Inspirational Photographers

Inspiration, sometimes this is a large word that is hard to obtain. Recently though I have found lots of sources of inspiration some so good, that I thought I would share my notice of their creative genius.

(I do not want to steal anyone’s images so I have linked to the respective photographers so you can check them out for yourself. So, there will be no photos of the mentioned photographers on the blog today.)

Steven Meisel

This is an easy one, for me he is the father of fashion photography. When I first saw his images for Italian Vogue (September 2006) titled State of Emergency showing supermodels being arrested as terrorists, I was awestruck. It was the first time I saw fashion making a statement about the wider world.

Fashionphotographyblog.com (Melissa Rodwell)

I was added as a contact on Flickr by the above site, and at the time I had never hear of it or Melissa Rodwell. But after looking through her Flickr portfolio and her website I was seriously impressed. However do not take my word for it go and have a look yourself, the blog is a resource that should not be missed for anyone that has an interest in fashion and photography.

Chris Friel

WOW, this guy inspired me to write this blog page from his creativity. I saw his photos on a one trip on Flickr explore, his images look more like a painting and I was amazed that how a so called technically “bad” (hand held long exposure) image can become a work of art. I would never have even thought to try, seriously check out this guy’s portfolio it is amazing.

My effort at a Chris Friel style image: -

Conclusion

I hope you get as much from these sources as I have.

Till the next one, much love.

Why I don’t use a light meter

Time for a really short post.

So, to answer the question above (the short version). I shoot digital, I look at the back of the screen at the aesthetics of the image. If it looks right, then that is near enough for me!

Put another way, I do not need the information overload of “this light is at f/8 and this light at f/4.” Thus I do not need to know if one light is half the power of the other etc.

How I work;

1) Test shot exposed for the ambient / max flash sync speed;

2) I put the lights on one by one individually, so that I can see what each light “does” and how those lights work together;

3) At this point I put all the lights on at minimum power and get an exposure at this point;

4) Given the exposure from point 3) I change the power of the lights to give the aperture I want creatively for the shot;

5) Final test shot and at this point I should be ready to shoot.

This process should take all of 2 minutes. This saves circa £300 on a light meter, this saving means another 1st party TTL flash unit etc.

Getting the most out of your camera, specifically the 5D Mark 2?

I for one am not. When the Canon 5D mark 2 was released in November 2008 I was one of those people that went gooey in anticipation.

The videos from Vincent Laforet were fantastic, The demo stills were breathtaking. So I happily parted with my money and did not really look back.

Reflection

Reflection is an important learning tool in our development as human beings. So on reflection was it the “right” choice?

Conclusion

The short answer is no. The long answer is that the 5D mark II is a fantastic camera but I don’t need all of its capabilities, Its RAW files are big and thus it takes longer to edit them. I shoot still and it does the job very well.

My biggest bug bear is the video feature, to quote the advert “I am a PC” and I cannot edit the video smoothly. On a Macbook it just works. I want to shoot more video but find myself shying away from the nightmare that is post production on a PC.

In total I have made 3 videos, 2 edited with Final Cut and Final Cut Pro (which was easy) the final video was made using a Cineform plugin to strip out the video and then added back with MP3 sound in PowerDirector. It was a hideous workflow which I have not repeated.

I have been told that Pinnacle Studio 14 is very good but have yet to try it personally.

My first attempt below: -

My second attempt: -

My third attempt: -

As you can see I need a lot more work before LaForet will be worried!

What I should have done

With the benefit of hindsight, I was very naive and thought that a camera would make me a better photographer. At the time I had no concept of how lighting, lens and better post production would have improved my photography better towards the images that I wanted to emulate more then a new camera body.

Thus at the time I wanted the definition and wide angle of a full frame body and combined with the fact that in the last year I have not used the video function, I should have bought a 5D mark 1 and then invested then remaining money in prime lens or Canon’s L series F/2.8 zooms.

If you have had any experience with editing the 5D video please post in the comments. I would love to hear a simple PC workflow for this camera.

“See”-ing Light?

When I first started reading photography books and blogs, one of the comments I noticed from the pros was you have to be able to “see” the light.

At the time I could not “see” or even think about what I was missing when looking for the light. So there I was struggling away to “see” light. After months trying to learn more from the internet, I found two great sources of information that allowed me to finally explain the concept.

The two sources that I found helpful on this were Drew Gardener's DVD (the one with the Water Buffalo in) and also a foreign technical blog (Krolop-Gerst).

In the Drew Gardner DVD he shows his lighting setup light by light this enables him to “see” what each light is doing and to build the picture from there.

see the trailer below

The foreign blog really put everything in to perspective in terms of “seeing” light as far as a two dimension picture is concerned. On the website they showed the build up a picture using multiple strobes by using a Photoshop coloured overlay to show what each light was doing e.g. below. The simplicity of this diagram really showed me what I need to be looking at as far as a two dimension portrait and what my lights were doing for my subject.

To see the Krolop-Gerst setup shoot see here 

Here is my effort on the lighting diagram with a different colour for each light (Blue as key and Yellow as the accent light): -

And the final image of Hanah-Marie: -

So now when I take an image on the back of my camera I am imaging the bad crayon drawing to see what the light is doing. Anyways that what I do, I hope this helps you in the future.

VAT online filing from 1 April 2010

From 1 April 2010 online VAT filing will be mandatory for all businesses with a VAT exclusive annual turnover (as at 31 December 2009) of over £100,000.

Also all businesses registering for VAT after this date will also have to filing online regardless of their turnover.

Benefits of online filing per HMRC’s website.

• Speed - if you're not already registered to use HMRC Online Services, going through the online registration and enrolment process takes only a few minutes. You'll be able to file your return as soon as you've registered and enrolled for VAT services.
• Security - all transactions are 100 per cent secure. You get a unique User ID and create a password to keep your details safe and allows only you - or someone you authorise - to have access to that information.
• Convenience - the service is available day and night, whenever is best for you.
• Accuracy - there are automatic checks to help reduce errors; meaning there's less chance of having your return sent back to you to be corrected or for clarification.
• Reliability - you don't have to worry about your return being lost or delayed in the post as you'll get an on-screen acknowledgment - including a unique submission receipt reference number - when you submit your return.

The Reality

Businesses will either need to plan for the online filing or will have to use a more modern piece of software which can file online automatically e.g. the latest version of Sage Instant Accounts v15.

It will also allow your accountants to file online on your behalf if registered as an agent and also to review previous returns (up to 15 months old).

All round I think this is a good thing in the long run. However it could catch a few companies and new registration out very quickly.(see below for guide to late filing penalties)

Business Link summary of VAT late filing penalties 

For further reference to help you get setup for the changes see the link below for more information.

HMRC's guide to VAT online

DISCLAIMER – This blog is providing information as a news service. As with all VAT, Taxation and Accounting points please seek professional advice for your own personal or companies situation before taking specific action.

Which “Big” flash?

The Strobist movement has brought a massive amount of attention to the lighting used in photography. This has had the result of inspiring many people to learn and improve their knowledge and their lighting equipment.

The starting point in this journey is predominantly with small flash usually due to cost. But the comes a point when the 11th consecutive series of America’s Next Top Model has been watched and the thoughts start flying “why are they used those lights?”

This is not to knock small flash, Joe McNally and his seemingly infinite amount of SB’s can do wonderful and amazing things. But the question is always there what can you do with more power? So with that said the next logical movement is on to “big” flash.

I made this move to bigger flash in December 2009, so I thought I would commit to the internet a summary of my thoughts on the subject and why I made the purchasing choices I did.

There has been some major writings on internet on this subject and I would thoroughly recommend reading the following posts by David Hobby (Strobist.com) on his particular purchasing decisions.

Firstly on Elinchrom

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/11/choosing-big-lights-elinchrom.html 

Secondly on Profoto

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2009/11/choosing-big-lights-profoto.html

I have not included the third article written by David Hobby here as it is on Alien Bee’s which aren’t really an option in the UK due to availability.

MY POSITION

I wanted a portable alternative to strobes which, could give the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ look anywhere.

So this ruled out all of the major mono blocs options e.g. Elinchrom Bxri’s etc due to the lack of portable power. As I also was not willing to look into portable power generators (Honda etc.). 

So my shortlist was pretty much everything else at the £2,000 mark and I also wanted to make sure I had tried the products as well  meant: -

Bowens with a Travelpak, Elinchrom Ranger, Elinchrom Ranger Quadra’ and finally Profoto Acute or 7B (at a push financially).

There are other options e.g. Broncolor but I have excluded these due to their cost and the fact I had never tried the product.

SUMMARY OF THE OPTIONS

Bowens with a Travelpak

Bowens are fantastic studio lights with a great range of modifiers that are cheap, available everywhere and made by a wide variety of manufacturers. However the recharge times suck when on a battery unit. (That said, for a fixed studio using mains I would buy Bowens in a heart beat!).

What you get for your money: - For circa £2000 you can get 2-3 monolights watt seconds dependant, and a battery (Travelpak). 

Elinchrom Ranger Quadra

Only a 400w/s pack uses a maximum of 2 heads, modelling light that is great for HD-SLR’s video record and using for stills. The features and size and weight makes for a fantastic pack. The price is very similar to the full size (bigger and heavier) 1100w/s Elinchrom Ranger. The Quadra also has the Skyport system built in. Finally the Elinchrom modifiers aren’t as expensive as Profoto, are very well made and give great results. The one thing I did find confusing with the Elinchrom packs is the different types of head for flash duration.

What you get for your money: – one battery 2 head and a set of Skyports in a kit.

Profoto Acute (600w/s)

Smallest of the Profoto range good amount of power but super expensive for what it is as you can only use on head on the pack! you cannot use the bigger pro heads from the Pro’s (7a’s & B’s) but you can use all of the Profoto modifiers which are fantastic.

What you get for your money: – one battery and one head. (Profoto are throwing a certain amount of modifiers as a special offer at the moment, dependant on the pack purchased).

Elinchrom Ranger

Great power, All-round a great unit. A lot large and heavier then the Quadra. Fast recycle only superseded for power by the Profoto 7B. Elinchrom modifiers are excellent and cheaper then profoto. Also access to the skyport system. As with the Quadra the Elinchrom packs have the same multiple head system dependant on application.

What you get for your money: – one battery and one head in a kit (some places are throwing in a set of Skyports as a sweetener).

Profoto 7B

A little bit better in terms or recycle then the Ranger more expensive all round in modifiers and base cost. Also an extra 100w/s of power over the Elinchrom Ranger. The most expensive pack and head option listed here. No built in radio trigger or radio power control options. The industry standard of pack and head flash packs.

What you get for your money: – one battery and one head in a kit at a push (Profoto are throwing a certain amount of modifiers as a special offer at the moment, dependant on the pack purchased).

MY DECISION

From the summary above, I was tempted by the Quadra due to the size, weight, portability, Skyports, LED modelling light for HD video and other applications for still photography using the modelling light. But I decided that I was going to buy the Elinchrom Ranger (Full Size) purely for the power and the fact that I could use the Skyport system with it.

However, I saw a Profoto 7B second half in mint condition that was half the new price. This base cost reduction meant that the 7B was substantially cheaper then the Elinchrom which made it the ONLY reason that I moved to Profoto.

Otherwise I would now be the owner of an Elinchrom Ranger system and I know I would be as much in love with it as I am with my 7B.

That said the cost of modifiers is killing me, Profoto modifiers are quality but expensive.

(The final result, below)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OTHERS IN A SIMILAR POSITION

What I have learnt from the actual purchasing process is that the usage and application should come first e.g. pack and head vs. monobloc. Then the cost should be identified including all modifiers (being an additional cost which really adds up) and then the sync mechanism e.g Pocket Wizards or Skyports etc.

I really hope this helps someone with their individual ‘Big’ light decision.

End of VAT 15% rate

As of the 1 January 2010 VAT is increasing from the current 15% back to the ‘normal’ rate of 17.5%.

This means that all goods and services will have an effective increase in price for the consumer of 2.5%.

This means for all invoices or cash sales after midnight 31 December 2009 will be at 17.5% (unless business is a a pub, club, restaurant or similar establishment, a retail shop or finally a provider of telecommunications which have transition rules on the 1 January 2010)

For more information on the changes please see the Revenue and Customs Brief 68/09 relating to the changes.  http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/vat/brief6809.htm

DISCLAIMER – This blog is providing information as a news service. As with all VAT, Taxation and Accounting points please seek professional advice for your own personal or companies situation before taking specific action.

Predictions and Aims for 2010

Every year I write out a list of predictions and aims for the year and do my best to check them through the year to see how I am getting on with my initial vision.

This is not to say that these are proscriptive. Just a way of adding a street map to my year.

So here goes.

Predictions

England’s last, best chance for ten years to win the (South Africa) World Cup but the winners will be Spain. Chelsea will win the Premier League, England will do badly at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Top movies of 2010 – Toy Story 3, Iron Man 2, Sex in the City 2, Twilight 3, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, Tron Legacy and an unnamed low budget success probably filmed on a DSLR.

Top Movie Flops – A-Team,  The Karate Kid, Prince of Persia, Nightmare on Elm Street, Wall Street 2, Conan, Tekken, Mortal Kombat & most 3D Avatar copy movies that haven’t put the effort in.

As for music I don’t really know what to expect other then the keenly anticipated Dr. Dre album will be good just not the epic that 2001 was.

My Personal Aims / Dreams for 2010

To learn more about lighting and movie making then I do now, to master other forms of photography such as architecture, landscapes and still life.

To to polish my Photoshop skills to a more commercial retouchers level.

To tidy and refine my photo bag to simplify what I carry and when instead of a take everything approach.

To have another epic holiday preferably to the southern hemisphere (Australia or New Zealand) but a tour of Europe may be more likely.

Finally to have a healthy and wealthy 2010.