EDUCATION

"Movementations": Kaitif Skatepark

in

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.

Photo and Video Project: Meet Zeus

in , , ,

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

in , ,

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

in , ,

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.... 

Facing Fears: A Cinco De Mayo Adventure

in , ,

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

in , , ,

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

in ,

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/).