Archive for January, 2009:
Some amazing work!
There are times when you look at other peoples photography and you think you should probably just pack it all in. This work is that good. I picked this up on Jack Nack’s feed but I’d seen it previously on the Strobist blog too…
(I’m not actually quitting either, just in case you were wondering!)
Subscribe to the comments for this postWanted: Models
I’m on the lookout for models in the Norwich area. I have a monthly shoot with group of local amateur photographers and we always need people to sit for us – nothing seedy, just all good clean fun. I can do TfP or TfCD if you’re an aspiring model too. Drop me a line through the contact page if you’re interested.
Oh, make-up artists, we need you too!
Who’s a twit?
Do you Twitter? I’m playing with it now and you can follow my inane ramblings on www.twitter.com/paulchilly – it’s a bit of fun for now, I’m not sure where it will lead; time will tell!
Musical friends
Dan and Jez came around last week to try out some lighting setups and have a general evening of camera play, it’s something we started last year as a way of learning and sharing ideas – we even have a Flickr group dedicated to it! Anyway, Dan had just bought himself a new guitar so brought it along too – it’s metallic black so a real pig to light properly! We ran out of time before we got that far but I did manage to grab this set of Dan with his new toy. They’re lit with a single overhead umbrella and the black and white conversion has been done in Lightroom.
Nearly a month into 2009 already and I’m still behind! I’m finishing up my tax return tomorrow and then catching up on all the left-overs from the Christmas rush. That should allow me to start planning ahead for the first weddings of the season in April.
On a personal note, when I’m not taking photos I’m a cyclist and this year I’ve signed up to ride in the blue ribband mass-participation event in the world – L’Etape du Tour. It’s basically a mountain stage of this years Tour de France and is attended by 8 or 9000 like-minded crazy bikers! The stage itself is from Montelimar to the summit of Mont Ventoux in Provence, 108 Miles and over 3000 metres of climbing thrown in. The Ventoux itself comes at the very end after 92 miles and is basically 16 miles at an average of 7% uphill! Next weekend my preparation begins in earnest when I’m off down to Ashdown in Kent to ride ‘The Hell of Ashdown‘; a 67 mile sportive with 2000 metres climing (with some gradients of 25%!!). Next week I’ll really know if I’ve got the form and the legs to tackle L’Etape or if I need to rethink my training! Sponsorship details to follow…
Looking for a party idea?
This was a new one for me, last weekend Sam was invited to a Snow Tubing party! For the uninitiated it’s a pastime at the local ski club basically involving you (or your offspring), an inner-tube with a plastic base and some padding at the bottom of the hill! The basic formula is 1) climb hill carrying ‘tube’. 2) sit in tube. 3) slide to bottom out of control! 4) grin and repeat! He had a great time and the frosty morning did nothing but enhance the experience.
Naturally I had a camera with me; long lens with +1ev exposure compensation dialled in to overcome the mass of white that’s the ski slope and a spare set of batteries (it was -3 degrees! and batteries don’t like the cold..)
In other news I have a couple of unrelated friends that are very soon due to give birth, assuming that everything goes to plan I’m hoping to have the opportunity to shoot their newborns for my portfolio – I’m really looking forward it!
PS: Yes, of course I had a go!