Away in York...

This past weekend I went to stay with the wonderful Sarah in York.  The day before I was due to leave (Friday), I learned that I would finish college early, so I changed my coach ticket to arrive a little earlier than planned.  I got up early on Friday, got some work done, then headed to the coach station.  After waiting for the coach driver to finish his lunch break, I was on my way to York.  

When I arrived in York, It was very windy and rainy, and I got a little wet!  I managed to find my way to Sarah's accommodation, and was met with 'What are you doing here, I haven't tidied my room or done my nails!'  I think she was surprised!  

Over the weekend, we watched films, went shopping, and just generally had an absolutely awesome time!  On Sunday, we went on a walk (which was where the photos were taken) and it was freezing!  Both our faces were hurting from the cold, and it was also rather muddy!  I was using a flash and a graduated filter (to darken the sky) for the photos above, besides the one of me.  That one was taken by Sarah, and I really like it! I do look a bit gormless though....

I've had a new idea for a project that will hopefully take a long time.  I will try to document mine and Sarah's time together as best I can, which will mean having a camera, whatever the size or shape, with me all the time.  I have a book module coming up soon at college, and I could perhaps use some of the photos I take for the book.  We'll see!

Enjoy!

G

Eyes and Hands

Just a quick post today.  Forgot I'd shot this one, it's from the walk I went on with Sarah the other day, which you can see here.

I love the depth of field in this, and the focus. Sarah has such stunning eyes!

This is another self portrait that i've been working on for my task.  You can see the others here.  I've always wanted to do one of these shots, but never really got round to it.  I hung up a white sheet in the conservatory and used a 28mm wide open at f/2.8.  I really like the soft focus the 28mm gives, its probably my favourite lens at the moment.

G

The Man Behind the Camera

Here are a couple of self portraits I am working on for the task that Leeds College of Art have sent me to do before I start my course.  I also have to read a photography book and write a 500 word response to it.  

Anyway, lets talk about the photos now.  The top image, was shot through my Bronica, using my 7D.  I used a 28mm lens at f/2.8, and natural light.  I was looking all over the house to find a suitable place to shoot, asking mum if I could move furniture, which resulted in a look that said; 'Don't be silly'.  I took 2 shots, one to get the exposure right for the Bronica, and one to get the correct exposure for the viewfinder.  I then copied the inside of the viewfinder to the image of the Bronica in order to get a final image that most resembled what I saw looking through the Bronica.  

The bottom image took me most of yesterday to set up.  I had to empty the garage room, then move my kit to the centre of the room, and hang up a couple of white sheets on the walls to block out the shelves.  I then set up my flashes around the kit, and tethered my camera to my mac.  I set the camera to take a photo every 5 seconds, 15 times.  I set the flashes to sync go off when the shutter went up, and just before it came down again.  With a long exposure, the movement of my drumming becomes apparent, which is why you can see two of me in the photo.  By the time I got this shot, I was tired and sweaty, and on the edge of giving up!

Also, I should be getting my film back from jessops soon, which I will scan and post whenever I get the chance.

G

Big Man, Small Chair

I was trawling through my hard drive today, and found this which I shot around last christmas.  I was helping to clear the loft out, and I found this cool little chair, and I just had to shoot of a photo of it!  I sat on it, and amazingly it held my weight, and I felt like a giant! I like giants.....

Anyway, I think I went a bit too heavy on the flash here, but I kinda like the contrasty-ness of it, and the fact you can't see my face.  

G

Photographic oppotunities

I went to my brothers new uni house today, to help sort a few things out.  I found an old bath full of stinky water in the garden, which was quite random!  I shot this with a 28mm prime wide open at f/2.8 in colour, then converted to black and white in PS CS5.  I prefer shooting colour images to convert to black and white later, as I can tweak each individual colour channel, and have greater control over the tonal range.  I also shot a film version of this, which I will post in a few weeks.

I also shot a self portrait, which is odd as i'm normally behind the camera! If you click it, it goes really biggggg! Again, I shot this with a 28mm at f/2.8, then played around with the colour balance in CS5.

G

Welcome to my new blog!

Hi, thanks for checking out my blog.  Over the coming weeks I will be sharing with you my favourite photos; letting you know how the shoots go; what i'm up to; and just generally rambling.

This is a photo of me rowing a boat, on a lake, in Keswick.  I can assure you my face does not normally look like this, rowing is hard work!

G