Classic!

DSC00111, originally uploaded by martinsmith99.

I decided to buy a simple point and shoot with the intention of keeping it with me as much as possible. I'm glad I did when I spotted this bin in Brighton.

Clearly the C was originally a G. Click to read the rest of this post and/or make comments

Gritty Look

This is a technique I use for certain situations. It's mainly done in camera RAW by sliding most of the sliders fully to the right then reducing the saturation.

Start with a slightly cold white balance.
Now set the following sliders
Recovery = 100
Fill Light = 100
Blacks = Drag this slider to the right to taste. Try and get the exposure close
Contrast = 100
Clarity = 100
Vibrance = 100
Saturation = Drag the slider all the way to the left until all the colour is gone, then drag to the right until you get the desired effect (-80 to -85 usually works)
Optional - Add vignette to taste, Open in PS and burn a little

Click to read the rest of this post and/or make comments

Bristol Strobists @ Hotwells Urban Fashion Shoot

Again I got lucky with the weather (not that I'm complaining) and another great group shoot despite one of my flash guns dying of old age overuse. All images lit by bare flash (balance with ambient).

Click the images for bigger sizes (jump to Flickr):

Click to read the rest of this post and/or make comments

A Throwaway Image?

Castle Park, Bristol, originally uploaded by martinsmith99.

This was taken on my way to a training course on a 99p Olympus AF-1 Twin. I bought it as it was weatherproof and handy to put in my pocket when I don't want to carry a bag full of kit.

At the time of posting it is now my most viewed image on Flickr. I still don't see the attraction, but perhaps someone can enlighten me?

Click to read the rest of this post and/or make comments