We live in a typical English seaside resort, and with that comes glorious light at sunrise and sunset. I’ve always leaned towards simplicity; I don’t like cluttered images, and I’m always trying to spot simple compositions while walking around the local area.

This is a building on the seafront, which is part of a shopping complex. The area gets very busy with tourists, especially in the summer, so I try to get out early in the morning while it’s still relatively quiet. I pass this building constantly, and while on one of my walks with my camera, the light was just hitting the scene just right. Then I noticed the bird perched on top of the street light, and I felt it just gave the image an element of interest.

Earlier, there had been a number of birds sitting on the roof, and I took an image of that, but it just didn’t work. It wasn’t until they flew off, leaving the solitary one, that I realised it just added to it.

I always try to find images in the mundane; we can’t always travel far or go to exotic locations. I find it more challenging to try to see images in everyday scenes. Scenes that people pass every day without looking, there is something exciting about taking those scenes out of the context of their surroundings.

I find it difficult to get out as much as I want with my camera for various reasons, which is why I feel it’s important to make the most of the small walks and trips out. It’s only just starting to sink in that the art of seeing is the most difficult part of photography, no matter what your skill level.

And I fee, as most professionals will tell you (I certainly am not) it’s about getting out with your camera and making the most of what you have at your disposal. I fell in and out of favour with photography in the past, and I feel that was mainly due to the fact that I was constantly comparing myself to other people’s work. If I didn’t get as many likes or comments on an image, then I classed it as a poor image. I now see that’s not true, if I like it, if I get something from it, then that is all that matters….

What are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!

The simplicity of it… Clean lines and the colour contrast between the wall and the sky.

If you could make this photo again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or differently?

Probably try and get the shadow cast by the street light a bit stronger… just to give an extra layer to the image.

Peter Shennan shared this photograph with the FRAMES Facebook Group.

Photographer

Peter Shennan, Wirral, UK

INSTAGRAM

Equipment and settings

Fujifilm X-H2 + XF16-55MMF2.8
ISO 400, f/8