More Free Photography Tips Added

I've just finished adding some more downloadable notes to my free tips section of my website. I now have a very large group of photographers (both pro and amateurs) from all over the world who regularly receive my free tips every two weeks. I hope they are of use to you all. I guess they must be ok as I don't get many unsubscribing, and i receive some lovely thank yous occasionally. The latest notes I've added cover how to get teenagers to enjoy being photographed. No mean feat I'm sure anyone who's tried would agree!

For anyone who hasn't already subscribed just follow the link on the right of this blog to my site then click on tips. At the bottom of the tips page there's a form to fill out (name and e-mail address) just fill it out and press subscribe and the notes will start coming your way very soon. Oh and I promise not to sell your info to anyone else the only mail you'll receive will be from me.

I do these notes as I have a general interest in ensuring people enjoy photography. You wont find loads of technical rubbish just genuine ideas on how to get those great images we all try for .......... Happy snapping.

The Challenge Some Photography Can Be.

For those who know me you'll know I don't tend to do a lot of commercial work and keep it to a minimum. However recently I was asked by Ronseal to photograph a shop display with a few members of staff. I figured as the shop was reasonably local it would be an easy job that wouldn't take too much time.

The staff were all great however the ailes were not wide enough for the shot I needed so I ended up balancing on a 6 foot step ladder with my Hasselblad resting on my Gitzo tripod set at its maximum height (about 8ft). Not being able to get close enough to focus with my eye I set the focus to 5ft so I could get everything form 5ft through to 12ft in focus (don't you just love the depth of a wide angle lens).

I could see there was some work to be done post production as the shelving infront of me was encroaching on the shot. However I guessed if I could at least see the staffs feet everything else could be rebuilt in photoshop.

The image here is the finished product which shows the truly practical use of photoshop. What did we do before it?

More news on the lifestyle portrait training day to be held on 8th October. We had a big meeting with Doug, Viv, Toni and myself on Saturday. We completely pulled apart the last day and changed some minor details were we think things could be improved. We also put together the basics for the next date and agreed to meet again in the next few weeks to see how much progress has been made. I can't give away any details but it's going to be fantastic! If you want to be there with us it's best if you get in touch very soon as word from the last course seems to have spread very wide. Already we have photographers booked form as far way as Stoke on Trent. I hope to meet you soon ......

Keeping the Photography Props Happy !

Pin It One of the greatest joys I find when working outside for portrait photography is nature itself. About 18 months ago I was walking through a local park looking for good backgrounds for a shoot I had planned for the following week.

Whilst I was in the park I noticed the squirrels searching for food, I began to wonder how brave they were and set about a plan to turn them into photographic props.

For two weeks I would turn up leave a large pile of nuts and fire off my camera (no film) just to get them used to the sound. Soon they began to associate the noise with food and completely lost any fear of the noise (and by this time attached flash).

I now decided to take them a stage further and started to feed them by hand whilst firing off the camera. It took a while but the larger ones soon realised I wasn't a threat and began to feed eagerly.

Today they come running when they hear the camera shutter, so much so that I have to avoid that area of the park when I'm working until I'm ready for them. They work fantasticly and the kids love it totally forgetting about me and the camera allowing me to capture some fantastic images.

I try not to over use the squirrels as I believe it's important that they continue on their daily lives searching for food rather than relying solely on me. But for those occasions when I want that extra special portrait with a young child who may be a bit shy or a special bridal image, they're unbeatable.

Yes it's taken a while (over a year) to get to this stage but now we have a great working relationship and I don't know of another photographer in the UK / World who has props like I do. Personally I much prefer something like this to a studio ultra boring white background shot, but then again everyone has differant opinions.

Photographic Training Day Part 3

Here's a few images of mine and Dougs thrown together as a bit of a reminder of the fun and joy we had on the portrait training day.

I'm sure everyone will agree we had some fantastic models who although some where shy at first ending up having as much fun as we all did.

The next date has now been set for October the 8th and already we have some big plans on what we can do to make it even more fun and enjoyable for everyone involved, Is that possible?

Many thanks to everyone for their e mails of gratitude all I can say on behalf of Doug, Toni, Viv and myself we really enjoyed having you all spend the day with us you really were a great crowd and I hope to bump into some (if not all) of you at some point in the future.

Here's an image sent in by Frank Lovett. I like images like this one because it is a true smile. As we discussed as part of the day a real smile / laugh is so much more effective in a photograph than a false everybody say cheese type. Well done Frank a great effort in what is a new style of photography for you.

Photographic Training Day Part 2

The lifestyle portrait training day took an unexpected twist during dinner that nobody was expecting (except the instruction team). A slightly over enthusiastic waiter from Spain.

Here's an image of Ken being served his cup of tea by our suprise waiter. Who would have guessed that Manuel (AKA Charles Haslett) had found employment at the Pontlands Park Hotel.

Although we all had a laugh as he searched under the tables for Basil the rat it also brought home the very real point we were trying to emphasise about always being ready!!

Your faces were a picture at the table whilst Toni and I were attempting to not let on that we new what was going on. Warned you i was a bit mad didn't I.

If anyone out there is interested Charles (Manuel) can be contacted via his website www.charleshaslett.co.uk he also does an excellent Inspector Clouseau and Prince Charles, he certainly made our day that little bit extra special.

Photography Training Day Part 1

Wow! What a weekend. It was so much fun meeting you all on Sunday for the training day. I'm sure you all went away having learnt something (I know I did!).

The image here is one of our wonderfull models from the day and was captured by Helen Shorey. Well done Helen I Love this image!!!! Probably my favorite from the ones you sent me, I think you've really grasped the princials and ideas behind lifestyle photography BRILLIANT!

All of you were great and as I receive your images I'll add a few more to the blog + some of my own (when I get them all down loaded). Who knows maybe someone got a good one of me being my normal adult self ...... yeah right! Talking about that here's one of Doug that again Helen sent me ....... "Anyone call a Taxi?'

Seriously though I had a great time and I know from the e-mails you've already sent you all did too. I came home to three enquiries about the next course so I guess you guys must have been on the phone the second you left us.

More to come .......................

F Stops and Bus Stops

Spent the whole day going through (and changing) the presentations for Sunday. There's so much to say with not a lot of time to say it, and as well as being a complete nutter I'm also a bit of a perfectionist

For those of you joining us on Sunday for the lifestyle portrait training this is a good thing (honest) as every time I change and rewrite something it's for the better ........ for those of you who are helping me ... I guess it might not be so good. But trust me it will all be worth it in the long run.

Anyway I'll keep the blog up to date with what happens although I'm purposely not giving away anything at the moment as if you know what to expect you'll have expectations.

Moving to The Dark Side?

Hmmm I think the day is fast approaching where I make my move over to the dark side of photography ...... digital.

This decision has been coming for a while and in honesty is probably overdue. My main beef with digital is the amount of time it adds to each job, roughly 1-2 minutes per image. If I shoot a lifetime portrait session and capture 100+ images already that's another day + work that I wasn't having to do been added.

Having said that it does bring bonuses too (so I'm told) these include reduced film and processing costs. The decision has kind of been forced by Nikons announcement that they are stopping production of their film bodies (except the F6). Basically saying that when my camera stops working it will have to be a digital body to replace it.

I've got a D2x on hire next weekend so I'll see what I make of that and probably make a decision soon afterwards..... maybe

Professional Photographer Magazine

Way back in December i received a phone call from Terry Hope. Terry's the editor of profesional Photographer magazine. The long and the short of it was they wanted to do a piece on me and a typical day. What you see on the left is the first two pages of the 4 page article (i hadn't realised how much i did in a day).

The article was in the January issue which was all about portrait photographers and as well as myself also featured Mario Testino and James Bignall.

If you wanted to see the full article it's part of my free online portrait photography e mail course, just click through to my site and follow the link that says tips. It will then be forwarded on by e mail along with the course over the next few weeks.

Focus On Imaging

For those of you who may not be in the know, once a year here in the UK all the photographic world gets together for a big show at the NEC in Birmingham and it's on now till the 1st March. If you are into photography it is a complete must.

I made my trip up there yesterday and had a good look around, theres some real bargains to be had especially on film bodies.

One point of note is Canon decided not to attend this year which to me is disgraceful. It's as if they have decided being the number one manufacturer for camera's they don't need to look after their customers. VERY POOR! I think they came up with some excuse about going to the American show and not wanting to make announcements in the UK as news would break here before the States. Well it would apear that Nikon / Hasselbald and the rest of the photographic world have no problem with attending both.

The main things i went to see where Adobe's new software (aperture), the huge bags available from Lowepro, and to have a chat with alot of the people who i may have spoken to on the phone over the last twelve months without actually meeting.

For those of you who haven't been before its a must.

Wedding season already?

Just got back from a trip to see the national wedding show at Olympia, after receiving a free invite. Wedding shows aren't my idea of fun but It can be interesting to go and have a scout around and try and spot a new trend coming through. It's also an excuse to have a good natter with other people who i may have worked with at some stage or other. Hairdressers, toast masters, florists, videoographers, weddings are a funny business and it can be amazing how many people you can be working with on just one day.

As for the show itself there were a few photographers of note and some not so good. It just proves the saying that in most instances you tend to get what you pay for.

3 days to put together an album

Just managed to finish off a portrait album for a family. Excellant quality again from Queensberry. Alot of clients ask why i use an album company that is based in New Zealand and the answer is simple. They suppy an excellant world class service, how many Uk based companies would have someone available at three in the morning in case any photographers from the UK call with questions and problems. Sure they may be a bit more expensive but when it comes to quality and service i don't believe there should be any compromise.

On a differant note only 16 days left till the training day in Chelmsford on the 12th March. I can hardly wait to meet up with you all and share some secrets. It's going to be fantastic, of course if you can't attend i'll put some stuff on here just so you know what you missed out on. See you all very soon.

World Wide Audience

It always completely blows my mind when i check the web stats for my site where people come from. The figures change throughout the day depending on what part of the world is in bed and what part is in daylight. The graph on the left is just the last 100 visitors (roughly 3 hours worth).

On the subject of international relationships i recently received this e mail from Carolynne who is from somewhere in Australia;

"God love you Martin, your generosity in sharing hard earned knowledge and experience is directly reflected in the beauty of your work. A truly kind and compassionate heart. Should be more like you. My heart felt thanks and appreciation. Carolynne."

I really appreciate all your kind words from everyone who emails me and i apologise if i haven't answered you all personally but i can promise i have at least read them all.

Adobe Aperture

I've just had a sneak look at Adobe's new software for handling files etc. It's called aperture and my first impressions are very positive. It seems they have really thought about what pro photographers want and need from software and have put it in place. It's definately one of my top things to look at at Focus.

I got back some commercial images from the lab today. As a rule i don't tend to do alot of commercial work but this job just happened to fall into a day where i had nothing in the diary. It worked well and keeps me in the habit of using studio lighting and gives the Hasselblads a work out.

I was pleased with the results but i don't think i'll be jumping straight in and become a purely commercial photographer. I find it alot harder to photograph something that doesn't have a pulse and doesn't even crack a smile at my best jokes.

More Crazy Ideas

For those of you who don't know me can i just explain that i'm not mad. I just like to work outside of the box, in fact i totally refuse to acknowledge the fact that boxes exist. So having said that my plans for the Photographers training day on the 12th March have taken another exciting twist. I can't say anymore than that but It's going to be so good i can hardly wait, i feel like a four year old on christmas eve.

For anyone not in the know the venues the very plush Pontlands Park Hotel, near Chelmsford. I can honestly say for those attending it's gonna be one busy day packed from start to finish. There are a few places left so got to my site and drop me an e mail if you feel you could do with a) a really good laugh and an enjoyable day with other likeminded photographers and b) new skills in portrait photography. Till next time ........

Wow how fast is this year going?

wow

I can hardly believe we're out of January and deep into February. Where's the year going?

Just finished editing a shoot from last week, the people involved kindly allowed me to show some of their images, take a look at the young lad in these images. He was so full of energy and fun all day. I could easily have used 20 rolls of film. One of the locations we used was Rochester castle (Kent) and boy was it blowing a gale that day, still we managed to get some great shots.

I've been checking out the focus on imaging web site and it looks like that canon are not going to be there? That's a real shock decision in my mind as its got to be the best attended photographic show in the UK. Good job Nikon are going to be there to look after their customers (i fancy a little look at the D2x).

Oh while i think about it i must put in a good word fro the Pro centre (and Hasselblad). To my horror i discovered the battery in my mecablitz c60 ct-4 flash was no longer holding a charge (it was six years old). I deperately try to google it and then came to my senses and rang the pro centre. I ordered the battery on friday afternoon and it turned up today as promised. Great service. I can now shoot the Barmitzvah on Saturday safe in the knowledge the back up flash will be sound.