We stood on high ground overlooking the rural moors and rugged hills of Lancashire. Sheep stared quizzically as I raised my iPhone to take a photograph. The camera was in the car boot, and time spent admiring the darkly inviting Northern countryside was measured by a lack of road signs and failing satnavs.
Crossing an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) meant we were spoilt for choice for taking pictures, but the weekend was a whirl from start to finish: a wedding in Stonyhurst, a farmers market and ukulele band at Otley, and a reunion with mutual friends from Dubai in Bradford. The camera never got out of its case, but we took plenty of pictures.
Here’s a fantastic photo taken by John as we stumbled across a stony brook at the Inn at Whitewell.
And a snap I took walking through the village of Silsden, still decked out for Tour de France.
When we got back home to London on Sunday night I unpacked my camera with a pang of guilt, mixed with satisfaction there was no memory card to process.
I inherited my passion for photography from my photographer grandmother, Antonie Dees, who had a studio called Cameracraft in Surbiton, London. My interest grew as a magazine editor working photoshoots with professionals like Mark David Hill and Jonathan Perugia, till I finally bought my Canon DSLR.
The joy of using my Canon camera to capture almost what my eyes can see – the light, colours, textures, detail – hasn’t diminished. However, I’ve learnt that a good picture can come from seizing, as well as seeing, the right moment, like the photo above taken while we explored Cowley on a rainy Saturday afternoon. So I’ve put my camera aside this summer for a busy time at work and a new resolution at beekeeping to focus more on keeping bees than photographing honeybees.
And bumble bees…
Instagram started as a tool to improve the quality of iPhone photos for my blog, but it fast became an opportunity to see a great photo on the move and take it quickly. And it was fun. Here is a space not only for snapshots of daily life but for creating a scrapbook of moments. As a teenager I loved making scrapbooks and now I have a virtual one on my phone, called @cameracraft2010 after my grandmother’s studio.
Mark David Hill once said to me, “All you need is a camera phone.” He was right. Here’s the story of the summer so far in a stream of scrapbook-style memories…
Swans frolicking in the lido and a woodland train ride at Ruislip.
People or bird watching at lunchtime.
Or just noticing the ordinariness or splendour of where you are.
I hope you found some inspiration here for camera phone pictures too!
This is an inbetween not-a-bee post while the honey is harvested, but bee drama returns next week.
Thinking of trying Instagram? Do, it’s easy and fun to use. If you want to use it professionally, such as brand building or networking, then the same applies as any communication channel – post excellent content that stands above the rest (less is more) and which appeals to a very, clearly defined audience. There are many articles online that give advice about times to post and hashtags to use, but there’s no real secret to success other than posting good stuff.
Mrs Apis Mellifera 
Reblogged this on Linda's wildlife garden and commented:
Lovely post thank you for sharing have a blessed day
Beautiful images. I believe it’s the eye of a good photographer (something I’m not) that makes a good photograph and not necessarily the equipment. May I follow your Instagram?
Thank you, that’s what I’ve been told by photographers too, and my grandmother. I think everyone has an eye when they see something that they like.
Of course, do find me on Instagram, although I apologise for my last Friday night post, sort of.
I’m very impressed with your photographs. Camera phones have come a long way from those first grainy snap shots. They are, as you say, perfect for capturing a special moment. I still have not got a camera phone and use a very old mobile hand-me-down of my daughter’s. I’m sure technology will catch me up when the rates settle down and they will probably do away with fixed line phones. Amelia
I resisted smart phones and Instagram for a long time thinking my Canon camera and Nokia phone will do. Then John introduced me to the wonders of iPhone… I must say the 5 version has a far superior camera capable of sometimes astonishing close-ups, although the images can only be for web use being so small and there’s no real substitute for adjusting lens settings manually – yet.
These are great quality photographs, I liked the tree reflected in the water.
Thanks Alex, John took that one, he has a natural eye for photography! Everything was so still and yet moving at that moment.
It’s so easy to spend too long looking for and taking shots of Bees, I know, been there and done that. I too love photography and have nought myself a nice Nikon DSLR a few years ago but when I’m beekeeping my trusty little Cannon IXY is the one I always have with me. Sometimes I have too much to think about and concentrate on the bees but when I stop to take a breath or something catches my eye it’s always good to have some form of camera!
Nice photos and glad you liked your trip up my end of the country! 🙂
Yes, it is difficult to do anything but be aware of the bees when keeping them. But I like to be able to capture a good moment when I can! I also have a trusty pink Lumix that comes out now and then. The northern country was beautiful, I could’ve stayed!
What beautiful photographs! I love the one of the tree reflected in the water especially.
Thanks, everyone’s favourite taken by John 🙂 It was such a beautiful scene we just stopped and stared at it for a while.