20 Oct 08 Travel photography (module 3)

I finally had the time to finish this module and thought it was a difficult on. The module assignment brief is: You are a photographer and as been ask to take 5 images of a tourist attraction for the local tourist board.

I had a try at it before and although I liked the pictures my tutor didn’t as the light wasn’t optimal and parts where in the shadow or full sum, so I did them over (he didn’t assigned them yet so it was OK)

As last time I have taken Alnwick Gardens as the tourist attraction but now tried to show the diversity it can bring, from its massive fountain to its calming lanes.

First the fountain and the main building in the background. This shows, I think, the complexity of the fountain.

Here we see a playground for the children with play JCB’s with the fountain in the background and this shows the size of it, plus that families can have fun here even if it is in the Autumn.

This is one of the many galleries which, when you walk through them gives surprising views.

The architecture and lay-out of the gardens gives good opportunities to the photographer and everybody finds different angles.

With surprising view of the many water-features.

and last but not least a visit should end in the famous tree house with its restaurant.

Now waiting for the tutor to access.

Happy shooting

Tags: alnwick, alnwick garden, autumn, britain, british, children, day out, england, family, fountain, garden, grand-parents, green, JCB, leaves, northumberland, parents, people, professional photography course, professional photography diploma, the photo student, water

13 Oct 08 The new photoshop CS4

Hello,

Just a quick update. I have tried to get the new Photoshop CS4 from adobe under a student license and they are recognize the professional photography course. This means that you can get your adobe software from very low prices. I have pre-ordered the adobe create suite 4 premium, which have a full license price of £1.467.58, for £276,12 which is 19% of the shop price!!!

Ask for an proof of student from the professional photography course and order at : https://store2.adobe.com/cfusion/store/html/index.cfm?store=OLS-EDU-UK&event=displayCatalog&catalogOID=1781053

And the course has already paid for itself.

Happy shooting

Tags: adobe, cs4, photoshop, professional photography course, professional photography diploma, the photo student

06 Oct 08 Module 3: Travel photography

Working on this course gives me more pleasure then expected. The modules are well set-out and go across a lot of different subjects. Did we do in the last module photographing a restaurant in module 3 we are looking into travel photography. In my mind that was only for the lucky one who got to travel around the world and not something for us mortals.

Was I wrong The module gives a clear view on what to look for and what magazines are looking for. It touches the rule of thirds, what you need in your bag and even how to get free holidays, something my wife loved. The assignment for this module is to find a popular landmark in your area and take images for the local tourist board to spice-out their brochure.

As I am living in Alnwick with two big tourist attractions within walking distance from my house I was lucky. We have Alnwick Castle, which I have photographed so many times, and Alnwick Gardens. Both draw a lot of attention from tourist in the area. I choose for Alnwick Gardens as I think that would be more of a challenge. Yesterday was the perfect day, sun-shine! which doesn’t happen much this year and mend blue sky, people looking happy, the ultimate way to take those kind of images. So my wife and I of to the Gardens and whilst she was sitting in the sun I was around shooting. I haven’t got the images in a smaller format for this blog yet but you can see them at: http://www.photography-theovanstratum.com. I have send my assignment in and now waiting for the tutor.

Happy shooting

Tags: alnwick, Alnwick castle, Alnwick gardens, Assignment 3, blue sky, professional photography, professional photography course, the photo student, Theo van Stratum, travel, travel photography

01 Oct 08 Studio Light kits

There is a new page on the photo student website where we have some information about the Studio Light Kits from Kenro The address is:

http://www.thephotostudent.com/kenrostudio.html

These kit are professional kit for a very reasonable price and worth looking at if you are in need of some Studio lights for your portrait or product photography.

Happy shooting

Tags: flash lights, kenro, portrait, portrait photography, product, product photography, studio lights

25 Sep 08 Restaurant Assignment

I did the first shoot at the Tower restaurant in Alnwick and that was much more difficult then I imaging. First of all I don’t have a proper wide-angel lens and that worked against me. My smallest standard lens is a 28–70mm Nikor and with the 1.5 magnification become 45 – 135 mm. This doesn’t work in assignments like this where you have to work within a very small space, but we made the best of it. I must buy a wide-angle lens 12-24 mm Tokina Pro.

This are the 9 best images, although I don’t give them as assignment yet and try the second shooting in the other restaurant. I am not really displeased with this but can do better. Especially the last image of the dining couple. The shadow is to hard because I didn’t bounce the flash enough (amateur mistake).

The front of the restaurant

The owner (Chef)

Building the plates

Puree

Duck

Sauce

The waitress

Enjoy

It was fun to do and learned a lot and not only shooting;-)

Happy shooting

Tags: alnwick, assignment 1, chef, couple, dishes, flash, plates, restaurant, tokina lens, Tokina Pro, tower, waitress, wide-angle lens

19 Sep 08 Module 1 – Photography as a living

Module give a good overview of what it takes to earn a living as a professional photographer, what the top ten of most popular areas of photography is. In there was something that surprised me, on number 10 of the most popular areas is pet photography.

The module goes further on equipment what you need, or more don’t need. they warn NOT to make a big investment now but wait until you start making money with what you got and go from there, or as they say “Think like a business man/woman and stop spending, start earning”. Very sound advice.

Normally I don’t write part of course down in my blogs as it is possible to take it out on context and not right as they publishers want to sell the course not give it away. In this case I make a small exception because this is something that is appropriate throughout your whole life and this is the secret to success and gives you an idea how the course want you to succeed.

How to avoid failure and achive success

There are many ‘secrets’ of success and various books reveal them, so visit a library and read some of those books. For now, though, here are 12 of the best tips from super-successful authors and public speakers:

1. Take 100% responsibility for your life; don’t blame or rely on others.
2. Decide what you want in life and thoroughly prepare for it.
3. Learn everything you can about the new path you’ve chosen.
4. Master your equipment and techniques; read the instructions!
5. Believe in yourself; you’re better than you think.
6. Solicit feedback – but not from nay-sayers – and learn from it.
7. Set step-by-step goals that are reachable and measurable.
8. Don’t be afraid of obstacles; go around, over or through them.
9. Don’t be discouraged by rejection – but correct any mistakes.
10. Embrace change; it’s the only thing that’s guaranteed.
11. Plan for the future, but do more than just plan; take action!
12. Exceed their expectations – deliver more than you promised.

This part of the module goes on further but this is a message you need to take at heart whatever you do.

Till next time,

Theo

Tags: Failure, how to start a business, Module 1, professional photography course, professional photography diploma, success, the photo student