Early summer sun with Rosie

I had originally planned a second shoot with Rosie for last Monday to coincide with me having the D810, but the weather was horrid, it rained heavily all day.

We were promised better for Friday, and we weren't disappointed.

Rosie once again was well prepared and the chosen area for the shoot was tidy and ready. But in the end the veranda didn't hold our interest for very long. The rest of the location was just too good.

Softbox camera left

veranda reflection in the mirror

The next area we went to was the cherry tree, in full blossom. It would certainly been a shame to miss it.

Rosie looks great, relaxed and serene. Pull back on the zoom and she is actually perched on a ladder.

You would never guess from the two pictures above.

Behind the scene Rosie up a ladder, slippers on

Then finally a walk through the woods. This was the most challenging area. Dappled light meant I had to keep an eye out for blown highlights and the leaves caused an incredibly vivid green light. It was very hard to get ride of. What do you think of my efforts?

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long weekend cycling

After the last week it was good to wake up to the sun on a weekend. Matt is globe trotting so I'm on my own for all three days.


It gave me a chance to put a few miles on the road bike. And to tackle a couple of local hills. I have mentioned before White Hill Lane, it is a very steep, long hill that gets steeper the further along it you go. There is shorter hill, Waller Lane that comes up from the valley, it's not open to general traffic, their route is Church Road. The lane is used for the Waller Pain time trial every year. In previous years I have seen the reminder too late to attend, but not this time. It use to be used by the Catford CC for the Catford Hill Climb back in the 1890’s, they have now moved on to other challenges. The last few years it has been run by the Caterham Round Table as part of the Caterham Festival.


I have walked up it a few times so I thought I'd try it on the bike. It is hard, especially the lower section, there is a flatter part that I mistook for the top. On race day I planned to stand up and really give it everything to the finish. It was then that I was glad of this test ride. The flatter section turns a bend and climbs again. I wouldn't have had the energy needed for that final section had I gone all in so early. I'll wait a little longer on the day. Strava has the fastest time as just over a minute, the last few years have had winning times around 1 minute 17 seconds. I'll aim for a time that starts with a one.

I'm glad to be out, it feels so good when it's warm. I stopped to take a drink and snap the scene.

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Nikon D810 and a photoshoot

It was finally time to try the Nikon D810, it arrived from Hire a Camera on Friday, in preparation for some weddings later in the year. The intention being to get use to it.

The shoot was with a Hana, a model I hadn't worked with before. The shoot I had organised with a model I knew fell through. It gave me a chance to work inside. The original plan was to shoot by the Thames. But considering the weather was not as nice as it had been, the change in plan worked very well. And the 8th floor roof terrace was a bonus.

So what are my thoughts on the D810?

First there is memory. If you are going to use the largest RAW size; and why wouldn't you? A 32gb card gets you 394 pictures. And if you are backing up to a second card. That is a lot of storage. I have seen wedding photographers offer 600 or more pictures. So the number they must take has to be considerably more. It's a big jump up from my D700. I feel stupid admitting I didn't factor it in to my plans. I have a 32gb and an 8gb in both CF and SD and a 16 in CF format so only 689 pictures. I have never had a card problem, or lost any pictures to an accidental deletion, but if it did happen on the big day doubling up on the cards to provide a backup would be money well spent.

The shutter is as quiet as the reviewers say, if you set it to Qc. The standard setting is nearly as loud as the D700, which is surprisingly loud compared to my old cameras, the D70 and 90.

For me the improvements are not going to compel me to upgrade just yet. My D700 has a resolution sufficient for my needs. Having an immediate backup of my pictures isn't a concern. Focusing is still too centre weighted, being little better than my present camera. I know it's a technical limitation with the location and size of the mirror, it's something a mirrorless cameras don't have. Nikon are working on this technology, do I wait or not? The big question about changing will also be whether they change to lens mount. If they do, meaning I would have to buy new lenses, it could be time to jump ship to maybe Sony. They have full frame mirrorless cameras with lenses to match already. So second hand examples will be available. I never thought I would be contemplating this type of move.

The next wedding will mean I hire the D810 again. Second hand they are too much for me to justify buying at the moment.

Here are the pictures from the shoot. The look was lifestyle, editorial. Hana got the outfits right, the room suited my plan, and the roof terrace was a bonus. Although being eight floor up it was very windy and cold. We didn't stay there long.

 

Then just to show you need to keep your eyes open for possibilities, the stairwell and lift lobby were useful locations.

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What use is a blog?

I often read articles discussing the steps needed to become a professional photographer.

Social media is always high on the list. Often alongside experience and knowledge. You need a website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and followers we are told.

Part of that strategy is a blog, like this one.

What your blog will be used for is a little harder to define.

Is it to showcase your work, give examples of how you would answer a clients needs, or show your technical knowledge?

The first standard suggestion, that of showcasing your work is less popular now. A long train of pictures with a few words isn't recommended.

I can see why. A slide show with similar words on each post isn't very engaging and if they are just about each project you shoot, presented in the same way, where is the variety?

The idea behind this blog is to give you a broader view of me, not just my photography. If we are going to work together, will we connect? I try to write about how I came to do the project, and my thought process before, during and after it.

Part of that broader me is cycling. I try to document it in an engaging way.

Also, like this piece, my thoughts on photography in general.

The next standard reason we are told for a blog is to show clients how you might solve their problems. Again the format this follows could be a little dry. I don't think a client would be interested in F stops and shutter speeds. Or the equipment I use. They would more likely expect me to be able to demonstrate I knew how to use what I have.

Please leave a comment at the end of this blog, to tell me how I'm doing.

The whole social media "thing" seems to be a default must have that will lead to new clients and work. But I'm not sure it does. You have to become known outside your network the old fashioned way first, word of mouth, traditional advertising. Social media can then keep you in people's minds. And once your network becomes big enough bring in new clients.

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Cycling and making connections

My last couple of cycling posts have had an underlying theme, they have started to be upbeat, and positive. I'm guessing the better weather is part of the story. But I feel I'm in a better place as far as stress and depression is concerned. I have started to change the way I react to, and deal with life. The saying, worry only about what you can change, and change it. Has become more of my daily routine. I slip occasionally, but not for long.

Cycling has again shown what it can do.

Matt and I met as usual and decided our destination would be Westerham. Sitting on the green in the sun next to Winston Churchill, what could be better?

When we arrived a classic BSA sidecar motocross bike was parked by our bench.

As I was talking the pictures in this post when the owner returned from the coffee shop.

And we started chatting. To be honest the finer points of the 1950's BSA were lost on me, but it didn't matter. The guy was a real character and it was easy to chat about the bike's history. Some of the names associated with it I didn't know, some I did, or at least their descendants.

It was his main form of transport, so it wasn't a fair weather ride. He rode it all over the country to events and rally's as well as just for fun. 

If it wasn't for cycling Matt and I wouldn't have spent a pleasant twenty minutes chatting with a total stranger. I wish I had a picture of him with his bike. But it's too late to worry about that now. I must not miss an opportunity like that next time.

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Cycling in the sunshine

Sun, blue sky and a good mood

Great news; Matt's back.

We met as usual at the green, and what a morning. The sun was beaming from a clear blue sky, it was warm as well. A leisurely ride the the bus stop followed. We cycle all year round and it's always a mood improver, but feeling the warm sun really can't be beaten. It's been a very long week at work, so I needed to de-stress. Today was just what I needed.

A weird coincidence meant Matt and I both choose today to wear a statement t-shirt. Mine resulted in an ironic picture. What do you think? And Matt's is, I think, a reaction to management speak; very funny.  

 Always thinking about cycling

  
So Matt, what are you contributing?



















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