Broken 5D

Not such good news for Xmas, my 5D developed a fault yesterday and stopped working. I get an 'Error 20' message if I try to use it which seems to indicate a mechanical failure and it has to go back to a Canon service centre. They're all closed now until January 4th which is a bit of a bummer.

Emily Rees

A visit from my brothers step daughter and her young baby, Emily, was the perfect excuse to drag out the new Bowens 400's and try some more studio stuff. I'm finding that with babies this young its difficult getting a decent pose of them on their own. Louisa did bring a V shaped cushion (normally used as a breast feeding support) which we were able to sit Emily in. This worked really well, especially as Emily was such a happy, smiley subject. We tried a few more shots with Emily lying on her tummy and lifting her head and these were probably my favourite shots on the day.

Louisa was pleased with the results and following my advice got some 10x8's printed up at Photographique in Bristol the following day. I've no hesitation in recommending these guys to anyone. They're no more expensive than most High St shops, provide good quality prints and Louisa herself said the service she received there was superb.

There's a few more examples from Saturdays shoot here: Emily Rees

USA 2010

Just back from my brother's place over in New Jersey. Photography wise this was more of a family thing as my sister and brother in law travelled out with us this time. Lots of stock stuff though, albeit with reluctant family models.

I did come back with a huge Bowens softbox for my studio lights. I paid £83 over there compared to an Amazon price list of £220 here. Seems crazy, especially as the box stated 'Manufactured in the UK'.

Marmalade Sky

Another band shoot tonight with Mod band 'Marmalade Sky'. A bit dissapointing for me as I really didn't come away with too many pics that were really up to scratch. The one image I was pleased with is the poster shot shown on the right. Still, another learning experience as regards location and flash.

Mr Zippy Band Shoot

A band shoot with ‘Mr Zippy’ tonight. We had access and power to a private area outside of the bands practice room so I was able to use the studio lights for some night time shots. A really good evening and we produced a few shots for the band to use on their forthcoming CD.

Bristol Zombie Walk

The annual 'Bristol Zombie Walk' today. I can't think of anything else more tailor made for people/street photographers. What a great day. Over 2000 Zombies, all in high spirits and everyone was up for having their picture taken. I came away with over 250 shots which are all now up on facebook at: Album 1 and Album 2. The only downer was getting back to the car to find the door lock drilled out by some scumbag looking for God knows what. It's pretty obvious looking at the car there'd be nothing in there to take.

Xmas Cards

We've been busy with the studio lights over the last week or so. Nearly all the shots were taken for calendars and Christmas cards. The pic to the left is for our Xmas cards to friends and family. This was about take 10 on this particular effort and Lin finally managed to co-ordinate blowing the icing sugar into my face with the cameras self timer. There's a few more shots that have to remain top secret until December.

Studio Lights

I’ve been busy experimenting with some new studio lights over the last few weeks with the help of an excellent book called ‘Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting’ It’s a steep learning curve but good fun and I’ve been really pleased with some of the straight forward portrait lighting shots I’ve taken. The picture to the right was taken after I’d finished the chapter in the book on lighting glass. Done using one strobe, fired through an old white shower curtain positioned behind the bottle.

Tuscany

Just back from a weeks break in Tuscany. The new 70-200 was never off the camera. The more I use it the more impressed I am. The keeper rate from this thing is far higher than anything else I've used before and image quality is superb. It's an expensive investment but well worth it. I've now sold the old 70-200 lens in part exchange for a new wide angle lens (my old sigma 10-20 wasn't really compatible with the full frame 5D). I got more than I paid for it three years ago which just goes to prove how highly regarded these L series lenses are.

New Lens

Another lens upgrade. Finally got my hands on the Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 L IS MkII. This replaces my Canon 70-200 f4 L which has served me well. First impressions of the new lens - superb.

Made it to Fairford in Gloucestershire for the annual air show. A major show of big lenses (not quite as impressive as skomer) but plenty to shoot on and off the airfield. A long but enjoyable day and another stack of photos to sort through.

Back from our holiday in France and in the process of sorting through over 12 gigs worth of photo’s. They’ll be filtering though onto the web site over the next week or so

I'd been asked by a friend if I could take a few shots of her dogs so that she could get one or two framed. All in all things went really well and I came away with quite a few shots I was happy with.