Cash liquidation

As anyone who earns a living as a photographer knows, work always comes in waves. This week that was literally the case! I had an assignment to photograph some kite boarders for an editorial piece. Luckily for me the wind was very obliging... in fact, downright over-enthusiastic! So perfect conditions for the shots, unfortunately also perfect for sand/salt blasting all my gear. About now I was wishing I had purchased a marine housing for the camera. Still, photography is all about problem solving.

I always carry several zip lock bags and elastic bands, so a bit of a McGuyver session had me ready to go in no time. Now obviously, the kite and kiteboarder are a considerable distance from each other. So the options were to shoot from a distance or get in close and go wide angle. So in I went, up to my knees and got the guys to come as close as possible. At some point I found myself rather deeper than my knees and realised I still had my wallet in my pocket! Ooops.

A good mix of shots were achieved in a relatively short space of time. I liked this shot because although it was another 'border's kite, it gave the image a nice triangle of elements, with the windsurfer coming into the frame on the right.

Next time I will have the marine housing and get in amongst it more, I have a cunning plan! Who knows, my wallet might even be dry enough to purchase one!

Hanging on the telephone

This week has been all about chrome, buttons and shiny bits. Mobile devices to be precise. How hard could it be I hear you say? Plenty hard would be my reply! Whilst not looking like the most challenging subject, they are a technical exercise in lighting...and patience!

Because you are dealing with chrome, shiny and matt plastic all at the same time with a multitude of colours and bizarre shapes, things can get interesting! Some people throw small devices like this in a light tent. I personally don't think this is the way to go, as you have so little control over the shape of your reflections, the detail doesn't look as crisp and edges look soft. So for me it's all about multiple lights and moving pieces of black or white card all over the place. Somehow you have to squeeze a camera in there too...which of course is bound to show up in the reflections. Hello Photoshop! Quite often the key to lighting these devices can be in lighting what they reflect and not actually the device itself. All in all the clock ticks by fairly rapidly on these shoots.

No matter how much time, effort, patience you bestow on a device, ultimately you will end up in Photoshop. I use canned air, anti static cloths, brushes and much swearing, but there is always dust and dirt to contend with on the final capture! Bearing in mind these images can be used up to 2 metres tall in shopping malls, they need to look pretty perfect.

So that was my week, kept in the dark talking to Mr softbox... I think I need to get out more!

It's behind you...

Phew another week bites the dust! Was a busy one this week with a mix of corporate, product and lifestyle assignments and a fair bit of running around. No complaints though, long may it last!

One of the stock images I sold this week was quite a surprise as it was one I nearly didn't take. As I said in an earlier post I often take scenic road shots for a client. Quite a few times I have turned round and looked in completely the opposite direction and spotted fantastic opportunities. I make it a habit now, it is just too easy to be so focused on the image you have in your mind, that you miss what's going on around you. The image above is a classic example of one of those times. Yes the s bend road snaking away in the opposite direction was a great shot, but this panorama behind me was just begging to be photographed, so I did!

So my advice is to take a look over your shoulder once in a while, the good stuff might be behind you. (like my youth!)

Canon v Nikon latest and greatest?

This week I'm afraid I am going to be camera geek... I just can't help myself it goes with the territory!

Already this year we've seen the latest offerings from Nikon and Canon. The new Nikon D4 takes the flagship position for them, as does the Canon 1DX for Canon users, at a hefty cost I might add! But it is in the next level down that the real battle is on.

The Nikon D800 took everyone by surprise with an amazing 36 mp sensor! Unbelievably people instantly started moaning about it, what is it with people! Sure it's not going to suit everyone, but how amazing to be able to buy a 35mm camera that steps into the medium format realm, for a fraction of the price. And yes, I know it will never be true medium format quality, but I for one can't wait to see some landscape sample shots. Almost makes me wish I wasn't a Canon man...almost! 

So it was with great anticipation that I awaited the Canon 5d MkIII release, which was long overdue. Rumors galore of a 40+ megapixel monster which would have basically been 2 Canon 7D sensors combined to make up a full frame sensor, it all made sense. Sadly, like so many rumors, they were completely unfounded. Apparently there were 1 million posts online within an hour of the 5d MkIII launch, many expressing mixed feelings. Canon has addressed focus issues, expanded the ISO, increased the frame rate and gave us ONE WHOLE EXTRA MEGAPIXEL! The video guys get a whole load of new features to play with too. All quite nice, but just not enough to make me run screaming to the shops with wads of cash, well not yet anyway.

There are some features from the new Canon 1DX in the new 5d MkIII so that has to be good. Though of course that could end up undermining sales of the 1DX with its price tag. I guess the new 5d MkIII, is evolution rather than revolution and just hasn't dazzled us the way the 5d MkII did. And how I would have loved to see a 40 something megapixel version! Canon rumours had even suggested two new versions of the 5d Mk III, one a faster leaner machine for things like sports, wedding and event photography. The other with loadsa megapixels for landscapes, studio work and those scenarios. Again that made sense to me, but it looks like it's not to be.

I guess I will have to put up with the Nikon gang having bragging rights for a while. Mind you, even Nokia have put out a 41 megapixel camera in a phone! Come on Canon... pretty please... with bells on!

Love to hear your thoughts?