GUEST POST OVERVIEW: I want to take a moment to introduce you to Claire Holmes and her beautiful photography.

A kindred spirit in her thoughts on travel and life, Claire has left behind her home of Australia for a life in Canada and is documenting the journey along the way. This is her story … and her photographs.

 

Growing up I was always fascinated by far-off lands. Growing up in Australia – that’s pretty much everywhere. I used to walk around with my head in the clouds imagining I was somewhere else. As much as I love my country, I always wanted to see what was out there.

Iceberg Alley
Iceberg Alley

I think it was always my destiny to travel, and I have visited many of those far-off lands I dreamed of, however there’s still so many places I want to visit. Africa remains high on the wish list, along with the Trans-Siberian Railroad in winter.

I’ve always been an observer, which makes a good fit with photography. I received my first camera when I was 8 or 9, a good old point and shoot, but I really became hooked on photography when I bought my first SLR – an Olympus OM-1 at the age of 14. I loved that camera, and spent a lot of time learning to meter and everything else one needs on a fully manual camera. Which I promptly forgot  when that camera was stolen and replaced by the insurance company with a Canon EOS. Since then I’ve gone through a number of cameras and I’m rediscovering the love of manual mode photography in the digital space.

The last year has been a year of change for me. I left my finance job in Sydney, spent six months traveling to Canada the long way round, and now I’m settled in Toronto for a couple of years, visiting lots of places in Canada and America and getting as much as I can of that lovely snow. We’ll see if the novelty wears off this winter!

My work in progress is beachedeskimo.com – it is the chronicle of my photo expeditions, life in general in Canada, and thoughts about my home in Australia.

 

Claire’s photography tips

Autumn skies at the Mezquita, Cordoba
Autumn skies at the Mezquita, Cordoba
  • Memory is cheap. Get snap happy!
  • Experiment. Some of my favorite photos are non-textbook shots.
  • Carry a camera wherever you go. Even the crappy iPhone camera can capture a memory (note: my iPhone is crappy. I hear the current ones are much better!)
  • Shoot in continuous shooting mode, especially with people and animals, as it can take a couple of frames to get the keeper. Remember… memory is cheap.
  • You don’t need to impress anyone but yourself. Take the photo YOU want to take.

Note: A huge thanks to Claire for sending over this awesome post. I’ve had a pleasure getting to know you and your work and look forward to following it in the future.

 

Water feature at the Real Alcazar de Sevilla
Water feature at the Real Alcazar de Sevilla

 

Cape Onion sunset, Newfoundland
Cape Onion sunset, Newfoundland

 

Morning camel ride in the Sahara, Morocco
Morning camel ride in the Sahara, Morocco

 

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse

 

Rainbow Lorikeet, taken in Singapore of a beautiful Australian bird
Rainbow Lorikeet, taken in Singapore of a beautiful Australian bird

 

Surfing in Cornwall
Surfing in Cornwall

 

Autumn on the Thames
Autumn on the Thames

 

VW Beetle in La Boca, Buenos Aires
VW Beetle in La Boca, Buenos Aires

 

Winter landscape, Austria
Winter landscape, Austria