three nil to me

A grey overcast cycle

I'll start by saying I don't make new year's resolutions. I have this year planned to cycle more, whatever the weather. It has been normal in the past to abort if it's raining as Matt and I leave our respective houses. This can mean many non cycling days, especially at this time of year. I wanted to make a change and today was the first real challenge to my plan. It was drizzling a little as I walked down to the garage. Even when the rain became heavier, beating loudly on the corrugated roof, I hadn't seen Matt's text, so I pushed the bike out of the door, the rain had stopped. A win for me then.

Five minutes later the rain was back, but I carried on. Another win for me as it didn't last long enough to contemplate turning back.

A few minutes from our meeting point I noticed a few texts, and a call from Matt. I was half way up a hill so I didn't stop. When I arrived at the green I could give my phone the attention needed.

Matt had aborted, eventually. He hadn't wanted to, but the rain was much heavier over his way. The first text was to say it was raining, but he was on his way. The voicemail and final text was the dreaded abort.

It wasn't raining where I was, and I was already out, so I carried on. Maybe for no other reason than to get a picture for the blog. I got lucky with the ride,

I'm home and warm now, and by my reckoning it's three nil to me.

Let's hope tomorrow the weather doesn't improve it's score.

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In the studio again

My favourite picture, simple elegance.

It’s been a while, nearly seven months in fact, since I worked with a professional model in a studio. I  have completed a number of very successful shoots with Janayah. Looking back as I did last month. I can see we have gotten better with each one. And I am looking forward to the next one in February. An evening shoot along the Thames.

This shoot was to enable me to experiment with lighting. The studio had a number of sets, and four lights. Each with numerous modifiers. So plenty to play with.

It was also an opportunity to work with Anna. Something I had wanted to do for a while.

But first we had to wait for the studio to warm up. Why do some studios not invest in good heating? One small fan heater was never going to do it. So for the whole shoot the heater followed Anna around. And I kept the cups of tea coming.

We kept moving from set to set, with me changing the lighting regularly. Big soft boxes, strip boxes, a beauty dish and reflectors. Using two, three or all four lights.

After about three hours I ran out of ideas. That’s when Anna came to the rescue. She said a lot of her shoots included dance.

So a new challenge for me, capturing dance movement. Anna suggested lighting, and I continued to experiment.

I really like the results of the whole shoot. It was a difficult task to reduce the number of shots to process down to a reasonable number. There were so many good ones. It's a sign of a successful session when I have so many to choose from.

Here are two more, cause I just can't help myself.

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130118

My bike lent against some moss covered tank traps, or maybe they are just bollards to stop vehicles driving in the woods.

I'd like first to apologise for the lack of a creative title for this blog. When you cycle every weekend, you will be presented with two problems as I am. Where to cycle, and what to write about. Having to think of a creative title as well, it's all too much.

So here dear reader is a post, titled with today's date.

Matt has been away this week so for today it was just me. I choose a route we hadn't cycled for years. We use to cycle to a cafe, have breakfast and then ride home. But it is a longish route and the food stop means a late return home. So we have avoided it. There is also a steep, long climb, which might also have something to do with it.

The Enterdent near Godstone is the hill in question. It was a lot longer than I remember. But a worthy challenge. Bested with only a little heavy breathing. I didn't make it to the cafe though. I ran out of time due to a late start. When my meandering journey came close to home I gave up on the cafe and headed towards my house.

This meant I had to travel along Whitehill Lane. It's one of my nemesis hills. It comprises three climbs. Each one a little steeper than its predecessor. The last 20 yards of the third one is very steep. It's the last climb when I cycle to Brighton and back. So it always causes a sense of dread when I know it's close.

Below is the cyclemeter readout. Not sure how I managed to climb more than I descended and still end up back home.

A route with some big climbs

Cycling with Matt tomorrow, wonder where we will go.

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Another cold, and this time muddy ride

A muddy, and icy lane.

Second ride of the year. Less foggy and slightly warmer. The wind was less bitter and not as strong.
I'm was on my own, so where to go?

There is a route near me that can either be completely on road or include a little off road. This time I chose the the mixed route.

As you can see above it was muddy, with plenty of ice covered puddles to ride through. The only trouble with the mud is that when I get home and want to get into a warm shower ASAP. I have to clean the bike first.

The pictures in the post are all from my GoPro clamped to the handlebars. I have it on time lapse mode so it can record the whole ride. For this reason the quality isn't as good as I like for my blog. It's normally okay, but the light was fairly low and was bounced around a lot. Using the GoPro means I don't have to stop to get my camera out. A good thing when it's cold.

It records evidence of close passes by other road users.

I get pictures I wouldn't normally be able to.

Another ice covered puddle. Thanks to GoPro.

And occasionally it reveals something I missed. 

I was reviewing the photo stream and realised I had twice cycled past someone's aircraft collection, and not noticed.

And one more use for the GoPro. Selfies; or is that the bike taking my picture?

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First cycle of 2018

First ride of 2018, and it was a cold one. The last few days have been warm, but the rain had too frequently made an appearance. This morning however dawned grey and cold.

The standard route was agreed when we met at the green. The slow way to the bus stop. On arrival tea and biscuits were consumed and the recent celebrations discussed. We both agreed the fuss and stress from the build up put a dampener on the event.

The cold hadn't been an issue, except for the cold bench we sat on.  The ride home was a different story. The wind had risen and it really started to bite. We choose the long way home due to the fog, and the hope of some shelter from icy blast. But it was not to be. Riding down hill the speed had to be kept low. Such was the chilling the extra speed caused. We saw a lot of cyclist, bidding good morning to them all became almost constant. I do find winter riding elicits more replies to my greetings. It must be because we are all a little surprised to see others out on bikes when it's so cold, and seek to acknowledge it.

Anyway I'm home now, showered and warm. So the pain of a chilled face are forgotten until the next ride.

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What happened to 2017?

One of my favourite pictures. It's printed big and hanging on my office wall.

Cycling, photography and life have conspired to turn the past year into a blur. It's very easy to forget how far my photography has progressed.
I keep looking for that tipping point. The one that will lead to paid work as a photographer. The picture at the top of this blog is a particular favourite from this year.

All of the pictures in this blog show how I have improved. Be it creatively, technically or with forming a connection with the subject. Working with experienced models means less pressure to deliver. So I am glad I have worked with Janayah this year. It has seen us both improve. And then to produce pictures for a client has broadened my experience further.

I thought I would look back at the year.

The maga shoot back in April, three models, two locations, three different looks. Really enjoyable, but tiring.

I need to find more wall space.

Another of my favourite pictures. It's printed big and hanging on my office wall.

Another of my favourite pictures. It's printed big and hanging on my office wall.

I have worked with Janayah a lot.  We have gotten better together. From our first shoot in April. Through  May at Crystal Palace, Dulwich Park in July and finally the November collaboration with Alison the MUA in Battersea Park. The added bonus from this last shoot was how it boosted Alison's confidence. I was glad to be able to help Alison. It's been great. We have another shot planned for an evening along the Thames in January. The shoot has a lot to live up to, each one we have done so far has resulted in better pictures each time.

Sport inspired shoot

Crystal Palace

Dulwich Park

A couple from Battersea  Park

The cycling posts have had picture content. I am really liking the lone bicycle in the countryside theme. And it's a good way to record the passing seasons.

Working with Zara again at the Hacienda studio, I set myself a challenge to balance a beauty dish with the window light. I think I did a good job. Leave a comment at the bottom of this post with you thoughts.

Then there was producing pictures for an online clothes retailer, a bit of an eye opener. Making every session count and dealing with an unpredictable client.

I have already started planning 2018. I have organised January; a model and studio I haven't worked with before and a night shoot with Janayah. 

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