Past and Present Photography

Rachel at six months and 18 years

Another before and after photograph, this time of Rachel and her mum Carey, the first shot was taken at their home on the living room floor with available window light when she was just 6 months old. This was taken before I opened my business here in Oxted and my inspiration to get premises to work from. It really made me realise how much I wanted to work more with people to create photographs that would mean so much more in years to come that were natural and relaxed.

Today Rachel and Carey had an update of that shot to celebrate Rachel's 18th Birthday, this time in the studio. I just love it, don't you agree they look amazing and Carey hasn't changed one bit.

Past and Present Photography

The first picture was taken with a Nikon 35mm camera and 70mm lens using TriX Pan black and white 36 exposure film.

The second picture was taken digitally using a Nikon D700 and 70mm- 200mm lens.

In this digital age it's worth looking at this comparison to see how far photography has come and just goes to show how important it is to capture the moment print it and frame it.

To capture the present to create the past for future generations....

Thanks

Stella

Past and Present Photography

Chloe, Then and Now! Past and Present Photography

When I opened SMS Creative Photography in February 1997 I had the pleasure of photographing lots of  children and families, amongst these families was Chloe. That was in August 1997 when she was just four years old,  I got to meet Chloe again last Saturday for an update on that photograph but this time for her 21st birthday. Wow! I think you'll agree she looks beautiful, what a stunner!

The thing I love about my work is that I get to meet and take photographs of all sorts of interesting people to capture a moment in time. Chloe's grandmother came in with her on both occasions and wanted to capture her on this landmark birthday.

This just goes to show how important it is to capture and print these images for quiet reflection.

Recently we have had commissions to restore old photographs some as old as one hundred and twenty years to reproduce prints for family archives so current generations can have several generations of their families framed to be part of their everyday lives and to share copies to preserve the original. This has been fascinating to see how photography has evolved over the years and how family members can look so similar two generations apart.

With the current age of digital photography we are all so familiar with capturing a moment and sharing it via social media or just storing it on our hard drives that they very rarely get printed which leaves me a little concerned that future generations will miss out on that "suitcase full of old photographs" to rummage through, something that I'm sure we can all share in doing.

This is my quote:-

 "To capture the present, to create the past, for future generations..."

Thank you very much for reading

Stella

Meissen Porcelain Masterpiece Chelsea

Meissen Porcelain Masterpiece Chelsea

Masterpiece in London brings together collectors, exhibitors and curators from around the world for an unparalleled show of fine art, antiques and design. Set in the spectacular South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. My clients WW.Warner from Brasted are amongst the exhibitors. I have been photographing their beautiful pieces for many years for reproduction in magazines and catalogues.

Meissen porcelain the first European hard-paste porcelain that was developed from 1708 by Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus. After his death that October, Johann Friedrich Böttger, continued his work and brought porcelain to the market. The production of porcelain at Meissen, near Dresden, started in 1710 and attracted artists and artisans to establish one of the most famous porcelain manufacturers, still in business today as Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH. Its signature logo, the crossed swords, was introduced in 1720 to protect its production; the mark of the crossed swords is one of the oldest trademarks in existence. It dominated the style of European porcelain until 1756.

The last day of the show is today until 9pm, if you have time it's worth a visit.

Thanks for reading

Stella