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The early morning light of the 13th March was just great (wished I'd got up and out earlier) and bode well for the workshop later on. Having finally left the house - a few hours after the golden dawn - I was overlooking a stunning Derbyshire scene enhanced even further with the faintest flickers of overnight snow.

A few shots later and I was inside the wonderful Endsor Tea Rooms enjoying a coffee and freshly baked scones, whilst trying to explain the relationships between ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed - hopefully successfully. Whilst the cloud covered the sky as we emerged ready to capture new and exciting images, it did decide to clear later allowing us to get some fine images of Chatsworth park, some men cutting up some large tree trunks and a large military helicopter dropping in and flying off for good measure. Plenty of subject matter. Talking of which what is it about young ladies clad in tight fitting lycra (or was it leather) that attracts a crowd of photographers?

I am of course talking about Focus on Imaging at the NEC and the young lady in question was quite happy for the visitors to snap away whilst the resident Professional played with various lighting set ups. I'm afraid I only got a snap as I couldn't get anywhere near.....Of course there was much more to entertain and inform with Nikon's stand being constantly overwhelmed as the delegates were shown demonstrations of the latest offerings.

We can thoroughly recommend Focus, just take lots of cash and a comfy pair of shoes!

March 2 2013

Well at last the sun has come out for at least three days in one week !

So that means not only the gardening jobs are beckoning but more importantly doing a blog on my photographic ventures over the last few months with the theme of red, white and blue.

Last November provided some excellent autumnal foliage which when back lit really made a good image with colour and detail - and this last poppy of the year against a rare clear blue sky was quite dramatic.

Next came Xmas, and although the Xmas lights in Sheffield were a tad unphotogenic, Andrew and I scoured around and this image was the most inspirational !  Though what with the impending budget cuts, this may well be the last time Santa in seen in the city !

And so the snow came and with in the challenge of taking a moody snow scene.  So here is a 19th C mile stone up on the moors to the west of Sheffield with snow blown in to the hand carved text.  And if you look closely the individual stones in the dry stone wall behinds were edged in snow - a neat natural effect !

London then beckoned to visit family / some shopping which involved visiting a well known museum with an amazing entrance, but which one ??

And so to Weymouth on family business, but naturally the camera went as well just in case.  And while wandering by the harbour side, this image presented itself which I thought was quite a clever composition.   And finally, just the best ice cream on the south coast can be found on the sea front at Rossi's - long may it continue as it is truly amazing......bring on summer !

And I make a public promise to be a better regular blogger in 2013

Andy

Exposure to the Sun!

Finally the sun shines and the warmth returns. I like getting out in the cold and provided the sun is out all feels good - dull, overcast and cold keeps me firmly indoors and forces me to be creative:

A couple of images being worked on prior to hanging in NOSH in Sheffield.

So the warm sunshine finally temps me out and a contact at Chesterfield Photographic Society informed me about the 4shires hunt meeting at Chatsworth this morning - and that provided ample temptation to get out and add to the portfolio:

Lots of inspiration for wide angle, portraits and close up detail. So that was the great outdoors and tomorrow (3rd March) Andy and I are off to Focus on Imaging and the NEC to battle it out with the rest of the photography world to get around all the wonderful photo equipment stands and demonstration areas. We are hoping to get some business development inspiration, test out the latest gear and learn some more (you can never know enough) from the truly excellent guest presenters. Now where is that Lottery ticket? 

Snow!

So the first Snow of 2013 has landed, so time to dress up warm, fully charge that camera (and mobile phone) battery and head out to capture all that lovely whiteness! It's amazing how an ordinary scene gets transformed into a magical landscape but don't forget the macro close ups of things covered in snow (children included) and of course all that sledging/skiing/walking/4x4 action. In no time at all the snowdrops will be out so make sure you are planning trips to the likes of Hodsock Priory near Worksop to get them at their best. Try to get in close to isolate single stems as well as using the wide angle lens to capture the overall mass of blooms. Watch the white balance or you'll have yellow or blue drops insteady of nice white ones! Auto white balance will usually be fine but if you shoot using RAW files you will find it a very easy job to adjust the colour to the correct shade. Right I'm off to charge that battery.

    

Where Does the Time Go?

Can you believe it's nearly Xmas? I can't, it seems like only five minutes ago I was stood on Mevagissey harbour wall and that was back at the beginning of August! Much has happened since then, the fantastic Olympics and Paralympics, three fantastic workshops and rain and more rain.....hopefully 2013 will be kinder weather wise and allow a few more photo opportunities than don't involve getting drenched.

Whilst the photo opps have been a bit limited we have still managed to capture a few images over the last few months. London at night is always a great place for me and this time I wandered away from the Thames and tried around Covent garden, with some success.

In September Chesterfield Photographic Society had an invite to shoot the "Vegas Rat Pack" at the Winding Wheel Theatre. A great opportunity to cover a brilliant show, but quite a challenge photographically (especially as we weren't allowed flash). So I was lucky enough to borrow a Nikon D3 and a pro f2.8 wide aperture lens to ensure I could use a high ISO and have a fast shutter speed to freeze the action. The mixed lighting also add to the complication of getting the white balance right. We all had a fantastic night and the photos weren't too bad either.



Autumn colours were very late this year and the wet weather didn't help make them particuarly vibrant but it's always a pleasure to be out and about with a camera in October and November. Our October workshop in Chatsworth saw us out on a lovely bright day and whilst the colours were a bit muted and still quite green, we had quite a bit of fun capturing the scenery.

We got a further invite via the Photo Society to shoot the switch on of the Christmas lights in Chesterfield - back to my normal kit which isn't great when using high ISOs as it gives quite a bit of "noise" above 800. Thousands of people out around the market area and as the light faded the stage acts begun. Then the Mayor and Charlie Dimmock (the TV gardner with no bra!) push the plunger to turn the lights on. I had to dig out my really old manual flash and set it all up manually and it worked .... for a bit until the batteries started to give out and then I may as well have had a candle! Still it was interesting to try to work with a combination of manual setting, hand holding (no tripod allowed) and a dodgy flash. (Note to Santa - I think I might like to try a new flash please).

Andy and I did attempt a night shoot in Sheffield last week but after 40 minutes of icy cold and a very poor level of inspiration (Sheffield Xmas light leave much to be desired) we decided to pack it in and head for the hot chocolate to undertake some planning for the workshops in 2013. We have the first three sorted, now we need to finalise the venues for the second half of the year, if you have any suggestions get in touch.

Just waiting for Santa to arrive with my new Nikon D4 and prime 300m.... well I can wish can't I?

Have a very snappy Christmas and if Santa should deliver a new camera we'd be delighted to help you understand all the bells and whistles.

Busy Busy

Well what a show, having been out capturing the torch relay through Chesterfield

and getting a taste of the excitement I can say that Olympic fever is very catching. Having failed miserably to get any tickets we just got some small idea of what London must have been like as I've just got back from the reception for Jess Ennis in Sheffield. What a fantastic turn out for the golden girl, so much so that I failed to get a single decent photo due to being a bit short in the leg and not wanting to upset everyone by pushing through. Great turn out and brilliant to be part of the crowd.  Whilst the games were on I was in Cornwall trying to relax. Weather was a bit mixed but at least being in a tent it's easy to get an idea of what the dawn light is going to be like! Early calls from the seagulls also act as an alarm; so I sneeked out one morning and was set up at Mevagissey Harbour just about 05.00 waiting for the warm glow of the sun to emerge from a small bank of cloud sitting on the horizon. Only a couple of fishermen and the seagulls for company..just heaven (and a great way to start my birthday).

I'm still working my way through the Cornish images, and the Classic meet at Silverstone

and the Bristol Balloon Fiesta!!!! So much fun.

  

I'm really pleased that the technical hitch has been resolved.  I blame the soggy weather and can only hope that as it is forecast for a delightful sunny day this Sunday (it being St Swithin's Day), then the future might well be bright !

The main travel tales I have are of Canada which consisted of a large delightful family wedding with the whole celebrations lasting about 4 days !  Bride was beautiful (so was Mrs C) and here she is.......

The rest of the trip was spent exploring southern Ontario - and once you got away from the Toronto metropolis (easily 4 million plus population) the area was very interesting (in a good wine tasting way !)....

More travel tales / images later as I'm late for a school end of term concert  !

Gone Missing!

We're back! Had a long standing technical glich which meant we were unable to post..sorry about that, I'm sure you missed us? So much to catch up on, more workshops, planning for 2013, wedding packages available, trips abroad (well for Mr Child at least), Olympic torch relay events - oh yes and avoiding the puddles! I'll let Mr Child update you on the overseas trips (as I've yet to see a single picture I'm not sure he actually went). No doubt it was sunnier than over here. The Olympic torch visited (fleetingly) Chesterfield on 29 May and was greeted by thousands of local residents who braved the showers to wave the flags and cheer on the torch bearers. A great day and plenty of people willing to have their photos taken!

It's April already!

Can't believe it's April - well apart from the weather which seems to have finally decided which season it is. Andy C - the tall one,  is on his annual pilgrimage to Portugal for a bit of r&r - trusty camera and tripod safely amoungst the luggage. Hopefully enjoying wonderful views, sunsets and the odd glass of something cool.  (PS - whilst he's away I can tell you I've got a parcel from the Royal Photographic Society!) I've no doubt he will get one too!

March workshop went well, but the weather/light could have been more co-operative.

NOSH pictures are due for a swap when Andy is back so pop in and have a coffee and a bun!

Spring flowers are out so now is the time to capture those wonderful colours right on the doorstep.  These are from my Mum's and Mum-in-law's gardens in Wales. Taken on Easter Sunday.

So that was the NEC!

On a shockingly bad day - weather wise, we made the (surprisingly) short trip to the NEC to attend Focus on Imaging and .....our date with the Royal Photographic Society. Suffice to say we were both extremely anxious and had a overwhelming desire to get it over with, (our own fault as we put ourselves foward for it!). Having arrived early we sat and chatted with other candidates as the panel members gathered. At 10.30 the Chairman rose and introduced himself and the panel members and the process began. Panels came and went, some succeeded and others didn't. A number of times the panel gathered to critically examine in some detail, specific photos within the candidates panel - a huddle and then off to their chairs to fill in the marking sheets. One of the panel gave a quick overview of their perception of the portfolio and then the marking sheets were handed into the Chair, who collated the results, sometimes glanced futher at the images and then pronounced whether they would or would not recommend the panel to the RPS council. Generally it wasn't too difficult to see why a panel did or didn't get recommended but there were some surprises - so you just don't know until they read your name out or not. As for us..... well mixed fortunes I'm afraid and I'm not allowed to say..just yet, but we will reflect on the experience, take a deep breath and ultimately get there (nobody said it was easy and success is so much sweeter when it's hard to achieve). Incidentally after lunch four panels in a row failed and the pass rate was hovering around the 65% mark - with a very clear steer towards technical excellence - ie sharp, correctly focussed and no blown highlights or blocked blacks.

Having been battered and bruised we reflected over coffee and a bun then dived into the Focus on Imaging expo. Everything you would ever need in the way of Photography kit! Having been for 4 years running it's getting very familiar, but still nice to have a few hours immersed in the all those lovely images (yes some living models), kit and superb inspiring lectures, just wish we had a fortune to spend on those fantastic cameras and lenses!!!!!!!!!!

Now we need to focus on the workshop in Hathersage and looking forward to meeting our participants and shooting some more frames.

PS I've tried an Andy Wharol type set of images which are going up in Nosh, Sheffield next week - come and view and let us know what you think.