The silent flakes of silent thoughts... Merry Christmas!

"Snow is falling,

around us,

children playing,

having fun

tis the season,

for love and understanding,

Merry Christmas everyone.."

It is the 5 day run-up to Christmas 2010, snow is falling and it is all round us, well certainly on the whole of England it is. It is beautiful, looking out of the frosted windows, icicles and cold,wet, fluffy swirling flakes from the sky. It was definite MUST for me to grab my camera and capture the rare snowing occasion and the possible chance of a proper white Christmas.I was dissapointed, and I hate negetivity at the best of times but at this time of year, I hate it. We can't escape it though and I think Brits have just grown accustom to it all. We do cheer up and come together with our families, wrap, give and recive presents, it is all so exciting.

A thought came to me as munched on some chocolate buttons, that I haven't really done much Photography in a long time; haven't uploaded to Flickr due to not renewing my pro account. I have been busy buying for people rather than treating myself to a new £15 membership so people can present my photos. I want to be a photographer, and if you didn't know yet well you probably will. It is not that I'm trying to force myself to like it but I haven't really been inspired to Photograph anything for myself. An epiphany came to me quite recently telling me that I enjoy doing photography for other people rather than myself. Though I have been doingworkexperience this year, I have taking photos for weddings, for festivals for people rather than for me, just to print off or store on my computer. Thats what I want my career to be. To take photos to help out people, for their purpose and not mine. Family portraits, for me to feel special enough to capture the happy family moments and to feel I have done something charitable. It is all in my nature and knowing my personality type, makes me feel that I canpick out each aspect with such detail.

I love being an INFP (Introvert.iNtuitive. Feeling. Perceiving) Myers Briggs personality type. I love doing things for people. I get this buzz that makes me feel worthwhile. Photography will help me achieve that. I used to photography for myself, just objects that I value but soon after, I took Photos for the purpose of the Flickr community. Without the renewal it is been like I have disappeared from that life, when I will be needing it the most, in less than a year.

I have my weaknesses. I don't realise when I have done enough work, I over do things. I am a perfectionist. I don't give myself enough credit or realise I have done a sufficient amount when I have. Worst of all is that I'm not organised. I find it so hard. My room is a mess, the house I will be living in the future will be a mess, the only things that are keeping me organised is the fact that I have college timetable for my week, I have a family who are born with natural organisation but if I push myself and value the things in my life, I can do things. I CAN BE ORGANISED!

I know by the time university comes along that I will organised, academically I am with projects, I am set but I can't set my own projects without taking months to achieve them. I think this is why working for other people and set deadlines works for me because I have got purpose, they are counting on me and I don't want to let them down. This could be from teachers, lectures, family and friends, Commissioners and clients. I know that is my calling and I'm going to do something about it in the new year. I have got a chance to renew!

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

Onto the road of progress...

Finally, I have got some motivation. It takes time and confidence to spark motivation. You probably knew that already, but I am one of those people who needs a little extra push to get things started.

After doing my first Wedding Shoot a few weeks ago, my dream is aspiring and I have the urge to learn the skills I need to become a Photographer all round. Those of you have read my blog from the beginning - Aug 2009, you will know that I have mentioned Practical Photography Magazine. Any Photographers out there? You may know it.

Well I have no been collecting for a year and purchased my twelfth issue yesterday. So of course they were beginning to pile up in sandwich of dust. "What I am going to do with all these magazines?" Of course I was not about to throw them away. I decided there and then to cut up articles that I showed interest in. Wedding Photography included, but I also need to swab up on the basics. If I am going to be a photography I need to know the technical stuff.

I have worked through half of the magazines so far - cutting them up, that is. Today I had ago at using textures and RAW. Stuart has mentioned RAW is the best and the magazine couldn't agree more, so I had a go using RAW and textures from http://www.photoanswers.co.uk/textures/ [the magazine's website]. If it doesn't work, just leave a comment below.

The original photo is at the top - a converted RAW.

I then edited the second photo using Photoshop and the Flickr photo editing side, Picnik. Both software is useful to use with different advantages and disadvantages.

Photoshop

- I used to blend the texture and photo layer together

- Used the curve tool to even the exposure

Picnik

- Get a range of sepia tones

- Use a selective colour tool efficiently

- Show a Before and After effect and placing the two images without spaces

Together I created this interesting image. I like it and quite proud.

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/