| 08.02.2010 | 14:47 GMT | Surfers in the sun |
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| Sometimes you wait for people to arrive and they are late. It's one of those things that happens in life and it seems to happen a lot when you are a working photographer. There's no sense in getting angry or upset (even when it could be costing you money). I always feel that you have two or three options: check your kit again, have a quick look at Twitter or Facebook on your mobile phone or shoot some stock pictures. Last Saturday I was photographing an aspiring politician on the beach and while I was waiting the sun came out and the surfers were getting pretty active. I only shot twenty or so frames but I hope that one or two might make me enough cash over the next few years as stock images to make the wait worthwhile! |
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| 29.01.2010 | 11:40 GMT | The iPad |
The world and his wife have already posted about the new Apple wonder product - the iPad and I'm not going to add to the anal analysis of it's features, it's shortcomings and it's triumphs. What I do want to do is to talk about how I see myself relating to it and what impact it might have on my professional life. In short, is it going to herald a new phase in my career...
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| 20.01.2010 | 11:33 GMT | NPAC Conference in Toronto |
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| Exciting news... I've been invited to be a speaker at Photojournalism 2010, the annual convention of the News Photographers Association of Canada. This years event will be taking place in Toronto from the 23rd of April and I am really looking forward to being there and meeting a lot of Canadian colleagues. I will be doing a session on creative location lighting as well as some portfolio reviews and a whole lot of socialising. If you are going to be there, please come and say hello... |
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| 20.01.2010 | 11:18 GMT | Photography Monthly... again... |
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Following hot on the heels of the piece that I wrote for Photography Monthly magazine in November I have just done a second creative lighting piece. This one is called "Man At Work" and it is about a young plasterer going about his job. The idea behind this self-set brief was to re-visit one of the most difficult things to shoot well - someone doing their job in dirty, cramped and camera-unfriendly conditions. Many years ago I photograhed a plasterer in black and white and had to be very creative with light to make pictures of a man covered in brown dirt against a brown background with brown dust in the air work. This time I was determined to make the action shots work along with some athmospheric location portraits.
The magazine lent me a new toy to play with as well - the Light Panel Micro Pro, which is a very interesting LED light mainly used for video. I tried to use it for some of the shots on this job as a test of its usefulness for stills photography. You are going to have to wait for the magazine in early February to find out exactly what I thought but, as a taster, the portrait above was made with it. |
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| 20.01.2010 | 11:00 GMT | Bad weather and batteries |
| OK, so I forgot to post and say "happy new year". I'm trying to make my blog posts count and my new year's blog resolution is to be "relevant, regular and interesting". The first thing that I want to do is to heap praise on the batteries used in the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra system. The weather in the UK over Christmas was pretty cold and in Perthshire, where we spent Christmas, it was very cold indeed. I had my Ranger Quarda kit in the car boot for well over a week of sub-zero temperatures and the batteries still worked perfectly. The same cannot be said for the Quantum turbo that was also there. I know that this might seem a small point to most of you but the ability of batteries to keep their charge in cold weather is a big selling point for professional gear. Obviously this wasn't a scientifically controlled experiment but I am really pleased to know that the gear seems to have this very welcome durability. |
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| 21.12.2009 | 12:52 GMT | Merry Christmas |
I just wanted to say merry Christmas to everyone who has taken the time to read some of this blog over the last twelve months. It's been a tough time for photographers and we have all been affected by the downturn in the world economy and the problems in the publishing industry. Who knows where we will all be in twelve months time - I'm looking at a few new ideas to grow my freelance career and the article in Photography Monthly magazine's January issue is one of them. I'd like to say that I don't miss working for newspapers, but I do. It's been several months since I've done a commission for a paper and that makes me sad. On the up side I love the way that magazines use pictures and that helps to compensate for the lack of newspaper work.
Earlier in the year I did a video editing course and, apart from one two minute segment in a corporate video, I haven't had to use my newfound skills in anger yet. I hope that 2010 brings some new clients, some new challenges and even some new income sources! I'm off for a well-earned (?) break with the family and so I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. I hope that all of your Christmas pictures are keepers and that Santa brings you all of the toys you wanted - just as long as you've been good. |
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| 21.12.2009 | 12:48 GMT | Photography Monthly magazine |
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A few months ago I was contacted by Photography Monthly magazine and asked if I wanted to join their team of "Masters" to contribute some technique examples to their re-vamped publication. Of course I said "yes" and then promptly forgot all about it until the deputy editor rang me and asked for my first contribution. This was about a month before the deadline and I hatched a plan to do a picture that I had been thinking of for quite a while.
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| 11.12.2009 | 09:23 GMT | Magical camera and lens combinations |
For no apparent reason certain combinations of camera bodies and lenses have a magical element when combined. When I first started getting serious about photography my favourite combo was the Olympus OM1 body with the Zuiko 100mm f2.8 lens. There was a certain quality to the pictures that I made with this outfit (usually shooting wide open) that made me smile and that made it into my earliest portfolio. There have been many other pairings that have had the same effect on me and my work over the years and, as a quick jaunt down memory lane, here are a few of them:
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| 07.12.2009 | 15:57 GMT | Test shooting |
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Advertising photographers have a long a virtuous tradition of doing test shoots so that their folios are full of images that they really like rather than those that someone else has asked them to do. Things were looking a bit quiet a couple of weeks back when a former colleague contacted me through Linkedin to ask if I would do some head shots for him. I was happy to oblige and we did a deal were I got to shoot some pictures that I might want to use and he got his head shots a lot cheaper than he would otherwise have done.
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| 07.12.2009 | 12:47 GMT | Canon EOS7D - my thoughts so far |
About two weeks ago I bought a Canon EOS7D body. I'd been to the launch and knew that I liked the idea of the 7D and I needed to get another camera to supplement the pair of EOS5D MkIIs that I was already using. Jacobs were offering a good deal on the 7D and so I picked one up from their New Oxford Street store. This isn't going to be an in-depth review - as I always say, other people do that far better than me and the information at DP Review is hard to beat. These are my impressions of the camera having used it on real jobs and shooting pictures of friends and family over the last ten days. I am used to using quite a few different Canon digital SLRs and I am going to confine my comparisons to the 5D MkII and the 50D which appear either side of the 7D in Canon's line-up.
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| 16.11.2009 | 12:44 GMT | The Digital Journalist |
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| The Digital Journalist website has been on line for longer than I have been using the internet. From my first attempt at surfuing the web in pursuit of good information about the industry that I love and work in I have had the site bookmarked. It has showcased amazing work, hosted inbformed contributions from those that know about how the world we work in is changing and has sponsored workshops in multimedia storytelling. Their principal sponsor has recently withdrawn and brought forward a re-organisation of the site. Bluntly, they need money to do it. This is a website worth giving money to and I'd love readers of this website to go along and contribute. |
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| 16.11.2009 | 12:35 GMT | More about teaching |
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Quite a few of my recent blog posts have been about the seminars, workshops and other teaching that I have been doing. I have worked with individual photographers, small groups and up to twenty students at a time but the one thing that all of these sessions have in common is that they make me analyse how I do things and they remind me of the basics. I was asked by two photographers to do a half day session on light-metering and, as part of my preparation for it I dug out an old (and very much loved) Sekonic flash and ambient meter (an L328 for those who need to know the details, no longer available but the 308 is very similar and still on sale) and I enjoyed using it so much that it has regained a place in my day to day working kit.
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| 22.10.2009 | 20:15 BST | My kit wishlist |
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I was watching televisions just now and the commercial break was full of Christmas adverts. One of them featured a child making a "wish list" to send to Santa Claus with a long list of toys that they would like to see under their tree on December 25th. This made me think about my photo equipment wish list - Santa, now is the time to read my blog!
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| 15.10.2990 | 14:24 BST | I finally joined Twitter... |
| I have been putting it off for a few months but I have finally got myself a Twitter account and I hope that some of you will enjoy following the irregular snippets that I intend to post. More importantly, The BPPA also has a Twitter account which is there to keep anyone interested in UK news photography up to date with what's happening. |
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| 08.10.2009 | 14:19 BST | A favourite technique page revisited |
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Whilst preparing for a lecture the other day I was going through some old technique pages trying to find a new way to say some old things. Like most photographers I have favourite images and unlike most I have images that are very useful as teaching tools. I like this picture very much simply because it helps me make a number of useful points and allows me to ask those attending the seminar questions about how they might have approached the same situation. I decided to reproduce it here so that it gets another airing.
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| 08.10.2009 | 14:16 BST | Self-critique |
One of the best things about studying photography at college was having so many of your peers around to help critique your work on a daily basis. It often hurt at the time and more than once I decided to ignore the advice of my friends and forge ahead with my own style. After college there was always the darkroom or the lab where you would talk to other photographers and get some feedback on what you were doing. Then there were a few years when we were hand processing film wherever we happened to be and scanning it, quickly followed by the early digital era. That brief period between the darkroom and the almost universal uptake of the internet and adoption of digital was a tough time for those of us who liked to talk about our work with other photographers.
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| 07.10.2009 | 13:03 BST | Teaching and learning - one-to-one |
I have always enjoyed doing a few seminars here and there and visiting colleges to teach students about how professional photography works but, since I went freelance in August 2008, I have now done a few one-to-one sessions with other photographers and this has to be the most fulfilling way to teach that there is. The way that you can target specific needs and take the time to make sure that they understand what you are saying is great. With a group you can get a good idea how the lesson is going but with just one person it's better. The best thing of all about working this way is that it helps you to think about exactly how you work yourself in a far more focused way and, by acting as a teacher, you really help yourself too.
I wrote earlier in the year about going to get some one-to-one training on video editing using Final Cut Express and I am convinced that I learned way more in one day with a good teacher all to myself than I would have done in two or three as part of a group. |
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| 16.09.2009 | 10:31 BST | The nightmare of shooting PR in an editorial style |
Many moons ago I wrote an opinion piece about the relationship between the photographer, their subject and their client. The basic idea was that I preferred to work for newspapers and magazines where I was being paid by and had to impress them rather than being paid by and having to impress the person in front of the camera. Editorial photography usually has three parties and it's a great way to create good images.
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| 03.09.2009 | 15:48 BST | New Photofusion course date |
I promised to keep everyone informed about when my next location lighting workshop at Photofusion is and I have just agreed with them to do it on Saturday, October 31st. This will be after the end of British Summer Time which should mean that by the end of the day we will have some interesting evening light to contend and play with. For more information and to book go to Photofusion's website. |
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| 03.09.2009 | 10:52 BST | Hands on with the Canon EOS7D |
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I can't remember what my colleague Dillon Bryden said to make me laugh here but we were conscious of the queue of people waiting to have a play with the new kit whilst we were having our own, impromptu, photo session. New cameras don't often make me laugh. I'm grateful to Canon UK for kindly inviting me and a couple of colleagues along with a number of other guests to see their new kit and get a brief "hands-on" with it. The star of the show was the new EOS7D body but there were also cameo appearances by the S90 and G11 compacts and the new lenses were also there, led by the much anticipated 100mm f2.8L IS Macro.
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| 25.08.2009 | 16:10 BST | I want one of those |
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| When I write the newsletter that goes with this pre-blog I usually add a few bits that don't go on the website. It's a blatant attempt to get people to subscribe and it sort of works. This time I found myself wandering off into a wish list of new bits of gear that I'd quite like and the more I think about it, the more I would love to get one of the new Canon G11 compacts when they come out in a couple of months. I have a G9 already and I used to have various previous G series cameras, many of which had a swivel LCD screen. I have always liked the idea of swivel LCDs and the re-introduction of them on the G11 gets a thumbs-up from me. The most impressive idea on the G11 is that they have reduced the pixel count so that the low light capabilities of the camera should be better and I'm really going to want one. If that's not enough, I am also interested to see if Apple are going to get their much rumoured mini-tablet onto the market. I have no idea if it will be suitable for processing and sending pictures but I still have the feeling that the old "gadget envy" will overcome me! |
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| 25.08.2009 | 09:55 BST | Photofusion workshop |
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I had a great day out at Photofusion in Brixton this weekend, working with eight photographers on a location lighting workshop. I have lead quite a few of these kind of sessions over the years but yesterday was definitely one of the most enjoyable. Photofusion is a wonderful resource for photographers and their courses have an enviable reputation. The great thing about location lighting in the UK is that you can never rely on the weather doing what you want it to...
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| 24.08.2009 | 18:33 BST | Dusk pictures |
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| Anyone who knows me or who has ever looked at my folio will know just how much I like being by the sea and that the beach is my single favourite location. I'm a lucky guy and I live on the south coast of England - in the same town in which I was born, Unimaginative, I know - but it's a great place to live and take pictures. Shooting portraits against the background of a mean and moody sky at dusk is one of my favourite things to do and shooting those skies without people is almost as much of a joy. |
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| 05.08.2009 | 11:40 BST | Headley Court |
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When I left the staff at The Times Educational Supplement last year I imagined that I would spend very little time doing news photography, let alone real documentary photography and photojournalism. I am delighted to say that my imagination failed me and I have shot quite a few stories for news and specialist magazines that have taken me to some of those places that make doing my job as much a privilege as it is a vocation. Headley Court in Surrey is one such place.
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| 31.07.2009 | 12:18 BST | Opinion round up |
Since the pre-blog was born I have written and/or updated 23 essays. Some are shorter than others and some are more opinionated than others but I hope that they have all made an impact on at least one reader - each! I thought that I'd do a quick round up of them to save readers the bother of trawling through the whole site to find them!
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| 22.07.2009 | 12:16 BST | Speed ring fix for Elinchrom Ranger Quadra |
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Getting used to new equipment is something that I both love and hate in equal proportions. My Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit has now become part of my day-to-day kit but I have to work without the option of a soft box for a while whilst waiting for someone to produce either a speed ring or an adapter that makes sense both practically and economically. I was looking through some old accessories trying to see if I could cobble something together when I found an old Photoflex speed ring.
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| 20.07.2009 | 16:03 BST | Five people that I will never forget |
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I suspect that most professional photographers keep a pool of pictures that they use for promotional, exhibition and portfolio purposes. I have always had a folder full of my favourites and now that I am freelance one of my regular tasks is to update it. The death this week of Mr Henry Allingham who was, at the age of 113, the oldest surviving veteran of the First World War made me go through and think about some of the people that I have had the honour of meeting and photographing.
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16.07.2009 | 10:55 BST | Location lighting course at Photofusion in London |
I'm going to be teaching a location lighting course with Photofusion. It's a one day course, limited to eight people and I will be covering some basic thought processes, talking about keeping the brief right at the front of your thoughts and working out exactly how to use several key techniques to make the kind of people photos on location that this website talks about.
Their own website says the following about Photofusion:
Photofusion is London's largest independent photography resource centre. We offer a wide range of work and services, providing access to a full range of facilities including contemporary gallery space, darkrooms, studio, digital imaging training, picture library, agency and ongoing photo-art education programme for professional, student and amateur photographers. Situated in the vibrant heart of Brixton, Photofusion's photo-digital facilities continue to draw visitors into an exciting and rapidly changing area. As Brixton's most prestigious gallery space, our exhibitions alone are expected this year to attract 30,000 visitors.
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16.07.2009 | 10:35 BST | Go and see the Press Photographers' Year exhibition |
On Monday the Press Photographers' Year exhibition officially opened at the Royal National Theatre in London. There was a short prize giving in the Lyttleton Theatre and then we all had a chance to look at the show on the walls of the Lyttleton Foyer. The work is of the highest quality and the variety of styles and genres on the walls is amazing. If you live in London, can easily get to London or are going to be passing through Monday to Saturday between now and the end of August I would advise you to make time and go and see the exhibition. I have been around the show three times now and my favourites change each time. Watch out for Abbie Trayler-Smith's winning multimedia entry and the rolling slide show of the 2008 Olympic images. |
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| 08.07.2009 | 11:47 BST | Sticks and stones may cause lasting damage to your profession |
One by one I have been resurrecting and re-writing some of the opinion pieces that I wrote on the original dg28 site between 2000 and 2007. Looking back through the list a piece about slang terms for photographers caught my eye and so I thought that I'd dust it off, spell check it and give it a 2009 outing. The sad thing is that nothing much has changed...
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| 30.06.2009 | 12:43 BST | Speech about the future of press photography |
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About ten days ago I was one of the speakers at a very interesting event organised by Redeye, Chetham's Library and The University of Bolton. The event was entitled as the First UK Symposium on Photography, was held at Chetham's in Manchester and had a strong cast list of speakers - especially from the news and editorial sector of our industry. My small part was as one of two panelists in a discussion about press photography in the UK. My colleague Pete Jenkins led off with an honest and sobering resume of the changes in the industry over the last twenty or so years and then it was my turn.
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| 27.06.2009 | 14:09 BST | Big space, one light |
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It's very useful to be able to kill two birds with one stone - especially when you have a limited amount of time. I have been very busy this month and blogging time has ben limited. I had intended to carry on my review of the ERQ and maybe post a new technique piece as well. I was sent on a job the other day that allows me to do both.
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| 16.06.2009 | 12:49 BST | Ranger Quadra part II |
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It's a bit of a weird way to do a review but here is another bit of the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra (ERQ) review. Rather frustratingly, most of the images that I'm doing with the new kit are for clients who would rather I didn't show the world the pictures before they get a chance to publish them. Most of the magazines that I'm currently working for have a one or two month lead time and that means a long wait to show off those pictures.
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15.06.2009 | 19:45 BST | The Press Photographers' Year
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A couple of months ago my colleague Dillon Bryden called me and asked if I would be a member of the Jury judging the news sections of this year's Press Photographers' Year competition. I have judged competitions before and was very nervous about getting involved. Passions run high. Arguments between judges are often heated and I'm not good at confrontation. Despite my very strong reservations I said "yes" and found myself in a room with my four fellow jurors on a Tuesday morning at the beginning of June. My fellow jurors were Brian Harris, Roger Hutchings, Terry Richards and Homer Sykes - all superb photographers and all heroes of mine.
We had several categories to get through in one day and the PPY team worked amazingly hard to put slide shows and hard copies in front of us - in between breakfast, lunch and dinner. We looked, we discussed, we argued, we fell out and made up and we made a lot of decisions. Few were unanimous but all were eventually supported by the jury. The results get published once the sports jury have done their work and we have all voted on an overall best picture.
Being a jury member is, without doubt, an honour. It is also a responsibility and it's something that I wouldn't want to do too often. I am really looking forward to the exhibition at the Royal National Theatre in London and I would strongly recommend that you get down there if you are in the UK.
British press photography is very strong. The standard of the images across the board was high and the great sadness is that there isn't enough room in our newspapers and magazines or on the walls of the Royal National Theatre to show off the work. I'd like to offer my congratulations those who took the winning pictures (even if they don't know who they are yet). To those whose photographs weren't chosen all I can say is that there was an amazing choice and that I really enjoyed seeing your work. |
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15.06.2009 | 18:35 BST | Brutal architecture and portraits
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I have an admission to make... I love shooting portraits on cloudy days around concrete buildings with urban skylines. There, I've said it. As a photographer I find brutal architecture and grey winter days both challenging and creatively stimulating. Combine the two and you have a blank canvas for interesting images - as long as you have a cooperative subject.
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| 05.06.2009 | 17:40 BST | Elinchrom Ranger Quadra mini-review part one... |
I posted the news on this blog couple of weeks ago that I had finally got my hands on the new Elinchrom Ranger Quadra kit and that I'd get around to doing a mini review soon. It's been really frustrating that all of the jobs that I have done with it have been for clients that want exclusivity on the images until well after they have used them. Because of this, I'm having to restrict myself to generalising about the kit rather than actually showing images. Did I mention that this is frustrating!
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