About
I am a self taught photographer whose passion is Macro, mostly in flowers, but I also love nature in general. The Macro process helps us see the amazing details we often miss.
I started learning photography as I couldn’t draw, even my “matchstick men” looked odd! Initially I bought 2nd hand equipment & learned the basics using 35mm film & any publication I could get my hands on. I soon discovered a passion for Macro & started out at the budget end using extension tubes.
Initially I used b & w 35mm film as I learned to develop & print my own photographs. I moved on to colour via transparencies/slides which gave a real vibrancy to landscapes. However, I still loved Macro & was happy to lie down for hours on wet grass or crick my neck for that different angle, marveling at patterns, colours, textures, shapes, all of which transformed into something new & exciting just by moving the camera a mere 1 or 2 mm.
I was quite suspicious of digital when it arrived & initially found some of the colour reproduction disappointing but I soon adapted. It also meant investing in new equipment so eventually I bought a DSLR & a dedicated, Macro lens, moving on to a mirrorless kit more recently to save weight.
I’m been extremely blessed to be able to visit friends in Sth Africa annually for 14 yrs (till Covid anyway), which offers so many exciting, new & challenging opportunities. The environment is greatly varied & the quantities of animals, birds, flora & fauna a constant delight. Even more blessed since I emigrated here on 29 4 23 & am now living n the village of Haenertsburg,in the province of Limpopo. I am now close to my lovely God daughter & her family & much closer to my beloved Ellies!
The wonderful thing about Macro is that you have to slow down, even stop, to really appreciate the details of your subject. Even a rainy day is rewarding, seeing raindrops on the grass, sparkling like diamonds, watching reflections in pools on petals & I never cease to wonder how miniscule droplets sit along the edge of a leaf as if glued, never falling by themselves. This oft missed details in nature are beautifully highlighted in my favourite poem, "Leisure" by William Henry Davies, which begins:
“What is this world, if full of care,
We have no time to stand & stare.....”
I find photography, macro in particular, gives me a creative outlet which is an important tool in maintaining my mental health. As a lifelong depression sufferer, creative outlets are an important tool for my mental wellbeing. Since moving to South Africa I've also adopted 2 'Rescue Dogs' from the SPCA, who are great company & keeping my hairdresser busy as my grey hairs are multiplying fast! They are another contributor to my wellbeing so I am donating 50% of my profits to the Tzaneen branch (where I found Flynn & Bonnie)to help with their excellent & highly valuable service.
One final note re my practice, which is very contentious amongst the photographic fraternity is that I use minimal post shot processing or editing. For me, I just want to capture the shot as it is at the time & not rely on technology to make major changes, eg changing skies or removing an intrusive object I didn't notice at the time. That doesn’t mean I think that’s all it’s useful for or that editors are cheats as I can see it’s uses in many situations but for now, it’s not my preferred tool. This is why I decided to name my website “Nature Naturally.” Natural photos with no additives, just as nature intended!
If you are interested in buying any of my work which does not have a BUY NOW button, please contact me using the following e mail address: magsrs@me.com
Thank you for visiting my site. As I said on the Home page, I've uploaded a lot of photographs simply to share something beautiful, different or interesting. I hope you enjoy browsing & if you get time, please do leave some feedback.
I started learning photography as I couldn’t draw, even my “matchstick men” looked odd! Initially I bought 2nd hand equipment & learned the basics using 35mm film & any publication I could get my hands on. I soon discovered a passion for Macro & started out at the budget end using extension tubes.
Initially I used b & w 35mm film as I learned to develop & print my own photographs. I moved on to colour via transparencies/slides which gave a real vibrancy to landscapes. However, I still loved Macro & was happy to lie down for hours on wet grass or crick my neck for that different angle, marveling at patterns, colours, textures, shapes, all of which transformed into something new & exciting just by moving the camera a mere 1 or 2 mm.
I was quite suspicious of digital when it arrived & initially found some of the colour reproduction disappointing but I soon adapted. It also meant investing in new equipment so eventually I bought a DSLR & a dedicated, Macro lens, moving on to a mirrorless kit more recently to save weight.
I’m been extremely blessed to be able to visit friends in Sth Africa annually for 14 yrs (till Covid anyway), which offers so many exciting, new & challenging opportunities. The environment is greatly varied & the quantities of animals, birds, flora & fauna a constant delight. Even more blessed since I emigrated here on 29 4 23 & am now living n the village of Haenertsburg,in the province of Limpopo. I am now close to my lovely God daughter & her family & much closer to my beloved Ellies!
The wonderful thing about Macro is that you have to slow down, even stop, to really appreciate the details of your subject. Even a rainy day is rewarding, seeing raindrops on the grass, sparkling like diamonds, watching reflections in pools on petals & I never cease to wonder how miniscule droplets sit along the edge of a leaf as if glued, never falling by themselves. This oft missed details in nature are beautifully highlighted in my favourite poem, "Leisure" by William Henry Davies, which begins:
“What is this world, if full of care,
We have no time to stand & stare.....”
I find photography, macro in particular, gives me a creative outlet which is an important tool in maintaining my mental health. As a lifelong depression sufferer, creative outlets are an important tool for my mental wellbeing. Since moving to South Africa I've also adopted 2 'Rescue Dogs' from the SPCA, who are great company & keeping my hairdresser busy as my grey hairs are multiplying fast! They are another contributor to my wellbeing so I am donating 50% of my profits to the Tzaneen branch (where I found Flynn & Bonnie)to help with their excellent & highly valuable service.
One final note re my practice, which is very contentious amongst the photographic fraternity is that I use minimal post shot processing or editing. For me, I just want to capture the shot as it is at the time & not rely on technology to make major changes, eg changing skies or removing an intrusive object I didn't notice at the time. That doesn’t mean I think that’s all it’s useful for or that editors are cheats as I can see it’s uses in many situations but for now, it’s not my preferred tool. This is why I decided to name my website “Nature Naturally.” Natural photos with no additives, just as nature intended!
If you are interested in buying any of my work which does not have a BUY NOW button, please contact me using the following e mail address: magsrs@me.com
Thank you for visiting my site. As I said on the Home page, I've uploaded a lot of photographs simply to share something beautiful, different or interesting. I hope you enjoy browsing & if you get time, please do leave some feedback.