Me

Here is a day on which I took no photos.
So I thought I would fill the gap by telling you something about myself and my photography.

I started taking photography seriously when I realised that it really helped me with my mental health. I was able to use my camera to home in on things that pleased me or interested me and the more I looked the more I found such things, and the less I focused on the things that displeased me. Simple really.

I put some of my images to use by making cards and raising money for charity - none of my images are competition winners or prizeworthy but that doesn't matter. They are good enough for greetings cards and they are part of my journey in getting to know my camera.

I use the title " music beneath the noise" because to me, that describes what I am seeking to find through photography and more. To me, it is about finding metaphorical music amongst what often appears at first to be nothing more than a noise. Isolating the tune - so to speak. I try to explain this to people and meet with blank responses - but I guess what is important is that it resonates with me.

I shoot with Fujifilm XT-4 and am enjoying using this with the only lens I have so far purchased which is 18-135mm. Maybe one day I will extend my kit to encompass another lens, a tripod etc but I struggle with all the technical stuff and am a slow learner. I rely on any creativity I can summon up!

So that's it really. I have a few new followers on here so would like to thank you for showing an interest as well as all those who have picked me up again after my long and sporadic absences. You are all very much appreciated and such a caring community. I sometimes get myself in a bit of a twist because I miss a few days and whilst I know that doesn't matter, I really don't like to see those blank boxes. So I am about to post a couple of sub-standards to bring me up to date in the hope - as ever - that tomorrow will be the day that I have both time and inspiration to shoot something new!

Apologies for the long post. But I guess sometimes it is nice to know a little about the person behind the camera and their motivation?

[KoalaGardens🐨]

I loved reading your story and this image is perfect. we all have our own story to tell in our own way.

[kali]

you explained that so elequently, I completely get it and feel the same about my 365 experiences

[Ellen Bogenschutz]

I'd like to thank you for your candor and being somewhat vulnerable. I feel a need to photograph as well, as an artistic expression, and being able to post on this wonderful site with the kind and patient people that are also here makes my photos seem important to others as well.

[Dawn]

I really enjoyed reading your story and a lot touch a nerve with me thanking you for sharing your story

[Babs]

@helenhall I am on catch up since returning to 365 after a few weeks break so have only just read this post. Quite inspiring. Do carry on, photography is so therapeutic.

I started 365 with my eldest daughter Debbie in 2013 and only a few weeks later my youngest daughter Zoe committed suicide. I thought I wouldn't be able to carry on, but friends encouraged me to go out and take photos of nice things because unfortunately Zoe couldn't see them as she was in such a dark place. It is almost 10 years since she died and I still have good days and bad days but I still look for brightness in the world. Hope you can find the same. Take care xx

[Boxplayer]

Lovely piece of sharing. What a wonderful thing photography (and the sharing of) is.

[LManning (Laura)]

I love knowing more about you and where your art comes from. I think you do a great job of “isolating the tune”, and I enjoy following your project.

[amyK]

Enjoyed your narrative. I started this project to learn more about photography but it has become so much more than that. Had no idea how important it would become to me and my mental well-being. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Christina]

Inspiring story Helen, I have loved that about photography, the pausing to find/look for beauty in the smallest of moments. That and the total absorption/flow that you can find while in the process.

[Kathy A]

Nice story, thank you for sharing.

[Kas]

Thanks for sharing Helen.

[Delwyn Barnett]

That is a lovely image with a lovely textural overlay. So nice to read a bit about you. I understand perfectly what you are finding with your photography but I would never have been able to put it into words as you have done. I use an Xt4 as well and really love it.