SB800 - First outside shot

Finally got out and about with my SB800 today and managed to start to play around with off camera flash.

I know that it isn't perfect, I would have like to have caught the top of my nieces hair as well but on the whole I am happy with the effect that a flash gives you on a sunny day.

Any tips of constructive criticism would be greatfully received.

New Purchase - Nikon SB-800

So after going along to a portrait workshop. I finally took the jump and purchased myself some lighting. It is only a hotshoe flash at the moment but along with the Nikon CLS system I am hoping that this will inspire me to become more creative with off camera lighting and understand light and its effects a little more.

Obvioulsy no venture into lighting is complete without many, many references to www.strobist.com. So thank you to everyone who has contribute to such a great resource.

Over the next few weeks I hope to establish enough of an understanding to be able to get a couple of good photographs of my mother in laws wedding in Cyprus (October) We will see......

If anyone has some good tips, other than the ones that are on Strobist for overpowering sunlight (in particular with an SB-800) then they would be gratefully received!!

Watch this space!!

Happy Couple and, at last a chance to use my camera!!!

It has been ages since I have properly ventured out with my camera, and this was by no means a photography outing.

Whilst perfomring the duties of best man at my friends wedding I managed to grab my camera out of the boot of my car and snap a couple of images of the happy couple coming out of the church.

This one I particularly liked

Jessops School of Photography - Making a start in portrait photography

I have been on the Introduction to Flash and Studio Portrait course today in Leicester at the Jessops School of Photography.

I have to say that for £75.00 I really did not know what to expect from the course however I am pleased to feedback that it was well worth it and money well spent.

I have been eager to get to play with some studio equipment for ages and this seemed like the ideal oppurtunity. After approx 2.5 hours of theory in the morning, with demonstrations of how to effectively light a model, eliminate shadow and soften the highlights we were let rip for the best part of 2 hours on two models. The models were both very easy to work with, and naturaly sprung into various poses without much prompting. Which was great as I was a little nervous (not sure why!!!).

I have come away from the course thinking that there is now a whole new genre of photography to delve into, and a whole new load of equipment to buy!!!

All in all I would thoroughly recommend the course.

I have posted one of the pictures I have quickly cleaned up to get an idea of the results.



If you would like to see any more images then please follow the link to my flickr set below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7358451@N03/sets/72157605609943544/

Magical Moments

Yesterday marked a momentous ocassion in my life. I could finally tell everyone that I was going to be a dad (for the first time).

Whilst messing around trying to get a photo of 'the test' I though of the following idea...

I know that it isn't to everyones taste but I like it because it captures three magical moments in my life in one photograph.

Lynnau Mymbyr

Went back to Wales on Thursday 8th May straight from work to make the most of the good weather we have been experiencing. I was determined to get out there and start taking some photos!!

Five of the best

So in the beginning, these are my most successful shots
Clicking on them will take you to a larger version of the image on my Flickr page.