Getty Images

As you know I have has some success on Flickr lately with several of my shots making the Explore page and very recently I had two which made the Front Page.

Well, I have had some more morale boosting news from Getty Images via Flickr e-mail, they want to license some of my pictures to include in their library for sale, what a great Christmas present.  They have sent me links to all the necessary permissions and agreements which I am supposed to sign and send back asap.  I have some reading and evaluation to do!

Portrait Session 2

I have two models coming into the studio, mother and daughter, for my second portrait session.

In order to achieve the soft dreamy look for the finished images I will be using Continous lighting as detailed in previous blogs as opposed to studio flash and lightboxes, which send out a burst of light flooding the image and resulting in hard edges and shadows.

I will be using the same camera equipment hand held, not mounted since I want to move around the studio to get a more relaxed looking shot rather than one posed and held for some time.  In order to ensure sharpness I will increase iso to around 500 to get sufficient shutter speed, my Canon 5D Mk 2 is easily capable of maintaining image quality at this level without adding 'noise' to the picture.

I will go through health and safety procedures before commencing, including pointing out fire alarms and fire exits, slip and trip hazards, hot surfaces, not interfering with any equipment and not bringing food or drink into the studio.

We will have regular breaks away from the studio during the session.

Here are some of the shots achieved straight from the camera.

Textured Portraits

From my recent studio shoot.

Both portraits have had a texture layer applied in Photoshop using the technique detailed in earlier blogs.  I have brushed off the texture from skin but kept the overall tone of muted grey colours and think this has worked out well.

Textured Landscape

All these shots were taken on my recent trip to Norfolk using Canon5D Mk2 and 24-70mm lens mounted on a tripod.

They were all shot in Aperture Priority mode at F11 with exposure bracketing, 3 shots at half stop increments.

For the second two I also used a Nuetral Density 8 filter, to ensure I had a correct exposure since the sun was burning through morning fog.

After putting the Raw files through Adobe CS5 to enhance colour and tone, I have added textures from my stock to the first two images, using the technique outlined in earlier blogs.

In order to achieve the painterly look I want for my finished portfolio, I have decided to add textures.

I find personally that a texture adds another dimension to my photography, I have to make artistic choices as to which type or colour of texture to use and judge whether this enhances or detracts from the finished image.

I find this additional input greatly rewarding and takes my images from a photographic representation of the subject to something resembling art.

Front Page ~ Explore on Flickr

Wow, I have been using Flickr for a year now and have had several pictures on the Explore pages, however, this is the first time I made FRONT PAGE!, what a satisfying reward for my efforts, and thanks everyone on the C&G courses at college for your inspiration and support, particularly Mr Steve for his patience and encouragement when I have been feeling frustrated and unsure of my photographic abilities.

A second 'Front page Explore' taken shortly after the previous shot, on our trip to Norfolk.

Thank you Flickr!

Landscapes

A recent trip to Norfolk.

Portrait Textures

Converted to black and white and then opacity reduced.  Texture layer added and painted off eyes only.

Looks a little darker on blogger that in photoshop.