Scottish Images uploaded to NEW folder. Got to find time to title properly but will have to get my maps and Scottish dictionary out to check some spellings -

Claire

4 images from cARTerART to appear in “Countryfile: 100 Favourite Days Out,” to be published by BBC Books in May 2010.

Had a fabulous time in Skye with interesting weather. Images to be posted soon.
Big thanks to Dougie for showing me new locations and organising the sunshine, snow and frosts - perfect.
Claire

In just 7 days I will be on a plane and heading off to Scotland for a week.

Yes - flying there and getting a train back. Can anyone explain the economics here? If I catch the train to Glasgow on a Friday night it will cost £106.  I am however getting a taxi (an hour journey) and a plane ticket cheaper than the train costs and that isn't of course a door to door service.

The return fare by train on a Saturday is just £16.

Why would I want to take the train for the journey out at this price - the last time I did it I stood most of the way and involves 2 changes, dragging luggage and camera equipment.

I know flying isn't "green" but I need a better financial incentive to get on a train. If I can get the return trip for £16 - why must I spend £106 for a crowded Friday night train???

Crazy.

I look forwards to meeting Mari and getting a "Dougie" tour of Skye. I can't wait to feel the icy air I know will greet me at Elgol. I'm in need of clear thinking time and hours stood waiting for the light in a wintery blast is the best escape from work I can imagine.

Claire

Big thanks to Carol, Martin and Jon for visiting the Take a View exhibition at the National Theatre and getting this photo of my photo on display.

Occassionally one is in the right place at the right time and just before Christmas I found myself in Wales. While the rest of the country struggled to cope with the weather we found some snow but not enough to stop us travelling about. Four days of dawn to dusk shooting is a rare treat, sometimes the wind chill nearly drove us off the beach but a watery sun usually kept us interested if not warm.

One frosty morning saw us struggling up to the New Precipice Walk in my little car - eventually it had to be abandoned as the incline and ice got too much. I was a little concerned how I was going to drive down but as we arrived back to the car a minature gritting lorry arrived - perfect timing. The images from this trip can been seen under "New Images December 2009".

I have also updated the Wings, Fins and Fur page.


I now have prints for sale at the hotel mentioned in the last post, a very fine venue indeed. I also want to thank Andrew Kime  for putting some of my images for sale in his gallery in Criccieth.



May I wish you all a wonderful 2010.

Claire

I am putting the finishing touches to a set of framed images to be hung at Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel, North Wales, with mounted prints for sale. This hotel offers fabulous facilities and anyone wanting to visit the North Wales locations featured in my gallery and wanting a touch of luxury would be well advised to follow the link above.

Venues for winter and spring are now in place:

I am returning to the Arthog area for a quick 4 day visit in December. Melanie from Lasting Light will be joining me and I'm hoping we find some frosts.

February will see me in Skye again, I'm very excited by this as will be staying in Elgol and sharing the experience with my friend Dougie who is a master of Scottish landscapes. This means I fall out of bed and find myself in one of the world's most beautiful locations with a class act giving guidance. Thanks to Dougie for organising this trip.

April will see me in Lochinver (Scotland). I have only once before travelled so far north in Scotland.  Melanie and Bill my colleagues from Photo Travel Review, Dougie and Herman Cater (Slovenia) will be in the party. Promises to be a fine time. For more information about this area see here.


2009 has been a great year for my photography and 2010 is shaping up nicely : )

Images from a 4 day shoot in Southern Snowdonia, Wales uploaded. I  stayed in Arthog and spent time shooting Llynnau Cregennen, Barmouth and the Mawddach Trail.

Four days is not enough time unless the weather is on your side and sunset and rises were disappointing but the odd flash of light made the trip wothwhile and I was happy to get a shot of mating Emperor Dragonflies.

The autumn colours were peaking and a walk along the Torrent Walk near Dolgellau was a delight but as always woodland walks are a challenge as so many elements compete to fill the frame.

The final afternoon gave me a chance to get some classic estuary shots with the sun behind me with strong colours and a brief hour when the tide gave an aopportunity for a few reflections. See here for details of the walk.

Claire

Fight for Survival Image shortlisted from 100,000 images to top 50 in Digital Camera Photographer of Year competition.

Link here.

My image on front cover. Cropped from the original to fit book size but I think they have done a good job.

New images added to Vegetation page - all about the season I love, for a photographer a time to rejoice in the return of misty mornings, frosts and the demise of green - hurrah!
Also a few Shropshire images added to England page.

Claire

Take-a-view. Landscape Photographer of the Year 2009

The image below has been commended by the judges and has won a place both in the awards book and as an exhibition print at London's National Theatre. 

In addition, it has been chosen as the book cover image and will appear on the exhibition banner & invitations.

I've started today to upload images from the Poland / Slovakia trip. The first - the panorama of the storm over the Polish Tatras - represents a first for me as I've never tried to stitch shots before but I thought the scene deserved a wide view.

After two fabulous weeks in Southern Poland and the High Tatras in Slovakia I at last have found time to put some new images online from my last Welsh trip. Thanks to DSL, broadband, mobile broadband and other connections, these photos can be downloaded and viewed by virtually anyone connected to the Internet.


The Polish and Slovakia shots will follow as soon as possible. The theme from the first week is mist - every morning around the lake where we stayed saw incoming fog and this made for interest and challenges. The second week presented less photographic opportunity with summer haze but one eventful rainy day gave us a splendid rainbow that came and went continuously over an hour.

A trip to an ice cave was also a great experience, plus rafting and cable cars ----- a great time.

A huge thanks to my host - Hania.

Claire

Not had time to add new Welsh shots yet but had a fairly productive week - will upload on return from next trip. The dawns proved more successful than the sunsets and it was a joy to be below Snowdon for dawn. The accommodation by Lake Padern proved to be a very convenient spot for the mountains, sea and Angelsey.

The following two weeks promise to be exciting with a trip to Polish and Slovakian mountains and lakes with my wonderful Polish friend Hania as a guide. It will be great to be in the Tatra Mountains again, though in a different season. I am not a fan of the summer months usually as the light often lacks drama but after a week in Snowdonia with mists and wonderful dawns I am now converted - I just need to try and cope with early morning and late nights for two weeks.

Claire

Take-a-View Landscape Photographer of the Year 2009

Just heard I've had 3 images shortlised for this competition.

In 2007 I had the image below published in the book of winning entries, Landscape Photographer of the Year – Collection 01, by AA Publishing  and on view at a six-week exhibition  held at the National Theatre on London’s South Bank

The competition has now become an annual event that reflects the heart and spirit of Britain.

Claire

A trip to Wales planned for the end of next week and then off to Poland and Slovakia at the end of August. Hopefully will have some new material to share.

Claire

Recently I had an email from someone wanting to buy one of my Irish Giant's Causeway images. This sounds simple enough but they wanted it blown up to 7m x 2m! As it was taken with my Canon 5D (12mp) camera I was sceptical that it was possible. However - he achieved it and it now sits in a conference centre in Dublin (Electroplus). A photo of it in situ can be   seen here...

I'm left wondering how big my Canon Mk II (21 mp) images can go ---- is there a space big enough ......... lol

Claire

Just heard that my Robin pulling out a worm image  will be published in this Sunday's paper (Sunday Telegraph)

Claire

I'll add some new images tonight from a recent trip to Snowdonia. A great week away with one very memorable morning at Llynnau Cregennen - apologies for so many images from this shoot at but it was difficult to pick a favourite as the mood and light changed by the second. I'd appreciate a comment as to which you think works the best.

Claire

Images added to What's New - at last. Also my review of 5D MkII will appear at www.phototravelreview.com  in next few days.

The Anglesy shots heavily feature Penmon Lighthouse but thought it would be fun to show it under the very different weather and light conditions we had during the week.

Off to Wales for a week. Exploring Anglesey and Smowdonia. Weather forecast looks good so fingers crossed for good light.

Claire

Ardnamurchan was a bit murky weather wise. I suppose I eventually had to have a week of bad weather in Scotland. The images show what was possible during some brief light. I'm not wildly excited by them but gives some idea of the potential of the area. Looks like I will have to return!

The 5D MarkII is proving to be a great tool. I especially appreciated the auto ISO when hand holding in poor light and images at high ISO settings are much more useable. It is very unforgiving unless top quality lenses are used - so I will be upgrading my old trusty 17-35 2.8L - a fabulous lens on the 5D but with the extra pixels chromatic aberration is a bit of a concern with the new camera if you need to crop in tight or print large.

Claire

I will be away for a week - visiting an area of Scotland I've not been to before. Will give me a chance to try out my new 5D MKII and hopefully have images to share.

Claire

Madeira shots added to "What's New" page. Not the images I had in mind when I arrived on the island but after a few days of blue skies (restful but not great for photography) we had a storm that whipped up the Atlantic swell and made being by the sea a lot more interesting.

Madeira was a joy for a Christmas break. We avoided the city (Funchal) and explored the west and eastern coast. The interior is mountainous, lush and green and worth another visit as the day we made the trip the clouds came down.

If you like exotic flowers it is a paradise.

Claire

The next trip will be to Scotland in February - really looking forwards to heading North again and with a new 5D Mk II to try out.

Claire

I'll be adding some images from Madeira soon - wild seas mainly which was unexpected bonus!!! Happy New year to all.

Claire

Heading for the sun and hopefully sunsets for Christmas on Madeira. Hope to have some images by New Year.

Enjoyed a great weekend on Anglesey around Llanddwyn Island and Penmon Lighthouse. Images to be added to What's New page.

Slovenian Images from october trip added to "Whats New" page.  Some other pages also updated.

Back from Slovenia. A great trip with perfect weather at the beginning of the trip, mists and sun. Later in the week we found some snow on the tops but I believe there was more snow in the UK!!  The last few days were wet - drenching wet. Thankfully the autumn colours were still clinging on and they were amazing, even in the rain.

Photos to be added shortly.

A big thanks to Herman for being the perfect guide and to Kaz for driving and Bill for his company and ensuring we stopped and ate now and again!

Claire

Off to Slovenia this weekend - the colours are fading fast so fingers crossed the leaves hang on.

"What's New" page updated following a shoot on Sunday. The picture of the barn owl is a captive bird. Whilst I'd love it to have been a true wild life shot I was pleased to get something that is a little unusual and hope it shows a bird doing what comes naturally. Mainly the day was for me is an opportunity to study the birds and learn.

Created this blog today and transferred all the news items over from home page (hence comments now appear empty). Look forward to hearing from people and sharing my photo journey.

Claire

Back at work after a great holiday. Looking forwards to Slovenia in October - a few places left. If anyone joining the group wants a lift from the Midlands this can be arranged as I'll be driving to Stansted from Shropshire.

The Elan Valley (Powys) reservoirs are just 90 minutes from home but I have to be up early to get there for dawn during the summer. Last night it was cold and still with a few stars in the sky so I decided to see what dawn would be like. It was a good decision - all the rain has benefits as the water was pouring over the dams - a rare sight in recent years.

Back from a soggy Wales.  Rain was the main feature of the trip but was saved by one good sunset and an unforgettable sunrise. Some images now added to site.

Claire is runner up in the Shropshire Hills photography competition.

http://www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk/publications/50thwinners.htm

Claire and the PTR team are now offering opportunities to join us on tour. These trips will be 100% dedicated to photography and would suit beginners or advanced photographers. They will enable you to visit places that are beyond the tourist trail.  As this is our first year prices are unbeatable.

So far -  tours to Slovenia and Alaska are planned.  Visit www.phototravelreview.com for details or email Claire at Barnabys@btinternet.com

Photos from trip to County Mayo, Ireland added to site. An interesting trip in poor weather saved by a few fabulous sunsets.

Back from Slovenia after a fantastic trip. Some images now online See www.phototravelreview.com for full details.

April 08  New photo travel website now live. Photo Travel Review. 

Claire has been working with two world class photographers  to produce a new website designed to promote travel photography.  The intention is to allow photographers to showcase their work whilst sharing their experiences to aid photographers make similar trips. We will also review photo tour companies and equipment we have used or are recommended.

Please visit and let Claire know if you wish to contribute.

Feb 08. Back from a quick trip to Spain. The weather wasn't kind but a few breaks in the clouds and high winds made for a few shots.

Jan 08. Hello to all those finding cARTerART for the first time via Outdoor Photography Magazine where this site got full marks for content and design.  Please sign the guest book and say hi.

Jan 08. Shearwater story in January EOS magazine. 

The Manx Shearwater comes on land to breed, landing at night to avoid predators. This is an amazing sight - well more a noise -  as tens of thousands of them arrive under the cover of darkness. HOWEVER - whilst on Skomer Island I encountered one during the day, I photographed it at close quarters and it proceeded to jump on my camera, climb up my arm and sit on my head!!! Fortunately my friend Rosemary was there with her camera to catch the event. I was smiling for a week............................ Claire

September 2007. Claire had two images shortlisted fot the AA Landscape Photographer of Year Award  and one has been selected to appear in the  Take-A-View  Landscape Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the The National Theatre, London. September 15th to November 2nd 2007 and to appear in the book to be published in October. (White Park bay, Antrim - in Northern Ireland Gallery)