In this sections you will find articles I have written, links to useful resources, and tutorials to help you to take better photographs.

Tips for taking a good photograph

"Some photographers take reality...and impose the domination of their own thought and spirit. Others come before reality more tenderly and a photograph to them is an instrument of love and revelation. " Ansel Adams

It take more that a decent camera, and an expensive lens to take a good photograph. The amount of contrast, the 'colour' of the light, the speed of the film used, all will add or detract from the success or otherwise of the photograph - irrispective of content and composition.

Question: why does the colour of daylight change throughout the day? Answer the more of the earths atmosphere the suns rays ravels through, the more blue light is filtered out - thus in the evening we can view those lovely warm orange sunsets.

Entry from the photographers diary
A tale from my early days in photography

I'm still going through my night-time photography phase and it's proving to be a humbling experience - in as much as the majority of photographs I have taken have turned out to be absolute rubbish. My most notable failure was last Wednesday evening when, being unable to hold back my new found enthusiasm for photography I told Pat I was "away out to photograph Glasgow University" which is always lit up at night at looks magnificent. This was after 9pm and all traces of daylight had long since gone.

Anyway I was a happy trouper and felt I was off on an adventure - which it turned out to be. The University building is a truly magical sight and I enjoyed the experience of standing in the pitch dark with my camera and tripod feeling I was taking great dramatic photographs (subsequently this turned out to be far from the truth). The grounds surrounding the University are closed at night so to get as near as possible at one point I had climbed up the hill off of Kelvin Way and was taking photographs through the cast iron railing of the University gate. As I was doing this I noticed two shadowy figures re-tracing my footsteps up the hill behind me. Their ascent was sporadic, with frequent stops for consultation. I was getting a bit worried - thinking that perhaps they where discussing the exact methods they would use to relieve me of my tripod and my camera. I continued to photograph - denying myself too much leeway on the imagination front.

Eventually they arrived - and turned out to be two Americans ( or were they Canadians - if you are reading this excuse my bad manners) also intent on some evening photography - but not as content as myself to remain outside the grounds of the Univeristy. They were looking for a way in - because they were on work trips and wouldn't have another opportunity to visit. After a short - not entirely flowing conversation ( where no-one exchanged names and at one point I said "I'm taking photographs", to which one replied "we know") - they left with the information that my evening shots would eventually appear on this Website.