Tuesday 25 February 2020

Four generations

four generations portrait photography

My photography lately has been largely of my bike and the views when cycling.

Over a year ago I was asked about doing a shoot for a family to capture four generations.

Everyone we busy and so it wasn't until last Saturday that all diaries matched.

One speedlight would produce enough illumination. I used a wide 24mm prime for groups, 50mm for pairs and the 85mm for close ups.

The baby was never still, trying to keep her interested and focused wasn't easy. If there had been more room I could have put more distance between us. It makes tracking a fast moving subject easier.

I kept firing away to catch the moment when everyone was looking in the same direction and relaxed.

People often say don't work with animals and children. But I find they add to the shoot. You can rely on them to keep everyone distracted from the camera; most people aren't comfortable having their picture taken.

It worked; the time flew past, I don't think anyone noticed just how quickly we had the necessary shots in the bag.

A couple of days to choose and process the best ones, then upload and share the results.

This is always my most anxious time, waiting for their reply after I have sent the link to the picture library.

Will they like the ones I choose; were they expecting more?

Here are two of my favourites, catching a fleeting expression is always so rewarding.




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Saturday 8 February 2020

Pay it forward




I'll start by saying this is not a post looking for well dones, or virtual pats on the back. I helped because I could.

I was nearly home after my Saturday morning ride when I came across a couple trying to move some flat packed furniture.

At first I thought they wanted to put it in the garage; but no, it needed to go to the house at the top of a long steep drive.

Their idea was to drag it up with an invalid carriage and a bit of pushing. This wasn't going to work.

As the load met the bottom of the slope the tractor unit's drive wheel started spinning. Applying weight just overloaded the electric motor.

The wife said her husband shouldn't have tried to move all of the packages in one go, she was right of course. But any man would have tried it. After shopping I always try to carry every bag in one go. I'd rather break a finger than make two trips.

I tested how heavy the first box was; I could carry each to the house quicker than they would be pulled up.

A few minutes later, all done. They shook my hand, said thanks and offered a coffee. I said it was fine. And then suggested they could do something for me: when driving give cyclists they see more room, and tell their friends.

Hopefully my good deed will be paid forward when they and their friends approach a fellow rider in the future.

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Saturday 1 February 2020

An unusually long one.

turners hill bicycle

Stop sniggering at the back.

A more normal ride at the weekend is around twenty miles, Westerham or Smallfield being the far end of the loop.

But today I was on my own, and really needed to clear my head. The past week wasn't great, I just felt low and unmotivated. It was a real struggle to get out of bed. I haven't been eating properly either, a sure sign I wasn't in a good place.

My default destination for a solo ride has become Smallfield. It wasn't going to be enough so I continued to Turners Hill, adding an extra ten miles. The weather was great, much warmer than expected. I concentrated on keeping a good pace; that way my mind hadn't time to ponder any of life's worries. I can't tell you how much I need cycling, I tried in a previous post. The pain in my legs felt good as I pushed myself to go faster. An average speed of 12 mph on a mountain bike is doing ok I think.

I was tired all week, this morning before the ride was no exception. But now I'm back I feel energised. I had thought about spending Saturday and Sunday in bed. That would have been a mistake. It was so good to get out.

Tomorrow's forecast is for rain in the morning, maybe I'll go out a little later and avoid it. I don't want to stay in if at all possible.

I have a gym only a few minutes walk away, I'm not going to join, it's £53 a month. But they do spinning classes that make if much more affordable. If the weather is too bad it might be a good alternative. Simply riding an exercise bike is too boring, I never manage more than ten minutes.

February and March are normally the months for snow, I may take a walk over there soon.

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