Category: 1 Photography

Series of Four #13 – Winchester Cathedral – with muted HDR

Series of Four

This is the thirteenth 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.

Winchester Cathedral – with muted HDR

Here is a set of four images taken recently of Winchester Cathedral in England.   This is my second visit to Winchester Cathedral – my first visit was at the beginning of my project to photograph the Cathedrals of the Church of England and I have learned a lot since then.

For these images 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 available light.  I have been intrigued recently how HDR can enhance images.  Taking bracketed exposures in low lighting situations like cathedrals adds considerably to the time a shoot takes as each exposure is usually between 20 to 30 seconds.

 

 

Event Photography – The Pantomime

The British (or is it the English) have a unique entertainment form – the Pantomime – which is usually staged around the Christmas / New Year season.  This year St. Mary’s Church in Caterham, Surrey staged Rumplestitskin.  Men dress up as Dames, girls dress up as boys and everyone, including the audience, get involved, all in aid of church funds.

Getting through generations of pantomimes has undoubtedly contributed to the sort of steely British fortitude which ruled half the world and weathered the Blitz.

Photographing the show is a challenge – low lighting, definitely no flash, stationary position and some pretty erratic movement at times make it interesting.

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!!