A Photo a Day #368 (final photo, 31st December 2017)

The End

Taken on my stroll around Tonbridge park on Christmas Eve, this felt like a good end point for this 'Photo a Day' challenge. I'm quite pleased with the composition.

A Photo a Day #366

Forever

My youngest brother cuddling Daisy after a huge Christmas meal. Capturing moments like this are the reason I'll never stop taking photos.

A Photo a Day #365

Together

Our family cat, Daisy, is eighteen years old, very frail, deaf and incredibly affectionate. Her sister passed away a few years ago, but Daisy remains a huge part of the family. Here she is opening a present with my dad.

A Photo a Day #364

Driving Home After Christmas

Taken on my way home after visiting the family.

A Photo a Day #363

Nibbles

This squirrel was photographed on Christmas eve on a walk around Tonbridge park. It was so relaxing to stroll, alone, around with my camera and it was a very fruitful afternoon. It took me five minutes to perfect the angle of this shot.

A Photo a Day #362

Warm Wishes

Happy Christmas!

Please note, I've bodged up the dates on this 'Photo a Day' thing! I realised yesterday as I was pre-planning for the last 6 days that I was ahead of myself (this should be day #359). I've worked out that on a few days I posted twice accidently, but hey, it's better to be too keen than to have missed a day. I thought about correcting the dates, but it would be a big fuss, and also I have made collages for every month as I have gone along, so this would also throw those out. Never mind.

A Photo a Day #361

The Best Present

Our two-year old cat, Maisie, has been a big part of the #photoaday challenge and with good reason. She is a good poser and a beautiful model. We love her so much.

Here's a photo of her in 2015 compared to 2017:

Happy Christmas eve!

A Photo a Day #360

Christmas Dinner No. 1

A delicious Christmas dinner cooked by my partner. Non-filtered, non-Instagrammed and perfect.

A Photo a Day #359

Spooked

Maisie frolicking in the twilight

A Photo a Day #358

Congregation

Christmas market in Southampton city centre

A Photo a Day #357

De-frosting

Sitting in the car, waiting for it to de-ice. The colours are beautiful, but there's something a little sinister here...

A Photo a Day #356

Before the Show

Taken inside my classroom just after arriving to start the day. It's dark and cold outside, but the show must inevitably go on.

A Photo a Day #355

Winter's Gift

Absolutely stunning pink skies at around 4:30pm as the sun had nearly set. The mist hung over the field where a lone walker strolled in the cold. Taken with a wide aperture lens.

A Photo a Day #354

Sprouts

It used to be these were more of a punishment at Christmas, something to eat one or two of for the sake of being 'Christmassy'. I've grown to love them over the last few years.

A Photo a Day #353

Toasty

The contrast of the warm and cool colours and the (unintentional) level of noise gave this a retro and cosy feel. Not an amazing photo, but nonetheless a portrait of Christmas. 

I'm struggling with content at the moment as I'm working like crazy and exhausted. Expect some better photos over the last few weeks of the year as I will be off work and out and about. On another, more positive note, I haven't missed a single day of this 'Photo a Day' project! I'll say more about the experience once it's complete, but I'll definitely be setting myself a new photography challenge for 2018. Watch this space.

A Photo a Day #352

Warmth

A Tiffany Lamp glowing in my mother in law's house

A Photo a Day #351

Nuts

Some lovely festive nuts!

A Photo a Day #350

Bottom of the Stocking

We always follow this tradition at Christmas. A little satsuma and a walnut always go down well!

A Photo a Day #349

Angel

This is what we have on top of our tree this year. I like its simplicity and I thought this would look good in black and white against the background.

A Photo a Day #348

Opportunist

Maisie, eyeing up a bauble on the tree. She's been quite good so far, but she's had a few ornaments down.

A Photo a Day #347

Tree Ornament

A little close up our fake, plastic, beautiful tree.

A Photo a Day #346

Snowmen

A few members of my John Beswick Christmas figurines collection. I have received these as gifts from my brother over the last six years or so.

A Photo a Day #345

Festive Window

A lovely window display from our trip to Lewes last weekend.

A Photo a Day #344

Little Antique Shop

A lovely looking shop in Lewes, edited with the 'miniature' feature to give the display an 'other worldly' vibe.

A Photo a Day #343

Bookshop

This bookshop display in Lewes high street caught my eye.

A Photo a Day #342

Morning Contemplation

A woman in a lovely hat looks over the river Ouse in Lewes. Just to the right is the old brewery.

A Photo a Day #341

Poser

This crow posed for me and he looks great against the white, Winters sky. All that is needed now is some snow.

A Photo a Day #340

Green Balloon

Pennywise's less aggressive cousin is at large in Lewes.

A Photo a Day #339

Secret Walkthrough

Taken in Lewes, near Brighton, on a cold, Winter morning.

A Photo a Day #338

Creepy Old Bearded Fella

Taken last Christmas: a Santa Christmas ornament at my parents' house. This was taken with my Sony A5000 macro lens when I first got it.

A Photo a Day #337

Found You

Maisie likes to play hide and seek. 

A Photo a Day #336

Winter Sunset

It's cold here in the UK, but the clear skies are beautiful in the evening.

A Photo a Day #335

Stained

A pretty rusted latch

A Photo a Day #334

Getaway

A Photo a Day #333

Holidays are Coming

Too soon? I'm ready for some festive cheer. This was taken last Christmas of my parents' Christmas tree.

A Photo a Day #332

Day Job

This photo was taken early in the morning before a day at work. As I've recently mentioned, work/life balance is a hard thing in our profession; it's very busy at this time of year and having time to go places to take interesting photos is a challenge. I found some scope for photography before my working day started last week and might find myself bringing along my camera next week too. 

This photo says a lot despite its simplicity. There're also some darker undertones here- something that wasn't intentional, but I think makes this a good shot. Teaching is a rewarding profession, but it is also draining, lonely and depressing at times. Maintaining balance and perspective is important in any job, I guess.

A Photo a Day #331

Limbs

Taken on a crisp morning before work

A Photo a Day #330

Littered

Taken early in the morning before the light was at its best, this is part of a project within a project where I have taken shots of urban environments against 'flat' backgrounds to put a focus on shapes and blocks of colour. The background is a little grainy which is a shame. I needed to balance settings out a bit better, so I may re-take this another day.

A Photo a Day #329

Working Late

A Photo a Day #328

Selfie

I took this in my dark bedroom. In pure selfie style, I took about one hundred variants of this photo. I was aiming to get some nice colour bokeh from the flash- which kind of worked- alongside the polaroid-style framing that the wardrobe has created for me. I could have composed this better by being central, however this is reflective of the lack of balance we all feel at times; and this is really a diary project. November has probably been the hardest month yet for finding time for this hobby, what with workload, illness and decreased daylight hours. I need vitamin D.

A Photo a Day #327

Dreamy

A beautiful afternoon November sky- yes the photo is red filtered to bring out the colour in the clouds.

A Photo a Day #326

Guardian

Maisie is looking after me as I am unwell. She's been sleeping at my feet, cuddling me. I couldn't ask for a sweeter little girl. Since she's turned two years old, she's become a lot more cuddly and affectionate; she's started sitting on laps if encouraged and will happily sleep close to me, letting me pet her. Cats are so good for your sense of wellbeing.

A Photo a Day #325

Cat-Shaped

Black cats are the epitome of feline beauty- the silhouette is emphasised and the sophistication of the cat's physique is highlighted. This photo doesn't really achieve quite what I wanted it to, but nevertheless it shows off my cat's lovely big ears and fluffy fur!

   

A Photo a Day #324

Incensed

'Tis the season for candles...

A Photo a Day #323

Dinner in Bed

A Photo a Day #322

Where's my head at?

I told you they'd be some dodgy ones at the moment. I'm having significant laptop issues and a photography drought. But I won't be beaten. Thank you Mac Photo Booth (I think).

A Photo a Day #321

A Hole in the Ground

Taken on Bournemouth beach in late October

A Photo a Day #320

Stupid Computer

My laptop has died after months of senility. I'm cross because I've spent money on a new battery- too little, too late. I'm using an old Mac and not enjoying it. This was taken on Photo Booth! I'm going to have to be resourceful over the next week or so, so expect some self-indulgent and probably crappy photos!

A Photo a Day #319

Falling