365 Days Photography Challenge: Week Eighteenth - Aberdeen, Scotland / by Leticia Gaidon Bradford

Welcome back to the 365 Days Photography Challenge! As we embark on Week Eighteenth, I'm excited to share with you the snapshots of my photographic journey through Aberdeen, Scotland. From capturing moody self-portraits to embracing the drama of nature's elements, each day presents a new opportunity to explore the artistry of photography. Join me as I document the beauty of everyday moments and immerse myself in the vibrant landscapes of Scotland. Let's dive into another week filled with creativity, inspiration, and the joy of photography!

Day 112: Self-portrait in dark and moody

Presenting a black and white self-portrait with high contrast, holding one of my favourite photography books. The low-key lighting adds depth and intensity to the composition.

In low-key lighting, there's a predominance of dark tones and shadows, creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere. It's often used to evoke emotions or highlight specific elements in the scene by emphasizing contrast between light and dark areas. In my self-portrait, the use of low-key lighting adds depth and intensity to the photograph.

Day 112.

Day 113: Dramatic Light

Confronting the cold, windy, and rainy weather in Scotland, I went for a walk. Despite the challenging conditions, I was rewarded with the dramatic formation of clouds over Bennachie, illuminated by the late afternoon light. As a lover of dramatic landscapes, capturing the interaction of light and clouds is a passion of mine, and this moment was no exception.

Day 113.

Day 114: Nature in a Low Key

Amongst a busy schedule, I took a moment of respite to capture a moody image of the daffodils blooming in my garden. Transforming the scene into a dramatic black and white composition with low-key lighting, I sought to convey the moody and atmospheric beauty that inspires me. Through my lens, I attempt to offer an alternative vision of nature, one that induces depth and emotion.

Day 114.

Day 115: The Muscari Flowers

During this day, my focus shifted to capturing images of Muscari flowers during my routine walks. Despite encountering challenges with lighting and the strong winds, I remained determined to capture a good shot.

Day 115.

Day 116: Black and the New Orange

After attending a garden party, I returned home and decided to capture a self-portrait in my outfit. I tend to gravitate towards dark colours in general, which is part of my style, but for this lunch party, I decided to incorporate vibrant orange tones—a colour recognised as being on-trend for the season. Adding orange earrings and a bag (which is not in the picture) gifted by a friend from Ghana helped to give an ethnic touch to my outfit.

One important tip to elevate the photos with a plain backdrop is to incorporate a strong pose, as it adds interest and personality, preventing the image from appearing bland or uninspired.

Day 116.

Day 117: Landscape in Black and White

I went for a walk on a sunny day in Scotland. Despite the chilly breeze, the sunshine felt amazing. I love black and white photos of landscapes; it reminds me of the images taken so greatly by Ansel Adams. During my walk, I spotted lots of wildlife around my house—cute baby rabbits hopping around and about eight rodents munching farther ahead. It was such a joy to see nature up close like that. I came back home feeling refreshed and full of energy.

Day 117.

Day 118: The Tulips

To end this photography week, I took a picture of the blooming tulips. I wanted a clean shot, so I used one of my backdrops to photograph those flowers. As the light was very low because of the rainy day, I used an indirect flash to illuminate the tulips.

As we wrap up another week of the 365 Days Photography Challenge, I'm grateful for the opportunity to share these moments with you. Each day brings its own unique experiences and challenges, but it's the passion for photography that keeps me going. From moody self-portraits to dramatic landscapes and vibrant moments, I hope these snapshots offer a glimpse into the beauty of Aberdeen, Scotland, and the artistry of photography. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more moments with you in the weeks to come. Stay inspired!

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Bye for now.