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.

(Clicking the images will take you to my Flickr pages)

Here is the full size original:

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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.

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

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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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The Daylight Fireworks @ The Fleece & Firkin

After meeting up with Iain Gorrie the guitarist for Indie rock band, the Daylight Fireworks at Bristol Strobist group shoot, I asked if they needed a photographer for promo or live events. I really do get a buzz from these shoots. He was quite keen on having some photos done at an event at the Fleece & Firkin in Bristol where they were the 2nd band on out of 4.

Looking at the varnished wooden ceiling my plan of bouncing the flash was not going to happen and no off camera flash (for obvious reasons) meant on-camera only.

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Bristol Strobists' Group Shoot 7 Aug at Clevedon Beach

This was another successful Strobist group shoot.  Despite the weather being awful all week and even raining whilst making the 20 minute car journey.  As we arrived at Clevedon, we were greeted by clear blue sky.  I really think I've pushed my luck as far as it will go now.

Anyway, the 1st pic and this was probably the best of mine on the night was of Aimee Tipps.  The sun was setting so I used a Vivitar 285HV with an orange gel for the hairlight (though this photo has been 80% desaturated & sepia filter added) and 2 Nikon SB-28s (on triflash holder) for key.  Though the sunset was good, I kept the shutter speed fairly high as I was using a 135mm Canon prime, rendering it almost black.

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Bristol Stobists Group Shoot @ Mangotsfield Train Station

These are a few shots from our recent goup shoot at Mangotsfield Train Station.  There's not much reamining of the old station except for a couple of walls and a platform.  The windows make great backdrops (especially when lit with coloured gels).

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The Laughing Swan

Laughing Swan, originally uploaded by martinsmith99.

I'm not sure what tickled him but he seemed to be having a good chuckle!

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