Have you noticed how nearly EVERYONE has a mobile phone or tablet. People in coffee shops, on the train, the bus, the queue at the post office. They all have one thing in common, their faces are pointing down! the are connected with their devices, the world and their friends and family, all from the palm of their hands.
Swan Lake
Another creative rush swept over me as I randomly came across some images of Swan Lake whilst browsing google. I immediatley had the idea to find some dandelions and use their seeds in the project.
The scene set simply on my table next to the window in my bedroom. I put some crepe paper down and placed a small sheet of glass on top to use a reflective surface, the black crepe paper also created the background. The hardest and most nerve racking part was getting each dandelion seed into exactly the right position for each shot.
As you know, they are so fragile so even the smallest breeze would have ended it. Patience paid off and I was able to catch a few shots to emulate some scenes in Swan Lake.
I hope you like what I created.
The Role of the 2nd Shooter/Assistant
It’s only my 3rd time to assist at a wedding and I’ve never shot one alone. I wanted to try wedding photography as a part of my journey, and to see if I’d like to continue along the ‘wedding photographer’ route. When I got married, I don’t ever recall the photographer taking myself and my then wife off for any intimate photo shoots, he just basically pointed and shot when we were getting married, during the reception and evening. I don’t remember what we paid for the photography and I think I’ve only looked back in the wedding album once.
Things have changed dramatically since then and photographers are using off camera flashes to create drama and emotion to their work, they are working with the bride and groom to get the best possible images for their album. People appreciate beautiful images and want theirs to be just as dreamy and romantic as possible, it is a very special occasion after-all.
I believe the role of the 2nd shooter is to capture the moments the main photographer will miss. While they are off with the Bride and Groom, and unless you are assisting with lights, it’s the time to watch the guests, and get the candid shots in. Children in particular are sometimes bored, or over excited, everyone is busy talking to each other, drinking, laughing, and even crying. Those are the shots I like to catch.
Being ready is the key, it’s almost like you have to walk around with the viewfinder up to your eye and if you are quick enough you will get some great results. It’s also a great opportunity to get some detail shots, perhaps the Brides shoes, wedding rings, or the Groom prep as the main photographer shoots the Bridal preparation. Assisting is very useful because you get to see the main photographer at work and they will give you directions which is great for future reference because you pick up tips as you go and will always come back with something new learned.
I’m looking forward to assisting more, new locations, different people, themed weddings, loads of fun and a great learning experience. I’m readily available for my next wedding and would relish any opportunity to assist or shoot alone.
Clean Shavings
With loads of ideas written down, finding the props and getting the lighting right, my head is melted, haha! I really love it though and I get a bit too excited sometimes coming up with these ideas. I always have fun creating the scenes, even if I’m alone with some great tunes playing in the background, the time flies. So here is ‘clean shavings’ with it’s own message! Thank you for taking your time to check me out, I’m always open to comments/suggestions.
A Rose by any other name would smell as sweet
A line used in Shakespears Romeo and Juliet. But they are really the most floral of flowers (if that makes sense) in my opinion. I love the structure of roses and the petals are quite strong for such a delicate looking flower. They have amazing buds which unfold gracefully, leading to a spectacular vision of vibrance, texture, and architecture, creating stunning shadows and light patterns on their delicate beauty. I don’t just see flowers, I look at them and then I can show you what I see. Nature is beautiful.
Should I Specialize?
I’ve often been asked by other photographers what my field is. To be blunt, I don’t have one. I didn’t pick up a camera to want to photograph anything in particular. I used to take pictures of friends and places I’ve lived and hung around in over the past years, never taking any of it seriously and sometimes using simple throw away cameras. I doubt I could even find any pictures from those days and even if there are any. I’m not sure any are worth keeping, if only for the memories. That’s because I didn’t learn anything along the way, I was merely ‘snapping’ until I got my first Nikon and learned how to use it.
The first pictures I took were of flowers and birds in the nearby park, all from standing position and not really knowing what I was doing, I thought the quality of the shots were amazing. So I continued to learn, and I learned more and more, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of the park so returned often to practice new techniques.
From there, I began to watch nature in a different way, I waited for moments or anticipated movement much more effectively, and I began to fall in love, with nature and photography. A whole new world just opened for me.
Of course I have been inspired by many photographers, some very famous and others just the same as me, It’s the best way for me to learn and try to think differently. I love a challenge now and will set them for myself and hope I can inspire other photographers too. So I really adore nature and wildlife photography and would love to be able to travel and take pictures of animals in their natural environments and vibrant plants in rainforests.
I practice taking pictures of my family and portrait shoots outdoors, I’m not fond of plain white and black studio work but it does help when learning about light. If I was to have a career in portrait photography, it would have to be location shoots as they are far more exiting in my opinion plus there’s the extra challenge of natural light to deal with.
Macro photography is another favourite of mine. Whether shooting insects, plants, products, food. I find it fascinating and sometimes scary. I remember the first time I saw a house spider through the viewfinder using my macro lens, even worse as I’m arachnophobic. I was freaked out at the details I could see. There’s some incredible macro photographers out there and I’d love to be up there with them.
The reality is that, I like to experiment. Try my hand at every photo challenge and continue to learn, the most important subject in photography is the light so any chance I get to practice with it I can, so every day (almost) in my case as light is always there, regardless of it’s type.
Lately I’ve been trying more and more to think outside the box and get creative with what’s around me, household objects, people, items; and making the impossible seem possible. I’m certainly not the first one doing this but the practice and challenges are what inspires me to continue on my journey.
I would love everyone to open a my photography book and be drawn to the first image with excitement and give every photo a moment of it’s own because it’s story is unique.
For now, I shall continue on my journey. You are welcome to jump on board, no ticket required. There’s room for everyone. Thank you for your time.
Dave
The above shot is one I created for a local lady who is a painter and decorator (obviously). My neighbour has this beautiful dolls house in her living room so I asked if I could borrow it. It was already in the perfect location so I just had to get the angle and composition I was after. Then the client came over and we went outside to get her posed shots using the defused daylight caused by the clouds. The results are what I had visioned in my mind. A new advertising trend is now underway.
Ruuuunnn
When there’s no other option.
