17 - January Afternoon

17 - January Afternoon, originally uploaded by North Light.

So, nearly a year since I last contributed to my own blog! 2010 proved o be a long year, too much time spent in front of a computer the majority of which related to the hotel and not enough time spent with a camera and exploring where I live. When you're part of a family business it's important to get the right balance between work and play, something I got very wrong last year, so my one and only resolution for this year is to put that right!

One down, eleven to go!

31 - North Wind, originally uploaded by North Light.

End of the first month's photography of the year, always a difficult month but when the weather is good some of the years best photographs normally come from January.
I've not found the first month particularly satisfying, I think that I've got past just being happy with getting a photograph each day this year, and am looking to get more out of the photography, we'll see how this progresses through the year.

The last shot of the month was taken from a blustery Sunday afternoon's walk on Thurso Beach, using a fixed length medium telephoto, always makes me work hard as I am not always the best at seeing isolated "bits" of the view, end result, well a good one to finish the month on.

750 Days

19 - History Uncovered, originally uploaded by North Light.

One of my methods of keeping myself motivated is to set myself targets and objectives, ugh I hear you say, a few years ago I would agreed with you, the occasional pat on the back is needed and whilst I'm not a proponent of self congratulation it does have its uses, shear obstinacy will only get you so far!

It seems appropriate that the photograph for this milestone is Dunnet Bay, I never cease to find some interest in this beautiful location, and hence it will always remain a favourite.

Starting Another Years Photography

6 - A Joy to Work With, originally uploaded by North Light.

So, it's with some relief that I've completed my second year of "A Photograph a Day", yet a certain amount of anticipation and enjoyment as I start the third! Bizarre, I'm not sure if thats because this year has what I see as a neat goal, 1000 days of Photography.
This photograph was taken on a day of sunshine and snow showers, after a snow shower had swept through out came the sun, the low January sunshine providing a beautifully warm and contrasty light, which combined with an interesting collection of boats in the harbour makes the daily photograph a pleasure.

Limited Exposure

357 - A Break in the Weather, originally uploaded by North Light.

Nearing the end of this years "365" now, Icy roads and work have limited the range I have been working over for the last few days. This always makes it difficult to find something fresh, not only to keep the viewers interest up, but also mine.
This photograph was particularly pleasing, taken with a compact camera, but one of the most successful of the month. I do like the contrast of the hard lines of the Sea Wall against the sky.

Starting to think about the next years photography now, what goals to set, at the moment another year of daily photography seems a bit daunting, but the concept of a 1000 days of photography is too challenging to ignore.

A Bit of a Landmark

334 - A Bit of a Landmark, originally uploaded by North Light.

I have to say I'm just a little pleased with this one! Taken on the last day of November, with everchanging light it was good to be in the right place at the right time.
It is also photograph number 700 in my "Photo a Day Series", one month to go to complete this year, then embark on one more year! I have the bizarre notion to do 1000, quite mad.

I seem to have been neglecting the blog a bit, over a month since I last blogged, energies have been going in other directions, one of which is now taking shape, but demands a lot more work is my website, having been "Up" for a year I felt it deserved a change, I have also been able to take advantage of some changes which allow me to upload larger images, drop by and have a look, http://www.heilanlight.com/ Comments are welcome.

Heading Towards Winter

292 - Sliding Towards Winter, originally uploaded by North Light.

As the nights draw in the daily photograph starts to become a real challenge, grey autumn evenings are not the most inspiring of subjects and test my abilities to produce interesting photographs.
Scrabster Harbour has become a focal point for my photography over the last few days, the colours and lights on the fishing boats providing a much needed contrast to the gloom of a grey and damp evening.