Re: Today in pictures
 

Whilst that is certainly true, you can also hone that 'eye', most professional photographers when they go out have a specific set of images they're looking for. However it's something all photographers can use, regardless of skill level..

For example there was a photographer on the BBC news website this week that liked photographing abandoned buildings (Urb-exing or Urban Exploring).

So you could set yourself a weekly challange and say 'This week I'll photograph things that are 'Red' (as an example). Run it from Monday to Sunday and give yourself 30-60 minutes each day. Make it a realistic challange, something you could achieve. (if you're stuck for a theme Google Photography Themes and you'll find plenty of ideas.)

The first one I did was a set of 5 square images with a white border of things I'd photographed around Accrington that were mostly Shades of Grey (including black and white) and posted on a photograhy forum and someone asked were the other 45 where.... Which did lead to a 50 Shades of Grey, 50 Shades More.. And Further More Shades of Grey..

If you do this every week, it's amazing how much your photography improves, because you're constantly honing the eye so you're always looking....

Plus the most important thing - always have your camera with you - I take it even if I'm just going into town to pay a bill. I'm not a professional photographer, so I don't make money from my images 99.9% is just done for sheer fun.

If you do see photographers out with camera's ask them what they've been photographing, almost all will tell you places to go, things they've seen.

Earlier this year, there was a Cormorant on Platts Lodge in Accrington, it got so used to people that you could get within 12ft of it..

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The mystery bug could possibly be an early moult female Earwig but only a guess.

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Yes, you can hone your skills.
Good photographers also have a keen eye for opportunities too....and sometimes they see things a little differently.
You can set out with an aim in mind and come back with something completely different to what you were looking for.
I have a camera in my bag all the time. You never know when an opportunity to get a good picture will present itself to you.

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That did occur to me also, it didn't look like the front end of a bug, to be honest it's why macro/bug hunting is so fascinating, you just never know what you might see.

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Exactly my point, but not just limited to professional photographers, almost anyone has that ability, good photographers aren't born - yes to some it comes naturally - just like being able to paint pictures or compose music or are great at science or math.

It really is a case of honing 'your eye', the opportunities just comes down to having your camera at the right time, and some times a hellava lot of luck...

Not sure if anyone has seen this but a photographer captured a stoat/weasel on a woodpeckers back as it was flying:

Woodpecker with weasel flying on its back photographed in Hornchurch Country Park | Daily Mail Online

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And everyone else has that ability to some lesser or greater extent, there's no great mystery or special skills needed, just practice. Being able to see things a little diffrently, makes you no different to a muscian, artist, mathematician or any other subject, but you can learn how to be better in all those subjects..

Get out there with your camera, take photographs, enjoy what you do take, if people like them, well that's great, if people don't like them, well that's also great - you're taking them for you not anyone else.

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I really really like that.
That should be a mantra for life....'Enjoy what you do and do it because you enjoy it...not to please others.

The other good thing about this section of the forum, is that those of us on here who cannot get out and about as readily as we once did are treated to a glimpse of nature, the country side...whatever has been looked at and shot by those who DO get out and about with their camera...O yes and all pictures are accepted regardless of the skill of theindividual who took it....we are all on a learning curve for something.

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Todays One A Day: 16th Sept 2017 - A Cormorant on the Leeds - Liverpool Canal between Feniscowles and Riley Green - glad I decided to take my big birding lens - despite it weighing 6-7kilos

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You must have muscles in your spit Ryewolf...but definitely worth the effort.
A very regal looking bird.

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I was carrying it in a rucksack, I enjoy photography, so tend to take the stuff I might use when I go for a walk.

Thanks, there was one on Platts Lodge Accrington near Scaitciffe for about 5-6 weeks earlier this year, it got so used to people you could get within 12ft of it - I didn't even need the big lens. I even saw one in the River Irwell in the middle of Manchester..

When they're fishing they swim with their body almost submerged with just the neck above the water, they can stay under for about 30 seconds and can travel about 100+ foot underwater, which is how they catch the fish (unlike Heron's).

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I walk that path near Platts lodge to go to my Mum's house and saw the Cormorant the other week.
I did not have my bag with me or I would have taken a picture myself(I was just going into town for something for Ma ....so only had my purse with me)
When I was coming home I walked that way into town, hoping the bird was still there, but alas I could not see it anywhere.

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Thanks for that, I didn't realise it was still coming around. I only live around the corner so walk that way into town.

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I haven't taken any outdoor pictures recently.
I have been busy making cards for family and a couple I have been asked to make for other people( for a little donation to Macmillan).
See what you think of these.
All my own work...even the verse!

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A few from my Hols..

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No7 with the dolphin and #9 and #10 are my favourites... Pretty jealous about the dolphins as I've not see a wild one.