Couples

Last week we were given a live brief. Placed in groups of three or four we were each assigned an area of Blackburn, and a certain demographic to photograph. Our group was to photograph couples in the Cathedral Square.

Not a bad area on a sunny afternoon, although there were more groups of youths hanging around than couples. As we walked around I shot three couples, two of which were more than happy to oblige (top two images) and the third, the youngest couple who agreed but were nervous and wanted to escape after two shots.

This couple knew the people Craig was photographing and were willing for me to shoot them. They were fine when I asked them to move slightly because there was a tree emerging from her head and they were very relaxed and engaged in banter with me as we took the photos.

The second couple were sat enjoying the sun with their baby and were very accommodating when I said the baby couldn't be included. We took shots with and without the sunglasses, this is my preferred image.

As mentioned this is the youngest and most nervous couple from my afternoon, and I think this shows somewhat in the image. There is an akwardness to them, (mainly the male) both with me and each other.

After obtaining the shots we had to do a quick edit and post one each to a new group on Flickr. I didn't find this task too daunting as throughout my working life I have had to communicate with strangers and don't usually get a bad response. Although once whilst trying to entice new members into the gym I worked at one lady took great offence and claimed I was saying she was fat. (she made Kate Moss look overweight so you work it out!)

Never Work With Children or Animals!

How could I refuse to work with something so cute? I know I said only puppies were cute but......

Even whilst she was very upset Jasey (above) looks adorable, and I had my child entertainer with me so everything turned out well. What on earth am I on about and how did it happen? Before Christmas I was asked to do some portraits of Jasey and her mum, but unfortunatley Jasey was very ill and it was all put on hold. When Vicky (I know..another one!) her mum got in touch the portraits had increased to include more of the family. There would be a total of seven in some of the photographs.

Easter Monday I went and met Vicky and did a reccy of the house where I would be shooting. A terraced house with an ok size living room, the request was for plain white background which would mean setting up my backdrop.

On the day I took Taff as my assistant to help erect the backdrop and lights etc. He did a fine job and is now in my employment, well something like that.

So why is Jasey crying???? She had just woken up and was presented with the Wicked Witch of the West and Coco the Clown in her front room, so wouldn't you?

I began photographing and eventually with a bit of interaction from Coco, Jasey calmed down and was happy to mull around, play with toys, pushing Tigger over and dropping things for Coco seemed her favorite!

Quick outfit change, a spot of dancing ...

and her two cousins were included in the shoot. Farah on the left, Fletcher on the right, Heffalump(I think) Pooh and Tiggerrrr with their faces pushed in the floor.

Easily entertained by bouncing on the toys and being fascinated by Coco.

Now I have a stack of images to edit and present to the family for then to purchase.

Blackburn Angels

Last week I met a work collegue of my sisters (who is a nurse) who said she and a couple of others were willing to act as models for me. It was all a bit 'what do we need to bring and what are we going to be doing' so we agreed on bringing a variety of clothing and accessories etc to begin with and take it from there.

Today was a bit of a play so that we could all meet and take a few shots. The girls all came to my house and spent a couple of hours with me. All a bit unsure of what they were expected to do but they soon relaxed and once again I think we had a good day.

I am trying various editing routes, I think different people suit different styles. I am also constantly discovering new things in LR and CS3 so things change.

Introducing my three faces in order: Rachel, Vicky and Helen. I think Vicky looks like Cameron Diaz.

Working in the spare bedroom causes background problems..I have informed Taff that we need a bigger house! However now that we are back in school on Mon I shall hopefully borrow a battery pack and do some location work. Rachel and I have a couple of spots in mind so hopefully......

As always I have posted some more images on Flickr.

It all went like clockwork....

There will be a short respite from the self-portraits as my friend finally gave in and said I could photograph her. A little terrified, despite knowing me for aeon's, I fed and watered her and then we had a bash at ANTM. It all took place in my usual location, the spare bedroom and I started off with my flash heads, one on Nina with softbox and one behind. We then moved on and used a tungsten with beauty dish resulting in a preferred look.

Had a couple of outfit changes as Nina grew more comfortable. (The dress in the image above is one of my mum's from her early twenties!!!!)

Next we got Matt up for some portraits but it quickly evolved into our version of A Clockwork Orange......as you can see Matt is much more at ease posing.

For our first go I feel it all went swimmingly well and I now have one very willing model!

A few more images can be viewed on my Flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pumpkin_photography/

Not for Flickr !!!!!!

Last Friday's session with Andy F resulted in Rachel, John and myself shooting portraits of each other. We had two lights with large softboxes positioned to the side/rear for rim light which were then shielded from the camera by the large reflector panels. We used Andy's ring flash on camera.

The first image of John was taken with this set-up.

When John left we removed the ring flash and used a light and umberella at 45 degree angle to the right of the camera

Both images edited in LR.

Monday of this week I decided to do some shooting at home and as usual I was the subject! This is not down to vanity but an absense of willing subjects......( I am always available when I want to shoot and any time constraints are my own) but fear not that is coming to an end soon as I have found some people prepared to give up their free time. 'Phew' I hear you exhale.

Decided to try and have background detail in these and used my dining room as the set. I may try similar with my models, shall have to see. Wanted it to be very dark to reflect the age of the furniture and style of room. Below a very basic layout of the room.

Tried various lighting placements, but due to lack of space, the furniture is very large, the resulting inage was taken with one light on the floor behind the table to try and create some back light and one on the floor to the right of camera with a softbox on, to illuminate me.

Finished with a couple of closer images: one below and another can be seen on Flickr.

To seem quite at ease hum tiddely-pom once or twice in a what-shall-we -do-now kind of way.

Couple of images taken over the week considered for the four faces assignment.

First up is Fin my nephew who is three next weekend. He's a bit of a tiddely-pom kind of kid!

Next is just a guy in the pub last Friday evening whilst I was out with work mates. Quite a cool face, I gave him my details to get in touch so I could shoot some more but alas no contact as of yet.....

A feeling of sadness and longing, That is not akin to pain, And resembles sorrow only. As the mist resembles rain.

Towards the end of January a friend of mine called to say he was doing some work for a lady who's husband had died on Christmas Eve. He had had a great interest in photography and she wondered if I wanted to buy any of his equipment as she wanted to get rid of everything.

I went along to meet her and after having coffee and cake, it was 10am after all! I had a look at the cameras etc that he had accumulated. A lovely and trusting lady, (although her daughter wasn't as trusting, she phoned three times during my first visit) I spent a few hours with her.

I returned again last week to obtain one of the cameras (OM-1) and after chatting for another couple of hours, including coffee and cake, always homemade, I asked if I could take some photographs of her for this assignment. She agreed and we arranged it for yesterday. During my second visit we came to realise that her daughter is married to the best friend of an ex-boyfriend of mine. Tis a small world.

The lady and her husband were incredibly active people, throughout their 40 odd year relationship they had been motorcyclists, gliders, rock climbers, sailor's and canoists. He was back on his bicycle within weeks of having a double hip replacement. It was whilst he was out on his afternoon walk that he had a fatal heartattack. He knew nothing about it which I think helps her. One does not want to think of your loved one dying alone and in pain.

Since his death she hasn't stopped, every time I go round or speak to my friend she is having work of some kind done. I hope that when everything is finished it doesn't hit her like a bolt.

Used my usual equipment,Canon 5D and trusty (touch wood) mamiya.

A strong lady with great sadness in her eyes.

By the way she let me have the camera and a stack of photography mags for free in exchange for photographing her and her grand-daughters.

Bit of playing catch-up at the mo.....who's idea was this blogg thingy anyways JH????

Last Fri I asked some of my old male work mates if they would come up at weekend for me to do some portraits. They are all late teens/early twenties and are a good array of faces. All let me down except Chris who dragged his friend along.

Thank-you Chris :-)

and Oliver.

they were both very accommodating although Oliver was a tad nervous.

The set up was one light with small softbox to front left and one behind to light the background, me on step ladders for a better angle.