Silverstone Classic 2017

The Silverstone Classic is firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival. The epic event attracts more than 1,000 race entries and draws crowds of more than 100,000. The spectacular classic car celebration is staged at the famous Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, the birthplace of the FIA Formula One World Championship and home to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. The three-day festival features the very best of classic and historic motor racing covering more than eight decades of motor sport, as well as live music from iconic rock bands and a wealth of family entertainment. In 2016, over 100 car clubs displayed more than 10,000 classic cars.

This is the reason why I look forward to photographing at Silverstone Classic, with accreditation to officially photograph - this blog shows a small selection of photographs I captured on the Friday and Saturday - to see more images from this prestigious event please click on each photograph to take you to the 'Events' section of my website.

Henry Hope-Frost on the screen before the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy for Pre '56 Sports Cars - car number 6 - 1953 Cooper Bristol T24/25 - Qualifying.

Friendly banter before the Kidston Trophy for Pre War Sports Cars - Qualifying.

Crispin Harris in a 1960 Austin Healy 3000 about to take to the track in the Gallet International Trophy for Classic GT Cars (Pre '66) - Qualifying.

Georg Kjallgren preparing to take to the track in a 1989 Courage C26S - Qualifying.

Engineers with Team Captain Anthony Reid's Austin A35 preparing for the Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race. 

Theo Paphitis, part of the Screen Stars team, owner and the driver of this Austin A35 in the Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race.

Ant Anstead, with friend and co-presenter Philip Glenister from Channel 4's 'For The Love of Cars' in a jovial mood before the Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race.

After the Maserati Trophy for HGPCA Pre '66 Grand Prix Cars. Wiliam Nuthall came 3rd in car number 10 - 1960 Cooper T53 and Julian Bronson drove car number 30 - 1960 Scarab Offenhauser.

Jonathan Kennard came 2nd in the FIA Masters Historic Formula One.

Ant Anstead (Screen Stars) with Olympic Gold Medalist Rower Mark Hunter (Going For Gold), before the Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race.

Brian Johnson lead singer from rock band AC/DC before the Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race (Rocking & Racing) - he didn't take part in the race following the qualifying session.

Andy Wolfe preparing in a 1982 Tyrrell 011 for the FIA Masters Historic Formula One Race.

Entrants in the pit-lane for the FIA Masters Historic Formula One Race.

Greg Thornton won the FIA Masters Historic Formula One in a 1976 Lotus 77.

Martin Donnelly (Rocking & Rolling), Steve Soper (Bike Legend) and Mark Blundell (Screen Stars) in a celebratory mood on the podium for the Silverstone Challenge Trophy - Pro Class.

he Screen Stars team won the Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race – a new addition to the action-packed programme on Saturday 29 July. Led by former Formula 1 ace and Le Mans winner Mark Blundell, the winning team included Dragon’s Den host Theo Paphitis, Wheeler Dealers presenter Ant Anstead, BBC Radio 2 sports presenter Vassos Alexander, Sky Sports F1 pundit Tony Jardine and former Top Gear anchor Tiff Needell. Between them, the speedy sextet helped towards raising £10,000 for the event’s official charity partner, Prostate Cancer UK.

Left to Right: Tony Jardine, Vassos Alexander, Theo Paphitis, Mark Blundell, Ant Anstead and Tiff Needell.

Thanks for reading - at the end of August I'll be photographing at Salon Privé Concours D'Elégance with a blog to follow later in September.

Bye for now.

Stella

Every Picture Tells a Story

What's Your Story?

I took these photographs of Gladys four years ago to celebrate her 90th birthday, her daughter-in-law, a lovely long term customer brought her in for the shoot - she had made sure Gladys was looking her best - I think she looks fantastic!
Look at her face, all those contours and lines tell the story of her life. That's what I love about my work, telling the story of your life in the here and now.

I'm looking forward to capturing Gladys' portrait to celebrate her 100th year, that's a story waiting to be told!

Have you ever stopped to think, "What's my story?"

Now that's something I can help you with...

With love
Stella
and the SMS Creative Photography Family

Choosing a Camera

I'm frequently asked, "Which camera do you suggest I buy?"

Now, this is a tricky one as there are so many to choose from - compact, DSLR, bridge, film, digital, big, small you name it - it's so confusing! Often cameras are bought on price and are rarely used to their full potential, frequently discarded in frustration and replaced with something more readily available like the smartphone!

Nowadays smartphones are so brilliant and accessible that they have become the camera of choice and for so many understandable reasons, ease of use, convenience, social media sharing and practicality. I love the fact that I can grab a moment and share on Instagram, or send an image to loved ones in an instance, or be on the receiving end of this piece of magnificent technology is nothing but pure genius, creating a feeling of connectedness. 

But, and it's a big BUT, what if you want more from your camera and don't want to feel a deep obligation to share for all and sundry to see your world. This is where the humble camera takes pride of place in all its glory, below I've listed a few things to consider before you part with your hard-earned money; like any other purchase I suggest you shop around, these are just a few pointers for any budget and worth researching first.

All recommendations are my own, I'm not sponsored by any brand, enjoy the experience and do what makes you happy :)

So What's On Offer?

Point-and-Shoot and Bridge
Canon, Nikon, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Fuji, Olympus

Easy to carry, ideal if you don’t have a big budget to spend on a camera and are not too concerned about the optimum image quality.

Pros:-

• The fixed lens has a great range from wide angle to telephoto

• No interchangeable lenses to worry about

• Easy to use for novices in auto mode

• Wide range of easy to use settings

• Can take video as well

• Most have written tips to help you get the best out of using your camera

• Special effects like panoramic feature

• Built-in flash

• Shoot in live view

• Bridge cameras have viewfinders and are a good transition to DSLR

• Pocket size

Cons:-

• No viewfinder (except with Bridge cameras) and hard to see image on the back of the camera in bright sunlight

• Can be too small to handle and fiddly to use the buttons (Bridge cameras are larger than point-and-shoot)

• Not easy to use in manual control

• Sound and image on video can be poor

• Not good in low lighting conditions

• No option to use a flashlight accessory

DSLR  
Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Samsung, Panasonic

Digital Single Lens Reflex means the subject is viewed via a mirror through the viewfinder to the lens - ideal if you want to control the camera in manual mode to achieve optimum results. A bigger budget is needed to get one of these, ideal for the serious photographer who cares about quality, results, and wants to learn to progress.

Pros:-

• Superior image quality

• Can be used in manual mode with complete control over settings

• Wide selection of interchangeable lenses

• Large image sensor for optimum quality

• Ideal for shooting in low lighting conditions

• Option to assign programmable functions to buttons

• Higher resale value than point and shoots

• The body can be purchased separately to the lens

• Full frame 35mm image sensor on professional options

• Cropped sensor will give the lens 50% more distance on the focal length

• Written information viewed on screen of camera to help you understand the controls and settings

Cons:-

• Big and bulky and a variety of lenses will fill your camera bag

• Lots to learn because of the vast options to control the end result

• Steep learning curve

• There are no special effect options in camera

• Cropped sensor will give the lens 50% more distance on the focal length (potential disadvantage if shooting wide-angle)

EVIL or Mirrorless
Fuji, Sony, Olympus

Electronic Viewfinder with Interchangeable Lenses
These cameras are sometimes used by professionals as an easy to use option when the occasion arises and in addition to DSLR's.
Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC)
Or Compact Systems Camera (CSCs)
A reasonable price range between a point and shoot and DSLR

Pros:-

• Provides excellent image quality on par with entry level DSLR

• Portable

• Better manual controls

• Easy to use and understand controls

• Shoot in live view

• Interchangeable lenses

• Good in low lighting

• Good for beginners to learn to progress to DSLR

• Good video results

• Panoramic special effects

• Reasonable resale value

Cons:-

• No proper viewfinder

• Limited lens selection using adaptors means loss of automatic use

• Can sometimes work out more expensive than DSLR’s once you add on the accessories like flashes and viewfinders

• Not pocket size

I hope this has helped to choose your next, or the first camera, please feel free to share with anyone who asks the question, "Which camera do you suggest I buy?"

Enjoy!

with love
Stella
and the SMS Creative Photography Family

Your Family Location Photo-Shoot

Location photo-shoots are always popular, any time of year, now that we are coming to the end of a very chilly winter and the longer spring warmer days are on the horizon the diary is filling up.

Photographing in the studio is predictable, as light and backgrounds can be controlled. However I always like the challenge of family locations photo-shoots as I never know quite what to expect regarding the lighting and the choice of backdrop.

Just before Christmas I went to a particularly inviting location, a stunning house and garden to match, to photograph 3 teenage girls with their lovely mum.

It wasn't the garden or the house I chose to photograph in, as I wandered down the garden I found their greenhouse to be a hidden gem. 

The early morning light was just right and I think you'll agree the interior is charming, with an English country garden feel, I just couldn't resist!

I used a gold reflector to fill in the shadows on their faces which worked a treat. The mix of burnished copper leaves and dark pink flowers worked perfectly with the monochrome colours the family wore.

As usual my choice of lens was my Nikon f2.8 70-200mm

I'm finding family locations photo-shoots popular as gift vouchers for Mother's Day, special birthdays - especially grandparents with their children and grandchildren, this link to our website shows you more.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

Bye for now, with love

Stella

and the SMS Creative Photography Family

'Celebrating 20 Years In Oxted Town'

You're invited to join us for a glass of bubbly

on

 Saturday 11 February 12pm - 3pm

at

SMS Creative Photography

I can't believe how fast the years have flown by, sometimes I have to stop and think how it all began, from an early age I always wanted my own business.

 In 1984 at the age of 24 I got married, however at the age of 34 with 3 small children in tow I found myself newly single, homeless, jobless and penniless. This was my PERFECT opportunity to pave the way to create a business to provide for myself and children. 

With absolutely nothing to lose and having worked in the photographic industry, a photography studio seemed the natural choice. Fast forward 3 years to February 10 1997 - my 4th child SMS Creative Photography was born.

My philosophy was, and still remains, to offer quality with a first class personal service photographing local families and beyond. 

Over the years commissions have taken me far and wide, covering the World Cruise on the QE2; photographing Boyzone and Cher opening the Harrods sales; the infamous Jeremy Clarkson for an exclusive book on Ferrari; Metallica and Iron Maiden at the Sonisphere Festival and most recently the ITV newscaster Alastair Stewart as Patron of the Brooke Charity.

I've loved meeting so many families and being part of the community.
A very big thank you for trusting my team and I with the preservation of your family history, we have enjoyed sharing the evolution of photography with you.

Look forward to seeing you soon.

Bye for now, with love

Stella

and the SMS Creative Photography Family

Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 6th November 2016

I had the pleasure of photographing the arrival of hundreds of Veteran Cars arriving at Madeira Drive.

The 436 pre-1905 entries translated to 393 starters from Hyde Park on their journey to Brighton, with hundreds of spectators to cheer them on during the 60-mile route, which was bathed in autumnal sunshine.

Below are a small selection of photographs from the day.

Maderia Drive Brighton, the finishing line for over 300 veteran cars.

There were 344 finishers, with the 25 patrols, 3 recovery trucks and 2 passenger ‘Taxi’s’ provided by RAC Motoring Services - complemented by the TOTAL mobile welding unit - attending around 175 breakdowns (some cars up to 5 times!), providing recovery for 12 cars to service points at Honda Redhill and Gatwick, and providing welding services for 6 cars. 

The spectator route guide.

I got to meet some very interesting people who told me about their family history with their cars; in particular a young man who remembers each year being a small passenger in his parents 1904 Cadillac, and this year is the driver with his parents as passengers, the VCR has played an important part in their lives.

Commentators getting ready to interview the drivers to hear about their journey.

Around 10.15am, some two hours after leaving Hyde Park the first participants crossed the finishing line, car number 263 a 1903 Mercedes driven by Mr. Chris Scott.

First car back Mercedes 1903.

Car 253 a 1903 Panhard et Levassor driven by Dr. Terence Bramall CBE.

Car 051 a 1900  De Dion Bouton, driven by Mr. Simeon Barringer.

Joy and delight for car number 203 a 1903 Cadillac driven by Mr. Philip Kadoorie.

Following a respectful distance behind the early starters, were BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, plus BBC The One Show host Alex Jones, driving vintage buses full of passengers who paid for their ride of a lifetime by jointly raising more than £180,000 for BBC Children in Need. 

The 1950 Bedford OB buses provided by Lodge Coaches of Chelsmford, Essex.

BBC The One Show presenter Alex Jones drove one of the coaches.

Chris Evans, Alex Jones and dancing professionals from BBC One Strictly Come Dancing, Kevin Clifton and his wife Karen Hauer, who were amongst the passengers.

Car number 158 a 1902 Mors driven by Mr. Philip Oldman.

All welcome to come and watch.

Car number 116 a 1902 Panhard Levassor driven by Mr. Tim Dickson.

Brass Band entertainment too!

Car number 388 a 1904 Darracq driven by Mr. Graham Gregory.

Family fun for car number 309 a 1904 Alldays driven by Mr. Christopher Thomas.

Car number 379 a 1904 Darracq from the Louwman Museum driven by Mr. Louwman, seen here with his daughter Quirina and grandson Freddie.

This is the car that played the lead in the 1953 film ‘Genevieve’ set against the background of the London to Brighton run. In the film this 1904 Darracq is the hobby of Alan McKim, a barrister played by the actor John Gregson; an interesting detail is that Gregson does steer the car in the film, but couldn’t actually drive!

Thanks for reading, I'll be back in the New Year with more news from my world of cars and photography.

Bye for now.

Stella