After the last two studio sessions I decided to try some other backgrounds on two of the images that I had taken in the studio.
I used Topaz Remask to cut the models out from the backgrounds. I liked the idea of using Urban Grunge type backgrounds. I think it works but would like to know what you think?
Well following a successful shoot with Deepi from Beauty Replublic with a great model Emily we decided to work together again with another great model Elaria.
Elaria
Again I was mainly using my Bowens Gemini lights. In this shoot I used a large Octobox for the main light and then used a large StripBox for the fill light.
Elaria
I tried a few close ups as Deepi needed them for her portfolio. I have to say that the make-up was really superb .
Elaria
Finally a slightly different take on things.
Please give us your feed back.
Recently I have made an effort to get back in the studio.
I was contacted through Model Mayhem by a fantastic make up artist by the name of Deepi from Beauty Republic .
She suggested that we cooperate on some ideas we both had. Deepi wanted to try some different make up techniques so we booked a couple of sessions in the studio.
The first was with a great Model by the name of Emily Napier. Emily was such a joy to photograph and was really great at posing and moving.
I was using the usual Bowens Gemini lights with a black vinyl backdrop. My main light was using a 4ft Octobox which gives great catchlights in the eyes.
The first shot was a close up of a fish that Deepi and painted over her eye on one side of her face.
Here you can see an incredible Fish that Deepi has drawn on Emily’s face.
Another view this time with a 3/4 length shot.
Then we did another style. This time with a slightly retro feel about it:-
Still with the same look I wanted to try another lighting style. This time I used a snooted light from behind Emily with a mirror reflecting the light back into her face. I masked the mirror to form a slit so that it gave a type of letterbox style to the light.
This time the light was reflected into her face from a mirror which had been masked to form a letterbox look
Finally we ventured out of the studio into my garden to take some shots outside and luckily the weather was fair.
Outside this time using natural light
Again outside using natural light.
Back in December last year I had a go at creating some 50’s Hollywood shots and whilst I was quite pleased, I found that I hadn’t got the lighting quite right. So recently I decided that I would have another go. This time I paid much more attention to ensuring my metering was correct and NOT “chimping” on the back of the camera.
Again I was using my Bowens Gemini lights and used a number of different modifiers from Snoots to Barn Doors or simple hard reflectors. The key to getting the effect I found was to try and get a hard transition between the highlights and the shadows.
This time we had a new Hair Stylist who is the daughter of a friend of mine. I have to to say she was terrific and want to say a special Thank You to her. So thank you again Kate Healy you are a superstar!
Also a special thank you to my two models Holly & Emma!
Trying to recreate a 50’s Hollywood shot
Another interpretation of a Hollywood look
Anyway I have posted a couple of ones that I felt worked.
Let me know what you think.
I had been looking forward to this wedding for the fantastic location that the Bride & Groom had chosen for their reception. It was held at a fantastic hotel called The Elevetham in Hartney Witney.
The grounds at this venue are truly magnificent and the bride Nicola was really keen to get as many pictures in them as possible. Sadly as you all now know Friday was a terrible day with persistent rain all day.
In the grounds of Elevetham Hotel
The Elevetham Hotel
This didn’t stop it being a wonderful day though and both Nicola & Matt were up for venturing out in the rain to try and capture some great images.
The Newly Weds – Mr & Mrs Cunningham
Mr & Mrs Cunningham – Now off to the Party!
With the rain continuing to fall we explored the grand rooms of the hotel!
Matt I think this is the Fireplace for us?
8:30pm and at last the rain stopped falling and we ventured out into the gardens, however the light was so bad that I thought we might as well try and be a bit creative with a number of Speedlights.
I think it worked but would be glad to hear what you say?
Playing with Speedlights in the Elevetham Gardens
However the light was disappearing fast so just time for just one more;-
Matt & Nicola Cunningham
Kingfisher
Really excited at the moment as one of my images (shown above) has been nominated for The Societies Nature Photographer of the Year award. The awards will be announced on Saturday evening at the Societies Convention Dinner which sadly I am unable to attend. So fingers crossed!!!
For some while now I had been wanting to try and shoot a Studio Session using the same kind of lighting techniques that was used in the 50’s for Hollywood Style Fashion Studio’s. They used very hard lighting with very short shadow transitions. I had seen some old images in an old Picturegoer magazine and I have tried to recreate the poses and lighting styles that was actually used then. I have to say I found it a lot harder than I had thought.
A selection of images from the day.
Hollywood Style Lighting showing hard shadow transitions
I was recently asked if I would like to photograph a local band by the name of Isles at Jagz in Ascot.
Never having tried live music photography before I jumped at the chance. I took my Canon 1D MK1V with me rather than the 5D as I knew that I would need to use high ISO, particularly as I would be shooting with available light. I threw a number of lens into the bag, a 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.8, 24-105mm f4 and a 70-200mm f2.8 but stupidly I forgot my wide angle 16-35mm f2.8 which was a big mistake.
I liked the idea of giving a retro feel to the shoot and wanted to try some funky angles and treatments to the finished images. All the images were finished using Lightroom 3 and I have used a number of their preset treatments like antique light. I think if I had had the wide angle lens I could have got more extreme perspective. Oh well next time maybe.
Any feedback greatly appreciated.
Katrina & George Cristy at the Norton House Hotel
Had a fabulous day today photographing Katrina Cristy & Jamie Fraser’s wedding in Edinburgh. What started as a miserable wet day turned out to be a really sunny day which made exposure a nightmare. They are a lovely couple as were the whole of their family. The wedding reception was held at the “Signet Library” in the middle of Edinburgh , a truly great location.
Mr & Mrs Jamie Fraser on the staircase at the Signet Library
Katrina & Jamie being piped into the Signet Library
Skomer Puffin
For the forth year I am back in Skomer again. It is a truly wild but beautiful place. Sadly the weather has not been so good this time but once again the birds are just great. Managed to see a number of Little Owl’s as well as a few Short Eared Owls. For the first time ever I saw a Common Buzzard flying over the sea. Poor thing was being mobbed by gulls and Jackdaws. With over 60,000 puffins currently on the island taking pictures of them is not that difficult except when they are in flight.