I think this is my favorite shot of DJ at work, he often sticks the front of his glass in places most would shy away from, including holes in the sand, puddles, the sea, and over the edge of sea walls as in this shot. That said the mans technique, and visualisation of a scene prior to releasing the shutter is second to non. This image along with one other recently posted on Chromasia has made me rethink how I look at a scene when Im out and about shooting.
The image by the way, was made up of 6 adjustment layers mainly concentrating on black and white conversion a vignette, and some work on straightening to the background layer, and a curve to the blue channel to tone it. About 20mins work and I was pretty satisfied with it.

So it was day two of the ‘Creating Dramatic Images’ workshop, and whilst Dave N was indulging the delegates with information, I caught this out of the corner of my eye, and couldn’t resist snapping the frame. The hotel we were in was home to the Norths’ Line dancing fraternity, and it seemed extremely popular. There was lots of thigh slapping going on! Anyway heres my interpretation of the scene. I thought it was worth capturing, there are elements of the framing that I’d change, but I prefer this crop to the full frame.

Whilst out walking in Blackpool we struggled to stay dry in-between huge waves and rain showers.

I took the high road whilst others took the low road, and whilst I was walking I happened upon the Summer Breeze Rally and a few characters in and around the event. This chap ‘Sherlock’ according to his buddy, whose portrait I’ll post soon, said, ‘ere Sherlock this chap wants to take your photo!’ He mumbled something along the lines of ‘he can call me what he likes’, and I managed to get a few frames before his attention went elsewhere. I was quite pleased with this conversion, it was 7 adjustment layers in the final PSD, using the Blue Channel for the skin tone, and some work on the detail and contrast in the eyes, and hair. As always im interested in your opinions, thanks again…. C

A great evening, spent painting with light under the North Pier at Blackpool. The tide was out, but approaching, and we all knew how quick that can whip in behind us, we stood under the pier shooting in total darkness, and I decided to use the Canon 580EXII to paint some light under the structure, I’m not totally convinced I nailed it, it could have been a lot sharper, but I was pretty happy with it as a 30 sec night shot… Thanks to Olivia / Steve / Carol and Claire for the photo fun that evening.

So many faces, so many opportunities. I swear its difficult to fail at getting a character shot, or a candid portrait, or a street shot that makes you smile in this sparkly Northern Empire. I love it, and highly recommend anyone with a penchant for the odd, or indeed the quirky to make an effort, grab your camera bag and head north for the weekend.

I am really looking forward to editing the remaining portraits, and images, and find this may be my blogging season. It happens in patches for me, normally where I grab an opportunity to enjoy my photography and literally go for it. With other pressures day to day, these opps are few and far between, but I love it… …. when I win the lottery it will all change.

A quick rain check, and a duck under cover, on the North Pier Blackpool during a photowalk, and a break from proceedings whilst assisting @chromasia, David Nightingale on his recent ‘Creating Dramatic Images’ workshop. I saw this scene unravelling and as the rain poured down, this family just marched down the pier, almost as if they owned it. From their expressions, I’d say that the end of the pier didnt meet with their expectations, but dogged persistence will prevail, and I’m sure they will find what they are looking for elsewhere. The rain really did hammer down. nice hat, whoever you are!, oh and the rain gave me time to duck into the pier sweet shop and treat the kids to some ridiculously huge lollipops.

Here he is, my old mate Dave! Slightly wet, after a huge wave engulfed him and a few others on the coast photo walk as part of his amazing ‘Creating Dramatic Images’ workshop in Blackpool. Unfortunately Claire (one of the delegates) took the worst of the wave on her 5DMK2, which although 70% of services were working, the LCD didnt….I really felt gutted for her, but luckily after a night on the RAD and some TLC it kicked back into life the following morning!

Did a lunchtime dash to the Ballroom at the tower, @snapsequence had informed me of the process by which to jump the queue, and head off to a good vantage point inside the ballroom, up several flights of stairs.

Wow what a place. Lots of old timers enjoying the dance, and spinning around. And several more just sat watching. Apparently this happens day in, day out, I had no idea. Olivia Wooldridge Photographer, came along for the ride, and the Taxi driver was good enough to wait outside for us as we made a mad dash from venue to venue. A great memory from a great weekends post production training / tutoring and photographing with @Chromasia, cheers Dave.

I spent a fantastic weekend away assisting @chromasia on his brilliant / technical and insightful’Creating Dramatic Images‘workshop in Blackpool. The delegates were fantastic, some really great photographers and lovely lovely people. I had a brilliant time, if I could live a life, meeting people like this everyday then I think I would be happy everyday. Although the course was interesting and mind stretching for some, it also enabled some down time to just go out and shoot some shots freestyle. We painted with light under the North Pier using my 580EXII, we ran a mad taxi dash to the Ballrooms to shoot dancing ghosts and architecture, and generally had a fantastic time, sharing ideas, and sparring off each others work. I really can only say that I wished I could spend longer with these folks. I had a really great time, albeit a 10hr / 640 mile round trip. I know others flew from farther a field but it was well worth it.

So my second son was born the other morning, so far so good, mums doing well and we are just getting used to a new routine which should be familiar to me, but I must have blocked out the horror that is sleepless nights.

I’m conscious that pictures of newborns on the blog may not be everyone cup of tea so I promise to keep the volume of baby photos to a minimum, but I can’t promise none, as I’m a proud daddy again…..