Beautiful Iceland

What an amazing photography trip to the very beautiful Iceland. If you are a photographer this is a must go location. Half the size of the UK with a population under 500,000 you always feel like you are in the wilderness. Everywhere you go has stunning scenery and each location is radically different from the last. It is cold, while we there it was -19 so you must be well prepared. Travelling in a group is also a good idea as you can share driving and it feels a bit safer if you have problems. We stayed in Akureyri which was a good base to travel around the north of the country. So if in doubt, don’t worry buy a ticket and get out there you may even see the northern lights!

Return from the Lake district

I have just spent a beautiful week in the stunning lake district. Visiting Loweswater, Ennerdale, Eltwerwater, Ulswater and Derwent water. It’s a photographers paradise with so many forms of landscape photography available that you are inspired to be creative. We experienced rain, mist, blue skies, wind and sunshine in a short week. Many of the images I created will be shortly published on the website and here is the first of many. If you ever get the chance to go then grab the opportunity with both hands you wont regret it.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE RPS (FRPS)

It’s time to take the next leap and to start the process of trying to attain the “FELLOWSHIP OF THE RPS (FRPS)” After two years completing the Associate it’s time to start processing ideas and experimenting with different forms of photography. I already have multiple ideas (5) that I am testing.

This is the highest level of Distinction.  It requires a body of work/project of 20/21 images of a distinguished photographic and creative standard accompanied by a Statement of Intent. Fellowship submissions are only open to Associates of the Society. I will be testing ideas through this blog so I will be asking for feedback. Watch this space.

Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS)

After two years of work I have been been approved as a Associate of the RPS (ARPS). An ARPS distinction is the second highest level in the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) with only a fellowship being higher. To achieve this you have to be project focused and put together a coherent panel of 15 images. With this a Statement Of Intent (SOI) has to be prepared describing the meaning of the panel. My panel was based on the enclosure of Zoo animals and their inherent beauty. So although they were trapped by the frames of the images they are still creature to be admired. Next steps are to consider if I will take on the work to a obtain a fellowship.

Infrared Photography

I have been shooting Infrared images for some time with a filter, but recently I had a simple camera converted, the Canon Rebel 1200D. It’s already produced some great results and gives me the opportunity to shoot more images outside of sunrise and sunset. Strong sunlight and midday blue skies make it possible to shoot stunning images. This image was taken at the lizard in Cornwall using a panoramic technic. The Grass looks like snow and blue skies come out black. A technique that’s well worth trying either with a Infrared filter or with a converted camera.

Westcountry Wildlife Photography Centre

Yesterday we spent a wonderful day at the Westcountry Wildlife Photography Centre near Lifton in Devon. A managed space for Photographers to capture some of the native species to the UK. Truro Camera Club took the opportunity to practice taking these types of shots whilst hoping that this will help to develop skills that could be used outside of the confines of an enclosure. Judging by early results the club have captured some beautiful images and I would recommend budding wildlife photographers to use this as a way of building their skills sets. The Centres website can be seen in the link below http://wcwpc.co.uk

Anglesey a great location for us Landscape Photographers

I have just returned after spending a week on the fabulous island of Anglesey. If you have never been and you are a landscape photographer this is a wonderful location. You have the option of shooting the many landmarks (I went for the lighthouses), but you can also see Snowdonia from the island which makes a stunning backdrop. I was lucky enough to get at least three sunsets and they were crackers. The island is not large and everything seems 20 minutes away.  I found Newborough Beach and Llanddwyn Island to be the most photogenic. Although Trwyn Du Lighthouse was another spectacular location. Coming from Cornwall I was looking for something different and although sometimes it felt like a bus mans holiday the scenery and architecture were different. So if you get the chance make the journey do it! 

Experimenting with Dutch Master Style Still Life.

Over the past month I have been experimenting to try and create Dutch Master inspired still life images. Low contract and beautiful window light appears to be the answer. After collecting multiple objects mainly from charity shops I ended up with an interesting assortment of items I could utilise into create beautiful velvety type images. Light and processing is key in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop to be able to create a style that reminisces about a past skill from many talented artists. The next project will be to try and go in a totally different direction with David Lachapelle being the main inpiration in creating a modern still life image. Wish me luck!

Composites again

Over the past few days I have got back into composite work. I had got a little fed up and my motivation was at a low, but after watching a few youtube videos and checking a few items out on Flickr I was spurred onto experiment with some of my older images. With storm Eleanor breaking there was nothing better than to try and represent one of my sons playing golf in the rain. It took many poses to capture the golfer and a trip to the damp golf course. All the preparation paid off and I manage to get a pretty good representation of what its like to get wet playing the game you love. 

Winning a few competitions!

Recently I have been quite successful in a few competitions. I use Photocrowd to enter a series of international competitions that are sponsored by magazines, photography companies and individuals. Most competitions feature over 500 photograph and provide a good benchmark on how good your images are. 

This is my latest win two swans at Derwent Water. Have a look.

https://www.photocrowd.com/photo-competitions/into-the-wild-animals-in-their-habitat-animal-photo-contest-2361/overview/

I advise any photographer to enter free competitions to guage how you are doing.

Infrared is fun.

This week I have mostly been playing about with an Infrared filter and producing unusual photographs. The light transforms what you normally see into an ethereal look to landscape images. Colours are switched and the feeling of a snowy scene during the middle of Autumn becomes the norm.