Saturday, 31 January 2009

early start + camera + big breakfast = happy man.

I'm quite tired just now, but for a good reason ! I made it out for my first dawn shoot this year, which although lacking the frosty conditions I'd hoped for, was substantially improved by the company of two very good friends. I'm sure we all wondered what we were doing heading out at 6.15 this morning, but we arrived at our location just in time. This meant no time to scout around for the perfect composition, but what a beautiful intense red sunrise.

Our location was quite awkward as it was elevated (the long walk there reminded us of that) and there was no 'view' over the downs as the guidebook had led us to beleive. However, the muddy field had some interesting folds, and on a brighter morning with some crop growing, would look great as the shadows would play on the undulating terrain. Definately a location to go back again with slightly better light.

As I'm very serious about improving this year, I'll list things I should have done differently today.

  • A new location is always a lottery, so maybe scout locations on grey days, so when the opportunity arrives, like this morning, I'll know the location a bit better.
    Write suitable locations down, so I don't forget them
  • Take walking boots - how many shoes have I ruined 'playing' in the mud. Ditto, coffee, and my flat sheet for lying on the ground.
  • Take all my kit as you never know what will happen. On the journey back, we discovered a 'real-shoot' with local farmers hunting pheasant. As the light was poor, I could have done with my flash - I wanted to talk to the farmers and try a few portraits with them and their guns. I'll go back for that, as it looked like the field was used for shooting quite often.



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