365 Project - Day 31

The final day of the first month; Day 31. I have been at a grasstrack event all day so no guesses what the image is; that's right a grasstrack bike. Danebury Grasstrack Racing Club had their Burnfield Spinner, as it is known, today. It should have been a couple of weeks ago but the snow put the stoppers on that.

This event is all about raising money for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, having some fun and getting in some decent practice races; all of which was done in abundance today.

The technical: 30D with a 70-200mm lens and a 1.4x extender. The camera was set to aperture priority f5, ISO 400, and the shutter speed for this image was 1/1000 sec.

365 Project - Day 30

Nearly the end of month one and today I was at The Ray Mac, Salisbury City FC's home ground. It was a cup game today against Maidstone which we (Salisbury) won 2-0. I took several pictures during the game but this was my first and favourite because it is unusual and not a "normal" sport image. I focused on the netting as I wanted James out of focus to highlight the abstract shapes in the netting.

The technical is, 30D with a 70-200mm lens, set to aperture priority at f5.6, ISO 800, shutter speed 1/1250 sec.

If you would like to se teother images they are in an albm on my FB Fan Page.

365 Project - Day 29

This was difficult, I had a complete mental block on what I should attempt to photograph tonight, hence why I nearly didn't make it. I was sitting watching the TV when I noticed one of my son's trophies. I thought that would be quite interesting with some harsh light and a shallow depth of field; so here it is. I hope you think it is interesting and if not why not set me some interesting challenges of things to photograph. Also suggest how they should be lit, you don't have to be specific just say what you think and I will try and interpret it.

The technical stuff is not very interesting really. Shot on my 5D with a 100mm lens, set to manual at 1/60 sec, f3.2, ISO 400 which was a full stop under the suggested exposure. The trophy was lit using an LED torch from camera left

365 Project - Day 28

A little bit of landscape action tonight. This view was offered to me tonight on the way home, and who am I to turn down such a wonderful sight. It had been quite dreary all day with intermittent showers but the clouds broke for just a few minutes before the sun gave way completely and sent this beautiful coloured sky my way; the swirling clouds just adds to the magic for me.

The technical bits for those of you who are interested are; 5D with a 70 - 200mm lens, hand held at 1/15 sec f2.8, ISO 400. The framing is from OnOne's framing selection in PS.

365 Project - Day 27

Tonights offering is another self portrait; this time of my hand.


The technical details are; shot on my 5D with a 24 - 105mm lens, lit with a 580 EX II in front of and facing the camera, set to manual 1/128 power, the camera was also set to manual 1/125 sec at f5.6.

365 Project - Day 26

Tonight we have a picture of Sue, sat out side her office window. Sue and I have been friends for many years and have worked together for the last 13 years. Sue really doesn't like having her photo taken but braved the lens today to help me get my Day 26 image. Thank you Sue.

The technical bit are: taken on my 5D with a 24-105mm lens fitted. Set to manual, with the exposure being determined by the use of a light meter at Sue's face, shutter speed 1/500 sec, aperture f6.3, ISO 100. The image was given an aged look in LR, then taken into PS for an old photo type frame. A bit of dodging and burning and a straight-line frame and signature added for the final image.

I said I would let everyone know today what yesterdays image was, well it was the ornate radiator in my office, lit from behind with flash.

365 Project - Day 25

A bit of abstract art for your indulgence tonight. I will refrain from specifying what it is until tomorrow to allow those of you who would like to have a go at guessing a chance.

Technical specs are; taken on my 5D with a 100mm f2.8 lens attached, set to manual with a shutter speed of 1/350 and an aperture of f5.6. The light was provided by a 580 EX II set to manual 1/4 power.

365 Project - Day 24

Today's image is of my son on his motocross bike. He bought this around August last year. Since getting it he has completely stripped it down and rebuilt it. I have helped when he has become stuck but he has done the majority of the work himself. Today was the day he finished the rebuild and I helped him start it. Well done Ed great work!

The technical details; it was shot on my 5D with a 24-105mm lens fitted. The camera was set to manual f4 at 1/400 sec, ISO 100; the flash was set to manual at 1/4 power.

365 Project - Day 23

Today's image is taken from my son's football match. It has been such a long time since they last played but it did not show at all. They played extremely well and were worthy 4-1 winners.

The image was taken on my 30D, which allows me to make use of the cropped sensor to get in closer, fitted with a 1.4 x extender on my 70-200mm f2.8 lens. The camera settings were, aperture priority at f4, ISO 400 - 800, shutter speed 1/250 - 1/4000 sec.

365 Project - Day 22

Day 22 and we are now back on track with the posting of the images. This image was taken tonight on my dining room table. The table has glass panels in it which allowed me to fire some flash from underneath.

This little dog was given to me a few years ago by my wife. The reason for her giving me this particular toy was that it was the spitting image of my own dog of 15 years, Tess, who had just passed away in my arms. It was a difficult time for me because she had been a part of my life for so long and this little toy is still very special to me and brings back so many great memories; soppy I know.

The image was captured on my 5D with a 24-105mm lens attached. The lighting was provided by my two speedlights, one from below and one from behind, fill was provided by a piece of white card held in between the camera and subject and angled to direct the light onto the front of the toy. The settings for the lights were f5.6 from below f11 from behind, and the camera setting were 1/125 sec at f4.5.

365 Project - Day 19, Day 20, Day 21

I have put another 3 posts together tonight so I can catch up with the entries. The 3 images are all very similar as well as they are images to with my business marketing

Day 19
Advertises my digital wedding albums

Day 20
Advertises my traditional wedding albums.

Day 21
Is an advertisement for a special Valentine's Day promotion.

365 Project - Day 18

As I had all this information spinning around in my head from all of the great photographers I had been lucky enough to spend time with in London I thought I would revisit a wedding image from last year and try out some of the techniques I had learnt over the weekend. I hope you like the changes I have made.

365 Project - Day 15, Day 16, Day 17

I have decided to upload 3 days in one. The reason for this is two fold; all of the images are related to my weekend in London, and it will save you all from having to trawl through 3 different blog updates.

This first image is of the entrance to my hotel. It is nothing special (neither was the hotel) but after travelling on the train and underground I was very happy to see it. Taken on my G9 with the built in flash and a little enhancement in LR.

This image was taken on Saturday at the Novotel, Hammersmith. It contains two photographer friends Sofie Louca and her husband Paul. Sofie was one of the photographers running a superclass and this was taken during her superclass with fellow photographer and friend John Baikie. It was again taken on my G9, set to manual this time with no flash. A little post production in LR to saturate the colours

The final image from this set is of the "Forum Crew". This was taken very late on Sunday evening after the awards dinner and before the party; although looking at some of the faces the party may have begun early for some.

365 Project - Day 14

Day 14 - tonight we have a very contemporary image of my son. I don't think this will be one for the wall but it does give him a very haunting look.

The technical details; taken on a 5D with a 70-200mm lens; settings were ISO 100, 1/125 sec at f8. The portrait was lit with 3 studio lights and a 580 EX II. The key light was above and in front of him, fitted with a snoot and set to f8, two of the lights were positioned either side of Alex pointing towards the sides of his face and set to f5.6, and the 580 was to Alex's left zoomed in to 105mm, fitted with a grid and a blue cover and pointed onto the curtain behind. A bit of boost on some of the colours, and removal of others, in Lightroom and there we go.

The highlight of the evening for me was that when I showed Alex the finished image he said "that's quite cool"; which is high praise indeed.

365 Project - Day 13

Day 13 brings us back to the snow. We had a quite a bit again in the night and this lovely scene was what greeted me in the garden of a friend I went to pick up this morning.

This photo was taken on my G9, ISO 200, 1/350 sec at f4. A little post production to bring up the contrast and that's it. I hope you like it!

365 Project - Day 12

My dear family are really going through the mill as my models for this project. Tonight I am back to by beautiful wife Louanne.

A bit of mood lighting tonight and a some fun images. Set together in a tryptic (I hope that is spelt correctly) I really like this set of images, and I hope you do too.

The technical bits; 5D with a 24-105 lens, a 580 EX with a grid and coloured cover for the background and fill light (camera left), a studio light with a snoot fitted (camera right) as the key light and to give shape to the face. The camera was set to manual 1/125 sec at f8 the key light was f8 and the back/fill light was f5.6; a 2:1 ratio.

365 Project - Day 11

Day 11 = my truck. A Black Nissan Navara 2.5 Deisel monster. I have to say I love my truck, and in the current climate so have a lot of other people, as it has been the only thing that can get out from where I live.

Shot just 10 minutes ago on my 5D set to Aperture Priority with help from a 580 EX II, the settings were ISO 100, 1/200 sec at f4 with a 24 - 105 lens; the flash was set to ETTL. I kept the angle low to express the size of the vehicle and to give the Nissan logo dominance.

365 Project - Day 10

Day 10 brings us to my garden and the birds thereof. I hope you like them.

365 Project - Day 9

Day 9 is a little bit of digital art entitled Fire and Ice. I have not had any challenges yet but hopefully somebody will put me to the test soon.

The snow scene was captured today from Figsbury Rings. This spot is a favourite with walkers and there is quite an interesting story that goes with the capture of this image.

I followed a family up the long steep track, quite suprised they were attempting it as it was covered in snow and not really a place for a two-wheel drive car. Anyway they were doing quite well until they got to the entrance to the field people use to park in. As soon as they changed direction they stopped, we watched for a bit until the driver got out and had a look around the car, anyway we helped push them into the field but it was obvious they were not going to turn around for the descent so I linked the towbars on his car and my truck with a strap I carry for such times and pulled him in a circle so they was facing the right way to get out. We then drove on to the top of the field to take the picture I needed for my 365 project.

I hope they enjoyed their walk, and play in the snow, and of course got home safely.

365 Project - Day 8

I have enlisted the help of my son Edward tonight for my day 8 image. A contemporary image if you like but I like it and hope you do too.

Lit with a 580 EX II with a beauty dish and fine grid fitted. The flash was set on manual, full power, which gave me a reading of f8 at 125 sec. The flash was camera left, parallel to Edward's face at approximately 45 degrees to, and 400mm from his face.

365 Project - Day 7

I have decided to do a composite of some winter images tonight. I hope you like it.


The four external images have had an "old photo" action applied for effect, the center image is as captured.

365 Project - Day 6

Well today's subject is not a revelation with the weather as it is down here; and over most of the country. This was the view I was greeted with out of my bedroom window this morning after going to bed to a rainy view.

As you can see we a little snowed in here although I will be making my way out in a short while; the joys of 4-wheel drive I guess, no excuse not to brave the weather.

The technical stuff is nothing to write home about. It was a point and shoot shot with the 5D set to aperture priority with a 24-105 lens wide open. A little bit of Lightroom magic to give it an odly-worldy look and that is it.

If you are out in the snow today, whether walking or driving, take care and be safe.

365 Project - Day 5

Tonight is another member of the family; my eldest son Alex. He, a little reluctantly, helped me out tonight by being my victim for day 5 of my 365 project.

Alex was lit using one 580EX flashgun with a small beauty dish directly behind him. The settings were 125sec at f2.8, ISO 100. The flash was set to manual full power. A bit of post production was need to darken this side of his face as it was too light due to flash bounce. The little dot in the centre of the image is his diamond ear stud.

365 Project - Day 4

Here we are again - Day 4. Today's image is a much more structured image. I needed a new portrait os myself for the new website and have been putting it off for quite some time now but by combining that job with this project helped me focus on getting it done.

If you do know know me by site - you lucky people - here I am sat on the stairs at home. I shot this image using a two light set-up; one to camera left and one at the top of the stais as a seperation light. I used a ratio of 2.5-1 (for my mentor Lord McGillicuddy), with the shot being taken on a 5D set to manual f8, 1/125sec, ISO 100. A bit of post production in Lightroom and Photoshop and hey presto a picture of me.

Yesterday I posted an image that was for you to guess what it was. I had one :o( attempt which was close but not right; sorry Sarah. Well below is the unedited image and it is of one of the Christmas lights in Amesbury.

365 Project - Day 3

Here we are again; Day 3. Today was a bit more difficult as I have been on a training day so did not get a chance to take my image until on the way home. I have decided to add a bit of art to the pocedings today and ask for your interpretation of what you think this object could be. I will post the unedited version tomorrow with my Day 4 image. Please leave a comment.

Clue: This item is quite a normal thing to see at this time of year, especially at night.

The technical bits are 1/45 sec @f4.5 hand-held with a 75-300mm lens on a 10D with a bit of motion blur in post production.

365 Project - Day 2

I have been in Devises today and saw this object outside of a house I was visiting. I have absolutely no idea what it is; it looks like some type of vent when you get close to it, but it is unusual shape and very decorative for a vent.

I chose to photograph it because it intrigued me. I went over to have a look and thought I would use it as my day 2 image to see if anyone could tell me what it is.
The technical details were ISO 100, f4.5 at 1/125th second. It was taken on my 10D with a 75-300mm lens and hand-held.
See you tomorrow

365 Project - Day 1

There has been a bit of talk around friends and colleagues about creating a 365 project. The 365 project is basically taking an image every day throughout the year and blogging it. I am going to attempt my own 365 project to test my camera skills, my vision and my mental focus. There will be days when I am not able to get to a computer during the year, but I will still try and capture an image each day and I will post them when I can.

I hope you will help me to keep focussed by adding comments to the posted images, and that you will also get some enjoyment from this project as it evolves.

Today is obviously day 1, being January 1st, and this is my image for the day.

This is an image of a present given to son Alex on his first Christmas. This little shoe has been put on our tree every year for the last 15 years. I chose to photograph this on day 1 because I am away for the weekend and my wife tells me that she will be putting the decorations away while I am away, so I will not see it again until December.

The image was lit using the Christmas tree lights and an LED torch. The camera settings were 1/40sec @f4 ISO800 on a 5D with a 24-105 lens.

New Logo released

Over the past few months you will of been aware that I have been going through the process of re-branding ready for the next phase in the continuing evolution of John Rose Photography. Well the New Logo has been finalised and is being incorporated into all of the stationary and clothing as I speak, and I thought I would give everyone the chance to see the new brand before it is rolled out on the brand new new website which is coming very soon.

So without further delay here it is; I hope you like it.