Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Self Portrait - week 8
Managed not to do one in Week 7, just ran out of inspiration, doesn't bode well does it! Anyway this isn't exactly fab stuff but it is what it needs to be; me taken by me in week 8!
Leeds Strobist
No its not some form of martial art, or a weird religious sect - although to be honest in some cases it's not far off! Strobism is basically using cheap (relatively, this is photography we are talking about!) portable lighting rather than huge studio set up's to light photographs. One of the best things to come out of Photocamp Bradford for me was the chance to have a go at this and I loved it - Steve of course was thrilled that I came home with yet another long list of "must have" kit!! I now have a soft box, light stand and triggers so can light you up!
Leeds strobist met last night by the river just down from the station, surprisingly salubrious to be honest lots of very smart and more importantly visually interesting buildings. I only took a few photos as the rest of the time I was in training for West Yorkshire's next top model - thank god I am getting over my utter loathing of having my photo taken and can even accept that looking really awful in a photo isn't necessarily a bad thing, not sure that it's good but its not the end of the world is it? Was working with Neal, Dafydd and Joel - strobists tend to be rather techy blokes!
This is Dafydd and I have to say I am really pleased with this photo. At this point I am supposed to tell you that the camera settings were 1/60, F1.8, ISO200 with a 430ex with orange gel set at 1/8 shot through soft box camera right and rim lighting is coming from a 580 with blue gel shot through a snoot. But would you care? No thought not! For me the nicest thing about this photo is the "bokeh" thats the bubbles in the background caused by out of focus lights, its much sought after in photography and I take every opportunity to get some in my pics!
We moved then to the front of the building out of the wind - its heart stopping watching a light stand and soft box crash to the ground when you took your £300 flash gun off only seconds before! There were several large shiny metal columns and I decided I wanted to throw some light onto them, behind Dafydd to create a sort of back light to see what would happen with the reflection.
As I was lining up the shot above I realised that if I could get the building in frame as well it would be even more interesting - I didn't have the lens for the job so Neal lent me one of his (note to self, add to shopping list!).
This was the result of switching to a slightly wider lens - much more interesting. The lights on the building phased through green, blue, pink, purple and I really wanted to get this shot with the lights on pink but like most models Dafydd was a bit tempermental and I didn't want to upset him by making him stand around for ages!
And this is Neal, lighting expert, lens lender and snoot maker!
Leeds strobist met last night by the river just down from the station, surprisingly salubrious to be honest lots of very smart and more importantly visually interesting buildings. I only took a few photos as the rest of the time I was in training for West Yorkshire's next top model - thank god I am getting over my utter loathing of having my photo taken and can even accept that looking really awful in a photo isn't necessarily a bad thing, not sure that it's good but its not the end of the world is it? Was working with Neal, Dafydd and Joel - strobists tend to be rather techy blokes!
This is Dafydd and I have to say I am really pleased with this photo. At this point I am supposed to tell you that the camera settings were 1/60, F1.8, ISO200 with a 430ex with orange gel set at 1/8 shot through soft box camera right and rim lighting is coming from a 580 with blue gel shot through a snoot. But would you care? No thought not! For me the nicest thing about this photo is the "bokeh" thats the bubbles in the background caused by out of focus lights, its much sought after in photography and I take every opportunity to get some in my pics!
We moved then to the front of the building out of the wind - its heart stopping watching a light stand and soft box crash to the ground when you took your £300 flash gun off only seconds before! There were several large shiny metal columns and I decided I wanted to throw some light onto them, behind Dafydd to create a sort of back light to see what would happen with the reflection.
As I was lining up the shot above I realised that if I could get the building in frame as well it would be even more interesting - I didn't have the lens for the job so Neal lent me one of his (note to self, add to shopping list!).
This was the result of switching to a slightly wider lens - much more interesting. The lights on the building phased through green, blue, pink, purple and I really wanted to get this shot with the lights on pink but like most models Dafydd was a bit tempermental and I didn't want to upset him by making him stand around for ages!
And this is Neal, lighting expert, lens lender and snoot maker!
Monday, 26 October 2009
Shooting models!
Recently spent an afternoon with Mark Skeet doing some model shooting training. Frankly wasn't thrilled with the results, alot of my photos were way too dark which is such a shame and Antonia and Jayne were stunning so no excuse for not getting cracking photos. I had a feeling things were looking too dark and should have reacted to that rather than hoping things would turn out ok!
Antonia
Jayne
On the upside Jayne has gamely agreed to let me have another go, this time using my lighting set up. Am off to the Leeds Strobist meet tomorrow eve in Leeds where I can get a bit more practice using my lights with some of the very generous and talented people that are part of the Leeds Strobist group so hopefully will have something good to post from that - oh and maybe this weeks self portrait as I didn't manage to inspire myself last week!
Antonia
Jayne
On the upside Jayne has gamely agreed to let me have another go, this time using my lighting set up. Am off to the Leeds Strobist meet tomorrow eve in Leeds where I can get a bit more practice using my lights with some of the very generous and talented people that are part of the Leeds Strobist group so hopefully will have something good to post from that - oh and maybe this weeks self portrait as I didn't manage to inspire myself last week!
Weekend in the Lakes
It rained. We didn't care! Had a great time, it was lovely just to spend some time as a family without the doorbell or the phone ringing or that ever present feeling of being "on duty". We stayed in Ambleside and it was ideal, self catering apartment just about 2 mins walk away from the town centre with loads of places to eat, so we did!
On the Saturday Steve, Tom and I went for a drive up through Kirkstone Pass, fantastic views but as usual not sure the photos do them justice.
Low cloud about covers it!
Looking back toward Windermere. At one point the cloud lifted and the sun broke through, it looked amazing glinting off the wet rock on the hillside.
20 shots of this damn thing resolutely looking off into the distance, one when he finally deigned to glance my way!
On Sunday morning Steve and I braved the continual downpour and went for a walk about Ambleside.
Peggy Hill, Ambleside - the walk down from our apartment to the town.
The river from one of the bridges.
The bridge house - rubbish photo but there was a really ugly couple eating lunch sat on the wall a bit further down and I didn't want them in my photo (they were really ugly) and I didnt want to ask them to move, as they would have rightly told me to tak a running jump!
Same river looking back at the bridge I was stood on when I took the first photo.
In the afternoon Steve, Tom, Digby and I got the ferry to Bowness.
Luckily "below decks" was warm and dry as up on deck was not for the feint hearted, or those with nasty hair that turns to frizz.
The views would have been fantastic on a clear day.
As it was I was reduced to being creative with a life ring!
This morning as we were packing up to leave the sun was shining so I insisted on another run up over the Kirkstone Pass to try the view on a clear day.
Makes quite a difference.
On Saturday we had driven towards Penrith from the Kirkstone Pass but I had already tried everyone's patience taking photos so kept quiet, this morning they were out of luck - the views here are magnificent, yet again I don't feel I have done them justice.
Got chatting to a guy who was taking photos of the same view and was asking why all mine look a bit rubbish, his take on it was that I am shooting on a camera that doesnt have a full frame sensor. Its too boring to go into but has opened a debate (in my head at least - Steve not having a barr of it as a full frame camera would cost a min of £800)
My real love is taking photos of people and I don't know if I would be better spending money on better lenses for my existing camera or a better camera. Or maybe I just need to get good at using the stuff I have?? Seem to be having yet another confidence crisis! Oh and just realised haven't posted any photos from the model shoot ...... they are up next.
On the Saturday Steve, Tom and I went for a drive up through Kirkstone Pass, fantastic views but as usual not sure the photos do them justice.
Low cloud about covers it!
Looking back toward Windermere. At one point the cloud lifted and the sun broke through, it looked amazing glinting off the wet rock on the hillside.
20 shots of this damn thing resolutely looking off into the distance, one when he finally deigned to glance my way!
On Sunday morning Steve and I braved the continual downpour and went for a walk about Ambleside.
Peggy Hill, Ambleside - the walk down from our apartment to the town.
The river from one of the bridges.
The bridge house - rubbish photo but there was a really ugly couple eating lunch sat on the wall a bit further down and I didn't want them in my photo (they were really ugly) and I didnt want to ask them to move, as they would have rightly told me to tak a running jump!
Same river looking back at the bridge I was stood on when I took the first photo.
In the afternoon Steve, Tom, Digby and I got the ferry to Bowness.
Luckily "below decks" was warm and dry as up on deck was not for the feint hearted, or those with nasty hair that turns to frizz.
The views would have been fantastic on a clear day.
As it was I was reduced to being creative with a life ring!
This morning as we were packing up to leave the sun was shining so I insisted on another run up over the Kirkstone Pass to try the view on a clear day.
Makes quite a difference.
On Saturday we had driven towards Penrith from the Kirkstone Pass but I had already tried everyone's patience taking photos so kept quiet, this morning they were out of luck - the views here are magnificent, yet again I don't feel I have done them justice.
Got chatting to a guy who was taking photos of the same view and was asking why all mine look a bit rubbish, his take on it was that I am shooting on a camera that doesnt have a full frame sensor. Its too boring to go into but has opened a debate (in my head at least - Steve not having a barr of it as a full frame camera would cost a min of £800)
My real love is taking photos of people and I don't know if I would be better spending money on better lenses for my existing camera or a better camera. Or maybe I just need to get good at using the stuff I have?? Seem to be having yet another confidence crisis! Oh and just realised haven't posted any photos from the model shoot ...... they are up next.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Bit more glamping...
After a little light libation we decided to set off on a woodland walk. In our dresses and wellies, as you do!
I might be the one armed with the camera but this lot can spot a photo opportunity a mile off.....
Whilst giggling like a bunch of school girls....
To give them their due, its a corker!
Bokeh, I love it!
Camp fire blazing
Lisa, she could be an extra in Seven Brides for Seven brothers; tent - check, hay bale - check, girly yellow frock - check!
Inside the reception tent was girly in the extreme, lots of candelabra
Fairy cakes
and all round pinkness - how cute?
Never being one to let a little thing like being old enough to know better stand in her way...
and pulled it off with aplomb!!
I might be the one armed with the camera but this lot can spot a photo opportunity a mile off.....
Whilst giggling like a bunch of school girls....
To give them their due, its a corker!
Bokeh, I love it!
Camp fire blazing
Lisa, she could be an extra in Seven Brides for Seven brothers; tent - check, hay bale - check, girly yellow frock - check!
Inside the reception tent was girly in the extreme, lots of candelabra
Fairy cakes
and all round pinkness - how cute?
Never being one to let a little thing like being old enough to know better stand in her way...
and pulled it off with aplomb!!
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Glamping!
For Rachel's 40th we headed to North Yorkshire for a nights Glam Camping, glamping! The tents are already set up when you arrive and are huge. Ours had a bathroom "shed", a kitchen "shed", a twin room and a room with a four poster as well as a wood burning stove. You park up and wheel your kit to your tent in a wheelbarrow!
Once you have settled in its always a good idea to check out the facilities.
Then open a bottle of bubbly, well it is Glam camping you know!
A bit of a chat.
And a quick read through of the campsite facilities.
And then its down to the serious business in hand.
So 5 poles and 5 women dressed to the nines and in their wellies, what else can you do?
And now Katies is well and truly stuck.
So we left her there.
Not really!
Once you have settled in its always a good idea to check out the facilities.
Then open a bottle of bubbly, well it is Glam camping you know!
A bit of a chat.
And a quick read through of the campsite facilities.
And then its down to the serious business in hand.
So 5 poles and 5 women dressed to the nines and in their wellies, what else can you do?
And now Katies is well and truly stuck.
So we left her there.
Not really!
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