Shoots
I recently did a home studio shoot with Mel Brittan - and what a stunning model he is!
Mel was the model for my Alchemist, but today he was an astronomer, cowboy & fisherman.
Images & shoot video below.
With thanks to Mel Brittan (model), Alex Beck (video) & of course Marlies Chell (everything else!)
The Astronomer
Mending the Nets
The Old Cowboy
The Home Studio Set Up
The project photographing babies underwater is going well & the swimming club, Quackers, have organised a public shoot date. It will commence at 4pm, Sunday 28th November at the Lenton Pool in Nottingham.
We’ll not just be photographing babies though - family group shots and older children are also planning to come along.
If you’d like to have a go, or have a relation who would, you’ll be very welcome. Ring Jo on 07522 541214 for more details.
Here’s the video from my recent shoot with Sally & Rooni.
I took the image below a couple of years ago - it’s the child of a friend & it’s my take on the famous Nirvana album cover. I’ve wanted to do more, but it’s a bit difficult getting the models! Well my luck has changed & I’ve started a project with a swim school, Quackers, to photograph their baby classes. I did my first shoot last week & I’ve got lots to learn for sure, but I just know it’s going to be great fun.
I quickly realised I needed to build a backdrop - the tiles of the pool just kill any artistic feel & I didn’t fancy loads of Photoshop work inserting new backgrounds. Up to now we’ve used material for backdrops in the pool, but they come with problems, not least getting them dry after the shoot.
So this time I’m trying a vinyl backdrop. It’s 3m x 5m so I used a large banner printing company to produce it. They were a bit disappointed when they got my plain blue artwork - they usually print much more elaborate designs. A quick trip to B&Q to buy some plumbing pipe & we now have a frame to support it in the water. I’ll go in next week & try it out before our next practice shoot in a couple of weeks.
I love a project!
Nirvana
First shoot in the pool
The new backdrop
I’m back in the saddle… & it was great!
I shot two British champion weightlifters on Thursday - Rooni Siraj & Sally Bennett. This was my first shoot since before Covid - and I was genuinely nervous. As I assembled the gear the day before I found myself unsure of aspects that were just second nature before... “how many lights will I need?” “which backdrop - & where is it!”
I made the shoot more difficult by using a new camera too. Canon kindly lent me a mirrorless R5 & matching 24 to 70mm lens to try out. Talk about putting yourself under pressure. I needn’t have worried about the camera though. It was a joy to use & directly transferable from my normal 5D Mk4… I found my way around the menus in minutes & all the light triggers etc. worked from the off.
The shoot went really well - I was super happy. Alex made a video too, so we’ll be releasing a behind the scenes video shortly.
I’m so, so happy to be back behind the lens!
Sally Bennett & Rooni Siraj
I’ve completed the final two images in the set now… so here’s my panel of four Victorian Miners. If you’d like to see the full size images they start here.
I’m going to get back in touch with the museum as I think there’s lots more potential to explore. Fingers X’d they are up for it.
