Sometimes it's not the obvious

This was taken at an outdoor shoot recently. I really didn't think of using B&W on such a colourful model, but it seemed to work better than the original which I was not so excited about.

Lighting was 2 flash heads on a Triflash holder with an umbrella as key (camera right) and single bare flash camera left set about 1 stop under for fill.
Model: Melaney `Bubblefaery' Carey.

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60' Style Shoot

These were taken last month at a 60's-style shoot. It's been a bit manic lately so I'm a bit behind. The scooters belonged to the Bristol Scooter club. Rge models were Helen Drew and Cerise Banwell.

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Daylight Fireworks @ Louisiana, Bristol

Once again I had the pleasure of shooting indie band Daylight Fireworks where they headlined at the Louisiana.



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Daylight Fireworks

I had an idea for a location for a band shoot, using the remains of the Aust ferry port, the Severn Crossing and surrounding beach for a band shoot for indie group the Daylight Fireworks. Once again the weather was in my favour, but the lighting was really harsh and challenging for my poor strobes. I was forced to used two bare strobes on a Triflash holder for key. Some later shots had a 2nd flash as fill or back light.

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Amazing Colours

I'm sure that before I took up photography a few years ago, I walked around with my eyes shut.

A Sunday afternoon and a couple of hours around Bristol harbour and I was like a tourist with an itchy shutter finger. Keeping it to one theme here's a few that feature a liberal splash of colour.

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All we are saying, is give PEAS a chance!

I spotted this roadworks sign in South Glos; the locals had used plastic cups to write "peace" onto the barriers in a protest about HGVs using the road.  Some `wag ' had amended their notice. Ironically the HGVs are from a well-known supermarket.

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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.

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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

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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).

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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?

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