Elite London Show Days May 2015

Following on from my last newsletter about the setting up of The Elite London Show a luxury lifestyle experience, set in the opulent surroundings of the Rizon Jet facility at Biggin Hill Airport.

The Elite London Show days on Friday and Saturday didn't fail to wow the audience with a prestigious array of 'boys toys' guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning customer. I had the pleasure of interacting with the exhibitors and customers alike, to photograph the emotion of the second Elite London Show. What stood out the most for me was the passion the exhibitors had for their products and craft.

Here are a few of the photographs I took at the Elite London show days with a brief description underneath.

The photographs above show some of the exhibitors showcasing helicopters, supercars and inspirational sculptures.  All the images were taken using Nikon equipment with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

The photograph of the hangar above was taken using Nikon equipment with a 24-120mm lens. The HDR process which I wrote about on my previous newsletter will tell you how it is produced.

The photographs above capture different moments at the show in particular the Spitfire flypast, bottom right. The WWII plane captivated the audience with agile acrobatics, a fast shutter speed was a must for this shot.

Father's Day June 21st at Hever Castle

Say thank you to your dad this Father’s Day and spoil him with a memorable day out. In partnership with John Surtees and the Henry Surtees Foundation, Hever Castle presents a collection of F1 cars, classic cars and motor bikes from the John Surtees collection. I have been invited to showcase my classic and supercar photography at this prestigious event with framed Limited Edition photographs for sale.

Featuring the photograph below, home of the Spitfire taken at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, and an F-Type Jag courtesy of AutoPrive, using a Leica medium format camera. What I particularly love about photographing with a Leica is the quality of the lens, capturing crystal clear clarity.

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

Bye for now, enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend!

Stella

The Elite Show London 8 and 9 May 2015

On Wednesday and Thursday I photographed the setting up of The Elite Show London, a luxury lifestyle experience, set in the opulent surroundings of Rizon Jet at Biggin Hill Airport. The scene has been set with an array of super cars and jets on display amongst a select variety of luxury goods.

Below are a few of the images I took just to whet your appetite.

HDR Photography

The photograph above was taken using 5 images spliced together, this is called High Dynamic Range.

The reason for taking a series of images at different exposures is because it's not possible to get a consistent exposure in one single shot. The light inside the hangar is much darker than outside.

By taking 5 images in rapid succession at varying exposures and processing in Photoshop one image with an even exposure is made.

The images below starting top left and finishing bottom right show the five images that were used to create the final one.

Spitfire

The spitfire below is on display at Intrepid Design alongside some innovative furniture created using decommissioned and recycled aircraft parts. You can even visit the guys from the Heritage Hangar to book a short flight in a Spitfire too!

Yesterday Afternoon

The photograph below is how it looked yesterday afternoon, before the cars and jets arrived. The lodge back right is by Waterside Holidays, by the end of the day I felt like curling up and going to sleep, it's so homely! If you get the chance to visit, either today Friday 8 May, or tomorrow Saturday 9 May you're in for a luxurious time.

Thanks for reading I'll be back next month with more news.

Bye for now!

Stella

London-Brighton Jaguar Car Run

On Sunday 26 April I went to the 17th annual London-Brighton Jaguar Car Run which started at Chartwell, Westerham, Kent - family home of Sir Winston Churchill, to photograph the start of the run.

The run is organised by Jaguar World magazine in association with the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club.

There were over 300 Jaguars scheduled to drive through Westerham starting at Chartwell for breakfast, getting ready for their start times between 8am and 10am. The route they followed took them on the B roads and finished at Madeira Drive in Brighton where the presentations were due to take place in the afternoon.

You may remember that after the heat wave during the week, Sunday morning was forecast to be a cold, very wet, wintery day and the forecast wasn't wrong!

I arrived at Chartwell at 7.30am equipped for the rain with camera bodies and lenses protected with plastic bags (I find the small Boots ones are best, turned inside out). This allows you to work fast without the worry the rain will seep into the equipment, leaving enough room to look through the viewfinder and operate the controls, and most importantly the freedom to walk fast without the worry that anyone is trying to shield you with an umbrella. Might sound crazy but it works!

The weather didn't stop the owners of this Jaguar C-Type Enduro/Proteus Replica 1953 taking part from the Netherlands!

There were a huge variety of Jaguars, too many to mention, in particular the three Union Jags. The styling of the Union Jag is based on the stunning XK8. This luxury convertible was inspired by Jaguar’s famous old XK-E (E-Type) sports car of the 1960s.

Car of the Run Award

I hear it was a smooth run and sunny in Brighton, well done to all who took part! Car of the Run Award was presented to Peter Hall with his MK 9 1961 Jaguar, presented by the Mayor of Brighton.

The Elite London8 and 9 May

If you enjoy the finer things in life, this could be just the ticket at Rizon Jet, Biggin Hill Airport. I'm looking forward to photographing the construction of this prestigious event and will feature more in my newsletter next week. If you would like up-to-date news about the event please follow me on Twitter and Instagram @StellaSMS

The Elite London now in it's second year - will celebrate the luxury lifestyle world by showcasing jets, super cars and featuring stunning brands from fine art to fashion and luxury gifts to exquisite jewellery.  Visitors will be treated to a selection from the world's most respected companies and sought after brands. To book your tickets please click here.

Photograph below supplied from last years event.

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend, I'll be back next week with more news.

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

Photographic Exhibitions

10 Days Left Until Christmas

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday for the Oxted Christmas Festival, it was a brilliant start to the festive season.

There is still time to book a photo shoot with prints and acrylic blocks ready in time for Christmas, but hurry, Thursday 18 December is the last day to guarantee this. Appointments available this Saturday 13 December, please call 01883 722282 to make yours.

Creative Inspiration

Over Christmas why not stop and take some time out for some creative inspiration. Let your mind wander and explore some fascinating photographic exhibitions. It's such a beautiful time to capture some golden moments and see things from someone else's perspective. Or plan to visit new ones in 2015.

National Portrait Gallery are currently showing the 60 winning photographs from the Taylor Wessing photographic prize competition until 22 February 2015. This competition encourages photographers to submit contemporary portrait photographs to evoke an emotion. With over 5,000 entries from sixty different countries the winning ones are well worth viewing. I am determined to get one of my photographs accepted in the not too distant future.

Whilst at the National Portrait Gallery stroll over to Lord Snowdon's exhibition A Life in View to see a fascinating collection of images from the Queen's one time brother-in-law, on until 21 June 2015.

The Photographers Gallery Viviane Sassens work as a fashion photographer, her powerful photographs are more contemporary art, on until 18 January 2015

Somerset House will be  showing an exhibition to celebrate beards, yes that's right, beards, but not until 5-29 March 2015. This link will tell you more about the 80 prints on display.

Tate Modern Conflict Time this moving exhibition focuses on the passing of time, on until 15 March 2015.

Atlas Gallery are showing Celebrated from some of the most iconic photographers until 24 January 2105

Victoria and Albert Museum are currently showing the work of Horst one of the 20th century's master photographers until 4 January 2015.

EVE Edenbrige, Top Foto Gallery For something closer to home, if you missed this when it was  it was hosted at Chartwell, Westerham in October, my classic and supercar exhibition 'A Drive Down Memory Lane'  now on until 2 January 2015.

These exhibitions are just a few of the many out there, enjoy!

Thanks for reading.

Bye for now.

Stella

P.S For Classic and Supercar lovers, the ultimate gift of a bespoke book, please visit my website for more info...