A Year in Photographs – Week 7

Half term has arrived and to me, this means a little time to spend with my daughter. Justine is seventeen now and working hard at her AS levels. She obviously acquired the brain gene that seemed elude me. She is studying Psychology, Communications & Culture, Maths & of course photography. This was supposed to be her fun subject but it seems she really enjoying exploring her creative streak and, as she now has her final project set, I feel this week will be a time for taking her out and about so that she can collect her images in preparation for her exam. I am hoping to share her images with you as she progresses with her chosen theme of 'Relationships'

With all the preparation that comes with college work, it set me thinking as to my project for this week. Forever looking for new techniques, I have found magazines and excellent source of inspiration. This week's Digital SLR had a great little project on Refraction. You know the type of thing. How water bends objects? Anyway, never having had a bash at this, I thought it might be worth a bash.

After a couple of false starts….mainly that water doesn't seem to sit so nicely on glass as it does on plastic, I set about creating my first ever refraction photographs.

As you can see, my camera is fixed on a tripod and the tripod has been weighted down. VERY important if you don't want to have an expensive repair bill on your hands!

Now I am sure that there is plenty I could do with this idea and, hopefully, before the year is out, I will be able to come up with something a little more creative. For now I am very happy with the results. I have to admit, that there has been a bit of tidying up in Photoshop necessary. It seems that shooting with a macro lens shows all the sensor spots in full glory! I feel anther trip to Nikon coming on!

Just for fun, lets see who can guess all four right! What are they?

A Year In Photographs - Week 6

I have to give a special thanks to Casey for giving me my material for this weeks post. Casey has decided that she is going to be a future Britain's Next Top Model and at 13 yrs old....she might just be right!

MEET CASEY!

I have always put off producing model portfolios when asked, but, as this year is a year for developing my photography, I decided to take on the challenge. These photographs are from the first half of our session, the second session will be taken in my small home based studio.

This was to be Casey's first independent shoot and I must say, she was a little star! We headed over to Old Portsmouth, a favourite haunt of mine, to take a few snaps. This is an ideal location as there is plenty of covered areas to use and, with the weather being its usual awkward self, this proved to be an excellent choice of venue.

Considering the temperature was around -2, I reckon she did a great job hiding the fact that she was freezing.......who said modelling was glamorous job!

Once again my creative lighting system came into play....I think I might be getting to grips with it

Snow Picture Update

Just a quick update on the progress of my ' what is it' winter photo posted last week. Thank you for all the guesses....most of which have landed in my email box apposed to comments on my blog. No it is not my car windscreen, nor is it my birdbath....a spider's web was also an interesting guess.....but not even a little bit close!

So what is it?

It is in fact a solar light in my garden! Once again thanks you for all your tries. It has encouraged me to test you all further. I will be heading out armed with my macro lens to see what I can find.

A Year In Photographs - Week 5

As you are all aware, the weather has been a major factor this week so it was only logical that I would be heading out to make the most of the 'white stuff' First stop was my garden. You tend to forget about out little feathered friends whilst cosying up indoors but, on taking a peek out, i witnessed the birds trying desparately to rescue some little tit bits from the snow ladne feeders hanging in the garden. I thought about trying to make these my subject but, I have no patience whatsoever and, as I opened the backdoor, the birds beat a hasty retreat to the large fir tree in my neighbors garden....humph!

My first photograph is a little tease. Can you guest what it is? I think I will leave that to the imagination and maybe post the answer next week. Lets see if any of you can work it out!

The following images were taken at a place close to my heart....100 Acre Wood. No Winnie the Pooh or Piglett playing in the snow....just a giggling, middle aged couple taking a few precious moments to build a snowman....a real pleasure to witness. It just goes to show we are all kids at heart when it comes to the really wintery pleasures.

Starting with Carting

Just a quick little update as I really wanted to share with you my latest prize finds. On heading to Fawcett Road in Pompey, I was delighted to find this little gem sitting outside and little antique shop, filled to the brim with old pub sign lettering. It was so hidden we almost missed it! I am constantly looking for those little special delights to add some charm to my child portraiture and think this will fit the bill perfectly.

My special little cart is now firmly ensconced in Ian's workshop waiting for a little tender care. I am reliably informed that this is a genuine Victorian Child's cart….complete with genuine Victorian repairs. Now I know you are not supposed to mess with the authenticity of antiques but, as I wish to use this with children, it is to be stripped of all its paint, sanded, repaired and introduced to my ever growing collection of beautiful things. Watch this space for progress reports.

A special thanks to Ian for taking on this project for me.

I am thinking navy blue to fit with girls and boys....any opinions?