Dec 31

Dec 31 2018 - A Photographic Review

As 2018 is drawing to a close, I thought I would write one last blog for this year to kind of go over some of my best images spanning 2018, and re jog my memory to what turned out to be a pretty special year for me.

This year for me has been about new challenges, and new friendships. It has not been easy, with a trip to the hospital putting a bit of perspective on everything towards the middle of the year. But 2018 has also given me more time with my family and also time doing my own thing like no other year before it. The contrast to 2017 is stark and that has owed a lot to my friends old and new, my family and of course my ever growing appreciation and addiction for taking the perfect photograph.

Of course this blog could just be made up of wedding photos and work related photography images taken all this year, which are numerous, but I want to keep that side separate and look at some fun images for my 2018 review.

So where to start….. well let’s Kick things off then was a few photo’s I had always wanted to try getting. Starting with a super moon at the start of the year, which gave me the best opportunity to take a photograph of the moon at its most bright and clear. The Image ended up being picked up by BBC news and was used on the evening news, which makes this image a little extra special to me. For this image, I trudged up to Clifton Downs on a dark and muddy night with my tripod and 7D, which added and additional crop factor (x1.6) to the lens to get the shot.

Super moon composite of several images taken with 400mm F/5.6 on 7D

The second was taken on a trip to Cheddar Gorge, with an unexpected stop on the way back in a huge field of rape seed. I have always wanted to get images inside one of these fields so it was great to spend a few minutes capturing this amazing landscape.

I also had a brief chance to test out a Drone for the first time at the beginning of the year. Once the still camera catches up in quality for the price point I can afford, this will be something I would love to look into.

Drone Shot over Clifton suspension bridge -DGI Mavic Pro

One of the most exciting times of 2018 for me was my parents getting Hetty the Dalmatian puppy. I have loved being able to travel down to Cornwall throughout the year to photograph this adorable, mischievous and loving puppy grow up. Below are a few of my favorite images of her as she grew up over the course of the year.

As well as Hetty, I also got my Banana ball Python called Norman who I am sure will feature next year as he grows.

Snake Skin - 24-70mm F/2.8, studio set up, Flash and tripod

One aspect of photography that I have come to love more and more is wildlife. I have found it to be the most challenging form of photography to capture, with the most amount of patience required to do so. Using a combination of my 400mm, 100mm macro and tripod, I have tried my best to get some images that I did not think I would be able to get.

This was particularly highlighted when back in the summer, on one of my many trips down to Cornwall, I came across a small lake with a resident Kingfisher. I spent the next few days stalking the banks of this lake with my tripod, a 400mm lens, a stool and a newly acquired hide (the height of fashion). I went all out to try and get as close as I could to the Kingfisher and maybe even get it fishing. My patience was rewarded with some wonderful images of it, as well as some of the other inhabitants of this forgotten lake in the woods. This shoot became one of my highlights of the year, and was a real achievement for perseverance and patience for me.

Kingfisher diving - 400mm F/5.6 on tripod

Greater Spotted Woodpecker - 400mm F/5.6

Cornwall has also provided me with a vast array of different scenes to photograph over the past 12 months. Below are a couple of Images I have taken over this time.

‘Beast from the East’ Snow at Praa Sands -35mm F/1.4

Rinsy Head - 35mm F/1.5, 10stop ND filter and tripod

Catching Waves at Praa Sands - 400mm F/5.6

Bristol in 2018, now my new home has been a real joy to live in, and has made me appreciate where you live more than ever before. I was worried when I made the decision to move that I would miss the London life but I could not have been more wrong. I have embraced everything that Bristol has had to offer, and have been rewarded with a vibrant, relaxed and amazingly friendly city. It is everything London is not, and I am all the more glad for that. From The Zoo, cycling around the city, Graffiti and Balloon festivals and everything in between, It has been so much fun to be around and take part in.

Clifton Suspension Bridge in the snow Panoramic - 24-70mm F/2.8

Beetles in the bug house - 100mm macro F/2.8

Clevedon Pier 35mm F/1.4, 10 stop ND filter and tripod

Balloon Festival Light show - 35mm F/1.4

Bed-minster Graffiti Up-fest - 35mm F/1.4

Of course I have been back to London, and I have enjoyed my time back there as well, but much more so as a visiter and not a resident. I found I did so much more when visiting and appreciated my time there much more.

Naked Bike ride 2018 - 70-200mm F/4 at 200mm

Trooping of the Colour - moment one of the men falls from his horse - 70-200mm F/4

For some unknown reason, Wales has featured very heavily in my 2018 year when it comes to taking photos. I took a trip to the brecon beacons and Snowdonia at the beginning of the year, and was back again, this time in Swansea, the mumbles and the Gower at the end of the summer. Talk about a diverse landscape, from snow peaked mountains, waterfalls and rivers in the north, to stunning beaches and sea cliffs in the south, Wales has it all.

Snowdonia National park - stitched Panorama 35mm F/1.4

stormy seas off the coast of Aberystwyth - 400mm F/5.6

Brecon Beacons waterfall - 35mm F/1.4 plus 10 stop ND filter

Brecon Beacons Waterfall pt.2 - 35mm F/1.4 10 stop ND Filter

Wild Mountain goat, Snowdonia National Park - 400mm F/5.6

Three Cliffs Bay horse riders- 70-200mm F/4

Minimalism attempt at Rhossili bay - 70-200mm F/4

Three cliffs bay - 35mm F/1.4 3 stop ND Filter (reducing glare)

At the beginning of this blog review of 2018, I spoke about friends and family, so I will finish with some of the people that really made this year what it was. I have been lucky enough to have some great old friends and made some fantastic new ones while on my 2018 journey, who at some point or another had to put up with me taking photos and holding up their day in some way.

Hide phone call to Toby (the lost boy) - 35mm F/1.4

Knockout - 35mm F/1.4

Bristol Christmas Meal Gang- 35mm F/1.4 (NOT TAKEN BY ME)

Blaise Castle Summer Group Shot 35mm F/1.4 (NOT TAKEN BY ME)

And of course no year round up would be complete without these lot, which these past couple of years more than any other, has taught me how important they all are.

Family Photo 2018 - 24-70mm on a timer stacked on some boardgames

I do hope as we fall into 2019, that I can keep on improving with my photography, and create more memories to share with the world. Here is hoping that 2019 will be a continuation of 2018 and not a 2017 kind of a year. My new year’s resolution if I had to have some is to try and get more minimalist images and try to convince someone to sit for me for more intimate portraits, as well as more trips away in search of that ever elusive perfect photo. So here is hoping that 2019 is a year to remember, and a continuation of what has come before. Here is hoping that anyone reading this also had a good 2018 and will have Happy 2019 too….Za nas

FIN

Dec 31 2018 - A Photographic Review

Jan 30 There's Still A Light In The House

Nov 19 Homecoming

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