mmmm.... too tired to post anything tonight, but needless to say I today was a bit of a photo fest and I have loads I could post up. A every enjoyable talk by Joe Cornish in Southampton was sandwiched in between two photo sessions with friends today. So, this is really a placeholder and I will try to put up photo from today up tomorrow. If that makes sense.....
Until tomorrow.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Earth Hour
I was intent on posting a few shots from my afternoon trip out to Hampshire, but then remembered that tonight was Earth Hour between 8.30 - 9.30 pm.
The idea started a few years ago ( http://www.earthhour.org/home/ ) , where for one hour of an evening as many people as possible would turn off their lights. It was specifically aimed at corporations and office blocks who often leave their lights on, wasting much energy. We decided to join in the Earth hour fun tonight, and switched off everything in our house. The tv, stereo, and even the computers. So there we sat in peace for that hour by candlelight. Bliss.
The organisers were encouraging those who were running blogs to put up a representative photo of the hour to show what you were up to and to try and spread the event. So tonight's shot, was quite simple.
The idea started a few years ago ( http://www.earthhour.org/home/ ) , where for one hour of an evening as many people as possible would turn off their lights. It was specifically aimed at corporations and office blocks who often leave their lights on, wasting much energy. We decided to join in the Earth hour fun tonight, and switched off everything in our house. The tv, stereo, and even the computers. So there we sat in peace for that hour by candlelight. Bliss.
The organisers were encouraging those who were running blogs to put up a representative photo of the hour to show what you were up to and to try and spread the event. So tonight's shot, was quite simple.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Sliding Doors
Loved the film, loved the concept. Well, perhaps I loved the concept more than the actual acting.
I'm intrigued by the idea that something can get in your way and suddenly you are on a different path into the future. The idea that there are many parallel lives happening, and like a train changing track, you can divert from one to another. On could lead to disaster, the other leads to great things.
This morning I was in a playful mood for some reason - I know this is hard to believe - and watched my reflection in the bathroom mirror skip across the (sliding !) doors of the bathroom cabinet. It created two characters, perhaps two lives - what was going to happen to each of them today ? I could get my eyes pointing in different positions, and create two people, and pondered which one I wanted to be for the day. Wasn't it lucky that I became one person again by the time I got into the car.
Just don't comment on the bags under my eyes or the lack of shaving. This was first thing in the morning you know.
I'm intrigued by the idea that something can get in your way and suddenly you are on a different path into the future. The idea that there are many parallel lives happening, and like a train changing track, you can divert from one to another. On could lead to disaster, the other leads to great things.
This morning I was in a playful mood for some reason - I know this is hard to believe - and watched my reflection in the bathroom mirror skip across the (sliding !) doors of the bathroom cabinet. It created two characters, perhaps two lives - what was going to happen to each of them today ? I could get my eyes pointing in different positions, and create two people, and pondered which one I wanted to be for the day. Wasn't it lucky that I became one person again by the time I got into the car.
Just don't comment on the bags under my eyes or the lack of shaving. This was first thing in the morning you know.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Bath time
I've been a bit busy the last few days and haven't been able to take any photos. I'd hoped to take some today, but getting to tonight I still hadn't taken any shots. But that changed within 5 mins of me arriving home after work, and I discovered a naked woman in the bath - okay, I shouldn't be coy about it, it was Sheens ;) Surprisingly, she was up for me taking some portraits of her in the bath - she just looked amazing - and we agreed from the start that obviously no 'nudes' would be posted and the only shot I would post would be one of her legs submerged in the water and would have her complete approval.
I've been going through a bit of change recently as I want to take photos that I want to take - not ones that are conceived to win in a club or specifically do well in competitions. I want to develop my own style further and try to convey more mood and emotion in my shots. Tonight was a complete departure from what I usually take, in subject and in style, and in the end (well the session only lasted 5 minutes) what was brilliant was that I loved them and more importantly so did Sheens. I think she was pleasantly surprised how good they looked, and how she looked ;) There is one photo however, that no one will ever see, but I have to say it's the best shot I've ever taken. It perfectly conveyed the serentity and peace Sheens has when having a bath. Beautiful.
But I won't post it, and will post another one instead that I also love.
I don't think I'm going to be in a habit of shooting nudes, far far from it, but the feel and tone of these shots are new to me, and signify the start of some serious experimentation.
I've been going through a bit of change recently as I want to take photos that I want to take - not ones that are conceived to win in a club or specifically do well in competitions. I want to develop my own style further and try to convey more mood and emotion in my shots. Tonight was a complete departure from what I usually take, in subject and in style, and in the end (well the session only lasted 5 minutes) what was brilliant was that I loved them and more importantly so did Sheens. I think she was pleasantly surprised how good they looked, and how she looked ;) There is one photo however, that no one will ever see, but I have to say it's the best shot I've ever taken. It perfectly conveyed the serentity and peace Sheens has when having a bath. Beautiful.
But I won't post it, and will post another one instead that I also love.
I don't think I'm going to be in a habit of shooting nudes, far far from it, but the feel and tone of these shots are new to me, and signify the start of some serious experimentation.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Proof that spring is here
It must be ! We started gardening... well when I say gardening, I mean mowing the lawn. As much as I'd like to have gone out today and enjoy the sun, this year we are going to try desperately hard to keep the garden in shape. If we don't, I think our neighbours will apply to have us evicted ;) So, as with most things that move these days, I decided to strap the camera to the mower for a shot :) A bit of fun really...
A few problems getting the shot, though not at all straightforward. Things I had to consider follow,
I was going to use my 40D but as it was too heavy, I used the G9, which had a limiting wide angle so it was difficult to get a good composition as the magic arm wasn't long enough.
Then I found the lawn to be way too bumpy so camera shake (the mower skews and flexes all over the place, unlike a fairly rigid car) was a real issue. I had to move the mower so slowly to limit shake, but that compromised the background motion blur which I'd preferred to be longer.
I also wanted grass to be flying out the back, which meant added vibration because of the motor.
I thought using a off camera flash would be good to then freeze the grass and sharpen the mower, and allow me to darken the background. However, I couldn't figure out how to hold the flash in position. In hindsight, I could have put it on a tripod, but at the time I didn't think of that so didn't use a flash.
The grass cuttings were just put in the mower ready to be 'ejected' when the mower was switched on. Cutting real grass would have been much more difficult and I would have had to push the mower further.
The final shot isn't as sharp as I'd like, but has a sense of lots going on and I love the grass cuttings shooting out the back.
A few problems getting the shot, though not at all straightforward. Things I had to consider follow,
I was going to use my 40D but as it was too heavy, I used the G9, which had a limiting wide angle so it was difficult to get a good composition as the magic arm wasn't long enough.
Then I found the lawn to be way too bumpy so camera shake (the mower skews and flexes all over the place, unlike a fairly rigid car) was a real issue. I had to move the mower so slowly to limit shake, but that compromised the background motion blur which I'd preferred to be longer.
I also wanted grass to be flying out the back, which meant added vibration because of the motor.
I thought using a off camera flash would be good to then freeze the grass and sharpen the mower, and allow me to darken the background. However, I couldn't figure out how to hold the flash in position. In hindsight, I could have put it on a tripod, but at the time I didn't think of that so didn't use a flash.
The grass cuttings were just put in the mower ready to be 'ejected' when the mower was switched on. Cutting real grass would have been much more difficult and I would have had to push the mower further.
The final shot isn't as sharp as I'd like, but has a sense of lots going on and I love the grass cuttings shooting out the back.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Friday, 20 March 2009
Dawn till dusk.
I leapt out of bed this morning after being woken by Sheens telling me how beautiful it looked outside. A little frost, a little sun, a little mist. Perfect, though when I finally left, the sun had burned through the mist. I headed to my spot from a couple of days back hoping for some more mist as it lies in the shade, but most had disappeared. The trees still had a beautiful light, just lacking the depth I had wanted. I tried desperately to home in on a clutter free solid composition, which I managed to achieve. In addition to photos, there is something very relaxing about wondering around alone with no disturbances, no worries, just birdsong and peace. It's worth getting up early just for that/
On the way home I was treated to an amazing sunset, which meant I just had to stop at Newlands corner to watch it till darkness. With no tripod, I had a little play adding sideways blur to a longish exposure. The reds and the blacks worked well, and it's another 'Last five minutes of sunlight', which will probably get a six or a ten if I were brave enough to enter it in the club competition ? !!
On the way home I was treated to an amazing sunset, which meant I just had to stop at Newlands corner to watch it till darkness. With no tripod, I had a little play adding sideways blur to a longish exposure. The reds and the blacks worked well, and it's another 'Last five minutes of sunlight', which will probably get a six or a ten if I were brave enough to enter it in the club competition ? !!
Thursday, 19 March 2009
High Noon
One of the rules of photography is that you should avoid taking pictures between late morning and mid afternoon, especially in the summer when the light is very harsh. However, today being at the start of spring when the sun is alot lower in the sky, and the fact I like to ignore rules, meant I took a lunchtime excursion to the common in the village I work. There's not too much around which meant I had to really use my eyes, and also being quite flat I really had to search for the added interest. What caught my eye was a broken wooden fence surrounding what looked like a practice 'alley' for cricketers. The astro turf provided some saturated greens, and the harsh sun created lots of shadows which intertwined with the leaning fence.
Underexposing by -2/3 stop due to the extreme brightness helped preserve the hightlights in the wooden sticks. I knew I would probably punch up the shadows in Lightroom later, but looking at the images now, the exposure was pretty much spot on, just slightly lacking in contrast.
I also thought at the time, a square crop would work better with the diagonal lines, which was the case for most of the shots I took, but a few lent themselves more to a wider horizontal crop.
Underexposing by -2/3 stop due to the extreme brightness helped preserve the hightlights in the wooden sticks. I knew I would probably punch up the shadows in Lightroom later, but looking at the images now, the exposure was pretty much spot on, just slightly lacking in contrast.
I also thought at the time, a square crop would work better with the diagonal lines, which was the case for most of the shots I took, but a few lent themselves more to a wider horizontal crop.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Trees in the mist
I woke this morning to brilliant sun, the start to another glorious day where I wish I was out with the camera rather than in the office. Work is good and mostly fun, but when the sun shines and the light hits our local landscape everything looks amazing, and I imagine anyone who is handy with the camera would be wishing the same.
Much to my surprise, passing Newlands corner this morning (well, I shouldn't be that surprised as it has it's own little micro climate) it was shrouded in mist creating a beautiful eerie atmosphere, the perfect backdrop to the beginning of a film, or a even a fashion shoot. As I didn't have any models, or film camera's with me, the landscape on it's own would have to do.
I took the path and spent some time wondering around the woods, getting my bearings and for once, just observed, letting all the surroundings soak in and to get a feel for the place. I had remembered this as a common tip from some of the top photographers, and true enough, my head and eyes began to identify areas of contrast, silloheutes and pattern as the sun had brightened the mist somewhat. I was intent on shooting in black and white, but there was an incredible warmth in the air which I thought I'd keep in my shots.
Finally when I took the shots, it all seemed to flow and compositions came easily. I was looking for depth and mood, as well as the usual 'graphic' structure I like. The shots were also lightly processed in Lightroom, not requiring anything other than a smidge of toning, and the usual sharpening. Looking at them tonight I'm still very happy with the shots, the problem now being which one is my favorite ?
Much to my surprise, passing Newlands corner this morning (well, I shouldn't be that surprised as it has it's own little micro climate) it was shrouded in mist creating a beautiful eerie atmosphere, the perfect backdrop to the beginning of a film, or a even a fashion shoot. As I didn't have any models, or film camera's with me, the landscape on it's own would have to do.
I took the path and spent some time wondering around the woods, getting my bearings and for once, just observed, letting all the surroundings soak in and to get a feel for the place. I had remembered this as a common tip from some of the top photographers, and true enough, my head and eyes began to identify areas of contrast, silloheutes and pattern as the sun had brightened the mist somewhat. I was intent on shooting in black and white, but there was an incredible warmth in the air which I thought I'd keep in my shots.
Finally when I took the shots, it all seemed to flow and compositions came easily. I was looking for depth and mood, as well as the usual 'graphic' structure I like. The shots were also lightly processed in Lightroom, not requiring anything other than a smidge of toning, and the usual sharpening. Looking at them tonight I'm still very happy with the shots, the problem now being which one is my favorite ?
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
The end of the day
A brief one from me tonight - those that know me, know that I like my abstract shots, where I major on colour and simple graphic composition, and today is no exception. The journey home provided the neccessary colours - blues, reds and horizontal movement, accented with a slight dip in the light trails creating a focus to the image. Quite random, and quite cool I think.
Monday, 16 March 2009
The sun is officially out.
The advantage of working in our studio is the amount of light we get. One side is all glass, and with three skylights and white walls, it's a great place to be on a sunny day. That said we take every opportunity to still get out of a lunch time, so grabbing our sunglasses, and leaving our winter coats out we went. Hope you all managed to get some sun today too.
With that in mind I thought a nice black and white shallow dof photo of my shades was in order - obviously to celebrate the end of winter. Shame I neglected to clean them first...
With that in mind I thought a nice black and white shallow dof photo of my shades was in order - obviously to celebrate the end of winter. Shame I neglected to clean them first...
Sunday, 15 March 2009
vroom....
After a particularly late and lovely evening last night, I managed to pick myself up out of bed for an early start, and drove across Surrey to join a group of other motorcar obsessives stand around and ogle at a few fancy cars. Chris Evans, the radio DJ had organised a supercar meet at The Mulberry, one of his pubs on the outskirts of Chiddingfold. Whilst not that bothered about modern day supercars, even the seriously exotic ones, it was on my doorstep and I was mainly tempted by the chance of a bacon and egg butty in the morning sun, and the chance to catch up with some friends.
Even though the turn out wasn't nearly as varied or rare as I'd hoped (you can often see a similar display of Ferraris and Astons in the local Waitrose car park) it was worth watching Chris Evans arrive in his F40 - in white - which was as close as you'd ever get to Automotive porn. He reversed into the car park of the pub, and climbed out wearing a cruppled white blazer, skinny jeans, and tiny black driving gloves, greeting everyone with a loud 'Good morning' and headed inside. How cool ? Driving an amazing car, to your own pub, with everyone gawping ?? Teenage dreams are made of this stuff, and how I wish I was 8 again !
Working in the auto industry, I've become used to alot of these cars and they are no longer that special. But for the kids and their dads running around, this was probably an amazing sight. So to get back on track, as this is a photograph a day blog, what was the photographic element ? Well there was one, and I had decided to focus on the kids getting all excited and running around. So I'll post three shots today that I think convey the awe the kids had ..... my favorite is the second. (And sorry, no pictures of the bacon and egg butty but it was pretty tasty)
Even though the turn out wasn't nearly as varied or rare as I'd hoped (you can often see a similar display of Ferraris and Astons in the local Waitrose car park) it was worth watching Chris Evans arrive in his F40 - in white - which was as close as you'd ever get to Automotive porn. He reversed into the car park of the pub, and climbed out wearing a cruppled white blazer, skinny jeans, and tiny black driving gloves, greeting everyone with a loud 'Good morning' and headed inside. How cool ? Driving an amazing car, to your own pub, with everyone gawping ?? Teenage dreams are made of this stuff, and how I wish I was 8 again !
Working in the auto industry, I've become used to alot of these cars and they are no longer that special. But for the kids and their dads running around, this was probably an amazing sight. So to get back on track, as this is a photograph a day blog, what was the photographic element ? Well there was one, and I had decided to focus on the kids getting all excited and running around. So I'll post three shots today that I think convey the awe the kids had ..... my favorite is the second. (And sorry, no pictures of the bacon and egg butty but it was pretty tasty)
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Where did my creativity go today ?
Maybe I left it at the house when I left this morning ? Or did I leave it in the back garden when I let the dog out last night ? Or perhaps I dropped it when getting out the car in town earlier ? Where ever it is I better find it quick or I'll be posting another 300 or so random shots like these over the next 10 months.
Actually, I guess I like them, however they're just what I'd 'expect' to produce from a wander around town. The Kingston Church image made me chuckle a bit - a church only for locals and only 8 spaces ?
Friday, 13 March 2009
A self portrait
A friend (thanks Gordon) sent me some links to a few new photography sites / blogs today, which I had a nosey at this evening. Some really interesting stuff there, and whilst I won't be following the lead of one of the sites and start removing my clothes, I saw one shot which I really liked and wanted to try to work out how it was put together. My final shot was nothing like it (shows my creative gap) but it did involve posing with a guitar ;)
It was my first proper play with my camera tethered to the computer, and the setup of two remote flashes on radio triggers. The biggest problem was getting myself to pose naturally whilst holding the guitar - I know nothing about posing, and became extremely frustrated by having to get up and down throughout the session to alter my lights and forgetting the pose I was in. A big learning curve ahead, but like all things should get easier. I can see why assistants are useful, and hopefully next time Sheens will be around to help.
Strobist info for those interested.
580EXII off camera right at head height, manual, 1/32, with diffuser
430EXII off camera , directly above pointing down, 1/32.
No Ambient.
It was my first proper play with my camera tethered to the computer, and the setup of two remote flashes on radio triggers. The biggest problem was getting myself to pose naturally whilst holding the guitar - I know nothing about posing, and became extremely frustrated by having to get up and down throughout the session to alter my lights and forgetting the pose I was in. A big learning curve ahead, but like all things should get easier. I can see why assistants are useful, and hopefully next time Sheens will be around to help.
Strobist info for those interested.
580EXII off camera right at head height, manual, 1/32, with diffuser
430EXII off camera , directly above pointing down, 1/32.
No Ambient.
Thursday, 12 March 2009
The small apple
I got talking about travelling and holidays tonight, and remembered the fantastic times Sheens and I had in New York several years ago - it became one of our most favorite places ever, and one day we'll get back there. But it did make me think about today's photo, and lead me to have a play with the 'New York in a Bag' (from Muji) that Sheens got me one birthday. A bit of motion blur on the little taxis - fab - just like the real thing ;)
And I also want to say a 'yay!' to Miko and Nick - Miko got her visa renewed so they can both relax ! Really really good news....
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Heavy skies
I had a few ideas for shots today, but I became distracted and actually did some proper work ;) But I looked out our windows mid afternoon and saw some really heavy skies. The light was beautiful, and I only had time to take what I considered a snapshot. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some opportunities as I'm in Coventry for a meeting or two, and I'm not driving. Lets see if I can make some time and get a good old dose of creativity.
Monday, 9 March 2009
Like being back at school
That's how I felt tonight, and not something I've felt for a while. I won't go into what happened at the club tonight, but it got to me.
But a relaxing pint with my friends afterwards helped calm me down and on the journey home I stopped at a location I pass every day that is perfect for a nightime car shoot I have in mind (cars were on my mind as Gordon kindly lent me Intersection, a pretty cool car / fashion / photography magazine he gets from time to time). The location feels slightly seedy due to it's strip lighting, and in the fog it is even more eerie. I took a few test shots and will start to plan a shoot. I have something in my mind, even though the vision is slightly blurred, I think I know what I want to do. Here's the location
And don't talk to me about blown highlights - I'm breaking the rules today, and it's my creative decision. So there. ;)
But a relaxing pint with my friends afterwards helped calm me down and on the journey home I stopped at a location I pass every day that is perfect for a nightime car shoot I have in mind (cars were on my mind as Gordon kindly lent me Intersection, a pretty cool car / fashion / photography magazine he gets from time to time). The location feels slightly seedy due to it's strip lighting, and in the fog it is even more eerie. I took a few test shots and will start to plan a shoot. I have something in my mind, even though the vision is slightly blurred, I think I know what I want to do. Here's the location
And don't talk to me about blown highlights - I'm breaking the rules today, and it's my creative decision. So there. ;)
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Vision
What a word ! What began as me 'playing' with my Dad earlier today, has lead me to think lots about vision today. What is my vision ? What do I want my photography to show ? What do I want to achieve ? What is it I want to tell the world ? Lots more thinking to do, but there will be a time soon when I'll have to answer these thoughts, or I feel I won't progress, and in my life so far I have always strived to move forwards and achieve things. Unfortunately for me this trait is beginning to manifest itself in my photographic life and I'm finding myself asking - now what ! I don't see this as a negative, in fact it's the complete opposite as I see it leading to exciting times.
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Just relaxing.
Not much to say today, probably because I'm enjoying myself, not much is on my mind, and it's fun just meandering around town with my family. I didn't want the camera to take over the weekend, so only took a few shots, but actually I quite like them. The first a longish exposure whilst descending a spiral staircase, the other a wall at a favorite restaurant of mine. Probably more tomorrow.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
A little spring cleaning.
After a couple of weeks running around, tonight was spend tidying up the house a bit, well at least so my parents could sit down somewhere when they're visiting this weekend ! So, after a spot of hoovering I had a bright idea.... I clamped my camera to the hoover for a spot of action photography. Made me laugh, but Sheens was just rolling her eyes in disbelief.
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Geneva.
I've returned from a busy couple of days at the Geneva Motor Show, to an evening where I can at last put my feet up. Ok, a bit of housework to do, but I'll get an early night for once. It's nice to be back home with Sheens.
I was actually going to take an image to go with the story of a 'jobs worth' security lady I encountered on Tuesday morning at Gatwick, but as it'll wind me up I'm posting a few images I managed to squeeze in the last few at the show. No gratuitous shots of showcars or indeed the showgirls , just a couple of shots that interested me. The first is an odd one for me as I love it as it is due to it's simple graphic, almost mundane feel, but many would want to add a person to balance the doors. Whilst I may have agreed with that once, I'm not so sure - I like the idea that the action or people, or interest lies behind the doors. After all doors are through which you pass to move between defined spaces, Maybe a tad too conceptual ?
Monday, 2 March 2009
Early flight.
I shouldn't be doing this as I have an early morning flight in the morning, but I just woke as I had a great idea for a photo, and I hadn't taken one today. Well, I gave myself 2 mins, and unfortunately this was the best I could do. Like alot of other photos, I will try again, properly with some assistance some time soon . But that plane in the photo IS flying unassisted ;)
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Next weekend.
I don't intend to spend all weekend cutting and pasting random words into some sort of order that makes sense. I'll be spending it with my Mum, Dad and brother who are visiting ! End of.
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