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I agree with my Tutors opening comment about choosing the Ambassadors being ambitious. This is exactly what this course has given me through my Tutors guidance and my own work and research my confidence has grown tremendously.

I reworked my blog as discussed I liked the comment about my best photos being in front of me. So I removed the work not in the course to keep clarity of coursework.

Reworking the words I had written about my photo was easy as I had cited it already I just hadn’t put into words enough to explain my thoughts and the differences between photography and oil paint.

I made the changes having considered them and agreeing they improved my work. I find it hard to get the ideas I have in my head onto paper within a finite number of words. But that’s is the skill needed to be an academic.

The things that went well were the thought process around the beginning of the shot. I had one idea but I liked how the research I did led to other thoughts. I was open to the change of direction and think it led to a more interesting end product. I enjoyed looking at the painting and finding things in my life that had texture and added to my set.

The plug I had to remove using photoshop could have been omitted by placing the tripod in a slightly different position. I had looked through the viewfinder but had missed it being visible. It would have been a distraction in the finished print.

Light was the biggest issue I had to contend with. I wanted to hit my deadline but the natural light was poor. I even tried reflecting light into the room. This didn’t work at all you need there to be light there to be able to reflect it. So I had to use flash which I knew would not be ideal but if I wanted the other elements such as the shape in the corner, the colour and the texture would have been lost if hadn’t used it. I did use a light box to try to diffuse the light but it was still severe. Hence I look like a startled Rabbit. Still makes me chuckle.

If I were to do this shot again I would set it up even more carefully checking every area of the viewfinder was perfect. Then I would wait for the light to be as I needed it to be. Overall though I like the shot it is well thought out but fun.

Day 1 Skipton to London

Early this morning we left Yorkshire by train. It was beautiful with the light from the sun catching the hills and dales. We travelled for 3Hours Ten minutes and arrived in London just after 10am. We got the tube to Tower Bridge and walked to Citizen M, our hotel. Had a shower and walked to Zizzy’s for Pizza. The views along the Thames were stunning. Saw a couple taking a photo of themselves. I am feeling excited about our adventure.

Day 2 London

Up early for breakfast to catch the tide for some Mudlarking. Spent a couple of hours wandering along the river. Didn’t find much just Elizabethan pins. Amazing to think each dress or shirt worn had up to 1000 pins holding it together. No wonder the fore shore is full of them. I thought this might give me some inspiration for a project, but nothing 10 pictures of mud might be a bit boring. I spent the early evening looking at photographs previous photographers had taken. Henri Cartier Breson had used monochrome with geometry to show its beauty. I particularly liked Martin Parr’s work in Venice he filled his shots with people doing interesting things.

Day 3 London to Paris

So again up early to catch the Eurostar through the tunnel under the channel. I am apprehensive about being in a tunnel so long. What will it be like? It was a bit like getting on a plane getting on the train. Very smooth ride, Four hours later we are in Paris. Amazing!! We had Jam bon et Fromage Batons with Cafe, very Parisian. We walked along the Champs Elyse people watching. We saw lots of people taking photos of themselves. They get engrossed in them. Could have some legs? Paris is gorgeous in the Autumn, lots of colour in the trees. The light on the Seine. Shame we only have a few hours here.

Day 4 Paris to Milan.

Not an early a start today….thank goodness! So had a lie in then a late breakfast of Jam, Bread and a Yoghurt with Three cups of delicious coffee. At breakfast a couple were taking photos of themselves with their food. Again very intense, almost more so than if they were just taking a photo. We got a taxi to the station, Jane laughed at my attempts to instruct the driver in French, I was embarrassed he was gracious. A bad part of being English is everyone speaks our language so we are lazy. I must learn another Language. This train is the sleeper so we bed down in our cabin. Very romantic watching France speed by as the sunsets. When we awake we will be in Italy. Tonight we have dinner in the restaurant it’s look an Agatha Christie mystery, we have a laugh deciding who did it. Bellies full it’s time for bed. On our to the hotel we passed a lady begging, everyone walked passed. It was weird seeing this poverty in the midst of all the opulence.

Day 5 Milan

My god the station was busy everyone was very stylish but rude and rushing to work. They were all grabbing coffee and pastries to dunk for breakfast. We struggled to get a taxi to the hotel. I almost wish we had got the easyJet flight, then I remembered the sunset passing the window and things calmed down. Milan was soon quieter as people disappeared off to work. We went up the Cathedral and enjoyed some late autumn sunshine with a delicious Chocolatey ice cream……luxury!! Wish we were going to the football. But can’t have everything. We walked and shopped I bought some sunglasses all the Italians look cool in theirs, I just look Like I have a big nose. Oh well Pasta for tea then a walk and off to bed. As we passed the church some locals were taking selfies this is beginning to form a pattern, the people taking the selfie are in their own little bubble.

Day 6 Milan to Venice

Up showered, fed and off for the 11.15am to Venice. This is a short trip of just over three hours. Mid afternoon after traveling through lovely Tuscan countryside Venice appears in the window of our train. We get the Vaperetto to St Marks and walk to our hotel near the Rialto Bridge. I have to have my first coffee and fair better ordering in Italian. I wonder if I sound like the policeman from Allo Allo, you know “Good Moaning!” I bet I do. We walk and do some shopping for my dads Xmas Hamper. We get him some Limoncello and some biscuits to have with Coffee. Hope he likes them? We sit on the Square by the Campanile watching people go by. Their are lots taking selfies. This is the place then. I start in the morning.

Day 7 Venice

So after a relaxing breakfast of coffee and toast we went a wandering. Looking for off the beaten track places to take photos. The light was fantastic with a slight haze. I forced myself to put the camera down and look when confronted by the Grand Canal. I made a new discovery today, Hazelnut Ice Cream, Wow! Ambrosia indeed. I watched people taking selfies, it is intriguing. They enter a small world, a patch of air that surrounds them. They are absorbed by themselves. I also watched people taking photographs. They don’t exhibit the same absorption. I wonder what it is in our psyche that makes so many humans want to capture selfies? We walked and walked holding hands and talking. We don’t do this enough. We should do more. I bought Jane a hand bag. She looked like she likes it. Jane bought me a Boca Juniors football shirt I love that. We had pizza in St Marks Square delicious. Then early to bed.

Day 8 Venice, Burano.

Went to look at glass today. You aren’t allowed to take photos so didn’t. We saw all the usual over priced tat, but met a lovely lady who was from a long line of glass makers. We bought a beautiful vase very delicate. The price was good the quality better. We wandered in the sunshine. Had coffee and chatted. It was lovely to just sit and feel warmish sunshine on your face. I took several photos of a Venetian pigeon having a bath. Very apt. Soon it was time to get vaporetto back to Nuo and have tea. We ate in the Square where Marco Polo lived, beautiful. Wandered around the Doges Palace as the sun went down enjoyed watching the Gondolas. Didn’t part with any money to have a go, Yorkshire men are too tight. Early to bed both tired after our wandering.

Day 9 Venice.

Raining this morning, I was amazed to find brides in the Square being photographed before their ceremony. To beat the tourist hoards. The local people must get fed up of us all trapsing around whilst they try to lead their lives. I watched the bride and groom for a while, an old man ham led along pulled a chair from a cafe and sat to watch. It reminded of the man in the Pink Panther who sits by the roadside to watch the carnage. I am feeling relaxed today not rushing around which is fab!

Day 10 Venice.

Better day today, weather wise. After early morning mist the sun is now out and it is bringing some warmth. Wandered the backstreets of Venice we looked for a small carving allegedly carved by michaelangelo. We found the church straight away but searched and searched for the carving. We couldn’t find. I got a bit angry as we had followed the directions perfectly. So consoling ourselves with an ice cream we sat in the sunshine. There it was right by the side of us. So small we had missed it. It was hardly a masterpiece but interesting to see. I can just imagine someone sat carving whilst waiting for a gondola. I even took a selfie of us ………..I hate them!!!

Day 11

I woke this morning feeling a little sad that this adventure is coming to an end. Today is our last day before we head home. I have enjoyed our time in Venice it has photo opportunities everywhere. All weather makes the place interesting in different ways. However the people make this place a dream. All types of people are here from all over the globe. People watching is so special here. This morning we walked to the Bridge of sighs. There were so many people some rushing, others lingering. Then a huge cruise ship appeared and sailed past. You can understand why the local people protest about the numbers that visit. Again I saw people taking selfies, all putting themselves in the picture. So I broke my rule and took one of Jane and I, I hate it. We spent the afternoon people watching 34 euros for a coffee and a spritzer. Worth every cent though just to see people enjoying themselves. More selfies why do they do it. I love taking photos but hate being in them. Why?

Day 12 Venice.

We got up at 7am and left for the airport. The queue for the vaporetto was crazy. One came at 8am and sailed past. We got worried, no need the Italian way is to appear chaotic but get things sorted. I love Italy and Italians. Security at the airport was efficient and quick we had plenty of time in the end. One last coffee and then on the plane. The Alps were stunning and clear so took some photos with my IPad. Landed on time at Leeds Bradford Airport. England covered in rain as usual and a damp veil of cold hung in the air. Made me think of the run into Christmas. My fave time of year. Car journey home uneventful and home was still there and nice to see. Good to sleep in our bed again, dreaming of Venice.

Day 13 Home.

Up early to unpack, washing soon done and away. We went for a walk and whilst walking I talked to Jane about my plans for my project. I want to explore selfies further. I find them fascinating, what are people doing? I need to do some more reading I think. So I will sign off from this diary after a great adventure in the last couple of weeks. I feel sad it is over. I enjoyed the time together without the distractions of our new home. Over coffee I pondered what happens when we take selfies. People concentrated more taking a selfie with their phone than they did with other cameras. They are totally absorbed not minding being seen with grotesque expressions on their faces. I wonder if the social constraints that stop us being ourselves are relaxed through the photo allowing us to be frivolous. Certain places seem to attract this behaviour more than others.