Sunday 23 October 2011

Manchester Meander

I popped into town on Saturday and thought I'd take my camera with me as I am slowly learning that a large element of photography is about being in the right place at the right time.


ISO: 200 f/14 1/160

ISO 200 f/18 1/125

ISO 200 f/18 1/125

ISO 200 f/13 1/8

ISO 200 f/13 1/8
I experimented in using the same aperture, ISO and shutter speed settings in different light situations.

I used Silver Efex Pro to edit all the black and white images below, the programme allows you to see the variety in tone that you can achieve in black and white. 

Monday 17 October 2011

Landscape - Otley Chevin

This week's assignment was landscape photography so I decided to pop back over the Pennines to my homeland...Yorkshire.

I took fellow class mate Darren the Pirate's advice and rented a lens from Lens Pimp for the weekend. I have to admit I know NOTHING about lenses, but Adham was answered my email was very helpful and pointed me towards the Canon EF16-35mm f/2.8L II Lens, which is a wide angle lens suitable for landscapes.



Having ordered the lens on Thursday morning it arrived first thing Friday morning and I was ready to start shooting. I'd definitely recommend the service to anyone who wants to try before they buy.

The plan was to get up early on Sunday and catch the sun rising over Otley Chevin...however due to a broken alarm clock I got there just to catch the last of the red sky!








Monday 10 October 2011

Previous portrait work



I didn't get the chance (or find any willing candidates!) to take portraits lastweek so I thought I would share a few previous shots of friends and animals from the summer. 

I'd to like try shooting some portraits this week in black and white, focusing on exposure/contrast.

Helene - Croatia


Jake

Jake

Jake

Emma - Chorlton

Helene - Croatia

Thursday 6 October 2011

Inspiration

On Tuesday night we were asked to start thinking about our themes for our portfolio projects. We need to make a choice of two out of the fives themes that were given, which include portraits, nature and documenting an event.

My first thought was portraits. I'd really love to develop my portrait photography skills and this is a great chance to get started. I've had various ideas which all revolve around the same theme - Natural. I don't want posed airbrushed images, I want to capture the face in a natural expression. Whether this be laughter, sadness, shock, bewildered or even a sneeze...I think photographs that have movement in the face created an added depth to the image.

Inspiration
(I'll keep adding to this post as the week goes on)

John Madden aged 57 - Photo by Michael O'Brien



Part of the underground series - David Solomons

Tate Modern - Matt Stuart

Tuesday 4 October 2011

Monday 3 October 2011

Last of the summer wine

I decided to make the most of the unusually hot weather and take a few snaps close up on Saturday morning. A small DOF creates a beautiful fuzzy background which compliments these close up images below. 

My next purchase will have to be a lens with a bigger zoom...I nearly fell into the bushes trying to snap the bee in the last photo!