© WePhoto 2020 EDITORIAL BOARD Chief Editor & Art Director !
Mario Bun!uga
Associate Editors ! " "
Pankaj Anand Priyanka Agrawal Vineeta Mohan
Chief Graphic Designer !
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MASTERSTROKES > VOL 4 > JULY 2020
With MasterStrokes, we had launched a new series of books dedicated to the masters of their art. These masters have made themselves acknowledged worldwide through their work that consists of captivating storytelling images of the places, far and near, which might have skipped our attention earlier. The images convey emotions the viewer can relate to and feel. These are the images that bring us to the unseen and unheard stories of the faraway lands built upon the frozen moments in time. WePhoto group was founded in 2014 with a motive to build a platform where people with similar interests in photography could share their work. Since its humble beginning back then, it has grown stronger by the time, thanks to its dedicated team of enthusiasts who find a great sense of gratification in doing this service to the community. WePhoto today stands tall with multiple platforms and thematic pages to represent the various genres in photography. Today the group has the widest presence across Facebook representing almost every possible genre of photography. As of date there are 12 thematic pages, with picture boards on Pinterest, a dedicated web portal and more than 90 genre-based books published on issuu.com. Apart from the e-version these publications are also available in the form of printed books, perfectly designed to adorn your coffee tables. Towards the end of this book you may find links to our Facebook Group - WePhoto. We offer you to join the group and also invite your friends to share their work there or simply enjoy some of the best images from across the world. We would be delighted to showcase these beautiful images and, above all, share them with a wide range of viewers. You are invited to share links to these publications and recommend us to as many visitors as possible. You may also invite your friends to visit the eBooks through our web pages and links provided. We would love to hear from you and receive your feedback on our eStores, so that we can grow and share our passion for photography with more people.
Mario BunÄ?uga Chief Editor
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COPYRIGHT
All rights are reserved with WePhoto and Mario Bun!uga for this entire eBook and with the author for their individual work. This book is free to be shared as a whole. The images and text are the exclusive property of the author, who may authorize its use anywhere else at their sole discretion, if contacted personally in advance. You may also order a coffee-table version in the print form through Peecho online printing service from the link to be provided against the order. Any improper or unwarranted use will be pursued through the prevailing rules on copyright.
© 2020 WePhoto
© 2020 Mario Buncuga
© 2020 Jenny Cameron
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FOREWORD
I have not had a chance to meet Jenny Cameron in person yet but her charming personality and creative imagery have let grow in me a personal fondness for her. Jenny Cameron is a British self-taught landscape photographer with a very individualistic story-telling style through her images that come alive with almost an ethereal, heart-touching feel resulting from her unique post-processing techniques. She is no ordinary woman and if I say she is an epitome of courage and determination - I would not be exaggerating. Through the toughest times that came with an ability to break the strongest human being, she has reemerged like a Phoenix - the bird that rose from the ashes as the legends go. And the most moving part is that she has kept her passion for the art of photography alive through all these moments. Contrary to the common beliefs she claims that her love for this art has made her endure during this passage of time. Her total personality can be summed up in these simple yet powerful words - She is a Hero. Mario BunÄ?uga Founder WePhoto Network
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JENNY CAMERONÂ In her own words..
I was born an ordinary person, oblivious of the strength and beauty my life possessed, but it started unfolding eventually and here I am today, sharing my story of passion, pain and the triumph, and the victory over weaknesses that followed. It all happened in two parts, first when I was introduced to photography and second, when it became my deepest passion and my strength. 11
I was first introduced to the Scottish mountains at the age of seventeen by my husband who was a passionate mountaineer. We spent much of our spare time traveling from northern England to our favourite area in Scotland called Glencoe - the outdoor capital of the UK - doing what we call Munro bagging. Munros are Scottish mountains over 3,000ft high, there are 282 in total. We actually preferred being together on self-arranged long distance backpacking, climbing, hiking and skiing trips - basically anything that involved being in the mountains and outdoors. This opened up a whole new world to me with its mystical feel and pure emotional essence, which soon became my heart and soul. Each time I visited Scotland it became harder to leave, as my heart was forever wanting to stay there but work commitments took precedence in England. However, in 2007 we escaped the rat race, followed our hearts and moved to Scotland to never look back. We now live on a farm within a private highland estate in the far north. I had never lived before anywhere so beautiful in my entire life and considered myself very lucky. But life is not always sunshine and butterflies, you may sometimes have to learn to smile through pain. Sadly, when I turned 35 I was diagnosed with a rare bone disease in my hip which put an end to our adventures. For many days I'd stay in bed. What was there to get up for, I thought. This was life changing and I'd become virtually house bound, asking God why I was the chosen one. I spiralled into a very dark space. A few years later I found solace in taking photos with a basic point/shoot camera, while walking my dogs in the beautiful countryside where I had luckily been living‌ and I instantly fell in love with photography. I finally took the plunge and purchased my first Canon dSLR in October 2015. Once I discovered it I was able to spend time in the mountains doing something my soul enjoyed, and this fast became my best medicine. This odyssey made me ponder upon the veritable meaning of life, beyond whatever is tangible, and visible to the humans.
my head, until one day a fine art gallery in Glasgow approached me to display some of my work. This was certainly comforting and worked like a silver lining in the black sky of my hopeless world at that moment. But then started the most difficult phase of having cancer, the excruciating pain of chemotherapy. What it did to me was much more than the physical pain; it left me completely debilitated. I lost all my hair, the energy, and the sense of beauty. However, soon enough I realised that it was these difficult times that rendered in me gratitude for everything I had; otherwise I might have remained unaware of the greatness of it. My husband was my rock, who along with my family and friends, helped me cope with what me and my life had turned into. It feels good to be seen through the eyes of people who love you. That makes you realise that you are as beautiful as ever, despite all your scars. And my refuge all this while was photography. I didn’t have strength for even holding the camera, let alone clicking pictures, after the surgery at the left side of my body. So, I started post processing of my old pictures and delving myself in researching other artists’ works. The deeper I went, the lighter I felt. I re-visited the beautiful memories of those Scottish mountains through my photos. I even prepared a tutorial on post processing. Photography helped to shut out the reality of the outside world, and took me to another world full of magic, where only happiness prevails. It was during that time only, when I decided to share my story with the world. I am happy, grateful, optimistic, and proud, all at the same time, of my journey, which has been extraordinary in so many ways and I have been able to live through it with my head held high, wearing my camera in my neck as a medallion for my victories.
Next turning point in life came in March 2018 and my world once again went topsy-turvy. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It all felt unreal, and I wished this nightmare would end as soon as possible. This whole period of waiting for the final tests and the surgery was wreaking havoc in 12
LANDSCAPES by JENNY CAMERON
This is a story of dedication, hardships and overcoming obstacles. It’s about how photography has inspired me to overcome my fears for the biggest fights of my life and exploring the mystic nature. As an added blessing among many, I have been able to make friends from all across the world, thanks to the shared passion and technology, which never let me feel alone. When I showed my desire for creating a memoir in the form of my photography collection, a friend from India shared his view after seeing the photographs I had selected. He introduced me to the Indian wisdom, according to which this entire cosmic quest of the world begins with five basic elements - earth, water, fire, air and space, termed as Panch Mahabhuta. Through our interactions I was able to perceive the majestic characteristics of those five elements in my captures.
According to this postulation the body functions well as long as these five elements are balanced and work in perfect harmony with the universe. Each of these elements represents a state of matter. While earth represents everything solid in the universe, water is all that is in liquid form. Fire represents energy needed by nature to transform from one form to the other. Fire is the means by which we can purify, empower, and control the other states of matter. While air acts as the medium for transition and causes all movements, space is what fills the vast void in-between. The experience of space as luminous openness made for me a bed for higher spiritual experiences. This Indian philosophy resonates with the insight I have gained during my recent journey. I have seen the depth and vastness of my life, the burning desire to combat every odd, the lightness of air in my heart through my passion and the true aspect of all phenomena, thus inspiring me to share my collection of images that, to my understanding, correspond to one of the elements each. Hence, I decided to divide my collection in accordance with these five elements, along with the titles I gave to the images at the time I clicked them. Welcome to my small yet limitless world!
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EARTH
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EARTH
The first of Panch Mahabhuta - the five elements - is Earth. The one which is solid, which can be felt. It is home to the perishable body and the imperishable soul. It gives courage to begin and to persevere. The first image I chose for this section is the one that taught me all of this and then I began. This image named Wilderness was the very first landscape that I shot with my Canon dSLR back in 2015, which catapulted me right into the heart of the landscape photography online community. I'm not sure if it's classed as going viral, however it soon became my most iconic and recognised image even to this day in 2020 and it still remains top in my portfolio. The location is very close to my home, which makes achieving great light so much easier than planned locations where you need to book ahead the accommodation and pretty much have to deal with whatever the weather. You will see this old cottage in many of my images especially in the early days; it's where I spent a lot of time learning the light and actually how to use my camera.
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The image on left page, named Solace, was taken in the old county of Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands. It had rained solid for four days as it often does on the west coast of Scotland, even in the summer. I wasn't in a great mood mentally and decided to go for a walk to clear my head. While sitting under the tree you see in the image, contemplating the meaning of life, the clouds randomly parted, and within a few seconds the sun burst out. It was the most beautiful sight and I was able to capture the scene with this hand held shot as I really was not expecting such magnificent light. This goes to prove you don't always need the belts and braces of tripod and filters. Although I know the Scottish Munros extremely well from my hiking/backpacking days, it still thrills me to explore and discover new gems from a different perspective. I've learnt that I don't always have to be on top of the mountains for the best view, oftentimes it's the opposite. Not only seasons but light also plays a huge role in making a scene that you've seen a thousand times look different. This is exciting and extremely inspirational to me. Bidean nam bian reflection in December 2019. 18
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Best part of landscape photography is being outdoors no matter what the Weather Gods throw at you with ever changing interactions of patterns, shapes, light, shadow, drama and subtlety. Knowing the weather patterns beforehand is important and preparation is the key.
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Feeling the image becomes a part of you. To capture rural landscapes at their best moments in time you need to truly feel the image with passion so it becomes part of you.
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A good photograph is made when the viewer's eye is provided with a foreground detail to act as an anchor, leading it right into the heart of the scene or something of interest. This allows the eye to naturally rest where you intend it instead of wandering all over the image with nothing of interest.
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FIRE
FIRE
The second element, Fire, symbolizes luminance, purity and transformation. Fire is likened to a source of energy in every religious and secular sect. The beauty of fire can set ablaze and completely dispel darkness. The hues of fire are as vivid as a rainbow. The exuberance and energy of the fire comes on the top and with the blue white embers below, the upper flames reach their glory. Sun is that one source from the mystic universe which embodies this beauty and glorious passion. My heart started carrying the same burning desire of capturing these hues with the lenses of my camera that was my eternal ally by now.
It has been one of those typical spring Scottish days where you get all four seasons in one day; this can prove to be very successful for landscape photography as it seems to bring the purest of light, what I call ‘magic light’. However, this can bring difficulties with light management as you need to be in control of the light, not the light controlling the image with dark shadows and/or crazy blown out highlights. Despite having tried a variety of color and graduated filters at a narrower aperture as is the usual practice with landscape photography I wasn't quite there 100%. So I upped the game by exposing for the foreground, rocks, sunstar, skyline and clouds in individual manual brackets, knowing I could easily blend in post processing when back at my computer. Doing it this way also meant I could nail the focus better resulting in sharpness from front to back. I love this focus stacking method over the common single shot whenever I want the focus to be intact from foreground to infinity. The sky didn't pop as much as I had hoped due to the time of year and day time temperatures but the effort paid off. I stayed till dusk quietly watching the sun dip below the horizon, all so peaceful.
This transforming energy and the hues of fire helped me to choose my next image. I had clicked it at a place renowned for its religious sentiments, however here, I could capture the beauty of fire, the sun in its most joyful disposition. These are the world famous Calanais Standing Stones on the beautiful Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. The stones are arranged in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle for ritual activity dated back to the Bronze age and actually older than Stonehenge in England.
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When a Focal point is needed, I focus on the positives. Ethereal on the beautiful Isle of Skye in the inner Hebrides. This image took over an hour to compose. I had to wade through freezing cold water with the added pressure of other photographers queuing up behind me. Then out of nowhere this guy appeared, he was clearly unaware of everyone and enjoying his moment. Initially I thought he'd ruined my image but once home and checking through the files on my computer, I actually preferred it as it added a greater dimension. I've learnt a lot just by spending time in nature - you soon learn what colors work best ... you can't beat nature's own color wheel. I try to communicate depth by means of interesting foreground, textures, light, different focal lengths and focus. Emotion is never far from my mind when processing, which I hope is something I manage to convey in my photographs. Oftentimes, I will use more warmer palettes to portray happiness whereas more moody cool tones can show the opposite. I never set out with a plan, I kind of go with the flow wherever my mood takes me. I truly find great pleasure inviting the viewer into the scene and the world through my eyes. 41
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WATER
WATER
I try to communicate depth by means of interesting foreground, textures, light, different focal lengths and focus. Emotion is never far from my mind when editing, which I hope is something I manage to convey in my photographs. Oftentimes, I use a little warmer palettes to portray happiness whereas more moody cool tones can show the opposite. I never set out a plan, I kind of go with the flow wherever my mood takes me. I truly find great pleasure inviting the viewer into the scene and the world through my eyes.
The third element is Water, easily discernible for its liquid state. It is formless, shapeless yet powerful. Water has the potential of making its own way, cutting through the rigidity of earth’s surfaces. Its fluidity is water’s strength. It can be deep and all embracing, like the oceans that warmly take in all the rivers flowing into them, and it can be firm, washing ashore everything which may befoul its solemnity. Water can calm the most outrageous fire and bestow a new life. My seascapes were inspired by the depth, the calm and the reflections I saw in them.
Reflecting on the past twenty years in the mountains of Scotland I've witnessed huge environmental damages. So many people are traveling now to these iconic places just to post on social media for a few likes and followers. This much footfall is damaging the natural beauty of landscapes. For me, travel is about adventure and fun, not letting Google direct you to a location you've seen on Instagram. For example, twenty to thirty years ago the famous Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye only had a few daily hill walkers, there wasn't even a car park, not many people knew about it, people would simply park on the roadside and watch the spectacle. Unlike the past ten years where it's snowballed to craziness on a whole new level with endless streams of tour buses all year round. It really hurts me seeing the erosion caused not only to the roads but footpaths too and literally scarring the vistas. I don't know if people are plain selfish or just don't realize this damage is permanent! Even if everyone stopped going from today, it would take many hundred years to return to its former glory. I honestly don't know where it will all end. 48
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Winter landscapes are often very monochromatic with their lack of colors. However at dawn and dusk, the rising and setting sun can light the clouds over the white mountains making them seem more intense and powerful. A sense of isolation and insignificance takes over when you have a mountain to yourself. Suddenly you feel quite small in relation to the majesty. I remember twenty years ago a climber had a horrible accident there. I was heading back to the car after a hike over Rannoch Moor when a guy approached me asking for help. One of his climbers was suspended on a ledge almost at the top of the Buachaille. I'd never driven so fast in all my life. We finally got there and phoned for mountain rescue. It seemed to go on forever- waiting for the helicopter to arrive, at least two hours plus and it was going dark. The climber was finally rescued and taken to Fort William hospital, his knee caps were all smashed, and they said he would never walk again. The following summer I heard he was back on the same mountain climbing again. Such an inspiration to never give up! This area is in my heart and soul.
Buachaille Etive Mor known locally as The Buachaille is a Scottish Munro at the head of Glen Etive. Driving up from the south you're suddenly in awe of this majestic peak. 50
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On arrival at this location one thing that hit me was the amazing huge sky. No interruptions, miles and miles of beautiful warm colored skies. Instead of feeling dark I would go chase some light, which gave me mental freedom and a sense of calmness. It is a place for you to truly get away from society, off the beaten tracks. Literally pressing the pause button and breathing for a few minutes, it will never fail to fill your heart. I was just wandering on the white powder beaches with my looney dogs racing in and out of the cold aquamarine sea. Island life set me free, allowed me to feel the wind in my hair, gave me time to reconnect with nature, almost like I became part of the landscape itself, emotions straight from the heart. The weather is bracing, which gave me good reason to wear my hat and I didn't look out of place. It felt raw, real, free spirited and extremely inspiring from the land, sky and sea. Free as a bird, I was now starting to channel my personal feelings through my camera, either mobile phone or dSLR. Island life is slow, takes a few days to adjust and learn to love this new lifestyle.
My days were spent watching waves crashing over my camera with an endless job of shooting and wiping the equipment -great fun though. Having spent time on several Caribbean islands, in a different life many years ago, to escape the madness from my crazy mixed up life, I found at the Hebrides very similar emotions from the beaches and lifestyle. Freedom to be whatever you want, feeling the sea breeze on your face providing the ability to mentally set you free. The sea washed over the sand leaving it all pristine and washed, like it did for my unbalanced heart and mind. I was falling in love with this wild corner of Scotland with its energetic seascapes and remote mountains.
I was falling in love with this wild corner of Scotland with its energetic seascapes and remote mountains, literally making me feel alive. Sitting at the sea shore with a camera and tripod in the December cold doesn't sound too appealing but I have to tell you how empowering it feels. Photography is an extremely powerful tool to heal and express yourself. Open your eyes, discover the solitude and the silence it brings, nature will soothe your soul. Don't make any plans, go with the flow and let the universe lead you as more times than often, plans never work out. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the moment.
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Caithness, northern Scotland
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AIR
AIR
Alfheim means land of the elves. This place on the next page is one that left me feeling like I never wanted to leave. It was so unreal like nothing else I've ever seen and to top it off, I was all alone. This image is a three-frame vertical panorama stitched together in Photoshop. To achieve the best possible image, I try to visualize myself walking into the scene, tuning into my senses and I'll really start to feel I am a part of it. My musing of all this period is that finding your own possibilities isn't impossible in landscape photography.
According to the theory the fourth element in nature is Air. Air is not visible to human eyes, often making us forget its existence, yet it is the most essential for our existence, in the form of oxygen. Air is to be felt and to be experienced to believe in its magnanimity. If it disappears from around us, our survival will come to a halt. Besides, being in mountains I have witnessed the beauty of air in my surroundings. I could capture it through the dancing branches of trees and crops fields, through the dropping leaves with the gush of wind. I have tried to behold the subtlety of air’s presence in the present image. 76
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I felt the need to cut myself off from the world for a while. I craved the feeling of being lost in the landscape being so far away from it that nothing else mattered. This crazy world we all live in gets too noisy; we need time out just being quiet to soothe the senses. What’s better than the sight of calm, stable waters to learn from. I'm not sure if others will relate to this but it's like being able to escape the chaos of life and zone out in my own little world. I’m now creatively fulfilled and charged up with a sense of direction and purpose. 85
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SPACE
SPACE
This image on the left is named Elysian - a defining moment when everything came together and fell into a harmonious place. Here I'd like to share the story behind it. After a morning of heavy rain and patiently waiting in my car with a flask of peppermint tea, I really thought I'd have to turn around and go home. There was no chance of the weather clearing. You know when the kid in you wants to stamp her feet and have a tantrum? I was only thirty minutes from home but my heart was sinking.
The fifth element of nature is Space, more liberally represented by Sky in my pictures. Space is the most subtle of all elements. Everything is space, when there is nothing else. It is ubiquitous, still and pervasive and yet untied and possessive. It never claims its position and empowers every element to mark their own identity. It is all above, it is all around, it is always looking over. Free and undeterred, yet conscious. It does not behold and will quietly relinquish its authority for the rest to take over. It spreads abound in infinity from where it begins, so does a life. I learnt the beauty of co-existence and the infinite potential of a life. Beyond the depth and heights of what eyes can see, I felt it and I delved deeper inside, to be one with it. The depth of unseen and unknown in my next images are my comprehension of this.
Then suddenly, my heart refused to give up and I decided to brave the rain. I gathered my waterproofs, rucksack and went for it, sat at the top of a peak with all my gear set up under a large golf umbrella and generally feeling rather sorry for myself, black mascara running down my face to complete my defeated look. And then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere the clouds opened up as if saying hello and welcoming me. The beautiful sunlight peeped out. I was scrambling for the remote and filters in a real fluster with wet hands, convinced I'd lost the moment. Then I finally pressed the remote, let the camera/filters do their job whilst I breathed out, lowered my shoulders, sat back and let the light flood onto the camera’s sensor. It was such a beautiful moment that it seemed to last forever but in reality it was only 2-1/2 minute of exposure. I drove home in more rain with the biggest smile ever on my face. Scottish weather isn't the most predictable, but it sure gives a great mood. The moral of this story is, don't be defeated by the weather and never ever give up. Express yourself with the language of light by putting yourself out there and allowing the light to find you. Enjoy being out there in the grand vista. Don't let technicalities overwhelm you, be creative in what resonates with you, connect with the landscape and ride the wave of freedom.
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Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire. The first time I saw this castle about three years ago was at sunrise and it is a memory that will stay with me as long as I live. As I walked down the path towards the castle, it was like an impregnable fortress rising from the North Sea in the most heartwarming way; it actually brought tears to my eyes.Â
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What I learned from experience and tremendous effort can be summed up in a few lines: Never plan a similar composition by looking at it on social media. Instead try spending time walking around and hone into your emotional feelings, let your heart guide your camera. Finding your own possibilities isn't impossible.
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AFTERWORD
A very bold and courageous piece of writing that we couldn’t ever miss including while putting together Jenny’s work. She personifies the culprit, challenges it to the core and comes out a winner at the end. A very inspiring note…
A letter to chemotherapy ‘Dear chemotherapy, each time walking out of the oncology ward I felt you, like poison running through my painful veins that already hurt from my last cycle. I want to scream, swear, lash out and shout at you but at the same time I know you're saving my life. You're in my thoughts each and every hour, it's like dragging around my worst enemy. You make me feel empty to the core, you've stolen my soul, most of the time I don't recognize myself. Especially when you took my hair, forced me to have my long locks cut into a short style, this was even before I met you but I knew you were due a visit, planned on staying with me for eighteen weeks and then probably some more whilst I kicked your butt out completely. People said how short hair suited me , but it wasn't my choice was it, it was all yours! Then a few weeks into my first cycle you stole all my hair, why....? Why are you so cruel? I didn't cry, I wouldn't let you bring me down, well ...I was probably already on the floor mentally to be fair, I can only fall so far no matter what shit you bring me. Why did you have to take my eyes? They streamed constantly as you stole my eyelashes, not to mention the same with my nose hair! One day I hope they find a cure for cancer and you will have no purpose to exist. I hope they eradicate all the suffering you do to us all.’
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