During lockdown and the fact I don't like watching TV much, I spend a lot of time on youtube. The world and his wife seem to be Landscape experts or so they would have you believe! However, it seems to me that a great many seem to follow each other about and then deliver the same message. How often do we see the same waterfalls, the same lighthouses, the same seafronts, and mountain vistas? They all seem to use the same recipe give or take. It has to be the golden hour or the blue hour, sunrise or sunset, you must use a tripod, a wide-angle lens, and now your subject is so far away you must have some foreground interest (a big rock or plant of some sort) you must use the rule of thirds (one tool of many for composition). Various grad filters, various Stopper filters, and a Polariser. And so it goes on, they even meet up sometimes to massage each other's ego. Of course, they want more subscribers so they can earn some money for their efforts. Some of them even offer workshops. I doubt many have an adult teaching qualification of any sort. Being a half-decent photographer doesn't make you a good teacher, and I wonder if they lay down their aims and objectives. Or maybe they end up at some honey pot locations get you some nice shots and feel ok about it. Worse still is when it is an overseas workshop and you get the feeling you are just paying for a said leader to have a jolly. More so if his camera is out as much as yours, when he should be teaching and not them showing how good they are at your expense. But hey they are not all bad and here are some on youtube I quite enjoy watching and why. Gary Gough is a professional photographer and is good at passing his skills on. Mali Davies has to be watched for his enthusiasm, he will make you want to go out with your camera. David Griff, what a lovely guy, follow him around Snowdonia mountains and the coast around the Isle of Anglesey. Jason Jones, just an ordinary guy from Snowdonia, but when he steps into the Dinorwig Quarry, his photos tell a story with feeling. Gavin Hardcastle gets some good shots and explains how he got them, but best of all he has a sense of humour, always good for a laugh. If you make a comment on their Vlogs expect a like or even a comment back. Those who fail on this bit of PR are lacking. Many of the vloggers can be a little bit of help for beginners beyond that I am not too sure. The truth is if you want to look at the work of good Landscape photographs, search out, Mark Littlejohn, Joe Cornish, Micael Kenna, and Charlie Waite. That should keep you busy for a while. Many vloggers sell Calendars, save your money and get some of your pictures and make your own and hand them out as Xmas presents to friends and family.
GOBE FILTERS.
I have been using Gobe Filters since the Summer. All my lenses carry UV filters for the simple reason it gives some protection to expensive glass behind them! The CPL filters are superb and give enhanced colours that look real. A bit awkward to use with the EVF, however on Aperure prioriy just rotate the filter till you get the slowest speed and voila, you hit the sweet spot. ND filters, I carry 10stop and 2stop with and added 2stop off the CPL if required. I have not seen any colour cast when using them and the results seem very good indeed. Even better they are a fraction of the cost that the top filters come in at with their very silly prices.
The filters are slim and well engineered, I use either the Japanese optical glass or the slightly dearer Schott glass. You can see and feel the quality. They will come to you well packaged and each filter comes with a cleaning cloth. If you want to ask the company a question they will reply to you and fast. A good company that I am glad to do business with. One last point, with each filter you buy they will plant 5 trees, I like that.
Iain C.
I suppose it had to happen, the Nikons in my life had to go and no I didn't change to Canon. I have gone to Fuji X, made in Japan with everything feeling of quality. Superb build, beautiful lenses that feel silky smooth, little bit of retro feel to them. Now I can stand upright again and hold a camera that does feel like a camera and not like a heavy plastic brick. Bravo Fuji.
Jessops went under and were rescued by Peter Jones. I am beginning to wonder when they will go under again after a bad experience in their Harrogate Store. Walked in at about 3pm on a Sunday afternoon, a couple of weeks before Christmas, no other customers in the shop. Just the 3 staff at the top of the shop chatting. Eventually I was approached and asked if I needed anything? "Just mooching says I." He started to walk away without a word. So I then said "Have you got a Fuji x-E3." His reply came as a big surprise "Never heard of it." He then pointed at some cameras on show "They're the only ones we have" and walked off. I complained via their email, got a sorry and a promise they would get back to me after they investigated. Another email from them confirming it was the Harrogate store. I then got another email asking how did they handle my complaint. My reply (You haven't as yet) and they still haven't got back to me from their complaints dept. I also sent them a copy of the sales Invoice for a Fuji X-E3 that I bought from Bass and Bligh which is about 75mtrs away from useless Jessops. I can only say Bass and Bligh give great service. I complained on Twitter for a change, well guess what somebody was on to me pretty quick, They wanted the details, they would sort this out. Just words to stop me from tweeting and they still haven't got back to me. Bloody useless Jessops, crap service all round.
Ripon City Photographic Society
The Ripon City Photographic Society has had a great start to the season and on the agenda tonight was a 'monochrome talk'. At first glance it innocently offered some information about black and white / monochrome photographs, however it was so much more.
Iain Cairns, who works as a photographer in North Yorkshire but also works in Cornwall, Dorset and Snowdonia and is known for his fine art photography and black and white images, started the evening with a thought provoking statement - 'Creativity is breaking out of the established pattern in order to look at things differently'. This set the tone for his talk, the focus being, not on the actual technical process of taking images but, on the idea of stretching your own creative side and not conforming to others ideals of 'the perfect competition picture'.
A friend said to me the other day that he may join 'to learn to use his camera', I think that maybe this is the first thought of people interested in camera clubs and although you learn loads about camera use it is the important composition of the photo, to question exactly what your expectations are and how to use the image processing thus enabling you get the picture to look how you want it to look that is the unexpected bonus of the club.
Iain explained that processing of images has always happened and while some artists such as Constable used more direct translation of what he saw, Turner used a more creative interpretation to create an image of something he wanted to be admired. This difference merged into photography. In the 1800's processing was so different with maybe 5 or 6 plates being merged to bring a sharper photograph to the audience. Iain really highlighted the importance of 'feeling ‘ an image and if it didn’t evoke an emotion then not to take it; questioning whether it matters whether the image meets the 'normal' criteria of photograph rules, pointing out that many photographers in the past have broken rules only to become well recognised and admired. In the 1800's JuliaCameron became known for her portraits of celebrities using the idea of soft focusing and treating the photograph as an art piece. Thinking of the image as an art piece led us to the black and white / monochrome images that Iain had chosen to examine and critique. They were starkly contrasting in depth of shadow, some avoiding the well known assumption that you need black, white and grey in a monochrome image. The strong lines creating atmosphere, evoking emotion through the grim images of back streets with soft light just brushing along the wet cobbles to strong dominant lines of bridges spanning the river with moody clouds and shadows bringing deep dark dusky moments of revelation.
Iain and one of the models he works with had also been working on a project inspired by Mental Health Awareness, the stark shocking fact is that 140,000 young people go missing in the UK every year. Of course the dreadful circle of abuse, abduction and addition often surrounds the inescapable prostitution that these young people find themselves immersed in. The images that Iain then shared with us showed the portrayal of a young girl, locked behind closed doors, shut in by despair, held by invisible bonds, restrained by the situation, life ripped out from under her, replaced by dull deep eyes of the imaged drug fuelled cycle of hopelessness, resigned to the unknown person entering the room, no control over environment or her own outcome, fear replaced by sad acknowledgement that there seems no other option and no way out.
The images used all the contrast, shadows, and light of monochrome photography to raise awareness and provoke thoughts and emotions. A powerful display of how a creative photographer can reach out and touch the inner most feelings of an audience raising issues that often remain hidden from our softer easier way of life.
And so to the second shoot with Miss Aitch. Being in the studio is one thing and even just standing outside is OK but doing it in town with people passing by is another. No worries, like a duck to water and not phased by passers by. People did look some even stopped and better still quite a few smiled. So the test of being photographed in public was passed with flying colours. As this shoot ended I was looking forward to the next.
I asked many times to photograph this young lady but I must be honest I thought it would never happen. Then one day she changed her mind! So we set a date and I arranged to photograph her in the Studio (Thanks JD Photography) The first few shots and you could tell the Girl was a little Nervous but then as if by magic she threw the switch to "lets go for it." I was amazed, she became more relaxed and began to love what she was doing and so did my camera. She started to change her pose as the flash went off. She was behaving like a professional model. This was going to be fun and only the first shoot with her and she was starting to show talent. I christened her "The Divine Miss Aitch." It suits her in one way, as in don't be a shrinking violet in the model world. But she as a person is a delightful and thoughtful young lady.
People ask me "why don't you enter competitions." 1, been there, done it got the cup! 2, I look at the judges work and think to myself, why would I let them judge my work when mine is better! 3, I do what I do for me, if people like and buy my work that's good, but always remember this. To thine own self be true!
I recently had the good fortune of an offer from Saal Products, a free photo book! I took them up on the offer and downloaded their softwear to enable me to put my photobook together. Easy to down load and easy to use. My book arrived within seven days, well packaged. When I opened it up I could not believe the quality of the product. The photographs were as they are on my computer screen, the paper quality in the book was amazing and the gloss finish Superb. Add to this the quality of the binding, a very professional job indeed. I will use this company for sure and now I am thing of an A3 size. A great way of showing my work to others. Bravo SAAL and thank you very much indeed. Iain C
Had a week in Falmouth in Aug, it may have been a lousy summer but it only rained for one day in Falmouth. Very warm and the Sun shone and I got to photograph this young lady. You take your chances and make your own luck, she offered and I took it. What a fun shoot it was on a deserted beach about 5 miles out of Falmouth beyond Maenporth.
Continuing with my abstract work which seems to be getting quite a following in various circles, which I must say pleases me no end. Art is and always will be very subjective and it is always an added bonus if people are willing to purchase your work and hang it on their walls. I can only hope that it continues to keep them amused or even bemused if they prefer.
I just can't help myself at times and have to do abstract work. Yes you can be creative photographing a landscape but! By that I mean with abstract I photograph a subject with an idea of what the end product will look like. It is a complete turn around of the subject and few people can see what it stared out as which suits me fine. That initial shot is my canvas with some shape and colour but much will change till I get what I want and saw in my minds eye at the very beginning. Satisfying and at times frustrating but the work can be rewarding. The shot here was dreamt up using fashion and Fim.
I am the worlds worst at posing for a portrait. This shot was taken in the studio by my Daughter, she is a pretty good photographer in her own right. The only problem she had was me in front of her. She is a musician and liked the fact that I looked like a blues guitarist, a friend viewed it and thought it looked like a publicity shot for an author. The last comment suits me better as I do write, so the picture stays. But the reality is, I may take my photography in a serious way but I do smile at people when I am working, honest.
Iain C
Just every now and again you happen upon someone who has the look, the height and the figure. Add to that a cheeky smile and just sheer fun to be with. Sending her off to Boss model management in Manchester to see how they like her. They best treat her right, she is a diamond.
Being flown out Guernsey to photograph a wedding was exciting and much fun was had by all. Checking out the venue the day before was a good experience. The manager at the Old Goverment House Hotel was more than helpful, and what a venue it was. The wedding day went well with the usual panic going on with people getting ready. The groom however went surfing for an hour, just to clear his head. The weather was fine with the Sun shining down like a large arc lamp (usual shadows, white dress, big hat problems). How good to have a Fire Engine turn up at the Hotel more so as it was a false alarm. A long day and a head clearing walk back to my hotel. Would I do it again? Hell yes.
Why do people who are not photographers/artists assume they know what you are doing. I was photographing an old car and some guy sniggered, "photographing reflections, you and loads of others ha ha ha" He was none to amused with my reply, "nothing so boring it's conceptualized art!"
I was at an Art show in Middlesbrough yesterday, to do with optimism in the 1950s.
I stood in one room and marveled at the coming together of the white americans and the native americans going through the door of opportunity. The white man was depicted as a running man, going towards the symbol for native americans searching for peace, A white arrow. the door of peace awaited them, all put on a nature infused green background. creative for a fire exit oh bugger!
Photographing people is just a joy, in a moment just between smiles, a thoughtful look comes across a face and like a smile I find it captivating.
We talk about having a passion in Photography, lets face it without it you don't and really shouldn't stand a chance.
Today I watched a person with passion, skill and determination, well done Lizzy Yarnold for your 2013/14 World Cup Win and Your first Olympic Gold. You are a real star, please keep shining.
How beautiful Cornwall is but my heart goes out to the people of the Southwest during this awful weather. May the sunny days return for them soon.
Though I doubt he will see this a big thanks to Scott Kelby for helping me understand a few things I could not get my head around.
I always try to remember to take my camera out with me, went off in to Ripon and I keep following the same circuit. Different time of the day = different light=different shadows. And it amazing the things you miss then discover when you really start to look!
By Iain Cairns.
The weather is appalling and I feel like driving over to the coast to get some interesting shots, Yule tide is well on its way. So I am being dragged out to do some more shopping and the shots will have to wait. So if anyone is reading this, do have a good break.
Sat outside at my favourite cafe in Ripon talking to some visitors from Sheffield (Sunday) (not Wednesday) and ended up doing a quick portrait shoot for them as they had not got a decent camera with them and they saw mine. Now they want to order some prints and I got a free coffee too.
Have you ever tried working out SEO, great if you are an IT expert but otherwise a nightmare. Computer people find it very difficult to explain their science! As someone who likes to pot hole every now and again I have this desire to take one of these people with me in to one of the big cave systems, turn their light off and say "now find your way out." Do we as photographers get just as bad when people ask us about photography, as in jargon it up and try to turn it in to some sort of dark science?
Yestrerday saw me over at the South Gare near Redcar. The weather was fair and though some people may find this a depressing place I find it enchanting in a quirky kind of way. It has many photographic opportunities, more so if you like Urban Grunge. Take a trip over there, it's well worth a visit.
In to Harrogate this morning to sort a problem with my phone. As usual one of my cameras went with me, cardboard sky and loads of mist/fog. Quite interesting shooting in this murk, muted colours and even muted black & whites. I shall resist the joke that even the swans were mute! I will post a couple of shots on my urban grunge gallery.
.You spend a lot of time on your own doing photography, be it out on a shoot or on the computer doing the editing. That is why it is a fun day out doing portraits or model shoots
Having been a full time photographer then side track by other opportunities whilst the film Vs digital sorted itself I have now returned to full time photographic work. The passion has returned and without that you begin to wonder how anybody can ever manage to go to work!