Class art

Some art is almost priceless, as is this portrait by Gustave Klimt, and is the most expensive in the world, sold for a reputed $135. wow
Not only is it the colours, the luxurious gold, like a shower flowing, the black hair and red lips, it is also the pattern on her long flowing dress, the abstract patterns, there is just so much going on. Amid the ornate and colourful background, the subject's face and, in particular her hands, stand out from this extraordinary show of gold. From this we can see that the subject conveys a confidence. This piece of is considered as we know it today as Art Nouveau, with Klimt at this time stretching the boundaries.
Also your eye keeps going round and round. the pose is quite extraordinary as well.
The subject is Adele Bloch-Bauer.

Country File

I was watching Country File today whilst eating my tea and they are running a competition entitled "Moment of Magic", and they had a photographer there along with many local photographers like us to give a clue as to what they were looking for to publish in the competition.
They were at Lacock Abbet doing a piece on Fox Talbot, and John Craven was given the opportunity to create an image in the method and style of Fox talbot. It will be on IPlayer shortly should anybody be interested. It gives another dimension to photography. They also showed a piece on a Wiltshire Farmer with his herd of Bison.

Some creatures aye.

Hostile approach - and the peace to come

Here's one I took when in london, not quite on the rampage, but a fine specimen for it's breed!

So realistic, believe it or not, this is operated by 2 men whilst on stage, and is full size. I do miss going to London as there is always something different going on, and this was an exhibit in the middle of Simon Arnaud's photo exhibition at the V&A. You can just stumble on things just by being watchful and being there.

Not only photographic exhibitions but there are other influences as well, such as paintings, the buildings, the general scene. Oh to be able just to take in the world of Photographs, and to draw inspiration from one's surroundings. I have been reading Lee Miller's biography lately, and the time she spent developing her art over the years (makes me feel I want to do the same) with some of the most famous photographers in any era, and through a great period of change. I would like to visit Farley Farm again in Sussex, which is run by her son Anthony, and besides being a inspirational, is full of other artist's work that visited the Farm when she finally settled down, Picasso being one. There is also alot going on in the locality, and just being able to get out there is a wonderful thing. People make places, who make people, who in turn create the stage for photographs to be taken.

marking system

Has anybody done this yet? Where do we put it? On each blog topic?

Focus on imaging exhibition NEC 8th March 2010

Visited this exhibition today with Ruth to day. Arrived at Midday, left on closing. Some day. So much kit to look at and be tempted with. The outstanding bits for me were:- 1. The talk (very short) by Jo Cornish on his landscape photography. The amount of work that he puts in, and the way he constructs his images was quite revealing. The use of several filters for example to get a balanced exposure was quite interesting, as was his presentation of a very long panorama he had done (see video). He also uses a range of large format cameras, some digital, all of which escape me at present. Ruth had her picture taken with him, which was a delight for her, taken by an extraordinary photographer of course. 2. Asking a question about the Interfit lighting system lead to a discussion about how to use and utilise lighting, including how to change the bulbs, the life of a bulb, the advantages of using Interfit lights over Bowens for changing bulbs (Interfit you can do yourself, Bowens you have to send away eg). The chap was Paul Simmons, who is actually a Hair and Beauty Photographer, taking something like 2000 images a week, using Interfit lights. Interestingly their continuos lighting systems feature energy saving bulbs (see image) If only I had the cash the price of the Canon 5D Mk II was really low (and 1D!) and the price kept dropping. Missed a trick there me thinks, but cash is cash, buy now, eat later? The range of kit was overwhelming, do we really need 12 or more different bits of software to manipulate our images, all better than the other? I did find that the people manning the stands were very helpful and knowledgeable, and happy to discuss any question asked of them. I do want one of the ring flashes that the guy on the HP stand was using though, no setting up lights, just ambient, with excellent results, looked like there was no requirement for photoshop here, the images seem to perfectly exposed. I did not have time to try it out, never mind. Came back with a Canon(not a garish yellow Nikon)bag full of stuff, lots of research material though, and lots of web sites to visit.

Saturday 6th March 2010

L3 Another day at the college, and another interesting day. The group are swapping tales and Ideas, information and techniques, on various related subjects to what each of us is doing. the blogger seems to working better than Iweb, and it is more consistant and does not crash so often. I am still trying to get to grips with it, some trial and error, some advice from from other students and some from Mr Steve. I have had use of the lights this week, and I am beginning to understand how to light subjects. I do get involved with the set up, and changing light levels to try to achieve the image I have in my mind, and forget other stuff that goes with it. It is quite difficult to get everything right. Use of the light meter really helps, setting distances from subject to lights, power levels of the lights. Then there is the backgrounds to consider, and so many other small things that I have noticed after I have packed away the lights etc. Good old photoshop, though I try to use that to the minimum. Mr Steve did look at some of my work today that I have done during the week, so my comments are noted on those parts of the blog.

Oh for today

Set up the basis for my blog today. I had a great day in London last Sunday 27th December, looking for photographs of reflections.

Started off at Trafalgar Square, the sun was still quite low in the sky giving good light for a while. From there I went to the National Portrait Gallery, one of my favorite places. Good coffee and cake in their cafe. It was a good time to go as there were not many people about at that time, so I able to enjoy the Beatles to Bowie exhibition without people spoiling the viewing. The Taylor Lessing portrait exhibition was also on, and both are well worth looking at.

After that I went to Tower Hill, and from there to Canary Wharf. The sun was higher in the sky, but there were lots of refelections about. Difficult to make a winning photo, but fun nonetheless. But the sun disappeared and it began to get quite cold. Went back to Tower Hill and wandered over Tower bridge and along the South Bank. Rich area for photos here. Could have done with a step ladder and wide lens though. Managed to get many reflections, but my favorite is the one I took in the Sea Container House windows, showing the North Bank of the Thames.

Earlier in the week I went with other like minded photographers to Liverpool for the day. Started out in good sunshine, experienced snow and sleet showers on the moterway to get there, but fine when we go there. Went and explored Albert Docks, but light was very low, and no sun. Experienced variable weather conditions, but we slways seemed to be inside when the sleet showers came. Still, go a few shots in, but it seemed to get dark quite quick, and we missed the twilight hour. A good day out though.