Pier Peering

I'm really trying to improve my photography skills and basically get to know my camera better.  I use a Canon 550d and I want t make sure I use it (and me!) to its maximum potential!  I definitely need a few more lenses to make sure I can have a broader variety of shots, but I'm enjoying playing with the stuff I already have and feeling more confident with my photographic "eye."  

Today's photography experience/challenge was at Penarth Pier.  This place is both beautiful, ugly and tragic all at the same time.  Basically, it's so run down at this point it looks incredibly sad and increasingly depressing.  It's such a shame.  I get really angry when I see beautiful and significant buildings go to ruin like this.  It seems the council (who are responsible for the pier) are undertaking some sort of restoration project, and I hope this does actually happen.  It's such a lovely example of a Victorian take on leisure.

Anyway, I thought I'd use the pier as a bit of a 'subject' for some shots today.  Despite the grey weather and sharp wind (my eyes were streaming continuously) I took some photos that I quite like, and can definitely see where I want and need to improve on my skills.

I love this translation of 'ashtray.'

I loved how this couple were just taking it all in.  

So sad to see such a wonderful building go to ruin.

Post photography treat.  Ice cream with a flake AND bubblegum sauce.  Yum...synthetic!

Various iphone photos of the day too...

Happy Easter

Shocked they got my name right without my spelling it out!

Easter nails (just a bit messy.)

Hope you had a great day.  Are any of you working on improving some hobby or work related skills?

xoxoxo

Dreaming in Red

Atop a hill in Cardiff is a red castle.  Yes; a red castle (although to be fair, the high volume of wind and rain we get here has dimmed its bright colour somewhat).  I love it there.  Such a calming area, away from traffic and cityness.  I was hoping for a chance to quietly take photos and take in the scenery, but this was unfortunately ruined by other people.  Yes!  There were other people there, doing the same thing.  It's as if they think this castle isn't MINE.  I kid (sorta!)

Castell Coch has a a really fascinating history, and is a testament to one individual's eccentricity and obsession with the past (in my opinion, anyway.  I did a little research on the person in question during my degree.)

Trying to get some of these shots definitely made me want to get some better lenses for my camera.  I can foresee a lot of obsessively reading reviews online to help me make a decision.  Ah well!

I also have a birthday trip to plan....lots going oooooon!

xoxo

 This is where some 'swishy' hair shots ensued...

Red shoes to match my surroundings (only a little deliberate, I promise!)

You can kinda see a pinkish hue in the brickwork here, no?

I am such a huge fan of red, maybe that's why I love this place so much!xo