Candid camera

One of my favourite parts of the day at a wedding is just after the ceremony. It's like everyone breathes a huge sigh of relief - she didn't trip over, no-one said 'take thee Rachel' by accident, no-one burst into tears - and the fun really starts...!

This is the best time for candid shots of the wedding guests - here are some of my favourites from Pandora and Oli's wedding last month:

A collection of incredibly photogenic guests, no?!

Wedding photography - Pandora and Oli

My apologies; I've rather neglected this for a while. I have however sold a house, moved house, been to Korea and got engaged, so you'll forgive me if my mind's been on other things...! Over the last few weeks I have however been just as trigger happy, if not even more so than usual:

Last month, I put on a brave face, hired one of these and photographed my first wedding.

Pandora and Oli were married on 4 May 2012 at Manchester Town Hall and took their guests on a bit of a nautical city tour before mooring at the Mark Addy for their evening reception. It was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to be trusted to capture their big day, which was every bit as brilliant as it sounds.

Here are some of my best bits...

I love a good wedding.

Your comments, suggestions, criticisms are more welcome than ever :)

Just while I'm on the subject, a quick plug for the fabulous Khan Photography who are going to be shooting our own nuptials next summer (whoop whoop!) and Aidan Murphy Photography who I have worked with at another fabulous wedding more recently (but more about that next month...)

Presenting photo images

The second element of our L2 project work comprises a presentation unit - 'Presenting Photo Images'. In this unit we are asked to consider the various ways in which photographic work can be presented, and use one of our projects to showcase this format of presentation.

I have chosen to use my first project; 'Frames in conversation', for this unit. I originally planned to showcase these composite photographs using a Flickr slideshow (click here to view). I liked the way the images were isolated against the black background and felt this was in keeping with the ethos of the project... but then I had a better idea...

Why have you presented your work in this manner?

I was inspired by the original 1850s camera manufacturers who used leather 'bellows' to produce folding cameras. In 1856 Kinnar designed a camera with tapered bellows; these could concertina into a smaller space than parallel sided bellows as each fold fitted inside the next. 

I liked the idea of having a string of photographs, just as you produce a string of words in conversation - they flow into each other. As my project is all about a series of similar images, this method of presentation pulls all of the different images together and highlights the similarities and differences between them.

Describe the process for presenting your work.

I contacted a number of local printers to enquire about print costs and capabilities as I suspected requesting ten 7'x5' photographs in one long row and the associated concertina folding might not be possible everywhere. Indeed it wasn't; my first three enquiries came to nothing. I kept at it though and eventually found a printer who would do the job - the wonderful County Print - a company I have worked on commercial print jobs with for a year or so and who agreed to do this job as a favour. Bonus!

Describe other presentation methods considered and give a explanation for deciding against them.

I considered using my blog to present the images, but there's just something about a printed photograph that you can't beat. I didn't feel the images were right for a traditional photo album, and I don't feel I have enough for a photo book. I do plan to continue this project beyond this assessment and will produce a photo book for every 20-24 photographs I compile. 

What health and safety considerations did you observe?

I assembled the photographs using Photoshop CS5 and took regular breaks from the computer. As I was using a commercial printer, I didn't personally need to worry about health and safety considerations during the printing process. I guess all I have to worry about now they are printed is the possibility of the odd paper cut.

Me, myself and I

I always wanted to have a go at this and I finally know enough Photoshop tricks to have a go.

Plus, it's Sunday and I honestly have NOTHING better to do...

Me, myself and I

Cutting edge fruit and veg

This one time... in photography class... we harnessed the power of Photoshop to make a fruit dude through the power of selection (marquees, lasso, polygonal lasso, magnetic lasso and a wave of the magic wand):

Isn't he wonderful? I love him; he's right up there with my sock monkey.

Katherine Liesl

I learned three things at this photoshoot:

1. Babies wriggle a lot
2. Nifty fifties are useless for macro details
3. My niece is absolutely beautiful

Here are my favourites so far - I need to select the best ten for my project theme. Your thoughts, comments, suggestions etc. as always much appreciated.

Here she is then, the little love:

Second project theme

Statement of intent

Candidate name: Kate Aldridge

Title of the theme: Katherine Liesl

Intentions/purpose of the photography to be undertaken
To produce a study in natural baby portraiture featuring my new niece, Katherine Liesl Aldridge. Ideas include close detail (hands/fingers, feet/toes, lips, ears, nose etc.) and more traditional portraits (including shots taken from above to evoke vulnerability, at eye level) and using props (such as blankets, her mother or fathers arms/shoulders, wicker basket).

Reasons for selection of theme (including inspiration from the work of others)
As a child I used to love Anne Geddes but I have grown to love much more natural portraiture, especially for babies and children. Ive never been a fan of posed photographs, as both of my themes testify. I followed Barry and Louise as they extended their work from reportage wedding photography into child and baby portraiture and have long admired their style of photography across the board.

The photo imaging equipment and medium that will be used and why
I plan to use both a 50mm prime lens and a 70mm to 300mm telephoto lens depending on the focal length required for each shot. I struggle sometimes with the limitations of my nifty fifty when trying to capture close detail and hope this is where the zoom lens will help. I will shoot all images in RAW on full manual mode and they will be edited in Adobe Camera RAW and Photoshop CS5.

Techniques that will be used and how they will help convey the visual message
I will produce the images in either colour (varying its saturation) or black and white depending which I feel suits each shot. I will use f/1.8 to 5.6 to create a short depth of field in most of the images, the highlight the subject. I will take a mixture of close detail with the zoom lens, using a tripod to reduce camera shake, and wider, more traditional portrait shots with the 50mm lens. 

How light quality can be used to help convey the visual message
I will need to position my subject indoors but in close proximity to natural light, using ISO 200 if possible. If using blankets or other props, these will need to be non reflective textures.


Safety considerations
I will ensure my subject is in a safe environment within their own home.