if only time could fast forward...

The sun is shining and I had the pleasure of having the morning off college - reason being is that my Creative and Media course are hosting a show of our work and animations. If you have been on my Flickr page you would probably have noticed two animations that I have done. We have been extremely busy and it has taken all my energy to edit those thousands of photos. We have been introduced to Dreamweaver and created our first mini websites. Below is the link to the one I made and gives information about the show.

Also this week I attended a lecture day at TVU in my local town. The campus was absolutly huge and my friend and I got lost in the maze of buildings. Besides all that we got a taster in what it is like to be at Uni and what is expected. There were all these perspectus stands and tonnes of information that was really relevent. I have found a course I like - a photography vocational course to help me on with my career. It is scary to think that next year I will be finishing college and really getting into the adultworld. I hopefully I will be able to study at a uni in London that specialises in Photography and possibly get two degrees out of it.

As much as I should be concentrating on that, today seems more important. The embarrassment of my parents (probably going to be the only ones) who turn up to this show. The thing is, is that they have ALREADY seen my work, but I know its to see the rest of the class too.

I'm currently in one of the two student learning centres, filling my time because my classmates Emma and George are having techincal problems with their Dreamweaver websites. This means that we miss our Cinema Club enrichment that starts in approx five minutes.

At least it is sunny for once and warm, expect the smell of sweat is rather sickening and I don't know how long I will have to spend in here. Thursday, please can you get a move on.

http://www.henleycol.ac.uk/henleycollege/courses/arts/creative/student_%20websites/Zoe%20Bull/My%20Show%20Website.html

Want to visit my Flickr photostream with the featured photos in my blog and more then click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brown_eyed_dreamer/

a taster for the real world....I really did feel like an amateur

Today is the day after the night before, where I attended my first Photographers Event, as part of my work experience and general experience for my Photography Career. In my last post I mentioned how it was going to be a Wedding Event, so I was getting all excited...but the plan changed slightly. Stuart had been given two offers for Friday night and guessing that this other event paid him more he chose this one. This one meaning a Staff Awards Ceremony. It didn't sound too interesting, also adding to the fact it was Reading Town Hall. To my surprise when I turned up at six pm, after waffling down my Shepherds Pie dinner, I found the town hall had a modern decor and was actually presentable.
Stuart asked me to turn up early, so we could talk to the event organizer about the Photography plans of the evening. We began capturing some snaps at the awards rehearsal to make sure people where standing in the right position and the light was suitable for the photos. As part of this task Stuart asked me to go up onto the empty stage and stand on a white line where the award winners would stand. He gave me a colour chart to hold up against my top to make the sure colour would stay the same each time depending if the light changed. This is a tool that is used to correct colour during editing, to make a sequence of photos match.
After capturing some photos,guests began arriving and we headed to the bar [not for a drink but to get more pictures.] We had to make sure that people where animated before we took a photo. This is to make the environment seem more vibrant and exciting. We then moved back into the main hall, where guests were taking their seats and started going round the tables taking more photos. We did this before and after their starters, so there weren't any images with people eating, therefore us being intrusive. There was a forty-five minute break before the awards began so I was able to call it a night. It was a really good first experience, and a good insight how the photographer becomes part of the evening. I feel though that I still don't know my camera enough but there are some things that I did take away with me, listed below.

What I learnt from the event:

- I used a soft-box flash [Stuart kindly let me borrow for the night] this evens out light and makes it appear natural.

-Built-in flash is terrible [try to avoid it if you can]

-Shoot in RAW [most SLR's have this setting somewhere on the camera]as the file quality is higher and the outcome will be more accurate to what you actually see through the view finder. JPEG only compresses the image, creating a fake appearance.

- When capturing crowds, try to focus on two or three people in a group and use a wide angled shot, so this can be cropped later if it need be.

- Round the table shots: again focus on two/three people as you shoot round the table. [Sometimes the table numbers get in the way so make sure they don't in the way too much.

Hope these tips have been useful to other amateurs and photographers, like myself and I'll keep you updated on anymore Photography happenings.

Want to visit my Flickr photostream with the featured photos in my blog and more then click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brown_eyed_dreamer/

My first Photographers Assistant job....

It's disturbing how in life we all have many aspirations or general things that we want to do. Half the time when we think about these things we are either at work/school/college and we don't have the time to do it. Eventually when we do have some free time on our hands we would rather just slouch on the sofa,watching tv or playing on the internet. I live on the internet, I really do. Google is just so useful its all I need sometimes, but there is a world out there. We don't want to be cooped up inside all the time, we have our lives to live.
Sometimes we get a lucky break in life and it finally opens the door to what we really want to do.
The photography is going well so far. Stuart has contacted my family about some work that he would like some help with. Despite the fact I was in an exam when he called. I have no contacted him by email agreeing that I accept this offer. It is a wedding, so my Mum told me and it will be my first one. Of course nothing much will happen, I am there to assist, not to run the photography shoot. The event will be this Friday so it is very short notice, but I'm excited. I never thought so quick that I would be able to start work in just under a year of deciding that I wanted to become a Wedding Photographer, but who's complaining.
I know I mentioned in my last post about my work experience actually starting in May, which then would have been a year since my dream was born. It was a pleasant surprise to know that I will get paid for working on this Wedding Shoot, when originally I wouldn't start getting paid until another year or so. I am very very happy. Hopefully I won't mess up and the experience will help me on my way.
assistant



Want to visit my Flickr photostream with the featured photos in my blog and more then click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brown_eyed_dreamer/

Falling into place...

Yes! It so uplifting when everything feels like it is falling into place. Just got the conformation from Stuart about the work experience. I begin in May and I will be learning all the beneficial skills that I need in Photography. Three weddings planned already for me to go along and assist. So excited, my dream is coming true.


Want to visit my Flickr photostream with the featured photos in my blog and more then click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/brown_eyed_dreamer/