First Photograph of 2016

With the new year in full swing, people filled with motivation and resolutions for a prosperous and healthy year. One thing I always look forward to is the first picture of the year, it's the starting place for me.This studio shoot of Jess and Jack is particularly poignant, I've known their mum for over 12 years (when she first met their dad), capturing their joyful journey, engagement, wedding... The below iPhone pictures lead you to the one I took.

From Start 'Come on Jack, give your sister a kiss and cuddle'.

For all camera gurus and enthusiast, I used a Nikon D750 body with a Nikon 50mm lens with a wide open aperture to create that lovely shallow depth of field. This particular fixed-focus lens is one I have owned since I started my career in photography in the 70s, you have to manually focus it so I had to be super quick.

To Finish ahh, so cute, a lovely expression of sibling love, makes my heart melt. I love the relationships I have with my customers, watching their families grow and evolve and to welcome new families too.

I'll be back every month with a newsletter about what's happening at SMS Creative Photography, I also write a monthly newsletter for my classic and supercar photography branch of the business called 'Stella', just follow this link if you would like to find out more.

Thanks for reading.

Stella

Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2015

I had been looking forward to the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run for some time, particularly after I had photographed the Best of West Kent Veteran Car Run back in July. The London to Brighton run scheduled on Sunday 1st November is the world's longest running motor event, this year celebrates the 119th Anniversary Run, the pioneering cars from the pre-1905 era, the only event anywhere on Earth where so many veteran cars parade in such numbers, the participants dressed in period attire.

I photographed the arrivals at the finishing line in Brighton, take a look at the show reel below to get a feel for it, if you would like to see more please follow this link to read my full newsletter on my car photography website.

The above photograph shows the first car back over the finishing line a 1903 Berliet just after 10am.

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

Bye for now, enjoy the weekend.

Stella

How To Get The Best Out Of Your Camera This Autumn

Autumn is such a colourful time of year and an ideal time to get out with your camera and get the creative juices flowing. I'd like to give you a few tips on how to get the most out of your camera, simple techniques can make all the difference. You may think you need a sunny day to capture the colours, this is only the case when it's early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low and the rays are shining through the trees, the examples above and below show how you can use this to your advantage. I've taken all the photographs in this newsletter with my Nikon D700 body and Nikon 24-120mm lens. The photograph above, which featured on SMS Creative Photography's Christmas card last year, was taken at the bottom of Merle Common Road as you join Red Lane, Oxted. Camera set at 200 ISO, shutter speed 1/100s aperture f5.6.

The above photograph was exposed at 200 ISO, shutter speed 1/200s and aperture F9.

HDR

The above photograph was taken using the HDR technique which I explained in this newsletter. I took 3 images at different exposures which were spliced together to give an even exposure, showing depth and detail, which otherwise would have been lost. You will always need a tripod for HDR. Cloudy Day Sometimes it's best to avoid shooting on a sunny day, the light can be too harsh, burning out the detail, a grey sky means you can make the most of the day with the soft light and more saturated colours. The example below shows how the grey sky lends itself to a wider range of autumn colours. This photograph was exposed at 1600 ISO 1/320s f18.

Frosty Morning

A crisp frosty morning is also a good opportunity, especially if it's a little misty too, it can add mood and atmosphere and soften colours, creating mystery. Think about how you would like to take the photograph, you don't have to take everything at eye level, squat down and use any pathways to take the viewers eyes into the photograph, it makes more of a story. Exposed at 1600 ISO 1/500s f8. I recommend you push the ISO so you can maintain a shallow depth of field.

Close Up

Get closer to the subject to pick up the texture and shape, this photograph was exposed at 800 ISO 1/200s at f5.6.

I hope this has inspired you to experiment with your camera this autumn, remember the clocks go back 1 hour this Sunday morning 25th October, an ideal opportunity to get out to capture the early morning sun and mist.

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

Bye for now, enjoy the weekend.

Stella

Summertime Photography

Whilst you're away sunning yourself or at home relaxing, take time out to enjoy the moment. Grab your camera and photograph something tranquil, you can refer back to my last newsletter if it helps. Once you've got your image just a little post production can make a huge amount of difference to your summertime photography. Let me show you...

The photograph above was taken in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean in Barbados. It was an overcast day with a storm brewing. The contrast of clear water and the stormy sky were difficult to capture in one shot, but I knew I could improve this in Photoshop.

I always shoot in RAW, the RAW file records a greater number of pixels, giving you more freedom to edit an image. These files need to be processed in Photoshop or Lightroom allowing you much more creativity. Using layers like Levels and Curves, Hues/Saturation and Shadows/Highlights, the image can look infinitely better and true to what you had seen.

Don't be afraid to experiment. The photograph below is the end result, which in my mind is true to what I saw.

The same goes for the photograph below taken at the Soco Hotel Hastings, Barbados. It's not possible to capture an even exposure for the out and inside in one image, this can be achieved by using HDR which I mentioned in my previous newsletter . However without the use of a tripod to shoot multiple images you can still achieve this in one shot. You will need to enhance the exterior view by using the techniques mentioned above and below.

Using a layer mask and playing with a levels adjustment layer I have been able to retrieve the data lost by the harsh sunlight in contrast to the shade inside.

The final image below gives a pleasing result.

I hope this has been useful and has set you on your way in post production, for others of you who are more advanced, keep experimenting, it's the best way to learn as you can find some original tool combinations by making errors.

Enjoy the weekend, I'll be back in two weeks time with more news. Bye for now!

Stella

Are You Getting The Best Out Of Your Camera This Summer?

The summer time is a good time of year to understand how to get the best out of your camera. Especially if you feel your camera controls you. With digital cameras being so sophisticated it's worth getting back to basics, do you remember when all you had to think about was:-

1. Putting film in your camera. 2. What shutter speed should I choose. 3. Which aperture should I use. 4. Focus and shoot.

It isn't too different now, just remember to set your camera to M for manual so you can take control.

With automatic focus this is something you don't have to worry about, these few simple tips will set you on your way.

A very useful tool to use is your lightmetre, you'll see this displayed at the bottom of your view finder, it is so helpful, just make sure the arrow is around the centre 0, by adjusting your shutter speed and aperture. It will look something like the diagram above. A good starting point on a cloudy day is F8 (aperture) at 1/125 (shutter speed) with your ISO set to 400 or use auto setting for this. The picture below shows what your histogram looks like on the back of your camera, a useful tool to check your exposure, a peak similar to the below shows an evenly exposed image.

If this is all Greek to you and you think you could, or someone you know could benefit from my one to one two hour classes, just call the studio on 01883 722282 or click on this link to find out more.

Enjoy the weekend, I'll be back in two weeks time with more news. Bye for now!

Stella

Buckmore Park Launch with John Surtees OBE and Paul Hollywood

On Wednesday 15 July I was invited to the launch of the new Buckmore Park Kart Circuit, in Chatham, Kent. John Surtees OBE who is the only person ever to have achieved world championships on both two and four wheels, has recently taken ownership and wanted to spread the word. This is the track where Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button practiced as youngsters. It is also where John's own son Henry began driving as a child. John's passion and enthusiasm will help to make Buckmore Park a major feeder for youngsters to further their career in motorsport, what better place to start. Buckmore Park is recognised as one of the UK's premier outdoor karting circuits.

A group of enthusiastic friends, associates, press and media individuals watched as John introduced us to the John Button Suite in memory of Jenson Button's late father.

John Surtees OBE founded the Henry Surtees Foundation as a result of a freak accident that ended his 18 year old sons life at Brands Hatch on 19th July 2009. Henry was one of the best young drivers of his era. The foundation was created to assist people with brain or physical injuries caused by accident to help them with their recovery.

The John Button Suite in honour of John Button, Jenson Button's father. These beautiful photographs were unveiled at the launch of them together.

Photograph above of John introducing us to the track with his PA Sharon Bowness on the right and Rebecca Leppard on the left his PR manager.

Paul Hollywood the 'Great British Bake Off ' presenter took time away from filming to unveil a new fleet of 50 karts and demonstrated the 2016 modelSodi RT8 390cc before we were allowed loose on the track. Scott Malvern racing driver, driving the striking blue and yellow Formula 2 car used by John to win the 1972 Japanese Grand Prix. The photographs below show John in the middle with Paul Hollywood on the left and Scott Malvern on the right.

I was amongst the first people to test drive the karts, I felt the adrenaline rush as I prepared in my red race overalls, protective gear and helmet, taking my place in kart number 5. It was a fun 7 laps, I don't think I'll take racing driving up any time soon as I managed to come last in my team. It was great fun, I can highly recommend it! I found it a great opportunity to capture this historic moment and to watch others enjoy it too, there was a lot camaraderie taking place.

For those who preferred to experience the track from the comfort of the clubhouse there was a simulator which was just as popular.

Photograph above of me in kart 5, thanks to Mariusz Goslicki for taking this one and the one below of me with Paul Hollywood and his son Josh.

Good to meet the guys above from The Drone Company who shot this brilliant footage.

Photographs above left Paul Hollywood in a reflective mood with his son Josh and on the right John Surtees OBE looking very proud.

Above on the track, everyone was keen to have a go.

Photographs above a map of the track and my results. A great day out for all the family to have some fun time. Thanks for reading, I'll be back in two weeks with more to share.

Enjoy the weekend! Bye for now.

Stella