Nikon D800

Hi

I've at last  received my new Nikon D800 camera (ordered since March). The camera was bought to supplement not replace my existing cameras a D700 and a D3 which are comparatively low rez. I'm planning to use it for group images or shots which require lots of detail to be recorded. The camera was field tested a couple of days after delivery and I'm very happy with the detail picked up. Take a look at the image below shot during a wedding with a wide angle zoom lens. The pictures show one a slight crop of the full frame and the other a 100% crop of the same pic, the amount of info shown is surprising and should allow me to crop and still supply large enlargements to customers.

The camera has now completed a couple of weddings over the last two weekends and I have to say I'm pleased with the way it handles. The new focus setup procedure is nice to use, you quickly get used to pressing the button and turning the command dial to set single/continuous focus. The only downside is the hand hold on the camera body is smaller than the 700 or D3 predecessors. Not a lot to complain about though.
 The year thus far has been quite busy with wedding photography taking up most of the time. I have also had a few parties and christening shoots.
I'll post some more shots of recent weddings soon.

Cheers Bill

Pictures Everywhere

This was taken whilst sitting waiting for lunch, they're everywhere just look:

Bill

Focus on Imaging 2012

Hi

Last weekend I again visited the NEC to see the latest offerings from the photographic world not least the Nikon D800 and the Fuji X Pro1. Both these cameras are now on my wish list but due to the clamour of photographers trying to buy one I think I’ll be lucky to have either before Sept take a look at the links for a description of the above both a step on from the last mark and a huge jump in digital photography terms since my first digi purchase.

But the show isn’t only about cameras it’s about all forms of photo equipment, lighting, finishing and media. Again things take your attention and for me apart from cameras the album/book ranges available are eye opening, one of which I’ll be showing to clients this year is a print book. These are from a firm called Photostorie and are made in Dublin, In order to appreciate these books you have to hold them, the feel and quality of finish is superb. They do a huge range from large coffee table sized book with up to 100 pages to a Mini Folio size 10 x 10 cm, with 10 or more pages, a small handbag sized book that can be used for almost any picture type e.g. Wedding highlights, parent wedding/christening book, child portrait. Their range is enormous take a look at the site to get a taste.

Again though the show offered more info than you can gather in a couple of hours housed in a couple of small (for the NEC) halls.

Try and go.

Bill

Winter Months

Hi

Winter is on it’s way out (fingers crossed) and the year yet again is moving on as we start to expect warmer days. Over the last three months I’ve been quite busy with a couple of pre Christmas weddings and a number of children’s studio shoots. I don’t think I need to tell you I love weddings, getting involved and meeting people working through what is a busy, and very special day, the normal excitement of a wedding tied with the extra feelings present just before Christmas makes for an even more exhilarating day. Wishing all last year’s weddings best wishes and looking forward to more happy days this coming 10 months.

Children’s studio shoots are always an unknown! You’re never quite sure how they’re going to react. Sometimes they can take to you straight away, others you have to work quite hard for them to relax. I always ask for the parent to bring some toys especially if they’re very small this can help take their minds off what happening around them. I normally also bring something for them to try and distract hopefully allowing us to fairly quickly start making the images the parents want. The mothers/fathers input is especially important to get the looks and smiles to flow allowing us to create that special photograph or series of photographs that the family will love to have for the years to treasure.  

Here are a few photo’s to come from these last months:-   

Merry Xmas

Bill

Birthday Studio Shoot

A studio shoot  on the 24^th September. I was asked to do some images of Freya and friends for her 14^th birthday. The girls, six of them came with a couple of changes of clothes which gave us a quite a few different potential images. Moving and posing with loads of ideas of their own, we had a ball, the time flew and the session lasted a little longer than any of us expected. The girls also brought along a buffet to enjoy at the venue which was set up close to the studio area and they made a party of it. They all seemed  to enjoy it with a suggestion that it may happen again next birthday. Look forward to it.

Take a look:-

Bill

Rachel and David

Rachel and David were married 19th Aug at St Peters, Monkseaton. Rachel allowed me to be with her for quite a lot of this her momentous day, beginning with the hairstylist at 08:00 on the Friday morning. Most of the major female players were in attendance at the salon so with them plus normal patrons by twenty past the place was humming. A quick de-tour for me to capture some images of the groom and groomsmen before departing from his house to the church in readiness for the ceremony at 12. It was then onto the Grand Hotel at Tynemouth for the afternoon reception and the evening dance. The Grand is well used to these events and looked after the couple and guests very well giving them a wonderful day. Good luck David and Rachel.

St Peters Church Monkseaton

Friday 19th August

12:00

Reception at the Grand Hotel Tynemouth

Hairstylist Stars Northshields
Honeymoon in the Dominican Republic

Bill