We think we've solved the problem - here's hoping.
Feel free to send me a comment to test though.
Philip
15 Feb 2008
Blogger comment problem solved?
Blogger comments problem
Some of you may have noticed that I'm having problems with the reader comments - for some reason they have gone from almost all the posts. Please bear with me while I try to sort this out. It's a Blogger problem and it seems others are having similar trouble.
14 Feb 2008
Photography holidays and weekends
Okay, so I hope you enjoy the technique tips – well now it’s time you put up with a bit of promotion for the photography holidays and weekends I run here in SW Scotland and in Menorca, Spain.
All these events are designed to be instructive and a great deal of fun. If you would like to read some comments about them, just click here.
Oh, the pictures show some of the photographers at work in Menorca - the top pictures is of Jan getting a little help from one of the locals. And that's me in the white tee-shirt pulling George's camera to bits... or was I putting it back together again?
All these events are designed to be instructive and a great deal of fun. If you would like to read some comments about them, just click here.
www.photoactive.co.uk/tuition/learn02.htm 
If you want any further details, please refer to my website for all contact details.
If you want any further details, please refer to my website for all contact details.
www.photoactive.co.uk/
It would be great to have you with us.
Photography Weekend
7th -9th March at The Cally Palace Hotel, Gatehouse - the theme will be portraiture, both with and without flash £399 including all accommodation, meals and tuition
It would be great to have you with us.
Photography Weekend
7th -9th March at The Cally Palace Hotel, Gatehouse - the theme will be portraiture, both with and without flash £399 including all accommodation, meals and tuition
Full details at www.photoactive.co.uk/kbt_groups/kbt_groups_cally.htm
Photography Holiday Menorca 1
2nd-9th May
Still some places available. The theme will be travel photography.
Still some places available. The theme will be travel photography.
We do not 'suffer for our art' - we stay in a beautiful 4 star hotel!
www.photoactive.co.uk/menorca/menorca01.htm
Photography Holiday Menorca 2
19th-26th September
The second of our Photography Holidays in Menorca. We will visit different locations, but the theme of Travel Photography will be the same.
www.photoactive.co.uk/menorca/menorca01.htm
Photography Weekend
Photography Holiday Menorca 2
19th-26th September
The second of our Photography Holidays in Menorca. We will visit different locations, but the theme of Travel Photography will be the same.
www.photoactive.co.uk/menorca/menorca01.htm
Photography WeekendOctober 31st - November 2nd 2008
November 28th - 30th 2008
At the Selkirk Arms Hotel
http://www.photoactive.co.uk/kbt_groups/kbt_groups_selk.htm
http://www.photoactive.co.uk/kbt_groups/kbt_groups_selk.htm
Oh, the pictures show some of the photographers at work in Menorca - the top pictures is of Jan getting a little help from one of the locals. And that's me in the white tee-shirt pulling George's camera to bits... or was I putting it back together again?
13 Feb 2008
Photographing older people - part 2
Six good reason for photographing older people
Older people are usually more willing to give their time.
They have faces full of character.
They are normally a lot more interesting to talk to
They have fewer inhibitions.
They can sit still.
You will not have to ask their parents’ permission.
This old lady came out of a church and looked at me with a degree of suspicion (lower photograph). If this happens to you, don’t let it put you off pressing the button – take the picture. The hint of the man in the black hat in the background has added a slightly mysterious atmosphere to the picture.
Once I had this old lady in my sights, and when she had got used to the fact that I was around, I decided to try for a close-up showing her lace mantilla. I was fortunate that she was talking to another lady who was wearing a turquoise dress, and this has reflected in my subjects spectacles and added just a touch of interesting colour.
Older people are usually more willing to give their time.
They have faces full of character.
They are normally a lot more interesting to talk to
They have fewer inhibitions.
They can sit still.
You will not have to ask their parents’ permission.
This old lady came out of a church and looked at me with a degree of suspicion (lower photograph). If this happens to you, don’t let it put you off pressing the button – take the picture. The hint of the man in the black hat in the background has added a slightly mysterious atmosphere to the picture.
Once I had this old lady in my sights, and when she had got used to the fact that I was around, I decided to try for a close-up showing her lace mantilla. I was fortunate that she was talking to another lady who was wearing a turquoise dress, and this has reflected in my subjects spectacles and added just a touch of interesting colour.Bottom photograph
I took lots of photographs of this old chap from the other side of the street as he was taking his evening stroll. I liked his slightly stooped, pre-occupied look, but when I saw the turquoise door ahead of him, a moved quickly ahead and waited for him to walk into the picture. This is one of the basics of good street photography not matter what the age of your subject, and I have spoken before about how important it is to be aware of what is around you and anticipate what might happen.
10 Feb 2008
Photographing older people - part 2
It’s an old saying that a person has the face he deserves by the age of forty. Maybe these days sixty would be more appropriate. Certainly as far as photography is concerned, the older a person gets the more of their life story will be etched into their features – and this means that older people make natural and fascinating subjects for portraiture. The sensitive photographer should be able to capture the essence of a person’s personality and of course this will be that much easier if you have a good, expressive face to photograph.
Remember, an understanding of light is your most important tool and most vital asset; its direction, quality and colour. The direction of light that can most often enhance texture, shape and form is sidelight. So it stands to reason that if you are photographing an elderly person and you want to emphasise the lines and wrinkles of that person’s skin – its texture – then side light can come in very useful. However, like everyone else, some older people can be extraordinarily vain, and will not take too kindly to photographs that make them look decrepit. So a degree of diplomacy may be needed if a photography session is to go smoothly. If you want to take a more flattering picture, try using backlight and reflect it back into the subjects features with a white reflector. We touched on this simple technique when I wrote about the Quality of Light.
I love photographing children because of their natural innocence and charm – they can be very funny. Well so can older people, and often the spark of youthful mischief and memories can still be seen in the older subject’s eyes and facial expressions.
Older people tend to be less self-conscious and easier to work with than younger adults. Older people often take it as a great compliment that a photographer should want to spend time photographing them, and will usually be more than willing to give their time as a result. You will almost certainly be able to work closely with an older person in order to achieve the picture you have in mind. So explain exactly what you want to achieve at the start of the session
Remember, an understanding of light is your most important tool and most vital asset; its direction, quality and colour. The direction of light that can most often enhance texture, shape and form is sidelight. So it stands to reason that if you are photographing an elderly person and you want to emphasise the lines and wrinkles of that person’s skin – its texture – then side light can come in very useful. However, like everyone else, some older people can be extraordinarily vain, and will not take too kindly to photographs that make them look decrepit. So a degree of diplomacy may be needed if a photography session is to go smoothly. If you want to take a more flattering picture, try using backlight and reflect it back into the subjects features with a white reflector. We touched on this simple technique when I wrote about the Quality of Light.
I love photographing children because of their natural innocence and charm – they can be very funny. Well so can older people, and often the spark of youthful mischief and memories can still be seen in the older subject’s eyes and facial expressions.
Older people tend to be less self-conscious and easier to work with than younger adults. Older people often take it as a great compliment that a photographer should want to spend time photographing them, and will usually be more than willing to give their time as a result. You will almost certainly be able to work closely with an older person in order to achieve the picture you have in mind. So explain exactly what you want to achieve at the start of the session
Top photograph
How could any photographer resist a face like this. The light is from one big window to the right of the camera. It was very important that the shepherd’s hands and his crook should be included in the composition – they told his life story
Bottom photograph
Share your enjoyment when you are photographing older people. They are naturally interesting in the photographs you have taken. This is Graham, one of my photoghraphers who joined one of my photography holidays in Menorca He's showing the old guys outside a Bar the pictures he has just taken of them – it breaks the ice and can lead to many more wonderful photographs and opportunities – it makes it all fun!
Photographing older people - part 1
It’s an old saying that a person has the face he deserves by the age of forty. Maybe these days sixty would be more appropriate. Certainly as far as photography is concerned, the older a person gets the more of their life story will be etched into their features – and this means that older people make natural and fascinating subjects for portraiture. The sensitive photographer should be able to capture the essence of a person’s personality and of course this will be that much easier if you have a good, expressive face to photograph.
Remember, an understanding of light is your most important tool and most vital asset; its direction, quality and colour. The direction of light that can most often enhance texture, shape and form is sidelight. So it stands to reason that if you are photographing an elderly person and you want to emphasise the lines and wrinkles of that person’s skin – its texture – then side light can come in very useful. However, like everyone else, some older people can be extraordinarily vain, and will not take too kindly to photographs that make them look decrepit. So a degree of diplomacy may be needed if a photography session is to go smoothly. If you want to take a more flattering picture, try using backlight and reflect it back into the subjects features with a white reflector. We touched on this simple technique when I wrote about the Quality of Light.
I love photographing children because of their natural innocence and charm – they can be very funny. Well so can older people, and often the spark of youthful mischief and memories can still be seen in the older subject’s eyes and facial expressions.
Older people tend to be less self-conscious and easier to work with than younger adults. Older people often take it as a great compliment that a photographer should want to spend time photographing them, and will usually be more than willing to give their time as a result. You will almost certainly be able to work closely with an older person in order to achieve the picture you have in mind. So explain exactly what you want to achieve at the start of the session
Remember, an understanding of light is your most important tool and most vital asset; its direction, quality and colour. The direction of light that can most often enhance texture, shape and form is sidelight. So it stands to reason that if you are photographing an elderly person and you want to emphasise the lines and wrinkles of that person’s skin – its texture – then side light can come in very useful. However, like everyone else, some older people can be extraordinarily vain, and will not take too kindly to photographs that make them look decrepit. So a degree of diplomacy may be needed if a photography session is to go smoothly. If you want to take a more flattering picture, try using backlight and reflect it back into the subjects features with a white reflector. We touched on this simple technique when I wrote about the Quality of Light.
I love photographing children because of their natural innocence and charm – they can be very funny. Well so can older people, and often the spark of youthful mischief and memories can still be seen in the older subject’s eyes and facial expressions.
Older people tend to be less self-conscious and easier to work with than younger adults. Older people often take it as a great compliment that a photographer should want to spend time photographing them, and will usually be more than willing to give their time as a result. You will almost certainly be able to work closely with an older person in order to achieve the picture you have in mind. So explain exactly what you want to achieve at the start of the session
Top photograph
How could any photographer resist a face like this. The light is from one big window to the right of the camera. It was very important that the shepherd’s hands and his crook should be included in the composition – they told his life story
Bottom photograph
Share your enjoyment when you are photographing older people. They are naturally interesting in the photographs you have taken. This is Graham, one of the student photoghraphers who joined one of my photography holidays in Menorca. He's showing the old guys outside a Bar the pictures he has just taken of them – it breaks the ice and can lead to many more wonderful photographs and opportunities – it makes it all fun!
Next in Part 2 - 5 good reasons for photographing older people
8 Feb 2008
Humour in photography
It is always a mistake to assume that everyone shares the same sense of humour as yourself. In fact there are lots of people who have no sense of humour at all. I try to avoid these people whenever possible... the exception being pompous people, who I find hugely amusing and funny.
I have always enjoyed injecting a gentle sense of fun into my photographs. In fact, when I was working for The Daily Express, I got a reputation for what we called affectionately the ‘Silly Jobs Department’.
Over the years I have been commissioned to photograph some profoundly silly things.
I was once sent by a highly prestigious magazine all the way to Fiji with a life-sized pot replica head of the of the captain of the England rugby team. I remember it was in a very large and heavy box. England were due to play Fiji in the Rugby World Cup, and I was told to get a photograph of the Fijian front row players sat around a cooking pot in which they were boiling the English captain’s head. No, jobs don’t come any sillier than that. All very non-pc these days. If you would like to see the results of this extraordinary trip, you will have to put your requests in the comments and say please – I don’t show these pictures to just anybody! It can be all too painful to me. Still, I got well very paid and the pictures were given a tremedous spread in the magazine.
I’m delighted to say that even quality newspaper are not immune from having a little fun and I have posted a photograph I took for The Daily Telegraph here in the UK, together with a copy of the newspaper cutting showing how they used it.
I have always enjoyed injecting a gentle sense of fun into my photographs. In fact, when I was working for The Daily Express, I got a reputation for what we called affectionately the ‘Silly Jobs Department’.
Over the years I have been commissioned to photograph some profoundly silly things.
I was once sent by a highly prestigious magazine all the way to Fiji with a life-sized pot replica head of the of the captain of the England rugby team. I remember it was in a very large and heavy box. England were due to play Fiji in the Rugby World Cup, and I was told to get a photograph of the Fijian front row players sat around a cooking pot in which they were boiling the English captain’s head. No, jobs don’t come any sillier than that. All very non-pc these days. If you would like to see the results of this extraordinary trip, you will have to put your requests in the comments and say please – I don’t show these pictures to just anybody! It can be all too painful to me. Still, I got well very paid and the pictures were given a tremedous spread in the magazine.
I’m delighted to say that even quality newspaper are not immune from having a little fun and I have posted a photograph I took for The Daily Telegraph here in the UK, together with a copy of the newspaper cutting showing how they used it.
The secret to success is to be 'gentle' with your subjects. I find nothing in the least funny about about crude and obvious jibes.
Well, you’ve got to laugh, it’s better than crying.
Canon G9 vignetting - answers
Yesterday I posted a question on photo.net regarding the post about vignetting when using attachment lenses on the Canon G9. Having only had the camera a short time and not yet having used it a great deal, I felt unqualified to answer fully, however, I did express the view that ‘inexpensive’ lenses might be at the root of the problem. It turns out that this might not be the case, but that the camera needs setting up properly.
The link below should take you to the forum page where several members responded. However, you may have to join the group to gain access. I can recommend that you do. This forum is huge and very useful.
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00OK88
Denise D from San Francisco pointed out that even with the Canon wide angle and tele adaptors can produce vignetting unless you go to the settings menu and the into the ‘converter’ option. There are two options – one for tele and one for wide angle. You must select the correct option.
In fact there are three options, the other one is 'none' for normal shooting.
The link below should take you to the forum page where several members responded. However, you may have to join the group to gain access. I can recommend that you do. This forum is huge and very useful.
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00OK88
Denise D from San Francisco pointed out that even with the Canon wide angle and tele adaptors can produce vignetting unless you go to the settings menu and the into the ‘converter’ option. There are two options – one for tele and one for wide angle. You must select the correct option.
In fact there are three options, the other one is 'none' for normal shooting.
So, I hope this helps our anonymous friend who posted the original question, and my sincere thanks to those who responded on Photo.net
The pictures show the menu of the G9 and the two options for the Converter.
Hope this helps.
The pictures show the menu of the G9 and the two options for the Converter.Hope this helps.
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