The Classic Tourist and Their Camera...

Hipstamatic
Buckingham Palace
England, UK

It's funny being a tourist in your own country. Many people all over the world come and visit Britain and during the Summer, Buckingham Palace is a popular destination. My family and I have always wanted to go on this 'Royal Day Out' stated on our tickets. It was absolutely delightful and positively British in most the respectful sense. We then rounded off the day drinking tea out of paper cups which couldn't be more of a contrast; quirky though.

Hipstamatic 
Buckingham Palace Garden Cafe
England, UK

Onto more of a photography note now that was the spark that inspired me to write this post...

Hipstamatic
Royal Crown
England, UK

I had a home-bought picnic lunch and ate it in St James' Park just around the corner from the palace and watched foreign tourists take pictures of this immaculate trimmed bush of a royal crown...

 It was extremely interesting because they would walk round all angles of it, finding their place and perfect composition of this...well bush. I wrote a little about Tourist Photography on my trips to York and Venice back in Summer months and it is fascinating how we want to take a picture of the same view a million other people have taken. It could be easy enough to type into Google and search for this sight. After all we all know what the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Hollywood sign in LA looks like, even if we may have never seen them in person. After thinking about this a little, I have come to the conclusion that we want to put our personal mark on things. We go somewhere like the Grand Canyon and we have had the memory of it but we want a picture to be taken to validate what we saw. This crown, this Buckingham Palace, no matter where you live, this picture is a reminder of what you did on a certain day which enhances other thoughts and feelings that were part of this day. I guess that is why Photography is so great. We just want to remember. 

People. Places. The World. Life.

Hipstamatic 
Leaf
England, UK

New Changes...

In My Depth of Field has had a makeover. I am now using the Dynamic View template. It's downfall is that it limits the amount of text on the posted once it has been published. I really like to make the make the most of my posts so if you are intrigued about reading more, please click on the post and for more excitement, knowledge and images shall be revealed. Thanks and enjoy the following post

 It's about time I had a bit of a change. Autumn is just around the corner and that word 'September' is just enough to put a chill on your chest and kick through the rusty reds and golden yellows inhaling that oddly refreshing decaying smell.

I have had my blog for a while now...
 Throughout that time I have entered magazine competitions, assisted over fifteen weddings including traditional British and Hindu ceremonies and completed my first year at university. Like all things, change happens and this is what I love about Autumn. We are oddly excited to go back to school, college or university and the excitement of the Summer has just worn off and drizzled in boredom, that couldn't be more grey or dull. I feel September is a crucial month to let go of all the things that are keeping you down or stressing you out. You can do this anytime of year but the symbolism of September to me seems like the strongest influence to make a new start, even more so in a way than New Year and it's resolutions.

It felt it was a time for a change of my blog. I'm growing up now and feel more at one with myself and mature with my thoughts and approaches to life. My blog needed to reflect that. It's like painting or wall papering your bedroom. How often are you going to have it with cute little rainbows and furry bunnies? As you grow you need change.


Visit my new phrase of photography on Flickr and my portfolio here.

Brownsea Island...

Red Squirrel 
Brownsea Island
Poole, England

Summer is always a time where day outings happen. Everyone wants to explore the sunshine covered country in it's rare moments. I went to Brownsea Island the other day. I wasn't expecting it to be much; National Trust and all. However once the clouds parted and a perfect combination of breeze and warmth came through, it was a lovely day in a picturesque set of woods and cute little beaches full of escapism and full blown wanderlust. Red squirrels are very rare in the UK, we don't have many, so it was great opportunity to see one and let alone capture one on camera. I must say, it wasn't easy and with a little clever focusing and a good deal of cropping, I'm quite impressed with my shot.

Dramatic Sky
Pool Harbour
Brownsea Island

Take a seat
Brownsea Island
Poole, England

Little Boat, Little Beach
Brownsea Island
Poole, England

Fairy woods
Brownsea Island
Poole, England

I feel I am really starting to get the hang of Lightroom. I can't get enough of those dramatic skies using the Graduation Tool and with a better understanding of the manual controls on my camera, I feel a great improvement from last year. 

Still moments can still be moving...

London 2012 Olympics
'Dressage'
Greenwich Park

As I watch the Men's Marathon on tv, I can't help but feel a slight pang of sadness that the London 2012 Olympics is coming to a close. Like many Britons, beforehand, we never imagined that we would  actually enjoy it that much and the only excitement was the opening ceremony, but even that exceeded expectations. I have personally really enjoyed the olympics as a whole. I have looked forward to watching it on the tv. I loved the Cycling and the Swimming, as well as people achieving their dreams; something they have put in years of effort and training, while the rest of us live our lives, oblivious that there is a sporting world out there too.

I managed to get tickets, second time round and even then I was excited about the atmosphere. I wanted to see the horse riding Cross-country but I got to see the Dressage and it was such a thrill to see horses dancing away gracefully, even hidden behind a roof of umbrella's in the pouring rain. It really was fantastic; the world coming together before your eyes upon row upon row of flags and universal cheers. Perhaps this is the closest to world peace that we have actually got to. It shouldn't have to happen every four years, this peace, it should be constant.

I loved the photography that was mentioned on the BBC this morning. Though I have searched on YouTube, to share it with you, I haven't been able to find it, but what message contained was about about still moments captured on a camera of these athletes can be as moving as the as the watching them on film. I think that really just makes you think, how fantastic photography is. Even if the world is filmed, a simply camera can still take a moment in time and just record and so much. It is truly fascinating.

I thought it was probably a wise choice not to take my DSLR to the crowded games but I kind of wished that I did. My pang of regret is healed slightly by that I had my trusty Hipstamatic camera on my iPod, so I guess I captured it in some way.

London 2012 Olympics
'Dressage'
Greenwich Park

London 2012 Olympics
'Dressage'
Greenwich Park

London 2012 Olympics
'Dressage'
Greenwich Park

London 2012 Olympics
'Dressage'
Greenwich Park

Celebration..

Celebration 'First Anniversary'
Summer Project
Zoë Bull

Celebration is a word that can be many things. 2012 is a perfect year for celebration, particularly for us Brits. It was simply fate that the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics were to fall this year. If you set those large scale celebrations aside, there will always be someone out in the world celebrating something. Everyday there is a birthday to celebrate or an achievement, like passing your exams and getting into University or passing your driving test or getting a promotion in your dream career. As people we take for granted what we have and focus all our energy on the negative because thats what we want to improve on. Perhaps it is time we celebrate that we are living and that this is the greatest gift of all, no matter what our emotions are telling us.

It was hard to find something that would represent celebration that didn't seem so cliche. I wonder how many people would have taken pictures of fireworks or the Union Jack bunting for their celebration piece for the Summer Project for Uni. My sister got married a year ago, and since I didn't have a present for them, I did a double whammy and took this for her and her husband.





Visit my second phase of of Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoebull/

Hipstamatic Summer...

I do love Summer and after much trying and pushing to keep up with my Hipstamatic 365 project, it simply wasn't working. I have, however taken a few pictures here and there to capture the summer of 2012 and rather bit them in a slideshow I decided to keep the text short overall for this post and let the pictures do the talking. 

Absorb and observe...Hindu Wedding

It's almost every girls dream to put on that white dress, feel like a princess for the day and walk an aisle to be re-united with the man that has chosen her to marry. That is how Christian weddings go but over this last weekend, I saw two weddings with a completely different arrangement and culture and that was simply fascinating. 

I have stepped up my work experience to assist some Hindu weddings over the next few weekends. Going back 3500 years, many marriages were arranged and the groom would not meet his bride until they were about to be wed. The tradition follows in the same line but with a more relaxed approach where the couple can choose each other, but will be separated by a white sheet until the bride reaches the groom under the Mandap. This is a small covered area held up by pillars where the ceremony takes place (image below taken before the ceremony) It is considered very holy and therefore people under Mandap must not wear shoes, showing their respect to Lord Vishnu. The ceremony is spoken in Sanskrit 'the world's most ancient surviving language' (according to the wedding programme given out on the Sunday ceremony.)

Mandap

Not only is this arrangement different but rather than taking half an hour going straight to the vows and 'I do's', there can up be to thirteen different stages that consist over two hour period.  

Var Agaman (welcoming of the groom)

Stage 1: Var Agaman

The ceremony begins with the welcoming of the groom. In the image above you will be able to see a wooden arch way which is known as the Marriage Pavilion, where the groom is surrounded by his family and friends. The grooms mother then welcomes him by lightly dusting him with red power called kum-kum and rice, which symbolises luck. The groom is the then led to the Mandap for the main ceremony to begin. 

Stage 2: Var Puja

The honouring of the groom - before the bride arrives, her parents honour the groom with offerings of Panchamrit (yoghurt and honey) These ingredients represent purity. 

Stage 3: Ganesh Puja

All Hindu ceremonies begin calling upon Lord Ganesha. This is done through a prayer to rid of any obstacles that may occur during the ceremony or later in married life. 

Stage 4: Mangalashtak 

In English this term translates into 'Request for blessings' that includes a eight versed prayer which requests all the gods, goddesses and planets to bless the couple with a harmonious married life. 

Stage 5: Kanya Agamanand Puja 

The bride now arrives, being escorted to the Mandap. 

Stage 6: Jayamala

The white sheet is removed and the bride and groom exchange garlands of flowers. 

Stage 7: Hasta Melap

Also known as the 'Joining of the hands', the bride is now given away. The brides father places her right hand on to the groom's right hand which symbolise the respect, responsibility and the love that he has towards her. The brides parents then ask the groom if he accepts their daughter's hand in marriage. In the Hindu culture, this is the greatest gift a person can give. 

Stage 8: Vermala

The 'Sacred Thread' is made up of threads of cotton that are placed around the shoulders of the bride and groom. This symbolises the sacred bond of marriage, blessing their happy lives together. 

Stage 9: Mangal Fera

'Circling of the sacred  Fire' symbolises  illumination of the mind, happiness and knowledge. The circuit  includes four rotations:

Dharma/Duty

Artha/ Prosperity 

Kama/ Love and Family

Mosksha/ Engligtenment

The first three rotations are lead by the groom symbolising his lead to achieve the first three goals. The fourth rotation lead by the bride, shows willingness to achieve the last goal. Once the final round is complete they couple are officially man and wife. 

Stage 10: Satapadi

The couple now takes 'Seven Steps' to begin their life together. Each step is a vow:

- To achieve prosperity and help one another fulfil their dreams

- To be lifelong partners and walk through life's obstacles together, to grow in strength

- To preserve each other's wealth

- To share a lifetime of fun and laughter, sorrow and happiness

- To raise a family, to be strong and healthy in mind, body and soul

- To always be honest and faithful to each other

- To be loyal and true to each other, and remain the closest of friends

Stage 11: Mangal Sutra and Sindoor Daan

The groom gives the bride black beaded necklace that symbolises their sacred love union. He now places stindoor (red powder) onto the parting of the brides hair which signifies that they are now married. 

Stage 12: Akhanda Saubhagawati

Married women from both sides of the family whisper blessing into the brides right ear, before the rest of the immediate family and friends.

Stage 13: Vidai Ceremony 

Family and friends bid a farewell to the bride as she embarks on her new life with her husband. This is also known as the "Crying line"

If I have made any errors, please do let me know and I shall change them.  

This was a perfect opportunity to explore a different culture.