tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-495563498812251332024-03-14T16:18:23.913+00:00photoactive with Philip DunnPhotoblog with photography technique tips from former Sunday Times photographer Philip Dunn
<a href="http://www.photoactive.co.uk">www.photoactive.co.uk</a>Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-60200696260604094552008-11-08T14:46:00.003+00:002008-11-08T14:57:08.646+00:00Philip Dunn's new blogPhilip Dunn has moved his blog to www.photoactive.co.ukI'm delighted to tell you that my blog is now incorporated within my own Photoactive website. I very much hope you will continue to visit for photography advice, tips and information.Everything seems to be running fine with the newly updated website, but if you find any glitches, please let me know. Your comments would be greatly Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-70782057697766971192008-11-04T12:39:00.006+00:002008-11-04T13:39:23.859+00:00Seeing photographs differentlyIt's been a particularly busy period with one-to-one tuition. Some photographers have come as far as Brighton in the south of England and the range of their skills and experience has been very wide-ranging: everyone from an complete beginner who brought along her new compact camera, to an experienced pro from London who wanted to learn more about using portable studio lighting on location.The onePhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-35884935397933799082008-11-02T13:01:00.007+00:002008-11-02T13:09:14.814+00:00Light and landscapes I was out and about with a student the other day – and what a glorious autumn day it was for taking photographs. Despite the strong winds and terrible weather we’ve had recently, the trees have held on to lots of leaves and the colours are still fantastic.We walked together down a wooded path which I’ve not used for over a year. This path meanders alongside the tidal river Dee through a stretch Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-57450670024274085162008-10-29T19:49:00.005+00:002008-10-29T19:59:13.216+00:00Should you join a camera club?“Should I join a camera club? How many times must I have been asked that question by my students over the years? It is usually followed by: “I’ve heard they can be a bit sniffy about welcoming newcomers like me.” Well my answer is always the same. Yes, join. But first, go to your local club and see if you enjoy it. Only you can decide whether or not you are made to feel welcome. I do point out Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-40375955174437688992008-10-27T17:33:00.001+00:002008-10-27T17:36:01.344+00:00Night photographyIn yesterday's post I forgot to put a link to the other pictures that Jason took on his nighttime shoot.Here it isClick herePhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-43469957848569903932008-10-26T16:21:00.005+00:002008-10-26T16:38:20.483+00:00Becoming a professional photographerI have several professional photographers who come to me on a regular basis - some of these travel up from London for the sort of coaching that can help keep them ahead of their game. I also get a great many amateur photographers who have ambitions to turn professional. Not all these photographers have what it takes to make it in the highly competitive world of professional photography. Jason Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-57063294925837994032008-10-22T12:22:00.002+01:002008-10-22T12:26:30.707+01:00Photography Holidays in Menorca datesWe've just sorted the dates and prices for the Menorca photography holidays next year and put them on the Photoactive website.We now get so many people wanting to come back for a second - and sometimes a third time, that we now do two different itineraries - Menorca One and Menorca Two. MENORCA ONE1st - 8th May 2009MENORCA TWO18th - 25th Sept 2009 The cost for both holidays is £1030It includes:7 Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-45586851507992277022008-10-20T17:34:00.004+01:002008-10-20T18:35:01.123+01:00Manual Exposure and buckets of waterI had a student with me the other day who was really keen to get to grips with the 'M' (Manual) exposure mode on his Nikon D60. She felt - with some justification - that having the ability to set the camera's exposure herself would enable her to get better photographs. Well, I explained that this would not necessarily follow as there are many other elements that go into creating a good picture. Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-83370981734057243492008-10-16T12:55:00.005+01:002009-04-30T09:21:03.641+01:00RAW v JPEGpost removed <?xml:namespace prefix = o />Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-14675081841650407292008-10-13T15:31:00.010+01:002008-10-13T16:15:03.528+01:00Compact camera settingsI mentioned last week that from time to time I would post a few tips about using compact cameras. I'm often asked just how I set up my own compact cameras, so here is a list of just how my little Canon Ixus 960IS is configured right now.Please bear in mind that these settings suit me. They may not suit you. I know the camera well and I find it no problem to change things quickly when I need to -Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-57194923497333747012008-10-09T12:14:00.007+01:002008-10-09T12:20:57.285+01:00People, horses and underground photographyJust to give you an idea of the sort of high standards my students have reached, I have posted here some photographs by Maria Falconer and Mark Esling. The pictures were taken during our latest photography holiday in Menorca. Both photographers have been to Menorca before, in fact, this was Maria’s third time. Each time she produces a fantastic set of photographs, and this year was no exception. Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-78751322380191717482008-10-06T11:01:00.004+01:002008-10-06T11:05:23.733+01:00Light and wine in MenorcaI have two very different pictures to show you this time from the group on the Menorca photography holiday. I was particularly delighted to see Ian Smith’s photograph (below) taken at the trotting races because of the way he has captured the wonderful backlight. This was Ian’s second time with me to Menorca and I have seen a tremendous advance in the way he is capturing the world around him on Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-13463702983257936182008-10-02T12:30:00.006+01:002008-10-02T12:40:06.790+01:00Photographing horses in Menorca One of the great photo opportunities we often enjoy on our photography holidays in Menorca is the chance to photograph horses – very special horses. We spend some time at the trotting races, where we are welcomed to visit the stables and photograph the race preparations. We use the races themselves as exercises in panning technique and I teach everyone the art of ‘following through’ with the Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-49294892432567044072008-09-28T13:46:00.004+01:002008-09-28T13:52:01.578+01:00Photography holiday in MenorcaPhotographs by Jeanette SuddardWell, we came to the end of another photography holiday in Menorca the other day, and I think I can say that everyone had a wonderful time. There was just one new student in the group this time – Jeanette. She came with partner Phil, who has been to me for tuition in Scotland. Of course, Jeanette was naturally nervous to begin with because she is a beginner, but shePhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-11582710319897234652008-09-19T09:34:00.004+01:002008-09-19T16:08:26.439+01:00Compact cameras - how to take controlGordon Stockley, who bought my DVD some while ago, emailed me the other day…“I have been meaning to write for some time to say thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge via the blog. I have been reading it avidly since you drew my attention to it in an email and I have learned an awful lot from it (as I also did from your DVD). Thanks once again.”Gordon went on to say he thought it might bePhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-23664732384963306752008-09-15T12:40:00.001+01:002008-09-15T12:58:09.048+01:00Canon Ixus 960ISMy little Canon Ixus 700 has expired. I suppose it was my own fault, I put it in its soft case and attached it to my belt before donning old waterproof clothes and tackling a heavy outdoor job in torrential rain. After a couple of hours it was just as wet inside the waterproofs as it was out. My little camera drowned quietly in bed. The lens steamed up and refuses to come out to play, and it now Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-63352318488290692262008-09-09T08:53:00.005+01:002008-09-09T09:12:03.029+01:00The Independent NewspaperI thought I’d share this picture with you – it’s really a very old one, perhaps 20 year old!. I took it while working on an assignment for The Independent newspaper. As far as I can remember, they sent me to cover a press photocall to unveil a very special new type of one-man mini hot-air balloon. The idea was to cross the Atlantic in it, or perhaps fly over the Alps – but I don’t think that everPhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-50065983189524549402008-09-02T15:14:00.006+01:002008-09-05T12:17:10.457+01:00Wildlife photography - spoonbills I was out on the River Dee near my home the other day with wildlife ranger and photographer Keith Kirk. Some of my students will know Keith because I sometimes arrange for them to spend the day shooting wildlife with him.The reason for our river trip was something very special – indeed it is a First for Scotland. Here in Kirkcudbright it has been known for some months that a pair of spoonbills Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-31696713068588266792008-08-31T10:26:00.011+01:002008-08-31T11:09:28.921+01:00A career in photography - 4It’s some time now since I posted an instalment of this story about how I got started as a professional photographer (click here to read part 3). In that post, I explained that I realised how much I needed contacts in the business if I was to gain a foothold on the first rung of the ladder. I was a 14 year old kid with ambition - but I knew no one in the business. So I set about changing all thatPhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-4889406898412424222008-08-26T15:31:00.010+01:002008-08-26T15:47:29.815+01:00Photography down river - part 2TIPHere in SW Scotland the tides can be very high, fast and strong. Be safe – check the tide times so that you don’t get stranded on sand banks on a rising tide. Try to time your photography for the falling tide when the water level is falling.Buy a local tide table, or check on tides at the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/tidesTIPUse your fingersEven the best autofocus system canPhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-76808787760653680622008-08-21T17:02:00.009+01:002008-08-26T15:45:38.533+01:00Photography down river - part 1Water has always inspired photographers to reach for their cameras. Sunsets dipping into reflective seas, waterfalls, fountains – the possibilities are endless. My favourite watery locations are tidal estuaries and rivers, and I’m lucky enough to live near the beautiful River Dee in Galloway. My students love the area, too. However, all tidal rivers, whether they are industrial or rural, can drawPhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-19082382944831893372008-08-18T16:47:00.017+01:002008-08-18T18:07:49.821+01:00Photographing junk - part 2When I am faced with the enormous array of picture possibilities to be found in this old barn, I find it best to pick off each picture one at a time and move on to the next subject only when I feel Ihave captured what Iset out to achieve. Explore each subject thoroughly and be prepared to move in close to pick out details. These close-ups can make fascinating images, especially when you are Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-32149466035901244282008-08-17T18:01:00.007+01:002008-08-17T18:09:58.714+01:00Photographing junk - part 1Beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder – well, I find old junk a constant source of inspiration.Give me a barn full of old tat and I’m in heaven. Problem is, so many people just throw their old stuff out before I get around to photographing it. Fortunately there’s a retired farmer near my home in Galloway who still has a treasure chest of rusty old implements and tools in his barn. Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-54647247151738076322008-08-16T11:55:00.006+01:002008-08-16T12:13:21.156+01:00Video with Canon G9You may be pleased - or maybe not - to know that my posts will again be getting more regular as I am now back home after my 'summer' sailing. I thought I might just give you one more blast of salt air by embedding a very short seafaring video here. It shows my boat Moonshadow rounding the notorious Mull of Galloway in SW Scotland. This headland can be a very nasty place to be in bad weather. On Philip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49556349881225133.post-40258688851386385322008-08-11T16:51:00.001+01:002008-08-16T12:19:24.539+01:00Words in photographsWords in pictures Okay, I admit that some of you who have been to me for tuition might have heard me say that I do not normally like photographs whose only claim to any sort of appeal is an obvious printed message. Some people like this sort of thing. I'm definitely not a fan. However, any photographer shooting for stock, in fact any professional freelance photographer, would be a fool to pass byPhilip Dunnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469739707229098023noreply@blogger.com2