First test shots from the studio setup in the Garage.

WOW! It sounds sooooo important! Well, actually, just got a load of white and black material for backdrops and (I think) 9m of flooring! (I only need 3m lol). The floor will only be laid down loose. Plans maybe soon to semi fix it to the floor so it can be lifted easily for protection when not in use. It should be set up today and proper tests done (using black background).

Results to follow soon.

Me & M2 bought a pair of studio lights and are in the process of clearing my garage and preparing it for a studio build. We will be looking for people to help out with testing the setup. We will also being experimenting with outdoor lighting soon.
Progress pics to follow shortly.

So July so far has been a bit of a busy one. Shoot start of the month, week break with family, got the cold, MOT’d the car. ordered studio lights (Not great ones) and dog had to goto vet with a lump and it was not looking good for him for a while. Met Emma-Jayne who is a beautiful, keen young girl willing to help and busting to get good shots from me. First attempt was in really bad weather, we lasted the best part of 45 mins MAX. A handful of good shots but the weather did keep us on our toes. Shoot no.2 is coming up for us and let’s hope this is a taving success.

As some may know my edit has been swinging towards a certain Dave Hill style. Two things here, firstly, this was a style I was aiming to achieve before I even heard of Dave Hill (honest) and secondly, is immitation not the best form of flattery!!?? I will not achieve the Dave Hill style yet. There is too much to learn in flawless editing, lighting and composition. What I have noticed is that I am either expecting too much from my edits, I am at the limit of the camera sensor/lens/both for clarity in my images or I have no idea what I am at. Everyone says the stuff I do is good but my cynical little brain tells me they are being polite! Yeah, it is hard to accept a compliment.

M2. What can I say, joining me in the togging lark has taken to it like a duck to water. His recent images of Elaine are masterful! (There, you see, a compliment to him and he will think I am just being polite, Bloody Artist types!). Here’s to us ever improving to the point people may queue for us to shoot them. And we don’t charge. We try to not involve money.

Money. Everyone wants some. My personal thoughts on money and photography are the usual. I ask people to pose for me, they donate their time and in return they get images from me. I do not do model release forms basically because I have NO intention of selling the work so there is no fear of it being used without the person’s consent or a lawsuit following. I will however charge for weddings (When I get the chance to do one) family portraits unless it is a favour, or extended days out that are an inconvenience or photographing something that isn’t of particular interest to me. Like, someone’s garden. The usual applies when it is close friends and family and I do support loyality to people that have worked with me. They get special preference… The charging of work, if it ever happens, will be to enhance my equipment (keep the thoughts clean!) or add to it to further the photography.

Studio…
As mentioned earlier a couple of crappy lights have been bought with the plan to purchase more later. These crappy ones will be used outdoors so if they fall over, cheap lights break, not good expensive ones. We will set up a studio in a garage sometime for winter shoots! In the meantime we may organise a trip to a studio, pay for it and grab a victim to come along and pose.

That should be it for July. August is another month and lets hope it is a successful one!

I have to thank the people that have helped me progress throughout my photography journey.
In no particular order or importance…
My wife and Kids! For understanding and allowing my absence and the support to keep going.
M2, (and family) for the support, help, companionship and advice.
Amanda, My first!
Shannon, My first Studio and Lingerie
Anna, Such a lovely girl
Jenna, Keen as mustard, very energetic
Rachael, A lovely person, very angelic
Louise, fun and perfection!
Cyrus, My first bloke!
Zara, This girl is sooo talented.
Terri, Energetic, multiskilled and a natural. Like a duck to water
Elaine, Mad as a box of frogs. Keen, energetic, good fun.
Emma, Very nice girl, we need more time with her!
Claire, Keen, willing and very good company
Emma-Jayne, Enthuiastic, daring and committed!

Without the help of these people (and more) I could not move forward in photography.
T H A N K S E V E R Y O N E !