Big day in the studio

I haven't been in a studio since August. That was a themed event, shared with another photographer. Before then, in June I was in an unusual home studio. Both very much using the location to steer the ideas.

At the beginning of 2019 I put together team for a fashion shoot. I model I had produced great work with previously, a place I had used before and a MUA. Eventually the results were published.

It was a whole day shooting against a coloured background. I would normally shy away from this because I didn't think I could keep suggesting poses and ideas. Hence the search for interesting locations.

I learnt from it, coupled with youtube videos I have since watched, that the model contributes to the process far more than I thought. Ideas might start with the photographer, but they need to be translated, or interpreted. To that end I have been fortunate to work with very good models who did that very well.
They have been able, I now realise, to instinctively translate my ideas. More than that, give life to them.

It may look easy standing in front of the camera, but one of the many lesson I have learnt is that if you want the pictures to have energy, passion and expression; work with a good model. I may not be describing this very well, and doing the models a disservice. If you look at a photograph and are drawn in to it, that's a result of good teamwork.

I have stopped watching the how-to videos, the {insert a number} things to avoid/do, or how-to tutorials. They are all pretty much the same. Basic light with very little variation, or overly complicated, impractical setups. It just got boring. I found myself only thinking the way they did, and it started to put me off photography.

This project was intended to put that spark back. I still watch videos, but now they are of working photographers, with interesting ideas. The work they produce looks different, not extreme themes or lighting; subtle, quality productions. Their clients don't want pictures that look like the ones their competitors use.

And that's what I wanted to do this time; it was a studio I had used before, that time I certainly used the varied sets. The pictures were great, exactly what I had wanted.

Alex and I had a brilliant shoot in July last year.

We packed a lot into this session, plenty of wardrobe changes, and lighting setups. Some of the arrangements worked, some didn't. We either made small changes to solve the problems, or abandoned them.

I had initially planned to process only to black and white, but the colours that tumbled out of the suitcase couldn't be ignored.

Some black and white.

This is going to be a long post. I took so many pictures; using numerous lighting setups, many wardrobe changes and Alex nailed it all. It took me a long time to narrow them down to a reasonable number. And then to reduce the total again to share with you lovely readers.

The dress and coat combo caused a raised eyebrow from Alex when I suggested it and my wife was also surprised when I told her it was my choise. Both agreed it worked.

More black and white

And one last colour image to finish

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Reason to be cheerful

As the weekend approached it seemed unlikely we'd get one ride; two could be out of the question.

The picture above was taken on my way home on Sunday. It's normally a very small stream, barely a trickle. The recent rain had tested the flood defences built a few years ago.

Saturday was a little late to start, but we still had time for the long way to the bus stop.

The usual type of chat ensued, a bit about the Coronavirus and the panic surrounding it. Every grocery shop is sold out of hand sanitiser and for some reason toilet roll. It's not just here; a video from Australia went viral, excuse the pun, when people started a fight for bog paper.

Sunday, again was a late start, Matt initially sent an abort text. It wasn't raining at my house so I was determined to get out. When Matt sent another text saying it was dry and he was on his way; all was good.

The same route as Saturday resulted in more general chat. We often think what it would be like if anyone else were to join us. To be honest I don't think they would get it. There was Phil for a while, but he drifted away to cycle with people from his company.

One thing that did come up was my reaction to two cars that overtook us on a narrow lane. Matt said I was a little unfair, especially to the second one. Thinking back maybe I was; a little. He did wait for a slightly wider section of road. But when he did pass he barely gave me any time or space to move aside before accelerating quickly. There are lots of potholes and plenty of mud. I could easily have bounced or slide into his path.

I explained to Matt that I get so passionate about cycling because I need it. I didn't realise how much until recently. The number of close passes are increasing; a really close shave had me thinking seriously about cycling straight home. And possibly never cycling again. Near to meeting Matt on Saturday a Coughlans delivery van caused more concern.

Cycling started as a way to get fit, and have a laugh with friends. Now it's good for my mental health. I have grown to almost depend on the rides to reset after a bad week, and to help prepare for the next one. It's my reason to be cheerful.

It does anger me that I may have to stop riding if it doesn't get safer.

The police, my MP, the media; all say they want less motor traffic, and more cyclists. But do little to encourage it.

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Responsible adult

When will these storms end? One of the first questions Matt and I asked each other when we got to the cafe in Westerham this morning.

Looking back we have missed three rides this month due to the weather. Maybe it's average for this time of year, but it feels worse. Waking up to heavy rain and strong wind is not great on any day, but when it's the weekend; it's just not fair.

Yesterday was terrible, a lie-in was always going to be the best option. During the day it alternated between sunny and hailstones. A few times I contemplated going for a ride, but was glad I didn't when I was reminded we hadn't seen the back of storm Jorge.

I have lost count of how many we've had and their names. I hope Jorge is the last for a while.

It's not the rain that really puts me off, it's the cold and high winds. I have yet to find clothing that will keep me dry and warm at this time of the year. The biggest problem though is the wind. Close passes from motorists are so common, I don't feel safe with so little margin for error. It's bad enough on a normal day, sometimes I just want to give cycling a miss all-together. My MP, the media and police don't seem to prioritise road safety and cycling. I have contacted them, after an initial period of interest; total silence.

Back to today, it was a good ride. The "long way" to Westerham. We use the "long way" to avoid the B269 when we go to the bus stop. It adds a bit of distance, and some hills bit it's safer. The B269 is a fast road, and on a windy morning the risk of being blown off course into a close passing car or van is too great. This is another indication of how bad it's got; I choose routes by perceived safety, rather than distance. The longer rides I have planned for this year require the same considerations. I use google street view to gauge the type of road, and find alternatives if they look dangerous.


Anyway; Westerham: we arrived too early, despite the extra miles, for our normal cafe. So it was to  an Italian cafe a short distance away. Tea, croissants and a hazelnut paste filled crusty morsel was well received. The talk was of cycle clubs, I mentioned that I had thought about joining one, but it was maybe too formal and regimented for me.
We discussed our "club", and why we're the only members. I asked what would we had to offer members; other than our repartee, and mugs of tea. When we couldn't think of anything else, the idea was shelved. A bigger group would take more organisation, and require someone to be the responsible adult. Neither of us wanted that role.

Fingers crossed for a period of stable weather, so we don't miss any more rides.

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Four generations

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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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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An unusually long one.

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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