New Look Zero Signal

It's been almost a year since the last time I did a shoot with this band and things had gone a bit quiet, so I was pleased when I heard that they wanted more photos featuring their new drummer.

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BIG

BIG, originally uploaded by martinsmith99.

It's BIG!

I'm not sure what is big apart from this piece of street `art' spotted near Bristol Centre a few weeks back.

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"Charlie's" 1st Shoot

After plucking up the courage for her 1st shoot (it took months to my knowledge), Sarah `Charlie' Harding had the dubious pleasure of working with me for her first shoot. I like to get to know models a bit before I shoot with them as it puts both parties at ease and makes the whole experience a great deal more pleasant. We met up in Bristol Centre and had a chat about anything and everything for a while, before even discussing the shoot. I do tend to inject quite a bit of humour into the shoot and this gave me a chance to check before hand, what type of personality Charlie had and if my light-hearted approach would be suitable; luckily it was.

This was just a `Testing' shoot, to get Charlie over the 1st hurdle and to have some photos to start her portfolio and get used to working with photographers. I do tend to give a lot of direction which is pretty much always needed with inexperienced models. I did warn about this at the very outset and asked Charlie to let me know if she needed a break to just say so. Each time when trying something different, I stopped to show Charlie the shots in the back of the camera so we could discuss what was and was not working. I think this is very important and don't understand why some photographers frown on `chimping'; I suspect it's nothing more than snobbery or deluded elitism .

We had no make-up artist or stylist so given this and the above, I wasn't expecting too much given the circumstances, but I did get a few portraits (below) that I think worked well.

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Modelling shoot with Holly `Bambi Berretta' Searle

Continuing my simplified equipment theme and really enjoying it, this was an urban shoot I was invited to and not knowing any of the models I wasn't sure what to expect. Of the 3 models there I started working with Holly (aka Bambi) and as usual, the shoot seemed to get better as it went.

All shots taken with Canon 5D mkii and Canon 24-70 F2.8 L lens.

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Kate - Back with Modelling Photography

After a 3 month break from not only modelling photography, but also back to digital imaging after using film only.

This was another shoot arranged for the Bristol & South West Modelling Photography (BSWMP). The model I feature here is Kate Davies (as she is fairly new to modelling and my 1st time with her).

I'm still in B&W mode after using only B&W film. I (as usual) set my camera's LCD to B&W so I could determine if I was getting the look I was after. After shooting with only film cameras (without an LCD preview) I found I didn't look at the LCD very much at all (I don't chimp much as a routine).

Anyway, Kate:

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A rare slightly desaturated colour image

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More Urban Candids (Bath)

My favourite local(ish) spot for urban photography. I'm still limiting myself to film only, but this time using a Canon EOS 620 camera with a Canon 35-105 zoom & 135 F2 prime for low light. I was using Ilford HP5 400 iso film as it was an overcast day.

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A Return to Urban Images, the Classic Way

I've stopped shooting modelling photography now and my return is questionable. Instead, I'm now concentrating solely on the images I enjoy shooting; one of them is urban candids, but in the classic tradition of using black & white film and often on a rangefinder (not Leica unfortunately). It does take a little more effort to learn a new method; manual, pre/scale focus on my rangefinders and no zoom lenses. It is more of a challenge to get the image, but more enjoyable and rewarding. Critically sharp images are not what street photography is all about.

Anyway, here's a selection of images I like from me last 2 rolls of film.

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Memories

Instead of anything arty today, a look at the now-derelict pub that I used to frequent in 1988-89. It wasn't exactly local and I was usually driving so I can only comment on what their Coca Cola was like (same as everywhere else).  Seeing it brings back fond memories of days in my youth.

Sadly a condition dictates that it cannot be reopened as a public house, so it now sits with boards on the windows awaiting redevelopment (more cheap houses no doubt).

Images were shot on black & white film (what else) for effect, and processed at home.

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Gothic Modelling Shoot

This was shot with (newish) model Sophie Mangham.

I used a mixture of ambient lighting along with on & off camera flash.  Images were converted to B&W in Silver Efex Pro.

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Amazing Street Art

Some legal graffiti in Bristol Centre.

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