A few favourites from 2009

Be Inspired in 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas

Continuing Professional Development

Last week I was back in Warrington for my second meeting with my Mentor, Damien McGillicuddy, and our model for the day was the beautiful Charlie.

This time we were looking at lighting ratios and how they effect a image. The images below show ratios of 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5 respectively. The key light was place at the models right and slightly behind her, the fill light was placed directly behind the camera. The key light remained set at the same level and the fill light was reduced by 1-stop each time to give the ratios.

The final task of the day came as a surprise and was not mentioned before the day. Damien gave us each 15 mins to set up our own lighting and pose the model. I took the first spot while my colleagues went out to plot their own set-up (we were not allowed to watch each other). The final two images are from my 15 mins; the first is un-edited accept for the B/W conversion, the second is the finished image ready for presentation. I hope you like it.

My son the qualified referee

During October and September of this year my sons Alex and Ed undertook there basic refereeing course. They are both very keen football players and play for Clarendon Juniors FC in their respective age groups.

The images below show Ed taking charge of his first match last Sunday, which was an U15 girls game, Clarendon Juniors FC v Worthies FC. He had a great game and was congratualted by both managers at the end of the match; WELL DONE SON.

I hope this qualification will be the first of many for them both.

Toni, Pete and Bump

I was lucky to meet Toni and Pete when I was asked to photograph their wedding reception. When I heard that Toni was pregnant I made contact again to ask if she would pose for some images for my portfolio. She said she would think about it and contact me nearer her time and we left it at that. Well she did think about it and contacted me a couple of weeks ago and we agreed a date when Pete could be there too.

I did the shoot in Toni's living room using my curtain backdrop and materials; she was a little nervous at first but we had a great shoot. Here are a few of my favourites; I hope you like them.

Jeff the Chef

Jeff the Chef is a local..................chef. He runs his own training courses, is a coach for Clarendon Juniors FC U15 Girls and has very close links with Arsenal FC; indeed he was pictured in deep conversation with the England Head Coach, Mr Fabio Capello at a recent visit to the Emirates Stadium in London.

Jeff ran a healthy eating and cooking demonstration in Winterslow Village Hall to raise money for the club. We had a great evening, and although Jeff needs to look for some better jokes, he definately doesn't need any help with his cooking.

Monty and Sophie

This shoot was such good fun. Monty and Sophie are just wonderful, with so much energy and fun. Monty just wanted to keep running me over while I sat on the ground trying to photograph him and Sophie just wanted to run around and around; I just love these kids.

Tuscany Day 4

Day 4 was spent in the company of the amazing duo of Trevor and Faye Yerbury. Amazing for many reasons but for me because of their generosity in helping us mere mortals improve our photography.

We spent the day in and around the beautiful Castello di Tornano with our beautiful model LauraAnna. This was to be my most challenging day for many reasons not less the fact that I have never photographed a nude model. I think that statement was true for quite a few of us But LauraAnna was so patient; especially as this was by far the coldest day of the week. It is very different photographing a nude model as all you have to work with is shape and although we were having our hands very firmly held this was a challenging day for me and I learnt so much about posing the body and seeing the clothes that most of my clients are wearing as just accessories. Here are a few of my favourites from the day.