Lighting The Way

There's a new photo studio in Beeston that opened earlier this year called The Flour Mill. And yes, you've guessed right, it is based in an old Victorian flour mill.

Sian the owner has done a great job of turning it into a working space for artists. It's one large, light airy room that has been painted white.

I visited the studio for the first time a few months ago to interview Sian for the magazine that I write for, but returned today as the studio was running its first photographic workshop. All about lighting.

There were eight of us in total, and the workshop was led by professional photographer Nick Dunmur. He first went through the main types of lighting. We then split into two groups and practiced what we had learned, using ourselves as models.

This is my version of Steve. I used a bit of side lighting, just to highlight his face and body, but wanted to keep it quite dark, almost mysterious. Just enough information to see who it is, but not why they are there.

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.

Peace And Love

A glorious and sunny evening cycle ride home through Highfields.

Plenty of rowing boats still being enjoyed on the lake. The ice cream van still selling doing a roaring trade from hot students and visitors. Joggers still running, even with the bright sun shining down on them.

Getting towards the other end, I came across two female Asian students posing for photographs being taken by another Asian student. Not with a camera, but with a mobile phone.

So I thought that I would have a go myself. They found it amusing that I would want to take their picture. But we did a little photoshoot, and showed them the results. Which they seemed pleased with.

The girl with the handbag gave me her email address, so that I could send them on to her. Which I have done, as I think it is important to provide photos to people that you have taken their picture of.

I bet when they receive them, they will be excitedly emailing them home to their friends and relations, saying how great things are going in Nottingham and at the university, even if our studies are difficult.

Deutscher Girls

As it was sunny this evening I decided to take a ride through Highfields again.

There was of course several students taking photos and selfies with the cherry blossom.

I noticed these two girls standing on a concrete plinth taking selfies of themselves.  So grabbing my camera, I took a couple of candid shots.

They then noticed me and started to laugh. They hopped down from the plinth and I asked them if they fancied having their photo taken. They agreed, and we did a mini photoshoot under the blossom.

They were German students and asked if I could send them some. Of course I promised. Which I have duly done.

Battered Beauty

I came across some exciting news on Facebook last night. Google was giving away their Nix Collection photo software, which up to now has been on sale for about £90.

So I clicked on the link provided and downloaded the seven module program and merged it to my Lightroom software.

I had a play today to see what each of the different programs did. There's one for reducing noise, one for converting into black & white, etc.  I tried them all on this photo of Carla Monaco. Some worked, some didn't. Here's the treatment that I liked the best.

If you fancy downloading the software yourself, then here's the link Nix Collection

Matt

So where do you think I took this photo of Matt?

Do you want a clue?  Well it's not where you think it is.

Yes, that right, Matt's not posing on some American trailer park, but down at Beeston's marina, where there are a number of permanently sited mobile homes.

Eyes, Whiskers And A Little Pink Nose

Oscar is a very photogenic cat, and he doesn't seem to mind having his photo taken.

Here he is looking all sweet and innocent whilst posing for the camera. In reality he is just sitting patiently for food, like some feline Oliver Twist.

Birthday Boy

Well it's my birthday and 10th wedding anniversary today.

We are on holiday from work, so it's been nice not having to get up early and take that cycle ride to the city centre.

Although I said the other day that was the final photo of Carla Monaco that I was going to show. But I found another that I think is worth showing.

A rather inventive backdrop at CoCo Studios, being a cheap sheet of chipboard that is normally used in the building trade, or for boarding up windows, that has been painted gold.

Moody

My final photo of Carla, from my wonderful shoot with her the other day.

Nothing much else really to say.

The Star Maiden

I had a very enjoyable photoshoot this afternoon with professional model Carla Monaco.
Especially as it was a birthday present from Gail and a friend of ours.

They recently asked me what I wanted for a present. I gave this some thought, and really didn't want the usual DVDs or CDs, and other typical things you get as gifts. But a couple of weeks ago, a local photo studio called CoCo advertised a shoot with this lovely lady. I've always wanted to do a shoot with Carla, ever since seeing some photos of her that had been taken by pro photographer Damien Lovegrove.

So I thought this would be a great opportunity of combining the two things.

She was a dream to work with. Very patient, great posing and just a lovely personality, which I think comes across in my photo.

A Relaxing Time

The annual Light Night festival took place tonight in Nottingham city centre.

I was hopeful that it would be an improvement on last years. There was certainly a lot going on, and it was better than the last one, but for some reason, I didn't find a lot of it exciting.

And also for some unexplained reason, a lot of my shots are in black & white. I have no idea why. Maybe its something to do with the mood I was in.

I began my exploration in the Old Market Square, then walked up to the castle. Being free entry, there was a ginormous queue of people waiting to go in. I thought I couldn't be bothered waiting. so had a stroll down to the Brewhouse Yard area.

On the way back I popped into a gallery for local artists to display their work. I noticed that there were about four artists sketching or painting an oldish man that was posing on a sofa. To add a bit of surrealism, a bowler hat had been suspended near his head.

Not being able to draw or paint, I took his portrait instead.

Wallflower

It's not very often that you see Emma Bladon-Jones without her guitar. But here she is posing with just a wall for company.

Sitting Pretty

I took this shot of  the posing model at the Photography Show last month in Birmingham. So I thought I would see if I could give it a vintage look. The sort of photo that reminds you of Hollywood during the 1940s.

Bridal Shoot

A shot from the photography show that I went to the other day.

This model was posing for a lighting demonstration, so of course, almost everyone was standing facing her. I just thought that I would try it from this angle.

101% Cuteness

This little kitten is one of 15 that I saw on Monday night at a local animal rescue, as I was interviewing one of the carers for an article that I have written for a local magazine.

Of course I had to take some photos of the little ones for the article. And who could resist not taking a shot of this cute little fellow who was resting on top of some shelves, out of the way of all the others.

I understand that he will shortly be leaving for a loving forever home, and I hope that he has a long and happy life.

That Uniform Look

Couldn't help taking a photo or two of these lovely ladies that were waiting at Nottingham Railway Station.

The fact that they were dressed almost the same caught my attention, and the fact that they were standing with identical poses.

Dave

In spite of the disguise, I bet many of you will recognise our musical mate Dave, from the shots that I've taken of him at gigs that he has played at.

We saw him today and invited him round to our studio for a shoot, as he was after a photo or two for a poster that he needs for when he goes to France for the summer.

So he popped round in his genuine 1960's suit from Burton's and his favourite flowery shirt. The hat and goggles he got from our dressing up box.

Melissa

Melissa is a model that we've shot before. A couple of years ago now, but we've not seen her for a good while, as she emigrated to New York to be with her husband and new baby.

She's come back home for a few weeks to catch up with her family and friends. So Gail contacted Melissa and asked her if she fancied doing a bit of modelling and have some photos done of her little boy Jose.

So they both came round in the afternoon and we spent a few hours taking photos of them both, in between nappy changes crying and feeds. And that was just Gail!

Oscar

Our, not so little cat Oscar is so photogenic.  Especially when he strikes a pose, like he did here, while relaxing in his comfy bed.

Gail & I were in the hallway when I noticed him laying in a position that was just crying out to be taken. So I quickly grabbed my camera, which incidentally had the 45mm f1.8 lens already attached, and laid it on the floor.  I took a couple of shots, then edged the camera a bit nearer, as I didn't want to scare Oscar so he runs away.

A couple more clicks, then a little bit nearer, few clicks more and I got the shot I wanted; Oscar posing like a lion or the Sphinx.

Review Of The Year - November & December

November of course included Remembrance Sunday. I hadn't really attended one before, as I usually watch it on TV. So I popped down to see Beeston's version. Obviously nowhere as big as they have in other places, but it was very well attended, and plenty to photograph, including several wreathes to those lost to war.

On a more happier note, December saw Gail and I take some pre-wedding photographs of a nurse that Gail knows called Gemma and her fiancee David. We had a very good afternoon's shoot with them, despite the overcast sky, and they were pleased with the photos that we sent them. Incidentally they are getting married early in the new year. And yes, we will be doing the photography.

I hope you have enjoyed flitting through my photographic year over the past few days. Looking back over the last twelve months, I've been surprised at how many events I've been to and what I've managed to photograph on my Olympus OMD. I've also got better at using Lightroom. Although I don't do a lot to my photographs, unless I really want to and the image is crying out to be drastically altered.

Besides the everyday photography around the streets of Nottingham, I wonder what events, places and people I will get to photograph during 2014? Whatever it will be, I am looking forward to finding out.