Monthly Archives: July 2014

Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photography

Lonely IceMorning all,

long day yesterday getting images ready for my Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photography pre assessment on the 19th August, I’ve set aside 3 days to choose 40-50 images that will compile a broad spectrum of my genre and capabilities, I’ll be going for landscape and Commercial FBIPP.

The BIPP as a body provides not only great support to its members and associates but guidance and career advice in ways to move forward, there are courses available run by members who specialise in their chosen field and local sections for a more area specific approach to photography.

This is one of my images that will be included in my selection, use of negative space along with an almost monochrome appearance with a curtain backdrop of a waterfall, simple yes, technically moderate, kneeling in freezing water is never easy and you have to watch out for falling icicles from the falls above. It sells well as a canvas print. Let me know what you think, like / dislike whatever.

 

Adrian

The Kelpies – Falkirk

Kelpies Please Like And Share On Face Book With All Your Friends.

Finally got round to processing the images from Falkirk.

It was a rainy day when we arrived at Helix Park but pretty much as soon as we parked up (FREE) the sun came through and didn’t disappoint, entrance again is FREE and helpful staff are there to assist, the site has toilets and mobile eating and coffee vans to tempt the weary traveller.

I have to say and I have been to quite a few places which include the Pyramids that I think this could easily become a wonder of the world, the shear scale and majesty of the structure is awesome, even when you see them from the motorway travelling into Falkirk you simply cannot believe their scale as they dominate the skyline. You can actually have a guided walk up inside too, we didn’t as we have the Husky pack with us but I would imagine that is a spectacle to behold too.

What really brings it home is it practicality too, it’s actually forms part of a canal system  (Forth and Clyde) with a lock between the two Kelpies, absolutely amazing.

The Kelpies name reflected the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of 10 horses and stands 30m high. Created by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott. A graduate of Glasgow School of Art in 1986, Andy has now completed over 70 projects across a wide range of disciplines across the UK and internationally.

I would rate this as a must see, tick list location, one not to be missed

 

Adrian

The Old Ropery

Room-With-A-View-2A wonderful Monday to you all, the sun is shining here in Yorkshire.

My day has just been made all the better after having an enormous compliment from a friend , really made my day and I’m sure you will be wonderful at what ever you decide is a new career for you. Made me think actually if I can feel this good after a few small words, how would it be if me / you send someone a text email call them even and tell them they are something special, imaging what sort of day that would turn out to be for the lucky recipient. It’s so easy to be nice isnt it?

Anyway on with today’s image, Sandend Scotland again, a wider view of the old ropery or what’s left of it anyway, takes a bit to walk round to it and it’s a little tricky under foot but I’m sure you’ll agree worth the challenge!. Would have like to call back again soon as the heather was just coming into bloom and the  smell of the sea and heather together was beautiful.

Spent the weekend on a commission project again down in Northants, though we did get caught up on the way down for 45 minutes in the M1 closure, at least we were far luckier than the poor people in the accident, sometimes you have to sit back and relax, there are definitely worse things happening to others, be thankful for you health etc etc. Spent a super day with good company and enjoyed the beautiful weather in a n even more beautiful part of our country, thatched cottages and country inns, canal walks and river folk…..who could ask for more.

Spending today processing shots and catching up doggy walking, poor things only got 2 walkies yesterday and they get cranky if I don’t manage at least 3 so it’s make it up to the pooches afternoon, think I’m I’m forgiven just given them a donut to share, I know its not good for them but a treat once in a while is good.

Anyway on with the day, enjoy everyone

Adrian

A Room With A View

Room-with-a-viewPLEASE LIKE AND SHARE WITH YOUR FACE BOOK FRIENDS

 

The Old Ropery at Sandend – Aberdeenshire

Afternoon all, is it warm enough for you? fantastic for us, not so for our little furry friends, having 4 huskies at times can be a little difficult especially when you have to have to air con units blasting ice cold air out all night keeping you awake while they lay on their backs in cool luxury….wouldn’t have it any other way, but we could certainly use a nights sleep!

This shot from our little jaunt up to Scotland last week or is it 2 weeks, time flies for sure, we’ll be heading off again in a few weeks once I get my contracted work complete. Anyway this is I believe is the old Ropery at Red Haven very near Sandend Bay and the beautiful little village.

Fantastic caravan/Campsite hosted by a  lovely family who couldn’t do enough for us, a real treat to come across such a friendly place. we’ll be going back I’m sure, loads more to investigate.

Sunday will see me down at the Grand Union Canal in Northants doing some contract shots, I’ll be covering a few site and going back again next week for a portrait session there. All good and very exciting stuff, sorry I can’t elaborate further but its all contracted until 2015. Hope this weather holds out for me too.

 

Anyway have a great weekend all

 

Adrian

East Lothian Corn Field Sunset

Corn-SunsetA very good Sunday morning all.

Our week long trip saw us start at Rosemarkie to photograph the dolphins and they didn’t disappoint, followed by an overnight at Dunnet Head with its wonderful beaches, then John O Groats for the standard photo then on down to Portnockie to picture the Bow and Fiddle, overnight at Sandend then on down to Falkirk to see the awesome Wheel and the even more awesome Kelpies, fantastic. On to  Tantallon Castle and finally finishing off at Bamburgh and Dunstan……1200 miles round trip and some great pictures to process and even better memories for me Jo and the furkids.

Today’s picture is the corn field in Tantallon North Berwick overlooking the sea and out towards Bass Rock

loads more to follow, out tonight doing a canal shoot if the weather picks up.

 

Adrian

Going Nowhere Fast

Island-Queen-Day-TimeRecce shot of the Island Queen at Tayinloan, Kintyre

As the title suggests it’s going nowhere fast apart from decaying into the oblivion of the sands.

 

A couple of new toys coming today, first a Lowepro Sport AW200 rucksack, so if you see a big lad with a bright orange rucksack and huge lens running up and down Woodhead this Sunday say hello and secondly which is my fave is the Sony STM10plug in mic for my Xperia Z2, hopefully this will eliminate the dreadful sound probs I had Saturday night  at the Tony Christie concert

have a wonderful weekend all

 

Adrian

Before And After Photoshop

RawI printed off the final image for myself and my brother came round and saw it “photoshopped” he said, cheeky so and so. Anyway I thought I’d show the original and final image.

Now I admit to being a heavy user of filters it’s my speciality when training in my workshops, its all about completing the image as much as possible in the field, after all thats why you wanted to be a landscape photographer isn’t it?. My idea of hell is sitting in front of the Mac for endless hours processing bad pictures to make them look good…..”kill me now” comes to mind.

Here’s the RAW converted to WEB Jpeg

Raw-1 So now you have the original contact sheet and the RAW converted image, so let’s see the final shot again…..Island-Queen-2

You’ll see I have lifted the exposure, tone and the colour, all in all 5-10 mins work ONLY. any more and I would ditch the shot as a waste of time and that’s what it’s all about, being at location, one with nature whatever you want to call it, for me standing there listening to the sea watching the sun go down is priceless.

 

Have a great day

 

Adrian

Groynes to Jura

Groynes-to-JuraNot sure if the title sounded rude or not…..let you decide but it is what it is Groynes pointing the way the mountainous range at Jura. Taken on yet another glorious day at Tayinloan Kintyre, what a place.

Update for the weekend, doing pictures for Dearne FM of the Tour De France, it very slightly touches the borders of Barnsley for some 8miles or 20 mins if we’re lucky, at least the procession first will last longer, so thats Sunday dealt  with, big pooch walk Saturday booked in for The Peaks.

Adrian

Looking Out To Sea

Island-Queen-2

 

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A very sunny good morning to you all, woke up to a beautiful sunrise so took the pooches out bright and early, pre the usual hoards of dog walkers and school kids tramping the streets. Sets you up for the day ahead with clear and decisive thoughts, ahhhhh breath, lovely.

Tayinloan ha snow made it onto my list of fave places to shoot, pretty much guaranteed to have the place to yourself and lets face it “what a superb thing to photograph” it won’t be there for much more time as the sea carries out its own maritime dismantling of it tide by tide.

Still 2 places for the over night camp sunset shoot, PM me if you are interested, we haven’t sorted a date yet but it will be mutually agreed and probably be end July early August may then do a stop and shoot on the way back down along Loch Lomand.

New commission shoot for a top PR agency next week, so will be prepping kit ready for a full staff shoot and client location shoot, love this stuff.

 

Adrian