Category Archives: Studio

Black & White, Child Portraiture, Studio

Baby Molly

Baby Molly

Baby Molly visited the new ‘Studio-Pod’ at Ballygowan (aka ‘Man-Cave for retired photographers! LOL) for the first visit of her ‘Baby’s First Year’ photoshoots.  What a lovely subject she was.  To maintaining social distancing and good practice, her mummy had to do all the hard work, moving props, and posing her – but it was fine, and we got the studio visit over in around 20 minutes.

Molly

 

In the studio I used the Fujifilm X-T3 camera, fitted with a Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R, LM, Wr lens.  Before the visit the fabrics and floor were washed and sterilised, hand sanitiser, masks and gloves were made available, and afterwards all fabrics went straight into the washing machine.  As we all say – “When you pod – Pod safely!‘

The new normal!

Lockdown Logs, Studio

The Lockdown Logs #52

The Lockdown Logs

Dateline: May 22nd 2020

I’m still working out the best settings for lighting in the socially isolated Studio-Pod.  Here’s what it looks like at the minute:-

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I’m sitting behind the desk, looking at the pencil-mug in the light tent, through the Fujifilm ‘Cam Remote’ App on the iPhone.  Here’s what I’m seeing (Although obviously, I’ve processed the image)…

Pencil Mug UP
Fujifilm X-T2, with Nikon 50mm lens, manual focus with focus peaking.  F=50mm, f/8 @ 1/125th sec on ISO160.

 

 

 

Lockdown Logs, Studio

The Lockdown Logs #43

The Lockdown Logs

Dateline: May 14th 2020

Some exciting news for the Lockdown Log today!  My new Studio-Pod is finally finished!  The pod had been ordered back in January when I was first considering the long-term future of the studio at Dundonald  and before we even had heard the word ‘Lockdown’ mentioned!  My original plan was to close the studio around the end of July, when all the outstanding vouchers were finally redeemed.  That would give me time to formulate a plan and get organised.  So work was to begin on the Pod around March, with installation before the end of that month.

Then came the virus and the Lockdown and everything changed.

But this week some of the construction industry went bak to work, and among them the firm who had already pre-fabricated the Studio-Pod, and it was erected on site in two long days…  Here it is!

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First images of my newly built Studio Pod at Ballygowan!  Just wait until the restrictions are lifted, and I’ll welcome pets, babies, passport photos etc etc.  It’s not a full sized studio by any means, not even big enough for a decent family group, but it will serve its purposes very well.  It’s all fully insulated, with heating and air-conditioning built in, double glazed and wired.

Inside…

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It’s wood lined and comfortable, and waiting for the lights and chairs etc.

So – some really good news in the midst of the gloom.

Photo-Technique, Still Life, Studio, Training

That Dead Leaf Again…

So, day three of playing with a dead leaf.

(Even a cat wouldn’t play with a leaf as long as this). Today I set up the light tent, and put the leaf in it. I lit the tent with a Rotolight Neo, and used the Fujifilm X-T30. I had three objectives:
  1. To see the effect when I used the LensBaby lens,
  2. To create shadows by bringing the Rotolight down from the top of the tent tone side of the tent. (Left, so I could hold it by hand, and use the camera in my right hand)
  3. To mount the Rotolight on the camera hotshoe.

Continue reading That Dead Leaf Again… →

Belfast, Black & White, Studio

Black and White Without the Noir!

Black and White Without the Noir!

I love Black and White, the images have a timeless quality about them, and the lack of colour seems to make the mind work harder to interpret the image, a provocative  gestalt.  But does it work in the studio, under studio flash lighting?  It does for adults, – but what about for kids?  And does studio monochrome always have to be so noir?

Scarlett visted the studio this evening with her mum and her little sister to make some lovely photographs and memories, and among them was this little black and white portrait.

So, does this image work for you?

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Fujifilm X-T2 F = 24mm f/8 @ 1/125th Sec on ISO 200 under studio flash, W/B = 5600K

It works for me!

family Portraits, Studio, Uncategorized

Canvas Print Offer

We have a small quantity of blank canvasses, suitable for 16×10 inch canvas prints – the slightly panoramic shape makes them idal for small family groups or children.   They are made with “260gsm Exhibtion Polyester Matte Canvas with a bright white, smooth matte surface and tight weave pattern producing pin sharp images both in colour and black & white.  The tight weave makes this canvas ideal for stretching over wooden frames and suitable for both photographic and fine art prints, either reproductions or originals.  This Canvas is water resistant with superb results.”

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Continue reading Canvas Print Offer →