Crap Car For Sale

These were taken at an Italian car show in Bristol. The strange thing is that the cars either side were completely untouched and all arrived that morning.

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Finally, Some Improvement

I've dipped in and out of modelling photography a few times, but since May 2010 I have been doing this as a priority.  Helping me do this are the great models, make-up artists and photographers of a Flickr group I set up in September called 'Bristol & South West Modelling Photography' (we're also now on Facebook & Twitter).

The following are a few shots that I feel are my best images of each month so far this year.

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March (Model: Laura Ruffell)


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Who Needs A Light Meter?

This was just a test shot to see how the lighting was looking. I bounced 2x Yongnuo 560s off the wall behind me, both set on 1/4 power; given the distance to the model I estimated that that would give me F5.6. Here's the result which has had no adjustment to the exposure.

I think I've been doing this too long. :)

Model: Laura Ruffell http://www.lauraruffell.com/

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Hotwells Urban B&W Film Shots

It's been a while since I shot any film and I have a few cameras to test. These were all taken at the end of February on a day which started out cloudy with some rain, but turned into a warm, spring-like day.

I've been meaning to get some shots of the Clifton Rock Railway as well as some of the other sights that I have missed around the Hotwells area of Bristol.

All taken with a Canon EOS 50 loaded with Ilford HP5+ film developed at home.

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Modelling Shoot with Kate

These were taken with with new model Kate Davies. I used a few of lenses for the shoot, but my favourites were taken mainly with an old Meyer Trioplan 100mm and these are featured below.

In the 1st photo, I was surprised that a lens of such basic design and lacking the modern coating did such a good job when pointing into the harsh afternoon sun. I think some of my modern lenses would have let me down.

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Modelling Shoot - Lorena

These were taken at a recent shoot.  It was supposed to be an experimental lighting workshop, but as all I had available to me was my usual lighting rig which I know inside out, there didn't seem much to experiment with.  Plus, I was trying to demonstrate to my co-photog my usual go-to setup which is used throughout.

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Camera & Lens: Canon 5D mkii and Canon 70-200 F4 L
Keylight: Softbox 45 degrees camera right
Fill: Umbrella slight camera left
Backdrop lit by 2 flashes


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More Portraiture & Lighting Techniques

These were taken at a recent event and feature a few techniques that some may wish to explore.  The 1st two images I used an umbrella with 2x flashes as key light and a bare flash directly behind the model which gives a hard rim light and also illuminates the rain.

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Model: Ozy Hussain



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Urban Night Shots

Just some shots I took around Bristol Centre and harbour before the festive period.

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Merry Xmas!

It's been a busy time and not much time on the blog, but just to wish you all a Merry Christmas from me, MS-Imaging & Bristol & South West Modelling Photography!

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Strobist B&W Film Shoot

This was an event in November. The weather was about to change for the worst, but the models managed to brave the elements. I shot 2 rolls of film in 2 different cameras (to save time). I did have a 3rd roll of film ready, but everyone had had enough of the cold and I wasn't sure I'd be able to load another roll as I couldn't feel my fingers.

I was keen to combine off-camera flash, modelling photography along with film. I did pack a light meter, but I didn't use it. I simply used the cameras' meters and set them to under expose the scene by 1 stop and then used the auto mode on the flash to give me the correct exposure. I then developed the film in such a way to give a lower contrast to avoid harshness.

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