Out in the fields…

I like where we live and work.  It's not too rural so you have to drive a long way to get to civilisation, and yet close enough to the country side that you can get out and about away from the built up suburbs in a few minutes.  Since I got my new tripod for my birthday this year I have been out every lunch time bar a very few times, getting fresh air, and looking for opportunities to get my camera out.  Sometimes I come back with nothing, sometimes the results are a bit questionable, but the important thing is that I enjoy it.  It excites me, and I think that if your hobby's and interests still do that then it's all worth while.

Today I really needed to catch up on the self portrait project so headed out to the fields near my place of work.  As it was warm and the sun was still making an appearance it was refreshing not to have to wear a coat.  I decided on a straight, everyday portrait rather than one of my more wacky pieces.  I put the on camera flash on, and hoped for some catch lights in my eyes, and an even light over my face.  It's not the best portrait in the world of course, but it kind of reflects me, and my easy going, laid back demeanour.

Reflections on the 365 project so far

When I started this 365 project I was sceptical of these merits of this type of undertaking.  Much criticised for stifling creativity, I do believe I have picked up, or perhaps strengthened some of the photography skills and knowledge I have picked up a long the way.  Although I never really planned it to be a self portrait project, it quickly took on that mantel.  I had planned recently to take a month off from my face to photograph a month of non-me people.  Somewhere in my subconscious my ego has prevented me from doing.  "No, it's mine, all MINE!" I can almost hear my Id screaming.  So the self portraits continue. 

One thing shocked me recently, and that was that I was missing two days, numbers 54 and 74 for those who might be counting.  Some entries I have made private as they are not conducive to either maintaining a dignified social standing (I fell into this dress honest constable), or might have reflected badly if my employers saw them in a public forum (you mean there's something wrong being naked in chains with an apple wedged in my mouth?), however the missing photos are genuinely missing.  I thought I'd been so careful with my numbering too.  For the record today should be day 135, so I need to do one tonight.

Another thing I have become aware of is balance.  I go though cycles of being straight, and boring only to swing to wacky, and way-out.  Sometimes I try to create a narrative, other times my image may be, just because.  It has helped to adopt sub-project, for example the popular Face down Tuesday, or my Vinyl Countdown, which spoof, or rather pays homage to albums in my record collection.

How successful I am being in creating entertaining images is difficult to judge. I post most of the pictures in Flickr, which gives me statistics on how many times my images are viewed, however there is seldom feedback from those viewers with the exception of the very occasional Fave.  Unfortunately I think to receive adulation one has to actively seek adulation, and of course have some talent to back it up.
I'm over a third of the way through, and although I do enjoy it, I will be glad when this project is finished.  I will come out of the other end with a great deal more experience with lighting, composing, retouching, etc which I will turn to good use in other areas of my photography.  In the mean time I will continue to paint my face, play with props, take my tripod with me everywhere, and generally try to have fun.

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Sunday night fun

 

Sunday nights are often a little dull.  All the fun of the weekend has been had, and nobody is relishing Monday morning when work and school come around again.  So what better than to break out the studio gear, throw in some silly costumes,blue plastic toy guns, and a whole heap of teenage imagination.  Of course this mainly involved violent scenarios of shootings, stabbings and beheadings.  Oh to be young.

My fifteen year old got right into the spirit of things, and as well as showing a great skill in acting, spent a good amount of time rooting around the Man Cave to put together this outfit. It does make him look a good deal younger than the ones where he is posing as a villan.  The kids enjoyed it so much that they proposed we have a different theme each time, the next one being, yes you guessed it, Zombies.  Expect face paint next time!

Not wanting to miss out on the whole thing Jane decided she wanted to do a bit of acrobalance.  James valiantly helped despite having an injured wrist from a moped incident earlier in the day.  There will be more images from this thoroughly enjoyable, and crazy session on flickr soon!

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Catch up

So I haven’t added much here lately.  I have been mainly focusing on my 365 project.  Things I have learnt.

1) A tripod is a very useful and important tool.  I was fortunate to recieve a lovely Benro model from Jane for my birthday.  It is much lighter, and easier to use than my previous one which I think was built from leftover from building the Forth Bridge.  The new one is easy to use, and has a handy carry case.   It is so great I have taken it to work with me nearly every day since I got it.  Consequently there are many more outdoor photos in my project.

2) I am not great at studio lighting.  I don’t like umbrellas for light modifiers, and if I could justify it I would buy some more softboxes.  Unfortunately this would mean buying new strobes too.  Much as I’d love a super new setup I just can’t spend that sort of cash on a hobby until the current ones die.

3) I like getting into character, dressing up, and painting my face.

Aside from this project I have done a couple of other things.  I was lucky enough to get tickets to a secret gig by Chrissie Hynde prior to the launch of her solo album.  Although the promoters didn’t want me to photograph her I did shoot the support bands.  Sadly my camera seemed to operate itself in the crush of the crown, and take several photos of Chrissie Hynde’s groin.  Although this one was more appropriate.

I have even got off my arse, and got out on a photo walk one sunny sunday morning.  I haven’t done this for ages, so it was a refreshing change.  Nothing too stunning, but it’s always good to get out and about.