Phil McDermott Photography Blog

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Sun, 4 Jan 2009 07:30:00 +0000

In spite of being an inconspicuous, retiring bird, the Great Spotted Woodpeckers presence is often heard by its loud vibrating rattle as it makes repeated strikes against a trunk. This is the sound that we frequently hear at this time of the year as the male 'drums' against trees to mark their territory and try to attract a mate.

The male feathers are a glossy black with a crimson spot on the nape and white on the sides of the face and neck.The underparts are buffish-white with under tail crimson. The female has no crimson on the nape, but the crown is crimson.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

January Photo of the Month

Fri, 2 Jan 2009 14:46:10 +0000

Loch an Eilein, Isle of Mull at sunset

Website recommendation - Lightroom Killer Tips

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 10:16:28 +0000

"Get your weekly dose of the coolest Adobe� Lightroom tutorials, tips, time-saving shortcuts, photographic inspiration, and undocumented tricks with Matt Kloskowski from Photoshop User TV. New videos posted each Monday and other news over the week."

Visit Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips

Happy New Year

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Happy New Year for 2009

Free reprint rights available for our Photography Articles

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 18:56:45 +0000

If you want to use any of our Photography Articles on your website, blog or ezine you are welcome to do so providing you include the text and live clickable link as shown below. Thank you.

Article by Phil McDermott - Commercial, stock and wedding photographer.

Choose from the following list of photography articles,

Backlighting, Contre-jour Photography Contre-jour is a photographic term meaning "into the light" and contrary to popular belief stunning photographs can be taken when shooting into the light. Read more...

Photo Trip to Ben More, Isle of Mull Ben More, the highest point on the Isle of Mull is the only Hebridean Munro outside of the Isle of Skye and is therefore held in high regard on the island. Read more...

Close Up in Nature Photography Without doubt there is something awe inspiring and wholesome in the big view. Every year there are vast arrays of calendars all full of pretty landscape pictures adorning our high street shops. Read more...

Hilbre Island Photo Trip Hilbre Island and the Dee Estuary are justly famous for their ornithological importance, particularly during spring and autumn migration. Read more...

Photographing Patterns in Nature "Always remember the importance of detail". I can still clearly hear these words that were repeatedly drummed home by my college lecturer. Whilst they seemed unimportant and irrelevant to me at the time, they have over the years taken on a much greater significance and have become ingrained in my philosophy and nature photography. Read more...

Autumn Reflections, Photographers View "Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower" ~ Albert Camus (1913-1960). The beauty of autumn is something to behold, rich vibrant colours all competing with each yet forming such a harmonious blend, but it is also tinged with sadness as another year ticks away. Read more...

The Importance of Lighting The word photography comes from the French photographie and is based on the Greek for light and stylus or paintbrush or graphe (a representation by means of lines or drawing), basically meaning "drawing with light". Read more...

Photography Exposure Controlling the exposure of our image is one of the most important aspects of photography and fundamental to the principle of our photographic knowledge. Read more...

Practical Approach to a Photo Trip In this article we will look at a photography field trip, describing each stage from initial preparation to the final image; some is obvious, some less so. Read more...

Photography Composition Photography images are made by you the photographer, they are an amalgam of many elements, including your own inner vision, interpretation and aspiration. If any of these elements are missing then the image fails. Read more...

Landscape Photography Essentials All the major camera manufactures produce SLR cameras that can be built into complete systems and the build quality is excellent. However, there is often a temptation to stock up on equipment; this particular lens, that particular filter in the belief that it will produce better images or make you a better photographer. Read more...

New Nature Photo Gallery Online

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:36:20 +0000

Just uploaded our new Nature & Landscape Photo Gallery, click here to visit.

Namibia Photo Gallery now online

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:30:00 +0000

Following our recent trip to Namibia we have finally got around to uploading a small gallery of images. They are primarily of wildlife taken in the Etosha National Park in the north of the country with some images from other places, mainly Namib Desert and Cape Cross.

Sossusvlei, Namib Desert, Namibia

To view the Namibia Photo Gallery click here.

UK Photographers Rights - A Must Read

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:44:00 +0000

A short guide to photographers rights in the UK. This is intended to provide a short UK guide to the main legal restrictions on the right to take photographs and the right to publish photographs that have been taken.

The guide was written by Linda Macpherson LL.B, Dip.L.P., LL.M, who is a lecturer in law at Heriot Watt University, with particular experience in Information Technology Law, Intellectual Property Law and Media Law.

Visit UK Photographers Rights for further details.

Every UK photographer should write to/email their MPs asking them to support the EDM. People with websites and blogs should also link to it there. Read the full story at Amatuer Photographer

Find your Local MP with just your Postcode

Other guides for US and Australia are also available by visiting the websites listed below.

USA photographers rights guide www.krages.com/phoright.htm
Australian photographers rights www.4020.net/unposed/photorights.shtml

Merry Christmas

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:57:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to all our readers.

Christmas Robin - Merry Christmas

Famous Photographers - Links to Biographies and more..

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:53:00 +0000

Looking for a biography of a past or present master photographer? This famous photographers list of masters like Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz and other top rated photographers will inspire, entertain and educate you.

Visit Famous Photographer Biographies for further links and information.