Life is Healthy

As I have some free time just now, I have managed to get some photography in and upgrade my website

I have now added Google maps to the site so you can see where the photos were taken and several other tweaks such as an improved browser etc. Not easy at all, but my coding is getting better. The problem I find is, it has been so long since I last did any coding I forget how, and its like being back at square one :(

I am looking at tweaking the site further still with hopefully the option to have larger or smaller photos displayed and maybe a slideshow too.

I'm also toying with the idea of updating this one too as it's looking a little old and tired (at least to my eyes). I have being running this template for 9 months; that's long for me.
So watch this space...

UPDATE: Whaddya know, all that talk of upgrading led me to playing and tinkering with the site next thing I know it's 3 in the morning and a new version is born, enjoy.
Let me know your thoughts ;)

I have been snapping away and capturing some wonderful shots (even though I do say so myself). However on several of my photos I was over or under exposed - you know the types of photos, where everything is ghastly white or extremely dark, my solution before was to use the flash or to move to another position, what else could I do!?

Well nothing that was until I came across a guy called Bryan Peterson - then I literally had a light bulb moment. This guy is awesome. he explains in simple terms (thank goodness) what exposure is and how to use it effectively or compensate for it.
Now in order to prove my learning I went out today and shot some photos in a parque in Vallodolid, as they have roaming peacocks, flowers and some nice fountains.
All I really wanted to do today was put into practise the exposure tips and boy did it make a difference in light or shade I managed to get a perfectly exposed photo!!!

I spent a day reading his book and watching several of his short classes on Youtube, all of which where useful and informative. I must say he is actually a great presenter too. he starts off by posing a question, qualifies who he is, then gets into the action, leaves you with ideas and wanting more. On the otherside of the coin, he does remind me of Nick Nolte gone off the rails with his wild hair and even wilder shirts, lol.
Link to his WEBSITE
Really worth checking out and get hold of his books by any means possible! The thing I like about his style is he has a 'who cares' approach (yes, but he is that good, he can afford to) but it does take off some pressure when you think what are the exact setting for this photo or for this photo!?! Also and more importantly, he makes you want to pick up your camera and go take photos.

I spent maybe.... ....well too long watching BS home made videos on youtube offering little additional help or even contradicting what you had heard before (never good). As for the presenters OMG, they are awful! Boring, monotone, lifeless and several of them never even shown a photo of their own or the subject they were teaching you?!

I am pleased to say my photography is improving, but does have a long way to go. Its funny everywhere I look now I see pictures and photos or even opportunites for photos - the old addage "you get what you focus on" is SO true, no pun intended that time.

The sad thing about this is my friends in the UK are learning photography too, but I cant be there and learn with them. Instead I'm here in Spain, yes it is nice, but I saw only 2 photography clubs and both were on the coast. It would be nice to share knowledge and experiences with other photographers. When I was learning as a magician, it was a slow process, then once I got into the Magic Circle my learning excelled as there were so many talented people willing to help and share info and effects.
It took me a while to call myself a magician - at least until I felt capable of handling myself in any situation and I think it will be the same with photography it will be a while before I can consider myself a photographer.

Well if your interested in seeing the progress I speak of check out my Flickr Page

Yesterday I spent the afternoon on a large strip of wasteland. Kind of a cross between someone's 'used to be' home, school and field.
The purpose of this was not because I was homeless and looking for refuge but to help me find interesting things to photograph and let me tell you the place was full of things. Apart from the buildings themselves, there was a river (very dirty and smelly) but where there is water there is life, flowers and insects, and of course lots of rubbish :(

It was a pleasant afternoon alone, the only other person in the area was a jogger; to be honest it is FAR too hot to run anywhere; unless you are being chased.
I managed to get some nice photos, and practise different things with the camera such as angles, shadows and depth of field techniques. Oh and a lesson learnt - don't waste your time chasing butterflies - you wont win!

I have entered some of my photos into online competitions just for a giggle, but amazingly I have won several of the contests!! Hussain a friend of mine in the UK, says I have a natural talent as I am artistic in nature; he's too kind. Really I just like being free and seeing what I can see and do. To be honest I know its taking hold as I am looking at the world with fresh eyes, which is nice, the big question is... ...could this be my calling!??!

As photography equipment is SO expensive I have sought cheaper but hopefully effective options. This is my DIY kit so far - a car sunscreen reflector, one small and one big floodlight and I have also bought lots of offcut material from a textile shop in town.
So far so good - really its all practise if/when I turn pro, I will consider upgrading. Although I was amazed to see that one professional uses a stick in a can as his stands - cheap and simple option that works wonderfully.

UPDATE: I have built a lightbox out of an old cardboard box with sides cut off and paper put on all sides. So far so good - why not give it a try.

If you want to see my latest exploits click HERE

I have recently being playing with smoke and water in order to add some variety in my photography and also to help hone my skills a little more.

The process seemed simple enough but the setup was from it. I used tables and chairs and lamps from everywhere around the house. The shots look amazing - if only you could see the chaos behind the lens, lol.
I used a few incense sticks for the smoke pictures, a lamp and got in close.
For the Splash pictures I used water, milk and even a drop of wine.
Both effects took some setting up and practise to get what I was after, once I had the general idea it was playing with different items to make it even better, more water, less water, more light, without flash etc.

Well needless to say I managed eventually to get good light onto the subject and perfect my timing a little more without the added expense of additional camera lenses, remote flashes or that's what matters.

If you want to see the spoils of my labour check out my PHOTOBLOG or my Flickr page which hosts a few more of my photos

As some of you may be aware I have being practising photography a little more and I am hoping to develop my skills further. To that effect I have set up an additional website where I will post some of my photos for you to critique and offer advice etc.

Should you like any of the photos please feel free to leave those comments too.

To check out the site simply click the PHOTOBLOG link on the right or click HERE