Canals are wonderful places to take a camera. There is over 200 years of transport history to document, with many attractive bridges, locks and other features. There are many colourful boats and a range of plants and flowers. Water, ice and snow add to the picture possibilities, with changing seasons, weather and time of day producing yet more variation. All manner of things can be seen from tow paths; industry, farming, skies, trees, a wide range of patterns and textures, fungi and so much more.
This book celebrates the richness of the pictorial opportunities on offer, with 17 themed chapters and over 360 fabulous photographs. Some were clearly taken along a canal, but with over half, the context is unclear. Many of these could be described as off-beat, innovative or surprising. The artistic potential of canals is presented for all to enjoy. A selection of camera settings is given so that it is easier to understand how particular visual effects were achieved.
Being a creative photographer is a little like being an observational comedian. You must learn to look at the world from strange angles, so that the ordinary and the mundane are presented in fresh and unusual ways, challenging and delighting the observer. This book sets out to do just that.
This is the third book in the UK Canals series, the others include 1: The Kennet and Avon Canal in pictures, which gives a general overview of this very popular waterway, 2: Wildlife of the Kennet and Avon Canal and 4: The Erewash Canal in context. Also by the same author are, Pandemic diary: Newbury in a time of crisis and Pandemic diary 2: Newbury emerges from lockdown. The author has also written, Living in a digital world: Demystifying technology.
For more details on books by Mark C Baker, see http: //www.educationvision.co.uk/books.html
