Farnborough decay

I was down in Farnborough on a business trip recently (yesterday actualy!) and took the camera to help wittle away the evenings. I didn’t expect much  to come about after looking at the place on Google maps but i thought it worth a try (when is it ever not!)

After the first night spent getting acclimatised (getting in food for the hotel and watching top gear) i set out on the second evening. I had spotted a bit of an area of small interest a few mins walk from the hotel around the lake (the hotel was perched on the side of it) Below is what i found.

As you can see its a few decaying old boats which were nicley positioned to catch the evening sun as it started to set. I think i have an attraction to decay, i always seem drawn to it, and if i ever pass an old derelict building im always looking for a way in. I think i may have to set up a personal project and see if i cant get a collectioon together.

Then after all that artistic pondering (!) i saw a couple of birds perched on the roof!

Dave

Weekends work

Just a few shots from the weekend. I was up at the Chevin with my sister and managed a few simple shots.

A Months worth of project

Its been decided (by my good self) that i need to set myself projects to keep my impatient mind busy.

For June/July i have set myself the task of entering some competitions (something simple to start eh!)

Firstly there’s a local competition based in Saltaire, this is a simple comp where you’re required to submit a few images taken in a national heritage area – Saltaire Photography Competition

I’m currently working on a few ideas of getting some vibrant pictures of Saltaire together and i hope to have the shot nailed by the middle of next month.

The second one I’m entering is Take a view- Landscape photographer of the year. I have a deadline of 15th July to get my shot entered. So i have a few in my current portfolio which I’m considering entering with, unless i take something else between now and then.

Wish me luck!

The equiptment

Nikon D90

My second DSLR (originally had the D70s) and a very recent upgrade. I cant praise this body enough for all of its features (12mp, 11 area AF, live view, 720p video recording) and I’m really enjoying using it after 2 years with the old one.

I bought this through an eBay seller who i strongly recommend.- SRS microsystems.  I got a Nikon reconditioned one at a reasonable price and found that the camera looks brand new, the only thing you miss out on is the original box!

AF-s Nikkor ED 18-70mm

The Kit lens from the D70s. As i learnt with film, I’ve been crying out for a decent wide angle. But in saying that, this has been a quality all rounder and is the most used lens I’ve ever had!

Tamron 70-200mm zoom lens

This was a bargain when i bout it a few years ago and i still really rate it now. Its clear and crisp where it  matters and the macro functionality is a nice little extra (although I’m not kidding myself into thinking its anywhere near as good as a dedicated macro lens!)

Jessops tripod and monopod

As usual these two were bought on a budget but to be honest for the price i cant complain. The monopod is a life savior in gigs when I’m looking for that extra stop or three. The tripod is equally of use for my landscape work, as well as for generally helping to slow me down when out and about.

Jessops flash gun

As with most things, this was bought on a budget and i think its the weakest part of my kit. Im really hoping to upgrade to a Nikon speedlight soon. Thats not to take anything away from its use in teaching me a few tricks with flash!

Don McCullins and a student Ball

So last Friday i went to see a conversation with Don McCullins and the curator of the National Media Museum. Don has just opened up a new exhibition in one of the galleries there and an on-stage conversation was held. I didn’t really know what to expect before i headed over there but i deemed it well worth the £8!I knew of Don McCullins already and knew of him as a modern legend of the photojournalism world, but i didn’t expect to be so inspired and impressed by his manner and his openness in the interview. All the way throughout the banter between him and the curator he would let his mind wander to many of his experiences (Some horrifying but all interesting) and the truth in his words of how he felt in these harrowing places was refreshing. For me the most interesting part of the conversation was his thoughts on it now and how his work is haunting him.  After the conversation there was a questions and answers section which I couldn’t help but pipe up and ask something I’ve often wondered while looking at war photography. You can hear the question (second one asked about 01:01:10) and the rest of the conversation in a pod-cast from the NMM.

Also This sat sees me at a Bradford Uni based Ball for a group of students, ill be wandering around grabbing anything interesting. Although I am wary of keeping the quality higher than your average party snapper(I am a (semi)pro after all!) Hopefully with the grace of the Students some examples will be appearing in some of my net-space sometime soon.

Thanks

Dave

Crumpler Pretty Boy xxxl (red)

So Ive just ’shelled’ out for a new bag. After acquiring a decent new camera (updated from a D70s to D90(more on that later!)) i decided i wanted a bag which i could carry around everywhere with me. I did have the Lowpro slingshot 100Aw but i found that a bit ‘formal’ looking and ended up not using it as much as id hoped. So being a modern man Ive been a user of ‘man-bags’ for a while and love the shoulder styling of DSLR bags which Crumpler create. Now the bag I’ve gone and bought is now no longer available (got a last of stock job from eBay) but there’s a new version out called ‘Muffin top’ not as good color range (for me anyway) but same idea.
The bag itself is the largest available and its not too big if I’m honest. Its quite like the size of a large ladies handbag (although doesn’t look like one!) and just fits in; d90 with 18-70mm lens, 70-300mm lens, flash gun and my stop smoking book.
So its not too great for trips where you want to carry stuff. But as an everyday bag its bang on. The Quality is great and it seems fairly waterproof. The strap long enough to wear it at my hip and with a comfortable shoulder padding makes for an easy enough bag to wear allot. The other great thing about Crumpler bags is the fact that they don’t look like photography bags meaning you that bit more conspicuous when walking around the shanty towns of the UK.

Dave

Introduction

Hello!

This would my first blog on the new site. Ive decided to share my experiance with anyone willing to listen.

Im at the start of a semi pro photography career. Its part time and i work full time as a UAT tester at a marketing agency. YOu can follow me through the ups and downs of this career and maybe learn a few things along the way. Feel free to get in touch with me about anything you see on any of my sites:

My Online Portfolio

My Twitter

My Flickr – coming soon will be geotagged photos enabling you to track where ive been!

Wish me luck!