Group shoot city walk

This was a little different for me, a group shoot.

Ashley on slatted seats

Eden on a horse cart

I prefer one-to-one shoots, I like to take my time, get to know the model and develop on my ideas.

But this event ticked a few boxes for me.

1. I wanted to work with Natasha again; our last shoot was brilliant. That session allowed me to develop the picture ideas I had planned and produced a great set.

2. It included four models, including a man. This would mean less standing around and another opportunity to work with a male model. The last time was with Sam.

3. It was to be a walk around an area that I had wanted to shoot in. Natasha had done this before so it took the guesswork out of location scouting.

As is the case with an outdoor shoot at this time of year, I checked the weather reports during the week. I don't know why I do this, the forecast is not often accurate until very close to the day. I must like to torture myself.

One of the models didn't turn up, Natasha just adapted. It didn't really affect the shoot too much, it was a social group and we chatted and gave advice. We acted as mobile light stands for each other. I wasn't the only one who had brought remote triggers. I held the lights for others and they did the same for me. It made a difference being able to control where the light was coming from.

The two other models, Eden and Ashley, who arrived with Natasha were great. They coped with us photographers, without stress. A model friend of theirs was in London and stepped in towards the end. I don't think anyone felt too let down. 

The theme was to have been Christmas, but the area was too interesting to just make it about twinkling lights. The first one below is next to the Lloyds building, the grey and chrome was a contrast to Eden's red hair and black coat.

 And this one used a statue nearby. I wish I could say that I noticed the guy in the poster and composed the shot to have him glancing at Eden. But alas I only noticed as I opened the picture on my computer.

Here are two pics that kept on theme.

Ashley took a break and laid down on a couch in the pub. The flash was on the table next to him pointed at the ceiling, so I took this shot.

And to show how rebellious we all were, we got moved one twice. The first time from a pub, it was a big one and we were out of the way, but there were flashes going off so I guess it was inevitable. The second time I really don't know what the problem was. We were using a paved area fronting some shops and cafes. They were closed so we weren't in anyone's way, or blocking access. To be fair they gave us a bit of time, but that might have been because it took a while to notice us. The walk started at Leadenhall Market and no-one minded there.

It started raining and it was past 3pm so it was time to head for home. 

It's not the first time I have been moved on by security guards. The shoot with Sam a few months ago was the last time. Before that I had a problem on the South Bank of the Thames, I'd only taken one picture and the guards came running. Tourists continued to snap away as we relocated. I think it's the "big" camera. It can't be security because even basic cameras, or phones have the quality needed for any potentially nefarious uses.

I'm not sure if I have any more photography projects this year. Xandria, who I last worked with in September is next weekend. Other that that it will be pictures of Matt and I cycling through the winter for a while.

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It's that time again

A well deserved pint at the end of a sponsored ride.

Paris

I have blogged about my cycling and why I do it…

To keep fit, unwind and burn off the stress from daily life. 

I have also raised a lot of money for the SCMSTC. My local Multiple Sclerosis therapy centre. My wife goes there and they are the reason I started cycling again.

Back in 2005 I read a leaflet about an event the centre was running to raise money. 

A cycle ride through the Surrey and Sussex countryside. I hadn't cycled since I was a kid, a long time ago.  I thought I could manage fifteen miles. Just the small matter of not having a bike and being unfit to overcome. 

I could borrow a bike to do the ride, an exercise bike would have to do for training.  

I must confess I didn’t do much training. The exercise bike was so boring. I put it in front of a tv and played on a playstation. That helped a little. I must have done enough, the fifteen mile ride went okay.

The next year I want to do the fifty mile ride. I indefinitely borrowed a bike from my brother. He rarely rode it. And started riding it at the weekends. But I still wasn’t doing many miles. Then a curry with a few friends involved a chat with one of them about his recent return to cycling. We both had trouble motivating ourselves to ride regularly. So we decided to team up. And so started what is now a decade of riding at the weekend. And more sponsored cycles.

It also led to some more memorable rides. Three of us cycling from London to Paris. Unassisted; we organised the route, ferries and accommodation. And we carried our own luggage. 

A group off us cycled the South Downs Way. Two days of thick mud.

And two RideLondon rides.

The longer rides also give me a great sense of achievement when completed. Something I don’t always get from everyday life. Once you get to a certain level of fitness the longer rides are achievable physically. But mentally it’s harder. Your mind tells you to stop way before your body needs to. Pushing past these imaginary barriers is what gets you to the end, and is very satisfying. 

Now after a break of two years I’m back to sponsored cycling.

I’m cycling from Caterham to Canterbury. Not a very long way, only 66 miles. But still a challenge over the rolling Surrey and Kent hills.

I've got a lot to thank the therapy centre for, easily enough to justify the exertion of the sponsored rides.

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Busiest weekend

Before the day began.

I started planning this shoot at the beginning of the year. The plan had been for two models in two different areas of London, but close to the Thames. Somehow it became three models, with an hour between each. 

I wanted to see how hard I could push myself. Effectively three clients in one day. Was I up to it? 

The Sunday started at 10 am, finishing at 6 pm. My intention was three different looks. The first was a long dress with plenty of movement in it. The second more urban.

And then the last one was more a fashion shoot. With the light summer look of a fashion magazine.

I met Chiara at Blackfriars station. I have worked with her before. So I knew she would be well prepared. And we quickly discussed where to start. This part of the Thames has a beach when the tide goes out. I said I wanted to shoot there and the millennium bridge. "Better shoot on the beach first then. Looks like the tide is coming in, and it moves fast." said Chiara. I was glad I heeded her advice. Being in the shade of the path above us meant no harsh light from a clear blue sky. The way the sun reflected off the sand and river, gave us undeliverable soft light. I could have stayed there the whole time.

This shot looks like it was lit by two lights. It wasn't. The sun gave the stronger shadow, but reflected light gave the second shadow behind Chiara. 

Moving around the beach changed the strength and quality of the light.

But the rising water and other possibilities meant we moved on.

The bridge was busy now so picking our moment was difficult. And no soft reflected light.

Then on to a jetty.

It's was funny, when we walked onto the structure there was just one person on it. They quickly moved off. Then three families came along. Luckily they didn't stay long, I think it was our business like manor and big camera that may have intimidated them. We were happy to work around them. They had just as much right to be there as us. But once the jetty was ours, things really flowed. And before I knew it my time was up.

Once I had said good bye it was a short walk to London Bridge. For the next shoot. I had some lunch and a wander around to see what was available as I had done at Blackfriars. 

Jodie arrived. I had worked with her twice before. Each time the initial plan had changed due to changes outside of our control. I asked Jodie if it was me or was this normal. She said it must be me. That's what I like about Jodie. She gives it to you straight.

I thought I would try some black and white.

There followed two hours of chat, picture taking and quick changes. And getting moved on by a security guard. It seems tourists with camera phones can take all the pictures they want. But no photo shoots. It didn't stop the flow, we just strolled on taking more great pictures.

Then it was time for the last shoot of the day with Marilyn.

Marilyn doing what she does best, improvising 

London Bridge was the venue again so I knew where we needed to go. But this time there were more outfit changes. Marilyn was so matter of fact about it all. She needed to change, find a corner away from the crowds, and CCTV. Done in no time. I made a suggestion for a pose, can you stand or sit on that? Of course came the reply. How about I climb on that? It will be great. And it was.

Marilyn doing her thing again

Working with experienced, professional models like the three today is worth the cost. They know what looks good, can interpret my ideas and have pretty much done it all. 

As I got home I remembered the fitness app on my phone. It records steps taken, distance covered and stairs climbed. Over 26,000 steps, 8.6 miles walked and curiously 23 flights of stairs. I slept well that night. 

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