I don’t really get to take too many landscapes. I feel you really need to be out looking for them constantly and the reality is I will see a potential but the weather is either wrong or it is the wrong time of day. So I make a mental note and go about my business.
I have been eyeing up this location for a while, the leaves are turning and in the evening light these colours will simply pop.
On the way home today, I stopped…… and explored.
There is not much more I can say about that.
Photography is as popular now as it has ever been, with many households in the west owning at least one reasonable SLR (or so it would seem). The instant viability of the image means that if you miss the first shot you can adjust your settings and have another go (in many cases). We take many more photographs than we used to and probably as a result this has actually devalued the image. We can simply take another shot, means that getting it right first time is not important…
The number of people I speak to who tell me that photography is actually not that easy, they went out and bought a really great camera that has all these buttons and hey, “why can’t I get the background to blur?”, or “my photo’s were too dark”, to name a couple.
Whilst it is true that the newer cameras are technologically advanced and will continue to be so, there is a skill, a skill that is totally reliant on knowing the principals and more importantly being able to and understanding how to manipulate them.
I have been toying with the idea of dabbling with film for some time now, and have recently bought an old large format ‘Speed Graphic’ or press camera from the 40’s and 50’s. It is a big beast (not the biggest), and I have yet to find the memory card slot, let alone the playback screen.
The fact of the matter I plan to work on some portraiture and possibly the odd landscape, and the exposure needs to be spot on. So I decided to play around with some exposure techniques. The first I tried was a rather clunky and simple method, where I take a spot meter reading from the lightest part of the face and then for my daughter I over exposed the whole image by 1.3 stops. The exposure alteration will vary depending on the lightness of the skin. The reason for this is the light meter will try to make your selected area mid grey, but for my daughter that would make her look too dark. There is an element of trial and error to start with but as you look at your subject you will get to know what adjustment to make.
Any way back to the subject, I had decided not to view any of the images until I was finished and my daughter was eating her promised ice cream. Although not the same as film I wanted to add that little bit of pressure to the process as it was not that easy to re shoot if they had not come out. It’s all part of the mind set needed for film.
The images in this entry are those from the walk and as you can see I did not get too many. But the exposures were exactly what I wanted and apart from a little split toning or desaturating in Lightroom, they are as they came out of the camera.
These images were taken on a D800 with a prime 105mm f2 lens and manual focus.
SLOW DOWN AND GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME!
As a photographer one of the best parts of the job is the sheer volume of options. I love the fact that I can always learn new techniques, be it composition, lighting, style or… well the options some times feel pretty limitless. #
The only limit to a photographer is their imagination.
I love playing with lighting, the studio is a great place when things are going well and the most frustrating place when they are not.
Lighting is, in essence quite simple, even the most complex of lighting set ups should look simple, but simple is great to look at and natural.
After setting up a stand at a recent charity fashion show, I thought it would make a great opportunity to try a simple clamshell setup. I have to say I have never used this one before and I really have no idea why. It is an amazing light and with post pro can suit men, women and children.
For this one I had a 1.2m Octabox as the key light, with a simple shoot through brolly as the fill from the floor. The lights were no more than 1m from the subject so I used a wide lens for most of them.
Another set up in the bank.
If there is one aspect of digital photography and the internet that I don’t like it is simply the lack of necessity to print your images.
There is nothing quite like a decent print, and trust me it is never simply a case of hitting the print button. So in the last six months or so I have been responsible for producing 4 photographic books, and all I can say is wow. Although the books have been limited run or one offs, the sense of achievement you get after all the work of putting them together and handling it is second to none.
I now have the printed book bug.
A reflective image is so different from a back lit image, that seeing your images feels like seeing it again for the first time.
There are some amazing companies out there that can produce these books and some of the software you can use to complete the books are very straight forward. All I would say is don’t feel the need to over complicate the layout.
Photo books should ideally, in my humble opinion, be about an image at a time, although that is not always possible. There is certainly a skill in putting a book together and I feel myself getting better each time. There is a lot of work, in particular when you are trying to include other contributors.
Another important effort is to do your best to create a narrative, to make the images inter connect and flow from one to the other and at times, even if you have a cracking image that misses the narrative, do not shoehorn it into the book just out of hand. If you need to add another section to the book to fit it in, then try but be your own worst critic.
The end result is worth it though.
I write this blog in somewhat of a state of shock. I have just been told that I need to get myself over to London next week to pick up a couple of prizes from the Army photographic awards. 
This image was taken at 0500 using available red light on a high ISO and shows us packed like sardines into the back of a Chinook about to go on an operation.
This year was only the second time I have entered in ten years for one thing or another, and after being runner up last time, the improvement was great.
This macro shot was taken with a macro lens and was supposed to be an observation of religious prominence within the military and more so with the Americans. What is does not show however is the levels of religious diversity that we have now.
If I am totally honest, I didn’t really hold out much hope as much of the last 12 months was doing video, and if I am even more honest, not to a great standard. 
Military equipment – this was one of my favorite portraits from Afghanistan, it shows an attitude and toughness that belies the old equipment they operate with.
So back to the competition. I am obviously very pleased for the recognition, but I really don’t think it means all that much at the end of the day but what we can do to raise the profile of our small group of individuals who work hard to show our colleagues at their best. This is not down to me being disrespectful to the other entrants in this particular competition, just the fact that winning competitions may be a skill but also requires a lot of luck. After all three judges look at the images subjectively and pick their favorite and on another day with different judges, the results would, I am sure, probably be very different.
This military portrait taken in the studio is intended to show a diversity within the whole port folio. It is a standard portrait with a little twist.
I had no idea who was judging this competition, not that knowing that would have made any difference. The simple fact is that photography is purely subjective and what one person loves another simply can’t stand… the Marmite thing I suppose. 
In the absence of a perfect boxing or skiiing shot (not much of either in Afghanistan), I wanted to demonstrate a little bit of the British soldiers sense of humour… unfortunately there was no lake in sight.
So what did I win? Well rather surprisingly, the Professional port folio award and the best Professional image. Wow, now I am speechless. 
From the harshness of Afghanistan to the grandeur of Hannover town hall for the Queens birthday celebrations, a city that has close ties to the royal family.
The port folio was a simple case of choosing eight images, each one fulfilling a single criteria. Operational image, Sport, Macro, Black and white, portrait, military equipment, Interior and Public relations image. So the portfolio was always going to be a mismatch off images rather than a coherent collection of images to support a narrative.
Which ever way you look at it, there will be controversy and disagreement, as everyone will see different things from the images submitted. So there we have it for another year, I only hope that we as a photographic trade can make the most of this and promote ourselves as the self motivated, professional individuals we are.
The image selected by the judges as the winning image, taken just before the officer at the front of the picture screamed at me for not being where I should be.
One of the best parts of this job is the diversity of the tasks that come in. One of the more interesting that has come in recently is the funeral and re-internment of a soldier from Operation Market Garden from World War 2.
Not one for being known as a historian, but basically Operation Market Garden was the momentous assault by the allies of Arnhem in the Netherlands and more specifically the bridge in Arnhem.
The operation was known for a number of reasons, mostly for its audacity and the scale as an airborne operation made famous by the old film ‘a bridge too far’.
Not all the soldiers involved were Para’s or airborne and due to the intensity and ferocity of the fighting many soldiers lost their lives, many being buried in field graves and marked accordingly with the intention of burying properly after the battle.
As part of the battle though, the German military burst dykes and flooded part of the land as a defensive measure which also washed away many of the grave markers meaning so many soldiers were never found.
Occasionally remains of soldiers are found and the difficult task of identification ensues. With no DNA records on file, the investigations are usually based on artifacts found on the bodies and dental records which do take an inordinate amount of time.
Private Curtis was only 19 when he fought and lost his life in battle with his unit the 5th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment. His body was discovered almost ten years ago and then the difficulty began to try to identify him.
The family were there to see him buried with full military honours and the poignant thing was that a relative of Pte Curtis, Rifleman Edwards is now serving with 5 Rifles who are the current guise of the old regiment.
As many of you are already aware, I really enjoy my job, to the point of feeling guilt at times. How can I enjoy a job so much? I think one of the primary reasons for this is the fact that no two days are the same. This is such a challenging vocation at times, and sometimes so simple. I enjoy photographing people, in the studio, on location, it’s just so much fun (although there are times when there is little fun to be had).
One of the things I particularly like is the opportunities there are to ‘try something new’. Too many people see the skill of photography as a dying art, or simply a matter of a numbers game to capture the one required image.
Photography is a form of art, it can be creative but there is creation in every single image. The camera operator has decisions to make every time the shutter release is pressed, composition, timing, exposure, aperture and shutter speed. Then there is lighting, another discipline that is undervalued by viewers everywhere as the best lit shots out there generally look like they are naturally lit, so with very little skill.
The fact of the matter is that every time a photographer captures a moment, there are so many things to consider, that people just don’t see.
As a photographer and an aspiring photographer too, it is dangerous to get comfortable, you always look for the next image, the next project, so being asked to photograph a local hobby band for publicity shots was a challenge to look forward too. At this point I feel I need to add that these musicians are brilliant and the term ‘Hobby’ is meant to show their motivations, they play for the love not the finance (although they are available for hire).
Due to the nature of most of their day jobs, the band line up does change constantly as members move on and new ones replace, but this adds to the difficulty of getting the photograph.
I shot the band the first time in 2011, not too long before I went to Afghanistan, a short time out of the bands religious rehearsals. With a camera, a few flash guns against a brick wall, I managed to make a simple image, but after I felt it did not do the band justice as by their nature, their line up changes almost monthly.
Then back from Afghanistan, a new line up, with even more changes on the horizon, I wanted to do something that I felt suited their make up.
Individual portraits, all with the same identical lighting that have that connection, the images could then be brought together to make a band photo.
I did however make an image of the band all together too, call it the banker shot if you like…………..
As an Army photographer we get plenty of opportunities to photograph royalty, often on more than one occasion. In my short career so far I have had the opportunity to photograph Prince Philip, Prince Charles (and Camilla), Princes William and Harry and the Duke of Kent. I know some of my colleagues would laugh at this list but the fact of the matter is that we are spoiled a bit, these opportunities can lose their sheen a little. The last opportunity was photographing Prince Philip as he presented medals to about a hundred soldiers from the Queens Royal Hussars in Paderborn, Germany. For a man who at the time was just getting to his 91st birthday he was inspirational. I hope you like the images.
There is a popular phrase that we have all heard stating you should never work with children or animals, however as a photographer, you try that. I recently came up with a promotion idea to get people into the studio, to see how we work and hopefully come away with plenty of workable images to wow the customers.
This became the ‘Pets win prizes’ competition. The premise was for local people to bring their pets to our studio in order for us to try to capture some of their character. The shoot was free and an image from their shoot was to be displayed on Facebook in a gallery for people to vote (like) their favorite. The winner is the image that 7 days later has the most likes. They then win a canvas wrap print of their pet (not necessarily the one used in the competition).
As with anything like this, the build up can be nervous as you find yourself asking the questions, like, did we promote this enough? Will people turn up, have we explained the situation properly? Has word got around?
I need not have worried because apart from a quiet hour at midday, the event was a success. We got a variety of pets in from the expected cats and dogs to the more exotic Bearded Dragon and some tropical fish in a huge beer glass.
I like to put myself under pressure, and I limited each shoot to 15 minutes, which included the time to get to know the animal a little, try to find some of its character, decide on how to work with it and light it, and then execute (not the animal but the idea). I could quite easily have set up a flat light setting and just gone for the safe option but I didn’t want a load of same images. I wanted to be creative, to try to show off each animal as best I could in the time.
At the end of the day, I sit through the images and I have to be honest, I am happy with what we got. There are a lovely range of shots, the customers went home happy and I now hope they like what they see. I don’t photograph a lot of pets, so this was an ideal opportunity to try to broaden my horizons as a photographer.
As I try to complete the job, my eyes are heavy, this was a challenge but like all challenges I am left in its wake feeling content. This is the kind of project I think I should do more often and I urge others to also. It is all to easy for a professional photographer to focus on revenue, but there is a kind of warm feeling when you undertake a project for no obvious gain, that said I did take a couple of bookings today which is nice but certainly not what this was all about.
If you have read this blog today, could I urge you to visit our Facebook page, and visit the gallery. Please take a little time and like any images you like. The winning pet owner will I am sure be most grateful. Plus there are more images from the set to see. As with any of my work I love to hear from people, feedback is important.
The technical side of photography is not a problem for me. I know that may sound big-headed, it’s not meant to be. My photographic training was, let’s say, comprehensive. A seven month full-time course that in wider circles is well-respected, certainly gives you a grounding. I look back at some of the work from back then and cringe at it, but I also accept it for what it is and am still striving.
A personal first from ten years ago, the use of many layers, taking days to do and really pushing the computers boundaries.
Having been presented with the subject ‘shopping’, it made sense to mimic some of the visual inspiration of the time. Not great work now but it was a step.
When I graduated from the school, I felt a little bit like when I had just passed my driving test. I knew how to take a photograph but that was just the mechanics, I now had to develop that knowledge into a style, to give my images some character. This I think is where the real challenge of photography is.
I really enjoy shooting weddings, they are challenging and never easy, so you need your wits about you.
So ten years on, my photography has developed into its current manifestation and I now think I am a marketable commodity. This is where my next hurdle lays. All my training does not prepare me for self promotion. Some of you who have been reading my blog or follow my Facebook page may be surprised to hear that, or maybe not. I have in recent months been looking into the different ways to market yourself and mostly it is now down to the internet.
In the studio, you need to work hard to get the shots you want, you can never just turn up to a shoot.
Sometimes it is a shame that many elements used in the shot are hidden.
Inspiration is important to any photographer, we draw our inspiration from other image makers all the time.
Being in Germany does kind of limit my available market somewhat but this gives me the opportunities to try out marketing plans to get an idea about what works or doesn’t. Mostly though I just want to stay busy, producing new work. I have in the past organised a very successful studio open day where I allowed visitors to come in off the street into the studio, sample a micro shoot, see the product and as a result took bookings for bigger shoots. My next project is similar, but based on the pets theme. This one will be slightly different as it will be a kind of competition where people who have their pet photographed will then see their image on our Facebook page. This is where they vote (by liking) their pets image and they then invite their family, friends, anyone who knows them to also like their image. The winner will receive a canvas print of the winning image. Votes can also be included by the general public, so there will be a need to really push the Facebook page.
Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet, a studio full of animals is a daunting thought.
The idea excites me, I am intrigued as to how the project will work out. This does need loads of work to work, but it is just another step in the journey of building a client base and a reputation that is in this industry all important.
I don’t find self promotion easy, I find that at times I feel clumsy and awkward with it, I am always too critical of my own work, but I accept that in these times I have to get beyond that and just go for it.
Now I am back from Afghanistan I am hungry to work.. I have for the first time got a notebook to record ideas and concepts for personal projects. I am amazed that this is something I have not done before because I get a lot of ideas that I then forget about. So I have a book that I can write down ideas and concepts and include inspirational images that may have given me an idea.
An Afghan commander on a proud day as hundreds of soldier complete their basic training
I am not too sure where my Afghanistan experiences will take me. Part of me feels that as an alien in that land I could not help but see images everywhere (sometimes I think we can get a bit blase about what we see around us every day). Certainly the characters were plentiful. My personal work at home is more geared towards the studio setting. I like having the control but I now see that am able to control more in location work. I am now the proud owner of a fairly comprehensive studio setup and I have new ideas coming out of my ears. I just want to shoot.
A young soldier commands a vantage point as he scopes the area for signs of insurgency.
I think there is a part of me that wants to keep busy in line with the tempo I have been working for so long. At the same time I am trying to fit back into my family that have got into their routine without me. I have leave, too much leave but I have to take it. This should give me the opportunity to work while keeping my feet grounded. As my wife will agree, I do have a habit of being too focused on some things while neglecting others, something I am now aware of and do try to overcome.
Getting to know my children again is a hard reality as I have missed a huge part of their lives.
So, where do I go from here? Photography has been a major part of my life for coming up to ten years and I just don’t see an end to that right now. I am however fortunate to get paid for doing something I enjoy so much and find so rewarding. I don’t have to find paying clients yet, however now is the best time to look at systems I can employ when I do. I am fortunate that I can make business mistakes with the comfort that, for the time being at least, won’t have a negative impact on my families welfare.
Still seeing opportunity, it’s what drew me to this career.
So as I approach my photographic future, I am excited to see where I can go and just need to be bold and make the most of my situation. I still look back at some of my Afghanistan portraits and think some of them will look good in a book as a printed record where they can be arranged as a representation of the tour.
A local Afghan watches over as his home is searched by British soldiers.
All in all there is plenty to keep me occupied for a little while but I need to make sure I push myself more creatively too. So keep an eye out as I am sure I will be posting the odd thing on here.
A mass of faces, the new generation of the security of Afghanistan
Settling back in at home after six months away should not be taken lightly. In my absence my family have learned to deal with my time away as have I. This is no less than human nature. There is a temptation to jump back in with both feet and just try to carry on where we all left off. I’ve done that before…….
I have also been keeping busy trying to sort my archive out. There are lots of images to get organised and some catching up with processing images that kind of fell by the wayside.
I took some images during my R+R (Rest and Recuperation) back in February. Although I did have a quick glance, I never properly had a look. So now back home with my own work station and newly installed Lightroom 4, I can kill two birds with one stone. It feels so great to have internet access that works.
These images taken during my time back home on a brief visit home (that is what it feels like), mid tour, were secondary to spending quality time. I take my camera where ever I can (within reason).
I had arranged a short intimate break for my wife and I to Berlin, a city I had only briefly visited once and did not make the most of it last time, we wanted to see the city, spend time together and catch up for lost time.
So I did not take a camera bag full of my lenses, rather one body and a lonely 50mm. A lens that I have got to know quite well.
R+R is a strange beast, you are back home, its fantastic to see your family, but its also clear that you will soon have to take that trip back to Afghanistan sooner than you think!
You never properly relax. It’s a rest, certainly, but you are not really home yet.
Anyway I wasn’t carting all my gear around focusing on the images, but I grabbed a few on the way!
These are a small selection. I hope you like them. They are a world away from the shots from Afghanistan. Now I am back, I am starting to put that chapter behind me, however life in the military is never really predictable, so you never know, I may end up going back out there again in the future, or somewhere else. I look back at my images and feel the strangest feeling of nostalgia, you never really expect to feel while you are out there. The people you have met, the things you have seen, experiences few may have. I am proud, my family are proud. Everyone is happy that I was fortunate to come home in one unharmed.
So to conclude, spare a thought for the ones who don’t, their families who have to pick up the pieces. all I can do now is look forward to what the future holds from now.
Thanks for visiting.
The mastery of life, work and Photography 