Just One Shot

At a group shoot I thought my camera would remain in my bag; we had a number of models no let us down (thanks a bunch!) and quite a few togs.

I did manage to get one (and only one) shot of Hannah, but I was quite pleased with the result; so much so that I processed it two separate ways. Which is best? I can't decide.

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Beach Shoot

This was quite a cold evening so my respect for models: Laura Ruffell, Pritesh Jethwa & Connor McKenzy for donning the rather small outfits and making this shoot possible.  Key lighting was a single strobe fired through a softbox.  I also used a single strobe for fill or back-light in some shots.

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Hearing Aid Battery?

I spotted this whilst in Brean at the weekend. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me so I was limited to using my mobile phone's camera.

I pity the person that tries to use these batteries in their hearing aid.

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Zero Signal

These are from a recent shoot with new band Zero Signal. I used 1 or 2 speedlights in the shots, one in a shoot through umbrella and occasionally a 2nd as rim light. I've also used a slightly different style of processing I've used a bit recently.

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Yet Another Lens Review

As always, a cheap one that performs well, and (shock, horror) an auto focus lens.

May I present the Vivitar 19-35mm (sold under many other brand names but made by Cosina). Users of crop sensor camera probably will have littel use of this lens, but I bought the lens as it works on full frame/35mm cameras and is MUCH lighter than the 24-70mm. It's primary use will be on film cameras and/or urban architecture. It's not bad in the centre wide open and is usable at F5.6. Stopped down to F8 or F11 it works quite well (it only cost £40 with both lens caps and a hood).  Plus, ultra wide lenses can be good for creating perspective distortion.

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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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