Darley House

Last year I was asked to photograph a lovingly restored Georgian residence at Darley Dale.

It was a very special house with an interesting history. Darley House was bought over five years ago by Alex and Lucy Arterton. They could see the potential the house had to offer, and were unfazed by the restoration work that lay ahead of them, having restored two properties before, this was a challenge they were willing to take on, and with remarkable results.

One of the main attractions for buying the house was the garden and its history and its link with Joseph Paxton, the famous English gardener and architect who was head gardener at the nearby Chatsworth Estate. In 1845 he bought Darley House for his daughter, the gardens were landscaped in a similar design to Chatsworth. He was also the designer of the Crystal Palace and the prototype was built at Darley House.

Last September I was given the wonderful task of photographing the property. I love the variety of work I am offered and couldn't wait to get creative with this wonderful home. I arrived on a crisp and sunny autumnal afternoon, the front door was left unlocked so I could make my own way into the house. I was bowled over by the grandeur of Darley House. I had a lovely warm homely feeling, I wanted to kick off my shoes, put my cosy slippers on and move in. I was invited to stay overnight so I immersed myself in photographing the house and gardens. I very much enjoyed talking to Alex and Lucy about the restoration of their bolthole, they were wonderful hosts.

The reason for the photographs was so Lucy could market the property for people to come and stay, or attend a residential course or even hold their own. The house is available for hire for private groups from the end of March. Some of my photographs appear on the website which will tell you more, so you too can enjoy this hidden gem too.

Above, Darley House in 2010 with the garages on the right demolished to make way for the new kitchen, with vaulted ceiling and mezzanine floor. Below the transformation is amazing, with dozens of PVC windows replaced with artisan crafted Georgian-style box sashes and original vertically recessed wooden shutters were repaired.

Above preparing the floor in the kitchen. The restoration work used fourteen tonnes of authentic lime plaster on the walls. Some 50 to 60 bags of sheep wool were purchased to re-insulate the roof. The finished kitchen below is ideal to entertain friends and family or to host a business event.

The living rooms and bedroom suites have all been finished to a very high standard and make a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Thanks for reading, I'll be back in two weeks time with more news.

Stella

Product Photography

I love the variety of work I'm presented with, I relish the challenge and find it fascinating to learn about different businesses and how I can showcase their brand with my photography.

I am often asked to photograph products and pieces for brochures and websites. Images of your products give potential customers the first message about your company - make sure this is a positive one - one that will encourage them to want to do business with you, and not your competitors.

At SMS Creative Photography we were recently commissioned to photograph a number of facial and body aesthetic machines for a company called Lipo Angel based here in Oxted, who are revolutionary in their technology.

Sally Atkins is the mastermind behind the development of the machines and says:-

"Lipo Angel Limited manufacture advanced non-surgical solutions for body contouring and face lifting, revolutionising the aesthetic market and salon industry with multi function platforms with advanced technology.As a respected UK business we felt strongly that our brand needed to be showcased with professional high quality images that would be suitable for use in catalogues as well as on digital platforms, we approached SMS Creative Photography to do the job, a local respected company with a great portfolio.  With a number of different machines, various technologies and a sitting with our Medical Ambassador. Stella and Rob looked after us impeccably, keeping us informed and involved with every step of the creative process. The results are a catalogue of images that we are very proud to showcase across all of our promotional platforms"

The Process

Let me share with you a few of the processes I use to produce top notch, high end images to convey this message.

Lipo Angel products were photographed in the studio, they were very challenging due to their reflective white surfaces, LED screens and infrared and ultra violet lights. I used a Nikon D700 35mm camera and my preferred lens a Nikon 35 -70mm f2.8with a macro feature.

Firstly - it is always essential to use a sturdy tripod, as multiple images are taken, that are later merged together, so any camera movement will affect the alignment. Secondly - the lighting is crucial to avoid harsh shadows and too many unnecessary reflections, I prefer to use bounced lighting to give a softer light. Thirdly - set the subject on a continuous white background.

A little bit of technical nitty gritty:-

• Select a low ISO

• Select a high aperture f16 to achieve a good depth of focus

• Use a slow shutter speed

• Use timer delay of at least 10 seconds to allow the camera to still itself before exposure

• Use different exposure times to record the different sources of light the product emit

The three images below show the different exposures used, they are imported into photoshop for the finishing process to begin.

Post Production

Rob is my highly skilled in-house digital artist, he has produced a brief description in the final photograph below of the areas worked on to achieve the end result. This is a lengthy process and can take a number of hours to complete.

Excel London

I have just photographed a Halo Photon Light Therapy Mask - the first of it's kind in the world - which will be with Sally and her team at Excel London 22-23 February.

Thanks for reading, I'll be back in two weeks time to tell you about a stunning property I photographed in the Peak District.

Bye for now.

Stella

Restoration Of Your Faded Memories

As many of you already know, on Tuesday 10th February I'm celebrating 18 years with SMS Creative Photography, here in Oxted, at 83 Station Road East.

As I cast my mind back to that cold and sunny morning, opening the shop door and eagerly awaiting my first customer in anticipation. The elderly lady who came in brought in an old faded family photograph that held many precious memories. Her enquiry was to see if it was possible to copy and restore the picture that she had carried with her for most of her adult life. She wanted to pass it on to future generations - after all it was nearly one hundred years old!

The process used to restore the photograph - pre digital - was to retouch the original with a fine paint brush and retouching dyes, it was a highly skilled job. A 5" x 4" copy negative was then created by photographing the retouched original and from the negative a new print was made. Sometimes the negative was retouched as well. It was a lengthy and costly process and you would always compromise a little of the definition once you had gone through the stages.

This brings me to how the production works now, in the 21st century, in the wonderful world of digital photography and photoshop. The original is scanned to create a digital file using a high resolution scanner. The file is then carefully restored with skill and precision and printed to perfection. An ideal opportunity for restoration of your faded memories.

The example below shows you the before and after of a recent commission.

When it's cold and wet outside it's a perfect opportunity to rummage through those boxes or old suitcases of family photographs. You never know what little piece of family history you'll find to reproduce, preserve and share. My skilled in house digital artists will work their magic to copy and restore moments from a bygone era. We can create a visual history in a bespoke book too.

Whilst you are looking you may come across some old home Cine or VHS/Betamax footage that you would like copied onto DVD. Just bring them in, it's as simple as that, we'll sort out the rest for you.

The perfect present for birthdays and anniversaries - memories shared with new generations - an original and thoughtful gift.

Speaking of anniversaries, on Saturday 14th February to celebrate our 18 years in Oxted, come and share our cake between 10am and 4pm, be lovely to see you! Thanks for reading, I'll be back in two weeks time.

Bye for now.

Stella

SMS Creative Photography Celebrating 18 Years

I've always had a passion for photography and creativity and wanted it to be my career from a very early age. I trained when I left school, with the intention of having my own business to share my passion. I was given the opportunity through adversity, to realise this dream and I wasn't going to let it pass me by.  With 3 young children in tow the journey has been creative, educational, challenging and most of all very rewarding. On 10th February 1997 I opened the doors to SMS Creative Photography at 83 Station Road East, Oxted.  Thanks to the local community and beyond, I have enjoyed a growing business ever since.

Where It Started

All of this started on film, either 35mm or medium format negatives. This restricted me to either 12 exposures on the medium format with my trusted Hasselblad or 24 and 36 exposures with my Nikon F1 bodies. If I wanted to shoot in colour and black and white I had to use 2 camera bodies, one for each type of film and wait a few days before I got to see the end result. I had to rely on my technical and creative ability to get it right first time, which looking back, was the best training, because it became instinctive. I was very careful not to waste an exposure and to think fast and not to miss the moment.

How times have changed. If someone had told me that within three years of opening I would be shooting digital images, would be able to see the image on the back of the camera, copy images without loss of quality - I would have thought they were joking.

When I was introduced to digital photography I was reluctant to use it, I still shot with film and did a little digital to try it out. How wrong was I!  Within a couple of years I went completely digital for quality and convenience, and as they say, the rest is history. Although film has it's place, digital photography is a fantastic medium, for the freedom it gives to be able to share and archive and without doubt, post production.

What the past has taught me is how precious time is, you don't get a second chance to preserve those special moments in life that so may of us take for granted.

Then and Now

The photograph below on the left was taken on 1st March 1997 for a first birthday and was the first shoot I did in the studio, the one beside it taken last month.

The video below is a short show reel we've prepared to share some of those moments from the archives - 'Then and Now'.

Were you, or someone you know amongst the many families photographed in the early days? Do get in touch, be lovely to hear from you and reproduce your photograph.

'Guess Where In Oxted' photographic competition.

To encourage your children to be more visually aware I have created a competition, 'Guess Where In Oxted' to guess where an obscure photograph has been taken in and around the town. Children can take part if their infant and junior school in Oxted is participating. The competition can be completed during half term week 14 - 22 February. The schools taking part are, Limpsfield CE Infant, Downs Way, St. Peter's, St. Mary's, Holland and Hazelwood. The schools will issue the entry forms via their newsletter. First prize is a camera (suitable for the age of the winner) with a lesson on how to use it and studio sittings for 2nd and 3rd prizes. Please click on the photograph below to find out more.

Thanks for reading, I'll be back in two weeks time to let you know about our 18th birthday cake on Saturday 14 February to join our celebration.

Bye for now.

Stella

The London Classic Car Show Preview Evening

All I can say is WOW and well done to Brand Events the creators, who staged the preview launch for the inaugural 'London Classic Car Show'.A show that won't disappointed any car lover. I've been to a variety of car shows, indoors and outdoors, in many varied locations and this one is definitely in my top three. The show, at the ExCel exhibition centre in east London is easy to access, with in my opinion, the right amount of content. You get to see, hear and smell the cars, an intoxicating mix of car heaven. Brand Events have achieved what they set out to do, by putting London back on the classic car map. On until Sunday 11 January.

The two James’  May and Martin, officially opening the show. Both are avid car collectors, with James Martin commenting that he has two passions in life, cooking and cars. With the the opportunity to enjoy some of his recipes at his ‘Classic Cafe’, three cleverly converted food wagons. James May believes that there are 13 cars that had a profound effect on the motor car as we know it today, and tells all. During his interview with Chris Evans he revealed that he thought the car that changed the world the most was in fact very personal to him, and was the famous Corgi model toy of the ‘James Bond Aston Martin’, complete with ejector seat.

James Martin posing in a mini with his 'Classic Cafe' in the background. The pulled pork sandwich I had was delicious.

Adrian Newey is being honoured at the show. He is the all-time most successful designer in Formula 1, and revealed during his interview with Chris Evans later in the show, that all his drawings are drawn free hand. He learnt his craft whilst a young boy helping his father build cars, in particular a Lotus Elan sprint road car. You can find out more about his incredible career at the show and see on display an array of cars that have played a significant part in both his professional and private lives. I was fascinated to read how much he has achieved and to meet him. Be sure to visit the 'Motor Sport Hall of Fame Showcase' to learn more about him and others.

Chris Evans just before he went on stage to interview James Martin, James May, Adrian Newey, Christian Horner, David Coulthard, Martin Brundle and the event director Bas Bungish.

During Chris Evans interviews, he asked each of the guys to share with us, their memories of their first cars. Adrian Newey's first car was a yellow Lotus Elan which was previously owned by his father and last seen in 1980. It was interesting to hear him describe with a passion how he restored it. The show organisers had tracked down the car and Chris introduced it as a surprise addition to the evening when it was driven down the Grand Avenue for all to see and enjoy, Adrian was visibly thrilled to be reunited.

Adrian drove the car down the Grand Avenue with Chris as passenger for the Lotus Elan to take its place in the procession alongside other classic, veteran and super cars.

We were wowed with a first class display in the Grand Avenue, a runway that I can only describe as a motoring catwalk. Featured were some of the most valuable, rare and desirable classic cars in the world to kick start the new year with an aural explosion. With many of the cars from James Martin's and Adrian Newey's personal collections. Seen here a Mercedes Benz 300SL, with the enclosure behind and the elevated stage, where Chris Evans interviewed the motoring aficionados and organisers. This is just a brief account of a fun filled, educational evening. I highly recommend you go and see for yourselves, the show is on until Sunday 11 January. Thanks for reading I'll be back next month with more news.

Bye for now.

Stella

'A Drive Down Memory Lane' Exhibition Now On

The inaugural Classic and Supercar photographic exhibition 'A Drive Down Memory Lane'  launched last Sunday 12 October with a VIP audience from the worlds of the music, aviation, sports, jewellery, publishing and fine art industries. The exhibition is currently being held at Chartwell Westerham Kent, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill. Theexhibition showcases my photography of classic and supercars, and is of particular interest to those who haveClassic and/or Supercar collections who would love to have their collection produced in a bespoke hand crafted book.

The majority of the photographs on display at the exhibition were originally taken for a bespoke book which I was commissioned to produce, to mark a special birthday.

The Process

I was approached back in July by Wayne Thornton, event co-ordinator at Chartwell, and was asked to display my Classic and Supercar photography to reflect Sir Winston Churchill's love of the finer things in life. This was an opportunity not to be missed.

In addition to the wide variety of cars I had already ear marked for the exhibition, I also had the honour of photographing a Lanchester 40 hp 1921 and a Rolls Royce 20/25 1935 in front of the house at Chartwell. Some of these photographs also currently feature in the Westerham & Oxted Life magazine.

All the photographs selected for the exhibition have been printed on Museum Quality Fine Art paper and framed in black ash wood with Art Glass to show the true colours of the cars and to minimize reflections by 99%. I can highly recommend this glass to show your photographs or art work at their best. I invested in LED lights to clip on each framed photograph for the finishing touch.

The Launch Afternoon

I had been planning the launch of the exhibition for sometime and was both nervous and excited, there was a lot to do to bring it all together, not to mention my speech - don't forget I'm use to being behind a camera!

I wanted the afternoon to reflect a little bit of nostalgia from the 1940s, with sparkling wine from Squerryes Court served in original champagne saucers (2 cases of the saucers were found in my parents' attic from their restaurant days) and Spirit of Kent beer from the Westerham Brewery served in traditional half pint dimpled beer jugs, with waitresses dressed in white aprons and decorative hats to complete the look.

The sound track for the afternoon was a compilation I put together from Vera Lynn, Glenn Miller, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, and Charlie Parker as we worked our way through the decades to present day.

A number of visitors had brought their classic cars with them to set the scene, but the star of the show has to be the 'Tucker 48'.

The Tucker 48

The 'Tucker 48' is an iconic car was made in the 1940s by the great inventor Preston Tucker - of which only 50 were ever made. The car in the photographs is the 49th and the ONLY one in Europe. The last time it was seen in public was in 2008 when it won 'Best in Class' at the prestigious Cartier Style et Luxe Concour D'Elegance at Goodwood.

We are honoured to have this very car for the duration of the exhibition positioned at the front of the house for all to admire.

The Car Photography on Display

A car from each decade that Sir Winston Churchill was resident at Chartwell 1922 - 1965 are amongst the photographs on display. The exhibition is a car lovers dream. If classic cars aren’t your favourite there is also photography on display of some modern day high performance cars, such as the Ferrari Enzo, Ford GT and the Ferrari California.

The launch was a huge success - thank you to all who attended.

The Mulberry Room at Chartwell is proving to be the exhibition hotspot in Kent. A huge light and airy space, to showcase art works with well sign posted access from the M25, A25 and A21. The exhibition is held until Sunday 26 October - and please check the Chartwell website for opening times.

Testimonial by Catherine & Randolph Churchill (great grandson of Sir Winston Churchill)  after the launch of the exhibition 12th October; “What a wonderful exhibition you organised at Chartwell yesterday evening. Randolph, John and I so enjoyed seeing your magnificent photographs as well as the fabulous cars on display. The rain certainly did not dampen the spirits as we all looked at the array of magnificent cars.”

I'll be back in two weeks with my next newsletter.

Thanks for reading

Bye for now.

Stella