Studio Lighting Course

With the home studio taking shape I’ve decided to get some expert advice on lighting and signed up for a studio lighting course with Damien Lovegrove at the end of the month. He’s quite a name in the wedding photography world and fortunately for me lives about 5 miles from my home. It’s not cheap but heh ho, I can’t wait.

Still missing the 5D

The 5D is still at the Colchester Camera Repair Centre (if you ever need a Canon authorised repair service they’re excellent). I’m hoping it will be back early next week. In the meantime I’ve been preparing a couple of rooms at home which I intend to use as a home studio. I also have plenty of new studio gadgets to try out once the cameras back. Lin bought me a Lasolite Hi Lite background for Xmas and I’ve a few reflector with some honeycombe diffusers to try out. I’ll be looking out for stooges in the very near future.

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.