People and Poppies

Hi Folks

It's been nearly a month since I posted anything so thought I'd get my finger out and put something up !

I went out to Durham with a few friends yesterday.  It was very hot, especially in the afternoon, but if you can survive the heat, it's a good place to get people shots.

I have been trying to get as many candid people shots as possible this last year, in the hope of getting better at this technique.  I think I have improved, I know that I have more confidence in this type of photography.

Here are a few of the shots I got in the town centre :

I had to take this really quickly as the girl was walking fast towards me !

 

I wanted to try and get someone coming out of the hair and beauty salon but it was becoming a problem with all of the crowds.  Nevertheless, I like this photo of a woman walking past.

Since everyone has a mobile phone now, it's getting easier to take photos of people without their knowledge !

These guys were taking a break on one of the roof tops.













After we left the centre, we went to a nearby poppy field.  This was the first time I had been to one, so was super excited !  I love poppies - and here was a whole field of them (with a few thistles thrown in for good measure !)

Fairground and Fuji Instax

Hello All

Yesterday I went to Marsden Beach with a couple of friends from Consett Photographic Society.  Whilst they were busy taking photos, I played about with my new toy - a Fuji Instax !

This is an instant  film camera - wide format.  The Kodak Polaroids are very similar. Apparently  the Kodak Polaroids develop quite quickly, but the Fuji Instax takes a while.  Once I took a photo, I had to wait about 10 minutes for it to totally dry and develop.

Having said that, I didn't really mind.  It was a bit like magic, just watching the film develop before my eyes, and the colours getting deeper and deeper.

I have discovered that it works best when using it for longer ranges...it doesn't seem to like close up work !  Here's one of my photos (which I have scanned in) :

We moved onto South Shields beach and into the fairground. 

I love photographing stuff in fairgrounds - you can get good people pictures, great candid shots and loads of pics where the colour really pops !  Here is a selection from the day :

Horses and People

Hi All

Went to Appleby Horse Fair on Friday with a bunch of friends from Consett Photographic Society.  This was the very first time I had been to this event, and to be honest, the first time I had been near lots of horses !

It was a good day, a new experience for me.  It was something different for me and it was an very enjoyable day.  

The day was very hot and the market at the Fair was in full swing when we arrived.  It was an opportunity for me to try and practice people shots, I've been doing a lot more of these lately and it's getting easier for me.

There was such a great mix of people at the fair, and I even struck up courage to ask a few people if I could take their photo :

Walking around the market, I came across this van full of carpets and liked the shapes and colours.

I took a lot of sneaky candid's also...this was probably the first one of the day.

I managed to take a few photos of horses, but to be honest, there were so many other photographers there, I wanted to try and get a few that were a little different.

I am partial to taking photographs of people working in vans.  Don' know why, but I'm drawn to them. This lady looked absolutely knackered !

In complete contrast I spotted this young woman watching the horses !

There will be more Appleby Horse Fair pics when I get a chance.  Check out my Flickr page to see more soon.

Blurred Crusade

People talk about photography "projects" - themes of things that they take e.g photos of shadows, reflections, people with umbrellas etc

I went to a talk by Will Cheung not that long ago and he had quite a few different themes in his work. The main one was people using mobile phones and iPads.

I don't consider myself that type of photographer, however, I do seem to be unconsciously taking pics of blurred people ! For some reason, I prefer not to see their faces in focus, I think it gives it a bit of mystery.

These are all in a set on my Flickr site...I seem to be stacking up a bit of a collection.

Here some examples : these three photos were taken at the Central Arcade in Newcastle just outside the music shop Windows. 

Having said that, by blurred crusade pics aren't just of people - here are some bikes near the Theatre Royal.

This next shot isn't blurred, but can you nearly see four gulls ?

Hello and welcome to my first blog !

My name is Tracy Speeding and I am a budding conceptual and creative photographer.

I am hoping to try and blog on a regular basis - not just blogs showing where I have been taking photographs, but also more of an account of my frustrations, highs, lows and feelings about being a photographer !

I've been an amateur photographer since September 2009 - and boy, it really has been a steep learning curve !

As well as the stuff I am doing now, I will probably put earlier photos on here, so you can get an idea of what type of photographer I am, plus you will also get a feel of what my journey has been like ! I will also provide a bit more info about who I am.

I love photography but I don't find all of it easy, not by a long chalk !  There's so much I want to do and my mind is full of ideas BUT I have to learn to pace myself :)

Monday 11th March - a chance to take some urban shots

I took annual leave from work to go and have a bit of practice at taking pics around Newcastle.

I went with my friend Chris, also from Consett Photographic Society.  Had a really good day - and came back with lots of street and people shots.  

It was also an opportunity to get some more of my "motion people" which is becoming one of my styles.

We went to some of the back alleys and streets that I often don't get a chance to visit.  Streets such as High Bridge and the Bigg Market are good locations to get shots of alleyways and independent shops, and to veer away from the big consumer sites. 

This shot was the back alley of a pub.  I went quite a way in and took this shot.  Can you see the ghost ?

I love this photo !  It's actually The Guitar Shop, next to Attica and opposite RPM. Speaking of RPM....

One place to go to is the Centre for Life.  This bench was in Times Square and I just love the shadows and stark contrast of the colours.

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