Today, not images just words I am afraid, but to many aspiring photographers I hope words of wisdom. It concerns many, many photographers who are far too concerned and spend too much time looking at and lusting for new equipment.  Now I have one, yes just one, camera. A Nikon D700 with a 85mm lens, that’s it one camera and one lens. That’s it I am afraid no other digital camera.  Yes I also have a 10×8 Gandolfi and a Hasselblad but both are film cameras and anyway thay also just have a single lens each.

When we host workshops I am always amazed at the amount of kit some photographers have, in some cases enough to start a small retail outlet!  But is it all necessary I ask or is it just a vanity kick, the ‘I have so much kit I must be a good photographer’? Well lets face simple facts, its not the camera that takes the image its you the photographer, rather its your heart telling your brain to tell your finger that this is a good/great moment to press that shutter release. Its within you, the photographer, its your emotional interaction with the image that tells you that the moment has arrived, the camera is simply a mechanical object that captures what you tell it to capture. It’s a tool, it’s not magic and it does not have a mind of its own. No camera has ever won an award nor will one ever win an award the author of any image is the heart, mind and soul behind the viewfinder so rather than spend even more money on the latest camera body or lens, pause, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s all within you to create the image all you need to do is to see the image and then capture it on whatever medium. In truth you should be able to create an excellent image on any camera, film or digital, so instead of always wishing for new kit make use of the kit you already have to create some new and exciting image. The secret is to set youself a project and just get out there and take images.

Yes, another busy day, Faye has been trying to work on some images though difficult with her ongoing eye problem but she is managing to do some superb work despite the constraints. I have spent most of the day revamping the studio, tidying up in preparation for…… well that’s for later in February!

We spoke about our CITIZENS exhibition at the Convention, in fact we should consider doing a Masterclass on that project for next year,(note to self).  This image is from that exhibition, Sister Margaret a wonderful human being full of love and kindness.  Taken in the chapel with natural daylight on the Hasselblad with 150mm lens. T Max 100 developed in Selectol Soft and printed onto Ektalure.

Well I say busy, Sunday was for a few hours. We were shooting some new and fresh images for the website of one of Edinburgh’s leading hairdressing salons. Had to lug all the kit with us but thanks to Bowens we had one of their big travel kits which made life a bit easier. However it was the Bowens ringflash that made most of the images, hard crisp and fashionable but we did double up on each by using the big softbox and the Fresnel spot. Afterwards we went for a delightful Chinese meal then back home for a well earned glass of Bordeaux.

More importantly I have been reflecting on our Masterclass at the Convention last week and some of the areas that we covered, one of which, blog sites still need to be brought to the attention of many photographers. I mean why on earth advertise on your website ‘ go visit our blog’ only to find the last post was in October, or in some cases even earlier. WHY! Either do a blog or don’t do a blog. Clients will not be impressed if they visit your blog and see that your last post was several months ago, I mean what does that say about that studio?  Yes, LAZY! So if you have a blog I implore you for the sake of your pride and your business please make at least weekly posts but preferably more frequently if you can manage. This can/should be an important part of your marketing programme and ignoring it is a fatal error in your business strategy.

Today we have some images from our first Superclass at the Convention which was on Portraiture, one of our favourite subjects. It always amazes and astounds me at how complicated some photographers can make such a simple subject as a portrait. Lighting on the first 2 images was simply with a large Bowens soft box with a reflector kicking light back in from left of camera, nothing difficult or complicated. The second image was to demonstrate how easy it is to create a simple portrait with only available light and a reflector. here the light was coming from camera right with the reflector providing some fill on Christiane’s face. I saw this image as a simple yet dynamic portrait with the red seats disappearing in to the background providing a strong focal point on the subject.

I again appeal to anybody setting out in Portrait Photography to learn to see and use light, leave buying any new kit until you have mastered your lighting. Use family, friends, neighbours etc. as your subjects, always use the largest light source you can afford be that a soft box or daylight and remember at all times to keep it as simple as possible allowing you to spend time in conversation with your client. I use a 20+ year old soft box and Bowens head in our studio, it is always set to the same output so I know never have to worry about exposure, occasionally I will use a second, much smaller, soft box to provide either some fill or separation from the background but once again its a very simple set -up. Your lighting should become second nature to you  so be it in your studio or a clients home you should know to half a stop what your exposure should be, the unfortunate thing is this only comes with practise and experience which is why again I say if you are dedicated to improving your portrait lighting skills get out there and photograph!

The first portrait taken on our Super class Faye has left in colour because of Christiane’s striking hair.

I love the colour image but when converted to black and white with just a hint of tone added it reminds me of a 1930’s Holywood Glamour Portrait

The final image today is a simple daylight portrait of Christiane taken in one of the booths of the Planet Suite of the Novotel. Daylight coming from camera right and a fill camera left provided by a reflector. That’s it.. simple!

Ok, so now we have better news about Faye’s eyesight today, we have, not only more images from the London Convention but more information about the images.

The first thing to notice is that I have reloaded one of the images from the SHOOT IN THE CITY workshop on Sunday because Faye has now reworked and slightly altered the image. This one was taken at the end of the workshop, downstairs at the main entrance of the Novotel. We just loved that white wall.

The second image is again at the same white wall and is one of my favourite images and also one that I was  lucky to capture. I had just told Nicky to go over and stand at the wall, while I considered what to do and what the exposure might be, as she just stood there waiting I grabbed the image and love its slightly melancholy, almost lonely look. More of this area to come!!

The final shot Faye has worked on today was in fact the first shot of the day. Again this is part of the exterior of the Novotel, almost in the car park and had the sun not been shining it possibly would not have worked as it is the light shining through the concrete uprights that makes this image, plus a little help from the reflector.

As I mentioned to our delegates, 4 of whom were Norwegian, Nicky and Steven are not models they are Actors. We declined the offer of using the usual SWPP models for this workshop and paid for Nicky and Steven  ourselves as they make an invaluable contribution to our workshops. Why, well simple really, because they are Actors they can get into the role of  the Bride and Groom and, in this case, play the part and then come out of the role they are playing instantly, moving from playfull to loving, then on to to a sensual intimate couple. Models cannot ‘act’ the part of a Bride and Groom and show true romance with each other because usually  they are shy of one another.Weddings are about romance, rex and most of all the love between two people and that is what we get from Steve and Nicky. So thank you to a brave couple on a very cold day in London.

As I promised yesterday here are the first few images from our Shoot in the City Super class last Sunday. Faye has worked her magic, despite the problems with her eye, and hopefully we will have more from this and our Portrait workshop tomorrow after Faye’s hospital appointment.

We have been at the annual Convention in London for the last week so that’s the reason for the distinct lack of posts! Normal service should now been resumed. Lots to speak about from last week apart from Faye’s eyesight, my food poisoning and falling out of the shower narrowly missing cracking my skull open on the marble washbasin and more notably winning 3 of the top awards which were presented at the Awards Dinner last night.

However, first things first. We have brought back the last 22 of our Classic Nude calendars which we are now offering at £15 each inclusive of P&P in the UK or + £5 for overseas shipping. Payment by cheque or Paypal.

Now I have started something by digging into the archives but though this was an interesting feature from 1992. For 4 years we did all the fashion spreads for Scotlands national newspaper The Scotsman. A wonderful experience working with top hairdressers, MUA’s stylists and journalists not forgetting the models of course. I think that despite being nearly 20 years old they still look pretty good. Hasselblad, 150mm lens hand held.

While I was putting some material together for the Convention I delved into several of Faye’s Press Books to select some interesting stories that have appeared in the media over the years about us. I thought this one was very interesting, from the Daily Mail in 1995 where the story led around the fact that I would not do smiles, cakes, kilts, signing the register and they only got one album – black!  Oh yes and the wonderful headline – £5000 and remember this was 15 years ago! If you want to know the effect of this on our wedding business then come along to our Master Class this Saturday between 12 and 2 at the Novotel – Hammersmith. You may be surprised!

Today we have a colour image of Kelly and her ‘bump’ from her recent session.