Glyn Dewis Photoshop Course.

I recently attended a second course ran by

Glyn Dewis

and was thoroughly impressed.

Here are some images that were taken and edited on the day.

Glyn teaches you how to take an image in the studio like the above, and then how to edit to the one below 

I have attended a couple of these courses now and throughly enjoy them, No matter what level of "photoshopper" you are, you will learn heaps from the new Kelbyone Photoshop world tutor.

Glyn's style of teaching is fantastic, he has loads of energy and you can feel the passion of what he teaches he clearly loves. I would strongly reccomend a course of his.

At the end of the course Glyn doesnt just shut the door behind you... The majority of the class heads over to the local curry house which is a great way to chill out and chat with like minded people.

The model above is the UK NAPP founder Dave Clayton, who is a great guy. And as you can see likes to dress up and have a laugh.

Cheers Guys, once again another fantastic course, learnt loads, met some great people and had a good crack in the process which is what its all about.

BMW 1200RT

Here are some images of one of my best mates with his beloved bike. 

Bye bye iPhone 3Gs.

With upgrading my phone to the new iPhone 4's. im saying good bye to my 3G's. 

I will certainly miss the little camera, which was hard to focus, most of the time wouldn't expose correctly but it certainly was full of character and life.

Reflections.

Hi all,

Here is a quick post to show you some of my thinking.

The above image i really like, it was taken in the cafe in the Tate Modern Museum London.

I am a big fan of reflections and symmetry in images. I really like how you view the image and if it wasn't for the chairs in the foreground and the table of guys in the background you would probably think that i Photoshopped this image. But it was genuinely taken.

Here you can see my thinking behind the first image.

I was sat at the table drinking my coffee and was viewing the scene in front of me.

I found the guy working was distracting and "in the way" personally,

plus my camera bag was in shot - school boy error.

So moving the bag off the chair in the foreground and waiting for the scene to make itself. I was very happy with the final image.

Not always will things work out for you but it is great and very enjoyable to see something in front of you, and you have to wait for the parts to all come together.

GF1 Adventure.

Hello,

I wanted to post some images that were recently taken on my Lumix GF1

I am certainly loving this little point and shoot camera. I have a fixed 20mm prime lens for it, which i find to be a great tool on improving your photography. When using a prime lens you are restricted to compose by using...- your feet!

If you want a tighter crop then walk closer, and so it is certainly making me look at things differently.

Having a little point and shoot on your person is great so you don't miss anything when you are out and about conducting your day to day business.

The Above image is a great example of this, I was out in Cambridge to get a spot for lunch, and walking towards the restaurant we walked past this tiny alleyway. I stopped,

I took a step back and loved how the light was playing a huge part in making the contrast you see. I took a quick shot and off for some grub.

Over time I will be adding some more "snappy" shots that I take with the GF1. I hope that you enjoy it.

Police Composite image.

Recently I have had a play with a large composite.

I have for some time now wanted to have a play trying to blend multiple images into one image.

Now my attempt is not pixel perfect, by any stretch of the imagination,

but it was certainly a great learning curve. And something very enjoyable.

I have previously posted in my blog, it’s a great way to keep up to date with the tools of Photoshop

and to try and keep your work flow fast.

It is amazing how quickly you can get skill fade, and end up doing things the long way round.

Your selections, dodging, burning will come on leaps and bounds the more practice you do.

I have included some screen grabs to show where I started and what I have

added.

A starting place of a background from iStock photo.

Straightened the lines and cloned in more of a foreground.

Started adding some elements to the image, i didn't like some in the end and so didn't make it to the final image.

Happy with the placements of the elements. Added a texture over the ground. Just need to render the image with shadings, colouring and few little bits which certainly take the most amount of time in the whole process.

I have enlarged some of the small details so you can see.

I must of been in a real dark mood when i designed this image ;0)

Compositing.

Here are some images from the Oliver Neville shoot that i wanted to play with and do some composites. 

I really enjoyed using studio lights but i do like to try and create fun images. The idea behind this shoot was to show that come and have a studio shoot with myself, and i can make some images to help your business. Ill show some examples of this in my next blog post. 

Oliver Neville - Studio shoot.

Last sunday i tried out my first studio shoot, and i thought it was fantastic.

My good friends over at

MelenStudio's 

let me hire out their studio for the day.

I had a plan of what i was wanting to achieve before i arrived, and was more then happy with the results.

For a living Oliver is an estate agent. I wanted to do some images of him in his work wear, and then some fun images. The goal was to show businesses that with a little thought you can spruce up your websites with some professional looking images of the employees, and with most businesses these days having facebook pages, why not have some fun images of the work force?.

Happy Christmas.

Happy Christmas from Me,

I hope that you are all having a great festive period while im away working.

Catch you in the new year.

Lee

Glyn Dewis Workshop

Well the other week i attended my first studio workshop ran by a Glyn Dewis. (UK's version of the photoshop guys) and i was highly impressed.

It was a half day workshop titled

"a workshop full of character"

and the aim is to give you the tools needed to try and create a fun image like the one above. Glyn sets up the lighting but gives you pretty much a free Raine to move the model where you want to in the light, and to pose him on how you see fit.

Once you are happy and have the image that you are after, you all then go through some photoshop techniques on how to create something different. Glyn shows you how to improve an image up to a nice respectable standard... and then the fun starts and you are taught how to push things and come up with great concepts and the fun really begins...

The day is broken up as follows-

• RAW Conversions

• Cleaning up your images (Dust spots etc…)

• Removing Blemishes

• Eyes (Brightening, add contrast, colour and sharpening)

• Creating Texture/Adding Details

• Dodging and Burning

• Cut Outs (Getting the most out of Photoshop CS5 Refine Edge Command + Extracting using Channels for those using earlier versions of Photoshop)

• Adding in the Background

• Creating ‘The Look’

• Special Effects and lots more

My finished image, I can not take the credit for the lighting on Dave Clayton, who was a fantastic model. Or the style he was dressed. But i did really enjoy finding the stock images and coming up with a theme to produce the finished result.

Garage MK, Knight racer.

I have recently taken some images for the guys over at Garage MK and Knight racer.

I was very impressed with some of the services that they offer, one which certainly does appeal.

If you are having work done on your car, from a service to a personalisation body kit or modification, they guys will come and pick up your car if you are in the Milton Keynes area from your home or work. So no hassle or inconvenience.

Garage MK and Knight Racer, also sponsor SSDA drift team and are at the drifting meets and competitions.

facebook page

website. 

Jay picking up a car from a customers work place.

Facebook pages for

Knight-racer

and

The Garage MK.

and

website

for Knight-racer.

The Art of Photography Podcast meet up

As a regular viewer of Ted Forbes "

the art of photography

" podcast and a fan, i was excited to see that Ted and his good lady were coming over to London for a meet up/ photo walk.

We met up some great photographers, some of who had travelled a great distance to partake. 

Here are some of my favourite images that i took from the day. 

Camera's and beer... A quality afternoon if you ask me :0) 

Night Photography.

Friday evening, myself and Phil Richardson of

YellowMelen Studio

 headed out upto Dunstable Downs for a play with some night photography.

What good fun. Setting up a camera for 2 minute + exposures and running around with torches and setting off speed lights and awaiting to see the result was something very new and interesting. 

This image is hard to believe that it was taken in total darkness. 

4 minute Exposure. 

Think Tank Retrospective 30.

I have recently purchased the ThinkTank Retrospective 30 shoulder camera bag and im very impressed.

So i thought that i would share my thoughts.

As any photographer will tell you once you have a camera bag the buying will never stop.

I have numerous bags now... obviously for different jobs and not for collectomaniac reasons 

With the recent purchase of a couple of larger zoom lenses, i was after a larger shoulder bag.

Im a BIG fan of Think Tank, their products are bomb proof and look great.

I am a big fan of bags that do not shout out, that this is a camera bag full of expensive kit, and so the subtle styling of the Retrospective range is right up my street. There isn't even a large Think Tank label.

This is a nice feature, The large opening flap is velcro fastened. There is an option to cover the velcro to silence you opening the bag. This will be great at weddings and other events where you are trying to remain inconspicuous. 

Large space, with moveable inserts allowing you to customise for your equipment. 

Stylish, inconspicuous design.

Large enough even for your 70-200mm lens, The Retrospective 30 can fit some telephoto zoom lenses attached to a DSLR, facing sideways in the bag..

The Retrospective series is comprised of four shoulder bags and two lens changer bags.  Created for the professional photographer that wants to blend in with the crowd and remain inconspicuous in any situation.  Our product designers have blended the look and feel of "old-school" camera bags and infused it with "new-school" features and technology for the digital imaging age.  

Top Features:

• Minimalist outer appearance conceals expensive photo equipment
• Carries a pro size DSLR with standard zoom lens attached
• Wider size to fit a 70-200 f2.8 attached to DSLR facing sideways
• Accommodates 2-4 lenses in main compartment with 2 DSLR bodies in front pockets
• Two front pockets to carry pro size DSLRs (bodies only)
• Organizer pocket built into main compartment for pens, note pad, batteries, etc.
• Choice of two different colors, black or pinestone, to suit the situation
• Hook and Loop “Sound Silencers” on the front flap eliminate noise while opening the bag
• Soft, adjustable shoulder strap with cushioned non-slip pad
• Clear business card holder under front flap
• Removable short carrying handle for convenience
• Seam-sealed rain cover included for protection against the elements

Gear Profile:

• 1 pro size DSLR with standard zoom lens attached and 1 - 3 additional lenses, including a 70-200 f2.8
• 2 pro size DSLRs (bodies only) in front pockets and 2 - 4 lenses in main compartment, including a 70-200 f2.8
• 1 pro size DSLR with 70-200 f2.8 attached, facing sideways and 1-2 additional lenses.

Photographer Profile:

• Photojournalists and travel photographers

Technical Specifications:

• ID:  15” W x  9.5” H x 6” D (38 x 24 x 15.2 cm)*
• *bag softness and flexibility allows expansion to carry a pro size DSLR with lens attached, facing down
• OD:  16” W x 10.5” H x 7” D (40.6 x 26.7 x 17.8 cm)
• Weight:  3.2 lbs (1.5 kg)
• Lifetime Warranty

Think Tank Retrospective 30 Pinestone Shoulder Bag

Think Tank

Buy on Amazon

Think Tank Retrospective 30 Black Shoulder Bag

Think Tank

Buy on Amazon

New Job.

Hello all,

Its has been awhile since my last post. I have been very busy with my job abroad over in Baku - Azerbaijan.

In the last 17 weeks I have been back in the UK less then 2 weeks and so i have been run off my feet.

After new year i will be on a rota and have more time off which is good news,

Here are a few images from being offshore over in Baku. The images were taken on my Canon G10.

Azerbaijan on the world map

Hong Kong vacation.

Hello, 

Well it feels like a life time ago since i last made a post. But i have been a busy one with work and other commitments, so i am seriously playing catch up now, as have a large amount of images to work through. 

Here are some of the images from a recent trip to Hong Kong. 

A view from the highest point on the Island.

Market Stall.

On the beach, where you can see the double Shark nets.

                                                            Part of the 5.5km escalator. 

View from the 5.5km escalator. 

Dont Let Dunstable Die...

I have met up with, a couple of times now the ladies who are running the DLDD campaign, and what a fantastic job they are doing for the town.

We met with the intention for a couple of promotional shots that they can use, but as you can see the weather wasnt playing ball and so we will meet again soon. 

Also keep watching as when i can ill be attending some of the functions that they are doing, and so ill post images of the great things happending in Dunstable in the future.

A couple of short

videos

explaining their campaign.

Check out  their

website

 to see the latest news in Dunstable. 

The Ladies Bio...

Sharon and Sharon are two ladies who want to help Dunstable to become the lovely market town it once was, please give us your views and ideas. Together we can make a difference. Long Live Dunstable!

"Tell your friends and spread the word, Dunstable must be heard.Long Live Dunstable can't be wrong,the supporters are growing forever strong. We believe in Dunstable and the support that you give, so let's all make Dunstable,the best place to live!"

We are now as of 15th December 2010 two ladies who want to help Dunstable to become the lovely market town it once was, please give us your views and ideas.

LLD

Long Live Dunstable (Don't Let Dunstable Die) was established last year by two woman to help raise the profile of our Historic town of Dunstable and to keep the supporting public informed as to what is happening as best we can. We have no businesses in Dunstable or political agendas just a passion to see our town great again. Thank you for your continued support.

"Tell your friends and spread the word, Dunstable must be heard. Long Live Dunstable can't be wrong,The supporters are growing forever strong. We believe in Dunstable and the support that you give, So let's all make Dunstable, the best place to live!

"LONG LIVE DUNSTABLE!"

Stage Writer. Jessica Luxembourg.

I was asked recently to do some portraiture head shots and promo shots for a fantastic stage / screen writer actress Jessica Luxembourg.

With having a little bit of notice with this shoot, i wanted to set it, in a relevant location.

I came up with the idea of having books in the back ground and so set about trying to find a willing bookshop.

I thought the best places to try would be small independently run stores, and so the search began...

They are becoming harder and harder to find. Even this store will be closed at the end of the month.

I think due to the Internet, people do not seem to visit these places any more. Even i am very guilty of this. As it is far to easy to order books from say Amazon or if going to a store we head to Waterstones as they have a huge collection of items. It is a great shame with the changing world the "small business" has an almost impossible fight to remain in the game. 

This was shot in the book castle over in Dunstable,

A big thanks to the ladies who run the shop, They were great and very friendly, with out their help i do not think i would of been able to achieve my goal and so would of had to resort with another back drop.

Biography of Jessica Luxembourg

Jessica Luxembourg is an award-winning writer

(International Student Playscript Competition, Arc Productions sponsorship, Time Out DVious Shorts Award)

Whose work has been performed at venues including the Hackney Empire,

the Soho Theatre and the Pleasance Courtyard.

Her short film "Phil's Job" was produced by Blaze, The Trail with Nick Rowe (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels)

in the title role and screened at the Cannes, Melbourne and Raindance film festivals. Jessica is a graduate of the MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, and of Cambridge University.

Jessica's plays include:

Denver, Contact Theatre, Manchester (2006);

Babel Junction, Hackney Empire (2006);

The Devil's Own Goldfish Scam, Soho Theatre (2003);

Insane Jane, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, transferred to Soho Theatre (2003);

Reflecting Flesh, UEA Studio Theatre (2001);

Losing Track, UEA Studio Theatre (2001);

and Craze, UEA Studio Theatre (2000).

Her short films include: Phil's Job, Cannes, Raindance and Melbourne film festivals (2001).

Teelan Stack.

Hi all, 

Well, what a busy couple of weeks with re: to the photography.  

Last week i had a fantastic child shoot with the little Teelan seen below, 

It was the first toddler shoot that I have done. I have worked with babies before and they are great as they tend not to move.... 

As you can see Teelan is full of character and is a fast little runner keeping me on my feet and having to think fast. 

Big thanks to the Stack family and hope to work with you again. 

Over the next couple of weeks ill be posting other photography work that i have been working on, 

I had a corporate head shot with a great stage writer, 

some portraiture work with a model, 

a couple of shots with the Dont Let Dunstable Die ladies,

plus i have started a personal project which can be seen over on the main website.