Snow 18th Jan

Decidian Promo Shoot.

 A few days ago I had my first ever band promo shoot, and I LOVED IT. Although you can tell from my images that I am relatively new to the whole promo shoots photography, I greatly enjoyed it, and learnt a great deal from this experience. 

 This was the first time that I also met most of the boys, they were a great bunch of people and made the stress of this being my first band shoot so much easier.

  I bought an extra speedlite flash and a light stand along with a reflective umbrella for more lighting aids and techniques, these worked so well. Most of the shots I placed the 2 flashes either side of the subject and different heights and angles, I found this to be a trial and error process as there were other light sources such as from the windows and the massive holes in the roof, which as little as the light coming through was, it made a difference.

These are some of the examples of the images produced. You can find the band [Official] Decidian on facebook. 

Depth of field.

When photographing at the Autosport show I found it difficult to photograph the cars on a whole without them being lost within the background, or the surrounding colours etc.
I decided to take the editing a step further to try and see if there was any possible way I could help make the cars stand out, while keeping the image pleasing the the eye, and not losing too much of the original image.

The first image I tried it with was with a plain white car, in a quite simple background, but the main problem I found with this image was how the bar at the front was distracting from the front of the vehicle, which then seemed to shake off the balance of the image.

My plan of action was to see if I could blur out the background to give some depth of field to the image, also especially for the perspective the image was taken in.

I also decided to do it with the above photograph as I found the yellow carpet was taking away from the colour of the car, and the information behind the car seemed to be slightly more eye grabbing than the actual vehicle, if it was an advertisement shot, I would have left the image as it was, but as my images are more about just the cars themselves I wanted to try and bring the car forward more to the viewers eye.


To create this effect I took the following steps:-

1. Using the quick selection tool to highlight the area I wanted to keep in focus.
2. Going to the toolbar to select - Filter - Blur
3. Depending on how much blur you want, adjust as you will.

If you want to do the whole thing completely manual you can always use the blur brush but this is guaranteed to be as clean cut as the method I used.

I'm currently using Photoshop Elements 10 which might ork differently to other programs therefore steps may vary.

Light Trails.

Yesterday was the trade day at Autosport show, on the way home it was getting dark so since I didn't take many photographs at the show itself, I thought i'd take full advantage of the motorway and my camera.

I haven't long had my Nikon D7000 which meant that I hadn't fully figured it out just yet. I've worked with it manually for the waterscapes, with keeping the shutter open longer, but with that I had filters to help. Being at the show I kept my equipment to a minimum as for carrying it around all day, which meant no suitable filter.

For some reason whenever i'm shooting in shutter priority mode, no matter the setting, all I get is a black image. So for these 2 photographs I shot in Aperture priority mode.

The settings were trial and error, as for each shot was different from the amount of light in the photo, amount of cars and as to how dark it was quickly getting.

I really like the above image, for how some of the cars are almost transparent from the movement, and how most cars are still visible but yet the light trails are enough from the car lights and the lights on the motorway. I'd love to try this in daylight with the appropriate filters to see what effect I would achieve.

This photo really stands out to me, I'm dissapointed in the quality, but i'm impressed with the small light trail from the oncoming cars. With having no cars in front or passing it allowed for a different style of image, which to me stands out just as much as the one above. The blur of the surrounding trees/hedges is really effective for how it frames the image, along with the clear lines from the road.
This was definitely a trial and error technique, but with perseverance the right image can be found :)

Autosport International Show 2013.

Yesterday I went to the Autosport International show like last year. It was ideal to meet up with some possible clients for PR and to get some more shots of some of the new car and liveries etc.
Got to the show fairly early which was great cause it allowed us to walk around with not having to worry about all the other people, as there was hardly any!
First call of business was a meeting with a potential client, which helped to stretch out the day. After the meeting we went around the show, and to my disappointment there was less trade stands than last year, and everything that was there was the same!
On the upside, I saw he unveiling of the new 2013 Ford Car and its livery in which Mads Ostberg will be driving:-

I can't say I really like the livery to be honest. I love the design, but it's the colour scheme i'm not to keen on, but this is personal preference, don't hate me! Although Mads Ostberg was perfection on stage aha.

We completed going around the show in a matter of 2 hours, if that. We met people along the way that we knew, and would be working with in 2013 with the British Rally Championship, it was nice to have a catchup and to here some of the new plans and ideas for the championship and everyone.

The Richard Burns stand was my favourite from the entire show. The cars were in pristine condition and were a pleasure to see!

I would consider going to the Autosport show international again, as it's nice to see people and see whats on offer for coming years etc. But much improvement was needed!!

Aled Edwards Logo Design.

Last year I designed a rally logo for Aled Edwards. This was one of the first ever logo commissions i've ever had. At first I was nervous as far as logo design goes, as everyone has different tastes, and with Aled wanting something completely unique, I had to draw up designs from scratch, which in the end made me just as proud of my work!

Recently Aled had the logo put onto an item of clothing, and it was something I was rather over the moon to hear about, it makes me proud to see people who like my work and that my work is used and appreciated and the final piece looks amazing!

Hot shoe flash lighting.

  Since deciding that I wanted to create an equine book, filled with equine portraiture of all styles and concepts, lighting seems to be one of the important aspects that i'm going to need to make sure each image is to the best of quality and stands out tremendously.

Limited to a certain budget my main lighting equipment consists of a hotshoe flash, lighting stand, 1 white umberella and 1 black/silver reflective umberella, along with a wireless trigger set. I am in possession of a soft box but without the correct fixtures I cannot place it onto the light stand.

As Wales has it's typical horrible weather, and I'm a current shortage of models, as my little brother has pretty much gone on strike, I decided to use the house dog.

I needed to experiment with lighting with using the only equipment I had, to be able to understand what placings can create which effects etc.

This was the first photography I took, the flash was relatively close, with the white umbrella attached facing scrappy so it's acting like a softbox.  It did turn out to bright as I have lost some of Scrappy within the photograph i.e his legs, but in a way I quite like how it makes his head and facial features stand out more. There's a sort of sincerity/sympathetic glow to it.

This was the second shot, which as you can already see is a huge improvement. There is a nice visible blur to his feet and the background to help the main part of him (face and features) stand out, and also makes the photograph look less flat. The lighting is just nice here, it seems more balanced and not over exposed. The only issue I find within this photograph is that his nose is more in focus than the rest of his face.

This was my third and most favourite shot. For my taste I think that the lighting is perfect, He stands out in the image, and it looks very three dimensional. Along with his face being all in focus and the front of him being in focus to slowly fading out in a blur further behind him. There also seems to be more of an expression in his face, and I do find that this image just show us his little mischievous character.

Shooting indoors was quite easy and having a set area to work in and a model that co-operated made it all the better.
My next challenge will be to adapt this to people portraiture and shooting outdoors.

Water Landscapes.

  In complete and utter honesty it's very rare that I will produce a landscape shot that I like, and even more so a water landscape shots.

 So I took it upon myself to go out last night and try to photograph some water landscapes using the river that runs alongside the farm, as with all the rain, and using a slow shutter speed and filters, I was bound to get interesting photographs.

  I went outside just after 3 c'clock, as there was a sufficient light, not to much and the sun was starting to go down as I was getting to my location, which gave a nice glow to the area.

These are the two images which I cut down from about 19 I took. I really like the darkness in the images, creates a great atmosphere, specially in the area and with the trees surrounding the river itself.

I was really pleased with how they turned out considering I was only able to use a CPL filter, with not having any ND filters.

I especially like the top image for how the slight tint of colour in the water makes it look so mysterious. The detail of the branches at the side really add to the image showing some definition in contrast to the blur motion from the water.

Overall i'm really really impressed with these images, and I have proved to myself that if I do push my work I will get great results :D

2013.

    So like every year everyone aims to give themselves a new years resolution, I decided that I was going to base my new years resolution around my photography career.
    All through 2012 I was focused on trying to get jobs, then ended up working so many jobs I had no time for myself or my photography. Although I had the great opportunity to work for the BRC (British Rally Championship) which allowed me to travel around the country following motorsport, and being able to photograph all sorts, and meeting drivers and co-drivers.
   I had planned on going to University in September 2013, but the university decided to no longer do the course that I had signed up for. With this, I though it was time i really tried and pushed my photography further and get something out of it. During the end of 2012 I started to photograph for Rhoslefain Equestrian Yard, during their winter events of show-jumping and dressage. I began to get a decent amount of recognition for my works, and I began doing shoots, and selling works.

  So for a new year I bought myself a new camera. The Nikon D7000, and I LOVE IT. It's brilliant, the photographs are so clear and crisp, its given me more motivation in wanting to take pictures and do more and more experimentations and because of this my new years resolutions are :-

1. To be more enthusiastic within my photography.
2. Don't be afraid to try something new.
3. Push myself to produce at least one works a day (bit like a 365 project)
4. Aim to create photographs and effects I have always wanted to.
5. Build up a stronger and wider ranged portfolio.
6. Create and equine photobook.
7. never say never :)

I'm really looking forward to what this year might bring and with how far i'm willing to push myself this time.

I cleared out this blog fro all the old posts, as it's out with the old and in with the new and the better!!

Hope everyone has a great 2013.