Attenborough Nature Reserve:

To begin my project I decide do do some photography around Attenborough nature reserve, I walked around the different lakes and ponds, observed the animals and immersed myself in the nature that I found there. I managed to get many successful images and I was constantly adjusting the aperture and F stop to accommodate for the change in light and surroundings. 

When looking at this image I really love how the the different shades and tones of green seem to merge and blend in together, causing the red leaves of the tree stand out and provide a contrast to the rest of the image. I believe that the willow tree is the focal point of this image, and I think that this adds a mystical element to the piece as willow trees are seen as sacred, magical and connected to the Goddess Brigid within Irish folklore and mythology. I think that the water towards the bottom of the image provides a soothing feature within the image, it adds a sense of calm and tranquility. 

I really love the reflections that can be seen within this image. The pale blue sky and clouds can be seen within the water, this image being slight distorted by the ripples made by the wind. When looking at this image I think that it looks almost as if the trees and building are suspended, floating in the middle of the image. I believe that this adds an intriguing and magical element to the photograph, as if the rippling water is a portal to somewhere new. 

When looking at this image I believe that the focal point and main feature is the Cormorant perched on the tree branch in the middle of the lake. I think that the pale tones of the water allow the branches and the bird to stand out and draw immediate attention, and I believe that the way in which the bird is standing up proud with its wings spread wide creates connotations of power and strength within the image. The Cormorant symbolises different things in many different cultures, good omens, bad omens, greed, nobility and some even believing that they are witches in disguise. I think that this all feeds in to the spiritual aspect of my project and invokes a whimsical atmosphere within the image. 

This image is one of my favourites, I am reminded of a heart with the branches shooting off in all directions acting as veins and blood vessels. I believe that this images creates a sense of life itself. I think that the lush and vibrant green of the leaves paired with the earthy tones of the tree bark allow the photograph to be filled with a feeling of prosperity. I think that this then invokes a comforting atmosphere within the image, the warmth of the sunlight hitting the branches are inviting and friendly, putting the viewer at ease and calming them. 

I really love the saturation and vibrancy of the colours and tones within this image. I think that the blue hues are calming and serene, and when I look at this image I believe that it seems idillic and picturesque. The ducks are undisturbed and the ripples on the surface of the water create a sense of movement within the photograph. I believe that the dark branch in the top right of the image provides a contrast to the rest of the scene, it also creates a sense of depth within the image. When looking at this image as a whole I think that these branches seem almost out of place, as if they don't belong in the picture. They interrupt the image and seem like an obstruction rather than blending in with everything else. I believe that this creates a really interesting composition.

                            

                                             

I am really intrigued by the way that the man made bridge interacts with the nature surrounding it in this image. The colours of the bridge and trees are similar, however, there is something so clearly artificial about the bright cyan of the footbridge. I think that this creates a really interesting juxtaposition within the image, humanity vs nature. In the forefront of the image the bridge is all you can see, it takes over and stands out. But as you look further the leaves and bushes are overgrown and seem to wrap around the metal beams of the bridge. Showing how nature always perseveres, how it's more resilient than we think.