About 2 weeks ago I put a post up on social media stating that I am looking for subjects to photograph. I go in to detail about the I Need blog post but to summarise I need to Get Off My Ass and make portraits. #GOYA
This is Sarah who very kindly stepped up to let me photograph her. I kept things real simple and took it back to basics with simple lighting setups so more time could be spent talking.
During the shoot we talked about life, losses and what we have been up-to, plans for the future. It was great. Thank you Sarah.
I have shot a fair few portraits in my time and every so often you get a moment or a look in a portrait that just speaks to you. There is something in Sarah's eyes that draw me in to the image above. Emotion, life stories, something. that's hard to put a finger on.... sometimes it's drawn out of a subject and others it just happens as a result of something said.
Man I really need to do this more often. Keep it simple and talk more, listen more, learn more.
The edits from these shoots will be small in terms of number of images and I will only post 1-2 from each shoot on the blog and social media to focus on the stronger images.
If you would like to help out and be photographed you can find out how here.
To Sarah...
Thank you for your time, what you shared and for being you. My Door is always open.
Rick
#GOYA #TurnOffTheNoise #Shoot
black & white
Looking for answers?...
in Image, Photography
I went in to Manchester this weekend to shoot some street again with the X100, still getting to know that camera. I was not really getting much and felt terrible all day but I did come away with some images.
This image below is by far my favourite Image from the day. The two gents in it are my good friends Kev Pack and Mark Boadey. I like the symmetry and contrast and the fact they are looking up and she.. Well the statue is looking down.
It was shot ISO 3200 so its grainy but in a good way. Actually quite like the grain the X100 produces so removed any noise reduction applied in lightroom before export.
I am still not feeling great so will blog the rest of the days images some other time.
Thanks
Rick
Fuji X100 - A little more than a little camera...
in Gear, Photography
I was going to headline this post with an image of the Fuji
X100 but then figured that’s pointless, I shoot portraits so instead we
have a portrait made with the Fuji
X100. This is my Grandmar, she’s 99
years old, loosing sight, has been in hospital for 8 weeks and can still crack
a winning smile! Love you Gran. Also
can’t wait to shoot her 100th Birthday in January.. with the X100.
Now this is not going to be a review, I have only had the camera what 2 days.. I may come back and review it/give my thoughts later.
I have had this camera on my list for a while.. Actually I had the Fuji X Pro-1 on my list but that thing is £1200 with a 35 F1.4 lens.. that’s 5D2 with grip money, anyway I have always liked the X100 after shooting with a few but it went on the Not A Priority list. It seems some of my comments about the camera were heard and I received a Fuji X100 for Christmas.. told the family no it’s to expensive! .. Thankfully (kinda) they ignored me.
Took the camera to work today, shot it on my lunch and around the office and in doing so noticed something that has nothing to do with image quality, mega pixels or any of that technical stuff! I’t got people talking and about it..
“That looks great, what a cool camera”
“That’s an nice old camera” – It’s new, digital.. “Really, looks retro”
“Is that a film camera?”
People loved it wanted to pick it up and shoot with it.. people who were not photographers, don’t care about gear or brand wars, they simply liked how it looked and wanted to try it. Best of all it broke down walls and had people letting me photograph them. I 100% guarantee you if it was my 5D2 they would of shut down, turned away, been intimidated.. no shot, game over. The X100 is quiet and quick in operation, I like its little quirks, many have complained about it or don’t get it.. I think they are talking rubbish.
Love my DSLR’s (60D and 5D2), really love that 5D and prime lens but it’s too bulky to carry around day to day.
I find it frustrating shooting 2 different DSLR’S, 2 different formats… I am adding a second 5D2 to the DSLR kit for that reason (that and I like wide).. But oddly all that does not bother me with the X100, I mean its very different to the 5D.. totally chalk and cheese but it’s the only camera that makes me shoot with my tongue sticking out the corner of my mouth a little, Remember I said I like its quirks? It makes you work for it, it’s has an attitude and soul that if you let it will own you and I love it.
Also I love the fact it’s a fixed lens (23mm, 35mm Equiv.) and fast F2. It means you have to move, just how I like it.. I only shoot prime lens.
This camera wont replace the DSLR’s, fact is it can’t but it will allow me to shoot allot of stuff I wont be able to with the DSLR simply because I will carry it with me, the DSLR gets taken to the studio, location and on paid jobs, lives in the main bag, it’s big, heavy, a commitment to take out. In fact I can see myself running the X100 on jobs along side the 5D2 sometimes. The 60D will be given video duties.
Just want to make it clear I still firmly believe its not about the gear, use what you have, get to know it well!, I know my DSLR’s & lens . I need to will get to know the X100. I probably wont read the manual (shock!) I prefer just grabbing at dials and figuring it out these days, that and watching online tutorials like this set by my good friend Mark Boadey .
I will be back with more in the near future. For now I will leave you with some images from today.
Thanks
Rick
Image Post: Hazel Clarke .. I’m not alone.
I made this image the other night at a multi strobe event at a local studio (Ians Studio) where I sometimes work and shoot. The idea of the evening was to make images using multiple strobes so 2 or more, in this image I used 2 speedlites.
The idea was to imply fear and hesitation going up the stairs and create the impression she is not alone. One of the two lights were placed at the top of the stairs (with a snoot & grid) being held by a good friend of mine Kevin, the second light is not shown in the frame but is just on the other side of the banister on an 9 ft stand bouncing a bare speedlight off the ceiling tiles. The job of the second light was to light Hazel up a touch from behind, the rest of the exposure is ambient.
One problem I had no matter how I gridded, snooted and flagged the main light (top of stairs) I got a highlight on the right hand wall… I figured out its was the reflective nature of the wall so made the choice to reframe and hide it behind Hazel.
The ambient light was shot underexposed by 2 stops at ISO800 F7.1 1/125th sec, just enough to lift the environment with the rest of the work done by flash. I could of opened up but wanted the DOF and the star flare that you see.
I like this frame not only because I like dramatic light/images but also the framing, I really enjoy shooting wide with the 35mm, its allowed me to get close to fill the frame and still capture what's happening in the scene.
Thank you Hazel as always it was great to work with you again.
Rick