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 !)

Street !

Hello All

I don't usually tend to take photos of people without them being deliberately blurred....but I though I would post a few up where you can actually see what's going on !

These shots are from Newcastle - it's a great place to get some practice of candid street shots.

This guy was in a jazz band with a bunch of his friends.  They were playing jazz at Monument Metro - and I really think he looks cool !

He had a really good look - love the steam-punk goggles.

They were playing Madness covers plus other jazz standards...possibly music students getting a bit of performance practice.









Here are the rest of the band.....

This young girl was the most photogenic ....

This guy was sitting at the Monument trying to look "cool".  He actually spotted me with the camera and turned his head so I could take a shot of him.

It looks like a candid...but he wanted to get his picture taken !

Overall, it was good to get a bit more experience in people shots - something I am not too comfortable in doing but I am getting a bit better !

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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