Project 52 ... 45

This is Paul...
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, SB800 from camera right...

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Paul is my Brother-in-Law. A great dad and a good husband; a nicer man you could not meet. We shared a house many years ago when we were first starting out in work. Good memories, the best of which ;

'I've fallen and I can't get up... but I'm alright now...'.

You had to be there!

I took Paul a bit by surpirse with this portrait. The flash was on-camera (I know, cheat, I hear you say...!). I am not a fan of on-camera flash; people end up looking flat and washed out. Paul doesn't. The reason is I bounced the flash off an adjacent wall, that in itself would have made solme difference, but some of the flash light would have gone straight onto Paul, which I didn't want. So I placed a gobo, a black piece foam, velcroed to the flash that directed all the light where I wanted it to go. It had the added benefit of not blinding Paul when I took the shot. Great for parties, it looks like directional light... which it is. So much better than on-camera flash.

Thanks Paul for a great photo.

Project 52 ... 44

And in goals ... Chris
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, SB800 bare head to camera right at half power

camera in manual at 1/200th

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Chris has saved the day many a time in our Catenian Circle, here in Bracknell; always a man to depend on and a very good Master of Ceremonies. I have only known him for a short time, and recently found out he is an Aresnal fanatic, he even has a season ticket. That's dedication, no, really... it is.

Here Chris is sporting The Gunners jersey. And this is no ordinary jersey...

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A photograph of two sides...

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On the reverse is the name Diaby and the number 2, very rare shirt, apparently. I'm just saying... That's football for you.When my brother Paul, I shot him here, were growing up we followed Aston Villa and Chelsea. Because, and this is where it gets interesting, because our Uncle Tommy brought us both mugs when he visited one summer, and yes one was Aston Villa and one was Chelsea. Paul got the Villa one and I ended up supporting Chelsea. Simple as that. Back then Irish football was not what it is today.

The shots of Chris were taken in a local park with the Sun, at about full power - it was Autumn - giving the rim light on Chris' right and the SB800, having to work a bit, zoomed and at half power to his left.

I apologised I couldn't lay on the Emirates to take the shot, to which Chris replied, 'I'll see what I can do...' Well, that shut me up... A great fun shot, thanks Chris.

Playing With The Darkness

Charlotte, Laika and Sofia; three incredible Gothic models.
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These girls gelled really well together. It was as if they had known each other for a thousand years; instinctively they knew how to pose, how to relax and how to give all of themselves to the moment. These are some of my favourite shots from the day.
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All the shots were taken on the D200 with a Tamron 17-50 f2.8, set at 1/200 and about f5.6 at ISO 100. We had an SB800 in a shoot through umbrella to the front of the girls and high and a couple of gridded flashes to either side to the rear. Space was a little tight and we had somewhat limited shooting time, but I am more than pleased with the shots.

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The relaxed harmony between them was amazing; it was as if they had memorized their scripts the night before (maybe they had!) but their movement, poise and rapport was second to none and seemed to be second nature. For me, its the darkness in these shots that I like; its the unknowing; it makes me uneasy, on edge, unsure; it tells tales and lets the imagination wander.

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I have no doubt these girls have a future in the modelling world. Good luck Charlotte, Laika and Sofia, I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of you!

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Another big thank you to Ashton Court and Bristol Strobists for organizing a wonderful event!

Jimmy Choo 72 ... shoe photo competition

Yeah, thats right, I said shoes... there's a theme running through here...

The competition was set up to promote awareness of HIV and Aids in South Africa and 25% of net sales of a new collection created by Jimmy Choo specifically for this worthwhile cause is going direct to the Elton John Aids Foundation. A myriad of different styles of photography and images was submitted and I am delighted to say that I was a runner up with... Seduction...

Seduction

I submitted two other photographs along this theme...

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The Creation of Eve

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Red Shoe Diaries, page 72

(this shot was featured on the Jimmy Choo 72 home page)

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The '72' is significant as this is the timescale that vital life saving treatment has to be administered for these people to have any chance at controlling this terrrible disease. A big thank you to Jimmy Choo for the competition and for creating an awareness of this issue and the judges for picking my shot as a runner up. The competition entries can be seen here at www.jimmychoo72.com.

All the shots were taken on a Nikon D200, ISO 100 set on a tripod at f8 and the shutter left open for about 6 - 8 seconds. The light trails are from a Mini Maglite torch with the lense off and the shoes courtesy of Catherine.  And a thank you to Catherine for balancing in 'Seduction' (very seductively...!) for the 8 seconds!

Project 42 ... 43

Meet Jerry,
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50m f2.8,

SB800 in reflecting umbrella camera left,

Vivitar 285, gridded, behind.

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Jerry has worked for British Airways all his life and when we got permission to shoot in the new BA Headquarters I was beside myself with excitement! The building is an architectural masterpiece based around the idea of a street with six buildings laid out on either side of a 'street' that is enclosed in a vast atrium. There are shops, banks, all you would ever need during a working day; no need to leave the office!

The shot above is Jerry in front of a model of the famous Concorde; a classic plane beside a gentleman. Thanks Jerry for setting up a great shot and to Katy for being my invaluable assistant yet again! I must also say thanks to British Airways for allowing us access to their wonderful building.

Here is another of the shots we took.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50m f2.8,

SB800 in reflecting umbrella camera left,

Vivitar 285, gridded, behind.

Notice Jerry is smiling in this one ... I'm just sayin'...
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And here is the set up shot. This is how I start up my portrait shoots; the SB800 into the umbrella and the Vivitar, usually gridded to give an accent or rim light. Both the flash guns were on manual and triggered by the now famous Ebay CTR 301P remotes, that have been brilliant. I then tweak the light position and output or the f-stop to get the desired effect.

Thanks again, Jerry, by the way, those wheels to the left are  the wheels from a 747 Jumbo Jet, full size. there is a corresponding set on the other side of the 'street' at the correct positionwhere they are on the actual plane!

Project 52 ... 42

Meet Indiana Jones Peter,
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, SB800 silver umbrella to camera left,

Vivitar 285 behind Peter

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I have known Peter for too many years now! We first met during the last recession when he and his wonderful wife, Muriel, gave us many a Red Cross package, they are also God Parents to our son. A champion weightlifter in his youth, now, Peter is a bit of a modern day Indiana Jones, globe trotting all over in search of adventure. Here he is in his study with artifcacts from every corner of the world. Whether it is in the African bush or the Far East or South America, there is always a story to be told and a little something to adorn the walls of his study.

Peter is lit with an SB800 in a silver reflecting umbrella to camera left and behind and on the floor I have a Vivitar 285, both on about half or quarter power. The camera was set at f5.6 and 1/200. The room is tiny and with the umbrella, Peter and myself there was hardlyt any room to move at all.

I don't like 'busy' shots as a rule, but this one works because it mirrors his travels and also says something about the world getting smaller. Thanks for being such a good sport, Peter, and do tell us where you are off to next!

Miss Scarlett... Celebrating Cluedo's 60th Anniversary

Cluedo has been around for 60 years! The game has inspired many a 'whodunnit' on the big and small screen throughout those sixty years. I remember many a day spent chasing the murderer from the library to the kitchen and through the secret passage ways!

D200, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, SB80 in shoot thro' camera left,

Vivitar 285 gridded camera right

At  recent shoot in Ashton Court, the theme was loosely based around the great board game. I had been shooting with the Nikon CLS system and decided to switch back to manual triggers, I set up my two light linear system and waited. I turned around and there was Miss Scarlett, or I should say Jess.

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D200, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, SB80 in shoot thro' camera left,

Vivitar 285 gridded camera right

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We had about five minutes to complete a handful of shots ( I think Jess was looking for Colonel Mustard in the library...)
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D200, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, SB80 in shoot thro' camera left,
Vivitar 285 gridded camera right

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The lighting set up was a simple linear one; the two lights in a line and Jess in the middle and then I just varied the lights to give the effect I wanted. I was shooting at around 1/200th at ISO 100 at f5.6 or so. Jess was a great model to work with and just got it right first time! Thanks Jess and thank you Cluedo!
 
Oh, and Hanleyman did it, in the Music Room, with a D200!

Brighton Rock

D200, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, ISO 100, 1/50 @ f11

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There are certain things that come to mind when Brighton is mentioned; Brighton Rock (the sweet and the Queen song), Mods, Rockers, the London to Brighton Bike Ride (all 52 hard miles of it!), the Grand Hotel and of course the West Pier. I have wanted to photograph the West Pier for sometime now and only managed to get down to Brighton last Thursday! Shame on me!

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D200, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, ISO 100, 1/100 @ f14

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The magic of the seaside is something that has always stayed with me as I have grown up. Living near Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire in Ireland, the seaside was part of my life, from swimming to fishing to just strolling along enjoying the sea air.

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D200, Tamron 17-50 f2.8, ISO 100 1/320 @ f5.6

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The Victorians knew how to capitalise on the seaside. Their grand majestic promenades and piers sweeping us out into the sea to gaze back on the land with a sense of awe; rides to delight and terrify and of course the ever sticky candifloss and stick of rock. The West Pier in Brighton was built in 1866 by Eugenius Birch and is a Grade I listed structure, whats left of it, after the now famous fire of 2003 which all but destroyed it. Prior to that it had been closed since the 70's. gazing on its structure, all that is left is a steel skeleton that once brought happiness to so many. How long it will last is anyone's guess.

Project 52 ... 41

Meet Alan...
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, SB800 shoot thro' camera left,

Vivitar 285 gridded camera right

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I have known Alan for a couple of years now; a plumber by trade, he is a partner in Kings Brother Building Contractor's, at least he was until recently. He is emmigrating with his wife to Australia in December to be with their daughter. What a life changing adventure! We had a great time taking this shot in the arches in Windsor early one October morning. The set up was my usual linear setup with Alan in the middle. The camera was set to manual , 1/200th and a stop or so below ambient. I triggered the flashes using the ebay CTR 301P triggers - they have not let me down yet!

My thanks to Martin for setting this shoot up - he did all the hard work of arranging and making sure that everyone was there. He also bought the coffee's! (but no bacon sandwiches...)

These shots were taken to celebrate Alan as part of King Brothers. So we took a few shots for posterity...

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The King Brothers... Graham, Mark and Alan

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Good luck to you and your family in your new life Alan, but watch out for the spiders and kangaroos and snakes and sharks and the climate and ... did I mention spiders and sharks...?

See more of the shoot after the jump...

Hannah

This is Hannah.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, SB900 camera left bare flash, zoomed,

SB800 camera right in shoot thro'

I shot Hannah with two other photographers, Pat and Adam at a recent 'Bristol Strobist' shoot in the magnificent Ashton Court Mansion in Bristol. We had a great day's shooting. Hannah was no stranger to modelling! She was fantastic throughout the day. We only had a short time shooting her but it was great fun. Thanks again, Hannah.

This shot was taken using the Nikon CLS system for controlling the flashguns. Both Pat and Adam had used it in the past, and as we were all Nikon users, that was how we started. Being used to manually controlling the flashguns at source - not the menus back of camera, I could not get to grips with it and found it taxing. But we got some good shots - I was, however, glad we switched to manual triggers later on

This was the best shot I took of Hannah, here are some more...
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Project 52 ... 40

David wears shirts... lots of 'em and not just ordinary ones at that!
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, SB80 bare flash camera right, 1/2 power

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They are all patterned and flash and sometimes loud, but very 'on trend' as my ten year old daughter would say. David came to work with us for a few weeks; stayed for a few months and is a valued member of the team, but is sadly going to a more permanent position in the near future. When I approached him to take his portrait, it struck me that getting him to wear one of his famous shirts was the way to go. Well he didn't just bring one, he brought half a dozen!

David is lit by a single SB800 at half power or so to camera right just out of picture. I dropped the ambient light by about a stop, set the camera to manual at 1/200th at f8 and started shooting.

Thanks David for being such a good sport and I wish you well for the future, (and you might notice, David, that the brick coursing doesn't align with your shirts either! - you had to be there)

Ashton Court Bristol Strobist Meet

More shoes... rather a lot of them actually...

I recently had the good fortune to be part of an incredible meet at Ashton Court in Bristol with a group of about 40 like-minded photographers, 20 amazing models and a handful of very talented make up artists.
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Sherie's Shoes

D200, SB900 1/2 power camera right,

SB900 1/4 power camera left

I am at present editing the selection but I will be posting the best shots here over the next few weeks. Keep watching.

Lest we forget...

That's what my Dad used to say to us. Lest we forget. Never forget.
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My Grandfather and Father were both in the army over here. My Grandfather was in the Battle of the Somme. He got shot in the hip and was evacuated back home. He was one of the lucky ones. Dad, fortunately, never saw action. He was in the army during peacetime.

But we should never forget all those who were called up or joined up and fought and gave and their lives for us and weren't as lucky.

We must never forget, not just today, on Remembrance Sunday, but everyday.

Project 52 ... 39

This is Ben. Ben joined us as a Year Out student in Architecture this summer.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50mm f2.8, Sb800 shoot thro' umbrella camera left,

Vivitar 285 gridded behind Ben

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We take in students most years during their studies. Ben has spent a lot of the summer doing door and window schedules and drawing up plans on the computer.

Thanks Ben for being a good sport!

To learn more about brick sizes...

An Post

The recent postal strikes have me thinking about post boxes in Ireland. One of the last remnants of the british Empire in Ireland. Irish postboxes are all green, but some of the older ones are the British ones and 'VR' and 'GR' are there for all to see.
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Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland

GPO, Dublin, Ireland

GPO, Dublin, Ireland

Project 52 ... 38

This is Pal.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, Sb 800 camera right

Pal is a Shotokai College instructor in Shotokai Karate. On Saturday mornings you can find him sharing his knowledge, wisdom, wit and experience with children. A difficult task, he has the ability to bring the best out in his students and is always finding new and exciting ways to progress. A huge asset to the karate community and I know I am not alone in hoping that he continues to teach. Here he is practising kata.

A kata is a series of moves strung together and practiced in a set way. On a superficial level a kata is a physical exercise to learn to string together various moves; on a deeper level it is harmonizing the body with the mind and all around it.

A simple shot. I had an SB800 flash, no modifiers, on a VAL (voice activated lightstand - Katy, thanks Katy) to camera right and out of view. I dropped the ambient about a stop and then lit Pal, tweaking the power output on the flash until i was happy with the result.

Happy Diwali

Diwali, the celebration of the homecoming of Rama after exile; the Festival of Light, it is celebrated by fireworks.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f8, 5 seconds,

handheld, ISO 100

I took this grab shot when we rushed out back after hearing the fireworks explode into the sky. And what a sight they were. Our neighbours back garden was awash with light.

Come out into the Universe of Light,

Everything in the Universe is yours,

stretch out your arms and embrace it with Love.

                                          Swami Vivekanandra

Project 52 ... 37

Say hello to Ann.

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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, SB800, shoot thro' camera left,

Vivitar 285 gridspot camera right

I have known for a short time but in that time have come to know how much she does for the local community. Here Ann is doing a jigsaw puzzle, no big deal, right? But it is when you add the next one and the next one and then find out its so that when they are sold on in charity shops they are full and correct and thats all thanks to Ann! She must have the patience of a Saint! A lovely lady she is always there with a smile and is also a great hostess.

For this shot I set up the SB800 in a shoot through umbrella to Ann's left and a Vivitar 285 with a gridspot to her right.

Thank you Ann, for having patience to sit for me, but I suppose if you have the patience to do jigsaw puzzles then me taking twenty minutes to set up and photograph you is a dawdle!

Project 52 ... 36

This is Bill.
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D200, Tamron 17 -50, f2.8, SB800 shoot thro' camera left,

Vivitar 285 gridspot camera right

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Its hard to believe that this is the 36th portrait I have taken on this journey! I feel I am on the home straight. I have known Bill for a little over a year or so and I am happy to be able to call him a friend. Retired, he is a pillar of the community and well liked by everyone. I took this shot just before he and his lovely wife, Anne, were off on holiday.

The set up was a simple linear one that I find so quick and easy.

Thanks Bill for letting me take this shot.

The Barbican

When I first came to London in 1985 we used to go to concerts at the Barbican. I was impressed and amazed by the architecture of the buildings (the concerts weren't bad either...) But I always went back just to walk through the high rise elegance.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8

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No doubt I shall go back there again and again.

Project 52 ... 35

Meet Matt,
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, SB800 shoot thro' to camera left, Vivitar 285 behind and gridspot

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I first met Matt some years ago when he tried to get me involved in the Catenian Association. At first I wan't buying, but I came around (after a bit of subtle selling...) and have met some fantastic people along the way, some of whom I have photographed here.

I photographed Matt with his daughter, Morag, see here, a wonderful girl going to devote her life to mathematics... To shoot Matt I used the same set up as Morag, simple and easy.

Thanks again Matt, for badgering me!

Reflections...

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Bridge at Stratford Upon Avon

I recently spent a weekend in Stratford and indulged myself in an early morning walk when no one was about. This reflection of a wonderful stone bridge caught my eye.

Project 52 ... 34

This is Morag.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50, f2.8, SB800, shoot thro', Vivitar 285 gridspot for hairlight

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Morag is a beautiful young lady with a bright future in ... Maths and Philosophy! Great subjects! She starts her university course this month, rather her than me! To mark the occasion we took a series of shots one Saturday morning of Morag and her Mother and Father. This can only be a difficult but very exciting time for both Morag and her parents.

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For this shot we had an SB800 in a shoot through umbrella to camera right, Morag in the middle and a Vivitar 285 to camera left and behind Morag giving a hairlight separation, and a nice bit of flare... This linear approach works very well and is very quick to set up.

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I want to thank Morag and her parents for being great people to photograph; we had a great laugh taking the shots. Morag, I wish you all the success and hope you enjoy university life! Oh, and don't forget... never divide by zero.

Project 52 ... 33

Say hello to Ria...
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, SB800 shoot thro' camera right, Vivitar 285 to rear

Ria joined our office for the summer to help out on our ever increasing workload... A great young lady who became a valuable member of the team. We shall miss her when she goes back to university.

She is seen here holding a wake board, not something you use after a funeral, but part of the extreme sports set and it has these strange boots fixed to it (no high heels...)! I am always amazed to see these surfers throw themselves around on boards that barely float and dice with the waves! Amazing!

The shot was taken with an SB800 in a shoot through umbrella, partially blocked to form the main light and a gridded Vivitar 285 to give the hair light. Thanks Ria for being such and  extreme sport...

Historic Warwick

We recently made a trip to Warwick Castle and spent a day there enjoying a trip back to the middle ages. The castle itself was amazing as were the views from the battlements.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8

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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8

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I was particularly taken by this model of a village nearby...

Project 52 ... 32

Meet the lovely Mel...

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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, SB800 bounce umbrella, Vivitar 285 + gridspot

I first met Mel many years ago; she wasn't in a mini at the time, she was wearing leather trousers! Here she is pictured in her pride and joy; a soft top Mini Cooper. A wonderful lady, always smiling (even at my jokes...), Mel was easy to photograph.

I set up an SB800 in a bounce umbrella to camera left and a Vivitar 285 to camera left and behind Mel. Both triggered remotely. For the whole of the shoot Mel was more or less in the middle of the two lights. The biggest problem was the reflection of the SB800 in the bodywork of the mini. Being curved and metallic I had to be very careful indeed.

We took a lot of shots and had a great laugh! A big thank you to Mel for being such a good sport.

Project 52 ... 31

Meet moody Vince...
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D200 Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, no strobes...

Well, moody is a little unfair, okay, well a lot unfair. I first met Vince on the Scott Kelby 2008 World Wide Photowalk in Windsor last year. The same time as I met Glyn (photographed here). Glyn and Vince hit it off and became good friends and when you become friends with a photographer, then they are going to shoot you sooner or later.

Vince can been seen in multiple guises on Glyn's Blog, a lot of which are moody. So when we were walking around Eton last week, and we found a fantastic covered entrance to a mews with these amazing rendered friezes on the walls, I had to shoot him there. I also kept telling him to be 'moody'.

'You sound just like Glyn', he said. Pleased with that, I kept shooting. But this is my favourite shot of the afternoon. Vince is trying not to laugh as I am saying 'moody'... that was the shot! You can just see a smirk developing out of the corner of his mouth... Thanks for being patient with me Vince!

More shoes ... well boots ...

This is part of a project of photographing my wife Catherine's wonderful collection of shoes and boots. This is the first shot I have taken and this was to decide how to progress the project. I want to create an sense of drama.
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D200, Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8, SB800 grid, Vivitar 285 grid

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Lighting is all important in these shots and adds to the film noir mystic. Flat lighting will do nothing and leave you wondering why you bothered.
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As you can imagine, there are a lot more photographs to be taken ...

Blackrock Market ...

When I return home to Ireland I invariably make a visit to Blackrock market. An eclectic mix of clothes; vintage and new, books, comics, antiques, photography and all to do with the culture and history of Ireland.
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