Tag: creative

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
English Woodland variety

 

The African variety

 

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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).

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.