Snow in Sedgefield

Snow in Sedgefield, originally uploaded by richard0709.

Suzanne and John's wedding.....

...was in Norwich. Now I have never been to Norwich, and you would have thought that, like pretty much EVERY city in the UK, it would be fairly easy to get to. But oh no! Single carriageway for miles. Mind you, when I got there, what a pretty place Norfolk is. Anyway, the wedding. I love doing weddings where the couple stamp there own personalities and style on the day. Suzanne and John did this from the grooms blue checked Converse baseys to the Mario cake! I had a hoot, and a little tip to anyone planning their wedding...sausages and mash is a fantastic choice for the wedding meal. And John's speech was one of the best I have heard for a very long time. Hilarious and moving. I just want to offer both of them my very best wishes and hope they have a long and loving life together.

It rained all day, right up to 6pm, at which point I whisked the whole bridal party outside, with a couple of flashguns and a big reflector dish and got some really urban style shots. I think I hit the mark.

I do a lot of work for charidee mate.....

Been sooooo long since I updated this, so welcome back.

Still keeping busy, with lots of portraits and other events completed over the summer. Of particular note was the Slimming World/NSPCC Charity Summer Ball last weekend at Solberge Hall near Northallerton. Backdrop, lights camera and action..I never stopped from 8 till 1 in the morning. I met some fantastic people, and some of the pictures from later on in the evening were just fantastic. I would post them, but I haven't got permission yet, so I can't, but pop back and check out the new Morecombe and Wise...! Thanks to Donna and Michaela for making the night so welcoming, and thank-you for re-booking me for next year.
On a different tack, I was reading in the papers today about the remembrance service for Sir Bobby Robson at Durham Cathedral. To me, SBR was almost the last connection to an honourable age of football. You only had to look at the people who attended to see how much respect the man had within the game; and only because he had respect FOR the game. He was truly a giant.

Also, since I last posted, the world has lost another true legend in Les Paul. For those of you who don't know, Les Paul invented the solid body electric guitar back in 1939. What most people don't know is he also pioneered multi track recording, which is how songs are still recorded (albeit digitally) today. The word legend is applied too often I fear, but in these 2 instances, I think it is the most appropriate word.

Oh, nearly forgot. Had a great holiday in Normandy in August, with the family. Warm, relaxed and dog-free!!!

Another happy day

Well, this is the first time I have had a chance to sit down this week and commit to updating this blog.
First off, I just want to say a huge congratulations to Bev and Aaron on their marriage last Saturday. I had the honour of photographing their day, and had a fantastic time. Aaron is a member of our armed forces, and all the lads came dressed in number 2s. It is the first time I have done a forces wedding, and the uniform really helps to balance the shots. I wish them both all the very best of luck in their new life together, and I sincerely hope we stay in touch. Some of the shots attached



On a more personal note, I am off on holiday next week with the tribe, so I am planning on hammering the Olympus Trip. Will post some pics when I get back. Catch you later!!!

What a week.....

Hey y'all. How is everyone? Good I hope.

Have had a really, really busy, fun, exhausting week this week. Last Saturday I did a wedding in Essex for Clare and Rob. What a fun day that was. Rob is a Ska fan, and the lads turned up in Cherry Red DMs, shades and trilbies and looked the mutts nuts. I love weddings where the couple stamp their own personalities on the day, rather than the rather production line affairs that you generally see in magazines. Rob and Clare are dead canny, and made me feel really welcome. It was a real hoot of a day, and I just hope they like the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Then, on Thursday I was at a local nursery school. I made a concious decision to move away from the usual "school-photo" look, and to be honest I was dead nervous about doing this. However, I have had some really nice mails from the parents so I think the decision has been justified. Move to Thursday evening, and I could be found at the Marriott Hotel in Gosforth with the graduating VI formers from St Benet Biscop School, taking photos at their Graduation Ball. Thursday had been a HOT day, and the lads and lasses kept me busy from 7 o'clock till about 11. Surrounded by partying students and teachers, can you imagine how tempting it must have been to slip off for 5 minutes and enjoy a nice cold bottle of Budvar, but, being the consumate professional, I resisted and stuck to the iced water. Was a great evening, but by the time I got home and backed up the pictures, it was 2 in the morning. Getting up on Friday was hard work.
I just want to say thank you to Rob and Clare, Nicola Evans and Sophie Hawkins. I had a lot of fun this week

Phew...busy day

Had a fantastic day today. Spent all afternoon with a mate of mine called Mark. Now, Mark is a Mod, right down to the tips of his fishtail parka. The guy also has a fantastic Lambretta, a TV175. Now I like Lambrettas. To me, they are achingly beautiful. Stylish, with great lines that ooze coolness. Not built for speed but when they look this good, why would you not want people to see you.

Anyway, Mark and I had been talking for a while about getting him and his Lammy down to my studio for a while, and today was that day. Luckily, the sun went in for a bit so we nipped down to an old derelict mental hospital nearby for a few outdoor shots, and then back to the garage, I mean studio, for some more messing about. Output is posted.

My only regret from today? I turned down an offer from Mark to ride it!! Doh.

What the........

Came across this video on YouTube this afternoon having just finished a conversation that went along the lines of (edited highlights of course):

Caller: Hi, I'm looking for a photographer for our wedding

Me: Great.  Have you had a look at my website?

Caller: Yeah, and I like your pictures

Me: Fantastic.  So, what sort of thing were you looking for? 

Caller: What we would like is for you to get the whole ceremony, stay for the speeches and the disco, and if you could get some "getting ready" shots, that would be great

Me: No problem.  Are you looking for an album?

Caller: Not really. We would then take a CD from you and buy the photograph we like 

Me: Uhhh huhhhh

Caller: Yeah.  We have a look at the pictures, and if we see one we like, we will pay you for that picture.

Me: (Silence)

Caller: 'cos everything is digital now, you can do this can't you?

Me: Not really

Caller: What?

Me: In any quote from any photographer, a certain amount is for the time taken to actually take the photographs.  Are you suggesting I photograph your wedding, and all you are prepared to budget for is the price of one photograph?

Caller:  Yeah, but a big one.  You know, for the mantlepiece

Me:  I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that

Caller: Why not? Why do you have to charge so much when there will be other people taking photographs at the wedding.  Besides, their is a credit crunch on, and you must need the work

Me: Sorry!

Caller: Yeah.  Friends and family have got cameras and they will be taking photos.

Me: Great.  Why don't you ask for their pictures after the wedding and get prints made that way?

Caller: Because your pictures would look better

Me: That's why I charge

Caller: Oh.  There are other photographers cheaper than you, you know

Me: I do know.  Do you like their pictures?

Caller: Not really.

Me: Would you like to have a think about this and give me a call back when you have had a bit more time

Caller: Yeah.  OK.  Bye

Now, I love taking photos, and I love dealing with people, and have, in the past, been known to offer my services at, shall we say, a generous discount, but sometimes you have just gotta say No.

Men

I like Calvin and Hobbes.  And I am a man.  Therefore, this strip I think positions the attitude of men everywhere beautifully, and identifies that the "ask for help" gene is absent at birth in males!

Gutted

Well, the inevitable came to pass. Newcastle United were relegated from the EPL today after another abject display from the team. I am not sure what upsets me the most: being relegated, or the manner in which we went down.  You would have thought that Premiership survival meant something to these players and that they would have been fighting for their lives out there, but no.  The last shot on goal was in the 20th minute.  Says it all really. Mind you, I can't say I'm surprised. This has been coming for the last 3 seasons, and the on and off pitch performances this season have finally exposed the inherent weaknesses at the club. Millions of pounds wasted on average players, 9 managers in 3 years, bizarre appointments in the boardroom have finally taken there toll. The team has been woefully short on pace, imagination and flair and that is just not good enough in this league. I just hope that the club stick with Shearer, listen to what he says and rebuild the club based on the excellent talent we have in the youth team.
Peversely, I think this may be the best thing that could have happened to the club; it could be the wake up call that we need, and I am looking forward to seeing the likes of Vuckic, Ranger and Lua Lua really establish themselves.
Shay Given and Charles N'Zogbia must be killing themselves laughing.

The camera never lies........?

I have a friend called Chris, who is an amazing watersport photographer.  When I met up with him last year in Spain, he insisted that his pictures were promoted as being "non-Photoshopped", a claim that in itself is admirable. Then today, I had a debate with some photographer friends about Photoshop image manipulation techniques in fashion magazines, and it got me thinking.  I have had many clients asking whether I can get rid of wrinkles, laughter lines etc from their wedding and portrait photos.  The answer is yes I can, but why would I want to?  To me the beauty in a face is in the laughter lines, it is that element of your appearance that tells me who you are, and is what I am trying to convey through the photo.  If you have a spot on your wedding day that wasn't there last week, and won't be there next week then fine, but I am not going to airbrush your personality away!  My whole attitude towards manipulation is I will do what could be done in the darkroom of yore.  And, as the first set of images show, that is quite a lot.  The first of the 2 is an iconic Vogue cover from the 50's, the second is the original photo from which it was taken.  So, manipulation of images has been going on for decades, and is not an evil attributable to Photoshop exclusively.  The key is whether the manipulation adds to the image or detracts.  Airbrushing your personality out of a portrait defeats the object of what we are trying to achieve. There are many constructive ways to use the technology available to us these days; personally, I don't think a boost in colour saturation, a judicious crop, or a bit of "dodge and burn" are bad things, and as mentioned before have been an integral part of photo development for decades. I just feel that when one gets to the stage where it is acceptable to alter digitally someones complexion, and even body shape, in the name of "beauty", we have to question the value of technology.  

 

 

  

It pays to get better, and getting better pays!!

I am a great believer in continuous improvement, and it doesn't matter how well you think you are doing, there is always something new to learn.  And with this ethos, for the last 6 weeks, I have been on a fantastic course run by Dylan Baker in Durham, to help develop the photography skills in areas that I normally would never consider.  For example, as a wedding photographer, you don't get the luxury of waiting for the right light, a team of make-up artists retouching every 10 minutes for that flawless complexion, lighting assistants moving large lighting rigs around, and 30 minutes to compose the right shot with professionally trained models.  You just gotta know how to pose people, and capture the moment in a unique and engaging way.  On the course we did just that (apart from the make up artists!!).  Models, lights, ideas, and TIME to think about what you were trying to do.  One photo attached.  So, if you are into photography, and want to try your hand at something new, I would recommend Mr Baker's course to anyone.  Yes, cheque will be fine Dylan, thanks!

Joy upon Joy........

Get in!!!!  3 reasons for being utterly delighted this week.  Firstly, my new PC arrived.  Did I tell you what happened to the last one? No? OK.  In a nutshell, the effort of having to upload a single batch of 200 large photo files in less than 3 weeks finally proved too much for the poor thing, and with a slightly unceremonious and disappointingly pathetic "phtt", it finally pointed its computery toes to the sky and died.  However, new computer is a thing of power, and because I am a man, and men can only buy things with stupid names (check out the Gillette Power Fusion Phenom razor to see what I am talking about), I have decided to christen it the "Alpha Stealth Ultra X".  I then gave the task of "recycling" the old one to my 7 year old lad.  What that kid can do with a screwdriver doesn't bear thinking about.  Suffice to say, 10 minutes later it was in in 200 componant parts on the study floor, and he loved it because it was the first time he has taken something expensive apart and hasn't been told off when he couldn't put it back together again.

The second reason is my website is now up and running.  It has only taken me 3 months to get to this point having managed to spot (and avoid) numerous graphic charletons, sorry designers who could do me the most beautiful looking site, but wanted a significant chunk of my mortgage for the pleasure, oh, and what do you mean you wanted to upload photos at will; that'll be a kidney please.  I just have to say that Andy at LayerSpace has been an absolute breath of fresh air, so thanks to him, and also Dylan for pointing me in this direction. So, if you are interested, have a look at RTS Photo and leave your thoughts.  

And finally, and I am going to whisper this in case I alienate all of my Teesside potential market........Newcastle 3, Boro 1.