I'm not a great photographer. Most of my images are taken on whatever mobile phone I have at the time and I've recently bought a Nikon D3300 camera, on which I am (unsuccessfully) attempting to move from auto to manual.
But I've notice a pattern in my holiday snaps over the years. Yes, there's the usual scenery shots that mean nothing to anyone else (or have been seen a hundred times before in other people's holiday photos) and then there's the pictures of your fellow holidaymakers, all smiling away at the camera whilst squinting into the sun.
But my preferred shot is either the sunset or the planescape. Here's a few favourites I've taken from over the years...
This sunset shot was taken from a hotel balcony in Albuferia, Portugal and it now hangs on my landing at home on canvas. Coincidentally, we are going back to the same hotel at Christmas this year and I'm looking forward to seeing what winter sunsets are like!
 |
| Albuferia, Portugal |
This sunset was taken in Roda, Corfu. We celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary here last year and I would go back to this area in a heartbeat. Roda is so chilled and the weather was just perfect. I can't actually decide whether here or Ibiza is the place I'd like to move to if I had the opportunity. (note: I love Roda that much I wrote about it here)
 |
| Roda, Corfu |
And finally, Ibiza. We were back on the island for the third time earlier this year. Our hotel in San Antonio Bay was facing the exact same direction as, but across the bay from, Cafe Mambo where everyone goes to watch the sunset each evening. Watching the sun disappear never got boring and each sunset was totally different.
 |
| San Antonio Bay, Ibiza |
The first planescape photo I ever took was whilst flying over Spain about 11 or 12 years ago. I'm not even sure the word "planescape" even existed back then but I just knew that I liked what I saw and it fascinated me!
 |
| Somewhere over Spain |
This next one is from when we were flying back from Turkey a few years ago. It was about 30 minutes until we were due to land at Manchester, Jake looked out of the window and exclaimed, "Mum, LOOK! It's Eastenders!" And he was right... if you tilt your head to the left, you can make out the bend of the River Thames as it winds it's way through London and the circular roof of the Millennium Dome O2 Stadium.
 |
| London, England |
The final one (for now) was taken as we were leaving Tunisia. This country became one of our favoured destinations and we were heartbroken when travel was halted due to acts of terrorism in 2015 - mostly for the people who lived there as it brought many businesses to a complete standstill. Even though it has recently been declared safe to travel again, it may be a couple more years until we venture back that way.
 |
| Leaving Tunisia |
I've just realised that both of these types of photographs include the sky in some way but what really stirs the geek in me is the enormity of the lack of control I have over what I am seeing in these photos. You can't argue with nature; no matter what happens, the sun will always rise in the morning and set in the evening, even if you can't actually see it. Similarly, having the ability to travel to the furthest corners of the Earth and being able to see, from your plane window, the land beneath, exactly as it appears on a map or a globe, just fascinates me.