When I was a lot younger I was inclined to photograph everything that caught my eye.  A few of my photography friends advised me to stick to one style of photography only,  this was in the main landscape photography. Their reasoning was if you don’t focus on one type of photography then you will never be able to excel and deliver truly stunning images.  

My move away from concentrating  on landscapes to capturing and sharing various styles of photography mainly portrate images on a social media platform called Flicker seemed to sadly confirm these opinions.  Fellow photographers would often say to me a landscape image has so much to say, they inspire and draw comment naturally. Where as a photograph of a person is just that, a person nothing to say and hard to find anything of importance.

I was never able to understand this viewpoint.  When photographing people you are in front of a multitude of  thoughts buzzing around your subjects mind.  Often they are a little nervous they can convey Joy, sadness, loneliness, fear passion etc etc.  Capturing a moment in time when you are able to get though that outer wall and see the real person is so special and important.  Add to this their individual features hair makeup choice of clothing even location and you are capturing something unique that will never be captured again.

When I open a family photography album its not to look at landscapes its to look at my family and friends.  time does not stand still you are looking at faces that have aged and changed and too often sadly lost.

My first paid wedding was a 17 years old.  Since that first nervous shoot I have had the honour and pleasure of capturing hundreds of weddings over the years.  I know that these images of close family and friends will have meaning for years to come.  When I photograph children I will provide memories for their children and grandchildren as above also important for years to come.

Learning and understanding other types of photography for example still life, sport, architecture creative lighting have never diminished my ability to photograph landscapers.  In fact my ability to teach photography regardless of what  students is inspired by has been undermined by my range of photography experience.

There is without question a key level of skill, and confidence and to be gained from combining a skill set covering multiple styles of photography.   When you provide a corporate photography service all off your photography skills are often required capturing people products and buildings.

The old saying “ Jack of all trades but a master of none” actually in full reads.  “ A jack of all trades but a master of none but often better than a master of one.

I rest my case.

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A new shoot featuring a princess and a knight. The theme for this photography event is forbidden love.

This was organised over two sesions allowing  two groups of photographers to capture James and Frankie in costume.  Our location was Newcastle Castle a perfect location for this period recreation shoot.  Wearing real armour James was brillant moving from the castle to two locations outside could not have been easy but the results from my images below I hope show it was worth it.  Frankie as, when I covered their wedding was wearing no makeup.  This natural look definatly added to the authenticity of the shoot.  Everyones images will as always be shared in an Event Photography private group  so the James and Franky can see them in one place and request copies of any that the really like.

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It was great to finally get a full exhibition of the work myself as the photographer and the wonderful team of performers and creators pulled together.  We had an opening night where a combination of those directly involved and those who follow of work were able to attend.  the exhibition has been a great sucess and lots of people have been in contact to praise our work.

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It was a few years ago in a school hall after hours that I created my fist image set witches around a caldron.  The three ladies involved with brilliant came with makeup clothing etc.  My aim was to create a caldron add light and smoke and just have fun creating the image.  The results were so great even if I say so myself. I used an upside down recycling bit for the caldron installed a light and smoke generator in the bottom.  Finally added green the red voile over the top and the up light just worked so well.   A separate lighting snoot was use to light the face of the witch on the left as her book hid part of the up light. 

This image was created for the Historic and Mythical imagery group but I knew that this set up would eventually be revisited as an event involving photographers.

So the first time in the castle keep was 2023 still using the upside down recycling bin and flash lighten was great but we are always learning and this year in October we set up in Newcastle castle for two separate events.  Two old witches, sorry (lovely young ladies from the first shoot) and a few more all credited in the attached youtube video we did it again.  

This time an old barrel ring held by two stands the covered with black material to form the caldron.  Voile pulled tight over the top then loosely layer over the top to simulate liquid.  The lighting now continuous to assist with multiple photographers and again the smoke generator.  

Following this initial session the set up was a removed to allow capture of the witches standing and sitting.  I feel the results were wonderful and everyone involved seemed to agree.  

I you are a photographer who is interested in this creative style of photography why not message me to become part of the event group.

 youtube link

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This recreation took a long time to organise.  We visted so many castles in the North east of England but when you mention somone getting burnt at the stake with fire and smoke you are on to a looser.  Steph Mosman a member of our group was always going to be our Joan and she had to listen to endless jokes about ok a smoke generator will be safe but maybe just a little fire to make it look real.  So so much work into costumes, thank you Pat and brilliant members of our group were prepared to travel to allow our creation to take place.  In the end Prudhoe Castle were supportive and we were able to set a date 29th September two days after I returned from holiday.  I made a stand with bolted support frame. Rather than use a masive wooden pole I askes Franks Factory Flooring to let me have a cardboard carpet role support.  This was provided for free so painted brown and we were good to go.  A local farm provided a straw bail which was placed in front of a net to keep it against the stand and we were good to go.

Lighting set up no rain but a brilant sky and we were off.  I hate to use photoshop to add things to images but a few small elements of fire I hope finished this recreation off nicely.

Overall a brilliant day and hopefully the images capture the everyone involved having fun.

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