almost a week. As it got later more and more people arrived, running, walking their dogs, photographing the deer, cycling. I stopped to look up at some parakeets and then felt a number of eyes on me - the older deer were lying camouflaged in the dried ferns, and they were all checking me out. I particularly liked this one with his antlers covered in ferns.

Tomorrow - Candid Photo

Day 26 - Absolutely Anything
Boys in the Woods. The highlight of my day was a very muddy, squelchy walk in the lovely woods down the road from my parents' house with my boys. It was so mild we were walking in t-shirts! The dog was in much need of a bath when we got home...





Day 25 - I Woke Up Like This
Just woke up Henry to take today's snap. Sometimes when he's been asleep his face is slightly squished to one side.

Day 24 - Christmas
Delicious lunch made by my sister, mum and aunt. Stuffed now!

Day 23 - Out of Context
If I gave any description of this photo, it would give it some context, so I will give no explanation...

Day 22 - Green
I love the plane trees in London, and in the sun they often look pretty green. Their bark is special in that it comes off, protecting the tree from the pollution - which is why they thrive on London's busy streets. Most are probably over a hundred years old, having been planted in the 19th Century, apparently.