Learn Photography

2011-11-04T11:36:00.003+10:00

The Learn Photography blog has a new home, please visit BrisbanePhotographyCourses.com.au

Gold Coast SLR Beach workshop

2011-09-13T21:32:00.000+10:00

We are very excite to launch a brand new SLR workshop which will take place on the gorgeous Kira beach on the Gold Coast.

This workshop will address many of the issues faced when shooting under bright light light, coping with the changing light as the sun sets as well as having fun with slower shutter speeds. Just 20 minutes drive from Surfers Paradise, Coolangatta/Kira is a popular destination for surfers and sun worshipers alike.

For bookings and more information visit the Learn Photography website.

Must see video of a photographer at work

2011-06-13T20:40:00.000+10:00

Check out this seriously amazing behind-the-scenes video of black & white landscape photographer Michael Levin at work. The entire video was shot on a Canon 5DMkII and I recommend watching in HD full screen - incredible!

Photo Social returns

2011-05-30T22:07:00.000+10:00

Photo Social returns to the Ship Inn at Southbank (Brisbane) on Friday July 1st. The last event was great fun and we hope part 2 will be even better.

So if your an enthusiastic Brisbane photographer then why not join us for a beer and a chat about all things photographic!

For more details and to RSVP visit the Facebook event page

Hope to see you there!

State library in Monochrome

2011-04-04T20:52:00.001+10:00

The State Library of Queensland must be one my favourite buildings of all time. Not only is it a wonderful library with first class facilities, but it is an amazing building to walk around with great views of the Brisbane river and five levels that feature some incredible architecture and spaces to discover every time you make a visit. The library was voted Australia’s ‘Building of the Year’ at the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) Awards ceremony in 2007 a year after opening and is a marvel of concrete, wood and glass that anyone visiting the South Bank Cultural Centre should pay a visit.

During the weekend I spent a few moments capturing some views of the SLQ.

Visit the State Library of Queensland website > www.slq.qld.gov.au

Link of the week

2011-03-23T00:13:00.005+10:00

As a photography fan I'm inspired and intrigued by the work of other photographers and never tire of looking at photography either online, in books, photography magazines and of course exhibitions. So a new feature of this blog is to share a link to a particular photography related website, gallery or video that I've stumbled across and hope you will also find inspiring, educational, interesting and fun!

So to kick things off I would like to showcase 'Framed' which is website that features a series of in-depth, behind the scene videos of photographers at work.

www.framedshow.com

Paul Farris (Learn Photography)

Studio lighting course

2011-03-07T11:36:00.000+10:00

Here's a couple of shots from this weekends Studio Lighting Course. Many thanks to Dwarek, Thomas, Shane and Tina plus extra thanks to Mel for being an excellent model.

Our nest studio workshop is on Saturday 30th April - for more details visit the Learn Photography website.

Photo Social

2011-02-22T11:50:00.001+10:00

What is Photo Social?

Held at the Ship Inn (Southbank, Brisbane) on Friday April 1st, this FREE event welcomes anyone with an interest in photography who want to meet, learn more about their cameras and swap tips and ideas from like-minded photographers

Why not join our event on Facebook

Head On Photo Festival 2011

2011-02-16T20:42:00.002+10:00

Head On Photo Festival (5 MAY – 11 JUNE 2011) is Sydney’s major innovative showcase for Australian and international photography, reflecting a vibrant, diverse cross-section of new and traditional photographic practices covering all genres. Head On aims to present good photography regardless of the celebrity of either the subject or photographer.

Events for 2011 will include indoor and outdoor exhibitions, screenings, workshops, a seminar as well as some special events. Venues include public and commercial galleries, cafes, parklands and the streets of Sydney itself.

With the launch of the inaugural Head On Photo Festival in May 2010, the vibrant and cosmopolitan global city of Sydney finally gained a photography festival. Sydney is now firmly placed on the global photography scene alongside Perth, Brisbane, Canberra and Ballarat who all have established festivals.

www.headon.com.au

Vivian Maier

2011-02-08T21:22:00.000+10:00

Little is know about Vivian Maier (1926-2009), a private person who lived and worked as a nanny and during her lifetime took over 100,000 photographs on the streets of Chicago. These photos had never been seen by anyone until author John Maloof acquired a dusty box of negatives from an auction whilst researching a history book on Chicago's NW Side.

Many now say she may rank among the greatest street photographers of the 20th century.

Nikon-Walkley Press Photo Exhibition

2011-02-08T11:37:00.003+10:00

The Nikon-Walkley Press Photo Exhibition opened this week at the Brisbane Powerhouse and will continue to travel around the country with Newcastle being the next stop in May.

Featuring the finest in Australian journalism, the Walkley Awards showcases more than 100 photographs from the finalists in the areas of sport, portraiture, photographic essay and daily life in the city and regionally.

The 2010 Nikon-Walkley Award finalists will run from the 1st to the 27th February (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat-Sun 10am-4pm) and is one not to be missed.

www.brisbanepowerhouse.org.

Canon announce new DSLR's, lenses and flash units.

2011-02-07T23:01:00.000+10:00

A feast on goodies have been announced from Canon today following the last weeks sales conference in Sydney. First to be unveiled where two new DSLR's, the entry-level EOS 1100D and the eagerly anticipated EOS 600D.

The EOS 1100D is built around the latest Digic 4 processor and features a 12.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor, extended ISO range, 9-point Auto Focus, a 2.7" TFT LCD display as well as the ability to shoot HD (1280x720p) movies. Designed as the perfect stepping stone for users of compact cameras, the 1100D will be the camera of choice for first-time DSLR users.

The EOS 600D sits in the upper levels of the Canon DSLR range and boasts some interesting new features including Scene Intelligent Auto plus a selection of five creative filters including a 'Fish eye lens effect'. A tilt and swivel 3" LCD is also included as well as an 18 Megapixel CMOS sensor (as seen in the 550D), Full HD (1920x1080p) movie recording and the ability to remotely control flash units using the built in flash (very nice!)

As well as adding some more Compact cameras to their extensive range, Canon also announced the production of its 60 millionth EF lens (first introduced in 1987) along with the launch of updated versions of both its 500mm and 600mm f4L IS USM pro lenses and the news that an EF200-400mm f4L IS pro lens will be available later in the year featuring a built in 1.4x teleconverter.

And finally Canon also announced the 320EX and 270EXII speedlite flash units. The 320EX will feature a video light as well as the option of being controlled wirelessly by the EOS 600D or similar controllers. The 270EXII will replace the 270EX with the addition of a wireless slave mode.

For more info visit the Canon website

Abstracts

2011-01-20T21:35:00.002+10:00

Whilst looking through some archived images today I came across two I would like to share. The first was taken four years ago as a test shot for a commission from Nokia who had given me the brief to supply some 'abstract' style images of unusual and distinctive flowers, plants and suchlike. The picture was actually taken in the garden section of my local Bunnings who had a great selection of plants and they were only too happy to let me snap away at my leisure.

The second image is more recent and is a warped and distorted view of the Iconic Brisbane Story Bridge. The original shot was a panoramic taken whilst I was giving some one-to-one photography tuition and has since been the subject of some major tweeking via Photoshop CS5.

The original image is featured on the home page of the Learn Photography website.

Brisbane flood and how it affects our courses and workshops.

2011-01-13T21:59:00.005+10:00

Please be advised that flooding and inaccessible roads in the South Bank area of Brisbane has affected some of our courses and workshops

What courses are affected?

Practical SLR course
All day Workshops

What courses are not affected?

SLR course
Studio lighting course
One-to-One tuition

What happens next?

If your booking is affected then we will be in touch with details on the new location for the course/workshop.

If you cannot make the booking or would prefer to postpone or re-schedule then please let us know at the earliest convenience.

If you have any questions please email using the link below or contact us on 0430 99 12 10
(Please note that since the flood we have been experiencing network problems in our area - if you cannot get through to us please send us an SMS text message so we can call you back.)

Contact LearnPhotography

UPDATE 17th January

The majority of Southbank parklands remains closed - workshops and practical courses will be held at Wynnum and Manly until further notice.

UPDATE 18th January
Last weekends all day workshop on the bayside was a lot of fun - here's a handful of shots . . .

UPDATE Thursday 27th January
I have been informed today that much of Southbank Parklands (as well as our study rooms) is still inaccessible after the recent floods. We will monitor the situation daily but expect our Workshops and Practical courses to continue in the Wynnum / Manly area for at least another 2 weeks.
UPDATE Wednesday 16th February
All our courses and workshops are now running as normal. Most of the Southbank area is now open to the public and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding during the past few weeks.

10 perfect Xmas gifts for photography fans

2010-12-01T07:16:00.002+10:00

Learn Photography's Paul Farris' essential guide to the perfect stocking fillers for photography fans.

1. Lens Mug

Without a doubt one of the coolest photography related gifts around this year is the 'lens mug'. Available as either 'Nikon' and 'Canon' varieties, these mugs are actual replicas of real lenses with rubber-grip focus and zoom rings, easy to clean stainless steel lining, replica auto/manual focus switch and even a lens-cap lid.

You can purchase the lens mug from PhotoJoJo.com

2. A lens for low light (and great blurry backgrounds!)
Every photographer should have at least one lens in their kit bag that offers a wide aperture and thus performs well in low light as well as providing a shallow depth of field (great for portraits). Canon and Nikon users are some of the luckiest here as they both offer 'fast' lenses at very reasonable prices - The Canon 50mm f1.8 has long been a favourite of many and is a must-have lens for Canon users and a steal at around $135 (AUS). Nikon users should consider the slightly more expensive 35mm f1.8 DX lens at around $350 (AUS) or the 50mm f1.8 for $190 (AUS).

Check out my friends at PhotoContinental for good deals and great service on lenses.

3. Subscription to a cool photography magazine
Photography for me is a continual learning curve - I pick up new ideas, inspiration and hints all the time from other photographers, the internet and from reading photography magazines. Two of my personal favourite magazines are 'Capture', Australia's top selling professional photography magazine and the 'British Journal of Photography' which is an great read and features some amazing contemporary work. For Australian readers 'Capture' is without a doubt the best option and will make any photographer happy at just $38.50 for a years subscription.

Subscribe to Capture via Yaffa Publishing

4. A tripod

A tripod is a must-have bit of kit for just about any photographer. It doesn't matter if your a keen landscape, portrait, architecture, product or even wedding photographer - at some point the cameras shutter speed is going to be so slow that hand holding the camera is out of the question and using a tripod is the only way to avoid camera shake and blurry images! My advice is simple - buy the best tripod you can for your budget (in fact, stretch the budget if necessary as it's an investment you will not regret!)

I recommend checking out tripods from Velbon as good all-round tripods that won't break the bank or Manfrotto, which although more costly are head and shoulders above most of the competition.
Check out my friends at PhotoContinental for a great selection of Tripods.

5. Remote shutter release

Shutter release devices are available for most major DSLR cameras as either the old-school cable variety or the more popular wireless versions. A remote shutter release allows the photographer to trigger the cameras shutter without the need to physically touch the camera and thus avoid camera shake and blurry photos. This is an essential must-have bit of kit when using slow shutter speeds and can be purchased for as little as around $30-$40 (AUD) from most photography stores.

Check out my friends at PhotoContinental for a great selection of shutter release and remotes.

6. Camera strap
OK so I know every camera comes with a camera strap already....! The problem with the strap supplied with the camera is that 1- it's a big advert for the camera manufacturer and do you really want to draw unwanted attention to the expensive bit of kit hanging around your neck? 2 - The supplied straps are not well designed and are uncomfortable if your out for a long day of shooting. 3 - The straps easily slide of your shoulder as they have no grip ability. My strap of choice is the ' ridiculously named 'Industry disgrace' from the cool bag manufacturers Crumpler - it's comfortable, strong, extra long and available in some cool colours for a bargain $40 (AUD)

Visit the Crumpler website for more - or visit their stores in Brisbane (CBD) and in West End

7. Story Bridge Photoclimb experience

The Story Bridge is a Brisbane icon that first opened in 1940 and offers spectacular uninterrupted 360 degree views of the Brisbane CBD skyline that you won't be able to see from anywhere else. Regular climbers of the bridge are not allowed to take cameras along which is what makes the photoclimb both an opportunity and experience that is not to be missed for any photography enthusiast. You will have the chance to capture some amazing images with a brief prior to the climb during which we will give you plenty of hints and tips and advice during the two and half hour climb.

Visit the official Story Bridge climb website for more details

8. Camera bag

I'm of the opinion that there is no such thing as the perfect camera bag, and I should know as I currently number six to my collection in a range of shapes and sizes, all of which get regular use depending on where, what and when I'm shooting plus of course what gear I need to bring along. I've owned a trusty Crumpler backpack for about five years and is my firm favourite as it swallows up a fair amount of gear, is rugged, looks cool and is extremely comfortable to wear.

More recently I've also become a big fan of Think Tank who are very popular with pro photographers around the world, make great bags and until very recently had not been available in Australia. Check out the Think Tank website for more info or drop in at Photo Continental to see the full range.

9. Photoshop elements 9

Adobe Photoshop has long been the essential must-have software for photographers. Whilst Photoshop CS5 is the big daddy and the pro photographers choice at over $1000 (AUD), Photoshop Elements 9 is perfect for the enthusiast photographer who wants to be able to perform essential editing of images without breaking the bank.

Elements 9 can be purchased online from Adobe for around $145 (AUD) or maybe try the free trial version first!

10. Learn Photography gift voucher
The final gift idea is not only a shameless plus but also a great gift idea for any photography enthusiast wanting to know how to get better results from their digital SLR camera. We have gift vouchers starting from just $99 (AUS) that can be used against any of our photography courses, workshops or even One-to-One tuition.

For more info or to purchase online visit the Learn Photography website.

Hints and tips for DSLR users

2010-11-24T21:48:00.004+10:00

If you are new to digital SLR photography then I recommend you check out DTown TV which is a FREE online 'TV show' full of cool hints and tips for DSLR users. This latest episode is aimed at the complete novice and covers topics such as "What lenses should I buy?" and "What are UV filters for?" - enjoy!

Click here to watch DTown TV

Fisheye

2010-11-19T23:06:00.003+10:00

I rented a Canon 5D MkII from Brisbane Camera Hire last week to use during some corporate training - what a great camera! I also grabbed a Fisheye lens to try out and spent a few days seeing what crazy angles and unusual distorted perspectives I could get from it. The lens was a Tokina 10-17mm Fisheye and I have to say it was a lot of fun to use and now has me considering adding a Nikon AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED to my collection!!

Why I love cloudy days

2010-10-27T13:44:00.003+10:00

I'm lucky to live in Brisbane in the heart of Queensland the so-called 'Sunshine state' where it's sunny pretty much all of the time and blue skies are the norm, in fact it's the tropical weather and climate that is one of the key reasons why we left London - and I have to admit that I love it! However when it comes to taking photos the harsh sunlight and cloud-less skies are not something that I'm over keen of. It's been long recognised that photographers prefer softer morning or afternoon light and therefore avoid taking photos in the middle of the day, and during our photography courses I tell my students about the benefits of cloudy days over bright days and the problems that shooting in harsh sunlight can bring.

Last weekends all day workshop was held on a typically glorious sunny and hot day, however by 6pm as the sun started to go down the wind had began to increase and some dark clouds started to fill the skyline above us, I was delighted by this as I knew that the clouds would add some additional interest and drama to the sky as we prepared ourselves to shoot the Brisbane skyline.

Below is an image captured by Ellis Plata, one of the students on the workshop who had no previous experience of using a digital SLR camera prior to attending the workshop having only unpacked his new Nikon D90 the previous night.

I asked Ellis to send me a copy of the image to share on the blog both as an excellent example of what we cover on the workshop but also because it is a great capture helped by the amazing sky and the clouds blurring as they pass overhead.

- Click on image for a larger view -

Image info:
Camera : Nikon D90, Setting : Manual, Shutter speed : 30 seconds, Aperture : f16, ISO : 200, lens focal length : 18mm

"Thank you for an awesome day. I have gone from not knowing my D90 Nikon to now shooting on manual mode. I found your course relevant and easy to follow. The small group size also was good as we all got your personal attention."
Ellis Plata

Many thanks to Ellis for allowing the use of the image and to all the students for a great day. For more info on our all day workshop or any of our courses visit the Learn Photography website.

Paul Farris is Learn Photography's founder and tutor

Studio lighting workshop

2010-10-12T16:29:00.001+10:00

Whilst Brisbane was having it's wettest October on record it was warm and dry in our studio as we hosted our very first studio lighting workshop with a small group of students getting to grips with the equipment, terminology, techniques as well as getting plenty of practical hands on experience.

The workshop is designed to cover the essential techniques of shooting in a studio environment with a particular emphasis on portraiture, so after an initial introduction and tackling the theory of studio lighting we got down to the business of photographing our guest model. During the workshop the lighting was continuously changed for different effects with plenty of equipment on hand to try and ample time to review images and even some costume changes (model not students!)

Topics covered in the Studio Lighting Workshop include :

1. The studio lighting set-up explained
2. Setting up the camera
3. Studio lighting types & accessories
4. Using speedlights / flash units in a studio
5. Off camera flash (strobist techniques)
6. Using a light meter for correct exposure
7. Creative lighting techniques

Here's what two of the students had to say about the workshop :

I absolutely loved the workshop you held on Saturday. I learnt so much about the lighting side of studio photography, that now I can't wait to set up my studio.
L. Petfield

I personally loved the Lighting workshop course & want to thank you so much for organising it - very enjoyable!! I could have spent the whole day there taking photos (time permitting), if only I had all of that equipment...
N .Tubman

For more info on the course, forthcoming dates and bookings please visit the Learn Photography website.

Manly sunrise

2010-09-29T07:24:00.001+10:00

I'm not a morning person at the best of times preferring to shoot in the afternoon, however this morning I got out of bed at 5am, grabbed my camera and headed down to Manly harbour to catch the sunrise. It was a beautiful morning with plenty of clouds in the sky and a low tide which meant I could climb down closer to the waters edge to get a more interesting viewpoint.

Although the sunrise was rather disappointing I still managed to come away with something I like....

Want to join me next time? Follow me on Twitter or Join the Learn Photography Facebook page for a chance to come along with me on a shoot for FREE!

This weekends workshops

2010-08-30T23:54:00.007+10:00

A good amount of my weekends are spent taking small groups out on practical courses and workshops. We spend time exploring the manual features of the camera, understanding the exposure as well as trying out a few different techniques. Capturing moving subjects, using slow shutter speeds for effect, shooting in low light are just a few of the popular exercises that we put into practice. It is rare for me to take my own camera along, however this weekend I thought I would join in the fun and took a handful of images during our SLR workshop. Here's some of my favourites....

(Click on any image to view a larger versions.)

Brisbane CBD panorama
Exploring slow shutter speeds just after sunset. This image is actually 5 individual shots stitched together via Photoshop to give a nice wide panoramic of the city.

The biker
Practicing the 'panning technique' to give a blurry background and a feeling of movement and speed to the image.

The jogger
A quick 'grab-shot' taken after the workshop had finished whilst walking on back to my car. I had to crank the ISO up and slow the shutter speed down to capture the passing jogger as he ran beneath the spotlights and out of the shadows.

And finally . . .
This nice shot of water falling over rocks is courtesy of Ross Miller who was one of the students who joined me over the weekend. This technique for blurring water is always popular on the courses.

Want to join us for an afternoon of photography? - check the website for more details of our practical courses and workshops.

What's new @ Learn Photography

2010-08-21T23:00:00.001+10:00

Studio lighting workshop

I am pleased to announce that we are now taking bookings for our studio lighting workshop. With an emphasis on portraiture, our studio workshop will guide you through the basics of shooting in a fully working studio environment. The course covers camera settings, an overview of the studio equipment and most importantly how to use it. This is a hands on workshop involving actual shooting with a model.

Dates have just been announced so for more info or to secure your place make sure you visit the website.

Website spring clean
The LearnPhotography website has had a minor tune up with a new look home page plus new pages on the new all day workshop and studio lighting courses. October dates are also available for booking.

New studio - portrait promotion

2010-08-20T16:58:00.001+10:00

To celebrate the completion of our new photography studio I am offering a discount on individual and family portraits booked during August and September. For more information visit my contact page.

Click here for contact details

Chisholm college formal

2010-08-20T15:55:00.003+10:00

I had the pleasure of taking photos for the Chisholm college formal a couple of weeks back - A huge thank you to all the staff, students and parents for a great night!

Ordering images
I have been informed today that the school newsletter says prints are available to view & order online - this is incorrect. Images are now available to view at the college complete with order forms for students to take home.

Parents or students with any questions may contact me directly via the contact page link or alternatively you may leave a comment below.

Click here for contact details

Brisbane panorama

2010-08-16T22:18:00.003+10:00

Running photography courses every week I get to meet a lot of fantastic people who all share my passion and love for photography. Sometimes I get sent images that have either been taken on one of the workshops or taken after with the new found knowledge and tips picked up from the courses. A little over a month ago we had a practical workshop in Brisbane which concluded with some shots taken after sundown of the Brisbane skyline. I was really pleased to be sent this image from Lee McMe which an impressive panoramic featuring images taken during the workshop.

Lee has done a fantastic job with stitching the images together and a big thanks to him for allowing me to share the image on my blog for all to see.

Paparazzi - the next generation

2010-08-16T20:34:00.001+10:00

Love them or loath them, celebrities have become a part of everyday life - fueled by the media and the many thousands of magazines and tabloids fighting to survive in the new digital age. The more we want to know about them the greater the demand for exclusive pictures, enter the new breed of Paparazzi who are hungry, competitive and often aggressive in their pursuit of the killer shot!

The word Paparazzi originates from the 1960 film 'La Dolce vita' which features a character playing a news photographer called Paparazzo. The latest generation of 'pappers' however are a long way from what is portrayed in the film as the stakes are high as the right photo can sell for tens of thousands of dollars and appear around the world.

'Paparazzi - the next generation' is a new documentary that follows a group of Paparazzi as they scour the celebrity circuit in London and gives an insight into how they operate and the morality of the modern media game.

'Paparazzi - the next generation' is on ABC2 8:30pm wednesday, august 18th.

All day DSLR workshop

2010-07-25T00:03:00.001+10:00

We are pleased to announce a new all-day workshop. Held at Brisbane's cultural center South Bank, the workshop combines theory along with plenty of picture taking with a break for lunch and time for questions and trying out new found techniques.

Morning session (10am - 1pm)
The morning session is all about tackling the theory and guiding you through the key features of your camera. You will learn how to control the aperture, shutter speed and ISO for absolute creative control of the exposure and discover how to shoot confidently in the manual mode - no more Auto!
The first two hours of the morning session are held in a class room environment with views over the Brisbane river, we then move outside for some practical tips before breaking for lunch.

Afternoon session (2pm - 6pm)
After lunch we will take a casual walk around the South Bank parklands area where there will be plenty of opportunities to explore different techniques including controlling depth of field, capturing moving subjects, using shutter speeds creatively and shooting in low light as the sun sets over Brisbane.

What you will learn
Aperture - What is it and how does it affect the exposure and our final image.
Shutter speeds - How and why does it affect the exposure and our final image.
ISO - Using and understanding ISO sensitivity.
Shooting under varying lighting conditions (including long exposure night shots)
Controling depth of field
Different camera modes
Lenses and accessories
JPEG V RAW
Plus tips on composition and how to get more from your camera

Spaces on this course are stictly limited - for more info visit the website.

www.learnphotography.com.au

September course dates now available

2010-07-22T23:30:00.000+10:00

September photography courses, workshops and private tuition dates are now available on the website. We are also introducing an exciting brand new day long workshop that will replace the popular Nikon and Canon workshops - if you wish to find out more drop me an email via our contact page.

July update

2010-07-01T16:32:00.004+10:00

With Learn Photography one-to-one photography courses the focus is on you and you only. We will be able to answer your questions, help you understand the manual features of your camera and spend valuable time taking photos as well as reviewing and discussing the results.

With private one-to-one tuition we can cover the same subjects as in our other courses or tailor the time to suit your particular needs including help with post processing your images in Photoshop - it's up to you!

One-to-one tuition can take place at our Wynnum location, in Brisbane, your home or maybe you have a favourite location you have always wanted to photograph - this could be anywhere from the Story Bridge at sunrise to your favourite beach location - it's up to you!

Whats happening this month?

We are having our training room and studio built this month which will give us more space to grow and the ability to offer additional courses such as studio lighting workshops (much requested) and photoshop and post processing masterclasses. We will also have some nice clean white wall space to finally hang and display some of our favourite work.

I often get asked my opinion on what equipment to purchase so after many requests I will be adding some additional pages to the website that will act as a guide to the best accessories and where to source them. This will include info on gear such as tripods, lenses, filters, memory cards, flash and much more...

10 tips for better portrait photography

2010-06-24T23:56:00.014+10:00

As a working professional photographer and photography tutor one of my favourite subjects is portraiture. Capturing the personality of a person within a photographic portrait is not an easy task so here's 10 tips on how to take better portraits.Paul Farris (Learn Photography)

1> It's all about the eyes
It's said that the eyes are windows to the soul so it's essential to ensure your subjects eyes are in focus. As a viewer our eyes are drawn first to what part of the image is in focus, so by ensuring the eyes are in focus the viewer is able to engage with the subject. Selecting a very wide aperture will also give a shallow depth of field for the classic blurry background 'portrait look' (see image.)
You may also wish to try capturing your subject looking directly into the camera or looking 'off-camera' - both will yield different results. Having your subject looking down the lens creates a connection between the subject and anyone viewing the image. However if the subject is looking outside of the 'frame' then this creates a feeling of intrigue and adds interest as the viewer can only imagine what they were looking at.

2> Composition
Choosing where to place your subject within the image can make or break a portrait shot. There is no golden rule here so the best advice is to experiment. It may simply be that the subject framed centrally staring into the camera works best, however placing your subject to the edge of the frame and giving them some space to 'look into' can also work well.

3> Angle of view / Perspective
Consider which angle to shoot your subject to give you the best results. There are no set rules and part of the fun is trying something different so why not try shooting from a high angle looking down on your subject, or get low and shoot upwards for a dramatic effect.
taking portrait photos of kids? - then simply bending your knees and capturing them down at their level works wonders as you'll find yourself looking at the world from the child's perspective.

4> Consider the background
Whilst the person you are shooting is the focal point of a successful portrait it is also worth considering the background and how you use it to add to the mood of the image. If the background is part of the 'story' that you are trying to convey (for example a corporate portrait of somebody standing outside of the company headquarters) then its important to ensure it is in focus. However the traditional portrait technique is to blur the background to ensure it is not distracting from the subject - this can be achieved by opening the camera aperture as wide as possible for a narrow 'depth of field.'

5> Which lens to use?
A medium telephoto lens will give flexibility and a pleasing perspective if your getting in close to your subject. Wide angle lenses lenses allow you to capture a lot of background (see image) but will also distort perspective (great for fun images of kids or even pets!) whilst long zooms will give you the opportunity to shoot further away from your subject (great for candids!)

If you wish to throw the background out of focus then a lens which offers a very wide aperture will give you a narrow depth of field (f2.8, f1.8 and f1.4 are the favorites.) Worth considering is the portrait photographers 'favourite' the 50mm prime lens.

6> Landscape or portrait?
Many people instinctively hold the camera to their eye in the horizontal position (called landscape) and overlook simply turning the camera on it's side vertically (called portrait) for a different feel to the final image.
Alternatively try bending the rules and holding the camera at an unusual diagonal image, this will add some energy and drama to the image and works particularly well if the subject is moving and not static.

7> Colour V Black and white
Most will shoot colour images without giving black and white a consideration. Black and white lends a timeless classic look to images and is a popular choice for many portrait and wedding photographers who want a simple look without the distractions of colour.
Whilst many DSLR's now include a monochrome (black and white) setting it's usually better to shoot in colour and then convert the image to black and white after using software such as Photoshop or similar programs such as Picassa.

8> Light
Most photographers will agree that there is nothing like natural daylight, however once again the options are endless and using studio lighting, reflectors etc will give unlimited possibilities. If you are going to shoot using natural daylight then consider the time of day. Try shooting in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer and will give pleasing results compared to midday light which is generally harsh and hard to control creating hard shadows and bright highlights. If shooting around the middle of the day then consider trying a diffuser which is a useful tool for softening bright light or a reflector which can be used to fill in unwanted shadows.
The best thing to do is to experiment, side lighting will create a mood whilst backlighting your image against the afternoon sun will create a 'halo' effect around the subject and highlight hair which can give some amazing results.

9> Shoot Candid
If your subject is uncomfortable in front of the camera then try capturing them candidly when they are relaxed and at ease. Try a long zoom so you can work without putting any pressure on your subject and allowing them to relax in their own environment. This approach is also great for capturing children at play or kids who don't like to sit still for the camera or for candid shots at weddings or similar events.

10> Movement
Portraits don't have to be static. Why not try introducing some movement by having your subject move and emphasizing the movement by choosing a slow enough shutter speed to introducing some slight blur. You could also ask your subject to stand still whilst you capture the movement of the world around them (for this you will almost certainly need a tripod and to select your shutter speed carefully)

If you live in or near Brisbane and love portraiture then you may be interested in our studio lighting workshop or may wish to join one of our photography courses or workshops.

www.learnphotography.com.au

Read all about it - what people are saying about our photography courses

2010-06-23T23:19:00.002+10:00

"I learned so much in the four hours, and now understand my camera for the first time. I'll be back for the practical course, this is one course that should be a must for every digital SLR camera owner, I will be telling everyone about this course. Thanks Paul, it was excellent!"

The above testimonial is just one from many that I have received in praise of my photography courses and workshops. If you are a keen photography enthusiast in reach of Brisbane then why not join us for a one of courses and find out how to get better images from your digital SLR camera. I'm a professional photographer offering photography courses that cover the essential theory, and practical courses that put the theory into practice in small groups to ensure you get plenty of personal attention.

www.learnphotography.com.au

For more testimonials click here

Wheels and randomness!

2010-06-21T10:53:00.006+10:00

Another weekend goes by and as usual a packed few days of photography courses, practical workshops and lots of photo taking! Despite a very cold evening in Brisbane we got some great images of the city, the Brisbane wheel and also had some fun creating some random abstract images using the slower shutter speeds available on digital SLR's ...

Interested in joining one our photography courses or practical workshops in Brisbane or on the bay side and learning how to get more from your DSLR camera? - visit my website for more details www.learnphotography.com.au

Unusual viewpoints

2010-05-27T14:31:00.002+10:00

last week I took a small group of keen amateur shooters on a practical photography course on Brisbane's South Bank. As usual we started out mid afternoon when the light was good and practiced some cool techniques including controlling depth of field and capturing movement. Towards the end of the course the sun had gone down and the lack of light sets us new challenges when it comes to taking images.
I was especially pleased to see one of the students virtually laying on the floor to capture an unusual shot of the Brisbane wheel. The low angle (made easier by the cool flip-out LCD on his Nikon D5000) gave an interesting view on the structure towering above set against the night sky.

Thanks to P Noyes for sending me the pic.

For info on our practical workshops and photography courses check out www.learnphotography.com.au

Shooting fairies

2010-05-11T15:51:00.005+10:00

I spent the morning today working with some of the students of nearby Moreton Bay girls college who were having fun staging a mock fashion shoot based on a fairy theme. Whilst the girls were busy getting make up and trying on outfits I spent some time setting up the lighting and cameras before it was time to get things under way. After an hour of shooting the girls started to relax and really get into the swing of things with the tutor finally taking over the role of photographer when it was time for me to go.

Thanks to all the girls, Karen from MBC and Jennie @ moostudio

Variety is the spice of life

2010-05-05T11:20:00.002+10:00

What I love so much about being a photographer is not only the creativeness that it allows me but also the diversity of jobs that seem to come my way. Over the last few weeks in my photography business, I have shot portraits of an 80 year old grandmother, an 18 month old grandson, an 80's inspired band, a hopeful student actress and a media company promoting the benefits of the Clem7 tunnel. Each job and project has not only been a lot of fun but also a pleasure to have been the photographer chosen from the many hundreds (if not thousands) out there. I count myself lucky to work in a medium which allows me to indulge in my passion for creativeness as well as meet some amazing people along the way.

www.paul-farris.com

Trip sinister update

2010-04-24T22:23:00.008+10:00

It's been a crazy couple of weeks for me with a ton of courses and loads of images to edit so I was really pleased to finally being able to meet up again with Ben from Trip Sinister to look through a selection of the images from the photoshoot. During the actual shoot we had a few costume changes which meant there was plenty to go through and only made the selection process tougher - but after much discussion and debate we selected our favourites, a couple of which I thought I would share here.

You can listen to Trip Sinister via their MySpace page

UPDATE - 28.4.10

Just added another image from the shoot to my website (music) page.

Look out for a behind the scenes of the photoshoot coming soon!

Website makeover

2010-04-20T21:30:00.007+10:00

I thought it was time to show the Learn Photography website some love today so we now have a new look-logo, top banner, extended testimonials page and I've also added my much-loved Pelican pic to the front page. June dates have also been added to keep up with demand.

If you are an enthusiast photographer looking for photography courses and practical workshops in Brisbane and on the Bayside or private tuition visit www.learnphotography.com.au

JPEG V RAW - which is best for me?

2010-04-17T10:00:00.002+10:00

I get asked a lot about the difference between shooting JPEG and RAW files, so here's a brief overview.

All digital cameras shoot images as a standard JPEG with all DSLR cameras (and some top-end compacts) offering RAW capture as an alternative. So which is best and what are the differences?

Firstly lets deal with the JPEG format. JPEG is a universal 'industry standard' image file format recognised by all camera and computer manufacturers. This makes the transferring, copying and archiving of JPEG image files convenient and easy with no fancy software required.
When shooting in JPEG mode however be aware that the image data (created by your camera) is compressed to allow more images to be saved to the memory card as well as increase the camera processing speed. When shooting high resolution JPEG's the compression is not overly noticeable nor is it anything to worry about for most enthusiasts.

RAW files (often referred to as a digital negative) are however a different beast altogether. RAW images created in-camera are 100% uncompressed files with no loss of image data and no image processing applied. RAW files therefore are significantly larger than JPEG files which although means significantly less images per memory card, the large files gives you much more control in the post processing of the image via software such as Adobe Photoshop, Aperture, Lightroom etc (for example changing white balance settings, levels, curves, noise reduction, saturation, contrast etc.) You also have to consider the storage issues of shooting in RAW as archiving on a computer will quickly eat in the space on your hardrive.

Tip: Unlike JPEG files there is no standard RAW format so check you have the software available to open and view the images before shooting in this mode.

Tip: Many cameras offering simultaneous shooting of JPEG and RAW files meaning that for every shot taken the camera creates a JPEG version and a RAW version.

Tip: If you have shot in RAW you can easily create lower resolution JPEG versions.

Tip: If shooting in JPEG mode check to see what size images your camera is creating, it's best to shoot in the highest possible.

If you are still undecided about shooting in JPEG or RAW then consider the following. If you don't like spending much time at the computer and are generally happy with the images created with your camera then JPEG is more than suitable.

If you are interested in getting the absolute best from your images then RAW will give you much better resolution and more options when it comes to tweaking, cropping and manipulating your images.

June course dates

2010-04-16T23:02:00.000+10:00

SLR : Practical : Canon : Nikon workshops and courses - June dates have just been added to the website.

www.learnphotography.com.au

Trip sinister

2010-04-11T21:48:00.007+10:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of working with Brisbane band Trip sinister who describe themselves as modern day 'new romantics' inspired by 80’s pop acts such as the Cure, Duran Duran, the Models and modern day acts such as The New Young Pony Club and Garbage.

The photoshoot took place at Moo Studios and was great fun with lots of costume changes, amazing make up, hair and of course a soundtrack of cool 80's classics!!! A few days of editing ahead of me so here's some behind the scenes shots until then.

Dodging the rain

2010-02-28T07:36:00.006+10:00

Yesterday I did some one-to-one photography tuition with Scott, a very enthusiastic gentleman and his shiny new Canon EOS 7D.

Brisbane's South Bank was the chosen location as there's always loads going on and usually a ton of photo opportunities. However the weather wasn't on our side so between showing him how to get the most from his camera and actually taking photos we spent a lot of time dodging the showers and seeking shelter.

By late afternoon the light was really low which gave me the perfect opportunity to discuss shooting with slower shutter speeds, using ISO and of course out came the tripod. We decided to shoot some long exposure shots when I noticed a large puddle on the floor reflecting the Brisbane Wheel which by now was all lit up and looking great. So I jumped into the puddle to create some ripples and Scott shot into the puddle using various exposures of around 1-4 seconds to capture both the rotation of the wheel and the movement of the water - and he got some great shots!

Scott left feeling damp but more than happy with what he had learned during the afternoon and I learnt something myself... If your going to jump into rainy puddles, don't wear sneakers that soak up water like a sponge!

Nikon workshop

2010-02-25T15:40:00.003+10:00

I have just added Nikon workshop info to the Learn Photography website with dates in March and April available. Nikon users wishing to join us should head to the website as places are strictly limited and sure to sell out fast.

www.LearnPhotography.com.au

Canon users workshop

2010-02-17T20:56:00.007+10:00

Last week I took a handful of enthusiastic photographers around Brisbane's CBD and along South Bank for a workshop designed specifically for Canon DSLR users. During the four hour walk we discussed features of the cameras, took a ton of photos and of course I demonstrated how each could get better results using aperture, shutter speeds and the camera features effectively. I also took along a handful of Canon lenses for all to try including a wide angle zoom, fisheye, macro and the ever popular classic 50mm.

Our next Canon workshop is on Sunday 7th March and places are still available, so if you are interested in joining in the fun click here to find out more.

Many thanks to Max and Barbara for allowing me to feature images they shot during the workshop.

www.LearnPhotography.com.au

Brisbane Camera Hire

2010-02-15T15:53:00.001+10:00

Ever wanted to try out a new lens, camera body or accessory before parting with your hard-earned cash?
Well my friends over at Brisbane Camera Hire are the guys we recommend for hiring photography gear. They have a huge range of Canon and Nikon gear plus lighting and tripods in stock - just say we sent ya!

www.BrisbaneCameraHire.com.au

The wedding photographer

2010-02-11T22:21:00.000+10:00

A photographer friend passed on this hilarious clip taken from UK comedy series 'School of comedy' - very very funny!

Apple release Aperture 3

2010-02-10T16:13:00.002+10:00

One of my favourite and much used pieces of software, Aperture 3 has just been given a complete overhaul. With over 200 new features the latest version promises faster organization of images, face detection, geotagging and an improved slideshow feature.

Here's the highlights

Faces - Organize photos using face detection and recognition tools.

Places - Use GPS data to explore photos by location

Brushes - new nondestructive, edge-aware brushes for precise retouching

Adjustment presets - choose from a range of pro-imaging effects or create your own

Full screen browser - Make the most of your monitor when editing and displaying images

Advanced slideshows - Create slideshows with photos, HD video, titles and layered soundtracks.

More info here

Interview on BrisbanePhotography.com

2010-02-08T22:48:00.005+10:00

BrisbanePhotography.com have just added an profile/interview with yours truly which also features a few of my personal favourite images.

www.BrisbanePhotography.com

The ultimate camera bag?

2010-01-19T23:24:00.010+10:00

According to Lowepro's latest tweet most photographers have 5 bags for different uses!

So is there such a thing as the perfect camera bag?

For anyone out there who thinks they know what would make the 'ultimate photography bag' - Kata is running a competition called Dream Bag Challenge where you can do exactly that and the winner has their bag hand built by Kata plus wins a professional photo kit worth $5000.

My gear....

I actually own 5 different camera bags which sounds crazy but actually each one of them has a different use depending on what gear I need to carry, what job I may be doing as well as what will be the most convenient for the journey and on location.

My first bag was a small shoulder bag from Calumet which I purchased in the UK to hold my first digital SLR and one 'walkabout' lens (18-70mm) which was very similar to some of the Lowepro products. As my kit grew I needed something more substantial so my love affair with Crumpler began when I picked up a bag called a 'company embarrassment' (crazy names, great bags) which had plenty of room for my SLR, 2 lenses and a flash. I was happy for a few months but found that shoulder bags seem to constantly be getting in my way... so wanting my hands free to concentrate on taking photos I looked around at the many backpacks on offer and picked up another Crumpler bag called 'The Schrinkle' - this backpack answered just about all of my prayers as it held all my gear, was comfy and well padded and had some neat features (It also came in a limited edition colour which was cool and it didn't look like the average camera bag stuffed full of expensive gear!
When I moved to Australia a year later I wanted to downsize again and find a bag that enabled me to go out with just an SLR and single lens. Again Crumpler was my choice and I picked up a 'Four million dollar home' which has been my most used bag when traveling light is important.
Fast-forward another year and my latest purchase is a belt and bag system from Think Tank Photo who are a team of designers and working pro-photographers who simply design great, functional bags for photographers. The system I purchased consists of a padded belt and various 'skin components' which are like mini-bags designed to hold individual items. So I have a component that will hold a flash, one for an SLR body, one for a mid range zoom, one for my 70-200mm plus extras for items such as filters, leads, memory cards and other stuff. The 'Skin set' is certainly worth checking out and is now also available in Australia from Photo Continental.

So what will be my next bag....?

Well for now I think I'm very happy with the selection I have! - I have certainly been very impressed with the range of bags from Think Tank especially the 'Shapeshifter' backpack so who knows... I may even have a go and enter the Kata competition and if I'm lucky finally get the bag of my dreams!!

10 tips for portrait photographers

2010-01-17T21:59:00.005+10:00

A while back I wrote a page for Photo Continental's website titled '10 tips for portrait photographers' - I thought I would share it via my blog as it's got some cool tips and welcome any comments and additional tips any one may wish to share.

10 tips for portrait photographers

Summa field dayze

2010-01-11T10:36:00.003+10:00

Some friends of mine from the UK flew into the Gold Coast over the weekend to perform at the Summadaze event. It was a huge event with over 20,000 people in attendance and some great acts performing on the various stages. I took my camera along and grabbed a few pics, here's one of Simon and Max aka The Shapeshifters...

Gold Coast wedding

2010-01-05T23:54:00.004+10:00

Feeling refreshed after Christmas and a New Year holiday I thought I would kick start 2010 by sharing some images from a wedding that I shot over the festive break. The wedding started at the plush Versace hotel on the Gold Coast with a small ceremony on the nearby beach. The big concern on the day was the rain which had been hammering most of Queensland in the days prior to the wedding so I took every precaution (including extra umbrellas and a change of clothes) just in case we were caught in a downpour! Luck was on our side though as the weather was beautiful and everything went smoothly for the bride, groom and wedding party who were all fantastic fun and a pleasure to work for.

Space Hopper

2009-12-17T22:56:00.005+10:00

I took this 'snapshot' of my lad a while back and just stumbled across it again this evening whilst clearing my desktop. It's far from an outstanding shot by any means but it has that certain something special about it that I love. OK so it's a photo of my son and in my eyes he's always going to look great but this one seems to stick out from many of the others (and I take a lot of pics of him like any proud Dad!!)

Win a Photo-shoot

2009-11-24T23:20:00.006+10:00

I'm giving away a photoshoot worth $700 to a band, DJ, artist or producer who needs some promotional shots. The competition is in partnership with Scene Magazine so pick up a copy for more details.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Nocturnal in the valley

2009-11-02T20:39:00.005+10:00

I have been working on a photography project on and off for a year after somebody gave me an old film camera that they were throwing out. I decided I would load it with some fast black and white film (Ilford delta 3200) and do some night time street photography in Fortitude Valley in Brisbane. This has now evolved into a project I have titled 'Nocturnal in the valley' which I continue to add to on a regular basis.

To view a selection of images
click here > Nocturnal in the valley gallery

Where to buy camera gear . . .

2009-10-26T16:01:00.004+10:00

I get asked a lot about cameras and equipment so I thought I would let everyone know where I get all my gear from....

Photo Continental in Mount Gravatt (Brisbane) is one of Australia's largest photography and imaging stores and is my recommendation for service and for the best range of equipment on offer.

www.PhotoContinental.com.au

NEW LOOK WEBSITE

2009-10-24T22:29:00.006+10:00

So this week I decided that my website needed a face-lift. So I've been spending my spare few evening hours tweaking the design and layout, testing the links and deciding what images to include. It's not been an easy task and more than a few glasses of wine have been consumed along the way but I'm pleased to say it's now up and running!

I decided on a simple, clean layout and that (in terms of images at least) less is more! So I have included a few of my favourite images alongside some of my newer work which I'm really proud of.

Click here to view website > www.paul-farris.com

Hope you like it.

AUGUST SPECIAL OFFER

2009-07-23T14:44:00.005+10:00

SPECIAL OFFER

DJ's and artists requiring press and promotional shots - I am doing a special deals throughout August

PLEASE check out my updated website which includes photos of Bodyrox, Sandy Rivera, Reel People, Ray Keith, the Shapeshifters and many more www.paul-farris.com

DJ Jimmy Ellis

2009-06-27T10:49:00.007+10:00

Jimmy Ellis is one of the hardest working DJ's in Brisbane with weekends spent playing his blend of soulful and deep house at some of the cooler clubs.
As a fellow Brit and lover of house music I was only too happy to shoot some new press shots for him which took place in and around Fortitude Valley. Here's two of the final images.

Check out Jimmy's website www.djjimmyellis.com

Joey Negro

2009-04-13T08:15:00.005+10:00

Joey Negro, Jakkatta, Sunburst Band, Raven maize or as I prefer to call him Dave Lee, his rare visit to Brisbane was a real treat for lovers of disco and the soulful side of house music. Mixing up disco alongside house classics, new productions and plenty of his trademark re-edits Dave pleased the heads, spotters and club kids alike and showed Alhambra and Brisbane what is sadly lacking on the Brisbane club scene - music with soul.

Here's the man captured in action.

Sneaky Sound System

2009-04-03T23:30:00.007+10:00

I caught Sneaky Sound System at Family in Brisbane this week. A great performance from the band who were received well by the crowd who braved a very wet Thursday night.

Despite the lack of stage lighting I still managed to grab a handful of interesting shots from a decent vantage point to the left of the stage - here's just one.

Uptown Records

2009-03-16T09:42:00.005+10:00

Uptown Records was a dance music record store in the heart of London's Soho that in 1996 I helped set up then managed for 8 years. When I left the UK for Australia two years ago Uptown was one of the leading dance music stores in the UK. I was sad to hear that it closed a few months ago as I have some great memories from working there and the people I met.

Here's a photo of the store taken on a trip back to the UK in February 09.

The Outfit

2009-03-12T22:20:00.005+10:00

If funk is your thing then you need to check out the Outfit, an amazing Brisbane based band who are by far the funkiest soul brothers I've heard yet in the land of Oz!

Check out the website www.GoldenSound.com.au

DJ Harj (London) revisted

2009-03-12T11:22:00.003+10:00

I was going through some older archived images today and came across this one of DJ Harj shot in London a few years back. I love the moodiness of the image so I thought I'd give it a quick tweak in Photoshop and then post it up on here as it doesn't appear on my main site.

UnderExposed - an exhibition by Brisbane music photographers

2009-03-12T07:54:00.005+10:00

UnderExposed is an exhibition featuring some of the best – established and emerging - music photographers in Brisbane. Bringing together those select shooters who have captured the visual side of Brisbane’s aural history – be it with emerging local bands, or international ones - UnderExposed aims to showcase that fleeting moment in time where a subject, ordinarily so intense and public, is caught in a period of stillness and reflection: the essence of the show, the artist, encapsulated in that one shot.
Celebrate the unsung heroes of the local music industry – the photographers of Brisbane; who often volunteer their services free to musicians and (until now) enjoy little recognition.
The exhibition will run from April 17 - May 4 at The Fort (Corner of Brunswick and Water st - Bell Bros. Building).

www.UnderExposed.com.au

By the way - I'm not exhibiting or directly involved in Under Exposed, I simply think it's a great initiative and will be spreading the word and supporting where I can.

2008-04-03T15:01:00.000+10:00

Here's a recent pic of Brisbane DJ Jimmy Ellis in action at the Alhambra Lounge.

Some interesting light and cool angle of view courtesy of a 10-20mm lens made this my fave from a few taken on the night.

Future Music Festival Brisbane

2008-03-06T08:34:00.000+10:00

Sat 1st March some friends from London where in town to perorm at the Future Music Festival at Doomben racecourse in Brisbane. As well as being keen to catch up with the guys there where plenty of great acts also appearing on the various stages. I was lucky to have a press pass so I packed the camera just to grab a few shots along the way - it was also a great excuse to try my new 10-20mm lens!

With around 15,000 people in attendance I have to say that the event was an amazing success and without doubt the most well organized outdoor event I've ever attended.

Here's a couple of random shots of the Shapeshifters (Simon and Max) having a ball.

Big thanks to Anthony, Simon, Max, Mark and all the Future Music staff and stage crew for feeding and watering (!) us and generally looking after myself and Mel.

ATFC Photoshoot (assisted by Adam)

2008-02-13T13:29:00.004+10:00

UK DJ/Producer ATFC (Aydin the Funki Chile) was in Brisbane recently as a stop over on his recent Australian tour. Keen on getting some fresh promotional shots we piled in the car and headed to Fortitude Valley in the City. Time was tight so we walked some of the back streets and I fired away grabbing shots whenever something took my fancy. My two year old son, Adam was in tow to assist and as you can see had great fun getting in on the action!

To view some of the final images go to my main gallery.

Update March 09
Photos from this shoot have appeared on flyers, websites (including BBC Radio 1 UK) and various media to promote ATFC tours and releases.

Who am I ?

2008-02-05T00:06:00.002+10:00

I originate from London with a background in the music industry working with artists, DJ's, bands, labels and clubs. My love of photography is diverse and has seen me deliver promotional and editorial shoots for artists as well as CD and album cover artwork and portraits.

Based in Brisbane - I am available at short notice for artist, DJ or band photography and portraiture as well as live capture, events and creative or abstract commissions.