I didn’t like the original photo straight out of the camera but after a little highlight recovery and darkening the blue edges I think has been a worthwhile image. It was taken a few years back on Liberty Island when I was first getting into digital photography (still using a compact camera). It was probably one of the first times I had pointed my camera into the sun and in this case with the flag between me and the harsh mid day sun, the final image came out as I had hoped for. Contre-Jour is (as it sounds a French term) which means “against daylight”. I think it adds a different look to the stars and stripes. I have been to America twice in my life so far and saw hundreds of flags, not just on flag poles but hanging from offices and homes on the streets of New York. I would encourage anyone who hasn’t had the change to take a New York City break as it truly is a once in a life time experience.

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As regular readers will know, Calton Hill is one of my favourite spots for photography in Edinburgh and this past winter I got a chance to finally do some night photography up there. It was freezing cold, but I was very lucky to have a clear sky as you can see from the stars and the deep purple of the sky in the above photograph. This is Nelson’s Monument, which I have been up a couple of times in the day, shame it closes at night as I expect there would be some great opportunities for photos looking down on the city centre from the top of this tower.

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This street entertainer had a large crowd of tourists around him, gathering to pay to have their photograph taken with him. I watched for a few minutes and reached in my pocket for a few coins, then asked if I could take his portrait. He was very friendly and asked how I wanted him to pose. I just told him to shout at me! (something which he seemed particularly good at). This was the first time I have approached or paid someone in the street to take their photo, but it was definitely a rewarding experience and I will be sure to do it again whenever I get the opportunity.

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Taken in the small town of Warkworth in Northumberland, this church didn’t look very exciting from the outside, but my friend Keith had told me that there was some very spectacular stained glass inside. As you can see from the sky, it was just the day for this type of photograph. It was in this church that I photographed the window published just a few days ago, that can be seen below.

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