Mark Seymour Life of a Documentary Photographer

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Issue 2 - February 2017

MARK SEYMOUR LIFE OF A DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES OF 2016

BASICS WITH BRIAN “THE BRAIN”

10 ESSENTIAL PHOTOSHOP EFX WITH MARK CLEGHORN

ACADEMY LIVE CRIT TOP TEN COMMENTS

PIMP MY PICTURE

GARDEN MACRO TIPS WITH MICHELLE WHITMORE

ZEISS LENS REVIEW WITH LISA BEANEY

BIG PHOTO COMPETITION

WELCOME TO THE BIG PHOTO E-ZINE headshots elcome to the second issue of The Big Photo, we hope the first informed and enlightened you in some way. WThis month we’re brining you another fantastic variety roadshow of content, a amazing Architectural Image of the month, an insight into the world of Top Documentary & Wedding photographer Mark Seymour, Garden Macro tips, Mark Cleghorn’s essential Photoshop EFX, and much much more.

inspire The Big Photo is ultimately designed as a celebration of The Photographer Academy create photography and photographers, so this month we also brining you some of the amazing winning images from the SWPP 2016 Photographer of the Year is proud to present The Big awards. These images show the amazing quality of images being produced today and Photo UK Roadshow 2017 hopefully inspires you to shoot that little bit better every day. and this year it’s all about Remember you can get your images featured to, if you make the top ten in our monthly Headshots! critique then your image will appear in the magazine. Also, don’t forget The Big Photo is Bringing you specific training including Business, an interactive Ezine, so look for links to take you directly to more great content from The Lighting, Posing, Pricing, Products and finishing the Photographer Academy and our partners. image for sale in Photoshop. The talks throughout the day will get you buzzing with We want The Big Photo E-zine to be what you want it to be, so let us know if you have a ideas and guaranteed to take your photography and great idea for content you’d like to see covered and feel free to share each issue with all business to a whole new level. your photo friends. roadshow dates All our love Sam & The Photographer Academy Team! 19th June – Manchester 22nd June – Reading CONTENTS PAGES 20th June – Coventry 23rd June - Southampton 21st June – London BASICS WITH BRIAN: DSLR SETTINGS 5 - 9

IMAGE OF THE MONTH 10 - 12

10 ESSENTIAL PHOTOSHOP EFX WITH MARK CLEGHORN 13 - 19

ACADEMY LIVE CRIT TOP TEN 21 - 33 £10 PIMP MY PIC 34 - 35 PRICEDVD INCLUDES DOWNLOADWORTH FREE £69 FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER: MARK SEYMOUR 36 - 49

roadshow topics GARDEN MACRO ESSENTIALS WITH MICHELLE WHITMORE 50 - 57

How much do I charge? The Styles BUSINESS TIPS: THE BENEFITS OF PRODUCT PREVIEWS 58 - 59 The Gear Lighting Techniques Cropping Posing and Expression ACADEMY BLAST FROM THE PAST: CLOCK & COMPASS 60

2017 Pricing Psychology EXTRACT FROM ALL ABOUT FLASH: TYPES OF FLASH 62 - 63 head Location selection The Finish LIGHTROOM CC: USING REFERENCE VIEW shots The Pro Conference 10am - 11.15am 64 road The Headshot Session 12 - 1.15pm ZEISS OTUS & BATIS LENS REVIEW WITH LISA BEANEY 65 - 70 show Facebook For Photographers 2.15 - 3.15pm The Big Photo 3.45 - 5pm THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES OF 2016 72 - 106

Trade Show 9.30 - 5pm WHAT’S COMING UP ON THE PHOTOGRAPHY ACADEMY 107 - 111 book today - there for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance Ltd assumes no liability or responsibility PhotoTraining4u The information within this publication is for information purposes only. without verification by us. by such individual, or organization has been provided on. The information contained about each individual or organization therein. responsibility for the opinion expressed Ltd. carries no PhotoTraining4u Ltd. Therefore, the opinion of PhotoTraining4u in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect The opinion expressed all original rights. with permission of copyright holders who retain All images reproduced of any content in this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Any form of reproduction Ltd. All rights reserved. © 2017 PhotoTraining4u BIG PHOTO COMPETITION 112

http://thephotographeracademy.com/big-photo-uk-tour 12 x £195 monthl SPECIAL OFFER £500 i n£itia2l pa840

Add at least £30k to your business y pa yment plus The price for the year is amazing value for money and when you consider yments (inc what is included, its a real “no-brainer”, plus there’s the ability to spread payments. What is The Xperience? . V A The goals of The Xperience Group are to help you develop your business by generating more T) Basics clients through tried and tested localised marketing as well as national campaigns plus independent specialist promotions. Whether you are a professional taking your business in a new direction or you are just starting out by Brian Worley in the photographic business, The Xperience Group is guaranteed to make the difference with Brian What you get with Xperience Making sense of DSLR settings & terminology

Plus all this.. ’ve yet to find the photographer who has not worked out where the on/off switch or • Starter Pack Ishutter release button is for their camera; • Webinars but there are some settings, controls that • Catch-up Day you should be able to find on your DSLR • Social Media 1-2-1 camera. It’s also important to have an idea • £250 of Wall Portraits of their value to your photography, before • Xperience Awards you press the shutter. Terminology does • Graphic Design Assistance vary from one camera brand to the next, • Mark Cleghorn Products but a good number of terms are quite • Academy Business Membership common for all brands. • Facebook Group • Assistance with yearly Press Releases Exposure modes & • Literature Design the mode dial • Promotional Literature • Banner Design Most cameras – except a few modes and the common four; appropriate settings than the • Discounts professional models – have program (P), aperture priority plain full automatic setting. a fully automatic exposure (Av/A), shutter priority (Tv/S) and The amount of light captured mode. Fully automatic gives manual (M) modes. Advanced in a picture depends on three But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what our members say: almost all the picture making photographers working to create factors, shutter speed, aperture decisions to the camera’s and ISO. The camera will automatic systems. You simply have an exposure meter that

New products from Loxley arrived in Before joining The Xperience, I sadly called have to aim at the subject measures the light so that the

last week and along with tidying-up on myself a photographer and business owner. and choose when to press camera can set some of the

“ “ Now after joining and having access to the the shutter. Automatic modes settings for a good exposure, “ the viewing experience, they contributed wealth of knowledge from Mark and his produce nicely exposed or the photographer can use to sales of £4500 today. Here’s to “ many more days like this. amazing team, the changes to my business pictures in good light, but for the exposure meter reading to and my photography are overwhelming. something creative you’ll have guide their own settings. Of William I can’t thank you all enough. to have a bit more input to the course there are various lens Julian process. adapters that allow lenses from a different brand to be fitted to The mode is usually changed pictures usually use one of these your camera, but check to make with a turn of the dial on the four modes. The preset exposure sure you won’t lose auto focus or If you are still unsure then please call the office on 0844 856 99 87 and one of the team top of the camera. In addition modes such as landscape, automatic aperture control. will be able to answer any questions you have. You can also join us online for one of to full automatic, you may portrait, sport/action result our Introduction to Xperience webinars. find some preset or scene in the camera selecting more www.MarkCleghorn.com/Xperience-group Aperture

The aperture value or f-stop relates to the size of the lens iris that lets light pass through to make the photo. Larger openings in the iris let through more light and have a smaller numeric value. Smaller openings restrict the flow of light and have higher numeric values. Whilst aperture is one of the three ways to control the amount of light • Swiss designed, award winning in photos, it also has a visible effect in pictures known lighting since 1962. as depth of field, large openings – small number – show limited depth of field and vice versa. • Integrate any speedlight using the Skyport Receiver Plus. • All kit comes with a 3 year UK warranty. • The most advanced technology including open platform High-Sync capabilities. • From beginners to professionals, trusted by photographers worldwide. • Huge range of Light Shapers. • Dedicated UK service centre. f11 - much depth of field f2.8 - limited depth of field

THREE YEAR

WARRANTY Shutter speed

Shutter speed is expressed in fractions of a second, and is the time that the shutter is open and light is captured. Shutter speed also determines how motion of the camera or subject is recorded in the photos. If the shutter is only open for a short duration such as 1/2000th of a second then subjects are typically frozen in motion. Slower shutter speeds let in more light, and are often used for creative blur of moving subjects.

FlashThe Centre 1/5000th sec - freezes 1/15th sec - slower shutter enhances movement

LondonTF•Leeds•BirminghamC•Online www.theflashcentre.com © Lisa Visser ISO Metering

ISO is a measure of how sensitive the camera sensor is to light. Smaller numbers ISO 100, 200 signify Your camera measures how bright the light is that is illuminating your subject, and for automatic less sensitivity and more light needed, higher numbers ISO 1600, 3200 or higher make it possible to take modes will select appropriate shutter speed, aperture and or ISO settings to give a correctly photos in very low light levels. The visible effect of ISO is on the picture quality, a speckled pattern of noise exposed result. The exposure metering is usually active even in manual mode to provide a guide is more prevalent at high ISO values, and cleaner images are obtained at lower ISO values. to the exposure for the scene. Exposure metering for flash photos is also possible for built-in and dedicated flash units. Cameras typically feature several metering patterns which can be selected by advanced photographers for specific situations. The standard or evaluative metering is reliable for many kinds of photos.

Further Learning

1. Look at the layout of your camera, do you know where the key settings are? Shutter, Aperture and ISO?

2. Are there a range buttons to change other settings such ISO 5000 - some visible noise ISO 125 - smooth noise free as White Balance or shooting modes? Are there custom buttons you can set to help you change particular settings quicker?

White balance 3. Are some of your setting options in the cameras menus? Can you use a touch screen to change them quickly or do you need to go into each menu? Light is all around us, and is essential to photos; but do you recognise that it has widely different colour? The camera employs an automatic process to evaluate the colour of the light that is lighting our photos, even if there are multiple light sources involved. Automatic white balance is ideal for general photography. 4. Go out and try shooting a range of images that require Cameras typically feature several additional white balance presets that are designed to match common you to make adjustments on the camera. Can you change lighting such as tungsten bulbs, fluorescent lights, daylight, overcast daylight and more. things quickly and easily? Do you need to learn the menu layouts to speed up you process? The colour of daylight varies throughout the day, early morning or late evening it is very different than in the middle of the day. Cameras will adapt their way of seeing colour using automatic white balance but sometimes choosing one of the preset white balances results in a more See more of Brian’s work at: Check out Brian’s film to accompany this article: aesthetically pleasing result. www.p4pictures.com You can also see Brian’s full Back 2 Basics When accurate colour rendition is critical, series live on The Photographer Academy now. for products and objects of a specific colour it is common to use a neutral Brian is also currently running camera specific grey card and a custom white balance. workshops with EOS training, covering EOS The process is simple; you take a shot of 5D Mark III, EOS 5D Mark IV/5DS/5DSR, EOS the grey chart in the same light as your 7D Mark II, EOS 80D, Speedlite flash courses, PLAY subject, and have the camera evaluate Basic Speedlite flash and a Creative Speedlite that image. Then the white balance is flash used for the subsequent frames based on Links to book can be found at: the grey card. http://www.p4pictures.com/photo-workshops/ Image of the Month Bill Abernethy

The image was captured on my ageing Nikon D700, with the Nikon 14-24mm 2.8 lens, hand held, and edited and enhanced in Photoshop. Image SOFTWARE TECHNIQUES with Mark Cleghorn of the MonthBill Abernethy St hen I started teaching Photoshop to photographers in the late W90’s I soon realised that for many it This is one of my favourite Plan B - ‘I think I will go to the overcast sky just added was a foreign language, and like all recent images for a number Dublin’. I had always wanted to the drama of the image. learning of languages you either get it of reasons, mainly because it to photograph ‘The Long I captured it from so many straight away or you don’t. was not initially meant to be Room’ at Trinity College. I angles, but finally settled So, I came up with a formula based taken, but since capturing it, it contacted them, with the on this one for competition on only 10 things you should ever do to an image, and it’s still a method has brought me great success same information, and their entry. that I use and teach today – The 10 EFX. in competition. Most recently reply was positive - ‘come on it achieved 2nd overall in The down’, no questions asked. So, the moral of this story is The 10 EFX, as in effects you might have to use on an image to make it significantly better. Societies of Photographers So, I headed to Dublin, and - if plan A does not work out, Architectural Photographer enjoyed a successful time there is always a plan B, and 10 EFX in of the Year Awards at their photographing ‘the Long it could well be even better Retouch Photoshop Convention in January 2017. Room’. The next night I stayed than plan A. And speaking I usually use the Spot with a friend in Dublin. It was from an architectural Retouch Healing Brush for basic They say, ‘every picture wet and miserable, but despite perspective - ‘if one door is spots on the subjects Contrast tells a story’, and this one is this he offered to take me to slammed in your face, there face. I usually work on Colour the base layer for the Saturation no exception. I had initially some interesting architectural is always another open door main marks. For beauty Sharpness approached a UK wide heritage sites in the city, and off we around the corner. I hope you spots and moles, I Crop organisation for permission to went. I ran past the building in like my image and see why I duplicate the retouched Filters Layer and then retouch take photographs of one of their the photograph you see,and got so much pleasure from it. the moles etc. before Spot healing brush Retouched spots Dodge & Burn reducing the overall Vignette properties in Northern Ireland. It headed for cover out of the See more of Bills work on his opacity of the layer to Effect was to form part of a portfolio of rain in another structure of website: http://www.billabphoto.com suit the portrait. images for a Masterclass at The interest. The rain stopped, and Check out his webinar on Societies Convention. Despite when heading back to his car I also use the likes of Architectural Photography, live on the Patch tool for under the academy now. the fact that they would receive I looked up and knew I just the eyes, especially full digital copies free of charge, had to capture an image of the for older subjects. First duplicating the and I would not use the images building I saw - Google HQ in Layer, then using the Opacity Patch tool for commercial purposes, their Dublin. I just loved the verticals Patch Tool by selecting official and bureaucratic stance the curves and reflections on around the area, then PLAY dragging it to a new meant that it was not going to the glass, not to mention the source point. Then happen. dash of colour. And of course, lowering the opacity to suit the image.

Selection Slide to select area Contrast

To adjust the contrast in an image I use Levels, I find them quick, accurate and easy to teach. Many tried using and teaching levels but it takes a skilled adjustment and an understanding of the point curve.

Once I have selected the Levels command (Ctlr+L) I then move the Black point, which is the left side of the slider and the White point, the right side of the slider, whilst holding Curve panal Curve levels adjustment down the Alt key. By holding down the Alt key it shows the areas of the Blacks that will be blocked and the areas of white that will be burnt out. Colour adjustment layer red Colour adjustment layer master Colour adjustment layer If you want a nondestructive Colour adjustment because you are saving the image as a PSD file, which Most of my Colour adjustment will have been done in RAW, so I allows multiple layers including would only be adjusting Colour now for effect or style. adjustment layers, then use the Levels option in the Create a New Curve adjustment layer Curve adjustment layer panal I tend to use a Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer as it allows me Fill Layer or Adjustment Layer from to adjust the overall tone when in Master mode or each individual the Layers Pallet. This allows you to channel of Colour. readjust the Levels at any time. For this image, I adjusted the: Hue Master +2 Red +2 Yellow -8

Saturation

If I want or need to adjust the saturation in an image, I again use the Hue/Saturation Layer. Adjusting the Saturation plus or minus, depending on the look desired.

For this image, I adjusted Saturation Master -48 with a +7 lighten Reds - 31

Saturation adjustment layer Filters Crop

When working with filters you The final EFX for this image would can often get carried away in the be a crop, but I only crop for sale, beginning, but you will soon settle making sure the original image is on the styles and techniques you cropped in camera. But as I sell like. I shoot a lot of people so often many square images I need to crop I will need to add a slight softness for the viewing. to the skin. My technique for this Once I have selected the Crop tool is to first make a new layer based (C) in the options I then select 1x1 on all visible layers which is Shift (Square) the crop box and grid Crop tool options + CTRL + Alt +E. Make sure you shows straight away, so a simple move this new layer to the top of all move of the image and or an layers.To soften I use Filter – Blur New layer Gaussian blur adjustment to the cropping points Gaussian Blur and set the slider so will crop and resize. all is soft on the skin. Once this is done I turn the new from Normal It’s important to note that by design to Soft Light and then adjust the avoid adjusting the resolution when opacity to suit. Then I add an cropping as this will throw away inverted mask by pressing Alt whilst valuable pixels. clicking Layer Mask. All I need to Crop box to square do now is press (B), then (D) on the Gaussian blur slider Soft light opacity change keyboard in turn to select the Brush Vignette tool and reset the default colours to at any stage will swap the white on top and black below. Now Lightening or Darkening My traditional way would be foreground and background I just paint the softness onto the the outside of an image to: colours. skin by revealing the Gaussian blur. is a classic way of forcing - Duplicate the Layer - I then paint away the areas the viewing to consider the - To Lighten turn layer blend I want to keep clear with center of image and hence mode to Screen a soft big brush at 100% lose any distractions on - Or to Darken Turn Layer Layer mask paint and then gradually soften the sides. A quick way in Blend mode to Multiply Dodge & Burn the blend by adjusting the Photoshop now is to use - Turn Layer Blend mode to Multiply opacity lower and lower. I use a nondestructive dodge and burn technique. To do the Camera RAW option - Filter – Camera RAW - I then create a layer mask this create a new layer then press Shift and Backspace on the layer’s pallet to bring the Fill dialog box up, I then select 50% Grey Filter and then selecting the Fx tab and using the Post - Then press B (Brush), D from the Contents box. Then select the layer Blend mode (default reset to colours to Overlay. The last stage is to select the Dodge or Burn Cropping Vignetting slider to the right to lighten or to Black on top and White as Dodge & burn 50% grey tool from the Tool pallet by pressing O or Shift + to scroll background) Pressing X through the tools – Dodge, Burn, Sponge. As a rule, I set the left to darken. my range to Midtones and Exposure to around 24% and then start effecting the areas to Dodge (lighten) or Burn (darken). Most images that need work I will be Burning the shadow area of the nose, Side of the face or cheek bones and the eye lids.

Layer turned back to Normal mode to show effected areas. Dodge layer

Overlay blend Dodge & Burn tool Burned Normal layer Vignette in RAW filter Vignette layer screen mode Vignette with mask Leading imaging products from Flaghead Photographic Ltd Come and see us at “The Photography Show” Stand G92 Sharpness

I very rarely sharpen an image as the contrast adjustment takes care of that. But if I do Quality, all metal manual focus need to sharpen it is always at the end of the lenses for M Mount, Micro Four Continuous lighting: Thirds and DSLR. HMI, LED and Tungsten. process before final save.

First Duplicate layer Filter – Sharpen – Unsharp Mask HONLPHOTO Unsharp mask Camera trigger using IR beam, sound and light P R O F E S S I O N A L Amount 100%, Radius 2.0 Pixels, Threshold 3 intensity. Also triggers flash units & other devices. Light shaping accessories Levels for your Speedlite. Simple in design, simple to use and highly portable. Once applied I create an inverted mask (Alt Key) select mask on layers’ pallet. The select Brush (B) press D to reset foreground & Background colours and start painting areas I want to sharpen. Turbo batteries, Unsharp mask settings Sharpened A wide range of high Qflash and quality camera and LED Ringlite. flash brackets.

More information from the importer www.flaghead.co.uk Tel: 01202 733123 Many of these EFX can be achieved via an Action to a point which makes the whole process very fast. Effect

Please, remember that only have a The most common effect would be few of your images will ever need to turn an image to monochrome. all 10 EFX applied, most will need I use 2 main techniques, Channel between 3 & 4 of the effects, some Mixer & Gradient Map will need more of course. Image adjustments channel mixer I also have 10 EFX in RAW, which Image – Adjustments – Channel basically often fix the image, so I Mixer need spend less time in Photoshop, if at all. Click Monochrome option then set 78 RED, 22 GREEN, 0 BLUE

Different contrast can be achieved Marks Essential CHECK OUT MORE PHOTOSHOP VIDEOS NOW: by changing these settings like multi Channel mixer colours 10 EFX in Adobe Camera grade printing in the darkroom but making a Maximum 100 overall. RAW

Mono via gradient map Colour Correction Make sure you hit D first to reset the Exposure Correction default colours Curve Adjustment Image – Adjustments – Gradient Mono via gradient map Contrasts Adjustment Map Highlight Adjustment PLAY Click the gradient bar which should Clarity be Black to white. This now opens Saturation the gradient editor. You can now Straighten image (crop) effect the style and gradient by Local Adjustment (brush EFX) moving the white, black and mid- Vignette point sliders. Gradient and mid point sliders U S I V E C L X E

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O T O H U P S E I G C B O D E : M S TOP 10 Live Critique Comments 9th Jan 2017

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*Discount is valid from 27th Feb to 13th March TOP 5

IAN HOLT BRIAN HENNESSY

“

Loving the energy of that, liking the wide angle effect. I’d like to see a little more black in the image, Looks like a mosque roof, it’s lovely. “ “ looks like you might have just let it go. As it is though I’m still loving it. “Love that bit of orange colour right in the middle there, looks amazing. Nice depth and quality in the clouds in the background, and the overall blue tone makes this high end of CRAFTSMAN certification.

CERTIFIED LOUISE BRADT

Beautiful quality of the black and white,

“loving the rainbow up in the sky and the handling you’ve done. Very heavy I think though on the vignette on the top of the sky,“ I would encourage you to watch out for that. Otherwise a really nice looking black & white.

CERTIFIED TOP 5 TOP 5 STEPHEN BROWN ALAN BUTCHER

Loving all of the lights, just feel that maybe the background fireworks are a little“ It’s beautiful image, craftsman image, maybe even verging on to master craftsman. “overdone, they almost don’t look real. However, I’m loving all that’s going on, almost “Lovely tonality running throughout, great choice of shape, got good“ foreground rock here feels like it’s a still from a theatrical production or something like that on a stage. as well as the leading line going straight through the image towards the waterfall, and then off towards the trees in the background. Love that anyway. CERTIFIED CRAFTSMAN PAUL SWINNEY

Wow very strong image here, amazing light going on. I absolutely love the photograph, he

“does feel like the giant that he is. Loving the sweeping skies and the tungsten on to him, it

just absolutely works, but whatever it is at the bottom of the gun is just really annoying me which is a real shame. Again, if possible take control fully of your“ aperture to drop out the background or go in retouch bits out, because this is such a great photograph, you’re now letting it down by not going in to change those little bits.

CERTIFIED

TOP 5 DAVE HUTTON

Almost looks like dried flowers, loving all“ the detail going on and the textures and “so on of this plant, not sure what it is but it appeals to me. Feels like a bit of fine art photography going on here in still life.

CERTIFIED NIGEL ORD SMITH

Loving the lighting, very very strong. I still think maybe a little bit of a silver reflector popping

“a little bit of light back into the face would have been nice, and that would have added a little bit of a catch light “ in the eye, or maybe a small LED light just to put the catch light in there would have made a big difference. Otherwise loving the energy, loving the control, loving the presentation.

CERTIFIED

PHIL HARGREAVES

Absolutely love this little row of houses and the leading lines

“coming up to it. Almost feels like I can see the curvature of the

earth, but I’m loving it, love the tones, the shaping, the simplicity. I’m loving it all, and suppose if I’m looking for anything“ more maybe little bit more colour pop on the houses, only maybe 5-6%, to make it come alive a little bit more.

CERTIFIED TOP 5 ANNA ALDIGHIERI

Almost looks like the running of the bulls but I don’t think it is.“ Loving it anyway but I’m loving all this movement in the middle“ and then everybody else at the top and the bottom is really still, it’s really great. I bet that must have been amazing in colour.

CRAFTSMAN PIMP MY PIC

MARKS COMMENT’S “Loving all the handling that’s going on regarding the look and feel. But I feel it could do with being maybe a just more, give it a lot more boost as it were. I feel there’s something else there that we can really bring to life… ” before after before MARK’S after COMMENTS “Loving how it all works together, very strong image. I don’t know if you’ve thought about adding a bit of colour tone, but this is one of those photographs that really tempt you to try adding it in. It’s all about trying to take the image to

See how Mark pimped these images step-by-step on The Photographer Academy...

PLAY FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER “I believe the best photography is more than just a snap shot of a person or a place, it should tell their story in a Mark natural, candid form, capturing the truth Seymour and raw emotions.“ How did you get your start in And that was it; hook, line a sense of happiness and joy, the world of photography? and sinker, I loved it. Taking making you smile or laugh, but photographs seemed so I don’t shy away from harder Although I’d always been natural, and I loved the idea of emotions, evoking an empathic interested in photography, capturing a couples wedding response, even tears. had a camera, took snaps of day. Of course, being a wedding family, friends and holidays, photographer in the eighties In the words of David Gates when I left school I started an was a very different job to “If a picture paints a thousand apprenticeship and then moved photographing today, but more of words, then why can’t I into a sales job; steady, secure that later… paint you”, I believe the best employment, as expected for a photography is more than just young lad coming from a blue- Why is photography important a snap shot of a person or a collar background. At that point to you? Can you describe place, it should tell their story in photography was something the moment when you a natural, candid form, capturing I really enjoyed and was knew photography was just the truth and raw emotions. interested in but I did not see it something that you had to do? These pictures are the ones as a career option. Buying my that cause a reaction when you first house, marriage, kids, all As I have said, I have always look at them, make you feel, priorities that kept me in gainful been interested in photography, make you think, and that’s what employment. long before it became my photography is all about for profession. I grew up with a dad me. Whether it’s my wedding And then one day I saw an who loved to take photographs photography, my personal advert for wedding photography and as a child I was insistent portfolios or my documentary sales, an opportunity to earn on having my own camera to street photography, my starting some extra money as a second go around taking photos of my point is the same; people and job, it was my first step into the younger brother, my family and emotions captured naturally to photography business. I was the world around me. It is only make life long memories. more interested in viewing the recently that my mum informed images than making sales and me that they never put a film in So, I cannot profess to having thought ‘I could do that’, so I the camera – rookie mistake! a light bulb moment when approached the company to see For me photography is photography became the thing I if they would let me train as a about making memoires; it is had to do, because I think it was photographer. about people, emotions and always part of me. I was lucky moments in time. I want my enough for it to develop into a So, after going out on a photographs to transport people career. Photography is not just couple of weddings with the to a time, place and feeling. I my job, it’s my passion, it is my established photographers I was want my audience to be able life, my camera is always with let loose on my own weddings to connect with the image me and I am never not taking with a camera and 5 rolls of on a human emotional level; pictures. film to capture the day – no sometimes that might be with pressure!

What has been your career in great photographers. I collect Carlos Clarke to name a few. path so far? photography books so I am always open to new styles My association with Nikon So, starting in sales and then and ideas, even if they are not UK has been pivotal in my stepping up to be the wedding my personal choice, keeping career and I am so grateful for photographer in the days of your photography moving their ongoing support. Nikon film I honed my skills. Back forward and trying new things asked me to become their when I started the emphasis is what keeps your images first ambassador for wedding was on more traditional formal interesting and contemporary. photography and I continue photographs, relying on the bride Now I am known for my to work with them to provide and groom and guests being distinctive style; observational documentary street training posed for the key shots of the documentary, edited in heavily workshops in London and day. There were some standard contrasting black and white, akin around the world. Having Nikon shots like the bride and groom’s to the fine art chiaroscuro. UK as a brand behind you is image appearing in a brandy incredibly powerful and allows glass – things that now make me The advent of digital was a key me the opportunity to represent shudder! Film was expensive and point in my photography career. them at professional exhibitions so this style of photography was As I always tell photographers on and network with key supplier definitely the less risky option, my training courses, shooting is and photography media. you could pretty much guarantee for free so keep shooting but edit delivery of a standard set of hard back on the computer. Following my ambassadorship wedding images. with Nikon, I have been asked to Chairing the London Portrait develop relationships with other There was something missing Group was an incredible national companies, including for me, I wanted my images to opportunity, and meant I got Loxley Colour and Smugmug. have more depth and quality. I to meet and become friends knew I wanted to develop my with many of my photographic It is important not to believe own unique style and I was heroes; Lord Litchfield, David your own hype and instead constantly looking for inspiration Bailey, John Swannell and Bob recognise the people and places

“ My photography is all about people, not formal portraits,“ but contextual natural story telling. that support you. I am so proud for documentary photography ran the course. I returned with of my long-term relationships from the SWPP and The Guild renewed focus about how I with some of the countries of Photographers, one for my wanted to capture my images most prestigious venues, The wedding portfolio and one and what I wanted to show in my Langham, Danesfield House, for my very personal work photography. Cliveden House, The Savoy, I on Alzheimer’s, recording my am always really excited when I father’s last eighteen months of Since then my style has become photograph a wedding at one of life following his diagnosis. stronger and more defined, these stunning venues. my images becoming instantly My photography is all about recognisable, whether they are Over the last few years my people, not formal portraits, but wedding or street. It is about reputation has enabled me contextual natural story telling. how I take them - constructing to develop some important It’s not that I do not appreciate the image in front of the camera, links with charities, including landscapes and architecture, the storytelling that is created Barnado’s, The Hope but for me, I am always looking within each image, and the Foundation, The Alzheimer’s for people to hold a photograph editing. Society and Carer’s UK. For together. Weddings are all about me it is incredibly humbling to people and emotions, the bride What do you want to do with be asked to work with these and groom, their relationship, your photography? What amazing charities and it has and the interaction of them and motivates you economically, become an important part of their guests, it’s the perfect event politically, intellectually or my photographic portfolio. Two for documentary photography. emotionally? highlights of my career to date In the same way, my street have been holding exhibitions photography is about people Because my photography to raise funds and awareness going about their everyday lives, revolves around people and for the work of Hope and interacting with their environment emotions it is about connecting Alzheimer’s. and other people. I guess people with the audience, creating just fascinate me and I want to an opportunity to share an Wedding photography remains capture their unique stories. Burk experience, a feeling or situation. the main part of my business, Uzzle, American documentary So, you could define my but developing world wide photographer, said ‘Photography motivation as a deliberate act to photography training workshops is a love affair with life.’ evoke an emotional response, has become something I I want to engage people in a am really passionate about The defining moment for the discussion. developing. development of my photographic style was ten years ago, when I I am always How did you come to attended a foundation workshop specialise in your chosen area in Texas. This was a full on, looking of photography? in your face assault, which I would liken only to having a for people This is an interesting question critique by Gordon Ramsey or for me as I see it having two Simon Cowell, they yell it at to hold a possible answers; the area you, exactly how it is, with every that people automatically possible expletive thrown in, photograph know me for is wedding leaving you with no question photography, but for me what I that your images do not make together. ‘specialise’ in is observational the grade. It’s hard, and I admit documentary photography. I nearly quit, but wow, what For my wedding clients, it is an experience and I learnt so quite simple, I want them to In 2016 I was very honored to much from the Pulitzer Prize have an album of beautiful receive the first double fellowship winning photographers that photographs that tell the story of their special day and is all about photograph, or a group of them, the master of ‘the decisive making wonderful memories. can lure our sense of awareness’ moment’. Like Bresson some of W Eugine Smith. my documentary photography is I have no great political voice or about looking for an interesting economic drive for my work. If Emotionally, with my personal scenario, then wait for that key my business ended tomorrow, projects and street photography, character to enter the scene. (I am of course, hoping it does I follow people and events that not), I would still continue to interest me, such as my father’s Alex Webb has an incredible take photographs. However, if diagnosis and my ongoing sense of colour, which forms a my images can raise awareness project recording Speaker’s key element of his documentary and get people talking I want Corner, in Hyde Park, London. work; this is definitely something to capitalize on that. The They ultimately form a series that I have become more aware personal feedback I had from of images that together create of in my own work, especially in my exhibitions in Milan and a narrative that I want to share my travel photography. London for Alzheimer’s was with other people, this could incredibly humbling and proved be through my website and Story telling is an important how powerful the photographs social media, but also as part of part of my photography and could be in raising the subject exhibitions and books. photographers like Larry Towell of dementia and its impact on have been a great source of patients and their carers. Again, Which photographers inspiration. with my work with Hope, it’s influenced you? How did great to know that people have they influence your thinking, Alex Mijoli, the Italian been inspired to make a donation photography and career path? Magnum photographer or sponsor a child after seeing based in Amsterdam, talks my photographs from Kolkata. I have many photographic about photography being an ‘Photography is a small voice, heroes from the documentary attitude and the events and at best, but sometimes one genre, of course the ultimate subjects he photographs being being Henri Cartier Bresson, with them, and once you have with ‘micro composition’ and exposure, and then I will move acknowledged your subject they looking for the ‘unusual in the back/forward one or two stops tend to quickly return to their usual’, and are now areas I try as I need to. Photographers business and ignore you. and develop with photographers always ask me about the settings that attend my courses. Elliott I used on an image, I know my DIGITAL PRINT For me amazing documentary Erwitt, known for decisive camera really well and so it just & photography is about the impact moments even before it became becomes automatic. the perfect combination of the image, not the technical linked to Bresson, is quoted as skills of the photographer. saying ‘To me, photography is Anticipation is key, getting into Documentary photography an art of observation. It’s about the right position, looking for for me is like the difference finding something interesting in frames and being ready for that Give your clients the best of both worlds. between a live band jamming an ordinary place… I’ve found moment are all things that I am Present printed images with digital files on stage, lost in the moment, it has little to do with the things considering as I enter a scenario and slideshow videos in a stunning digital connecting with their audience, you see and everything to do to photograph. & print combination product. complete with highlights and with the way you see them’ I Just add prints. mistakes, it has a vibe that you think that really sums up how I What are some of the get caught up in, in comparison approach my documentary street challenges you’ve encountered Guaranteed to impress. to a studio recording of an photography. and how have you overcome orchestra, every instrument them? perfectly tuned and in sync with Find out more at each other, clean, precise and Is there something you always The two challenges that 3xmsolution.com/digitalprintcombo technically pure but for me there ask yourself / think before you photographers always ask me is something missing. push the button? about in relation to documentary street photography is; ‘what do 3XM Working alongside my Photography for me is instinctive; you do if someone doesn’t want contemporaries has influenced I do not spend time checking to be photographed?’, ‘how do 3xmsolution.com my photography, particularly and resetting my camera. When you get so close?’ I enter a space, I check my The first is simple, as I approach day with every special moment attend my courses, using prime a scene/someone that I think is and emotion, naturally, and that lenses mean they must stay interesting to photograph, I make is definitely a challenge. close to the action to get the eye contact, acknowledge I’m shots, and within a day I always there, and if the person indicates What piece of tech/software/ observe a real change in their that they do not want me to camera equipment couldn’t confidence with getting up close, photograph them I walk on, there you do without? as photographer Robert Capa are many more opportunities said ‘If you’re photographs aren’t ahead. Mostly people are happy Anyone that knows me, knows I good enough, you’re not close and after a few minutes they have the photographer condition enough.’ forget I’m even there and carry of ‘GAS’ – gear addiction on with what they are doing, syndrome! I have a lot of kit! When it comes to documentary which is when I can really get wedding photography, I would some great candid documentary But in terms of my work kit its argue that it is the hardest genre shots and work the scene. actually pretty simple. I am a of wedding photography Nikon photographer, and the because you cannot rely on The second is the first thing I camera that I use all the time for a series of posed images work on with photographers that my weddings and my street work throughout the day, instead attend my courses, using prime is the D4S, it’s a real work horse, you should be constantly lenses mean they must stay on a wedding I will take two working, moving, watching and close to the action to get the bodies. For lenses, I use prime anticipating, so that you shots, and within a day I always 85mm, 50mm and 25mm. are able to capture the whole observe a real change in their story of the day with every confidence with getting up close, Manfrotto led lights and soft special moment and emotion, boxes are great for working with naturally, and that is definitely a Get to ambient lighting at weddings, challenge. and I am really pleased to know your be associated with this great Can you work us through the company. process you use when you set camera, up a shoot? it should For my work flow I have three key programs; Photomechanic As a documentary photographer, be an for uploading and culling images I do not really set up a shoot, (there can be 3000 on a wedding however I do walk the area extension shoot), Adobe Lightroom to edit where I am going to shoot, and SilverEfex for converting looking for interesting scenario’s, of you. Images to black and white.The frames within the environment first is simple, as I approach a that I can shoot through and the as photographer Robert Capa scene/someone that I think is optimum light conditions. said ‘If you’re photographs aren’t interesting to photograph, I make good enough, you’re not close eye contact, acknowledge I’m Once I find a scenario that has enough.’ there, and if the person indicates captured my interest I may stay that they do not want me to with it for fifteen to thirty minutes, When it comes to documentary photograph them I walk on, there moving the camera maybe only wedding photography, I would are many more opportunities a fraction, micro-composing the argue that it is the hardest genre ahead. Mostly people are happy image I see through the camera, of wedding photography and after a few minutes they or physically change angle or because you cannot rely on forget I’m even there and carry position within that space. I may a series of posed images on with what they are doing, wait for the right combination of throughout the day, instead which is when I can really get elements, such as a group of you should be constantly some great candid documentary people, or colours of clothing. working, moving, watching and shots and work the scene. Patience and being able to anticipating, so that you are able visually anticipate the image I to capture the whole story of the The second is the first thing I key, but there is an element of work on with photographers that luck. What tips would you give to a about, so it is constantly I am not known for my portrait beginner photographer? changing. work, and over the last few years I have not done many The most important is to get out One of my wedding images that portrait or fine art model shoots, there and start shooting, and I think is really iconic in terms of but I am so proud to have my then keep shooting. As Cartier what I do as a wedding portrait of Jimmy Choo, shoe Bresson said ‘Your first 10,000 photographer is of a bride designer, held in the National photos are your worst.’ and groom just as they are Portrait Archives in London. pronounced husband and wife, Get to know your camera, it the expression on the bride’s face should be an extension of you. is incredible, and as the two of To see more of Marks work visit Focus on what you are taking them hold hands and look at each www.markseymourphotography. and don’t keep stopping to other their body-shapes form co.uk check settings and looking at the a heart. The background of the back screen – you’ll miss that guests puts it into context of the incredible shot if you do. wedding service. Many brides Also see Mark in action on a see this photo and say this is the real wedding live Don’t buy lots of kit, get your image they want, but it was a one now on camera and 2-3 prime lenses, in a million moment. The Photographer Academy and learn to use your feet as zoom. From my documentary street portfolio, it would be my image What is your favorite entitled ‘Read it in the news’ taken photograph that you have ever in Kolkata, I love the layering and taken? combination of colours. I have PLAY revisited the same temple and That’s a really tough question, it’s never got another shot exactly like usually an image from a recent it. shoot that I get really excited It’s worth spending a little time Weather conditions must also getting to know your species, be taken into consideration; you whether through books, the won’t see many winged species internet or simply by observing like butterflies or bees when it’s them as they go about their windy or raining. Like-wise, others daily business. The more like the woodlouse avoid the you know about your subject hottest part of the day and stay the more you will be able to under the stones and in crevices in anticipate their movements, order to conserve their energy and and if you have been observing reduce the risk of dehydration, them the chances are that which could lead to death from they have routine or a route drying out. they follow every day, or they “A wildlife photographer, I bet may have a favourite type you go to some fascinating of flower which enables you Where possible try to shoot at places and see lots of interesting to select your spot and set different times of the day for animals.” up your equipment well in a greater variety of shots and advance. Bees are known for insects. Many species rely on the I still find it amusing to watch using the same flight-path and sun to warm up, catching them on people’s reaction’s when I tell communicating back to the an early morning before they have them I find the vast majority of rest of the colony the source of gotten going can reveal a fine mist subjects’ I shoot are in my own good pollen, so you’ll never be of dew drops to give a twist to private nature reserve, formally short of volunteer subjects. your images but you’ll have to be known as my garden. Not only quick as some species are pretty am I a photographer, but I am elusive once active. also an avid gardener, with a passion for flowers, plants and the array of wildlife that choose “The more you know A number of species of larger to visit and make their homes in butterflies don’t generally appear my little sanctuary makes it all about your subject until the air is warm and then flit worthwhile. all day but tend to come to rest at the more you will be the end of the day and catch the There is a very fine line between last of the sun’s rays; this is also real macro photography and able to anticipate a good time for dragonflies and close-up photography; what shield-bugs. defines macro photography is their movements” the 1:1 reproduction ratio which means that the subject is the Don’t forget the early evening; same size as the image on the it’s a good time to catch night- Essentials for sensor. You can watch a whole The time of year plays a big part time insects like moths and lace new world open up on your in what insects are about and wings as they start to stir. These cameras viewfinder. The results when. Many species hibernate insects can be encouraged by successful garden of macro photography can leave or have died off during the planting flowers that have a strong you giving an involuntary sharp winter but it’s worth planting evening fragrance such as Night- in-take of breath as you see the winter flowering Mahonia or a scented Stocks, Honeysuckle and wildlife macro patterns of a damselflies eye pot of winter flowering Heathers Jasmine; most “moth plants” tend really close-up for the first time, for the odd insect that doesn’t to be white or pale in colour so the or the spikey hairs of a vapourer hibernate fully, or rises early moths can see them at dusk. Slow photography moth caterpillar … I still do it from its slumber on a sunny worms are also most active at even now. winters day. twilight so watch out for them too. Michelle Whitmore “ The results of macro photography can leave you giving an involuntary sharp in-take of breath as you see the patterns of a damselflies eye really close-up for

the first time, or the spikey hairs of a vapourer moth“ caterpillar … I still do it even now. others. Sitting beside a pond a trail of sugar. The wasp is It’s worth remembering that watching a damselfly emerge is pretty cool close up, and the every garden is important, a very satisfying experience and slowness of snails makes even the tiniest of patches, well worth the wait. Once it has them easy to move about and because they join up and form a fully emerged the damselfly will manipulate without harming patchwork of green spaces and sit for around for about an hour them. Besides, if you eliminate it’s these areas that all wildlife as its wings dry out and body the “ugly” part of the food home in on. hardens, providing lots of time for chain, the prettier predators photographs as it changes from won’t return! When shooting in the garden a clear, see through body of the I use a Canon 50D, Canon emerging damselfly nymph to its EF100mm Macro lens, Canon final vibrant colour. “Create some extension tubes, a Sigma EM- 140 ringflash, Manfrotto tripod 6. Be a little tolerant of the not habitats. Bird-boxes with a Manfrotto 324RC2 Joy so nice bugs. None of us are too stick head for greater control keen on slugs, snails, aphids, and insects’ houses and a remote shutter release. ants and wasps in our gardens Wimberley plamps are also but they are there for a reason are good if you extremely handy to have; they and form an essential part of the are ideal to hold stems still garden ecosystem. Why not make have the space and if slightly windy, hold back the most of them to expand your branches that may be cluttering photography skills and practice provide some great the background that I don’t really different techniques? Ants in opportunities for want to remove permanently particular are fascinating social or for holding reflectors when insects that can be encouraged photography” both hands are in use. When to do pretty much anything with I’m shooting in the studio ... but that’s another story.

Without sounding like benefit from the fruit but a but if you haven’t got the space a gardening magazine great many insect love to there are plenty of other things article, what can you do feast on windfall, all you have you can do. Long grass provides to encourage insects and to do is be ready and wait for shelter for a number of ladybirds wildlife into your patch? them to arrive. Fallen pear, and log piles and fallen leaves plums and damsons are great provide a welcome sanctuary at enticing wasps, flies and and food for wood-lice, ear-wigs, 1. Flowers provide two vital butterflies. spring-tails and other detritivores, things: pollen and nectar. which in turn encourages the Pollen contains protein and 3. Grow some Ivy if you have garden-friendly hedgehog to stay. allows bees and hoverflies a patch at the bottom of the A pile of stones or bricks under a and many other creatures to garden. Not only will it provide hedge or against a wall will also mate and breed. Nectar is the a habitat for insects and provide a good refuge for a variety sugar-rich energy drink many nesting accommodation for of species including ladybirds and creatures depend on. A good birds it also offers a supply ground beetles. Each of these wildlife garden needs a good of nectar in the autumn habitats can be recreated within supply of both throughout followed by berries in the the studio environment if you the year, from January until winter months, ideal for don’t want to get down and dirty late autumn. Bluebells, photographing birds looking with the bugs. buddleia, lavender, foxgloves for food on a cold, frosty day. and heathers are particular 5. Build a pond. It doesn’t have favourites of bees and 4. Create some habitats. Bird- to be big, not only will it provide butterflies. boxes and insects’ houses a habitat for a large number of are good if you have the water species it will also become 2. Grow plants which fruit or space and provide some great a regular waterhole for many have berries. Not only will you opportunities for photography, I am often asked what you need to be a good wildlife photographer and my answer is always the same “PATIENCE – and lots of it”. Never chase around after an insect as you’ll scare it permanently or maybe inadvertently hurt it. It is far better to select your position in the garden and be prepared to just sit and Now Available: wait, take a bottle of water and a snack TetherTools CaseAir Wireless Tethering System if you have to, and also a camping stool or a comfy cushion because sometimes The Case Air Wireless Tethering System transfers you can be there a while … just waiting images instantly from your camera (Nikon & Canon) to a phone, tablet or computer. Case Air lets you control and watching. advanced camera settings including focus points, exposure settings, bracketing, time-lapse, HDR, and more. You can view your images on a large screen to check critical focus and composition, or use Live View or movie mode for real-time capture to share and collaborate as you create. Check out more of Michelle’s work on her website: No internet connection is needed to setup the Case Air, simply plug the device into the camera’s USB port http://michellewhitmore.co.uk/ and the Case Air creates a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows for a wireless connection to your tablet, smartphone or PC. Within Or watch her fantastic films live on the app, nearly every camera function can be manipulated, including focus and exposure settings. Once connected you The Photographer Academy now! can take advantage of live view, check focus peaking, RGB histogram, grid, control video, and even do specialized tasks like bracketing, HDR, time-lapse shooting, and focus-stacking. The Unit comes with a FREE App. Only £178.80 Incl. VAT

PLAY

Contact the importer www.flaghead.co.uk tel: 01202 733123 The Benefits of Product Previews “Out of sight is out of mind” the images, generate excitement with a piece of personal artwork not saying goes. So, why do so many the wall art that you are able to simply a photograph. Of course, professional photographers not offer. For many years, our frame the client may have ideas beyond tempt their clients into buying wall ranges and mount designs have those that have already been products using product previews? been accessible through popular shown. What the client sees is often what proprietary viewing software for the client buys and, all too often, just this purpose. The bespoke framing software on they only see a series of images. the Kaleidoscope website operates Please visit www.kaleidoscope-framing.co.uk and register, and then try out visualisation. This year though, we are thrilled by choosing individual components We are always looking for feedback on our products and services and would appreciate Kaleidoscope has always to have our own fully bespoke to realise a unique final product. understood, and promoted, visualisation software up and So, with the client by your side, it if you do have the time to get in touch. the importance of a proactive running on the website. Access is you are able to explore frame and viewing session to achieve the free and it seamlessly aligns with mount options that may be more If you have any questions please just call us on 01743 461007 and ask for Laura! best possible outcome from a the step by step ordering system. appealing to them. If you need to photographic shoot. We also This feature is perfect for designing edit any of the selections, you can believe that great images should be and visualising product ideas do so easily and the visualisation on display, not hiding in a drawer before the client arrives for their will update accordingly. Images or on a hard-drive. There is no all-important viewing. When they can be cropped during the process doubt that product previews can do arrive, you are ready to show so you have the peace of mind that deliver increased sales and they them onscreen representations of your client has seen the effect and can be a great way to stimulate your recommended framed and liked what they saw! a client into buying wall art rather mounted images. These could be than just a set of images that might displayed on your computer or you Build as many or as few products rarely see the light of day. could project in larger format onto as you would like your client to Every image on display in the a wall. see but remember that product home, or office, is silent marketing previews need to be carefully for your business and delivering Naturally, you would want the managed or they may become the complete package is the only client to feel that they are selecting counterproductive. You do not way you can control the quality of options from your website so, use want the client to become dazed this prominent fixture. With the our ‘Retail Mode’ whilst creating by too many options. Your aim advent of visualisation software, it and tweaking products with your is for your client to leave sure in has never been easier to elevate client. ‘Retail Mode’ will display their purchase and excited about images into unique pieces of your company identity on screen what they will receive. Product very personal art and with skilful rather than Kaleidoscope and preview techniques can also presentation, a client will find it show your retail price based on the be used to aid your workflow hard to walk away from the vision margins you have set. releasing time to spend on the you have placed in their mind. photography. Create examples By tailoring and pre-preparing the of products to use on promotional The Bespoke Image Framers Every client has already shown client presentation, you can create materials, social media, client a degree of interest by arranging a feel good factor from the outset correspondence, websites and a photography session and then and get the viewing off to a positive supporting the administration side invested precious time to see start. The more confidence the of ordering products. No matter for the Professionals what special moments you can client has, the more likely it is what you choose to do, remember capture with the camera. So, that you will achieve a good sale. that people buy what they see! when they return to view your Already, they are imagining owning www.kaleidoscope-framing.co.uk Blast from the Past BEFORE AFTER CLOCK & COMPASS LIGHTING 1 2 3

1 o’clock 2 o’clock 3 o’clock This month’s blast from the past is Mark Cleghorn’s brilliant series on lighting basics. Do you struggle with understanding where to put lights for a particular effect? Lighting ratios giving you a bit of a headache? Ever wonder what you can shoot with just one light?

4 o’clock 5 o’clock 6 o’clock In this short series learn all about lighting, with Marks simple but effective Clock & Compass approach to lighting. He’ll take you from the beginner’s basics, right through to using 2, 3 and 4 lights to create exactly the shot you want. Show the World Your True Colors The ultimate bundle for your photography workflow 7 o’clock 8 o’clock 9 o’clock Plus, if you’re an Academy Pro or Business member, head over to the UPoser section of your account to download the Clock & Compass App, so you can have Spyder®5CAPTURE PRO is the ultimate solution including all the essential tools a simple refresher guide with you at all times. needed to manage color from capture to editing in any photography workflow.

It features all the essential products needed to manage colour from image capture to post production, including SpyderLENSCAL, SpyderCHECKR, SpyderCUBE, and 10 o’clock 11 o’clock 12 o’clock WATCH Spyder5ELITE. SERIES PLAY HERE

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Please visit www.datacolor.com/s5cpuk to learn more. ©2016 Datacolor Inc. All rights reserved. Datacolor and Spyder are registered trademarks of Datacolor. Extracts From... All about Flash Portable strobes This kind of equipment is usually the professional’s choice for By Mark Cleghorn location flash work. Portable strobe kits offer much more power the accessory flash units and recycle rapidly due to the size of their battery packs. Their typically round flash heads produce a circular source that provides a consistent transition from the centre to the edge of the light output. The drawbacks to this type of lighting are TYPES OF FLASH the cost of the units and their weight, especially when travelling.

ne of the biggest decisions If you are a hobbyist, a basic accessory to make after investing in flash unit is a good starting point. a camera and lenses is to However, if you aspire to become a O semi-professional, perhaps shooting determine what type of flash to buy: a shoe-mounted accessory families or child portraits, then an AC- Studio Strobes flash-unit, a portable battery powered studio flash is a better option powered flash kite, or mains (as well as one of the most economical AC-powered strobes have always been the choice of studio photographers. powered studio flash? routes to flash usage). That type of This type, which can also be refeed to as Monobloc, features a modelling system does require you to be near bulb to show exactly where the flash will illuminate. Studio flashes are cost Before you quickly run out a power source though. Once you effective in the long run, recycle rapidly, and have a large range of accessories and buy an accessory flash have decided to get serious about available to completely manipulate the light. They are available in a variety of or external unit, it’s worth thinking about the type flash photography, the portable option power options, with the most cost-effective units producing between 250 and of photographer that you are now and the type of becomes an important part of the 500 watts - perfect for a portrait studio. Higher-powered units of 1000 watts photographer you want to be in three or so years. equation. It’s the most expensive, but it or more tend to be used by commercial photographer, since they need high Flash is a major financial commitment, so thinking will allow you to work almost anywhere levels of power for greater depth of field and a very fast recycle time between about your preferences and photographic style will with the power you need. flashes. The only drawback to a Monobloc is the restriction of requiring an AC- help you to make the right purchase. power source, but even this can be overcome with additional location power converters or battery packs. Images: Speedlite on camera, ELB400 light kit, ELC Studio head

Accessory flash units Extract taken from “All about flash by Mark Cleghorn” – Accessory flash units are convenient and easy to carry. These flash units Available to buy now from: are perfect for travel and location photography due to their relatively

small size and convince of being powered by batteries, but they lack the http://www.markcleghorn.com/all-about-flash-speedlite real lighting strength of portable kits and studio flashes and often drain batteries very quickly. Accessory flashes produce a rectangular output PLAY Check out more great kit related films today on ... that matches the shape of a cameras sensor; however, there is often a light intensity fall off at the edges of their output that can result in a slight vignette (darkening around the outer edge of an image). Sean McCormack LIGHTROOM CC REFERENCE VIEW

PLAY

Check out Lightroom hints, tips and Zeiss Otus & Check out this short video from Academy Pre-sets from Sean at: Lightroom master Sean McCormack looking at http://lightroom-blog.com/ the reference view option in the subscription version of Lightroom CC. This option to Or watch more great Lightroom Batis Lens do side by side image comparison makes videos on The Photographer Academy: matching images simple and quick on a single monitor system. So if you need to balance Review images to match colour temperature or apply a stylised look from an existing series this allows you to directly compare images, PLAY without having to flick between windows, and Lisa Beaney makes perfect matching much easier. with was the same range of they were far more useful for A few photos so you can see the lenses available to either product photography than for Canon or Nikon users. This portraiture. could partly be overcome by size difference... using a Metabones adaptor The other most noticeable with either Canon or Nikon differences between the two lenses but personally I do ranges is the size and weight. prefer to use lenses that One reason that I chose the have been designed to work Sony A7 series cameras is that specifically with the camera for me the size and weight is far (one less thing to go wrong!). better than the Canon 5d range of cameras and when you end Zeiss sent me two of their up carrying two of them over I have been lucky enough to ranges of lenses to test; The have been sent some Carl your shoulders/round your next Otus that is a Canon fit and for 12 hours at a time this really Zeiss Lenses to use and test for manual focus and the Batis the last few weeks. This isn't a is noticeable. The Otus lenses which has been designed to are much bigger and heavier technical review but based on work with the full frame Sony my experiences working with than the Batis range. This is A7 series cameras and has full partly due to the differences the lenses over the month that autofocus. I have had them (yes, I do have in Aperture (the Otus is an f1.4 to send them back!) and the Batis is 1.8) and also When I'm taking stills, I don't the materials the lens body is normally use manual focus; As many of you know I made made from, and the size and a lot of the time my subjects weight of the glass inside it. In the switch to the Sony A7 don't stay still enough for me cameras a while back and have addition, the Otus range has The three Otus Lenses to be able to focus fast enough metal lens hoods. been delighted with them. One (maybe this is a skill I need thing that they did lack to start to practice) so for me I felt Something I should add at this point is that both ranges of lenses have a very high quality feel to them and don't feel flimsy or "plasticky" as some lenses can.

The lenses that I used most during the time that I have been testing them are as follows:

Otus 85mm Otus 55mm The Batis 85mm is the middle lens Batis 85mm and the Otus 85mm is on the right. Batis 25mm

Whilst I tried using the Otus lenses during portrait sessions I found myself switching back to the Batis lenses for the speed of focus. I did use the Otus lenses for the product photography that I did during this period (including the shot of my boots for my business cards!) and was very impressed by the quality and clarity of image. The only thing I struggle with at times with both the 85mm lenses is the minimum focus distance. I know as with everything some compromises have to be made, and there are also some laws of physics that can't be broken!

So, here are some of the images taken with each lens... The Otus 85mm and Batis 85mm side by side. Otus 55mm Batis 85mm

Front photo and inside gallery: Aaron Meyers Aaron gallery: inside and photo Front

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“There areCreate no rules a photo for good site tophotographs, brag about. Intro there are only good photographs…” The Big Photo E-zine has landed Since 2002, SmugMug’s passionate family of photography lovers has helped millions It’s here at last, our first issue of The Big — Ansel Adamsof customers create secure and beautiful homes for billions of photos and videos. Photo, it’s been a long time coming but Now it’s your turn to strut yourself and your work. we hope you will enjoy it. The Big Photo is designed as a celebration of photography and photographers, as well as an extra support vehicle to compliment The Photographer Academy training films and content. Since The Photographer Academy launched in 2009 we have morphed in so many ways including our name, …that deserve great homes on PhotoTraining4U, but we remain a small team dedicated to bringing you great training and photography at an affordable price. The Big Photo will bring you featured photographers from around the world as well as extra tips and tricks plus features from our masters. We will feature the top 10 images from our photo critiques as well as great offers from some of our sponsors. We want The Big Photo E-zine to be what you want it to be, so don’t forget to let us know what content you want covered. Feel free to share each issue with your photo friends. All our love The Photographer Academy Team Conclusion Contents There is a substantial price difference between primes, the Batis 25mm and the Batis 85mm. I Basics with Brian Worley - Choosing your DSLR ...... page 4-7 the two lens ranges and you can see a difference found it quite liberating in some ways, you need Showcase Share Sell in the image quality. As I have already mentioned to move yourself rather than zoom and it is one Image of the Month - Richard P Walton ...... page 8-9 the downside for me of the Otus range is the size, less thing to “fiddle” with on the camera. It does Choose one of our elegant, ready-to-use You’ve got all these amazing photos to We know you like to eat, so we added a weight and the fact they are manual focus but this also give a very consistent look to your images designs to display your work. Want to show, so why not be a show-off? From shopping cart that your customers can Software Masterclass - with Mark Cleghorn ...... page 10-26 is all down to what I normally photograph and how I and helps them flow well in an album. get crazy? Go on and easily personalise a single image to the whole kit and use to purchase 1,200+ digital, print, - James Musselwhite ...... page 28-33 work. those designs with our friendly tools. caboodle, we’ve made sharing simple. and photo gift products. You pick your Featured Photographer For the full technical specs please Organising photos is easier than tackling What about social media? You’re so own prices and then keep 85% of the Click Here for Otus and Click Here for Batis TPA Top Ten - Photo Critique ...... page 35-45 The Batis range still produces incredibly sharp your closet. And our Fort Knox–style connected! Got your mind on mobile? markup. What about photo packages and images and I'm going to have some amazing detail ...... page 46-47 privacy controls ensure only people you Trust us, your photos will look stunning discount coupons? We’re one step ahead Pimp my Picture shots to share from a shoot earlier this week :) To see more of Lisa work visit http://www.lisabeaneyphotography.co.uk/ select will see your masterpieces. on phones, tablets, and even phablets. of you. Did someone say “Cha-Ching”? Kit Review - with Rob Pugh ...... page 48-51 For me my favourite lens is the Batis 85mm, and this and watch her fantastic content live on The Top Tog - Mark Seymour, Kolkata and The Hope Foundation ...... page 52-59 is the one I have bought, the next lens that I buy Photographer Academy now! will most probably be the Batis 25mm for wedding Social Media and your Business - with Michelle Szpak ...... page 60-61 group photos, street photography and landscapes. I think it is fair to say that for me, and the cameras I Next Month - What’s coming in February ...... page 62-66 use these lenses are the best I have found to date. The Photographer Academy - What’s included ...... page 67-68 I love the images that I'm producing with them, smugmug.com particularly with the Batis 85mm (which is why I've PLAY

The information within this publication is for information purposes only. PhotoTraining4u Ltd assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance parted with my own money to buy it !!) and use it so thereon. The information contained about each individual or organization has been provided by such individual, or organization without verification by us. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of PhotoTraining4u Ltd. Therefore, PhotoTraining4u Ltd. carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed much in my day to day work. For the last wedding https://www.smugmug.com/ thereon. that I photographed I only used two lenses, both Any form of reproduction of any content in this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. All images reproduced with permission of copyright holders who retain all original rights. © 2017 PhotoTraining4u Ltd. All rights reserved.

2 3 THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016

The Societies' Photographer of the Year 2016 Darrin Zammit Lupi

“The winning picture was shot on an iPhone 6. I was in between assignments and just playing around with the phone camera, taking pictures for my Instagram. The pic was shot using the camera app ‘contrast by hornbeck’, which gives you high contrast black and white square format images straight out of the camera. I trimmed the image slightly on two sides, and submitted it to the Societies street photography online monthly competition on a whim, never imagining in a zillion years that it would turn out to be so successful.”

www.darrinzammitlupi.com & Instagram feed: @darrinzl THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016

The Societies' 3rd Place Photographer of the Year 2016 Manousopoulos Prokopis

"The brave young woman illustrated in it is auto sarcastic despite her serious health problem. She shows that she doesn’t care about it anymore and that’s for real! She has got used to living with this and she has moved on with her life!

The message is that no problem is insurmountable. There is a solution for everything. Sometimes the difficulties we face make us see things from a different perspective and realize what the real values of our lives are."

www.manousopoulos.gr

The Societies' 2nd Place Photographer of the Year 2016 & Pictorial and Fine Art Terry Donnelly

“Freedom Tower was a photograph I took while visiting New York City in 2016. The area around Ground Zero had been re-developed, and one of the final construction phases was a building called the Oculus, which is the entrance to a shopping centre, the railway and subway. The area was under construction so I took a photograph of the Freedom Tower with the Ocolus architectural blades providing foreground interest.

The area is next to a very busy road, and coupled with the construction traffic it was my task to isolate the buildings away from all the hectic activity taking place around the area, which I did by finding an angle that isolated the buildings in their own space, and then finding a composition that worked.” www.terrydonnelly.co.uk

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016

Advertising and Commercial Tony Moore

“This Image was a commission for the ninth avenue pizza parlour in Omagh, Co Tyrone. We had to take the shot after midnight as the premises is located on a busy main road. To make the scene more interesting I thought it should have some sort of narrative so I got the guys to be in the picture with the business smart car whizzing by as if they are just flat out busy. It was a dry night so we threw buckets of water to cover the ground in the scene to make reflections and add more interest to the already dynamic scene.” The Societies' 3rd Place Photographer of the www.tonymoorephotography.com Year 2016, Portrait Environmental, Wedding Avant Garde & 20x16" Wedding Avant Garde Mauro Cantelmi

“Originally I captured this image for my own amusement but later realised it was a very strong image. I was always sick of doing the same detail shots that brides wanted so I thought I would do something interesting for myself.” www.dezinebymauro.com

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 Architectural Vagelis Giotopoulos

“The photo was taken at a beachfront hotel through the bar at sunset. Fuji XT-1 camera with Samyang 12mm (1/180 sec, f/11)”

www.2gstudiophotography.com THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016

Children Tracy Willis

“For this set-up, I use a painted canvas background Events from Bespoke Backgrounds Sofie Louca UK, this is a custom colour that was made for me. In regards “The winning image was captured at the Pe'ahi Challenge on Maui which is part of lighting this was created the annual Big Wave Tour run by the World Surf League. Professional big wave surfer, using an old Proline Apollo Grant Twig Baker, is riding this wave whilst the camera crew for the event are filming the X-180 (a kit I've had since I action and broadcasting live from the helicopter. Last year was a particularly epic year started photography) fitted for big wave surfing and Pe'ahi provided many days of big wave surfing during the 2016 with a Westcott Apollo Orb El Niño year. When the swell is big, the booming sound of the waves crashing down on 90cm and I use Flashwave III the reef can be heard in the still of the night more than a couple of miles away. I've been triggers. I was teaching child fortunate to witness Pe'ahi (aka Jaws) breaking on many occasions and I doubt I'll ever fine art photography at this get tired of sitting on the cliff watching these incredibly brave surfers paddling into 40- session. How to create the 50-foot plus waves!“ questioning expressions on children and sculpt the light” Sofie Louca / Amorphia Photography www.tracywillis.co.uk www.amorphiaphotography.com

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016

Landscapes Dave Holdham

“The image was captured at Porthcawl Lighthouse, it's a popular spot for photographers when high winds meet a high tide and the opportunity arose when the conditions looked to be perfect. This image was one of the last to be captured as I aimed to get a better point of view up against the sea wall. I got the shot but also a good soaking as the waves breached the wall. The image has not been edited apart from colour correction and added contrast.“

Travel and landscape Photography is displayed at www.worldtravelphotos.co.uk Wedding and family photography is featured at www.dhweddingphotography.com

Shot with a Canon 5D MKIII, Canon EF 70-200 mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens, Focal length 88mm Exposure 1/1000sec; f/2.8; ISO 1600; Manual Digital Art Harry Wentworth

“The background is Manhattan and was taken from the ferry coming back from a visit to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, the colour image was converted to mono and the Photoshop motion blue filter applied. Part of this backdrop turned 90 degrees and used to create the roadway. The Girl is my daughter dressed in a business suit with briefcase and taken in our spare bedroom and converted to a silhouette. “ www.harrywentworthphotography.co.uk

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 Bump to Baby Kristina Vanagaite

“The image symbolizes the new beginning. Her hair looks like sun rays and while she shines you can see how new life is coming.”

www.lovespired.com THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016

Open Avant Garde Dave Wall

“The annual SWPP competition has over the years been VERY good to me having won the Advertising and Commercial Photographer of the year 2 years running, the most Gold awards won in any single year and obviously, this year for "Avant Garde Photographer of the year”. This year’s win though is most close to my heart as it is “art based” which has always been my photographic passion! I will be honest and say I didn’t think this image stood a chance as on the surface it is not only a political “hot potato” but also looks very simplistic in its approach. However, I am obviously delighted to judges saw past the implied simplicity and saw the “layering” of both colours throughout the image and, it’s angular symmetry. The image itself was taken in a New York subway while I was on location shooting my main core business; stock imagery and is now lodged with Arcangel Image Library.” You can see Dave’s 4000 strong image portfolio www.arcangel.com Macro and Close-up Also on his website www.davewallphoto.co.uk Gillian Lloyd

“I noticed the spiders web and the fly caught in it so, assuming the Spider would return to consume the fly at some point I set myself up and waited. After a wait a spider appeared from my left and made its way to the fly then to my amazement, another spider appeared from my right also towards the fly whereby they began to fight over it! The larger spider on the left won!” www.gillianlloydphotography.co.uk

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 Nature Vagelis Giotopoulos

“The photo was taken a winter morning near the village where I live Fuji XT-1 camera with XF-50-140mm f 2.8 R (1/500 sec, f/10)”

www.2gstudiophotography.com THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016

Portrait Avant Garde Derek Adams

“This shot is a composite, or to be more precise two photos blended in Photoshop. Poppy Radcliffe, a model who I have shot several times, contacted me after she had taken a year off from modelling, asking if I would shoot some new photos for her portfolio. One of the ideas that I wanted to shoot was some magical woodland fantasy type photos. Poppy brought along a fantastic vintage nightdress that was perfect and we did a variety of shots in the woodland setting, which I played around with in post to give them a surreal magical feel. This particular pose however seemed somewhat darker than the rest and called for a darker treatment, when I had finished playing around with the image it had a haunting quality, but still needed something more. I knew I had the other photo taken in the derelict house and I thought it would be ideal to blend the photo of Poppy into it. I positioned the figure carefully, tried out various blending modes and opacities until I got the effect I was looking for and used a layer mask to paint out some distracting elements.”

www.derekadamsphotography.com

Nikon D4s, Nikon 85mm f1.4 at f2.5 Pet Portrait Robin Goodlad

“The image is one I've been working on for a while, there is a forest near me with a great canopy cover, through which pools of sunlight filter at the right item of day, and the dead grass is a lovely golden yellow, it really suits my style of pet photography. All I then had to do (the hard bit!) was getting the dog to stay put, and then pose without running off! I’m really pleased with this one, it is not easy get the exposure right on a black dog, and everything just seemed to come together. The soft background makes it for me, and I felt it was worth entering in to the monthly competition, and indeed it was!” www.robingoodlad.com

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 Sport Ian Cook

“This picture of Cardiff Blues & Wales captain Sam Warburton. The image was captured just at the start of the second half of the game. As I was one of two photographers covering the game it meant I could stay at one end of the pitch for the whole game. As the Scarlets kicked off I could see that the ball was heading in the direction of Sam and could see he was being prepared to be lifted up into the air to catch the ball. Sam was that focused on catching the ball that he fell from the player who was lifting into the air. So, I got the exact point that Sam caught the ball while falling from great height.”

Camera shutter 1/1600 F3.5 ISO 1600 Nikon D3 with Nikon 400mm f2.8 www.ijcphotography.co.uk

Twitter: @icsportstog Instagram : @iancook647 Wedding Photojournalistic Paul Hawkett

“To receive the award was amazing thank you. The photo is of the bride’s family dog who was given permission to attend the ceremony. Katrina, the bride, works on cruise ships around the world, had travelled back to Yorkshire with her Italian partner Damaino for the wedding. You got the feeling Katrina had been missed as he never took his eyes off her all day.” www.paulhawkettphotography.co.uk

20x16 Portrait Children and Babies Julia Boggio

“This image is special to me because it features my daughter. I wanted to THE SOCIETIES capture her tenderness, her love of animals and her sense of imagination” AWARD WINNING IMAGES www.boggiostudios.com 2016 “Silhouettes over shapes over colours, the best way for me to describe this image. Wedding Classical This image came about purely by fluke. I frequent this location and never thought Mauro Cantelmi twice to place my bride and groom here. What made it different on this wedding was the fact that I realised that I shouldn’t take things for granted.” www.dezinebymauro.com THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 20x16" Wedding Photojournalism Satnam Dosajh

“This image was shot at an absolutely stunning Venue located just outside Worcester called Eastnor Castle. I was shooting a civil ceremony and was coming back from collecting some of my equipment in one of the upstairs rooms when I spotted these girls on the staircase opposite me. Ideally, I knew I needed my Nikon 70-200mm which had the built in VR which would have allowed me to drop my shutter to absorb the ambient light as well as keeping the girls sharp, but I knew I didn’t have time to change my lens otherwise the moment would have been missed. I exposed for the lamp to make sure no highlight was blown out knowing that Nikon have extremely good shadow detail, got my composition right and then shot 3 images, but my favourite was this image. I believe it has more of a story because the three girls having different expression and can think of so many different stories to why each girl is like that. The post process of this image was just exposure, toning and sharpening. Nothing was cloned out. Because of the sepia tone/image look, I had printed the image on Hahnemuhle German Etching to give it that fineart feel.”

www.SatnamPhotography.co.uk Wildlife Shot on a Nikon D750, Nikkor 85mm 1.8G, 1/160 second, F2.8, ISO: 2500 Richard Higgins

“Out photographing migrating birds early one morning, I noticed two Black Skimmers flying in from the ocean and started skimming the lighthouse pond at St. Marks NWR in Florida. Black Skimmers are rarely seen and very difficult to photograph. I grabbed by camera on a tripod and found what I thought would be the ideal location to try and get a few shots of them. Shooting at a high shutter speed of 1/2500 sec. on a Nikon D810 camera body with a 500mm lens, I was able to take several shots of the Black Skimmers and this image was my favorite.” www.500px.com/richardhiggins1

THE SOCIETIES AWARD WINNING IMAGES 2016 20x16" Illustrative Erich Caparas

“I wanted to do something bridal but something different. I wanted it to be plain but high impact. Finding the right model and the right designer was a challenge. I created several versions of this but this is my absolute favourite.”

www.erich3d.com

20x16" Wedding Classical Mauro Cantelmi

“This image was purely about playing with light and shape. Experimenting with these elements always exciting for me due to such great lighting conditions.” www.dezinebymauro.com 20x16" Portrait Avant Garde 20x16" Monochrome Erich Caparas Erich Caparas

“The designer and I were in a cab on our way to a studio in Bangkok to “Jean Dara, designer and model of our "Paper Doll" series came up with shoot an editorial for the designer's new fall fashion line. I was looking at the the concept of creating fashion out of paper. When she presented me with model's photos in my phone when suddenly this image came to my head. I this design I immediately thought of Lokai from one of the old Star Trek asked the designer if that if we had time I wanted to create this image. She of course looked at me in disbelief. She wasn't sure she wanted her hands used episodes. I knew I had to execute this concept by painting the model half that way, the model may not agree, and the makeup artist may not have the white and half black.” makeup to do such a concept. After smoking a couple of cigarettes with the model and consulting with the MUA, this image finally happened.” www.erich3d.com www.erich3d.com “This is just a classic example of... if you work with the best people the image just creates 20x16" Portrait Fashion Beauty itself. Credit here really goes to Suwannee Sethi for her concept, styling and makeup work. Erich Caparas I am blessed with the talented people who gave their time and resources to make this image come to life.” www.erich3d.com Whats coming up ON THE March 20x16" Documentary Scott Johnson

“This was taken on my second visit to Auschwitz in two days, and the conditions were perfect for film photography. I wanted to bring across how cold and desolate the site was on the morning, so stood far enough back so that the iconic guard tower was obscured by fog, but just enough so you could see it. I also didn’t want the same shot you’ve always seen looking straight down the tracks, so took the conscious decision to 2017 step off to the right, but still have the leading lines from the track draw your eye to the tower. This is probably the most harrowing image I have, or will ever take.” www.theedgephotography.co.uk 18th Century Fashion and Make-up photography – Deborah Selwood Behind the Shoot – Girl & Horse on Location Join Top Tog Deborah Selwood for this in-depth session, going behind the scenes Go behind the scenes as Mark guides you through getting creative on on a day shooting themed make-up, with students from a local college. See how location. In this shoot, Mark goes to a beach location, expecting to shoot Deborah breaks down mood boards and utilises multiple sets to create great by an awesome Tree, but upon arrival the weather has had its own say. variety in the short time available with each student. This film is a fantastic example of how you need to adapt your ideas, with lighting, props and a willing model, when events outside of your control change your plans.

Editorial Apprentices – Day 3 Review & Auctioneer Portraits on Location Webinar - Business Live 2: Maximizing Online Sales Mark and the Apprentices review the shoots from their previous visit, as well as their additional shoots conducted in their own time. Then they go on location at a local Auction House to shoot editorial images This year business guru Mark Cleghorn shows you how to make more money from your of the head auctioneer, as if on assignment for a magazine. photography by showing you how to maximise the sales room Xperience for the client. Basics of Video Editing in Premiere Pro CC – Sam Olly Webinar - Academy Live Photo Critique March 9th Academy head of video Sam guides through the basics of editing your own videos using Submit your images to be critiqued by Mark Cleghorn, Live and interactive, every month. These sessions Adobe Premiere Pro CC are a fantastic way to improve your photography with advice and feedback on how to improve your images. http://thephotographeracademy.com/photo-critique

Elinchrom Skyport Plus and The Skyport Plus HS with the D-Lite 4 Take full control of your flash units from your camera. Mark Cleghorn demonstrates the new EL-Skyport Plus system and its many features for optimising your shooting experience. Then, with the Skyport Plus HS, Mark unlocks the key to Elinchrom’s Hi-sync features using the D-Lite 4. Demonstrating how to control the ambient light in your image without adjusting flash power. SELL SELL SELL – Business and Beyond with Mark Cleghorn Mark goes beyond Business live, expanding on key points of the sales process giving you a deeper insight into the planning, design and execution of great photography sales techniques that really work and boost your key selling opportunities. Big Photo - Feb 2017 COMPETITION x u s t h s t p h r n p o o a m o e o p s u e l f r o t s h WINLASTOLITE STROBO KIT l t e r t t c d d p g s y r i e b r e f a i a l l e b o r l l i y f i a n e x a t d e s c s n c o s Words List: Camera, Model, Aperture, a r e m a c t t e h Portrait, Xperience, Flash, Reflector, Sales, Softbox, r n m t e a b i r a Stylist

Words to find: To enter simply find the words and tell us which aperture, one is missing for your chance to camera, flash, model, win a Lastolite by portrait, Manfrotto reflector, Direct sales, to flash softbox, stylist,Strobo xperience. kit.

This fantastic kit lets you take your Speedlight photography to a whole new level. The easy to attach mount lets you quickly create the image you want with simple and fast magnetic accessories. Add a splash of colour to your images with the gel frames or control your light with the grids for real impact. Let your creativity loose on location and take your Speedlight imagery to the next level.

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