Happenings

One of my goals for 2011 is to try and keep this blog updated. So, without further ado, let me tell you all what is happening in my world at the moment. I currently share a house with two sick kids (well, just slightly ill really), and it's beginning to drive me slightly bonkers. I've been meaning to take some more 'arty' photos of Caleb for a while now, but whenever I think of it, he's not interested in the slightest. Today, however, I managed to take a series of shots, one of which I like. Right after this one he proceeded to vomit milk out of his nose.

Apart from this, I'm really trying to think about what direction I'd like to take my photography in 2011. I've even downloaded a handy little app onto my iPad, called Moodboard Pro, where I can make a collage of all the images that really inspire me, and make me say "wow, I wish I'd taken that one!" I've only just started, but am finding that photographers such as Jose Villa, Mike Larson and Jonas Peterson are producing some really great stuff. Their work is so fresh and full of life, that it makes me want to go out and take pictures. In fact, I think I'll carry on with that right now!

Ben & Clare's Classy Winter Weddding!

I know it's been an age since I've written a proper blog post, but then I have had another son, and it has been Christmas :)

So, last Wednesday was a day I'd been looking forward to for aaages. Yes, it was Ben and Clare's wedding. What I loved about this wedding, as well as the couple themselves, of course, was the way they made it just how they wanted, and in doing so, showed themselves to be people of great taste.

The day began at around 8am at the Lancaster House Hotel, next to the university. Oh yeah, they'd decided to walk in to the ceremony together, which meant they were able to enjoy breakfast together too. The light was still struggling to break across the horizon at this point so I got chatting to some guests, whom I hadn't seen since we all left school in 1998 (is it really that long ago?!). After a brief panic about my camera, I discovered it had been set to 'lock' mode. Regaining my composure, I came back in and started shooting the day, as I saw it, in a mostly documentary style. We got to do a great 'first look' series of shots, when Ben saw Clare in her dress for the first time (maybe I'll get to blog those sometime soon).

Next was the ceremony, and the venue was the Ashton Memorial in Lancaster. This is a stunning building right on top of a hill. A string quartet played a mixture of classical stuff and tunes by modern bands like the Verve & Snow Patrol.

Next was Hipping Hall in Kirkby Lonsdale. This is another beautiful cozy little place, which happens to serve amazing food. We hung out in the lounge for the group shots, then headed off for lunch. Later in the day I got to take Ben and Clare off for a few shots by themselves, and, as it was pretty much dark by this point, we went for some more dramatic, flash-lit pictures. So, all in all, this was such a cool day. Sublimely classy and fun too :)

My growing family

So this has been a pretty exciting week. My second son, Caleb, was born last week (3 days late). It's crazy how quickly you forget what it's like to look after a newborn. Compared to Eden he weights practically nothing, sleeps all afternoon and throws up every 2 seconds. What's even weirder is having a newborn and a 2 year old in the same house. Eden has been a sobbing mess for most of this week, but we think he might have molars coming in. Anyway, I haven't had the chance to take any considered portraits yet, but here are a couple of semi-snaps.

A trip to Manchester

Yesterday morning I woke up staggeringly early - well, 6am - and somehow made my way to Preston train station. Hopping on the train, then another bus ride to Openshaw in Manchester - I'd never even heard of it till a couple of days ago - I arrived at the studio in perfect time for the day's training to begin. The thing is, I was 2 hours early and stuck in a part of Manchester that, to be fair, isn't exactly interesting.

Fast-forward an eternity to 11.30 ish and the training could begin. Mike Larson is an internationally known and respected photographer, but for me at least, it's not the quality of his images (which, by the way, are fantastic) that sets him apart, but his ability to talk about the business side of things in a way that seems to inspire people. For example, he mentioned having a 'to be' list, and not just a 'to do' list ... hmmm, I feel I need to buy a pipe, pour a glass of port and ponder this over some Chopin.

After a while he got down to some shooting, with the model, giving us some valuable insight into what goes through his mind when he takes on a shoot, particularly in regard to lighting - incidentally, by the end, we were working in conditions so dark that bats would've had to turn on their full-beams. Well, maybe not that dark, but you get the idea.

So, here are a couple of pics I managed to grab in the couple of minutes available to me ...

This one was taken with the model sitting on a window-ledge. No extra lights, nothing. 

This had the exact same set-up, but went for a more abstract composition.

I went to Bristol and this is what I did ...

Well, that's actually not true, because the action actually took place in Stonehouse, Gloucester. I booked my place on the Lovegrove 'Shooting Winter Weddings' training day back at the end of August, when I bought my new camera gear. The option was floating around my head to either attend this workshop (not exactly cheap, but I'll get on to that shortly) or buy another piece of equipment, like a great tripod / another speedlight, etc - as a bloke this was more than tempting.

I decided, however, to bury my desire for yet more gear and get some training. There are loads of training providers out there, but I went for the Lovegrove thing. The quality of their work is outstanding and Damien has a column in a magazine I subscribe to.

So I made my way down to Bristol, then the next day back up to Stonehouse (about 35 miles out of the city) and waited somewhat anxiously with the other delegates to meet Damien and Julie. I was actually more nervous about this day than I was about the real wedding I shot a couple of days previously .. maybe it was just not wanting to make an idiot out of myself in front of other pros ...

So, without further ado, here are some of my best pictures from the day.

1) I loved the sense of movement you get from the spiral staircase, the directional lighting on the groom and the warmer light behind him - this gives the picture a real 3D quality.

2) I really like the simplicity of this one. The streak of light in the bottom right corner is at the same angle as her head, while the look away from the camera gives the frame a sense of movement.

3) The bride just touched her face for literally a second (not an intentional pose I might add), so I quickly took the shot. It just makes it look a bit less posed, and I like her expression, as well as the angles created by her arm, which always lead you back to her face.

4) This was taken in the church, with all 8 photographers, as well as Damien and Julie, vying for prime position. The mixed lighting colours weren't giving me the effect I was looking for, so I did a sepia conversion. I love the directional lighting and the shaft of light from the window in the background.

5) Another sepia one, this was inside, with a one light set-up.

6) Moving to a two light set-up (I think, anyway)

7) Moving outside to catch the darkening sky, Damien set up a single speedlight to capture these dramatic shots.

8) To make sure we all got a turn at getting wet and muddy by lying on the ground, I decided to try the same shot from a different angle. I darkened down everything surrounding the bride, and I like the results it gave me. Really really simple, yet quite striking.


So to sum up, anyone considering doing some training, such as this course by the Lovegroves, cannot fail to be delighted with the results. It is not cheap, but the crucial factor is that it is worth the price. The use of an amazing venue, beautiful and professional models, and of course the expertise of Damien and Julie will give you shots to be proud of. I expect to book my next training day with them asap, just don't tell the Mrs ;)

My second child @ 34 weeks!

I'd been meaning to take some bump shots for a while, but needed to wait until monster number 1 was safely asleep in bed, so as not to get harassed. I decided I really wanted to try out some modern classical shots in black and white, and generally just play around with the lighting, poses, etc. I was actually really happy with the way it went, even though we did the photo in out cramped bedroom - at times I was led on the floor hunched up trying not to knock over the telescope that I got for christmas 2 years ago (and have shamefully only used about 3 times).

This particular shot reminds me of an old movie from decades ago - I think it's because of the lighting set up (natural light from a nearby window + flash as a hair light). Anyway, here it is, hope you like it!

An early start

Last week I got the chance to meet up with an old friend from school, whom I haven't seen since the day we left, in 1998. This is a crying shame, and it makes me wish Facebook had been invented 10 years ago.
Still, a couple of Saturdays back the four of us: me, my friend and his fiancee, and Alison, who did a great job assisting me, headed out into the sticks to shoot some engagement photos and generally hang out / discuss the wedding. Though camera shy, they rocked it and really made it easy to get good shots. We were in a valley, so only got occasional shafts of light, but one of these made a great backdrop, with intentional flare and backlighting. Here is one of those shots: More soon.