New Website is launched ... finally!

Well after what seems like a lifetime, I'm pleased to say that my new website has finally launched. As is always the case it's a 'work in progress' as over time I'm going to be adding more and more to it. In fact, in the next couple of days I'm going to be adding a 'video' section which is where I'll be putting my new ongoing series of 'Exposed - behind the scenes' videos plus at a later stage camera & lighting tutorials, photoshop techniques etc ...


I've been receiving plenty of feedback by email and Facebook so thankyou to all of you who have sent that in, but don't stop there, keep it coming ... good or bad I want (and need) to hear it.

Thanks again.

FREE PHOTO-SHOOT FRIDAY

So ... what is FREE Photo-Shoot Friday?
Basically, on the first Friday of each month I'm gonna be running a competition here on the blog and whoever emails back with the correct answer gets the chance to win a FREE photo shoot ... it's that simple.

Now, the question I'll post up will most likely be about something here on the blog or on my main glyndewis.com site; for example, I'll post a picture up that has been previously shown and the question may be "What is the date of the blog entry where this photograph appears?" All you have to do is search through the blog, find the picture and then answer the question; and like I said, whoever answers correctly gets the chance to win themselves a Portrait Shoot.

Now as in any competition there are gonna have to be a few rules/guidelines, so here's a couple I can think of:

1. You can't enter that particular weeks competition if you're the person in the photograph...that would be cheating (shame on you :o)

2. The competition is only open to those living in the UK and will be 'on location'.

3. The Photo Shoot is FREE. (Any subsequent print orders are at the normal rate).

4. The cut off period is midnight Sunday (weekend the competition starts) and the winner will be randomly picked and announced on Monday of the following week.

... that's all I can think of for now but if I think of anymore then I'll be sure to update you. Okay so, let's kick it off with the first question:

FREE PHOTO-SHOOT FRIDAY
Below is a photograph of the famous Pegasus Bridge near Ouistreham, France which I took whilst on a holiday with Mrs D; what is the full date that this photograph was added to the blog?


Good luck ;o)

A little update & more iPhone Photos

Hi All ... just thought I'd write a little post to give you an update:

1. Free Photoshoot Friday will be starting this coming Friday (8th May) so make sure you check back here for more details at the end of the week when all will be revealed.

2. A reminder that the 18th May is when I'll be able to reveal some BIG news for all photographers out there. I'm sworn to secrecy at this stage but I promise you it'll be worth the wait ;o)

3. Last bit of news is that finally the new site is as good as complete and ready to upload. We're just in the testing phase now and the 'go live' is scheduled for Friday morning (8th May) ... honestly, no really :o)

iPhone Photos
Thought I'd post a few more photos that I've taken recently using my iPhone; all of which are straight out of the phone i.e. all editing done 'in phone' using applications (no retouching on the computer).

Enjoy ;o)

Food Photography at The Draycott Hotel

Thursday of last week I was in Chelsea, London at The Draycott Hotel photographing their new menu. (I'd been approached a couple of weeks previous by the General Manager John Hanna who had seen some of the food photography I'd done for The Cape in Beaconsfield).

The photographs I was taking are going to be used in a new 'Room Service' gadget being trialed at the hotel, where rather than just reading from a menu, guests will actually see examples of the food on a handheld electronic device and at the press of a button have it sent to their room ... all very impressive stuff.


I got to the hotel after a surprisingly stress free journey through rush hour traffic just after 8am and once I'd unloaded my kit had the obligatory coffee to start the day. John & his team were a great help and George, the Head Chef did an amazing job, cooking and preparing some beautiful food all day to be photographed.



All in all there were some 30 dishes photographed, and hand on heart I didn't pick at any of them; mind you I did devour a greek salad during a break for lunch which was delicious.

Technical Info:
To photograph the food I decided to use a table near to one of the large windows in the room because of the light coming in from outside. On the opposing side of the table I set up a Nikon SB800 Speedlight into a Lastolite Ezy Box. This way the food had light coming in from both sides and above; all I needed to do now was to soften the light coming in from outside and I did this by holding up a Lastolite 1 stop Tri Grip Diffuser. I shot using my D3 with a Nikon f/2.8 24-70mm lens on a tripod and also made use of a cable release to minimise the risk of any movement in the camera.


The SB800 (triggered using the Nikon CLS) was set to 1/16th power, so the recycle time was kept to a minimum and infact just the one flash was used for the entire day. I shot in Aperture Priority Mode throughout, varying between f/4.0 and f/5.0 so as to have a shallow (ish) depth of field.

*The photographs of George were taken using my Nikon 85mm f/1.4 lens and lit with an SB800 in close, camera left and fired into a closed reflective umbrella. The umbrella was closed to minimise 'spill' onto the back wall ;o)

iPhone Photo Gallery

I'm a big believer that photography is one of those things that you can't just pick up every now and again and expect to improve; you need to be out as often as possible taking photos and pushing yourself to keep in that 'creative zone'. Now I know it's not always convenient to carry your camera round with you when you're popping out for the day, and let's face it a Nikon D3 doesn't exactly fit in your back pocket...so this is where my iPhone comes in. Granted, the resolution of the images it produces aren't up there with most DSLR's (yet) but that's not what it's there for; it's just that having it just keeps me looking for the next shot.

Here are just a few of the photos I've taken lately using my iPhone and edited 'in phone' (no photoshop).

Phoebe & George's Photo Shoot

I've mentioned a few times in previous blog entries about our great neighbours: Steve & Edwina and their two children Phoebe (aged 12) & George (aged 10) whom both Anne and myself feel extremely blessed to have as great friends. Well this past week, wanting to make the most of the Bluebells that are around in their masses before they disappear for another year, I suggested that we all meet up for a bit of a 'social' - but also to take some photographs. I specifically wanted to take some nice shots for Steve & Edwina of Phoebe & George, not for any particular reason other than to say ... 'Thankyou'.


We headed up to Bluebell Woods with minimal kit and the photos attached are just some of the results we came up with.


The evening ended with a little drinky at the local public house (Hit or Miss, Penn Street); yet again a night of good fun and laughter in great company.


Technical Info:
Earlier in the week I photographed in Bluebell Woods using my Alien Bees R1600 Flash Head with large Octabox but this time opted for a more minimalist approach of one Nikon SB800 Flash Head and a Lastolite Reflective Umbrella. Reason being, with all the tree coverage this particular location needs a slow shutter speed to bring in some of the much needed ambient light. Consequently, to light the subject of the photograph doesn't need that much power, so the SB800 is more than capable ... especially when fired into a reflective umbrella. (See attached lighting diagram)

Gabriel Davies' VIP Tour of Heathrow Airport

Thursday last week was the day when Gabriel Davies, along with his parents Christine & Dylan, was given the VIP treatment at Heathrow Airport. I mentioned briefly in an earlier blog about Gabriel but as promised, here's his story written by a close family friend:


Gabriel Davies is a toddler battling an extremely rare and aggressive cancer, he will be turning 4 years old on 11th April 2009. He was diagnosed with an Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour (AT/RT) of the brain and spine in August 2008. Gabriel became ill the day his baby sister, Imogen, was born. Gabriel’s parents were told on August 7th 2008 that he had two or three months to live, so the very fact that he is still with us today is an absolute miracle.

Following a lifesaving operation to remove the brain tumour last summer, doctors at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, advised Gabriel's parents, that the cancer was so aggressive that palliative care was the only available option.

They took the heartbreaking decision to take him home to be with his family, but Gabriel was doing so well after two months on a low-dose chemotherapy that his team of doctors decided to attempt to treat the cancer on an intensive experimental chemotherapy regime. Gabriel's fighting spirit has carried him through and the tireless efforts of the team at Addenbrooke's resulted in an experimental treatment protocol being formulated. The doctors are not promising anything, but they are buying more time in the hope a new treatment becomes available, he has also recently undergone a stem cell transplant.

Gabriel has also been nominated for the Pride In Bedford Child Of Courage Award.


I was honoured to be asked to come along and document his visit by taking some photographs, in particular at the Airport Fire Station where the guys had, had a mini Fireman's Uniform made up complete with helmet. Amongst other things Gabriel was given a tour round the station, driven around in one of their huge Fire Engines and then taken to the training area where he let rip with a water canon. Airport Police also came along with some goodies and treated him to a ride round the airfield in their Police Car. Needless to say, the beaming smile on his face said it all.


Following his time spent with some of the Airport Emergency Services, Gabriel was then treated to all manner of things by BAA which included a trip inside the new Control Tower.

All in all, an incredibly humbling day and something special to see how everyone pulled together to make Gabriel's visit extra special, with not a dry eye in sight seeing this brave little boy having a really great time and smiling from ear to ear.


To keep up with Gabriel, his parents Christine & Dylan have created a blog which is updated on a regular basis: http://www.ourpreciousgabriel.blogspot.com/

Exposed - Episode 2 "Bluebell Woods"

Following on from the post below about the shoot in Bluebell Woods, here's the second installment of our new 'behind the scenes' videos, this one titled: Exposure - Episode 2 "Bluebell Woods"

*Reminder: Pressing the HQ button in the video player window, plays a higher quality version.
Enjoy ;o)

A Little Angel in Bluebell Woods

This past Monday evening I was out at a wonderful location by the name of Bluebell Woods in Buckinghamshire, photographing the daughter of a very good friend of mine Barry Payne and his wife Kerry. For a while now I've been promising Barry that I'd photograph his daughter Samantha; not for any particular reason other than thanking him for being such a good friend and someone I know I can call on anytime if I need help with anything.


I knew the kind of photo I wanted to create (fairytale etc...) all I needed to do was find the right location, and as luck would have it, Bluebell Woods was right on my doorstep although I'm ashamed to admit that despite having lived in the area for nearly 11 years I've only just found it (Note to self:Know your patch!!!). Still, better late than never and I'm sure after having photographed there this week, I will definitely be returning. I briefed Barry & Kerry with what I wanted Samantha to wear so that everything worked and they couldn't have got it more spot on; Samantha looked every bit the little Angel in a plain white summer dress; so, the rest was up to me....eeeeeekkkk :o) !!!!!!


We were 'shooting' for just over an hour before the evening sun started to disappear, so when it eventually gave it's final farewell we packed up and headed over to the local public house (the Hit or Miss) for a bite to eat. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable time spent with great friends, in a great location on beautiful summer evening...what more could you ask for ? :o)


The set up for these photos was nice and simple (see attached diagram): One(1) Alien Bees 1600 with a large Octabox affectionately known as Big Bertha providing the soft, dreamy light which was essential for these shots.

Enjoy ;o)

Latest News Odds n' Sods

Hi All,
With all sorts of things going on and projects in the pipeline I thought I'd write a little post to keep you up to date:

Firstly, I want to thank my good friend Barry for helping me out yesterday with a much needed photo. My new website is virtually finished now (thank god) but one thing that was missing was a photo of myself that I wanted to feature on the 'About Me' page. Barry, as always was there to help out and the photo attached is what we came up with for a quick 'self portrait'. To be honest, I'm not sure of this is the final image I'll use, but hey it's a starting point. (*Note: as this picture would be a web page, the right hand side has purposely been given lots of space to allow for text)


I'm really looking forward to this coming week. I'm going to up at Bluebell Woods in Buckinghamshire; a stunning wood that's, wait for it....full of bluebells. It's too good an opportunity to miss so I've organised a couple of portrait shoots Monday & Thursday evening. (I'll be sure to blog the results)

Also, this coming Thursday I'm going to be photographing a very brave little boy by the name of Gabriel Davies at Heathrow Airport. I'll blog Gabriel's full story later in the week but to give you a brief background, Gabriel who is only 3 years old is suffering from an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer (Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour). BAA at Heathrow Airport have organised for Gabriel to be given a tour of the airport which will include a ride in one of the Airport Fire Service Fire Engines and I'll be going along to create a really memorable photo for Gabriel and his parents. I've got plenty of ideas, and I really can't wait. The photo shoot will be video'd too so I'll be sure to post everything here for you to see.

Other News: Friday this week I'll be announcing a competition that I'm calling 'Free Photo-Shoot Friday' so be sure to check back here for more details as the week progresses.

Finally, I'm going to be announcing something v.soon for all you photographers out there regardless of skill level. I can't say anything just yet but needless to say it's gonna be worth looking out for.

Anyway, I'll let you all get on now doing whatever it is you're doing and will catch up with you soon,
Enjoy ;o)