The Maple Tree

Len has been urging me to photograph this sprightly maple tree on our front lawn on behalf of our Canadian neighbour Christine, whose tree it is. Except that she's doing things in Bahrain most of the year.

A rather nice contrast between the red leaves of the maple and the orange poppies in the border behind. We do wonder how massive this tree will grow.

We did go out, to Ashby de la Zouch, to see my three photos in the Asbhy Arts Festival Open Photography Competition. I knew I hadn't won a prize as I hadn't heard from the organisers but it's always nice to see one's photos on display.

So I was pleasantly surprised to learn that one of my photos, Serenissima, had been Highly Commended. The first I knew of it was when I both saw and heard a party of four people around the photo with the gentleman enlarging on how it could have been improved by judicious cropping . I waited a while before announcing my presence. They did all like the photo.

Later, I was told I could have won a prize had I cropped it a different way.

I walked around the other side of the display only to hear a voice exclaim, Sue Hutton! while the speaker was studying my photo. It was Coalville Photographic Society's Competition Secretary who reminded me yet again of my commitment to judge their photo of the year competition on 5th June.

My photo of the Peaky Blinder would have done better too apparently, if there had been more contrast between the gun and the background. I could see what was meant. I could try processing a bit further in Lightroom, or choose another photo another time.

My Loch Lomond photo was very nice but didn't have enough in it to sustain interest.

We walked round the block to see some of the street artwork. Pity there weren't more people around to view it, but it was a warm, humid afternoon and I expect people were enjoying barbecues in their gardens.