Ironman and Ironwoman : part one

Firstly, let me say a big good luck to Jane and Patrick who are competing in the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon 2011 this weekend. Good luck lads, we will be thinking of you! You can follow the action here.
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But, to explain, towards the end of last year I discovered that Jane, the mother of one of my karate students was a triathlete. Not only that, but her husband Patrick is also a triathlete. You know the type; hyper fit, whether it is on the bike, swimming or running, just amazing really.

I wanted to do a series of shots of Jane and her bike, and running and swimming. So I approached her one Saturday morning and asked if she would be my model and to my delight she said yes! At the same time, I was already thinking of how I would cajole Patrick to be part of this; I mean how often do you come across a husband and wife triathlete duo? Not very often. So expect a few more shots as the year progresses.

These are a few of the shots we did in the studio.

Patrtick and Jane

Jane

I shall be posting more from the shoot in the next few weeks, but I just wanted to say a big good luck to both Jane and Patrick; good luck and watch out for the blisters...!

Looking up to Heaven...

How often do you look up?

Last weekend we took a trip to the Cathedral City of Canterbury. A wonderful city. The cathedral dates back to the 6th century, but is most famous for the murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170.

Canterbury #1

I really enjoy visiting these amazing buildings; walking among the great stone columns you get a sense of wonder and spirituality that is fantastic. And you cannot help but look up. The ceilings are magnificent; works of wonder with elegant vaulting and bosses you can’t help but wonder how they did it back then with no health and safety executive! It was all done for the glory of God, and looking up was like looking up to Heaven. At lease as close as you could get on Earth.

Canterbury #2

Canterbury #3

Canterbury #4

Canterbury #5

There are always so many tourists there taking photographs of the vastness of the space, with only a small flash to illuminate it; its never going to happen. A tripod is out – I think you have to pay a stipend to use one and I hadn’t brought one anyway. So I did the next best thing; I set the camera to self timer in aperture priority mode, set the aperture to f16 and placed the camera on the floor, tripped the shutter, stepped back and let it take the shot. There was a bit of trial and error to get the framing correct, or at least until I was happy with what I got, and I drew a few stares. One lovely lady, a volunteer guide was intrigued and impressed when I showed her the results.

Canterbury #6

Canterbury #7

The delicate vaulting and the intricate tracing is almost beyond belief, especially when you realise it was all hand carved 800 years ago.

Canterbury #8

Next time, look up... and think of the hands that put these wonderful buildings together.

And this is what happens

when you don't step back far enough...!!!

Happy Valentines Day!

A great big Happy Valentines day to all those out there that are in love! I hope the day brings you your heart's desires.

And a special Happy Valentines Day to my wonderful Wife, Catherine. I love you Catherine,

Noel

xxx

Jane's Bike

It's not about the bike... yeah, right. Cyclists may tell you that, but it is. And I must admit I have rarely come across a machine more beautiful than a racing bike. the sleek line, the aero dynamics, the weight - or lack of it, the speed and the grace. Altogether an amazing way to travel. And an even better way to travel at speed.

In a previous lifetime, I used to race bikes around the County of Dublin, but that was a long time ago and this is Jane's bike, and she loves it! Jane is a triathlete, and along with her husband, Patrick, they take part in events all over the world. Impressive. I only have admiration for that. To be successful in such events, the bike has to become part of you; you have to feel it and be it. Riding becomes second nature. It is no wonder that cyclists treat their bikes like part of the family; polished and cleaned, like another child.

I am shooting a series on Jane and Patrick over the next few months as they go about their triathlete type lives. And close up shots of the bikes are part of it. Enjoy.

For the cognoscenti, the bike is a carbon fibre Colnago, with Campagnolo appointments. I lit the bike to one side with a softbox and the other side with with a strobe head fired through a white transparent(ish) backdrop.

And when they tell you it's not about the bike.... just smile and nod.

A New Toy

I had the good luck to be given a Lastolite Ezybox softbox for my birthday last December and up until now I haven’t had a chance to use it. Katy and I set it up last night and had a play with it.

First impressions are that it’s a doddle to put up; a flick of the wrist and the softbox takes shape. I am not going to go into the how to set it up as it was fairly straightforward, if you use one you'll see what I mean. Putting it away was just as easy. I made one modification; I removed the cold shoe that came with the bracket and replaced it with one of the flash triggers I use. The model I got was the 60cm one.

The light from it was amazing and very controllable. It was made for the type of portrait shots I like to do; film noir. I have been getting similar results with using a closed down reflective umbrella, but the draw back of this approach is that there is the umbrella rod close to your subjects face just waiting to poke their eye out. Not recommended. And also I find it harder to reach in close to the subjects face to adjust the flash output. The softbox can be almost touching the models face and you still have easy access to the flash, because nits behind it.

the setup

I have yet to use it outside, but given the weight and shape it cannot be any worse than an umbrella in the wind. Fort these shots we killed the ambient, more or less and then added back in the softbox light.

And thanks again to Katy for being the model… and the photography in the end...

Noel and Katy

Happy New Year to Maria and Joe

As part of that project last year, I photographed Joe one summer evening. A great time was had by all. At the end of the shoot, which didn't last very long - as we were all eager to get back to the great Sicilian feast they had prepared, I persuaded Maria, his beautiful partner, to pose with him. The tone when photographing Joe had been moody and thoughtful, so we took a final shot in the same vein. One frame was all it took and I had the shot. Sometimes it really does happen like that. 

Maria and Joe

A nicer couple you could not meet!

I wanted to wish them a happy new year as they ahd a bit of a let down at Christmas. Long story short; they, and all their family were due to fly to the USA and take a cruise down south, but couldn't get out of Gatwick because of the white stuff! Maria's brother managed to make it from Manchester, but he was the only one to get away! I bet he enjoyed that! And this was a special family celebration, Maria's Parents 50th Wedding Anniversary! Anyway, I am told they are planning on taking the holiday in the new year. I wish them all good luck and curse the snow!

You will remember Maria as one of the first portraits from the previous year. A pleasure to shoot, and you can't say that everyday. Definitely one of the favourites, here it is again; Maria in her trademark pink.

Maria

(definitely one of the favourites...)

Happy New Year guys,

and I am looking forward to seeing next years holiday snaps...

Noel

A very Happy New Year to all...!!!

2010 is behind us and 2011 is here. What a year it has been! Full of ups and downs, but mostly, I am happy to say, ups! This year has thought me that photography is a wonderful tool to make things happen. I'll be posting more about this as the year goes on.

A new year, a new project. I shall be spending more time in the studio and more time working on my portfolio. Not quite sure what the project will be yet; too many great ideas I am happy to say!

I was given a present of an iPad this year from a very good friend of mine, so I am hoping this will help in the social networking side of things. No resolutions, I am just going to do more of the stuff I love. This next year is going to be focused (pardon the pun) on having maximum fun with my photography.

 I leave you with this piece of street art I came across in Dublin last year...

Artist... unknown,

but maybe that's their 'tag' in the corner,

whoever you are, great spraying!

So, all the best for the New Year and may all your wishes come through...

Noel