I, Horse│ November 2009 │4074

I, Horse│ November 2009 │4074, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Travel can be a bind especially if you don't have your favourite photoediting stuff installed on your work laptop.
Finally finished the last 8 of the shots from my photoshoot with Dizzy out at Bathford.
This one I love. I know the background's messy but, to me, it somes up Dizzy's gentleness and her soul-piercing eyes.

Hands and Horse│ November 2009 │4021

Hands and Horse│ November 2009 │4021, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

After shooting Nardo in October, I received an invite to shoot Nardo's friend Dizzy some two weeks after. This is the first of a series of shots featuring Dizzy's head and the hand or hands of Sally, Dizzy's owner.

As soon as I saw them in the LCD I knew I had something to treasure. Not being familiar with horses, I wondered how I could capture the obvious affection between Dizzy and her owner and best friend. This - I think - says everything.

Raggety Ann

Raggety Ann│ November 2009 │3920, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Sunday the 15th I had the opportunity with Stef Wakeman, a new model. New to me anyway.

The idea was to produce a Skinhead Girl shoot based on Claudette's 'Queen of The World' but the shots we took that have a more natural feel are turning out to be some of my favourites.

No lights, just a gold reflector (note to self: figure out a way to hold a reflector in a high wind, don't clip to tripod and watch the whole thing fall over busting a flash).

The Devil is in the...

The Devil is in the..., originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

One of my old bosses, Michael von der Nuell (sadly no longer with us), was fond of saying to me "Steve, the devil is in the detail" every time I discussed an aspect of how we were doing.
And it is. Michael taught me to look beyond the surface info in a report or set of data for what's really going on. Take nothing at face value.

Retro - inspirational stuff - campery for a Saturday morning

Perfect for for the working on the Lily Belle photos to

3 feels with no-budget light modifiers

On Sunday I was lucky enough to attend the huge Bristol Strobist Meetup at Ashton Court and 2 work with Louise as a model and Declan as my honorary lighting assistant. With the bare rudiments (a stofened gridspot and a pringles tube), we managed to create 3 'looks' in 30 minutes (actually. there's a 4th which has a Juergen Teller feel but I'm still working on it)
Inspired by Joy Division's She's Lost Control
The second very much a Film Noir attempt

and this, a simple Caravaggio shot

Equus Sum

Equus Sum 3439, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

2 weeks ago, I received a mail through the website to take a photograph of Bernardo, a horse with a terminal condition. On Sunday I went out to Staverton in Wiltshire and spent two hours with Bernardo and his owner working in the practice ring whilst Nardo took his exercise.

I came away having made a new equine friend and feeling that I'd been in the presence of a one of nature's gentlest.

Trails 0128

Trails 0128, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Leaving KPS yesterday evening having brought my camera to show CHDK installed on a G9, I decided to capture few experimental shots by deliberately moving the camera whilst shooting long exposures. Karen doesn't like this at all but I think I do.

Daredevil 2898

Daredevil 2898, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

from Scott May's Daredevil Stunt Show Keynsham RFC August 2009.

By 9 pm, I had put away the flashes and was working with high ISO and whatever natural light was available. The stunt worked as designed so, though this looks bad, the outcome was planned. The stunt? One man running into a burning barrier and breaking it with his head.

For some reason, this shot makes me uncomfortable. I like it but it makes me uneasy

Flaming hell mate

Daredevil 2837, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

I finally finished the editing on the Scott May Daredevil shots today. Two more to post but this is my current favourite.

Daredevil 2835

Daredevil 2835, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Saturday night, I was lucky enough to gain a press pass that allowed James & I to be in the centre of the arena at Scott May's Daredevil Stuntshow whilst it was in Keynsham.

What an evening, what a privilege, what a nice bunch of people and what a show. I can't recommend it enough. If they are in your neck of the woods, get along and see them!

Nicholas Cage & Knowing

Bounteous heart be with me, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Just wasted 90+ minutes of my life watching this movie. I know I won't get it back. Depressing. All shadow no light.

Halfway through I got bored and went out into the garden to photo a single strawberry caught by one of the rays of the sun that sneak around the corner of the house at the end of the afternoon.

Steamdaddy saga, Episode 2

Got no pockets full of pretty green, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Spent an hour this afternoon with Mike testing the latest prototype of Steamdaddy II, a selective focus gadget that doesn't cost the earth but does do things that I want to (like allow me to select a a part of the subject to stay sharp and create loads of bokeh @ F5.6).

Mike's done a great job and though the effect is not flattering, I am pleased with the end result. Hopefull we'll be done,done next week.

One sip makes me immortal?

One sip makes me immortal?, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Karen's pond has a beautiful water-feature constructed (by Karen) from a blue plastic tub from Ikea. Watching the water run through this evening, I thought I try to capture the calling effect of the sound.

The net result reminded me of the films I've seen where the baddies are always searching for the Fountain of Youth.

Bye Bye Baby

Cerys says "I just don't feel Christmassy"
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

This morning at 11.50 we lost Cerys after a short illness. Bye Bye baby. The perfect little angel dog.

Six @ La Rochelle

Six @ La Rochelle
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

I got back from holiday Friday night last week. As usual I overpacked taking the 5D, my G9, flashes, controllers, etc.

Of course all I should have taken is the G9. It's smart, simple, produces great crisp images when I want them.

Even though the day was overcast and the building in shadow, I love the way the G9 has captured the onlookers of La Rochelle's Bastille Day celebrations.

Cold callers of the world beware

... the next time "Nigel" calls offering me a double-glazing...

Promenade des Anglaises 7.30 a.m.

Promenade des Anglaises 7.30 a.m.
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

I've spent the last week working in Nice. A very hectic event but really productive (thanks Paolo, Herve & Alan!). All went well but the cough I thought I had turned out to be bronchitis.

Nice is a beautiful city with wonderful warm people. Promenade des Anglaises is unique, an exercise area, a tourist attraction, the world's longest catwalk, a place for the young (and not-so-young) to see be and be seen. Wonderful for people-watching with every moment providing a tableau of something unique.

On my way out of the hotel yesterday morning to pick up the bus for the airport, I saw these two artists taking advantage of the beautiful stormy sky and had to drop may bags on the pavement and grab my camera from my bag,

phoenix - lisztomania *brat pack mashup*

4 minutes and 2 seconds of the 80s. Put a huge grin on my face this morning. Strongly recommended.

Jetking - Theories To Suit Facts ... is out!

JETKING-1712
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

It's a buzz to see your work in print, especially when you've worked such a great people as Jetking to produce it.
Their first album is available now via Amazon.co.uk and my work is on the inside!
See http://myspace.com/jetkinguk for more on this great band.

Untitled Film Stll SC-2459

SC-2459
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

My face is a mask I order to say nothing
About the fragile feelings hiding in my soul.
-Glenn Lazore (Mohawk)

I was fortunate enough to spend May 3rd in the dappled Wiltshire sunshine with New France Old England, a historic re-enactment group. As the troup were leaving for rehearsal, I was fortunate enough to capture Span watching as they marched from the camp.

It's okay... I think I can make it

It's okay... I think I can make it
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

Sometimes a change can really be as good as a rest. After editing for hours I spent 20 minutes in the back garden with my little G9 and took this and a few others.

Spike Island - A little bit Bristol-trying-to-be-Hoxton?

Keep me in the loop?
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

The annual jaunt to Spike Island Open Studios today. Usually we try to spot someone up-and-coming with real talent but nothing tickled our fancy.

It's all gone White Cube. A little bit of Bristol trying to be Hoxton and pricing stuff accordingly. Dumb move.

Artists should recognize they need to start somewhere and not price the simplest smallest print at £50. The market pays what the market wants and if banksy and Nick Walker are facing lower prices then maybe beginners need to think on.

ps: one major exclusion from this rant. The work at Art+Power rocked. Stunning stuff from the collective.

A Modern Miss Havisham

A Modern Miss Havisham
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

From yesterday's shoot at an abandoned Naval Base in Corsham, Wiltshire

His heart was broken and no-one even saw

His heart was broken and no-one even saw
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

On the way out on Saturday

Four For Twig The Wonderkid

Four For Twig The Wonderkid
Originally uploaded by Photoportunity

A shot taken en route from Crimes Of Passion at the RWA in Bristol.

Peg

Peg, originally uploaded by Photoportunity.

Having bought the Hot Shoe Diaries, I decided to try using the A setting with a flash just like Joe whilst in the garden yesterday. I have to say I'm pleased with the result.

John Jones - Rudy Mills

This is something from my teen years that influences my musical tastes still. A wonderful wonderful sound.

The T-Mobile Dance

wonderful. the watcher's reactions are life affirming.

Holly Andres at Quality Pictures