The Photography Show 2017

Well today was the day I made my annual pilgrimage to the Photography Show at the NEC Birmingham.

For a change I arrived before it opened, there was a speaker in the Adobe theatre that i wanted to see/hear at 10:15,and if anything like the previous years, you need to get there early to grab a seat. They are always very well attended, the speakers know their stuff, and they do not seem to suffer the technical gremlins that other speakers seem to have at the show. I was not disappointed, picked up some nice tips that i shall be putting into practice both in Lightroom and Photoshop.

There seemed to be a real buzz about the show. All the stands seemed to be doing trade and some real bargains to be had, I know that I splashed the cash on a few items for my small studio. Just got to find the time to use them now.

Although I took my camera i did not get chance to use it much. I made the mistake of making my purchases early, so had to lug them around. Maybe they should get a package creche for next year. i for one would use, even would pay for it as well. I know that of the items i brought, there was very few left, in fact only one left after my purchase.

Hats to Photoshoot Magazine catwalk show. The effort that these guys and girls put in is phenomenal, and the models have some reals guts to walk out and face, what must seem like a baying pack of photographers, I for one would not do it.

So here a few images from the show, enjoy.

March 20, 2017 0

It’s been a while

It’s been a while since I posted, life seems to have got in the way and somewhere posting took a backseat, thinking that I will post tomorrow, but that day never seemed to come around, till today. Its been quiet on the photography front, so here is a few from a studio shoot I did a while ago.

Must make more of an effort and try to post on a regular basis, and try some new techniques.

One thing to look forward to is the Photography Show at the NEC next weekend. Ticket have arrived and I am all set. If it is anything like the last few show, it should be a good one, post will follow.

March 12, 2017 0

A day out at the Photography Show 2016

So that time of year again, a day out at the Photography Show 2016. Comparing it to last year, there seemed a better vibe to the day, and first impressions was that it was a better show. As I wandered around, my first thoughts turned out to be right. The layout was better, and the sessions that I attended were full, there was a lot of people there, however, as in previous years, the technical gremlins were out, in full force. This is a constant issue whenever I go to the show, and one year, they might get it right and produce an tech error free zone…..might be asking for too much.

There where also to be a few more demonstrations taking place on the stand, particularly on the studio lighting displays. I watched a few of these, and picked up some useful techniques for the future, just need to put them into practice.

I was impressed with the catwalk show put on by the Photoshoot Magazine. The make up on the models was superb, my favourite was the ‘Steam Punk’. He really played his role well, a few images are below.

The ‘walking dead’ character was also very impressive…..

All in all, a very good show, much improved from last year. They have set the bar high, this one will take some beating, looking forward to my visit in 2017.

March 27, 2016 0

A very early morning

I must be mad. Set the alarm for 03:45 this morning to take part in an event organised by the Photography Show 2016 with the help of Steve Walton.

Did seem strange driving along the M6 with no traffic, with a choice of lanes to use, first time for everything..

The event was to take photos of the dawn sun as it rose over the ‘beach’ at Pendigo Lake in the grounds of the National Exhibition Centre just outside Birmingham, the venue of the Photography Show.

So there i was was, with about 20 other souls who had got up waiting for the sun, only to be disappointed as the cloud cover failed in a very English way, hung on.So all we managed were a few shots of the new Resorts World. Fortunately the weather stayed calm and teh reflection on the lake slight rippled.

I have put in a couple of images from the shot, no off to bed to catch up on the ‘missing hours’.

Off to the show on Monday, so will have some images and thoughts on eh day in my next blog…enjoy.

March 20, 2016 0

An Evening with…. Emilie

I recently had the chance to work with a local model, Emilie Walt. I have worked with her before, these either being location shoots (local car parks in the Jewellery Quarter) or a dance evening, so this was something different. A more relaxed studio shoot with the chance to move the lights were needed and the opportunity to move Emilie into the various moods and shoot that I was after.

A lot of images where taken on the night and these are interspersed throughout this blog.

Emilie, as ever, is a great person to work with, and knows how to move herself for the result that you are trying to achieve. She is simply superb..

Thank you Emilie

March 6, 2016 0

An evening with….Mark Hadon

Recently had an evening session in the studio with local part time model Mark Hadon. Mark, by day, is a teacher in a local school, and as you can see from the images, really looks after himself.

Mark was great to work with, adept at most poses that he was asked to perform, and some of them was quite hard on his body, despite the rippling muscles.

He even brought his own kit to use…….

Well, he didn’t bring the tyre, that was in the studio.

It was a great night, Mark was so easy to work with and has a great personality.

Mark Hadon

Hopefully I shall be working with Mark in the near future.

January 31, 2016 0

Forgotten Images

OK so while going through some SD cards I came across a photo shoot that I did back in July 2015, fortunately it was just for myself with no end client, probably why they slipped my mind.

The model was a local girl, Charlotte (aka Lottie). Still fairly young bit really great to work with. Her parents came along as chaperone’s for the evening, and just like their daughter they were a great couple.

The location was Brookfields Cemetery in the Jewellery Quarter, seems like a strange place for a photo shoot, but it works, there is some great architecture and late in the evening the sun is low and you get some great light and shadows.

Any way, that will teach me to take them off the SD cards as soon as get back, could quote easily have formatted them and lost all the work, a big lesson to learn.

Hope you like the photos.

November 5, 2015 0

Ellie- A night in the studio

Been a while since my last blog. Recently carried out a studio shoot with Ellie, who you will see has bright blue hair….Again she was a very nice model to work with, very easy going and not put off by the strange requests that I had, involving screaming her head off as loud as she could. Needless to say that that image did not work so it will not be appearing on these pages any-time soon, maybe for another day with another model.

We used a variety of locations in the studio from a bright wall in the entrance to a few backdrops, and even managed to get a chair into the action. I would mention that it must be an age related issue that when I asked Ellie to pose as ‘Christine Keeler’ on the chair I was met with blank expression, however when this was explained as to the pose she went for it, slightly adapted…..

Still a very good night was had and between us we managed to get some good images, certainly somebody I will like to work with again in the future.

Equipment used on the night was a Canon EOS60D with a 50mm f1.8 lens. Lighting was by using the modelling light, with a reflector where required.

October 29, 2015 0

Immogen

Another studio shoot with a new model that I had not worked with before.

So let me introduce you to Immogen..who’s normally seen flying the skies from Birmingham airport as she, for her day job, works for a local airline as an air stewardess.

So for the evening I used the main studio, with just one light and kept the modelling light on, rather than use the flash head.

Attached to the studio there is a small cafe, as we were working late this was closed and empty, so instead of letting it lie unused we tried a few shots up there, carefully carrying the light up from the studio.

A good night was had and I look forward to working with Immogen again the future.

Camera used for the night was my Canon EOS60D with my faithful 50mm f1.8 lens, might be a cheap lens, bit produces some great images.

October 18, 2015 0

More with Tanya

Have been busy lately so still reviewing and editing images from the night with Tanya. Found some spare time to carry on and have managed to pick out some more that I like.

All where taken on a Canon EOS60D with a Canon 50mm f1.8 lens. I know that this is cheap lens, but it is perfect for using in the studio and with constant lighting. You just need to use your feet to move and get the best from the equipment and the model.

I still have some more to review and edit , just need to find the time. It is funny that I can more time reviewing and editing the images than it takes to create them in the first instance.

Oh well, here is to bad nights on the TV and bead weather outside………

October 10, 2015 0