nature Archives - Ceri Herd

May 6, 2021May 6, 2021

Share Six Blog Circle – May 2021 | Light Inspired

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The theme for May’s Share Six Blog Circle is {Light Inspired}. As photographers, we are always searching for inspiration, ways to create something new or beat our way out of a rut. Ultimately that inspiration often from the light that surrounds our subject.

The past few weeks I’ve been (massively) inspired by a new lens – the Lensbaby Velvet 85 – and a new set of Lensbaby Omni Filters – the colour expansion pack. The colour crystal omni wands create and manipulate light in a creative, extraordinary and incredibly inspiring way, so for me these images are the epitome of {Light Inspired}.

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Thanks for joining us again this month. Don’t forget, post your {light inspired} images on our Facebook page SHARE SIX or to our Instagram gallery by using #sharesix_lightinspired. A new theme will be posted on 6th June.

Up next in our blog circle is my lovely friend and extremely talented photographer, Janet Douglas. Click here to see her images and be sure to leave her some love!

Until next time, stay safe,

Ceri xx

April 6, 2021April 6, 2021

Share Six Blog Circle – April 2021 | Growth

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This month’s Share Six theme is {growth}, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect theme for the beginning of Spring. All around us new life is springing into action. Bulbs are coming into bloom and trees are in blossom.

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Thanks for joining us again this month. Don’t forget, post your {growth} images on our Facebook page SHARE SIX or to our Instagram gallery by using #sharesix_growth. A new theme will be posted on 6th May.

Up next in our blog circle is my lovely friend and extremely talented photographer, It’s Still Life Photography by Elizabeth Willson. Click here to see her images and be sure to leave her some love!

Until next time, stay safe,

Ceri xx

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020

Share Six Blog Circle – July 2020 | New

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Across the world, nations and communities have been experiencing a {new} normal. As we begin to turn a corner here, moving into a new phase of localised lockdowns, Share Six is reflecting on {new} and what that has meant to us during these turbulent past few months.

We were without a garden of our own for five years, and the last time I had a patch of green where I could make plans and make planting investments, I had two very small boys. The priority there was a Little Tikes truck and a blanket in the shade of a tree! This enforced time at home has given me the time and space (that I didn’t know) I needed to get back in touch with my (very barely) green fingers. We have planted up lots of pots, started to grow our own veggies and sunflowers from seed, dug up a shed base and sowed grass seed in its place. For the first time, we are making a garden our own. It is new and I feel renewed.

I’ve also been trying my hand at macro images without fancy techniques (of course I am including a few of those too because I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t). There first two images are technically a weed and they have since been mowed, but they feel right to be shared here.

I might be in the minority, but I have truly treasured this time we have had at home. I’m not ready to leave the safety and security of these four walls. I like it here.

Thanks for joining us again this month. Don’t forget, post your {new} images on our Facebook page SHARE SIX or to our Instagram gallery by using #sharesix_new. A new theme will be posted on 6th August.

Up next in our blog circle is my lovely friend and extremely talented photographer, Janet Douglas. Click here to see her images and be sure to leave her some love!

Until next time, stay safe,

Ceri xx

January 6, 2020January 6, 2020

Share Six Blog Circle – January 2020 | Macro

It’s 2020! Thanks for joining me as we kick off another journey around the sun.

This month Share Six is focusing on all things {macro}!

It’s no great secret that I’ve been struggling creatively these past few months (ummmm, all of 2019…), but I’m hopeful that my most favourite Christmas gift, as well as forcing myself into a new 366 project, is going to turn the tide and refocus my energy.

That Christmas gift was a set of Lensbaby Omni Filters. If you haven’t come across these before, they are a set of prisms/wands that, with the use of magnetic arms, enable you to play with light and reflections right in front of your lens. As with any Lensbaby (or indeed any new equipment…yes, I’m talking to you, new Wacom tablet, that I’m attempting to use for the first time today too, humph), there is a learning curve. With these filters learning comes with experimentation, both in terms of using the different wand attachments, but also using different lighting. It turns out different lighting scenarios change what you thought you already knew about them!

These images were taken on Boxing Day (that’s December 26th to those who don’t know). Which means, yes, it took over 24 hours for me to get the chance to play. What madness?! These were my very first attempts with the Omni filters, so ixnay on the judgement, ok, thanks 🙂

I’m adding in an extra one here, whilst not strictly macro, it shows how the omni prism creates beautiful reflections:

Thanks for joining us again this month. If you have any questions about how I created specific effects or Lensbaby Omni in general, fire away! Add you comments or questions below. And don’t forget, post your {macro} images on our Facebook page SHARE SIX or to our Instagram gallery by using #sharesix_macro. A new theme will be posted on 6th February.

Up next in our blog circle is my lovely friend and extremely talented photographer, Lynne Grant. Click here to see her images and be sure to leave her some love!

Until next time,

Ceri xx

April 6, 2019April 6, 2019

Share Six Blog Circle – April 2019 | Orange and Purple

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This month the Share Six team is highlighting psoriatic arthritis, using the ribbon colours [orange and purple] as our theme for April.

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in some people with the skin condition psoriasis. It typically causes affected joints to become inflamed (swollen), stiff and painful. Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is a long-term condition that can get progressively worse. Psoriatic Arthritis causes intense fatigue, can affect the eyes and hearing. Common symptoms are nail dystrophy and mood swings. In addition PSA can also adversely affect the heart, cause obesity, swelling and metabolic syndrome, along with diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

The Psoriasis Arthritis Awareness Project have made two films that highlight incredible stories of perseverance and courage. You can watch them here. Read more about living with the condition here.

It seemed fitting to try to create images for this month that reflect the juxtaposition of delicacy and strength. I wanted to show layers of complexity with double exposures, and find a softness that represents fragility.

Thank you for joining me for another month at Share Six!

Post your {Orange and/or Purple} images on our Facebook page SHARE SIX or to our Instagram gallery by using #sharesix_orange_purple. A new theme will be posted on 6th May.

Up next is the fabulous Michèle of Michèle Tremblay Photo. Please Click Here to see her images and be sure to leave her some love!