Monday, August 31, 2009

Moment in time

I was looking at this scene and knew it needed something to add the 'X' factor.., and then this person appeared walking out of frame, so just a matter of waiting for the composition to work and press the button.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Dewdrops

I really enjoy just wandering around with a camera, it keeps a nice balance between commissioned assignments and just having fun. This was shot at f4 on the 90mm shift and tilt lens which has the ability to focus very close with out filters. Straight digital file.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Brothers

A simple fun shot of two brothers having fun. The angle of the seesaw gives the image a more striking composition (leads the eye straight to the main subjects). Narrow depth of field gives a more three dimensional look to the photograph. 400 ISO B/W film 60mm lens on Hasselblad (equal to approx 28mm on 35mm camera).

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Deco fashion 4

I really like the way the red of her lipstick is repeated in the Hotel stained glass sign in the background. Hasselblad 150mm lens transparency film.

Keiran

A good way to highlight his blonde curls was to photograph him against a black background and also use a backlight. To achieve a solid black background I placed Keiran about 2m away from the black curtains so that the light on his face wouldn't reach the curtains. Also blocking with a black screen/card any light from the backlight spilling onto the curtains.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Skater

Recent shot from portrait shoot, his Mum wanted something that was natural and this is what he naturally did! Straight digital ISO 400 @ 250sec.

Monday, August 24, 2009

At A Glance

This was shot using a 90mm shift and tilt lens (my favourite lens) which gives a very narrow depth of field, resulting in one eye being sharp and the other out of focus. I then used smart blur in photoshop and also bleached out the midtones. Original shot on 3200 ISO B/W film and scanned.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sunset layers

Another recent image, I had located this view several days before so it was a matter of waiting until the right night and light appeared and then shooting the picture. Straight digital image slightly cropped to give the panoramic format, shot on 400mm lens .

Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Future in our hands...

An image from a portrait commission of Mother and baby, 35mm 3200 ISO B/W film F8

Twilight Fishing

Twilight is a beautiful time of day to be taking Pictures, especially at this time of year. Digital image ISO 1200 @ f5.6 @ 3 weeks (just joking!).

Classic Beauty

This young lady is what I would term a 'Classic beauty', very natural and unassuming. Using the window light again just seemed to work best and the reflection adds just a touch of mystery. Digital file and I've added a bit of 'Noise' in photoshop just to add to the painterly mood of the image.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Deco fashion 3

Once again the lighting gives the image it's "X" factor. Natural sunlight that just happened... to be where I positioned the model. The use of camera tilt also increases the visual tension within the image. When looking for a location for this wardrobe change I noticed that the curls in the columns would match the curls in the hair, I think it adds another interesting element to the picture.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

baby Sister

Two weeks old! It's such a magical moment in time. Natural daylight through open doorway and the high key styling gives a lovely delicate mood to the image. The big... sisters and brother were a delight to work with. Straight Digital image 1600 ISO F8.

I Spy

Another favorite of mine, great when kids personalities take over, but I had to be quick!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Sweet Reflection

Taken as part of a recent portrait commission. Sometimes it's the simple things that work best, natural window light is wonderful and easy to control. Straight digital file ISO 1600 F5.6 300mm lens.

Fishy

Excercising my imagination, good to play around. Shot this digital and also on film, this is digital version. Will be interesting to compare the results.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Follow the Leader

Spring time,(almost). Full frame 100 ISO B/W negative.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Go faster Dad

Taken last week for a new book project I'm working on. Shot digital, f5.6 @ 60th sec, ISO 50 (to allow me to pan the image and capture the movement). Straight file no manipulation.

Deco fashion 2

Taken inside Hotel foyer, natural light from doorway and tungsten light from Hotels interior really adds to the warm ambience and creates the mood of the Art Deco era.

Dreads

Fashion shoot for hair products company. Lighting the essential ingredient to this image.
Centre model and model on right lit from right hand side, whilst left side model mainly lit from left. Used lots of Gobos (Black cards on light stands), to control direction of lighting. Printed 90% straight from B/W neg only a little burning in in top corners to add a bit more drama.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Flowing Fog

Early morning a great way to start the day, out with a camera and just following my eye. Digital, straight file.

Flights of fancy

There is something wonderful about just wandering around taking images just for fun. A great stress reliever when you just concentrate in the moment and look through the viewfinder.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Speedo Swimmer

What I would call one of my "iconic" images. From a private portrait commission, also photographed him in the usual jeans and tee shirt. As he was a champion young swimmer it seemed appropriate to create an image depicting his determination and success. Printed straight from B/W negative.

Deco Fashion 1

From a series using original vintage clothing, will add more from series in future. Great fun to shoot, one of my most enjoyable assignments, wonderful to see the models transformed. Hasselblad 80mm lens, 100 ASA transparency film.

Balancing Act

Dad and daughter ( this is how held held his daughter! ) from a private commission.Shot on Hasselblad using 150mm lens and 400 B/W film. Printed full frame no image manipulation. I always strive to create final image in camera.

Friday, August 14, 2009

M.I.L.K images

Two of my images 'Boys best friend' and 'Sisters Secret' that have been selected for the worldwide M.I.L.K ( Moments of Intimacy, love and kinship ) publications. 'Boys Best Friend' came from a private commission portrait shoot. I saw Tom and Harry (the dog) playing and the idea for the shot came about when Tom was going for a dive and Harry was in the water, so it needed a bit of direction from me to make the composition work and a lot of talk from Tom to make Harry stay and not jump in!