Kingscross

Before starting the journey to france I took time to look at the newly refurbished kings cross, there seems to be something intrinsically fascinating about the curves of the roofing structure… I especially liked the way the light enters through the gaps in the celling and then there is a great balance of contrast against the shadows of the frame work.

The photo attached was taken from my phone as i intend to edit the RAW files and write a post review once I get home.. maybe a photograph best suited for black white

Bonjour !!

Today we set on a french adventure where i’m hoping to get some great shot arounds Paris. As i often enjoy wondering around cities taking photographs and generally losing track of time I havent really done much prep which isn’t like me but I wanted to walk around and let the moment take me as I’m a firm believer of capturing a moment..

There will no doubt be too many places and tourist bottle necks to avoid but i’m not looking to reinvent the wheel or replicate something so many others have done.. not that i have anything against that as initially thats how i learned how to take photographs in the first place.

I only have a few days so the chances of actually capturing something of any substance with no prep is pretty slim .. however fortune favours the bold and fears the reckless…

The Drought..

I have to admit as of late I have been making excuses into reasons unknown as to why I haven’t been out and about and generally I only have this argument with my Bi-polar self But…I’m fairly excited about the prospect of tomorrow I’ll be heading out earlier doors with my camera on my back to photograph the world and as an added bonus there is a new exhibition at the Media museum full of new pictures to look at !!

Fingers crossed for tomorrow 😉

New Beginnings..

Ogden Tree’s, a photo by Nick Barker Photographyon Flickr.So a rather long and overdue update.. I often think about why I update this blog is it self preservation of my creative spirit for the world after I’m gone? or maybe it’s just a way of mentally setting guide lines (of which I’m crap at keeping) somehow life seems to intervene.Anyway.. Although I may be creeping back into the habit I have been searching and going through old pics.. a photography Jump start so to speak..

Street photography 101….

Follow on my earlier inspiration I am now taking the challenge to produce a candid unforced street photograph. Easier said than done, but I think if I am to overcome my phobia of being hauled off by the police on some erroneous enemy of the state charge then small steps … Like making an omelette you have to break eggs.. A bit… Unless you buy one but that’s not the point 🙂

1) Muggers paradise – Get used to the camera being out of the bag, this will involve me having the camera round my neck on my commute to work..

2) Ultra random voyerism – Once said camera is round the neck preset exposure (accordingly) and snap (sneaky) from the said hanging position …. Like I said small steps

3) Middle of the road – Place myself in a busy point in town ie, bench and snap with a medium lens check out the result.

4) Full Frontal – Obtain in your face (mental note to self be aware of surrounds) shots with direct reactions … Remember to smile if noticed 🙂

Word on the street is ….

I have always been drawn to street or urban photography but alot of what I have done has been based around the art of the urban environment, lines and reflections of buildings etc… I recently went out and purchased the “street photography now” book by Sophie Howarth & Stephen McLaren, now the books brilliant ! It takes influences from photographers from all over the world, major cities to smaller urban settings but there is one common feature… People.

This maybe a new frontier that I need to cross in order to enhance my skills and eye as a street photographer. It sounds odd but I still have reservations of taking ad hoc pictures of people, I’m not sure why but this is certainly one major shackle that I am going to have to cast off in order to progress….

And we are back..welcome..

It seem’s that a break from blogging was good, I think sometimes people can force photos rather that waiting for that great moment where you encapsulate a feeling or scene perfectly. The more I investigate the history of photography the more I feel myself being drawn to certain photographers and styles.. Tony Ray Jones was in my ways brilliant and his technique was basically to put across the the humour of a scene or the feeling / tone of a moment.

Alot of the time its hard to capture a true candid unforced moment of humour especially when your trying not to draw attention to yourself (as this tends to counter the whole process)

Below is my favourite Tony Ray Jones picture

Another  photographer is Bob Gruen famous most for capturing any rock and roll pictures from the 70’s and 80’s, for him focus and depth of field etc weren’t the main objective more so the moment.. As yet I haven’t pulled this one off but im working on it.

Edinburgh doth come…

In the build up to out weekend away in Edinburgh I have been researching various places to go and things to look at sadly the weather looks like its going to be misty and rainy 😦 But I will prevail Semperfi!!

A New way of thinking

When I first started out taking photographs I wanted to take pictures of everything and that enjoyment still holds true. The only difference being now my “artistic” eye is looking for content that transverses the photograph and stands or conveys a message or emotion.

With this in mind I am now venturing down a road with photos of a moment or maybe a series based on a theme.

My plans are to travel and research and idealise which shot I want.

Just to let you know…