It has been a while since I have participated in any contests. 2021 has been an exciting year for many of us.

I think it proved to be more about work and less about myself for me.

At some point, I had to think hard about getting back into composing a shot and not being a blank point and shoot. With that, I looked back at 2021 and the time when I took my gear and went for it trying to reach for my inner artistic soul.

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_{F/9 1/320 sec. Sony ILCE-7 35mm prime}

The first time I picked my beloved Sony 7 in 2021 was in April. We went to Bradgate Park in Leicester. The weather was beautiful.

You've got to celebrate when the sun comes out in the UK.

My boys went ahead to explore the area while I took time to take it all in and remember how to shoot. I do like to use f/9 for landscapes. And given the leading line and my boys, it was a no brainer to snap it right there and then.

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_{F/4 1/320 sec. Sony ILCE-7 35mm prime}

_{F/9 1/100 sec. Sony ILCE-7 35mm prime}

The second outing happened to be in May to Barry Island. This was also the first seaside adventure that year. I grew up by the sea, and I feel nostalgic coming close to water, breathing in the air, listening to the seagulls.

The journey was spontaneous and quite late. I believe we arrived at something like 8 pm. The water was warm, and there were a couple of brave swimmers too. I put on my wellies and joyfully pretended to be walking into the sea. Perfect for those shots in the never-ending water.

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_{Pixel 2 capture}

The third time I put on my photographer's cap was in June when we went to the seaside on a hot day. I looovee to fry my "sausages" in the sun. Unfortunately, later that day, we all had suffered from the effects of a sunstroke. The sun was either too strong or too low this year as I have never suffered from staying in the sun for a couple of hours. Not only that, but we were covering ourselves as it was a bit windy.

When it was time to pack the beach towel, I noticed a beautiful coast thanks to the low tide. I'm not particularly eager to take photos with a mobile camera, but it was all that I had.

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_{F/9 1/320 sec. Sony ILCE-7. FE 90mm Macro G}

One of my favourite images in 2021 was of the Crowns Engine Houses, Botallack Mine in Cornwall. This was our first family holiday since 2019, and I was looking forward to it. We went there at the end of July.

We were staying at the nearby camping site. So, I ditched my boys, jumped on the bike and spent time enjoying the photography and the landscape without anyone rushing me. I prefer it that way.

The buildings reminded those glorious days in Cornwall when mining was making this land rich. Now they stand still, almost forgotten, facing the harsh weather and slowly decaying year by year.

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_{Sony mobile phone capture}

What a story I have got for you associated with this image!

So, it was August 2021. I took my friends' kids and my own to the caves nearby Wales. On the way back, my car goes "BANG!" and pulls to the side into the bushes. I quickly realise that I am off the road and trying to come back. As soon as I am back on the road, I realise that my tire is flat.

Emergency lights on, slowly coming to 10 m/h while searching where to stop. I see a sign for parking and follow it, but the car park is nowhere to be seen. After a while, we have finally stopped to inspect the damage. As expected, the tyre was completely flat.

As anyone in such a situation, I tried to reach AA. And I wished I could get someone and be on my way, but the area had a terrible signal, and it was constantly dropping. So in search of a better signal, we followed the path to the cafe, then some more until we reached the point on the image. Here I have enjoyed the incredible view and was able to call for help.

It turns out my car broke down in the Wye Valley, the most beautiful place ever!

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_{F/9 1/125 sec. Sony ILCE-7 35mm prime}

It was September 2021, and I finally decided to visit the photographer's meetup in Birmingham. The moment they saw me, they went "Woah!". After all, I was nearly a stranger for staying away for a year.

This time we met up in Digbeth for a festival. New graffiti was coming on the walls, and we caught up with artists in their A-game.

I like Digbeth for its quirkiness and originality. It is a cultural hub of the city!

I stood by the graffiti, which the artist was finishing, and thought, how could I present it? Next to me was a gate. The result of it is on display.

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_{F/9 1/400 sec. Sony ILCE-7. FE 90mm Macro G}

_{F/9 1/500 sec. Sony ILCE-7. FE 90mm Macro G}

My last visit to the photographer's meetup was the same month. It was a Gay Parade! I have never visited one, even though we had a meetup every year for this event. So I was super excited!

I don't have a zoom. I prefer to shoot with primes, so instead of 35 mm, I chose to work with Sony FE 90mm f2.8 Macro G. I filled my card to the full and struggled to pick my favourite shots.

I think the image of the girls in yellow and red were also posted on BBC, meaning they went for the most colourful display! I thought they were the most interesting of all to shoot. I also like the bright, rich colours.

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So there you go, my entries to the Photography Lovers End of Year Contest hosted by the Photography Lovers community. I hope I am not late.

Happy New Year!