Wednesday 6 January 2016

New Year, New Faces, New Views..

Novel Points of View is introducing a few changes for 2016. We want to say goodbye and many thanks to Jenny Harper and Mary Smith, and a big hello and welcome to new members Rae Cowie (writer), Jennie Bohnet (writer) and Neil Donald (photographer). We’re really looking forward to having new voices – and amazing photographs – in the weeks and months ahead. 
 
 To get things rolling we have asked each of our new members to give us three words or phrases that best describe their creativity. And also to tell us a little bit about themselves. Over to you, Neil 
 
 
 
 
Hello and many thanks to the Novel Points of View team for inviting me to join their  gang. 
 
New year, new challenges. I will let you into a little secret, in the photo above you will see me Neil, the one in the suit, and my better half Audrey. She is the one writing the blog as I struggle to string sentences together but she will be writing in the first person, as me, so not confusing at all. 
 
I am a landscape photographer, who has learned through trial and error. I initially started with the camera on my phone and was more interested in the paranormal, taking photos in supposedly haunted castles, and Aberdeenshire has no shortages of castles. I then realised that I had an eye for taking photos and my love for photography and exploring our beautiful country grew, along with my camera equipment. 
 
The first word that I would use is patience, taking photographs is time consuming and waiting for the perfect light takes time. Something that I don't usually have, but when I am out in nature time seems to stop. It won’t be the first or last time that I will  have driven for a few hours to take photographs only for  the weather to turn and the only thing I can do is wait it out in the hope that it lifts. So it’s good that I am happy with my own company. 
 
Coast is my second word, originally a city boy until the age of 23, I moved to the North East of Scotland from Birmingham. A bit random you may think but my parents are originally from this area. Over the years I have always been drawn to the sea and the coastline and this has become a major source of inspiration for my photographs. I can visit the same spot every day and it will change every time according to the height of the tide or the shifting of sands. I am lucky enough to live a moments walk from one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland (this is my personal view). 
 

 
The final word that I would use that helps gives my photographs a creative flair is light. The golden hour of sunrise or sunset can make a photograph and the quality of the light we have had this winter has been amazing. Usually when the alarm goes off for work purposes I am reluctant to get up, however when it's my day off and the sun is rising I am up and out the door in a flash. Although I do take photographs during the day simply to satisfy my addiction to photography, it's the soft glowing light of sunrise or set that does it for me. 
 
I hope I have managed to convey my passion for taking photographs, in fact I should call it an addiction as I have two external hard drives full of photographs and I take my camera everywhere. It's a good excuse to escape the house but Audrey has now realised that if she suggests a weekend away somewhere with stunning scenery, then I'll be more than happy to oblige. So the plan for 2016 is to visit more of Scotland. 
I will be sharing my thoughts and photographs with you but if you want to take a look prior to my next blog click on the link http://on.fb.me/1RfnnlY  this will take you to my Facebook page. 

 
I am looking forward to our journey together. 
 

 

19 comments:

  1. Wonderful post! And a huge welcome to both Neil and Audrey. I've been a fan of your photography for a long time, so am really looking forward to hearing the stories behind the stunning views.

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  2. Thank you very much Rae. We are looking forward to sharing our photo's.

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  3. Writing and photography are wonderfully complementary. Lovely to see you over here, Neil - and looking forward to the adventure...

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  4. Thank you Jennifer. I am looking forward to get know everyone via the blog.

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  5. Great to see a photographer on the blog - look forward to more of your lovely photos!

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  6. Nice to see you here Neil. Looking forward to seeing more of your photographs.

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  7. Stunning photo. Look forward to seeing more of your work.

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    1. Thank you Mary, already beginning to think what I can do for the next post.

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  8. Amazing photographs and a fascinating blog. It really sheds light on how long it can take to get the right picture (and hte right light!). Lovely.

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  9. Gill thank you, for your lovely comment.

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  10. I enjoyed reading this and only wish I kept up better with many of the blogs. A photographer will make a change and I look forward to more of these beautiful scenes. It is often the landscape and the changing skies which inspire me to write. If I could have painted I would have done that instead but I can only admire the talents of others. Well done Neil and Audrey.

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    1. Thank you Gwen, hope more of our photo's inspire you. Being able to write is a very special talent as well.

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  11. I love photography, so looking forward to seeing and reading your future posts.
    Great stuff!

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    1. Maria thank you for taking the time to read it.

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  12. Stunning photos - looking forward to seeing more! and I love Scotland too :-)

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  13. Great to meet you, Neil. I love photography, especially black and white, so if you want to indulge me you know what to post! Welcome to the gang.

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