Event photography – The Annual Pet Service

The Pet Service

          The annual Pet Service at St Mary’s parish church in Caterham, Surrey, England is a little bit of chaos at the edge of heaven. 

          Each year families bring their pets for a blessing and a reminder of what important companions pets are with their unjudgemental and unconditional love and affection.  Pets which Rev. Duncan Swan has blessed over the years have included fish and a stick insect.  This year they included hamsters, a horse, cats, a rabbit and lots of dogs – (and a few soft toy pets for good measure).

          An event like a pet service is relatively easy to photograph because there is so much chaos that you just blend right in.  I only use available light (which can be a bit of a challenge) so as not to be too intrusive with flash and not to alarm the animals.  It is all about catching the moment and on an occasion such as this there are lots of moments with animals and children.  However it is all totally unrehearsed and things happen quickly so you need full concentration.

2012 Calendars available from Lulu publishers

I have prepared a series of four calendars for 2012 which can be brought directly from Lulu.com, an Internet publishing house.  They are available world-wide.

Get a different gift this year

The Calendars come in two sizes – Premium and Standard.  Premium is  13.5″ x 19″ and the Standard is 11″ x 8.5″ (11″ x 17″ open).  They are printed on high quality gloss paper and bound by a sturdy spiral binding. The calendars have United Kingdom & US key dates & holidays.  Premium calendars are £19.50 and Standard are £12.50 (or the equivalent in other currencies).

Click on the images to link through to Lulu.com where you can preview the whole calendar before buying.  : )

Note on the Series 1 Cathedrals Calendar:

This is the first in a series of four calendars which I will publish over a four-year period.  The set will eventually include all 43 Cathedrals of the Church of England in alphabetical order.  The 2012 calendar includes the first 12, from Birmingham to Durham.

The proceeds of the sale of this calendar will go to St Mary’s Church, Caterham, Surrey and to cover the costs of production.

Premium Calendars – 13.5″ x 19″  (343 x 483mm)

                Scenes of England                                                                                   It’s a Small World
                 DOWNLOAD PREVIEW                                                                                                                    DOWNLOAD PREVIEW

                   Images 2012                                                                    Church of England Cathedrals – Series 1
                 DOWNLOAD PREVIEW                                                                                                                    DOWNLOAD PREVIEW

                   Africa 2012                                                                                     Cities of Europe – 2012
                 DOWNLOAD PREVIEW                                                                                       DOWNLOAD PREVIEW 

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 Standard Calendars – 11″ x 8.5″ (280 x 216mm)

                         Scenes of England                                                                    It’s a Small World
                          DOWNLOAD PREVIEW                                                                                               DOWNLOAD PREVIEW

                          Images – 2012                                                      Church of England Cathedrals – Series 1
                          DOWNLOAD PREVIEW                                                                    DOWNLOAD PREVIEW

                             Africa 2012                                                                 Cities of Europe – 2012
                          DOWNLOAD PREVIEW                                                                                             DOWNLOAD PREVIEW

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Series of Four #12 – Autumn scenes – with muted HDR

Series of Four

 This is the twelfth Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Autumn scenes – with muted HDR

Here is a set of four images taken yesterday near Cheltenham in England.  Autumn has come late and this was a bright, mild, mid October  afternoon.  I have used a technique called HDR (High Dynamic Range) which uses a series of bracketed images taken at different exposures (+1, 0, -1 in these images) to achieve a greater range than is possible with the sensitivity of a normal digital sensor.  Using software it is possible to integrate the images (usually 3 or 5) to achieve a very sharp image with details across the full range of the image.  If overdone this can begin to look very artificial and many photographers are deliberately pushing the method as a creative technique.  I prefer to mute the effects.  There is a great deal of experimentation to be done!!

Series of Four #11 – Macro photography – Critter Art

Series of Four

This is the eleventh Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Macro photography – Critter Art

Macro photography is the art and science of taking hyper-closeup photographs.  I have enjoyed macro photography immensely.  It takes you into another world which looks very alien but which is actually around us all the time.   A certain amount of specialised equipment is used such as marco lenses, extension tubes etc. but you will be surprised how much you can do with the equipment you have, assuming you are prepared to get up close to whatever spider, fly or other critter you want to capture.

Today I came across two dead ‘daddy-long-leg’ insects on my windowsill (A crane fly in the insect family Tipulidae).  I took out my macro lens (see the setup I used at the end of this post) and a couple of hours later here are the results – Critter Art.

Here are the unfortunate insects on the windowsill – there are hundreds of them around at this time of year but I have never looked at them this closely before. 

The equipment

The equipment I used was as follows:-

• 2 insects (dead* in this case which make it a lot easier),
• 1 dining room table (with spouse permission)
• Canon 1D MkIII camera
• Canon EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM  Lens
• Canon Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX  Flash
• DG Extension tubes
• Yongnu MC-36R remote release
• BENBO 1 tripod
• I used the manual settings of 1/125 sec, f/9, ISO 100

(* The insects were already dead – promise – but it does tend to make them more cooperative.)

Series of Four #10 – Creatures in Motion

Series of Four

This is the tenth Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Creatures in motion

Generally the aim is to freeze motion and to avoid motion blur but that is what rules are there for – to be broken.  I have a few images in my collection where the sense of motion makes the image.  The instant is prolonged – a butterfly takes off, a baboon leaps with its baby, a thief escapes and a puppy runs for the pure joy of it.  To be different (and to add one to the Series of Four) a fly is frozen in flight…. 

An extra image – a fly frozen in motion as it flies.

•  A chipmunk escapes from the bird feeder in Vienna, Virginia, USA
• A Queen Butterfly, Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, USA
  
• Toffee dog, Caterham in Surrey, England
• Monkey and child, Kakamega rain forest, Western Kenya
• A  syrphid fly, Caterham in Surrey, England

Series of Four #9 – On the streets of Europe – Number 1

Series of Four

This is the ninth Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

On the streets of Europe

Urban street photography is a favourite of many photographers.  Catching a passing moment, finding a space which expresses and exposes a city’s sole, seeing the unseen and the mundane.  Street photography needs to be approached with care, sensitivity and not a little boldness.

 Clockwise:

• A dog in Stockholm
• A man and a dog in Brussels
• A girl in Moledo, Portugal
• Horses in Geneva

Series of Four #8 – English Landscapes in black and white

Series of Four

This is the eighth Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

English Landscapes

These are four English landscapes taken in the ‘Home Counties’ – Surrey and Kent – within a 20 minute drive or so from my home.  You can see where the English masters such as Turner and Constable got their skies and clouds from.  Using black and white emphasises the contrast and drama of the images, as does using different portrait and landscape formats.

• The top two images are from Penshurst in Kent, England.  They were taken in September 2011. 
• The third was taken near Shere in Surrey, England shortly before a storm in September 2008.
• The fourth shot is of a Post Office in Kent, England, taken in May 2009.

Series of Four #7 – Stark portraits

Series of Four

This is the seventh Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative. To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Stark portraits

These are four portraits were taken in ordinary every-day circumstances, a day out on an office retreat, on a walk on the cliffs, sitting in the pub, an ID photo.  Black and white increases the drama of the images, as does pushing the contrast.  It emphasises that any shot can can be special and every shot should be taken with that mind.

Series of Four #6 – Perspective at the forest floor

Series of Four

This is the sixth Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Perspective at the forest floor

What would a walk in the forest for a four-inch photographer look like?  Changing the perspective can open up a whole different world.  Lighting can be a challenge.

All of these were shot in the woodlands of the North Downs in Surrey, England which are within a mile of where I live except the bottom right image which was shot near Fresvik in Norway.

Event Photography – The Ordination

The day

     2nd October will be the anniversary of Stephanie Nadarajah’s Ordination to the Priesthood for all the years to come.  Here are a selection of images from the day including a band of supporters travelling to Southwark Cathedral in South London from St Mary’s Caterham, a few shots in the Cathedral (though not of the actual Ordination Service because we were all involved in that as worshippers and not as photographers) and then during Steph’s first communion celebrated in the evening at St Mary’s parish church, Caterham. 

If you would like copies of these images, please contact me (Len Abrams) at info@seasonimages.com. 

Photographic points

     Event photography is a particular avenue of professional photography with its own demands and rewards.  This is the first ordination service of Anglican (Episcopalian) priests which I have photographed, which I did at the request of the parish.  Photographing church services is a specific challenge as it needs to be done with sensitivity to the people and the ceremony being conducted.  I therefore do not use flash or other special lighting which requires high ISO settings, slow shutter speeds and wide open apertures, all of which calls for a steady hand.  On the occasion of this ordination I was intent on capturing the involvement of parishioners, friends and family as it is very much a community event as well as being a very important milestone in the life of those being ordained.  I wanted to capture both symbolic images and intimate moments, together with some of the activities around the event.

Series of Four #5 – Cold Trees

Series of Four

This is the fifth Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Cold Trees

These are monochromatic images in blue.  They capture the eery atmosphere of a very cold misty morning with low light and not much detail in the landscape except these trees which seemed to rise out of the cold earth.  They make very simple but provocative images.

These images were shot on 1 January 2009 near a village on the border between France and Switzerland.

Series of Four #4 – Fireworks

Series of Four

This is the fourth Blog in the “Series of Four” series. Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Fireworks

Fireworks are a popular subject for enthusiasts.  Getting it right and capturing unique and strange images takes time and effort though.  I prefer to trim the images down and go for the simplest, cleanest shots which often do not look like pyrotechnics at all.  Getting correct exposures and keeping the images sharp are key.

All the images were taken in Caterham, Surrey, England on the evening of November 6, 2010.

Series of Four #3 – The four stages of Greed

Series of Four

     NOTE: I took this Blog down because on reflection I thought it was a bit frivolous and I never usually manipulate my images with Photoshop but a couple of people who had already seen it said I should put it back – so here it is ….

     This is the third Blog in the Series of Four series.  Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

The Four Stages of Greed

     Greed has a way of becoming part of you – distorting you – making you into a different thing.  [I have been having some fun with Photoshop which I generally do not use often. A bit corny really, but it is interesting how something as ordinary as a hand can become creepy ...] 

The Growth of Greed

     Apparently Greed started growing in a secluded woodlands setting in England many centuries ago and was exported to Africa during the early colonial period where it has taken root as an invasive alien species, mixing with local varieties of greed and proliferating rapidly.  Imported and local varieties can now be found all over the world.

English Woodland variety

The African variety

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Series of Four # 2 – Horizons in Black & White

Series of Four

      This is the second Blog in the Series of Four series.  Each blog focuses on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.   To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Horizons in Black & White

      Horizons make powerful compositions with an emphasis on depth.  Using monochrome emphasises the drama of the images which, in these beach scenes, highlights the sky and clouds.  A line of poles or a tidal beacon adds interest.

All the shots were taken at Wittering on the Sussex coast in England.

Series of Four #1 – Symmetry in Composition

Series of Four

This is the first Blog I will be putting up on a Series of Four images.  Each blog will focus on a different aspect of photography, either technical or creative.  This first series is on symmetry in composition.  To see the full set of “Series of Four” blogs, click here.

Symmetry in Composition

Using symmetry in composition is very powerful but needs to be used sparingly and with care.  Here are four images taken in very different situations but all of which use symmetry as their main compositional strength.  Vertical symmetry usually brings a sense of calm and balance to an image.

The images are (clockwise from top left):

• An historic home in Florida, USA;
• St David’s Cathedral, Wales;
• A construction site, South London;
• A holiday cottage in Devon, England

Photo trip to Norway

A spectacular place

Last week (5-11 September 2011) I was very privileged to travel to Norway with my daughter and son for 5 days of exploring the fjords and taking a few pictures.  We stayed in the village of Fresvik on the Sognefjord.  As the summer season had ended, there were very few people around and those that were, were taking time out before the cold dark months. 

Norway is a spectacular country, well worth a visit – especially if you can get there from London for the grand total of £18 return fare!

Images

Here is a selection of the images.  One of the striking things about Norway is the colour, especially the greens and the glacier blues.  The colours in the images are real (apart from the black and white images)!  The images have been processed in Lightroom with minimal enhancement, especially of colour saturation. 

Wedding photography

Wedding photography is the bread and butter of many High Street photographers.  Many do it really well – at a price.

I have deliberately stayed away from wedding photography for a number of reasons :-

• the stress and pressure of THE DAY, which might just be another wedding shoot for you but it is THE day for bride and groom and their family and friends;
• it is a highly competitive area with all sorts of photographers involved – the good, the bad and the …..;
• the life style where weddings are generally on the weekend, meaning a substantial commitment over the years if you are going to do it properly;
• the limited scope for creative expression with much of the actual photography being prescribed and formulaic.  This is not to say that there are not many very creative wedding photographers out there.

I was privileged recently to do a wedding as a rare once-off event and it went really well.  I was very concerned to capture the special day, to do a high quality professional job and the family were very happy and complimentary about the results.  It is a privilege to be part of a special family time – to capture the essence of the event in a non-intrusive way.

Doing the occasional wedding on a specialist basis has its advantages and can be very rewarding creatively (and financially).

Cathedrals of England: E-Book Published

I have arranged and published, through an Internet Publisher, the first copy on a 90 page book entitled “Cathedrals of England” which contains images and some introductory information on all 43 Anglican English cathedrals.  The E=Book can be browsed through this link.

What next?

The next step will be to have discussions with various parties including the Church and publishers to see if we can take the project further.  Producing one-offs is very expensive.  Of course, if there is going to be a commercial aspect to this we will need clearance from each Cathedral to include images of their property.

Watch this space – You may be able to order a copy soon.

Improve Your Image – Digital Photography Course

As an addition to my other work as a professional Fine Art Photographer, I am now teaching courses in digital photography. I am currently in the midst of a 4 session course entitled “Improve Your Image”, teaching the basics of digital photography to pupils at Croydon High School, an Independent girl’s high school in Surrey.  The course is great fun and has been very useful to the students, as I understand from feedback from the teachers, .

Improve Your Image Course Topics

Each session has a mixture of both technical topics and creative ideas and tips.  The topics for each session of the course are as follows:

• Knowing your camera – We go through the workings of a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera and look at the key controls.  The idea is that you control the camera and not the other way round.
• Picturing your picture – How often do you take a shot but the results are disappointing and not at all what you expected?  We get an idea of how to look at the world with a photographer’s eye.
• Adding a dash of Passion – The rules and guidelines for good composition are there to help and not stifle your creativity.  “Live adventurously”, experiment, express yourself.
• Pictures with purpose – Every picture tells a story.  Here we explore how to capture the essence of a scene and convey a story, whilst at the same time producing images which have artistic merit.

Do you want to take the course?

I am planning to hold courses from time to time – if you would like to participate in a course, have a look at the “Improve Your Image” page on the Season Images web site or contact me at info@seasonimages.com.

All 43 English Anglican Cathedrals Photographed

The first Cathedral I photographed was the Episcopal National Cathedral in Washington DC.  Then I attended a multi-faith meeting on water representing the World Bank which was held in Salisbury Cathedral in England in July 2009, and I visited the Cathedral of Bath and Wells in Somerset where I have family roots.  I was overawed by these magnificent buildings and the idea dawned to set about photographing them all – which I completed yesterday (3 March 2011) when I flew to the Isle of Man and photographed the Peel Cathedral (see Blog post -Peel Cathedral, Isle of Man – the Friendliest Cathedral in all England).  A selection of the images taken at each cathedral can be seen in the Season Images Gallery.

The purpose

The cathedrals of England hold a tension, an irony, being at once places of devotion and contemplation as well as representing wealth and power from a past era. A tension runs right through most elements – a warmth and a coldness, the familiar with the alien, minute detail overshadowed by vast lines and cavernous spaces. My purpose in these images is to explore these tensions, seeking not to create an architectural record but to capture unique perspectives to be reflected upon and contemplated over. A very real contemporary tension is how these sacred buildings, which have priceless historical value, recreate themselves to hold real significance in the largely secular, urban, 21st century contexts in which they find themselves and remain true to their primary function as places of Christian worship.  My hope is that in a small way these images can bring to life again the dedicated creativity of centuries of artists, architects, builders and masons.

A list ….

• The most inspiring and my favorite is Wells Cathedral.
• The most striking font is in Salisbury Cathedral.
• The friendliest was Peel Cathedral on the Isle of Man.
• The most informative and amenable guide was in St Alban’s.
• The most awesome for sheer size was Liverpool.
• The cross-of-nails in Coventry was thought provoking.
• The most picturesque surroundings – Lichfield Cathedral.
• The most expensive was …….. – £120.00 per hour. (Fill in the gaps)
• The least attended was …….. – I spent an hour there and did not see anyone.
• The most unsteady – ………  Cathedral did not let me use a tripod.
• The least friendly – in ……..  we had a run in with very rude University Proctors although the volunteers in the Cathedral were friendly.