Alhambra

Len Williamson
2018
The Alhambra is UNESCO World Heritage Site and recognisable to most people in the world. It is a top tourist attraction and the image I have placed here will be recognised by many. The framing is as if through a window. The window of the camera lens. The picture is also a mirror in that it reflects something I wanted to do. I wanted to improve my photography and as part of my learning process show that I could professionally produce a much photographed and well recognised image.
The Alhambra itself has many stories. This picture of the Alhambra is a story. Each viewer will attribute different narratives. For me it is about power, history, positioning against an impressive natural landscape and its distinctive architecture.
Belvedere

Len Williamson
2018
The Belvedere in Tuscanny is known to many landscape photographers and also lovers of Italy. This house has been photographed continuously and usually at dawn for the best shot. Taking this shot was a perfect combination of being present as the sun rose, working out what was the composition I wanted and talking with other photographers about what they were seeking to achieve. Then the sun rose and the mist swirled. Bliss.
I find it interesting that this shot is so restful and calm and gives the impression of being on your own in a perfect moment on the planet. While all of that was true I was also with about 50 other photographers side by side. All of us had got up around 5am to get our place and the shot. Also right behind the shot is an industrial park and garage quite at odds with the impression created through the window shown here.
Albufera

Len Williamson
2018
With some of my photographer friends I call this my Vietnam shot. They have travelled to Vietnam for the rice field shots, to Burma for the poor child or wrinkled old lady shot and on safari for the big 5 shots. If you want to win photography prizes at your club these are key ingredients to success.
This is shot on the Albufera lake near Valencia about 50kms from where I live. I have picked it because it has the ingredients of being a global shot. This shot has captured the attention of a number of my non photographer friends who love the image and then want to understand what tricks I have used to get the effect. (Lee filters and long exposure) My niece Sarah, wondered if the foreground was snow.
This picture has the elements I like to put in to a photograph. If I can get a viewer to be interested and curious to know what the picture is about, give it some meaning and then talk about it I have achieved my goal.
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