Photography GCSE

Hi it's Amy,

Sorry I have't posted in a while, I have been doing lots of school work, as in the next month I have my GCSE's, anyways... I wasn't too sure about posting this, but someone mentioned it to me, and I thought that it would be a good idea, and if any of you are doing photography GCSE, or thinking about it, then maybe it can give you some inspiration.

I have done photography for the past two years, starting with Natural forms, and taking photographs of plants and trees, things like that, then I went on to doing Shadows and Reflections, which I really enjoyed, because I could explore more, then for my mock exam, I did disguise, which was also pretty fun, and something new to try. But for my last and final exam, I chose collections.
Collections (even though it doesn't sound entirely interesting) can be linked to hundreds of things, and a great way to explore, and develop your skills.
These are a few photographs that I have taken recently, and hopefully you will like them!

For my final exam, I am hoping to do a photography book, so I can display some of my favourite pictures from this unit. I am in love with this photograph because its very colourful and interesting, and it fills the frame, which I really like.
For this photograph I used my Canon 650D and used the close-up setting.






For this photograph, I went to a National Trust property in Wiltshire, where I found these beautiful tulips, and I thought that this could count as collections as there are many of them, and also fills the frame. I like how I didn't zoom close into the flowers, as then you get a better view of the colourful tulips.






Again another colourful photograph
I really love this picture because you have all the different varities of the village candles (which smell amazing) and how the depth of field changes throughout the picture. And I also love all of the colours in the picture.

I also love this photograph because of how much variety there is within the picture.

I took this photo at the nation trust property, and I thought that this was an interesting picture because of the way it has been laid out, and how it is very old and vintage style. 

These are just a few of my favourite photographs that I have taken recently, if you enjoyed this or like any of the photographs, please comment below, or message me on twitter, and comment on what you would like to see next!

Thank you for reading!!

Amy P x

Its finally Spring!

Hi it's Amy,

FINALLY SPRING IS HERE, spring is one of my favourite seasons, for many reasons such as, it finally gets warmer, you can be outside for longer, days seem longer, and it always brings smiles to peoples faces.

I also love spring because:

> daffodils are out and they are one of my favourite flowers, there is something about the colour yellow which always gets me in a good mood, and once daffodils are out, you know summer is on its way. I took this photo a couple of days ago, when I was doing my spring lookbook, which will be coming out soon, I love the shot because I have focused closely into the daffodil, and you can see it in great detail.

> The days are longer, so you can get amazing photographs, and you have an excuse to go outside, and just to enjoy your self for longer.

I took this photo for my GCSE work (Shadows and Reflections) and I love how you can see the reflection clearly in the sunglasses, and how it has a great effect to it, and stands out.

> Daisies: once daisies are out I always find that the weather is going to be so much better, and that you can enjoy yourself, and for me it's like a new beginning, as after all winter, and bare trees, everything starts coming back to life.

> You can get amazing shots of nature, especially the ones you don't tend to see in the winter. I also love the fact that it is lighter in the morning so it is the perfect time to take photographs of nature (which is one of my favourite things to take photos of).

I took this photo the otherday when I was on a dog walk, and I am so happy with the result.

> Spring is also great for days out at the beach, and you don't need to bring alot with you, unlike in winter where you have to have layers and layers just to be slightly warm. In spring the sky turns blue, instead of a cold grey, and you feel happier, and feel as though you can do more. 

> Spring sunsets are the best for the photographs, like the photo I took on the side. If you get the right aperture and depth of field, you can create amazing shots with warm colours, and create magical shots.

And this is all I have to say about Spring, I have so many other photos, but these were some of my favourites, and I hope you enjoyed looking through them, if you would like to see more spring photographs, I will be doing some more for my spring lookbook, and my favourites so keep an eye out!

Hope you enjoyed reading this blog post,

Remember to comment, and tell me what post you would like to see next <3

Amy x 

My Lazy Sunday Morning Routine

Hi it's Amy,

Today I am going to upload a blog about My Morning Routine (as you can probably tell by the title), anyways... this is usually the sort of thing I will do on a Sunday, if I am not going to the beach, and just having a nice relaxing day.

So here it is!

I usually start my morning at 8:30 when I wake up and go straight on my phone just to check twitter and pinterest. I then get dressed straight away, and because I have a dog I have to go and take her out for a walk YAY. Evie's walk usually takes 30mins to an hour, and here are some photographs from this morning. 

This walk today took around 30 mins, and this afternoon we are going to a country park, for a special treat as it is her 3rd Birthday!

After I come back from our walk, I will go and wash my hair, I use the Alberto Balsam Raspberry Shampoo and conditioner and it smells amazing, and it always makes my hair really silky and soft.

I then blow dry my hair for 15 minutes, and use the Lee Stratford Heat protecting spray, as there is nothing worse than damaging your hair without using protector.

I use my tangle teaser, just to make my hair just that extra bit smooth, and I put my hair up in an half up, half down, with my favourite hair clip, which I got in a set of 5 from Accessorise, £6.

I then put on a face mask (today I put on my body shop, clay mask) and this really helps soothe your skin, and it is perfect if you have oily skin, and it takes your oils away. I leave this on for 10 minutes, before washing it off with warm water with a mouslin cloth.

After doing this I go and use my normal daily facial routine:

Firstly, I use the Exfoliating Daily wash, and this eliminates pores, and makes your skin alot smoother, and spot free, which is what you want.

Then I go onto using my Kind to skin, soothing facial toner, where I just put one drop on, mix it into the cotton pad, and I gently massage it into my face.

And as it is a lazy day, and probably not going to do much, I brush my teeth and then its onto my make up!

For makeup I use my Body shop foundation in the colour 02, as I find this matches my skin tone perfectly, I then use my Rimmel, hide the blemish concealer.

I use my Revolution eye shadow palette using the first row, going down, using the palest colour in the corners of my eye, and for using brow highlight.

Secondly I use the lighter brown, and apply it to my eye lid.

Then the next darker brown, I use to underline my eyelashes, and the darkest one to use for shadow on my eyelids.

After doing all of this I apply a bit of mascara using the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara which is amazing, and my favourite mascara I have used, I would defiantly recommend it if you want to have long eyelashes, and it gives so much seperation, and its non clumpy, which you defiantly want in a good mascara.

And that is my face done!

Then I will watch 1-2 Disney movies, my favourites are Lady and the Tramp, and Beauty and the Beast, especially at the moment Beauty and the Beast, whilst having some raspberries, strawberries, and any berries I find in the cupboard.

And this is basically my morning!

Sorry it was quite a rambly post today, and see you again tomorrow!

Amy x

Easter Treats

Hi its Amy,

Happy Good Friday! Hope that on Sunday you will all get loads of chocolate, and yummy treats!
Today, I have been inspired to bake some Easter treats (With my own twist on things), and I am going to show you how to make them, I hope you enjoy!

Yummy Easter Cookies-
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 

MAKES 12 COOKIES

-125g Caster Sugar
- 125g soft butter (room temperature to make it easier to mix)
- 1 Large egg
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 225g Self raising flour
- 3 tubes of smarties (or any other chocolate treats you want in it!)
- 1 bar of White chocolate (or your favourite chocolate)
                             

1. Pre Heat your oven to 190 degrees celsius

2. Cream both of the Caster Sugar, and the butter together until there are no lumps.

3. Add in the Large egg, whilst mixing.

4. Add 1 tablespoon of the vanilla extract.

5. Measure out 225g of the self raising flour

6. Sift the flour into the mixture, whilst stirring it with a wooden spoon.

7. Add everything you want in your cookie dough- it tastes amazing with the smarties and the white chocolate chunks.

8. Mix everything to cover, and if you would like, add more onto the top.

9. Use 1 spoonful of the mixture each and make sure they are not touching.

10. Put in the oven for 8-10 minutes (until they are golden in colour, but still soft on the inside).

11. Leave them for about 5-10 minutes to cool down.
And your cookies, are now ready! These cookies are so nice, and look extremely pretty, they are also a great idea if you are to make them for your friends, family. for a easter party, or just an overall snack!

And now for the Easter Egg Cupcakes!
MAKES 12

YOU WILL NEED:
- 115g/4 oz butter
- 115g/40z caster sugar
-2 eggs (lightly beaten)
-115g/4oz self raising flour
-1 tbsp milk
-100g of Chocolate chips
- 1-2 bags of Cadbury mini eggs (or any you choose)

And for the butter cream-
- 175g/6oz unsalted butter
- 1tsp vanilla extract
- 280g-10 oz of icing sugar (sifted)

1. Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees celsius, and put out your 12 cupcake cases.

2. Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together until it is light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs.

3. Sift in the flour and using a metal spoon, fold it with the milk.

4. Add the chocolate chips into the mixture and mix.

5. Spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases.

                                                                                    6. Bake the cakes for 20 mins, transfer to a wire rack and leave the cakes to cool.

7. To make the frosting, put both the butter and vanilla extract into a bowl.

8. Using an electric whisk, beat until its very soft and pale. Gradually add the icing sugar whilst whisking well.

9. Next you can either use 1 spoonful to place your frosting over the cupcakes, or you can use a large piping bag, and use a nozzle (medium star shape is best) and pipe large swirls on top the cake.

10. With the back of a spoon, gently push to make a well, in the icing, and put in three mini eggs into the hole.

AND ENJOY!!!

If you decide to make these cupcakes, please comment below with your pictures, and tell me how they went, or if you follow me on twitter, show me on there <3

Thank you for reading <3

Amy x