Grabbing The Bull By The Horns

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I've been away for a bit, I know. Life has a way of twisting and turning sometimes. But whenever you want to get back to something, you have to force yourself sometimes to “grab the bull by the proverbial horns” and do it. After a hard week at work, my workmates told me about an open day at a local military base as part of the annual outreach from the Tradewinds military exercise. Named after the most prominent winds blowing across our region, Tradewinds is a United States Southern Command-sponsored, and Caribbean-focused operation held annually. I sometimes heard the American Black Hawk helicopters as they passed over my area on evenings. While the public is not invited to participate in the training events, they are allowed to visit the closed base for one day. I figured I would take this opportunity to visit since it has been ages since I last visited Paragon. 

So, I grabbed my camera and two lenses and made my way to the base, after a quick pitstop to deal with a faulty tire. Don't worry, all is fine. There is nothing like living a stone's throw away from a handy tire repair shop. Saturday morning drives are always relaxing…I can drive at my own pace without worrying about getting to the office on time. So, it was a quick trip with a cool soundtrack of 80s soft rock (my favourite, if I'm honest). I arrived just a few minutes later than the start time of 10:00 A.M., and I was directed to the Policy Training School to use the "park and ride" system in place. I quickly realised that the sun would not be our friend that day and it was turning out to be a scorcher.

My favourite things about Open Day are quite a few. First, I got to meet up with a few photographers from my club and some friends I hadn't seen in a while, totally unplanned but it was fun nonetheless. Shout out to Glyne, Bradley, Yvette, Sherlock, and Charles for keeping the day interesting. Second, I made lemonade with the lemons I brought. What do I mean? Well, I only had my 50 mm f2.8 and my 85 mm f2.8 prime lenses, which are great for crowd shots, but I was not in the mood for the crowds. I managed however to have a chat with one of the young men who is visiting the island for the first time. His name is Specialist Lucas and shout out to him for being a good sport when I asked him for a quick portrait. We had a wonderful chat about the Black Hawk helicopter, his career in the military so far, and his post-military plans. A very cool dude and if he ever comes across this blog, I wish him well in training and hope he gets a chance to return here as a tourist.

Specialist Lucas: Yes, I asked him politely for his photo and he kindly obliged.

The goal was not about getting "bangers" as Peter McKinnon would call his bucket list shots. I would not say my pictures were perfect. My lens choices were not the best for the day and some of the restrictions on where I could stand, exacerbated the issue. That is just a fact, not an excuse. I’ll know better next year. Today was about beginning to "see" again and getting outside. The first tool in any photographer's kit is his/her creative eye. And sometimes, one needs to retrain that eye after a dry spell. If I have one lesson from this for my photographer readers, from beginner to professional, it would be this: You can just shoot for fun, not everything has to be serious and you can turn a fail into a win if you learn from it.

More importantly, "all work and no play, makes Jill a very dull girl"...or something like that, right?

Camera and equipment details:

Camera: Nikon D7200

Lenses: Nikon 50mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S , Nikon 85mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S, Samsung A21S

Lighting: Natural Light

Software: Adobe Photoshop 2019

Until next time...carpe diem.



Exhibition Season

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If you've been following me for a while, you will remember that I am a member of the Barbados Photographic Society (BPS). I always recommend to photographers, both hobbyists and professionals alike, that it is always a good thing to join a club as part of your development. There are several good reasons to do so, such as:

  1. Access to pooled resources and technical expertise - some clubs run any number of workshops and training specifically for beginners and sometimes offer training for small businesses

  2. Safety in numbers, especially when trekking out to parts of the country that are less populated or urban areas where it is potentially unsafe to have your expensive equipment in view.

  3. Camaraderie and Support - Always a good thing to meet new people, potential clients, and other like-minded individuals.

All of the above are important to help artists in general grow, not just photographers. I want to emphasize the importance of number 3 in this article. 



I love going to museums and galleries in my spare time. There is something about being in a creative space that always seems to inspire me. But I must confess that I've always been scared to put my work out there for public viewing. It's one thing to shoot a photo for a friend, which they like and maybe share on their social media accounts. It is an entirely different thing to print your work and put it on display for the public. But somehow, I decided to do just that with a push from a well-meaning friend or two. Here is where the club and support connection come in. In 2023, my club decided to host its first post-pandemic exhibition entitled "20 Years of Light" in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Barbados Photographic Society's existence as a non-profit educational organization with the mission to foster the development of photography in Barbados. The call for submissions came in November asking for up to three images from each photographer, along with the print size options available. 

My two submissions, “Self Determination” (left) and “Hands Up”, after delivery from the printer


Curated by Giselle Walker, the exhibition opened to the public on January 13 2024 to a well-attended reception at the Queens Park Gallery in Bridgetown, Saint Michael, and featured work from 24 BPS members (including myself). I entered two pieces, entitled "Self Determination" and "Hands Up", both shot in 2020 at a Black Lives Matter rally in Bridgetown. From all accounts, our work was well received by the public, with the exhibition being covered in the local newspapers and morning media. Some of the pieces were either sold or generated offers to purchase. Coming out of this experience, I even received an offer to join a second exhibition, entitled Resilience featuring work from Black, female artists in Barbados.

Me, with “Self Determination” on archival paper 16” x 24”

Newspaper Article promoting the exhibition.


Putting yourself out there can be difficult, even for well-seasoned professionals. It is raw and scary and most people fear any form of rejection. But it is also cathartic and freeing at the same time, especially when you can share the experience with a community. Thanks to all of my friends and family who made time to come and see the exhibition and special thanks to those who pushed me every step of the way.

Even if you couldn’t make it out, please visit the Barbados Photographic Society’s page to have a look at the work here: https://thebarbadosphotographicsociety.com/portfolio-item/20-years-of-light/

Until next time...do what scares you.  







"Movementations": Kaitif Skatepark

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In my last article, I mentioned how I took up a mobile photography project to keep up my interest while I was experiencing some stumbling blocks. It happens to the best of us. But remember these too will pass and when the opportunities knock once again, be ready.

I belong to the Barbados Photographic Society, which is a non-profit organisation that seeks to educate and promote Barbadian photographers of all skill levels. Since Covid-19, our field trips have been limited in scope and frequency due to government protocols and member concerns. Thankfully, things are recovering once again. In April, I managed to get outside for a field trip with the group again. One of the best things about shooting in a group is being able to chat with and learn from other people, regardless of your skill level. This comes in handy when shooting something you're not familiar with. In my case, it would be sports and action photography.

Back in the 80s, my older brother was like most teenagers of that time who loved skateboarding. I never got into it but he and his friends loved to go out with their boards occasionally. There was no dedicated space around so they ended up in the street on weekends, just for fun. These days, things have definitely changed. There is a beautiful, well designed skate park, for kids and adults alike. I had heard that there was one built recently but I had never been there. So when this field trip to Kaitif Skatepark came around, I was rather intrigued to go check it out. I was not disappointed at all. Such a fun Saturday afternoon. The images aren't perfect but they were definitely fun to make, which is the most important thing in my book. Hope you enjoy them.

As usual, I have some links to some tips if you want to get started with action/sports photography. If you do, I'd love to see what you come up with.

Beginner Tips For Shooting Action Photography: https://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/beginner-tips-for-shooting-action-photography/

Action Photography Guide: 6 Tips for Shooting Moving Subjects: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/action-photography-guide#3-ways-to-capture-motion-in-photography

5 Action Photography Tips From the Pros: https://www.adorama.com/alc/5-action-photography-tips-from-the-pros/#:~:text=Action%20photography%20is%20an%20incredibly,very%20challenging%20genre%2C%20as%20well.

Sports Photography – Everything You Need To Know: https://www.nfi.edu/sports-photography/#:~:text=Sports%20photography%20is%20the%20capture,vernacular%20(everyday%20life)%20photography.


I definitely want to go back to the park soon.

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D7200

Lenses: Nikon 55-300mm VR DX AF-S Zoom (not my favourite lens)

Lighting: Natural Light

Until next time...do what intrigues you.

Mobile Photography Part 1: Return to Innocence

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Recently I've been wondering which projects I should take up in 2022. I don't know if I am the only one but I've found it a bit difficult to get started in photography this year. What does one do when there is the will but a lack of opportunity? Or vice versa? What should one do when you feel like you have hit a creative block? I've certainly felt "stuck in a rut" recently. It happens to all of us every once in a while, but the recent mix of the pandemic and general downturn of 2021 has left some of us with very little creative energy. My approach to photographer's block has usually one of the following:

  1. Change direction by buying new gear - while a fun idea, it is not always feasible or fiscally responsible;

  2. Set yourself a mini project or try something completely new from a tutorial ;

  3. Go back to basics

In this case, I decided to combine options #2 and #3. In the past, I've always considered mobile photography to be frivolous at best. I'm old fashioned so my phone was mostly for making calls. The substandard camera was solely for taking photos in case of an accident or getting a number on a billboard when I didn't have a pen. But much like DSLR cameras, mobile phone capabilities have moved beyond the grainy 0.35 megapixel images. There exists a number of lenses and lighting equipment available specifically for mobile phones. This brings a powerful tool into the hands of more amateurs without a need for much "technical know how" or jargon. So where does that leave the old fashioned enthusiasts and professionals? I don't think that the mobile phone is ready to replace the creative flexibility of its DSLR/mirrorless counterparts. But I do think both seasoned professionals and amateurs alike can find a lot of worth in improving their skills in mobile photography.

For some of us who started shooting digitally, we might have started on a point and shoot camera. Technically less complicated and mostly unassuming, that camera fueled our personal curiosity into the image making process. I know most purists will consider using mobile phone to be a step down from "real photography". I definitely do not agree. The real art in photography is not necessarily the priciest tools, but rather thoughtful composition and crafty storytelling. Technical ability is also key. I would rate those well above gear any and every day.

Going back to my project, what rules did I set for myself during my project? It was simple. First, shoot only on mobile phone (which is the point of this entire article). Second, edit only on the same device using a free photo app like Snapseed. Unofficially and lastly, edit within an hour of taking the shot. What happened, you asked? Well, I honestly had fun with it, way more than I expected to. Most importantly, I have changed my mind on mobile photography now. One of my favourite photography quotes says "the best camera is the one that's with you”.

I'll let you judge the results. Feel free to share your own tips and photos with me. More to come...

Independence Anniversary Honours

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Long time since my last posting but I had some rather exciting news to share. This year has two significant events in the rather storied history of Barbados. First 2021 represents the 55th anniversary of my country becoming an independent and sovereign nation. And secondly, on November 30, we moved forward with a newly elected and installed President as our head of state and a brand new charter as Barbados becomes a constitutional republic. I'm excited, honestly even in the face of the daunting face of a pandemic and economic uncertainty.

Now why is this exciting to a photographer and for this blog exactly? Well in October, the Natural Cultural Foundation of Barbados issued a call for images to form a curated commemorative catalogue of 55 images in honour of the 55th Anniversary, entitled "Barbados - Our Country, Our People, Our Home". While the catalogue was not limited to photographers only, the theme description was stated as follows:

"As Barbados moves towards the status of a constitutional Republic, this catalogues presents an opportunity for you to share your understanding of freedom, Independence, self-determination and our rich legacy based on our history; our present realities and potential futures."

And I'm pleased to report that one of my entries, entitled "Self Determination", was selected for the catalogue. I felt, more than anything, the phrase "I Will Breathe" represented what I most wanted for the new republic. For all Barbadians to finally be able to feel true freedom, peace and a sense of inclusion. I think that it is an idea whose time has come. As I stated in my entry:

"Self determination is said to be the the process by which a person (or country) assumes control of their own life or future. I related the phrase "I will breathe" as a positive affirmation for every citizen of this country in this post colonial era."

Happy Independence Day, to the entire Bajan diaspora and everyone who loves Barbados as much as I do. You can find the link to the catalogue here, available for the next year: https://ncf.bb/my-barbados-our-country-our-people-our-home/


Camera and equipment details:

Camera: Nikon D7200

Lenses: Nikon 50mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S

Lighting: Natural Light

Software: Adobe Premiere Elements 11

Until next time.... breathe.

Cover page of the NCF 55th Anniversary Commemorative Catalogue.

List of catalogue credits (artists and project managers etc.)

My entry “Self Determination” (Page 38)

Photo and Video Project: Meet Zeus

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A lot has been going on recently, so I thought that I should make an update here. 2020 was tough for many reasons. I lost my father unexpectedly and then had to go into lockdown due to the pandemic. Not an easy situation, from the outset. The middle of the year gave us some protests on Black Lives Matter, a debate that shouldn't even be happening in this day and age. And then I lost my beloved dog of 13 years in June. But as much loss as I have suffered this year, I still managed to find a few moments of joy and creativity.

In March, I got a new puppy. You would have already met him if you've been following this blog. I named him Zeus, because I've always been a big fan of Greek mythology since childhood. And I knew he was going to be big and gregarious in nature. Turns out, I was right. This little puppy barreled his way into my heart as he rambled around my backyard. Zeus turned one year recently and I can't believe how fast he's grown up already. It's kind of funny that most of his lifespan has been during a pandemic. But he is so full of joy and love that sometimes I managed to forget we were under lockdown restrictions.

In the midst of all of the uncertainty, the most interesting thing happened. I decided to start making lemonade with my "lemons". So I got my camera out a few evenings, followed him around and captured some stills and some video clips. I've decided to make this into an ongoing project, documenting his time. It's fun for me and hopefully it helps to build some new skills. I think that I've gotten better at camera movement and editing.

Making The Photos

Zeus might be a big boy but he's still a puppy at heart and very active. He loves exploring the yard and watching out for the lizards. So I usually let him burn off some steam before I take out the camera. Using a long lens also helps, because he is a very affectionate boy and the closer he is to me, the more he thinks it's cuddle time (not that I am complaining). He doesn't stay still but the best strategy I've found is to simply pre-focus and wait until he comes into the focus area. Or just wait until he gets engrossed in something.

Camera and equipment details:

Camera: Nikon D7200

Lenses: Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR DX AF-S

Lighting: Natural Light

Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements



Making the Video

The video was much easier in my opinion. I didn't have a concept in mind when I started. I just started recording random clips of Zeus running around on some evenings when I would be outside with him. Luckily he and I have a routine on evenings so it was easy to figure I had written his name on the sidewalk at one point and decided to use that as the introductory shot and title card. I generally chose a frame rate of 24 fps for that old fashioned movie look and a warm colour grade (my editing software is pretty basic for now).


Camera and equipment details:

Camera: Nikon D5200

Lenses: Nikon 50mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S

Lighting: Natural Light

Software: Adobe Premiere Elements 11

Music: You Tube Creators Studio

Until next time.... be creative and be passionate. And hang in there, it gets better.

How I Got The Shot - Adventure In Welchman Hall

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One of my favourite bits of photography wisdom is "the best camera is the one you have with you". After all, the world won't wait until you go home to grab your Canon, Nikon or Sony, etc. to have that perfect shot. Personally  I'm not an avid mobile phone photographer. I'm more inclined to grab my phone to snap a notice or a sign that has information I might need later. But even the most faithful purists must admit that mobile phone cameras are improving at an intensely rapid pace. 

As much as I love my DSLR, I must admit that it pays to step out of your comfort zone. This realisation brings me to the story of this shot. Back in November 2019, my dear friend Sid came all the way from Edinburgh (Scotland)  to spend some time with me and my mum. Sid is the person who started me on this journey and even went with me to go and buy my very first DSLR. One of our photography outings was in the gardens of Falkland Palace (you can see a few of those images in my very first blog post). So I knew one of the first places that I wanted to take her was to Welchman Hall Gully.  Why? It's the perfect walk in nature with tons of plants and sometimes the wildlife comes by to pay a visit. It’s also next door to the famous Harrison’s Cave which is another spectacular attraction.

Every epic vacation needs an epic photo in an epic location. The gully has an abundance of trees, including towering bamboo, nutmeg, and prickly palms, as well as cave-like limestone formations. Wherever there is a healthy canopy, you can always expect some beautiful shafts of light if you look hard enough or happen to be in the right place at the right time. While on the designated footpath, we came to a side path that had fallen into disrepair. At Sid's suggestion, we stepped off the main path to go and explore a collapsed cave. And the light was amazing. So I grabbed her phone and the rest is as they say, history. 

In case you're interested in getting into mobile phone photography, here is the link to an article that I found with some great tips and examples to help you get started.

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/good-pictures-phone-tips 

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: iPhone
Lighting: Natural Light

Until next time.... 

IMG_0768.jpg

Portraiture Session: Bruce

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It feels like it's been forever since the last update to my blog section. Those of you that follow me on Instagram (and Flickr) will realise that I'm still active on social media. But with every new year (and every new decade) comes new opportunities and new prospects. Hopefully, it also means a new chance at bringing old project ideas to fruition or making room for new ones. 

For now though, I have the chance to share some old work that I was keeping on ice for a bit. A while back, a dear friend (and fellow photographer) asked me about doing a photoshoot  for his website and Facebook profile picture. I thought this was a great time to do something a bit different, as well as help out a friend. It's funny but if you had asked me a few years ago about portraiture, I would have been skeptical of my abilities. But there's nothing like jumping into a project with an open mind and an open heart.

Photographing Bruce was pretty easy as we've been friends for such a long time. If I had to sum it up, I'd say it was more about two old friends having a conversation with a camera present. The hardest part was probably getting him to relax a bit and forget about the camera. I must admit that I am not a fan of directing my models, opting for personality over perfection. I prefer my client to see themselves or for their loved ones to recognize "that little thing they do with their head". 

In case you are thinking of starting out with portraits, here are a few quick tips that I found helpful, courtesy of B+H Photo Video:

  1. Build a connection with your subject. Make the process a collaborative one. 

  2. Note the lighting and environment carefully. Plan ahead!

  3. Watch the dynamics of your camera and lens. Some lenses are more flattering to certain body features.

  4. "The eyes are the windows to the soul". If the eyes of your subject aren't in focus, your image will suffer greatly, even if all of the other elements are perfect.

  5. Move in and out and get down on their level. This is especially true with children and pets. 

  6. Camera Settings: Take special care with regards to your White Balance.

  7. The Classic Look of Black & White. Personally I love black and white portraits. Why? Black and white can convey a certain mood, emphasize facial features and textures or transport the viewer to another time and place.

  8. Shoot in Raw File Format. Never mind the large file size, you'll be happy for the extra information when editing or making prints.


For further reading, be sure to check out this link to the original article here: 
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/seven-tips-every-beginning-portrait-photographer-should-know?BI=7367&currency=EUR&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9OGe1cKz5wIVSNyGCh1JtABxEAAYASAAEgKxgvD_BwE 

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D7200

Lenses:  Nikon 85mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S 

Lighting: Natural Light

Until next time.... 

New Year, New Projects

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I hope you've been having a good year so far, both professionally and personally. I haven't posted here in a little while but I've been busy these past few months working on a few personal things. As I mentioned last year, I've started experimenting with making video. I've been learning this new craft as a fun side project whenever I can. Admittedly it's a learning curve for me but I must confess that I'm enjoying it very much. If you've done some video, or just started, let me know what your biggest challenges are/were. I've uploaded a few of my attempts to my YouTube channel, "Nicky Highlander Photography".  If you have any ideas, suggestions, want to collaborate or just want to discuss photography/videography, feel free to message me!

Here is the link to my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9qeA1l42xbNfch6NOgLqtQ . I’ve included the link to my latest practice video, “Wind”, at the end of this post. You will see more of these from time to time.

I've also been making it to a few field trips with the Barbados Photographic Society as well as a few other places with friends. So far, I've been exploring the northern and eastern parts of the island again. We've been to Saint Peter, St. Nicolas Abbey's Heritage Train ride and Andromeda Gardens. Funny enough, video has really reawakened my love for still photography. That seems counter-intuitive but it's true. 

Here's to more enriching projects this year!

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D5200

Lenses:  Nikon 50mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S 

Lighting: Natural Light

Software: Adobe Premiere Elements

Until next time.... 

2018 Review

2018 comes to a close in a few hours and I am so excited for it to end. Not because it was a bad year but because I'm looking forward to continuing some progress I made. I love to make and read these "mini journal" posts looking over the past year. I find that it gives me a lot of perspective. Either I get inspired to continue or change direction. I can compare it to looking in a mirror after working on my outfit. If it looks great, well continue on and walk out that door. If the shoes don't work, go back and change them.

Therefore, to end the year, I'm repeating a paragraph from the start of the year. "Although the year has started, the remaining months are a blank slate. So why not start over with the positive things that happened in the past year? No matter how small they may be. Maybe you met a new friend. Maybe you got a promotion. Maybe you completed a course or tried a recipe that turned out to be a hit. Maybe you fell in love or out of love, and not necessarily with a person.  Anything positive is source of strength." I am very thankful for the past year. So I decided to make my gratitude list of things that made me fall in love with my camera and photography all over again...

  1. I rediscovered a set of photos from a car show in 2017 and I decided to have a crack at editing them. I thought that I would never revisit these and I absolutely loved the results. And I also managed to improve my Photoshop skills. Compositing, anyone? Check it out here: https://www.nickyhighlanderphoto.com/blog/2018/4/2/something-different

  2. I've had the desire to photograph a particular set of horses for the longest time. I finally went out and made a small project of it. I can't wait to go back. https://www.nickyhighlanderphoto.com/blog/2018/5/5/horsin-around-easter-monday-jaunt-with-some-horses

  3. I decided to face a longtime fear of flying in a small plane and took my camera along for the ride. Read all about the half hour trip that changed my life here: https://www.nickyhighlanderphoto.com/blog/2018/6/10/facing-fears-a-cinco-de-mayo-adventure

  4. I discovered a new favourite location: PEG Farms in Easy Hall, Saint Joseph. Not only do I love their wide open spaces to walk around, but I'm buying their organic produce. Healthy living initiative in action. https://www.nickyhighlanderphoto.com/blog/2018/8/12/down-on-the-farm

  5. Remember in 2017 when I signed up for an introductory 7 week course in video production? I had never used the skills to make any videos and I wish I did. So I recently jumped at the chance to take a 2 day workshop in film at the University of the West Indies, and a follow up practicum session with my club. That session produced a short interview video which has some of my footage featured. I'm hoping to be working towards improving my video and editing skills over the upcoming year. If you have any ideas, suggestions, want to collaborate or just want discuss photography/videography, feel free to message me!

  6. As always, I'm working on my content, both on my website and on my social media platforms.  Here are my best nine Instagram images for 2018! 

nickyhighlander_2018bestnine2.jpg

I am so excited about my plans for 2019 and I hope that you stay tuned to what I hope is another productive year. Wishing you a Happy New Year and may your dreams come true.

Camera and equipment details: see details from links above

Until next time.... best wishes and Happy New Year!

Revisiting

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I don't often revisit a previous theme. I am the kind of person who loves short term projects usually. But when I've found a passion, I can pursue and explore it exhaustively. Such is my recent discovery of PEG Farms Nature Reserve (see last post). Since the initial visit in June, I've made a point to return as often as I can. Fresh air, beautiful surroundings and fresh produce are very inspirational.

It's important to note that sometimes long term projects can lag and lose steam. Your original vision/views can shift or you can lose focus or passion altogether. Therefore it's often good to revisit an idea or a place. Seeing old work through fresh eyes can bring new perspective. If you have realised that this is happening, I've found these 8 steps from Trello to be useful in jumpstarting that creative spark again:

https://blog.trello.com/8-ways-to-apply-a-new-perspective-to-a-dragging-project 

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D5200

Lenses:  Nikon 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom,  Nikon 55-300mm VR DX AF-S, Nikon 85mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S 

Lighting: Natural Light

Until next time.... 


Down On The Farm

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If you have read my bio on this website, you would recall that I am a member of the Barbados Photographic Society (BPS)  and a contributor to the BPS website.  This non-profit club organizes a number of field trips every year around the island. I decided to attend the trip to PEG Farms which is a working biodynamic farm and nature reserve located in the parish of Saint Joseph (the north eastern part of the island). This was my first visit and I was curious to see what it offered. 

It was a very fun morning being out with friends, hiking in nature and enjoying the camaraderie. In fact, some of my favourite field trips of all time have been outdoors in nature. This one did not disappoint in terms of beautiful breathtaking views of the eastern coast of the island. Exercise and fresh air are always restorative for body, mind, spirit and the creative eye.  And if you have friends who are natural comedians, the time passes even better. And the best thing about going to the farm? Well, your $25 entrance fee is redeemable in fresh organic produce. Farm to table indeed. Check out their operation here: https://www.pegbarbados.com/

This place easily deserves a revisit, in my opinion. The best times might be in the morning, just after opening around 8:00 AM. Just make sure you avoid the chickens at feeding time.  

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lenses:  Nikon 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom,  Nikon 55-300mm VR DX AF-S, Nikon 85mm F1.8 G Auto Focus-S
Lighting: Natural Light

Until next time....keep it light. 

 

Facing Fears: A Cinco De Mayo Adventure

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All of my friends know that I love to travel. But while I love seeing new places and countries, I don't feel the same way about flying....or rather the act of flying. And the smaller the plane, the more I tend to get that sinking feeling. My friend Bruce has been a bit of an aviation buff for many years. He can easily tell you the names and paths of just about every type of plane landing at the airport. So when a mutual acquaintance of ours made a suggestion to take a short flight around the island (for his pilot's license requirements), he was ready to jump at the chance. I will admit that I was lukewarm to the idea but their enthusiasm was infectious. 

Maybe it was time to try something new. So, even with the initial misgivings, I decided to jump in. The first flight got cancelled due to the weather but the second one looked good. So on May 5 2018 (Cinco de Mayo), I decided to bite the bullet and packed up my camera to take in a side of Barbados not seen by many. I've been on a plane to and from Barbados before, but never circling the island at around 2,000 ft. And what an experience it was. For the aviation buffs reading this, our plane was a reliable Cessna 172 Skyhawk courtesy of the local aviation club. It's a four seat, single engine aircraft and surprisingly easy to push (easier than a car). Total flying time was exactly 30 minutes to complete a rough figure 8 shape. 

I came away from this experience with a greater appreciation for my beautiful island and a few aerial photography pointers:

  1. Figure out your flight plan, ask questions and do your preparation. How long is the flight? Do you take or require medication?

  2. Take a good zoom lens.

  3. Follow your flight safety rules and listen to your pilot. 

  4. Be patient.

  5. Fast shutter speeds above 1/500s. 

  6. Remember the glass (assuming that you are in an enclosed aircraft) and the location of the sun. 

Special thanks to our fabulous pilot, Mr. Ade Alleyne who kept us entertained while pointing out some famous landmarks. And finally thanks to the Barbados Light Airplane Club for hosting our group as visitors for the afternoon. 

Please enjoy the short video that I put together and the images in the gallery below. I might do this again, never say never.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytgEu8GE_8E&feature=youtu.be

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D7200

Lenses:  Nikon 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom

Lighting: Natural Light

Video: Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70L

Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Elements

Until next time...do what scares you. 

 

Horsin' Around: Easter Monday Jaunt With Some Horses

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I have been trying to get back out to shoot again. I've always found one of the best ways to cure a creative drought is to find a personal project. A personal project may be a short term assignment or a longer term exploration of a particular theme. This may be easier said than done, as with most creative endeavours. For me, the idea of having a long term goal tends to allow the creative mind to periodically reset. For the longest time, I have observed some horses tethered on a pasture on my usual route to work on most mornings. I have wanted to be able to photograph them in early light. So when I finally saw an opportunity on Easter Monday, I grabbed it with both hands. Rising early with camera in hand, I packed up the car and headed out to my location. Luckily the main attraction in this area is the beach. The other people who were around at this time, were on the other side of the road enjoying a dip in the cool seawater.

 

Why did I choose horses? Well, why not? Horses are such powerful, dynamic and enigmatic subjects, in my opinion, with any number of meanings in classical and contemporary artwork. And in this regard, I felt it worthwhile to do something a bit different in the post production and convert this series into black and white and monochromatic images (generally speaking). Also I made sure to choose one lens for my minimal gear as I had a short time frame to work within.

 

After my short time outside, I feel that I've barely touched the surface of this theme. Thus it bears revisiting in the near future and I'm excited about that prospect. Don't be surprised if you see more of these popping up in future blog posts....

 

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lenses:  Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR DX AF-S
Lighting: Natural Light

Until next time...

 

Something Different

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In my last post, I briefly mentioned that I had the opportunity last year to go to my first vintage car show. Now I must admit that I had never considered shooting cars before this even after a few invites from my very talented friend Byron Morris aka Vizionz '93 (@vizionz93photography on Instagram) . But ever the explorer, I decided to grab my camera and give it a quick try on a Sunday afternoon outing with friends. Even with a long time between the shoot and editing, I must admit that I was pleased with the results. See how they came out in the gallery below.

Regarding the editing process, I used Photoshop Elements 11 for such things as exposure and colour correction. Some images required a more technical approach. For these images, there was replacement of the sky and background and some cloning and spot correction. I don't consider myself to be a photoshop/editing expert but I was glad for the chance to exercise this creative muscle. I'd love to have a bit more gear to experiment with, next time around.

Sometimes necessity is the mother of invention and this quick shoot was a great learning experience for me. At any car show, expect to see a lot of people milling around and sometimes drifting in and out of your shot. I've discovered that if you're shooting at a car show, you either need patience, some good editing skills or both! And people can add to your shot, depending on what kind of story you want to tell. A car show isn't necessarily just about the cars unless your focus is strictly advertising work. Whatever the direction you decide to go in, be sure to try stepping out of your comfort zone. Take the opportunity to practice those skills which you may be weak in or consider to be intimidating. 

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lenses:  Nikon 18-55mm G VR DX AF-S Zoom, Nikon 55-300mm VR DX AF-S
Lighting: Natural Light

Be sure to check out Byron's work on his website. I can only endeavor to be this good one day.

 (https://www.vizionz93photography.com/automotive/).

New Start

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I've had a hard time in 2017, as I'm sure that quite a few other people may have also experienced. I've felt like I was struggling with personal direction, loss of a relative and general creative blocks. Sometimes I will admit it was quite overwhelming. But I suppose that we've all been there at one point or another. 

Still it helps to be optimistic for the remainder of 2018. Although the year has started, the remaining months are a blank slate. So why not start over with the positive things that happened in the past year. No matter how small they may be. Maybe you met a new friend. Maybe you got a promotion. Maybe you completed a course or tried a recipe that turned out to be a hit. Maybe you fell in love or out of love, and not necessarily with a person.  Anything positive is source of strength. Amidst my tumultuous times in 2017, I realised that I still have quite a few things to be thankful for, including the following:

  1. I attended my first protest for a social cause which I consider to be highly important. See the Life In Leggings Women's Solidarity March post for photos. 
  2. I attended my first dog show. And it's no secret how much I love dogs! Please see my post Must Love Dogs: Barbados Kennel Club 2017 Dog Show. 
  3. I attended my first vintage car show. A small trip out with a friend turned out to be a fun Sunday afternoon. I am certainly no car enthusiast and I had never photographed cars before. But I embraced something new. I'm inclined to try it again this year, given the chance. 
  4. I was contacted by a regional magazine and sold some work. Published! Small steps and small victories can add up. Check out the teaser pages from Caribbean Insight magazine: https://view.joomag.com/the-caribbean-insight-issue-2/0536250001504020549
  5. I completed an introductory 7 week course in video production. I'm rather happy about the new knowledge and skills.
  6. Been working on my website here and there. This may not seem like a positive but I am really enjoying the creative process of making content. While I didn't have a great volume of content, I am proud of what I managed to accomplish. 

There's a lesson here that I learned from 2017. There's good in everything, even "failure". And to the creative types, never see a slow period as a negative. They are sometimes necessary to reset and focus the mind. I hope that this helps anyone who may be struggling creatively today. 

Until next time...

Must Love Dogs: Barbados Kennel Club 2017 Dog Show

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If it is one thing my friends and acquaintances know about me, it's my love for and fascination with animals. This is especially true with dogs. I've loved dogs since I was little. I love their wet noses and their goofy antics. I love their loyal, loving natures and how their behaviour is sometimes almost human. They make some of the most compelling subjects in my view, especially when paired with their favourite humans. So when my photography club had the recent opportunity to attend the Barbados Kennel Club's 2017 Dog Show, I jumped at the chance to tag along and get some practice. With so many dogs and so little time, it was definitely a fun day shooting and catching up with friends. I also got a few new images for my Pets and Animals portfolio to be updated later. 

Special thanks to the Barbados Kennel Club for graciously accommodating our group. See you next year!

So if you love dogs as much as I do, check out the pictures below. Until next time...

Camera and equipment details:
Camera: Nikon D7200
Lens: Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 AF-S ED VR II
Lighting: Natural Light

Life In Leggings' Women's Solidarity March

2017 seems to have started as a year of activism. This is not only true in my home country but all over the world. There have been marches for political reasons, environmental causes, civil rights issues, etc. The list goes on and on. In the spirit of International Women's Month, I thought that I should share a relevant and worthwhile cause. 

The Life in Leggings movement began with a simple hastag, #lifeinleggings. This humble phrase soon went viral as women used it to speak out in solidarity against misogyny, harassment and gender based violence. Along the way, this social movement morphed into “Life In Leggings: Caribbean Alliance Against Gender Based Violence”, a registered charity in Barbados tackling the rape culture and gender-based violence in the Caribbean region. Please check them out on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officiallifeinleggings/ 
Instagram: @officiallifeinleggings

On March 11, women and men in Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominica, The Bahamas, Guyana and Jamaica hit the streets in the Reclaim Our Streets: Women's Solidarity March. I was happy to be there to support the cause. Enjoy the slideshow below.

Let's keep this momentum going.

 

 

And one more bonus "triptych" image....not even a passing shower could stop this cause or the photographers out shooting that day....

Until next time...