photoactive with Philip Dunn

Philip Dunn's new blog

2008-11-08T14:46:00.003Z

Philip 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

Seeing photographs differently

2008-11-04T12:39:00.006Z

It'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 one

Light and landscapes

2008-11-02T13:01:00.007Z

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

Should you join a camera club?

2008-10-29T19:49:00.005Z

“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

Night photography

2008-10-27T17:33:00.001Z

In yesterday's post I forgot to put a link to the other pictures that Jason took on his nighttime shoot.Here it isClick here

Becoming a professional photographer

2008-10-26T16:21:00.005Z

I 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

Photography Holidays in Menorca dates

2008-10-22T12:22:00.002+01:00

We'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

Manual Exposure and buckets of water

2008-10-20T17:34:00.004+01:00

I 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.

RAW v JPEG

2008-10-16T12:55:00.005+01:00

post removed

Compact camera settings

2008-10-13T15:31:00.010+01:00

I 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 -

People, horses and underground photography

2008-10-09T12:14:00.007+01:00

Just 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.

Light and wine in Menorca

2008-10-06T11:01:00.004+01:00

I 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

Photographing horses in Menorca

2008-10-02T12:30:00.006+01:00

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

Photography holiday in Menorca

2008-09-28T13:46:00.004+01:00

Photographs 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 she

Compact cameras - how to take control

2008-09-19T09:34:00.004+01:00

Gordon 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 be

Canon Ixus 960IS

2008-09-15T12:40:00.001+01:00

My 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

The Independent Newspaper

2008-09-09T08:53:00.005+01:00

I 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 ever

Wildlife photography - spoonbills

2008-09-02T15:14:00.006+01:00

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

A career in photography - 4

2008-08-31T10:26:00.011+01:00

It’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 that

Photography down river - part 2

2008-08-26T15:31:00.010+01:00

TIPHere 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 can

Photography down river - part 1

2008-08-21T17:02:00.009+01:00

Water 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 draw

Photographing junk - part 2

2008-08-18T16:47:00.017+01:00

When 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

Photographing junk - part 1

2008-08-17T18:01:00.007+01:00

Beauty, 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.

Video with Canon G9

2008-08-16T11:55:00.006+01:00

You 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

Words in photographs

2008-08-11T16:51:00.001+01:00

Words 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 by

Photographic viewpoints

2008-08-02T10:21:00.002+01:00

I suppose photographers might be roughly separated into two types – those who, when they spot a vantage point, and assuming they are able, simply have to climb up it to see what the view is like from the top, and those who can’t be bothered. I’ve spent a lot of my working life as a travel photographer climbing up hillsides, towers, walls, stairs, onto rooftops and leaning out of upper floor

Adobe Lightroom 2

2008-07-31T17:45:00.005+01:00

My good friend and student Ken Terry - a wizard with technical stuff - tells me that a new version of Adobe Lightroom is now available.Ken says it has new features like dodging and burning. It uses the adjustment brush for all that and for altering the sharpness and saturation. He says the dodging tool is fantastic and that it is possible to use a brush without going beyond the subject's

Marine photography

2008-07-25T17:00:00.002+01:00

You probably know by now of my interest and involvement with boats and the sea. I try to spend as much time sailing as I can. Sailing and photography suit each other so very well because the one creates so many great opportunities to enjoy the other. Some years ago I sailed right round the coast of Britain in a 27ft sailing yacht, and I now have an archive of photographs showing harbours of

Camera obscura

2008-07-23T10:11:00.002+01:00

I'm sorry not to have been posting as regularly as normal, but I did mention some weeks ago that my summer sailing activities would make my posts a bit less frequent.I sailed into Douglas on the Isle of Man recently and it was very pleasant to have fine weather for a change it didn't take long to deteriorate again, though. I took the opportunity of that lovely evening light to explore Douglas

Photographing shadows

2008-07-10T14:47:00.008+01:00

Narrative and mystery – by including just the shadows of the two people, viewer are encouraged to interpret the picture in their own way. What are the two people saying? What is going on? It looks as though the larger figure is giving the smaller one a dressing down – and that the horse is joining in the conversation. All nonsense, of course, but an expample of the sort of ‘storyline’ that that

Low ISO speed

2008-07-05T17:11:00.004+01:00

I've just arrived back in my home port of Kirkcudbright aboard my boat Moonshadow. Almost the first thing I did was reach for my little Canon G9 and take a picture. It was late afternoon and the light had that special brilliance. It was shining full belt onto the scallop fishing boats standing high and dry in the mud alongside the harbour wall at low water. The resulting picture would have been

Light opportunities

2008-06-30T19:38:00.001+01:00

The weather can be a bit fickle in Scotland - and that's being kind.Light can change dramatically and suddenly. This can be both good and bad for photography because while this changable light can certainly add drama to your pictures, it does mean you must always make the most of your opportunities when they present themselves.If ever there was an example of taking your photographs when you have

Photographing outdoor events

2008-06-25T10:30:00.001+01:00

It's the time of year for open-air events like local carnivals, gymkhanas and town festivals. You really should try to get along to these weekend events. For one thing, they can be a great day out, but most of all, they offer tremendous photo opportunities if you keep your eyes open and your camera at the ready.If you are at all nervous about photographing people, then these local events can be

Photography at sea

2008-06-19T12:30:00.001+01:00

The other day I said that I would be posting some of the pictures from my time aboard my boat.Well, this one captures one of those very special moments when the light is just mind-blowing. I was sailing up Loch Striven in Scotland when the skies went almost jet black as a squall came in. Then, suddenly, the cloud parted just wide enough to allow a beam of sun to spotlight the side of the hil and

Why you should always carry a camera

2008-06-12T15:35:00.001+01:00

Do you always have a camera with you to capture those unexpected pictures?If you rely totally on your bulky SLR system then almost certainly you will not want to carry it about with you all the time – I certainly don't.However, since I discovered the Canon Ixus some years ago, I am never without a little compact camera.This has been a revelation for me.Of course these little cameras have many

Using a monopod

2008-06-10T08:57:00.005+01:00

There are usually plenty of ways to get around a problem if you are prepared to be a little adaptable.Some time ago I was commissioned to photograph a lovely chap called Cedric Robinson, the official Queen’s Guide to the Kent Sands. A grand title for an important job. The Kent Sands are in Morecambe Bay in the NW of England, and some of you may remember that a few years ago over twenty cockle

Photography in mixed light

2008-06-06T21:00:00.001+01:00

For anyone who doesn't know, and who may have a passing interest, I'm a keen cruising sailor, and posts on the blog may be a little spasmodic during the summer months because of this interest. But that doesn't mean that I will not be taking lots photographs. In fact few activities lend themselves to picture gathering more readily than sailing. Maybe not when the conditions are rough; then I'm

photographing Scotland to Australia

2008-06-03T11:18:00.007+01:00

Here in Kirkcudbright early this year one of the students who joined us for a photography weekend was Tee Smith. Tee, who was then based in London, was keen to learn more about travel photography because he was about to set off on an epic trip to Australia via the trans-Siberian Express and Vietnam.Tee was born in Thailand and educated in New Zealand, so his first trip to Scotland was quite an

How to see more photographs - video

2008-05-31T11:50:00.008+01:00

Here is a very short video which I have produced as a bit of an experiment. If there is a positive response to this lively way of getting across information, I will maybe do some more. But we'll see how things go for now.The idea is to show you what and how I am seeing things from behind the camera and how I think pictures through from the time I spot their potential to the time I press the

Photography student's success

2008-05-27T10:40:00.007+01:00

Photograph by Margaret LaurieIt’s always a huge pleasure for me when I hear that I have been able to inspire someone and set them on the right track.Margaret came to one of my weekend workshops here in Kirkcudbright in SW Scotland earlier this year. The other day she emailed me hardly able to contain here excitement because one of her photographs had been accepted for publication in the Scotland

Timing your photographs - 2

2008-05-25T13:33:00.002+01:00

Following on from my previous post about the importance of good timing when taking your photographs, here are a couple of pictures that illustrate another aspect of timing.Good timing is not only vital in order to capture the precise moment the action is most interesting, but it can also have a profound affect on the composition and atmosphere of the picture.Compare the two photographs taken of

Timing your photographs - 1

2008-05-22T10:44:00.002+01:00

No matter how interesting your subject might appear, you will not get the most from it unless your timing is just right. Good timing needs lots of practise and is not something that can be mastered overnight. Sure, if you take lots of photographs and set you camera at 5 frames a second or more, you are going to get lucky some of the time. But if you want the satisfaction of capturing exactly the

Front or backlight?

2008-05-19T14:06:00.001+01:00

I'm always reminding my students about the different properties of the direction of light and how important it is to understand what's going on. Frontlight (light behind the camera and front-on to the subject), I tell them, takes always the shadows and can make the subject look flat and two-dimensional. However, I am quick to point out, frontlight does have a trick up its sleeve: there may be

Colour and light

2008-05-16T10:47:00.002+01:00

This well-hidden corner in the old town of Cuitedella in Menorca must have been photographed countless times by different groups of my students during the photography holidays I run on the island. I just can't see how a photographer could possibly walk past this place without raising a camera. It positively demands your attention because of those wonderful colours. However, it is never easy to

Photography holiday video

2008-05-13T14:54:00.005+01:00

Below is a short video I have put together of some of the photographers on my latest photography holiday in Menorca. It includes several of their photographs and also some of mine. La Mola is an extraordinary place. The old fortifications guarding the entrance to Mahon harbour. The whole place is just bursting with photo opportunities.So enjoy the video and the photographs - The next holiday will

Photographing close-ups

2008-05-10T18:03:00.010+01:00

I’ve posted several photographs taken by my group in Menorca over the last week, but most of the pictures have been of people and places. We also spent some time photographing close-ups and details wherever we went on the island, and I wanted to show you these beautiful shots.Without any question, Rosemary’s amazing abstract image of jelly fish, below, demonstrates that you do not need top-range

Disgusting photography

2008-05-09T09:48:00.005+01:00

I got an email from a reader about the picture of the naked man I posted yesterday. I thought I should share it with you….Dear Mr. Dunn,As a long time supporter of Photoactive and its activities, I have to complain most bitterly about the appalling lapse in good taste recently demonstrated in your blog.A man's bottom indeed!I am absolutely horrified!Disgusted of SevenoaksAh well, Disgusted, all I

A photograph for the ladies

2008-05-08T10:51:00.013+01:00

I keep rattling on about how pleasant and relaxed it is to photograph people here in Menorca. In all the years I have been coming here and whenever I bring my groups of photographers for the photography holidays, there has never been a problem.Maybe the ultimate in the laid-back attitude was demonstrated the other day when we were taking pictures on a beach and one of the ladies in my group - she

Photographing strangers

2008-05-07T07:58:00.006+01:00

These photography holidays I run in Menorca are always full of lovely surprises for me. I just never know which photographer in the group is going to amaze me next by producing a truly sparkling image. It’s not always the most experienced photographers who produce the most outstanding pictures from any of the locations we explore together.We photograph people everywhere we go; in the street,

Menorca Photography Holiday

2008-05-06T09:00:00.000+01:00

Our photography group has just had a walk to a small fishing village along the coast where they spotted a great photo opportunity when a local artist arrived and set up his easel under the trees at the back of the beach.My group was on him like a rash.He was delightfully helpful and welcomed the attention. Quite a surprise for photographers more used to the attitudes that attitudes that prevail

How to add colourful foregrounds

2008-05-05T07:24:00.006+01:00

It's tough job, but someone has to do it - I have a group of photographers with me in Menorca at the moment and what a lively bunch they are. All levels of experience, but all dead keen.Today we’ve been out on the island visiting a farm – not a tourist in sight – before taking a walk around the interesting little town of Mercadel. There’s a white-painted church there and I have often photographed

Photographing reflections

2008-05-03T08:16:00.007+01:00

I just thought I'd share this simple photograph with you. It was taken a long time ago on the island of Cyprus. I really cannot explain exactly why it's one of my favourites, but it is. Perhaps it's something to do with the perfect symmetry of the priest's pose as he sits outside his room in a monastery. It can't be anything to do with the old boy's jolly conversation - he was a miserable old

Cataloguing - Lightroom v iMatch

2008-04-30T09:10:00.003+01:00

I mentioned recently that I was in the process of sorting many thousands of my older photographs and asked if anyone had any experience with the various cataloguing programs that are available. The idea being that the program I chose must be capable of exporting the keyword information to another program. Preferably in a format such as CSV (Comma Separated Values) which is used in everyday

Photographing water - and music

2008-04-27T13:29:00.008+01:00

The short YouTube video below shows Nicola and Catriona, two photographers who came to me a short time ago for a day's tuition. You'll maybe have seen the waterfall before on another video of mine, but I make no excuses for that, it's a fabulous location for photography.What the video does not show is the terrible fright Catriona - who was heavily pregnant at the time - gave be when she lost her

Photography on the beach - part 2

2008-04-26T12:16:00.001+01:00

A greater problem than the possibility of camera shake will be the task of getting the correct exposure. This is sometimes quite tricky with all that glare from white sand and sea. This will almost certainly confuse your auto exposure settings and will give a false reading on the manual exposure scale. So be prepared to use your Exposure Compensation setting to over-expose by around one stop if

Photography on the beach - part 1

2008-04-24T15:23:00.008+01:00

Do you find sunbathing a bore? Well, why not use your time on the beach to gather lots of pictures during your summer holidays this year?People on the beach are usually there to enjoy themselves – and it’s always easier, and more fun, to photograph people when they are relaxed. But it’s not just people that should be catching your eye – what about all that wonderfully tacky stuff outside the gift

Wide angle for people

2008-04-22T14:08:00.003+01:00

This is a very different style of photograph to the one in the previous post. It was taken just a few moments after the first in a busy camel market in Cairo.This time, though, a wide angle 24mm lens has been used. The action is far more static. It is a reflective moment while the group of camel traders sit together on the ground smoking and talking. This time I wanted to emphasise the

Telephoto for people

2008-04-20T17:24:00.003+01:00

I have mentioned before my frequent use of a small telephoto lens when for photographing people in real-life situations, especially when you want to remain slightly detached, yet fully able to observe the action and what is going on in front of you.The picture here illustrates what I mean. It was taken on a 180mm f2.8 Nikkor lens. It’s worth saying that in all my travels I cannot remember when I

FTP for photo blog

2008-04-19T22:23:00.003+01:00

Well, we've tried hard to get my blog hosted on my Photoactive website, but, for now, we have had to admit defeat and revert to the way things were. The problem we are convinced from reading the posts on blogger forums lies squarely with Blogger's poor FTP facility.If anyone with knowledge of hosting a blog on their own website is reading this, I'd appreciate your comments.We will keep trying and

Guiding the eye

2008-04-17T09:50:00.007+01:00

Here are a couple of photographs taken by one of my students, Phil Hallam. Phil came to me for just a one day a couple of weeks ago. I saw this lovely shot as I was looking through some of his photographs – something I always like to do before I start working with a new client so that I know where to start the tuition and coaching. Phil obviously has a good eye for a picture, but he was fairly

Street photography - singing dog

2008-04-16T12:59:00.006+01:00

While sorting and cataloguing hundreds of old photographs - that's my absorbing task right now - I came across this picture taken in Donegal, Ireland some time ago and just thought I'd like to share it with you.This wonderful character was sat on the pavement outside a pub in the late afternoon. He had obviously enjoyed a good lunch and was a happy man. In fact he was singing. I think his dog

Photographing still life - part 2

2008-04-14T20:20:00.008+01:00

If you really want to progress with you still life photography, set yourself tasks and projects – start off simply with one object and a plain background and work up from there. Try adding more objects and think carefully about the positioning of each, but remember that simple compositions are usually most effective. Photographing a vase of flowers or bowl of fruit presents lots of interesting

Photographing still life

2008-04-10T09:59:00.007+01:00

Still life is definitely one of the best ways to make a start with creative photography. Even if you intend to spend all your time out photographing people or landscape, you can learn a very great deal right there at home even before you step outside your front door.You will be able to work by yourself at your own pace, so you will be under no pressure. It can teach you so much – about light,

A career in photography - 3

2008-04-06T09:21:00.003+01:00

Well, you asked for it... here is the 3rd part of the story of how I got into photojournalism:Despite having a clear idea of what I wanted to do, it was still compulsory for all school leavers to attend an interview with the careers officer, who had an office in a grim brick building at the back of the hospital morgue. I presented myself there for an appointment with Mr. Turton, the Chief Careers

Wildlife photography

2008-04-03T16:43:00.009+01:00

Photograph by Kirsty KimberleyBefore I start a day of tuition with my 'students' I like to take a look at some of their previous photographs. This helps me see exactly what level people are at with their photography and also gives me a chance to get to know them and discuss the way we can best arrange the day.I've had a couple here from London today - Kirstie and Paul. Both are relatively new to

Photographing aerial perspective

2008-04-01T09:47:00.005+01:00

I came across these photographs of mine this morning as I was sorting and cataloguing some of my old travel images. The top photograph shows two people strolling along the Roman wall at Antalya on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. The bottom photograph is of a fishing boat with the mountains in the distance behind. They seemed such good examples of ‘Aerial Perspective’ I though it might

Cropping for more impact

2008-03-30T10:30:00.010+01:00

In my last post I mentioned that I took a student who was with me for one-to-one tuition, down to my favourite cove on the seashore near my home - I posted a photograph of him down on the beach. Well, this morning I got a lovely email from Phil Hallam, who has put up some of the pictures he took on a webpage... it's worth taking a look..www.picasaweb.google.com/hallamphotoPhil started taking

Photography tuition by the sea

2008-03-28T17:09:00.009Z

My students Tony and Dave with RNLI Lifeboat man 'Tattie'It’s been a busy week here in Bonnie Galloway. Quite apart from having several hundred photographs to sort and catalogue, I have had students with me for the last two days as well.On Thursday pals Dave and Tony came for a shared day’s tuition. Dave has been to me before on one of my weekend workshops. This time he and Tony wanted to take

A career in photography - 2

2008-03-27T07:51:00.008Z

Photograph by Ron BurtonHere is the photograph by Ron Burton that I spoke about yesterday. This is the picture that inspired me to become a professional photographer over 40 years ago. It triggered my determination that some day I would work for a national daily newspaper. It had a tremendous effect on me - initially, I suppose because of my boyhood interest in aeroplanes, but it was much deeper

A career in photography - 1

2008-03-26T19:24:00.002Z

After some considerable prodding, I promised that from time to time I would write about how I got started in photography, and some of the stories behind my career. So here goes, this is the first one...I was fourteen years old when I decided I wanted to be a press photographer. I’d seen a photograph on the back page of Dad’s newspaper. They’d call it a ‘light bulb moment’ these days, but then,

How to photograph moving water - part 2

2008-03-25T15:44:00.006Z

These two picture show just how easily you can allow your viewer’s eye to drop off the bottom of your composition. There are no hard and fast rules here, but generally, white or light areas in your picture will attract the eye – like a moth to light. So if you leave a bright white area at the edge of your frame – at the sides, top or bottom - your viewer’s eye will be attracted to it. Often it

How to photograph moving water - part 1

2008-03-23T09:31:00.008Z

I had a great day yesterday with Yvonne and Phil who came all the way up from London for a day’s tuition here in Scotland. We spent most of the morning going through some basics on their cameras – with Yvonne keen to understand more about white balance and how to use the manual exposure mode on her Nikon D40.The weather was good and after lunch we had the choice of either photographing one of

Travel photography rating method

2008-03-20T11:30:00.004Z

I have been extremely fortunate to have spent a great deal of my working life gathering photographs in some of the most interesting places on earth. Not always beautiful, but nearly always interesting.You will notice that I use the word ‘gathering’. That seems the most appropriate way to explain the way I work. I really do go out there to gather pictures that capture something of the essence of a

Aperture Value - correction

2008-03-19T11:53:00.005Z

I'm sorry - yesterday I got it wrong.When talking about the way I set the exposure for the live gig, I incorrectly said that I set the camera on Shutter Priority (TV) mode, then set a wide aperture and let the camera decide on the shutter speed. This, of course, is dribble.I meant to say - set a wide aperture using AV (Aperture Priority) mode and let the camera decide on a suitable shutter

Photographing live gigs - part 2

2008-03-18T11:12:00.006Z

I arrived at the theatre early, well before the start of the show so that I could check out shooting positions and angles. The stage had very limited access to the wings and as the best shots are often taken from the side of the stage, this would make things quite difficult.The only way to get into this position would be from the front of the stage, so the band had to be happy for me to move up

Photographing live gigs- part 1

2008-03-16T12:52:00.006Z

Want a challenge? How about shooting a live stage performance? The lighting will be tricky, but the results can be great.Whenever I think of really difficult light conditions I think of live stage performances – especially of rock music. Few situations present the photographer with more challenges than a live pop concert. Everything is difficult – for a start, the amount, contrast and colour of

Photographing with multi flash

2008-03-14T09:31:00.005Z

Here’s a picture – a very simple one, with no pretensions to be anything other than a demonstration shot. It shows the group of photographers who joined me last week to learn more about portraiture.I was showing the group how to get the best from their flash guns both on and off the camera, when I decided to show them the old technique of firing multiple flashed on one exposure – with just one

Photographing with Autofocus mode

2008-03-13T11:21:00.004Z

Following on from the posts of Ken Terry's beautiful wildlife shots of squirrels and red kites, I had a comment from Dorcas, who asked if there is a technique to using Servo Autofocus, or whether it is just a case of practice to get the best shots.As I am not a Canon man, I thought the best person to answer the question would be the man who actually took the pictures, so I asked Ken for his

Photographing wildlife

2008-03-12T10:50:00.005Z

Photograph by Ken TerryI just couldn't resist showing you this lovely photograph by my student Ken Terry. He has just posted it on the photoactive_photographers group and I think it's gorgeous. It is one of his series taken on his big Canon 500mm telephoto lens while he was here in Galloway over the weekend.Beautiful timing, lovely angle - it has tremendous appeal.Ken and other students of mine

Aperture Value

2008-03-12T09:35:00.003Z

Carl posted a comment yesterday about Ken Terry's beautiful wildlife pictures.Ken said that he used ISO 1000 and an aperture of f5.0 in AV mode as the light was changing so quickly. Sometimes the shutter speed was 1/500 and sometimes 1/4000.Carl commented:...really enjoyed this. But trying to work out what AV is, in relation to rapidly changing light?'AV' - Aperture Value - is an automatic

Wildlife photography

2008-03-11T09:21:00.011Z

Ken Terry, one of my regular students for some years - and now a good friend - wanted to tackle some wildlife photography before he spent the weekend with my group learning more about portraiture in the comfort of the Cally Palace Hotel.Ken owns some pretty neat kit and the three wonderful photographs here show that he really knows how to handle it.I arranged for him to spend a day with Wildlife

Portraiture weekend

2008-03-10T10:38:00.005Z

Well, we've just had a fantastic weekend with a great bunch of people at the grand old Cally Palace Hotel here in Galloway. The theme was portraiture using flash and available light. I think everyone had a great time. Some travelled very long distances. Cliff flew up from the south coast of England, Russell came down from the wilds of Inverness, while Bob came all the way from The Isle of Man.

Comment of Canon G9

2008-03-09T08:26:00.003Z

Blogger was having problems yesterday and this message from Lifespy seemed to get caught up in it. It appears on some pages, but not on others. So I have posted it here.The answer to Lifespy is that no, I haven't tried this technique, but I will. I normally pre-focus by half pressing the shutter button in order to speed things up. By the way, his blog is definitely worth looking at and I will

A Practical Guide to Press Photography - 1

2008-03-09T08:20:00.000Z

Over recent days I’ve posted some short passages from my book published way back in 1986 by Oxford Illustrated Press, ‘A practical Guide to Press Photography’. This book became a standard work in universities and colleges, and I heard of many college tutors who would read passages straight from it as part of there lectures. Anyway, I’m persuaded that much of the information in the book is just as

Photoactive Photographer's group

2008-03-07T09:00:00.001Z

Photograph by Paul LipmanI am proud of the fact that some of my former students started a discussion group through which they share pictures and information. The group's first photo project has been completed and yesterday I had the job of commenting and 'critting' the pictures and of choosing my favourite picture. This was not a competition, just a project aimed at getting everyone out there

Using Light Zone software

2008-03-06T14:04:00.007Z

Again regarding yesterday's post, another former student, John Hamshaw, sent me the following email...Hi PhilipUsed Light Zone - took 2 minuteshttp://www.lightcrafts.com/index.htmlBest wishesJohnJohn took the time and trouble to work on Peter Frisby's photograph in this Light Zone software to lighten the dark areas. I have posted the final results below. I have to say I can certainly see a

Photography tuition

2008-03-06T12:27:00.006Z

I'm 'almost' embarrassed to post this, but I'll get over it somehow. This was from Peter Frisby, whose picture I posted yesterday. Come on, I'm allowed a plug every now and again...Philip and Noreen,First and foremost many thanks for the 2 days. I looked forward to coming and was not disappointed. Secondly I think I have failed miserably to post a comment on the Blog. I have tried but my IT

Photographing shadows and highlights

2008-03-05T12:02:00.015Z

Photograph by Peter FrisbyI've had a great couple of days here in SW Scotland with Peter Frisby from Staffordshire. Peter came to me for some one-to-one tuition. The weather was beautiful and I took him to my favourite hidden cove down on the sea shore on the first day. The light was really spectacular with a pastel blue sky and lots of dramatic clouds. Absolutely ideal for landscape and seascape

Learning to be a press photographer 3

2008-03-04T10:00:00.001Z

On my sixteenth birthday I bought an old Vespa motor scooter and really learned what it meant to be ‘out on the road’. I fell off that thing at least once a day. As this usually smashed all the glass plates which I carried in a battered leather camera box strapped to the back of the scooter, the chief photographer ordered a special batch of ‘unbreakable’ 5 x 4inch celluloid film from Kodak. This

Learning how to be a press photographer

2008-03-03T10:00:00.003Z

Printing the photo-sales for that local newspaper was a trial of strength and endurance for a fifteen year old. I trial for which I was ill-matched. But I would put extra sugar in my tea and, on my day of, I would hump around a heavy Dawes 5 x 4inch glass plate camera and fantasize that I was a fully fledged press photographer. My mother encouraged this self-delusion when she bought me a trilby

Learning how to print black and white

2008-03-02T15:31:00.003Z

When I visited the Focus on Imaging show at the NEC in Birmingham last week, I happened to be attracted to the Ilford stand. Now I can say with pride that I have won many awards in what used to be the Ilford Print of The Years Competitions in the past, so naturally, I took a close look at some of the winning prints.I saw one print that was definitely out of focus in the enlarger and the quality

Learning how to take better photographs

2008-02-29T09:50:00.005Z

Just thought you might like to watch a short video I put up on You Tube a short while back. I had a lot of fun filming it and putting it together with the help of two lovely guys - Graham and Malcolm. They came up here to SW Scotland for a couple of day's tuition and we had a great time.It's always a joy for me to show my students some of the hidden parts of Galloway, one of the most beautiful

Photographing in hard light - part 2

2008-02-28T15:00:00.005Z

As promised yesterday, here’s the other – very different - photograph taken for The Sunday Times at Aberdaron in North Wales.This time, rather than use a wide-angle lens and move in close, I have moved right back from the scene behind the village churchyard and looked at the beach through a small telephoto lens. I’m still shooting into that hard, contrasty light, but the effect is quite

Meeting photo bloggers

2008-02-28T14:20:00.005Z

It was great to meet Dave, Alison, Christine, Jamie and ‘Angel’ at the Focus on Imaging show at the NEC in Birmingham the other day. Thanks for coming up to say hello. Obviously the tee shirt with the photoactive web address did the trick and you were able to spot me. Frankly I don’t know how you did it with so many people there. I just can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your

Photographing in hard light

2008-02-27T09:32:00.001Z

Here's a photograph I took for The Sunday Times some while ago. They commissioned me to photograph a whole list of British seaside locations, and this was taken on the beach at Aberdaron in North Wales on a hot summer's day. The light was very hard and contrasty - what I would normally consider to be poor quality light, especially when shooting in black and white - but as a professional

Focus on Imaging NEC

2008-02-25T12:52:00.003Z

I'm hoping to get along to the Focus on Imaging Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham tomorrow. It would be great to meet some of you if you happen to be there. I'll be wearing a white tee-shirt with the address of my website on the back...www.photoactive.co.ukSo if you happen to see me - do say hello.

How to photograph abstracts - part 2

2008-02-24T08:36:00.002Z

Pablo Picasso, arguably the greatest abstract painter of all time, spent years learning the craft of fine draughtsmanship before he created his unique abstract art. The moral of the story?... learn the rules before you go and break 'em So here are just ten practical ways to get more from abstract photography... Practical camera skills will lead to better abstract photographs. Look more

Photography Weekend place available

2008-02-22T12:35:00.001Z

Due to a late cancellation I now have one place available for the Photography Weekend on 7th - 9th March. The theme is portraiture with both available light and flash. Full details on my website http://www.photoactive.co.uk You'll really enjoy this one, but do let me know asap.

How to photograph abstracts - part 1

2008-02-22T08:10:00.002Z

Let your imagination off the leash and photography becomes far more than a means of capturing the literal world however beautifully or skilfully that may be done. Once you start to look beyond obvious reality, a whole new world of shape, colour and form begins to reveal itself. Capturing and portraying abstract design is not just the preserve of painters who have it easy because they can paint

Photography in bars and cafes

2008-02-20T08:25:00.001Z

Not counting India, which is in a league of its own, there are three places in the world that really press my button - places where you can almost feel the buzz and vitality coming up through the pavements beneath your feet. The first is New York, then Hong Kong. The third, and possibly my favourite, is Istanbul. How could any photographer go to Istanbul and not find visual stimulation? The