Latest from Dartmoor

A new portrait project - 'Locals'

It’s been a while since I posted a blog. After a somewhat long break with all sorts of things life threw in my way, finally, Im back. So to kick things off I needed a challenge. I decided to throw out an invite to my local towns folk and simply make portraits of the people around me. Everyday people asked to just turn up with a story to tell. Well, I was surprised by the response. So here goes, I will simply post them as I make them. These are all my local, everyday people, but in most cases they have more than everyday stories.

THROW BACK. 2013 AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS FEATURE ON YOURS TRULY

IMAGES OF THE WEEK ... HEAVY HORSE SHOW

SHOT OF MY WEEK ... DARTFORD CROSSING

I shot this same scene over the course of several hours to prepare for a YouTube tutorial on waiting for the best light. Just thought I would share one of those images.  

SHOT OF MY WEEK ... WAITING FOR MASTER

A PORTRAIT ...

I often ponder on whats makes a portrait. I notice that glamour/modelling shots are named as 'portraits'. For me the are not so. They are posed and forced and empty of life. For me a real portrait is a true study of a person, persons or moment between persons. Something that captures the relationship between or character of the sitter or sitters. So, a rare portrait from me. 

SHOT OF MY WEEK ... SIMONSBATH

The stunning evening glow backlighting the hatching May flies on this small Trout river. 

SHOT OF MY WEEK ... ASIAN LYNX

Featured - Fuji X Passion Magazine

Here is my recent feature in the wonderful virtual magazine. 

Kit recommend.

I thought that now and again it won’t hurt to talk about gear.

Everyone should have a good walk around prime lens and I heard good things about the fujinon 23mm f2.  (35mm equiv)

It’s quite excellent. This quick low light snap looks good. So this is my personal choice. 

Please support this

Please follow the link below and support this photographer.  

https://www.change.org/p/arizona-oah-stop-neglect-claims-against-heather-for-the-photo-she-took-of-her-sick-child?recruiter=864672103&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_message.nafta_milestone_share_ask_victory.control 

OUT INTO WINTER

The surprise blizzard here yesterday brought an opportunity to dash out for an our. Here are some local shots during the snow storm.

Today I’ve been mostly ...

So can you guess what I’ve been up to today? Let’s just say I have a back log of these. 

once done I’m going to let you all know about an app I’m testing that scans negatives. It’s really exciting guys so stay tuned. 

A STUDY ... STRUCTURES

A Series of images under the theme of 'structure' all captured during my recent trip to Spain.

WEEKLY IMAGE ... Sierra nevada

I shot this in Spain, it is a distant peak in the Sierra Nevada surrounded by the smothering clouds. I just love the mood it stirs within.

Weekly Image ... Flamingo

This bathing Flamingo gave me the opportunity for some interesting images. This one is my personal favourite.

Fuji X Passion Magazine

Hi All

A shameless plug to this wonderful magazine  which maybe you should go subscribe to particularly if you are a Fujifilm X series user. 

www.fujixpassion.com

Yours truly has contributed to this addition. Including the cover image. 

Trip to Gran Canaria

So we have a few days here on this lovely Island. I am particularly excited because I have heard that the mountains are snow covered which hasn’t happened here for a very long time. If you don’t know, this Island is just off the Coast of Saharan Africa so snow isn’t s common thing.  So it’s off to get a hire car and go shoot some history. 

I have travelled light with only one camera and 3  lenses. No tripod so the OIS will need to be on its game. I have with me; Fujifilm XT-2, 10-24mm f4, 18-55 f2.8-4, XC 50-230  (I cant afford a better tele) 

For now though I will share my favourite snaps each day until I get up to the centre of the Island (Highlands). 

UPDATE  

Well it seems my intel was a little off, OK a lot off. We drove to the mountain range but unfortunately it was 17 degrees C and very dry. To add to my woes the hire car parking brake failed which is scary when you are driving through narrow mountain roads with 100ft steep drops off the road side. So I very carefully drove the car back to the hotel with more than one or two scary moments. 

So I grabbed just a few hand held snaps whilst Rebecca kept her foot on the foot brake. So in all a failed day but let’s put it all down to experience.  

The things I put my family through  

White Tiger

What an incredible animal. 

Shot with Fujifilm XT-2 with 55-200mm lens  - Click on Images to buy them.