Blowing In The Wind

Due to me not taking any pictures today, I've been looking through my archives for a photo that I can pop on for today.  I came across this one, which I took last month in St Ives, Cornwall.

I actually took it whilst we were up at the little chapel on the hill for the renewal of our good friends Stewart and Julie's wedding vows. I've no idea who she was. She wasn't a guest, she was just sitting on the wall looking out to sea, or watching what we were doing. So of course I just had to take a candid shot or two.

This one came out the best, with her hair blowing madly in the breeze off the sea. I was going to say hello to her, but I was required for the group photos, and so by the time we had done, she had sadly gone.

Melissa

Gail and I went to a local studio last night for a shoot. We weren't sure of the name of the model we would have to work with for the evening. But we were happy to find out that we had a very lovely young lady called Melissa waiting for us.

Melissa gets her dark looks from having an Indian father and great bone structure from her German mother. And what a stunning combination. Melissa also has a very nice personality and was a pleasure to work with.

She changed into three outfits for us. But I really like the mix of white shirt and her fantastic glossy black hair. Hope you like it too.

Running For Dear Life

The Robin Hood Half Marathon took place this morning across some streets in Nottingham. I went to catch the action just before the runners went round Highfields and back to Trent Bridge.

The more taxing 26 mile marathon had been cancelled by the organisers earlier in the year due to the large amount of roadworks that are taking place at the moment and the worries over runners' safety.

Over 8000 runners of all abilities took part, including those in wheelchairs. Quite a few had dressed up for the occasion, which is what I was essentially looking out for. So I was pleased to spot these two Supergirls running together.

Obviously the best of friends. I like the way that they are almost mirroring each other with the way that their long hair is wafting about in the same direction, their hands are almost in the same position and they are both in the same running position.

I don't know if they are running to raise money for a charity. But many did, and so I hope they all raised a good deal for their particular cause.

Making An Exhibition Of Oneself

Yes, it's Wednesday again and so that only means one thing; the Headbanger Challenge.

Stewart has dreamt up this week's theme of "a photograph that you'd like to see in an exhibition." Stewart's thought of this theme, as he will be staging one himself in a few weeks in his hometown of Grantham.

Now I like taking all kinds of photos, but I especially like street, or social photography and models; or glamour as it used to be called.

I think social photography is important, as it records the general public going about their daily lives, or can highlight important issues like homelessness or poverty. It's also very hard to do. I have a couple of friends, curiously both called Steve who are very good at it, and seem to be able to spot things before they happen.

Incidentally, today marks the birthday of probably the best photo-journalist that there's been so far and that's Henri Cartier-Bresson. What he managed to capture with his Leica is amazing. Other well known snappers include Bill Brandt, Robert Capa and Vivian Maier; who has only just become well known, some three years after her death.

As much as I enjoy hunting the streets of Nottingham for photos, I find it very difficult and often miss shots due to being too slow or too nervous. Sometimes I do bag a good one, such as the one in my header, which shows a couple of possible homeless guys juxtaposed with people enjoying their lunches in the sunshine outside the Playhouse.

Do pop over and see how the rest of the gang, including our newest member Richard (welcome Richard) have interpreted the theme, and do enjoy this short documentary about Vivian Maier.

As I mentioned previously, I also enjoy taking photos of female models, and Gail and I have done a few short courses together about how to do it. It's been a very interesting education and like to think that I have taken some reasonable pictures, like this one of a local model called Oona, who I had the pleasure of shooting a few weeks ago here in Beeston. There is obviously so much more to learn. Not just about getting the model to pose well, but thinking about the poses and how to light the scene. We have booked a Groupon course that will hopefully show us how to do this.