OK, so you'd be forgiven for wondering what could possibly be the relationship between a small town on the South Coast of England, and one of America's most beautiful National Parks.  But when you see the world close-up, you get a different perspective on things.  At least that's what happened to me this week when I wandered over to the beach on an otherwise nondescript morning.

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

I looked through my viewfinder for blog inspiration, and found none.  But as I gave up and walked back to the car, I looked down at the pebbles and shells underfoot and an idea formed.   Half an hour later I was back with my macro lens, excited to have a plan! It didn't take long to get in the zone, and I crawled, crab like, among the pebbles and shells for well over an hour, until my knees were soaked through and bruised and I was virtually unable to pull myself up to a standing position.

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

As I sought out interesting patterns among the rocks I started to have vivid recollections of the colours and patterns in the geysers of Yellowstone National Park, which we'd been fortunate enough to visit last summer, before returning to live in the UK.  

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

The more I thought about the hot springs, the more I started to see similar formations in the pebbles at close range!  It sparked another idea, and on returning home, I headed straight to the PC to retrieve the images from the Yellowstone leg of last summer's epic Amercian roadtrip.   

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

I then uploaded my macro images from the morning and viewed them side by side.  The similarities in colour, shape and texture were striking - at least to me.  So I thought I'd do something a little different with this week's blog, and share with you my photographic perspective on the patterns and hues of nature from both sides of the Atlantic.  

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

I cropped some of the beach images and grouped them with my Yellowstone ones based on commonalities in hue and form, using Photoshop only to design the collages;  I didn't make any changes to colour or saturation beyond just a little necessary tonal enhancement from RAW file conversion.    

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

Orange and rusty hues dominated, but I was pleased to find some stunning blues, and plenty of unity in the patterns and shapes, as is especially apparent in the collage immediately below.

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

For me, the sum of the collages has ended up being greater than the individual image:  each one tells a story, both a personal one - of two places I have visited with my camera, a little over a year apart - and a more universal one, of patterns in nature.

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

On their own, the pebbles and seaweed are unremarkable - we tread on them and barely give them a second thought.  Except maybe my gorgeous nearly-four-year-old nephew, who loves collecting his favourites in a bucket and calling them his treasure!

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

With the aid of a macro lens and placed in the context of Yellowstone's colourful geysers, the natural beauty of the pebbles and mussels of Shoreham Beach has been elevated.  I might even print one for my wall for those times when I feel I've photographed everything there is to photograph in Shoreham, and need a little inspiration to find new ideas!

Shoreham Beach vs YellowstoneImages by Sussex Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Jenny Rutterford Photography

Well, goodbye for now!  The wedding fair season is upon me.... so an early start tomorrow for a day at the Very Nice and Vintage Wedding Bazaar in Chichester...  I hope you enjoyed my blog this week, I'd love to have your thoughts and comments - Jenny x