This seems to be an eternal question for people starting out in a creative career. The whole issue of "Should I work for free to establish a portfolio?' And if you're just starting out getting a body of work that shows your style, ability and talent can be very hard thing to achieve. As well as becoming know, you also need to pay the bills. And you know that deep down, while the gig is cool, you really should be getting paid. It's a tough one. NOTE - Before you read any further, let me … [Read more...] about Should You Work For Free to Get a Portfolio? 12 Years later…..
Photography
I used to be a professional, full time photographer. Along the way, I found that my skill set of being able to sell things, shoot photography, write and create content was a skill set in demand.
I still love photography.
What Made me Buy a Leica? And will I keep it?
I'm not normally a camera geek. I buy a camera and it's a business decision, it works hard for it's keep. I only ever replace it when it's either worn out or something significantly better comes along that justifies the expense. And I hardly ever write about my cameras, so whilst this isn't a Leica CL review, it's something significant for me. In March, I'm digging deep into the reviews for the Leica CL. I'm reading the forums - that's something I never do, forums full of people with names … [Read more...] about What Made me Buy a Leica? And will I keep it?
The Ten Minute Smoke and Mirrors Sunrise
It’s six thirty am and I am doing what has become a habit this past few months. Wake up at 6 am, plus or minus 5 minutes. Make a large thermal mug of black coffee, with honey. Take a walk. The rural location I’m with right now is different each day. Sometimes, it’s dull, grey, overcast. Not so much to see. Other times, there’s a great sunrise going on. And sometimes I see something unique. On this day last week, I’m walking down the edge of the field, lightweight Sony A6300 … [Read more...] about The Ten Minute Smoke and Mirrors Sunrise
Why I Don’t Use Watermarks Any More
When I began my work as a professional photographer way back in 2003, watermarking images was certainly the way to go online. Many things have changed since then and with these changes, my philosophy of watermarking and image use. Today, I no longer watermark images and, while your view may differ, here’s my philosophy on the subject and also, how this doesn’t stop me from licensing my work. Firstly, simply because I no longer use watermarks, that doesn’t mean that my images are free for … [Read more...] about Why I Don’t Use Watermarks Any More
Use Instagram to Boost Your Creativity, Not Your Likes
If you’re a creative person, you need to be on Instagram. Not to seek out a huge tribe of followers, though that would be nice. You need to be on Instagram because it’s a simply great place to fuel your creativity. Here’s why you should be there, why you should be wasting time trying to build a huge following and how it’s a great place to fill your eyes with some great creative work. It’s Not All About Selfie Pouts and Holiday Hot Dog Legs For sure, there are many millions of those out … [Read more...] about Use Instagram to Boost Your Creativity, Not Your Likes
Sadly, Why Wemark Was Always Doomed to Fail, Here’s The Positives You Can Take From It.
It’s with a heavy heart that I heard of the failure of the Wemark stock photography project. However is wasn’t a surprise. If you’re a non-photography person, to explain, Wemark promised much to image creators who wished for a more equitable share of stock photo revenue. Perhaps it could even spell the start of a re-emergence of stock images as a viable revenue stream? They were optimistic, the team behind it seemed ethical and professional and I have no reason to doubt otherwise. … [Read more...] about Sadly, Why Wemark Was Always Doomed to Fail, Here’s The Positives You Can Take From It.
Chasing the Mirage – 2 Years On
It’s March 28th 2017, northern France. The Citroen rental car is giving it’s best possible performance, but we don’t seem to be catching them up. For more than an hour now, we’ve been heading across country, no Peage, simply those lovely French D Roads, often tree lined, always well surfaced, a driver’s heaven. Or at least it would be if we were driving something a tad more sporty. And if we could only get those French truck drivers to slow down a little so that would could catch them up. … [Read more...] about Chasing the Mirage – 2 Years On
Sitges, Santa Tecla and The Best Camera
Sitting in a Tapas bar in Sitges in September, the thud of explosions outside made me put down the ice cold Estrella and take a look. There's a well known phrase, invented by Chase Jarvis, that the Best Camera is the one you have in your hand when you need to shoot something. Tonight, it was the iPhone 6. Nobody does loud fireworks quite like the Catalonians. I can think of countries in the world where health and safety and risk assessments would stop this but the celebrations in Sitges for … [Read more...] about Sitges, Santa Tecla and The Best Camera
Instagram and The Vanishing Point
A rather insightful article on the Mastering Photography website highlighted the impact of images with converging lines in photography. The article by Richard Gray was principally covering what makes people ‘like’ Instagram images and one of the things that stood out was that images depicting converging lines were amongst the most popular. As a trainee draughtsman I was taught the importance of the vanishing point and perspective style drafting of buildings, how to calculate vanishing point … [Read more...] about Instagram and The Vanishing Point
Sir Stirling and The Blonde – The Final Edition
Looking back, it’s quite remarkable how simply carrying a camera can change the course of things. As I left for Donington Park that day, I wasn’t actually going as a photographer. I was there as a guest of Andy McKenna and Andy Middlehurst. The camera was picked up from force of habit. Canon EOS cameras are no lightweights, but as ever, I find it needs to come along. Of course, the unfolding images of Sir Stirling Moss and The Blonde were captured in just a few seconds and yet, years later, we … [Read more...] about Sir Stirling and The Blonde – The Final Edition
Sir Stirling Moss Print Sells for £1600
The Sir Stirling Moss and The Blonde print is now firmly established as an iconic motorsport memorabilia print and has proved a great gift for many collectors. When The Signature Store and I first discussed creating the limited edition print, we knew that over time, they would become a collectable item. It’s one of my favourite images and always sells steadily as an unsigned edition. Add in the endorsement of Sir Stirling Moss, his signature and a limited production of just fifty copies, we knew … [Read more...] about Sir Stirling Moss Print Sells for £1600
Aerial Photo of Your House?
Can I take an aerial photo of your house? A very frequently asked question indeed. Although the majority of my work is for commercial clients and stock images, it's very easy to get an aerial photo of your house. The photographs can be supplied as a large format print of any size ready for framing and make a lovely gift. The example case study detailed below shows an interesting job last year to create just such a gift and seeing as we've finally started to get some nice weather here in the … [Read more...] about Aerial Photo of Your House?
That Blonde and Sir Stirling – Now a Limited Edition Print
Regular readers of this blog will know about this image and it's history. It's famous from Jalopnik to Japan and was even once claimed by a Walter Mitty photographer as his own image. Well, I'm proud to announce that we're linking up with The Signature Store and Historic Racer to release a Signature Edition Print of Sir Stirling and the lovely blonde. The Limited Edition Print will have just fifty copies worldwide and printed using archival digital inks onto Hahnemuhle Fine Art Pearl 280gsm … [Read more...] about That Blonde and Sir Stirling – Now a Limited Edition Print
Lola F5000 Rattles The Windows
This was a self assigned photo shoot and feature for Historic Racer. Sometimes, you don't have the time to wait around for a magazine editor to give the nod, you've just got to go and do it. My good friend McKenna was due to shake down this beautiful car at Blyton Park, one of our favourite tracks, so although I didn't have as much time with the car as i might have liked, it was an opportunity not to be missed. You can read the full feature over at Historic Racer, together with a very short … [Read more...] about Lola F5000 Rattles The Windows
One Man’s Porsche
I thought you might like to hear about about this interesting Porsche 964 Carrera 2 I've just photographed and written about for Total 911 magazine. You can read the full feature in the latest issue, so I won't go into many details on the car's story but if you buy a copy, I hope you'll find it an interesting read. I spotted the Porsche parked up at a car meet when over that huge twice yearly gathering of the Yorkshire Big Breakfast created by Specialist Cars of Malton. Yorkshire Big Breakfast … [Read more...] about One Man’s Porsche
Aerial Photo of Your House?
Can you take an aerial photo of my house? A very frequently asked question indeed. Although the majority of my work is for commercial clients and stock images, it's very easy to get an aerial photo of your house. The photographs can be supplied as a large format print of any size ready for framing and make a lovely gift. The example case study detailed below shows an interesting job last year to create just such a gift and seeing as we've finally started to get some nice weather here in the … [Read more...] about Aerial Photo of Your House?