Vesna Armstrong Photography

Amidst growing anguish of not knowing when I'd be able to go to my beloved Haworth next owing to the Coronavirus pandemic, I have resorted to my still life photography. My subject for the latest image is the beautiful forsythia that flowers profusely at this time of year. Its cheerful bright yellow blossom is music not only to my eyes, but also my soul in the troubled time we have presently found ourselves in.  In this crazy situation I have never been more grateful for my long time passion for still life photography. It is something that will not only keep me sane, but also give me the strength and positive energy to come out of this troubled time emotionally unscathed. I believe everyone has some talent, some sort of gift, however much unapparent. And if you haven't already done so, there has never been a better time to find out what it is and start pursuing it. I believe there is nothing better to combat the frustration we are all suddenly facing than immersing ourse...

One thing that is not cancelled in this strange time of coronavirus turmoil is spring - spring as a season. Nature defies malady and its continuous changes are happening regardless. Thankfully, springtime is upon us; each day we can see new, more prominent evidence that cheers and uplifts us; and now the weather has improved immensely, too, and the sun is shining day after day. I am so grateful for all the comfort I am getting from nature right now, even though I am not allowed to venture very far. I am lucky and so glad that I live within walking distance of Kirkstall Abbey, the magnificent 12th century Cistercian monastery ruin with extensive parkland around it and the river Aire flowing nearby. Coincidentally for me being a Brontëphile, the abbey has connections with the literary Brontë family, too. Patrick Brontë, the father of the famous three sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, proposed here to their mother and his future wife Maria in October 1812. Charlotte later made a sketch...

Yesterday, amidst the growing turmoil caused by the outbreak of Coronavirus, it was wonderful to escape to the nature, if only for a couple of hours. I found a much needed respite in the beautiful Golden Acre Park, just a short drive from my house. I am so grateful that the spring is happening around us at the moment; it is something that's giving me strength and emotional vigour to respond positively to the unsettling circumstances. I took photos with my Nikon DSLR, and was out with it for the first time since I bought my iPhone in January last year and have used it as my sole camera medium since. On this occasion I only used my iPhone for the purpose of comparing its image quality with that of the image taken with the DSLR. Ok, I must admit that the iPhone produces better colour as well as more accurate exposure, but that is not of vital importance as I edit all my photos anyway. On the other hand, there are a few advantages of the DSLR: it offers a better scope for creative as ...

Right now the world is sadly going through an uncertain and challenging time with the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic, but nature remains consistent in its beauty and continues to regale us with its lovely sights. I, for sure, have drawn solace from watching blossom and little leaf buds appearing on trees; spring flowers popping up with their cheerful colours and birds carrying in their beaks twigs moss etc. for the nests they are making. I decided to collect samples of all the early signs of spring I come across and display them in a cardboard box with compartments for my next still life image. I may do this for each month of the year, or at least for each season. To vary the box I have ordered a wooden one on internet and am looking forward to trying it with my next month's image. From left to right: primrose, forsythia, pieris, flowering currant, hellebore, pansy, primrose, miniature daffodil, unidentified  "It is the first mild day of March Each minute sweet...

Despite the weather continuing to be cold and stormy, Mother nature seems to be awakening for springtime, and it is fairly early compared to previous years. There are already quite a few blooms and colours in my front garden which cheers me up on my way in and out of the house: miniature daffodils, primroses, hellebores, periwinkle, piers, pansies and heather are adorning my early spring garden under my sitting room window. For my first still life of the year I chose a panicle of little white bell-shaped pieris flowers and a few sprigs of spring flowering purple heather from a pot outside my front door. I paired them with a lovely small earthenware urn I bought in my favourite Haworth shop, The Store . I am very pleased to say that this was shot using my Nikon DSLR, and not my iPhone. It is the first time I have used my DSLR since I bought my iPhone back in January last year. The alluring fascination with the iPhone has worn off now (still love it, though) and I have decided to use m...

Today was a beautiful early March day, and I was lucky to be free to do whatever my heart  was telling me to do. Without any hesitation I chose to go for a walk, something I was longing to do as soon as the prolonged stormy weather finally went away. And I didn't want to spend any time travelling; I just wanted to be outdoors and walk, breath deeply, soak up the sun and watch the first signs of nature's awakening; I just strolled to the local park - the beloved Gotts Park. It was a short, but much welcome and refreshing walk. Here are a few pics of the sights that cheered me up.