A Year in Pictures - 2012

This was the year when I discovered that I really enjoy taking photographs, particularly the discovery and capture of shapes and colours in the scenery that surrounds me every day. I started with the camera on my smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S) and progressed to a Canon Powershot digital when I found I wanted better zoom and greater resolution. This compilation is a summary of the story so far; some months were easier than others when it came to choosing a single photo and I hope to have many more next year. 

January

The first pictures to really grab my attention were the tree shots. I love the crisp contrast of bare branches against a clear blue winter sky and the way that low sunlight will illuminate some of the branches, making the moss glow and highlighting the texture of the bark.

February

Light and shade can be seen together in some spectacular cloud formations. This one shows the silver lining as the sunlight glows through and reminds me that the sky is always blue beyond the dark clouds.

March

There were many little signs that spring was on its way in early March, progressing to a lovely mini heatwave at the end of the month. My favourite picture of the month was this one of bursting cherry blossom covered in a heavy dew.

April

April showers took on a new meaning this year, wiping out the country-wide drought and filling the Stour Valley's flood plains. This view from Julian's Bridge shows just part of the flooding after the Stour burst its banks:

May

The flooding blocked my route to my normal riverside path but once the path had dried out, I was able to reach my favourite spot on Eye Bridge again. Post school-run tranquility captured here, with sun, sky and clouds sharing the shot with the riverbank reeds.

June

I was back at the river in June, although continued rain meant the river level was unusually high for the time of year. June is supposed to be warm and sunny with clear blue skies; instead, we had a dull, overcast sky, so pale that it appears white. 

July

Rain, rain and more rain were the story for this classic "British Summer". The river flooded again and views of flooded fields were beginning to get boring. Looking for a different perspective, I decided this view of raindrops on a car bonnet made an interesting picture:

August

I don't live too far from the sea but find it hard to get motivated to go and share a beach with the summer holiday crowds. Popping down to Sandbanks for an hour in the evening was far quieter and less likely to cause sunburn but it was still difficult to take a good seaview picture without incorporating holidaymakers from near and far. I liked this solitary sailing boat, seemingly alone on what was actually quite a busy stretch of water.

September

Back to school and the days are noticeably shorter already. The trees and bushes know it too, with the first hints of yellowing here in the hawthorns:

October

Autumn is now in full swing. Many leaves are still defiantly green but the brown is spreading and, with the month being sunnier than most of the summer was, the light is good and bright for a change. 

November

There were autumn-leaf pictures against pure blue skies and river shots of more widespread flooding than had been seen earlier in the year but I decided to feature the once a year lightshow of Bonfire Night instead. This was taken at the display at St Michael's, Colehill. 

December

The short days of December have given us many beautiful sunrises and sunsets, with glorious mist-and-frost pictures and some beautiful fiery orange skies but this is my favourite for the month, sunset on Christmas Eve: