Masthead header
    • Weddings in France
    • Portrait experiences
    • Like our Facebook page
    • Follow Susie's Tweets
    • The Wonderful Books

Photographers day out, Roundhay Park

February 9, 2012 Posted in News

Earlier this week I joined a bunch of other local photographers for a get-together and play with our gear around Roundhay Park and its great wedding venue The Mansion. Cris Matthews, who is a top guru on using flash, set up the day and asked gorgeous model Stef to brave the cold for us. Although the idea was to experiment with flash, the natural light on the day was actually really lovely so flash became a little redundant for most of us, and especially for me as beautiful natural light is all I ever really ask for. A couple of these do have a little flash to add interest but frankly, I think they would have been just as good without. What makes the shots is the light and the beauty of Stef. Nothing more required. Some of these were taken on my Nikon D300 and some were on the Fuji X100.  It was great to get together with everyone and talk shop. Thanks to Tom Arber for taking my favourite shot of the day … with my X100 so I’m claiming it:-)

The shot below is the one Tom took with the X100. Fabulous.

And just to prove that in fact I did finally give in to the pressure to use a bit of off-camera flash. It will never be my personal favourite style of photography but when natural light isn’t available it has its place…

Tags: , ,

no comments

Make a Comment
Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

Sledging in Meanwood Park

February 8, 2012 Posted in Children, Families, News

So it finally snowed at the weekend and it was a chance to play with my X100 again. By the time we dragged ourselves to our favourite sledging spot in Meanwood Park in the late afternoon, the slope was looking a little worn and really there was more grass than snow. But that wasn’t stopping anybody and fun was had by all but especially Digby, who once he’d got over the indignity of being made to wear a parka and successfully wriggled out of it, had the best time narrowly avoiding collision with on-coming sledgers as he capered around. The park looked really pretty as the sun began to go down. 

There is a ridiculous head-gear theme going on as you will see. This wasn’t intentional, it’s just what my family wear. What can I do. Jasper at least managed to look slightly less weird as he wasn’t wearing a hat although the strange raised eye-brow expression (reminiscent of his grandpa) means he fits in nicely. Sasha is too cool to pose as well these days so reverts to pulling faces. I include her poking her tongue out to persuade her that smiling nicely would be less embarrassing. Although I still think she’d disagree.

The girls are both keen on netball and decided a bit of shooting practice using snowballs would be a good idea.

The snowy rooftops of Meanwood as the moon came out.

Tags: , ,

no comments

Make a Comment
Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

A walk on Ilkley Moor with my new camera

January 16, 2012 Posted in Children, Families, News

Happy New Year! I haven’t taken or shared nearly enough personal images over the last year. So my (only) New Year’s resolution is to do more of this. The first step was to treat myself to a new camera, a Fujifilm X100. The photographers reading will know about this camera. It’s very compact and incidentally looks beautiful, which in  no way swayed me of course, and takes absolutely top quality images, as good as would come out of my D300 with me in charge anyway. I took it out for the first time on Saturday as I persuaded the children and Karl (and Digby, though he needs no persuading) to come out for a walk on Ilkley Moor behind the Cow and Calf rocks. It was a beautiful day, but really cold as you can see from the ice shots and from the frost on the ground. And the low sun made for some challenging photography when I hadn’t worked out properly how to adjust my settings. It’s a good job I’m a fan of flare! But for a first attempt, I was really pleased with what came out. Next, I’m going to read the instructions…

There’s some sort of game bird in the middle of the shot on the left below. Is it a grouse? It was making a funny noise. Anyone who has an X100 will know that tracking moving wildlife isn’t probably what it was made for so even though it’s a technically dreadful photograph (and not the only one, I know! Bear with me, it was my first time…) I see it as a small miracle all things considered. Don’t bother straining your eyes to see it in the shot on the right. It had long gone by the time I panned around a bit.

Yes it’s a shame about the bin bag. Maybe if a client wanted this on their wall I would photoshop it out but life is too short for my blog, sorry…

A very welcome sight at the end of a very chilly adventure. It was a lovely afternoon though. I can’t wait for my next trip out with my X100 and you should be seeing more of my family and what we get to up as a result. Please let me know what you think of this first set.

Tags: , , ,

Show Hide 4 comments

Make a Comment
Jennifer - January 16, 2012 - 10:50 am

Damn you Susie – I want one now ;-)

Ali - January 16, 2012 - 11:09 am

LOVE these!! Its on my shopping list as a reward this year if I’m a good girl!!
x

James Pearson - January 16, 2012 - 11:22 am

Lovely photos and family! Looks like a great walk and you’ve got the X100 working very nicely indeed. Looking forward to more personal work from you!

Silverback - January 16, 2012 - 2:20 pm

Flarey good, Susie ;-)

Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

Changing seasons as children grow up

December 7, 2011 Posted in Children, Families, News

Here are regular clients Oliver and Anna. You may remember them from earlier this year (you can see that post by clicking here).We had a fabulous portrait session in their beautiful new garden as they’re recently moved house. It was a wintry day as you’d expect at the moment, but wrapped up warm and with plenty to explore and play with, nobody minded. Fabulous as it was and happy as I am with the resulting photographs, I have to admit that I was very pleased when they told me that they’re going on holiday to France next summer so would like me to do their next session there. As I’m based in the Languedoc for a few weeks each summer, it’s a perfect opportunity to get some lovely relaxed family holiday portraits in the wonderful French light. In the meantime, back to not-so-sunny but equally picturesque Yorkshire and some photography at home.

Oliver has recently started school and was keen to model his cute uniform…

no comments

Make a Comment
Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

Give a little visual joy this Christmas

November 30, 2011 Posted in Children, Families, News

It’s December tomorrow and I’m sure that means it’s OK to talk about Christmas now. I know I’ve just realised that presents need buying soon as time is running out fast. If you’ve got the same dilemma, I’ve put together a seasonal little newsletter with a few suggestions. Note the bit at the bottom – I’ve got some really exciting plans for next year so why not make it your resolution to really make sure you’ve got some wonderful family portraits for posterity? Now, on with the shopping…

no comments

Make a Comment
Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend