Sometimes as a Photographer you are asked to, how do I put this, improve on reality. Sometimes you just want to create the image in the camera that gives the viewer a better sense of what is really there. Recently we photographed Caroline & Anthony’s Wedding at the magnificent Crewe Hall. I always like to take an external shot of the venue at night and I had been looking forward to taking this one for a while. I am putting the finishing touches to the pictures and thought I would share a little insight into how an image is created.
Crewe Hall is an impressive place to photograph, both the interior and exterior are striking. Caroline & Anthony had carefully picked this venue and I wanted to make sure that the picture did it justice. The front and the approach is impressive…

…but it feels a little busy in the picture with the different lighting and the cars. The rear of the building is even more impressive, but there is a little problem…

…It’s not lit!. There is light spilling onto the top half of the building from the adjacent complex but it’s hardly a flattering light. This is also the side where the room where the reception was going on, and I always like to include that if I can. So what is a Photographer to do ???

This is the point at which you have to go digging around in your creative mind and come up with something you’ve never tried before. After being stood there for a couple of minutes I came to the conclusion this shot was too good to miss and I would just have to light the entire rear of the building somehow. I picked my vantage point, I liked the trees silhouetted against the building giving it a nice wintery feeling.  I did give some thought to using my flash guns, but they would give a very cold light and would be difficult to control, so I decided to give my trusty old 12v Video Light a go.

Using a very long exposure I was able to almost paint the light on the building. The light itself is very simple, it’s a 100w 12v car headlamp with a nice lens on the front and a set of barn doors to prevent any flare. It’s powered by a small battery (like a very small car battery) and is hand held so is totally portable, perfect for being creative with. I think it’s a quick, easy and effective method to create a shot that you know is there but the camera just needs a little help to create. Judge the results for yourself…

This is what I really love about Photography, there is always something new to try. In total we spent 20 minutes outside and created some really unique images. I think this is going to look amazing in the Album. Magic!

Thanks for reading, let me know what you think in the comments section below

Last week I help out my good photography buddy Barnaby Aldrick on a fashion shoot he was doing for The Leeds Guide Magazine. A fun time was had by all, and he has kindly put up a lovely picture of me doing my thing on his blog…

Yea, that’s me on the right. And before you ask it’s already gone on the fridge!!! Check out Barnaby’s Blog for the low down.

Last Sunday I had the chance to shoot 3 kids I am quite familiar with. I had prepared for the worst but I have to say all 3 were very well behaved, and we all had lots of fun.

It’s the first time I have taken pictures of Harrison and Layton, but Megan is quite used to me taking pictures of her as it’s something I’ve done since she was born. I think all 3 make very good models…

We had a very good idea what to shoot for Harrison and Layton, the shot is going to end up on a large canvas wrap to hang pride of place. Here are some of the options…

Above is my favourite, I think it pretty much sums up what brothers are all about. At least I know that’s how I feel about my brother too

For Megan I had a new idea to try out, I wanted to take the picture grid idea I shot with Stef a few months back and bring a bit of colour to it. I think it is going to look amazing in a ultra contemporary acrylic frame. I am really happy with the lighting too, this is the first time I have really got to grips with using gels. I am going to experiment next time with different colour combinations, but the results are looking promising so far…

We had a change of set up for the last couple of shots, I think I prefer it to the more traditional lighting used in the photo grid, what do you think?

Pet Lip Out: I am told this is a much more normal face for Megan, here she is showing me her pet lip.

2 Seconds later and she has turned into a little angel. For me, shot of the day!

So, what a load of old rubbish the saying “Never work with Children or Animals” is. We had a fantastic time in the studio, with Nicola and parents on hand to create distractions and run around a bit I don’t think they really noticed what was going on. From a photography point of view I have come away with more ideas and knowledge to work on, and am already looking forward to the next one.

If you are interested get in touch, I’m shooting in the studio until the weather gets better and it takes about 2 hours to get a good range of shots. I am trying out a variety of different framing styles and methods to find a really top notch end result to hang on the wall.

This week I am helping out fellow photographer extraordinaire Barnaby Aldrick on a shoot for The Leeds Guide Magazine, and on friday Nicola and I are off to the amazing Crewe Hall to photograph Caroline & Anthony’s Wedding. So busy, busy, busy!