Practice, Practice, Practice

Hey Folks

You know I'm not into the technical side of things when it comes to photography but I've decided that to get better, I do need to start to practice a few things.

The first thing I've decided to do is if I am not "out and about" on a Tuesday, then I will use the time effectively and start to practice one technique each Tuesday. It may be something in camera, but it also can be using Photoshop.

I've never really found this software easy to use, and must admit I tend to "switch off" really quickly anything to do with this package BUT no more - I have to practice !  So, today I started on the technique of dodging and burning.  Even the names get me mixed up !

Dodging is used to extract detail from darkest shadows. 
Burning is used to darken any overexposed areas.

I've included this explanation so it can re-enforce in my mind - as I keep getting them mixed up.  No hope, I hear you cry !

So, here is my very first attempt. Not great I know, but it's a start.  Could be a little too subtle, but then I think the dodge and burn tools have to be used in a gentle way anyway...I actually found this difficult   

Not sure whether this is the best example to use either, but as I said, it's a start 

This is the original photo.

This is the photo that has dodging and burning on.  

Background seems a bit lighter plus the wood seems less blown out and a tiny bit more detail can be seen.  

So, need to practice this technique more, I can't just assume I know how to do it after just one go !

Ambling around Amble

Hi Folks

Here are few pics I took recently on a trip to Amble, starting with gulls !

The rest of the day was spent walking around the beach - it's amazing how much crap you can find :

 A message for the police force ?



After that, some harbour and boat shots :

And all that jazz....

I spent most of last weekend at the Gateshead International Jazz Festival.

I was especially looking forward to the event as I had managed to gain permission from the Marketing Manager to be able to photograph the jazz musicians on the concourse.

I didn't get the opportunity to photograph artists in the small or main halls, but there is always next year !  On the Friday evening we saw a guy called Soweto Kinch - an amazing blend of rap, hip hop and jazz saxophone - a very talented person who would have been great to take pics of.  All was not lost though I did meet him afterwards !

Anyway, all day Saturday and Sunday was spent at The Sage relaxing to the great music in the afternoon jazz sessions. 

I took a load of photos, and here are just a few of the first ones I've had time to look at. I've got loads to get through !

This band were called The Henchmen and all looked very cool and were great musicians.  

It was a unique experience for me.  There was a press photographer running around the building and also the photographer belonging to The Sage. It was a chance for me to learn where to stand, how to come back/forwards into a space, how to appreciate artists space and also be aware of not blocking the audience view. 

Other than that, there were times where I was the sole photographer on the concourse, in front of crowds of people relaxing with drinks/food listening and watching the jazz artists.

It was very bright behind the artists and I did find it hard to expose for the sun behind them BUT I didn't feel too bad about the pics having blown highlights because I so enjoyed the weekend and I will definitely be up for doing it again !

This is musician is called Arthur Higgins - a very talented saxophonist.













There was a great mix of people,,,young and old, and I couldn't resist getting a few sneaky shots....

The Sage is great for photographers if you like angles and stark shots.

I'm hoping to get more photos up onto my Flickr site of the weekend - you can check the site out at www.flickr.com.shutterbugsheep

Park Life

I had a chance to go to Saltwell Park, Gateshead, yesterday for a few hours.  I've known this park for most of my life, I've seen so many changes to this Victorian space, and it was nice to go back when it was fairly quiet.

I've never liked the park when it's busy, the best times are when it's quiet.  Yesterday was very cold, so not many people around - ideal if you have a camera.

The light wasn't great to be honest, and anything that I wanted to photograph just seemed to come out flat.  I did get a few photos though and a chance to try a few new techniques.

This is the centre of the band stand. The only thing occupying this space yesterday was a bunch of wood pigeons !

There seems to be a few new sculptures dotted around the park, and this reflective sculpture resulted in a few distorted pics of me. I always seem to squint when I focus !

I'm not known for my bird photography, by any stretch of imagination ! I prefer photos of birds that seem almost retro, I prefer grainy images, almost dreamlike. I have tried to create a dream-like affect on these two...I like to evoke the feeling of freedom and motion.

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 ?

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 !

Lack of time...a rant !

It's been over a week since I posted anything up here....and it's probably been over two weeks since I took a single photo !!

And there lies the problem....photography takes time !  

I'm having a rant now...well, I did say that this blog would document the highs and lows !

I wish I was one of these photographers who had time every day to go out and about and take pics...but the drudgery of work and other chores get in the way.  

PLUS

I'm not really the type of photographer that will just take any old photo and snap away...I like to think about stuff first...I like to be creative.

I am going to try and put a few photo's up onto my Flickr site : www.flickr.com/shutterbugsheep

These are from a few weeks ago...there are still lots to process and I have a tiny bit of time to look at a few today - yay !!! 

Please have a look...if you have time ...heh heh