GBP Blog

The Next Step (Evolution)

2011-03-17T20:40:00.003Z

When I set up this blog way back in March 2008, I had a very specific agenda in mind. This was to be the place where I would share my day-to-day thoughts, musings and activities so that you might get a glimpse into my world as a professional photographer.

Three years later, and I hope you'll agree I've done just that. Certainly judging by the feedback from readers, I have.

But things move on and now, coincidentally 3 years to the day, I find myself at the point of yet another evolutionary step in my online activities. First it was the GBP Blog, then came In The Frame, my monthly newsletter. These were the first places to announce a number of changes to my main photography website and, more recently, the blog proclaimed the launch of my all-new podcast, The Active Photographer...

Ah yes, The Active Photographer. What started out in December as a simple weekly audio update of my antics has grown into something far more involved - and far more exciting - than anything I had imagined. Just 13 shows in, and already it's about to see some big changes.

There is clearly a lot of overlap between the podcast and this site, which is why I have decided to merge the two. From now on, any written content that I put out, any links to web content which I think you should see, will be appearing on The Active Photographer.

The result, of course, will be a fuller, more vibrant and interesting site - but it also serves another purpose. By now, you must know that I use Twitter and Facebook to share a lot of information... Well, TAP fits snuggly into the community of great, friendly and creative people I am talking to on a daily basis.

All the forthcoming changes to The Active Photographer will see the site reaching a far wider audience and offering much, much more to its visitors.

I'll be posting an announcement there tomorrow, to bring everyone up to date; in the meantime, you can pick up the RSS feed here.

So there it is - the GBP Blog is moving home. Thanks to everyone who has supported the this site over the last 3 years - it means a great deal.

This is not goodbye, as they say, it's the start of something big. So why not come on over and join me for a cuppa and a natter in our new home. I think you'll like it here.

Big Red Fun Bus

2011-02-26T10:21:00.007Z

Wednesday saw me undertake an assignment for one of my long-standing clients. An absolute pleasure, it was a prime example of how working with a simple setup can help get the sort of pictures I and my customers want.

On this occasion, events were centred around a big red double-decker bus which was used as an activity centre for children who live in a particular community. With distractions such as computer games, mask painting and giant Jenga - not to mention the temptation of free pizza - my job was made easier by the fact they were so engrossed in what they were doing.

In spite of the threat of rain, the weather was pretty kind to us. There was no need for umbrellas (for the 'outdoor' Jenga, Community Support Officer and group shots) and the onboard pictures were helped along by some strong, but diffused, sunlight coming through the bus' large windows.

This equated to the use of natural light for the great majority of my shots upstairs; below required the use of additional lighting via an SB-800 flash gun. Using a D3 set on Aperture Priority, sensitivity was set somewhere in the region of ISO 640-800. Lens choice, because of the restricted available space, was mostly my trusty 24-85mm although, on occasions, the super-wide 10-20mm was brought into play.

With any shoot, I'm always looking to get a variety of perspective in my images. And of course, lens choice is the first consideration for this. You want an all-encompassing wide shot? Fine, stand in a corner and shoot wide. Close-up detail? No problem - zoom in with a telephoto or go in close with macro.

In order to get the best out of those lenses, a photographer has to be prepared to move around with his/her subjects, to interact with them where necessary, to exploit the qualities of the kit being used. The great thing about natural light is that it allows subtlety; yes, the subjects are aware of the photographer, but they soon just accept his/her presence and get on with the task in hand. As a photographer, you're then free record the action in near silence.

The picture above is a case in point. I saw this young man sat there and could immediately visualise the shot I wanted. The camera was already set up, so my next step was to sit down at his level, ask his name and see what followed. He was an excitable little chap who loved to play up to the camera (I knew this from having photographed him in the past), so it was only a matter of time before I got a reaction from him. Then - and only then - I raised my camera up, went in close and started releasing the shutter.

As ever, there's a formula: Colour, reaction and context - 10% technical, 90% people management.

For more behind-the-scenes information about this shoot, check out The Active Photographer podcast - Episode #11.

Steve Edge - Dress For A Party

2011-02-21T18:56:00.001Z

Every now and then, I come across a video out there on the Interwebs which makes me stop and think.

Sometimes such films make me pay attention because they are funny, other times because they are sad. Or they might be simply thought-provoking, clever, quirky, funny...

I was shown this excellent little Ross Casswell production whilst having a good ol' chat with Matt about the wonders of video now being shot on DSLRs (which this was).

We both liked it - let me know what you think.

Dress for a Party from Carwell Casswell on Vimeo.

I like picture books

2011-01-24T09:58:00.002Z

One of my University lecturers once said that he hated 'picture books.' You know the sort of thing - coffee-table photography books which have little to no editorial in them, instead relying on the photographs themselves to get the message across.

His reasoning was something along the lines of how he disapproved of the way pretentious photographers were exploiting their work (and its captive audience), simply to make a quick buck and if they were that set on being 'photographic artists,' they should probably just think about getting their work up on the walls of a gallery. Ooph.

I can see his point. I don't necessarily agree, but I can see his point.

Personally, I love seeing my work come together in any way, shape or form - whether that's on a client's website, in a national magazine, in a self-published book, whatever. It's often been said that pictures are no good just sitting on a hard drive - they should be enjoyed by others, employed to increase awareness of a situation, or to generate revenue if used in a commercial context.

By now, you will be aware of my Fountain Jam book project. I'll be editing, laying out and generally putting this together next month, but already I'm thinking about getting this year's book project under way. No details to share with you yet - you'll just have to watch this space!

Anyway, the point is, it's really important for us photographers to create bodies of work other than those which are commissioned by our clients. If we don't, all we have to show for ourselves is a bunch of pictures depicting interpretations of other people's ideas.

I like 'picture books.' Regardless of whether they are produced by contemporary photographers or creators from other disciplines. If I admire their work, chances are I'll take a look at any new collection they unleash on the viewing public.

One such example is Chase Jarvis, who I have mentioned in previous posts and on The Active Photographer podcast. Not so long ago, Chase brought out a new book called Seattle 100: Portrait of a City, which is a fine example of what a self-driven book should look like.

Whether you like his work, or you simply want a great photography book to inspire some fresh thinking (especially if portraits are your thing), I'd highly recommend you take a look.

My copy is sat on the bookshelf, waiting to be brought into action just as soon as I have a spare moment - but from what I've seen of it already, the ol' brain will be buzzing with ideas once I properly indulge myself in the pages' rich, contrasty, black and white images.

The Active Photographer - Episode #6

2011-01-24T08:30:00.003Z

... Portraits And Picture Books.

This week's show is a fair bit shorter than usual, as time is against me.

I'm on location in London, talking about the technical and aesthetic considerations involved with corporate portraiture.

Also... Do you like picture books? Why are they important for photographers, and whose would I recommend?

Episode #6 - Portraits And Picture Books:

To check out more, head on over to TheActivePhotographer.com, where you can listen to this week's show and see its corresponding show notes, get in touch with me directly and subscribe via iTunes or RSS. All previous episodes are also there, too.

The Active Photographer - Episode #5

2011-01-17T08:08:00.005Z

... Food for thought at ExCel.

This week, I’m in London again - but not to undertake any assignments. Instead, whilst visiting the Outdoors Show at ExCel, I stop by a couple of stands for a chat about their products and how they might fit nicely into my activities.

I also collect some new business cards en route, just in the nick of time. The process reminds me why they are so important for promoting oneself… and why I am so grateful my supplier came up trumps once again.

What do you do when you haven’t got time to stop and eat whilst on location? Simple – you munch on a nutritious energy bar. Hear what Matt Willis of Mule Bar has to say about how to feed a busy photographer!

Last week’s show went behind the scenes as I filmed a video review of an Aquapac rucksack; in this episode, I also catch up with their product development director, to see what other goodies are on offer for photographers.

Episode #5 - Food For Thought At ExCel:

To check out more, head on over to TheActivePhotographer.com, where you can listen to this week's show and see its corresponding show notes, get in touch with me directly and subscribe via iTunes or RSS. All previous episodes are also there, too.

Looking ahead to 2011

2011-01-12T17:20:00.000Z

So, it's that time again - where I put down a few thoughts about what lies ahead in the next twelve months and, more importantly, what I would like to achieve. But before I do, I want to recap on what I said around this time last year...

A quick glance at my 2010 to-do list is rather pleasing; with the exception of one or two points, I made real progress on all of my intentions - and those which you might describe as 'could try harder' are, relatively speaking, quite low on the list of priorities.

Last year, I talked about how the economy was presenting a real challenge for a lot of people, and how many turned to social media for reaching out to potential business contacts. Google Wave was the big thing, but the internet is a fickle mistress... and we all know what happened there!

It's true to say, though, that my online activities have come on leaps and bounds this year. The most rewarding and promising of developments have undoubtedly been the creation of my Facebook page - for which I won an award - and the launch of my podcast, which has its home at TheActivePhotographer.com. I must be doing something right, as both channels are creating contacts and opportunities which I'm sure I would never have encountered otherwise, and the feedback has been fantastic.

As for taking time out for myself, photographically-speaking... Well, I am glad to say last year's project - Fountain Jam - has been really well received, and I can't wait to finally put together the layout together over the next couple of months and see the book printed!

So then, what's on the list for the next twelve months?

Well...

Write a blog post at least once per week.
Interact more with others' blogs, via comments and forums.
Create more behind-the-scenes videos.
Extend my podcasting activities/further develop TheActivePhotographer.com.
Continue my self-driven yearly projects, including another book for 2011.
Conduct more product tests/reviews.
Extend my use of wireless speedlights - regular lighting tests for own benefit.
Work more with the outdoor market - if this is you, let me know!
Build on the GBP:Workshop tutorials which were set in motion last year..
And yes, keep on top of that Wired magazine subscription!

Once again, this little lot should keep me going for a while...

What about you? What are your aims and ambitions for 2011? Whatever you've got in mind, have a great one!

The Active Photographer - Episode #4

2011-01-10T08:57:00.004Z

... Bags And Bagpipes.

This week, one last bit of catching-up... A couple of recordings in which I make the most of the weather and finish off the last of my 2010 shoots.

Before the snow disappeared, back in November, I headed out into my local woodland to film a product review video, in the usual behind-the-scenes fashion. It all worked out well eventually - despite nature's attempts to thwart my plans!

My final recording of last year saw me returning home after photographing a large family dinner party and a man with bagpipes on New Year's Eve. In spite of still having a cough, I just about managed to get my words out.

Episode #4 - Bags And Bagpipes:

To check out more, head on over to TheActivePhotographer.com, where you can listen to this week's show and see its corresponding show notes, get in touch with me directly and subscribe via iTunes or RSS. All previous episodes are also there, too.

Product Review: Aquapac Wet & Dry Backpack

2011-01-10T08:00:00.013Z

You may remember my last review video, which looked at the Aquapac PDA case. On that occasion, I headed out the woodland in the pouring rain, to see just how well this protective case stood up to the elements when shielding my audio recorder.

Well, throughout last year - from around summer onwards - I also put another Aquapac item of kit through its paces. This time, it was the turn of the excellent Wet & Dry backpack - a technical, yet simple and versatile 25 litre bag.

Once again, I've put together something of a real-world review video for you - this time, filmed when we were lucky enough to have snow just before Christmas.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below this post.

Key features worth noting:

25-litre capacity

100% waterproof and buoyant

Quick-access key pocket

3-roll top closure with quick-release clips and toggles for extra security

Removable back support

Separate wet and dry sections

Mesh bottle pockets

Adjustable sternum strap

Removable waist strap

Breathable shoulder straps

Lightweight - 640g/22.5oz

The Active Photographer - Episode #3

2011-01-03T09:15:00.004Z

... Family And Festivities.

Following a no-go for last week's show, I'm playing catch-up, bringing you a couple of audio ponderances, recorded whilst out and about in the run-up to Christmas.

It's Christmas Eve, and I've just completed a traditional family gathering shoot - there's real snow, fake snow, carol singing and more. What a great way to round off the pre-Christmas work schedule!

Whilst on the road, I also take the opportunity to record a few thoughts about the importance of printing out your picture for future generations. What happens if you don't? Will part of your family's history be lost forever?

Episode #3 - Family And Festivities:

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T23:51:00.005Z

So, with just a matter of minutes left before the big day, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

And on that note, here's a rather good find I'd like to share with you all - clever, funny, and an interesting reflection on the wonders of social media in our modern-day world. Enjoy!

Always carry a camera?

2010-12-20T17:33:00.010Z

Whilst heading back from a meeting one chilly morning recently, I felt compelled to pull the car to one side of the road and get out to grab a few pictures of the view across the city.

In my bag, along with the day-to-day items I typically carry, I had nothing to make images with other than a point-and-shoot (my trusty, go-anywhere, Canon G9) and my mobile phone's built-in camera. Choosing the former, I quickly rattled off a number of pictures before beating a hasty retreat to the warmth and relative comfort of the car.

I also recorded some thoughts for Episode #2 of The Active Photographer podcast. It's worth checking out the show notes there, but for those of you who want to skip straight to the audio, you can hear it via the player below.

Episode #2 - Snapshots And Snooker:

This photo opportunity was unplanned. It was exactly that - an opportunity. I hadn't expected to see the hazy view from the top of the hill; if I had, my regular kit would have surely been packed in the car.

Sometimes, it's nice not to be weighed down by the high-end clutter of one's kit. It allows us to concentrate purely on the visual, on what's in front of us - undistracted by which aperture to set or how many different ways a particular lens can be exploited to effect. When we don't have the distraction of such technology, we are left to work simply within our means, making the best of the situation.

Of course, there's the old adage which speaks of always carrying a camera wherever you go. Do I adhere to this? Well no, not always... unless you count the fact that my phone has a built-in camera, which could always be put to use (although I don't consciously think to use it in the same way that I might if I have packed a camera in my bag or coat pocket).

At times like these (and a good few others, actually), I'm often heard to say 'You know what, I'll definitely carry the G9 with me all the time from now on.' In much the same way as drinkers profess 'I'll never drink again!' after a particularly heavy night. Easily said, but not so easily done...

In my own mind, snatching these 'golden picture' moments as they present themselves is a bit like racking up a tally of wins. I've now got a bunch of images to work with, which I'd never so much as thought about when I woke up that morning. As I describe in the audio, I have no agenda for them, but I'm sure they'll be useful somewhere down the line. Self-promotion, stock image sales, illustration during workshops... the posibilities are endless, and it'll be interesting to see where they end up.

The Active Photographer podcast

2010-12-13T17:00:00.006Z

It is with much joy - and some relief, I can tell you - that I can now proudly announce the official launch of my all-new podcast!

The Active Photographer brings you a weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse into my day-to-day life as a working photographer.

Each week, I'll be be talking to you both on location and back at the office, sharing tips, resources and generally-useful information relating to the world of photography.

To give you a flavour of what the show's all about, why not take a listen to the following audio...

A sneaky listen:

Episode #1:

I'll keep it short and sweet here... To check out more, simply head over to TheActivePhotographer.com, where you can listen to all the shows and see their corresponding show notes, get in touch with me directly and subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

And then there were penguins...

2010-12-07T17:59:00.000Z

When the snow hit, what did you do?

In the past week or so, the UK has been hit by a considerable amount of snow; most heavily up north and in the Midlands, but we've also had our fair share down here on the south coast.

Not surprisingly, I received many comments from friends and colleagues who assumed that I'd be out there at the crack of dawn, taking pictures all day, every day. Because that's what every photographer is expected to do, right?

Funny, really. Would you expect a vet to check over every dog they encountered in the street? Should every mechanic take immediate action when they hear a car rattling along the road? Of course not, so why the special rule for photographers?

That said, I did venture out on three of the days that my immediate landscape was coated in the white stuff... but with certain objectives in mind. Hey, even I know I'd be be stupid not to take advantage of such great conditions!

The first day saw me head out into my local woodland to shoot a video review - more about this in another post coming soon. The weather was not ideal (for what I had in mind, snow falling would have been preferential to sleet), but I wanted to get something in the bag, just in case conditions took an even bigger dive the following day.

Thankfully, things got a whole lot better, and so out I went for a second time, to pick up where I left off the previous afternoon. With establishing shots sorted, I was able to film the main review in one take, before grabbing a few additional establishing shots on my way back out of the woodland. Can't wait to see how it all lines up in the final edit!

As a side note... I also recorded some audio commentary, too. If you don't know what this is for (I've mentioned it enough on Twitter!), then keep an eye out at the beginning of next week, when all shall be revealed.

So, back to the snow. Seven inches fell overnight. Okay, granted that's not going to break any records but, believe me, it was enough to raise a few eyebrows around here.

With filming complete, Inny and I headed for an old Saxon path, which we knew would look fantastic - about as close to the idyllic winter wonderland image as you could hope for. It was still early enough in the day that the local kids hadn't spoilt it with their sledging and snowball fights, so out came the D3 with 24-85mm to seal a number of other key images...

Firstly, I wanted to get a new shot for this year's client Christmas card. I wasn't disappointed; perfect white snow, hedgerows with leaves and berries delicately adorned with shimmering white highlights... Couldn't have asked for more, and this was also a great time to get some nice stock pictures taken care of.

And then there were penguins. As far as I'm aware, not native to this part of the world, and we certainly weren't expecting to encounter a couple of four-foot fibreglass beasts on our travels. But, sure enough, that's exactly what we got, having entered into a random conversation with one of the locals. Got to sort him out with a couple of prints - that was the deal - which I'm thinking just might lead to yet more obscure findings in his workshop!

Could make for some interesting portraits...

GBP gets Savvy Marketers Award

2010-12-07T14:40:00.004Z

You guys know that this year has seen me embrace the online world a whole lot further - all you need do is check out the links at the side of this page, to see where I can now be found.

The likes of Twitter and Facebook are firmly placed as a key element in my day-to-day activities and have brought me closer to so many great people - some of which I've subsequently gone on to work with.

When building your social media presence, it's very easy to forget just who's out there, who you're trying to communicate with, and who's actually taking notice.

Sure, you can post pictures, links, comments and start discussions... but what does this matter if a) nobody is listening or b) you don't gauge the success of your activities?

I've never been one to enter competitions or blow my own trumpet; if people like what I do, then I'll gladly take the praise. So, it came as a very nice surprise at the end of last week to hear that I'd won an award for my efforts!

Turns out Savvy Marketers Awards 2010 named Giles Babbidge Photography the Best Small Business in the category of Best Facebook Page. You can check out the page here.

Savvy Marketers is a great resource created by Louise Barnes-Johnston and Sam McArthur, offering valuable online marketing how-to information to the small business owner. If Louise's name sounds familiar, you may remember it from my interview with her, as described in this post.

I'd just like to say a big thanks to Louise and Sam, and a warm congratulations to all other winners in this year's Awards.

Here's to yet more successful online endeavours in 2011...

Fountain Jam - update

2010-11-19T16:20:00.002Z

Over the next few posts, I’m going to take a look back what I’ve been up to throughout the past couple of months. It’s been hectic for sure, and it’s about time I shared my experiences with you.

First off, a quick update about this year’s book project, which I originally told you about here.

As the year draws to a close and the long sunny evenings seem an ever-distant memory, Fountain Jam - as I am now calling it - is starting to seem more and more like a reality than simply a project to be worked on over the course of a year. I’ve lost track of just how many images I’ve shot (we’re talking in the thousands here), and it’ll be great to relive the memories during the editing process.

With only a couple of months' photography remaining, now would probably be a good time for me to sit down and review all the material I’ve shot so far; there are bound to be gaps, people or details which I thought I’d captured or which I want to give more time to. And there are technical considerations, too.

One thing which I have been concentrating on during the past few trips to The Fountain is my lighting. Or, rather, how I use the light which is available to me on those evenings. Being a cosy, informal, traditional-style village pub, you can probably guess what it’s like - warm, rustic colours, dark corners created by a certain atmospheric glow… An interior designer might call it ‘mood lighting’.

For me, it presents a challenge, and one which has recently changed in my favour. For so long, I have been making frequent use of a single additional flash (SB-800, sometimes with a ¼ CTO gel attached) simply in order to capture the action. Nice, clean images packed with detail - but hardly what you might call ’atmospheric,’ other than the human element.

Imagine my joy, then, on turning up one evening to see that Keith had begun bringing along an angle poise-style lamp to illuminate his music folder. Sounds tacky and unphotogenic, I know, but in the resulting images, my subjects now have a hugely atmospheric presence, with punchy highlights and deep shadows. Shooting, by necessity, somewhere in the region of ISO 5000 merely compliments this lighting, bringing out the ‘live music’ vibe that we all love so much.

By mixing up the flash and non-flash pictures, it’s clear that the book will now look much more dynamic, much more visually engaging - and ultimately much more pleasing to the eye.

So there you go - things are moving along nicely and an ever-increasing interest in the project is making these final stages of shooting a real pleasure. As a creator of anything, it's always nice to know that you have an eager audience just waiting to get their hands on the final product of your endeavours.

One last thing... Don't forget, the Jam nights are a free-for-all, so you are more than welcome to come along and play some tunes. If this sounds like your sort of thing, why not drop me a line on Twitter or add me on Facebook? As well, you can always check the Thursday Nights Jam page on Facebook, too.

I'm still here, honest!

2010-10-29T12:04:00.002+01:00

I know, I know, it's all been rather quiet around here of late - with my last post being way back at the beginning of September.

No excuses, just plenty going on in many different ways - all of which has meant that my efforts have been concentrated away from the blog.

Fear not, though. As a result, there's plenty of content to come shortly: behind-the-scenes video, case studies, reviews and a smattering of opinion - all the usual info and advice that you are used to.

In the mean time, don't forget that you get keep up to date with my antics via Twitter and Facebook.

Back soon...

DIY - Suction mount

2010-09-01T15:32:00.001+01:00

Going through a bunch of files on my computer earlier today, I came across a collection of DIY project images which I'd planned to share with you a while back via a 'how to' post. Well, better late than never...

So, one of the fundamental elements of crisp, punchy photographs - much aside from good exposure and composition - is that of camera support. Back in the good old days, long before Canon's Image Stabilization and Nikon's Vibration Reduction technologies were around, we had to rely upon steady nerves, heavy tripods and a knowledge of the slowest shutter speed one could confidently hand-hold their camera.

Some things never change and, me being the traditionalist at heart, I still work in the same way - for example, often turning down the offer of heavily caffeinated drinks early in the morning, especially on an empty stomach, so as to keep the shakes at bay.

Now, of course, there are all manner of newfangled brackets, grips, tripods and braces available to help us out of those situations where, quite literally, we could do with a helping hand. But often, they come with a hefty price tag.

Here's how to make a quick and simple, light-weight support for a fraction of the cost, using a number of easy to find components...

You will need:

1x Double suction lifter (I got mine from B&Q)
1x Small ball & socket tripod head (Such as the Hama 50mm)
1x Rubber door stopper
1x 1/4" thread bolt (but do make sure the thread size matches that of your tripod head)

1x Saw (I used a junior hack saw)
1x Knife (Stanley knife)
1x All-purpose glue (if required)

Step 1: Measure the suction lifter handle length and cut in the middle. This effectively gives you the basis of two mounts (if you like, just double-up on the other components and repeat Steps 2-3).

Step 2: Using the knife, carefully trim the door stopper to size, so that it will be a tight fit when pushed into the open end of the mount (as you can see, this isn't exactly a perfect, pretty-looking part once finished, but don't worry too much about this - it wont be visible by the time you're done).

Screw in the bolt and position the stopper as in the picture below. For extra hold, this is where you might want to use the glue.

Step 3: Attach the tripod head to the bolt until it holds firm.

The end result should look like the object in the picture at the top of this post and, with the lever in the 'down' position, will lock securely to a great many surfaces. To release, simply return the lever to the upright position.

Here it is attached to a window:

This is just one variation of a DIY suction mount; search around online and you are bound to find more. However, it has served me well in many situations, specifically where I want to place my Canon G9 in remote places (such as to shoot video footage).

It can be used to hold smaller items such as compact cameras and flash guns; I would not recommend it for heavier kit such as DSLRs.

Whatever your intended use, I would make one suggestion - if setting it up in a place with any considerable drop below, or where there is a risk that it could damage anything (such as a car door panel), you'd be wise to incorporate a safely line which can be attached to a nearby object. It's much better to have your kit swinging in the breeze than come crashing down to earth with the promise of a costly repair bill!

Findings for a Friday - #0006

2010-08-27T17:00:00.000+01:00

It's Friday, which can only mean one thing - Here are this week's golden nuggets of knowledge!

Article: OpenBeak - The latest evolution of TwitterBerry (Twitter client for BlackBerry).

Article: Tiny Cardboard Box People Appear All Over Singapore - Brilliant stuff; nice pictures, too!

Article: 5 things to Know About Facebook Places - New location service from Facebook, but...

Article: DIY iPhone Teleprompter - Very clever device.

Article: 10 iPad Observations - After a couple of months' use...

Article: 5 Examples On Building A Brand - More inspiration to help you along.

Article: Should I Charge The artist? - Author asks whether artists should pay him for playing their music on his podcast.

Article: 7 Facebook Marketing Tips From world's Top Pros - Make the most of your Facebook presence.

Article: 101 Freelance Job Sites - A great list to help you.

Article: Fuji Instax Wide Format Instant Camera - Instant photography is back!

Article: Introducing The Photographers Rights Gray Card Set - Easy-to-carry and practical advice.

Article: Photographers' Light The Magic Ingredient - Photography is all about light.

Article: Balance Helps Creatives Showcase Portfolios On LinkedIn - Another good bolt-on tool.

Article: Shoot Tips: Shooting An Amphitheater - Behind-the-scenes advice.

Article: How To Use Your Flash Outdoors For Some Interesting Effects - Includes some nice, simple examples.

Video: Kodak 1922 Kodachome Film Test - Some of the earliest colour motion pictures you will ever see.

Video: Go Behind-The-Scenes With Annie Leibovitz As She Photographs Sean Connery - Exactly as it says.

Video: Sneak Peak At Samsung's Tablet Gadget - A rival for the iPad?

Website: Productive Flourishing - A great resource for helping you to be more productive.

Product test: Aquapac PDA Case

2010-08-23T10:54:00.003+01:00

With the launch of my brand new podcast just over a week away, my thoughts have turned to all things audio of late - not least of all the considerations I have to bear in mind when I'm out and about recording content.

A while back, I reviewed the Aquapac PDA case, which took the form of a video and write-up on the GBP:Blog. You may remember it. Well, that video and post has been so well received, and subsequently pushed around the social media world so much, that I thought I'd make mention of it one more time.

Look out for more of the same from me soon, as I am now working directly with Aquapac and a number of other companies offering a range of great products which make our lives that much nicer.

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One of the latest additions to my kit bag is an audio recorder, which I've begun using to produce interviews, location reports, video commentary etc for the GBP Blog. And so far, I can't fault it ('initial impression' review coming up soon). That is, except for one thing.

This technology is all well and good, but there comes a time when it needs a little helping hand in more extreme environments. Put simply, the audio recorder doesn't like the rain. Suffice it to say this is an assumption and I don't wish to test the theory - but for piece of mind, I set out to find some decent protection for the thing.

Enter Aquapac, who produce all manner of dependable covers and cases. I have been aware of these guys for many years, and took the opportunity to catch up with them earlier in the year at the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show. Jump forward a few months and they suggested the 100% waterproof PDA Case for my particular requirements.

Rather than waffle on here too much, I've put together the following short video so you can see and hear the test for yourself:

Several details are not mentioned in the video, as I wanted to keep it fairly brief, but for your reference:

This case will float in water, and is submersible to 15ft (5 metres)
It has an optically-clear rear panel, good enough to shoot photos/video through
You can use your PDA stylus as normal right through the case
A stylus holder is built-in
The product model reference/number is Small PDA Classic (344)
You can also check out more more from Aquapac on their Facebook page

If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to jot them in the comments section.

Findings for a Friday - #0005

2010-08-20T15:30:00.001+01:00

Another week, another great haul of useful links. Enjoy!

Article: $35 Tablet PC Has More Features Than The iPad - The future of market growth in this area is beginning...

Article: How To Create A Branded Twitter Profile Page For Your Photography Business - Excellent, step-by-step 'how-to'.

Article: Five Ways To Increase Your Photo Blog's Audience - A quick numbered list.

Article: Topicfife Photography News - Real-time ranked news.

Article: How Google Social Search Can Help You Get New Business For Your Photo Studio - Exactly what it says.

Article: Fed-Up Flight Attendant Makes Sliding Exit - When enough is enough...

Article: Learn How To Use Podcasting Software To Boost Your Online Business - Exactly what it says.

Product: Rogue FlashBenders - A system of shapeable light modifiers for flashguns.

Product: Pelican Products - Amazing cases and more, this is a collection of videos showing production and demonstration.

Resource: Evernote - 'Capture anything. Access anywhere. Find things fast.'

Resource: Blurb - Turn your blog into a book.

Resource: Productive Flourishing - Some excellent tools to help you manage your day-to-day workflow.

Website: UK Marketing Network - Contacts, discussions, jobs.

Website: Let's Colour Project - A worldwide initiative to transform grey spaces with colourful paint.

Workshops: GBP:Workshop - Excellent, personalised way to learn all the tips you need to make great pictures.

Findings for a Friday - #0004

2010-08-13T13:00:00.006+01:00

So, Friday the 13th is upon us... Let's see if we can get you some good luck in the form of inspiration from around the web:

Application: Tungle.me - Scheduling made easy

Article: Are You A Healthy Blogger? - Tips for getting a good balance.

Article: 10 Nifty, Excellent Excuses For Failing At Photography - Exactly what it says.

Article: One Curve For Photo - A radical new concept for DSLR design.

Article: Backpack Photo School: Light Painting In Camp - Creative effects using a headlamp and slow shutter speeds.

Article: Keep writing Those articles! - Short piece which shares tips for article writing.

Article: Photography Light Stand Sandbags - DIY how-to.

Article/video: Police Use iPhone App That Can Identify A Suspect By Taking A Photo Of Their Face - Clever stuff!

Article: Basics Of Copywriting - How to become a successful copywriter.

Article/video: Volvo Accidentally Smashes New Car In Safety Demo - PR gone wrong... we all make mistakes!

Product: Manfrotto 797 Modod Pocket Table Tripod - Brilliant little fold-away item.

Resource: Oh My God what Happened And What Should I do? - Free e-book, just pay with a tweet.

Website: WEX's First Video! - The first purpose-made demonstration video by Warehouse Express (demo: Camera Armor's Seattle Solo dry bag).

Workshops: 1-to-1 and Group Tuition With GBP:Workshop - Learn and improve your photography.

Another last-minute shoot

2010-08-10T14:38:00.007+01:00

A quick case study about a shoot from last week, which came at the very last minute from a long-standing client of mine...

Complicated story cut short, I received a phone call on Friday. The details about what was required seemed clear enough - shoot and supply a set of simple head-and-shoulders portraits for use in a forthcoming report. This was as much a surprise to them as it was to me, having already been confronted with a set of images depicting people which "look like they've just escaped from prison." Not a good look.

Thankfully, I had already met some of these people in the past and knew that this really wasn't a fair reflection on them, rather it was a reference to the fact that their current 'portraits' were most likely unflattering, 'rabbit caught in the headlights,' point-and-shoot snaps. Again, not a good look.

To top this off, everything - words, pictures, layout - had to be ready for publishing in less than a week, meaning all images needed to be edited and ready to go at their London office first thing on Monday morning (yesterday).

This is not an unusual amount of pressure for me. It happens all the time, so I immediately knew the setup I would use. And, knowing the sort of office space I would likely be setting up in, my choice of kit was instinctive.

So, here's the 'studio' space we took over for a couple of hours. A fairly typical boardroom affair, it came with an instant backdrop and soft back lighting in the form of large windows and blinds:

Arriving in plenty of time, I tested a few angles to see which window would work best, and decided on the furthest right (as viewed in the picture above). The next stage was to conduct a few lighting tests, arranging first one then two halogen lamps, which would produce soft, flattering results with the minimum of shadow.

Stepping back from the scene, here's what it looked like. Notice how the middle blind is drawn closer to give the desired effect, while the two outer ones (and out of frame in the final images) were left more open to allow extra light to reach the subject:

You can see two of the results at the top of this post.

All said and done, my kit was set up, broken down and all images captured within the space of two hours. The editing process was completed when I got back to the office, followed by the upload and supply of all high resolution files, via my website, later that afternoon.

Findings for a Friday - #0003

2010-08-06T17:00:00.004+01:00

Your selection of gems unearthed from the interwebs this week... Enjoy!

Article: The Signature Image: A Fine-Art Photographer Looking For New Gallery Representation - Case Study Examples

Article: Google Analytics For Facebook Fan Pages - How To Set It Up

Article: Retro 1960s Robo-Dog Designs Unearthed - Experimental Electronics Of the Past

Article: Magnum Photos - Abbas: Tibetans In Exile - Photo Essay/Slideshow

Article: 7 Portable And Practical Media Storage Devices - Ideas For Backing Up Your Images whilst Out And About

Blog Post: 23 Fun Amusement park Pictures - Images To Inspire You

Product: The Camera Lens Mug - Geek-out When You Have Your Cuppa!

Resource: Photojournalism Links, Wednesday 4th August 2010 - Links To Interviews, Features, Essays And Photographers

Website: DiscoveredArtists.com - 'An Exclusive Online Art Gallery'

Value... at what price?

2010-07-31T14:00:00.005+01:00

When times are tough, put up your prices. That's what some people would say - but is this a good idea? Is it better simply to stick to your guns, justify your rates... or do you drop prices to bargain basement levels in order to get would-be clients to part with their hard-earned cash?

These are tough times for sure, and the temptation to undercut one's opposition is ever-present. So much so, in fact, that people do this with a complete disregard for the future security of their industry. This is a real shame, I think, because it is only panic and desperation which leads to such actions; ordinarily, these same people would be comfortably justifying their rates to all clients, new and old.

To play devil's advocate for a second, I'd like to pose a question: Can any responsibility be placed on the buyers' side? You have to ask whether clients who insist on 'cheap' are actually worth considering as customers, if they don't value your services highly enough to begin with. For example...

I'm no expert when it comes to car mechanics. Far from it. I freely admit this and, on occasions when my car needs fixing, it is duly taken to my local garage for repair. Of course I want to know, in advance, what the final bill will come to but - and here's the thing - I appreciate that these people have a skill set which I don't and I expect to pay accordingly. They are trusted suppliers, so I know they won't rip me off, and I also know that their rates for a given job will be a fair reflection of the work undertaken.

How many times have you shuddered when your mechanic announces how much the labour alone will be for your repairs? You might ask yourself how long the work will take and just what is he charging for... but certainly the answer to the latter is a simple one - he his charging for the wealth of knowledge, expertise and skills which will ultimately save you money in the long run.

The same is true of a photographer. I've said many times and, you know what, I'm going to say it again - you are not paying a photographer simply to press a button! The technical side of producing striking and effective imagery is a given (we all need to learn our craft) but a shoot is so much more than the sum the parts you see on the day. What about organisation, people management, styling, props, lighting, assistants, location scouting, research, creative meetings...? The list goes on.

When the kit bags are all packed at the end of the day, my work doesn't stop there either. Depending upon the scale and duration of the shoot, the editing process might take several days, along with continued communication with the client, fielding further requests and requirements.

I have recently stumbled upon two local photographers going in far too low on their pricing, jeopardising the local photography supply chain for the sake of getting some quick cash through the door. And we're not talking a just few pounds here.

On one occasion, I heard of a quote being 60% below the going rate. That was shocking enough, but I was stunned to hear of a second at... wait for it... 83.5% undercharged for the work involved. Surely, this can't be a good thing, can it?!

Explaining to new clients that they should think of photography not merely as an additional 'cost' but as 'value to their business' has always been part of the deal as a photographer. And I'm more than happy to have those conversations.

After all, everyone likes to know where their money is being spent, and an educational approach is never a bad thing when it comes to getting the message across.

Findings for a Friday - #0002

2010-07-30T14:59:00.000+01:00

Thanks, everyone for your feedback following last week's post (Findings for a Friday - #0001). As of next week, I will be adding additional descriptions to the links I share.

As for now, though, here is a selection of the resources which found their way to my screen in the the last seven days. Enjoy!

Article: No Assignments Without Experience, No Experience Without Assignments... Yeah, That Makes Sense, Right?

Article: Pelican i1015 iPhone Case

Article: Bringing It All Back Home

Article: Creepy German Robot Learns From Humans

Article: How Real Transformers Work

Article: 7 Superb Podcasts For Summer Listening

Article: 50 More Classic Examples Of Art Photography

Article: Twitter Set To Include Photos And Videos In Stream

Article: Sinar Creates Adapter To Mount DSLRs As Digital Backs

Article: FWIGTEW And Other First Weding Acronyms

Article: Morning Brief: YouTube Banned In Russia, Amazon's New Kindle, Motorola Earnings

Video: 2010 Kia Soul Hamster Commercial | Black Sheep Kia Hamsters Video

Video: Walk Across America (Levi's latest viral ad) + Walk Across America - Behind The Scenes

Video: Behind The Scenes Of A Domino's Pizza Photo Shoot

As ever, I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts - either in the comments section here or on my Facebook page).

Remember, don't forget to let others know of any great links you come across - it's all about the sharing!

Knittage simply lit

2010-07-27T11:40:00.010+01:00

When Inny needed some snazzy new shots of her knitted wares recently, for use on her blog and online shop, we used the absolute bare-basics approach of 'one camera, one lens, one light'. The location/studio arrangement was also just about as simple as you can get - a living room coffee table table.

What you see in the picture here is the lighting set-up... A single SB-800 with Pocket Wizard (for wireless connection to the camera); attached to the front is a diffuser panel (for nice, soft, even light). A Magic Arm was used to support the rig just off to camera right, positionable back and forth, left to right, as required.

The camera, incidentally, was hand-held.

You'll notice daylight striking the 'set' from the front - this was taken out of the equation not by closing the curtains, but my letting the flash be the sole light source (and adjusting settings accordingly). Flash light is perfect for close-up detail work, as it is very clean and crisp.

As many of you know, I don't believe in relying on post-production in order to 'save' poor technique - clearly, it makes far more sense to get things looking the way you want them at the time of capture. Case in point - the image you see up top is essentially unaltered.

The most Photoshop work that was applied here was to the image which ended up as Inny's banner - a simple case of choosing the crop and superimposing her logo, to end up with this:

Photo shoots are expensive, time consuming, stressful affairs, right? Nope. This little lot took all of about 10 minutes from setting up to taking everything apart, including time to arrange the object (a Spring Greens scarf, no less!), discuss framing options and, of course, sip a nice cuppa.

Findings for a Friday - #0001

2010-07-23T18:30:00.001+01:00

As my online activities grow and diversify - specifically through the use of Twitter and Facebook - it's very clear that a great deal of the information I come across is/would be of benefit to a lot of my followers and those who keep track of what I have to say.

This past week has got me thinking. What use are all these wonderful links to books, podcasts, web pages, assorted resources... if I don't share them?

Here's my plan.

Every Friday, I will be writing a post on the GBP Blog, containing a list of all the useful, intriguing, thought-provoking and fascinating content which I have shared - and which has been shared with me - over the past week.

It won't all be about photography, but a mix of topics including the arts, media, technology, marketing... really, anything that will inspire and inform!

So, to kick things off, here are your Findings for a Friday #0001:

Article: 6 Things Photographers Like To Argue About

Article: 12 Excuses For Sooting Photographs For Free - And Why They're Bogus

Article: Officers Claim They Don't Need Law To Stop Photographer Taking Pictures

Article: Mine Is A Wi-Fi World (GBP:Blog)

Article: 505 Marketing Ideas

Article: Mindful Earning - 3 Rules To Set Prices With A Conscience

Article: Free Weekly Tips To Help You Grow And Enhance Your Photography Business

Article: Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport

Article: Has Demand For Microstock Photography Peaked?

Article: Proof That Social Media Can Work For Your Photography Business

Article: A Few Things That You Shouldn't Say On Twitter

Article: What Do We Really Mean By Art?

Article: Scanning Around With Gene: Those Darn Cats

Blog: The Photographic World Of Drew Gardner

Book: Purple Cow - Transform Your Business By Being Remarkable

Book: The Linked Photographers' Guide To Online Marketing And Social Media

Comic Strip: What The Duck

Discussion: Is It The Camera Or The Photographer? (GBP:Discuss)

Discussion: What Makes A Photograph Great?

Podcast: BlogcastFM - A podcast by bloggers, for bloggers

Prodct/review: Tweetymail

Product/supplier: GoPro Wearable Digital Cameras

Video: In Praise Of Pea Soup - Shooting In Fog

Workshops: 1-to-1 & Group Tuition with GBP:Workshop

For more of the same, you might like to also check out my bookmarks over on Delicious.

Found object: Video - light painting

2010-06-15T09:15:00.003+01:00

If you've ever tried painting with light - combining long exposures with the use of a hand-held light source to etch shapes/words/colours into the air - you'll know what great fun it is.

Typically, you might trace around people or objects, using a torch or a flash gun - and the technique relies on the principle that during a long exposure (anything from a couple of seconds through to several hours), a moving object (the light) will record as a blur whilst static objects remain, well, static.

Commonly, we see this in 'light trail' pictures of cars travelling along a road at night.

I came across this short video recently, which is perhaps one of the best examples I've seen of how you can take things one step further.

Enjoy!

And if you want to know how they did it, take a look at this behind-the-scenes video as well:

This has given me some great inspiration for a forthcoming shoot - I hope you get something out of it, too!

Introducing: GBP:Workshop

2010-06-07T15:15:00.011+01:00

Finally, the official announcement!

As many of you may know, I've been quietly working away behind the scenes, putting together a brand new series of workshops aimed at anyone who is keen to learn, explore and improve upon their interest in photography.

The premise is simple: Beginners' guides assume too much knowledge, which means people reading them often end up none-the-wiser. They don't want to be bombarded by photo-jargon - they just want to know what they should be doing in order to improve their image making. Is that really so much to ask?

With this in mind, I've developed the all-new GBP:Workshop - a series of one-off, 4-hour sessions, centred around a simplified hands-on approach to learning the basics of photography.

GBP:Workshop isn't:

Jargon-filled, alienating, uncomfortable
Pre-learned knowhow required
Vanity lecture disguised as a workshop
Uneasy silences in an echoey room
'Keep up or catch up!' mentality
Desk-based series of how-to instructions

GBP:Workshop is:

Fun, small, group-led participation
Run by a professional photographer
Tailored to you; bring your own camera
The basics, to get you up and running
Practical skills which actually matter
Step-by-step, topic-by-topic, learn-as-you-go
'Snap and see' hands-on tasks
Legible workshop notes and reference material
Project ideas for continued learning
Online support

I've never been a fan of the way so many seminars and workshops are based around the mentality of 'take the money, teach and run'. For this reason GBP: Workshop offers on-going support in the form of online discussion; after the workshop, you and your fellow attendees simply upload your pictures to a designated private online album and there we can talk over your progress and any ongoing questions you might have.

Of course, there's no pressure on you to do this, but I'm sure it'll be of benefit - and besides which, it's a great way to network with fellow enthusiasts!

To get the ball rolling, the first workshop I'm running is SLR Startup - which covers the basics of how to master the key functions of your digital SLR camera in order to consistently get the striking results you want.

Details of this workshop, location and prices can be found here.

If you have any questions, please drop me an email or post them in the comments section below (this would really benefit all those interested!).

Alternatively, you can always catch up with me on Facebook or Twitter (hint: you can search my related tweets using #gbpworkshop).

Edit: Here's some feedback from someone who recently had some 1-to-1 tuition with me:

"I hired Giles for a morning's practical photography refresher course to improve my skills and get to grips with a new digital SLR. Giles explained everything in a non-techie way which has really helped me to get the most out of my new camera and take much better images as a result. I would recommend Giles to anyone looking for a photography workshop or one to one training session."

New GBP website

2010-06-07T11:30:00.006+01:00

Things have been a little quiet around these parts recently. Have you noticed? There is good reason for this, however...

It is with great excitement and relief that I can now officially make today's first big announcement... My brand new website is now live!

Want to check it out straight away? Be my guest.

This has been a long time coming, not least of all because I have had other work, projects and commitments to attend to, but at long last I once again have a site which I am proud to direct people to (not like the previous incarnation, which I voiced my thoughts about here). Even judging by the screen grab I attached in that post, I hope you'll agree that my latest site is a vast improvement!

So, what's new? Well, the first thing you will notice is the background colour - I've done away with black (eek!) and gone for a nice, clean white appearance. This in itself fits much more with the tone of my approach to things these days, and ties in nicely with my Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

But by far and away the largest change has been the overall content - and, specifically, how to access it. The previous site was so complicated, with far too many links and far too many hidden pages which required multiple click-through navigation. Now, I have stripped it down to the bare essentials - a simple 6-link menu bar affair, based around a portfolio system. Much gentler on the eye and an absolute minimum amount of text for visitors to read!

You may remember that I previously included a link to my newsletter archive. Well, that still exists, but is instead accessed by a link on the Contact page, which directs you to a simplified list of all previous newsletters - with the most recent edition at the very top.

The Contact page itself is exactly that, detailing all the ways you can get in touch with me.

The Blog page? Well... clicking on that menu link brings you right to the front page of this here blog!

A new addition this time around is the Bio page - just a few lines of background info and a mug shot of yours truly.

But what about pictures? Obviously, this is the main area I addressed; it was well documented that I had far too much text versus imagery on the old site, so the balance has shifted dramatically, to put it right back where it should be.

The first thing you notice, landing on the Home page, is a slideshow of pictures, nice and big, plain and simple. The Portfolio page now houses six images, which act as links through to individual galleries for the following areas: PR/Advertising, Location, Lifestyle/Outdoor, Event, Wedding and People. Each of these open up to show a slideshow (featuring full-screen HD view, if that tickles your fancy) and thumbnail guide to all pictures in the collection.

And that's it.

Well, apart from the simplified Client Area, which remains essentially the same in its purpose - to supply my lovely clients with their pictures in the hours and days which following a shoot.

I'd like to know what you think (surprised? Come on, you know me well enough by now!). Feedback so far has been really positive (thanks to everyone who has chipped in already) - but I am still encouraging more people to stand up and drop me their thoughts either in an email or in the comments section below this post.

Right, now to prepare for today's second big announcement!

Make the most of your pictures!

2010-05-10T16:57:00.003+01:00

A recent shoot got me thinking about how people don't always make full use of the photographs which they commission. Thankfully, those involved on this particular occasion will.

So, I was asked to attend the relaunch party of a local beauty salon, capturing a series of images depicting the proceedings over the course of a few hours. Getting on site early allowed me to catch up with my client (she contacted me via LinkedIn, having remembered me from a networking group we both attended 4 years ago), and get a good idea of the location and lighting considerations.

Before guests started to arrive, I made it my priority to capture a set of nice, clean images showing the atmospheric, newly-decorated rooms, including detail shots. The rest of my time was then spent capturing a mix of posed and un-posed pictures of everyone chatting, networking and generally enjoying the free champagne.

Perfect PR material.

In the first instance, my images hit an advertorial feature in the local press (see photo above). Ffollowing that, they will be used in both printed and online media well into the future.

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The great thing about photographs - especially the digital variety - is that they are very flexible when it comes to how you can use them. Sounds kind of obvious, right? Well, not necessarily.

Ahead of any shoot, I always have a meeting and/or series of emails and phone calls with my clients, in which we discuss not just the sort of imagery they are wanting, but the ways in which those pictures are ultimately going to be used.

Quite often, thoughts turn simply to the immediate output (profile pictures on a company's website, for example), and regularly the possibilities just... stop. At least in the client's mind. But why should they?

You need to think laterally, people, and consider what other opportunities are out there for spreading your message!

Let's be frank - you're prepared to pay out 'X' amount for my services, so why wouldn't you make the most of our time together? This isn't exploitation, it's value for money. Bang for your buck... call it what you will.

Never be afraid to ask about the potential for using photographs throughout all your marketing activities - there's no such thing as a stupid question.

The point is, I want my clients to make the most of the photographs I shoot for them. That's why I like working with forward-thinking companies, especially if they have their own in-house or out-sourced marketing department.

It's only be being open to the possibilities that you will ever get the most out of this wonderful, powerful communication device we call photography.

Fountain Jam - revealed

2010-05-03T11:05:00.010+01:00

Spoiler alert - this post has nothing whatsoever to do with jam... Although I am rather fond of the stuff!

Back in December, as part of my yearly 'Looking Ahead To...' post, one of my bullet points stated "Personal projects - research and develop further; possible exhibition?"

Well, regular readers will know that I am already involved with the Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project. This has taken something of a back seat of late, due to health issues on the part of Mr. V, but with things on the mend, we are due to get together for the latest instalment soon.

In the meantime, I have another (self-driven) project under way, which I have kept quiet until now. It doesn't have an official title as such, but the premise is simple: Every Thursday, The Fountain Inn at Rowlands Castle in Hampshire, UK, holds an open-mic jam night. This is a local-level, free-for-all get-together, hosted by ex-Van Morrison member Herbie Armstrong. It's a great showcase for local musical talent, and always full of interesting characters.

I have made it my mission to document proceedings over the course of the year, with a view to publishing a book somewhen around February-March 2011.

Feedback so far has been really positive, with many kind words which spur me on to produce more great imagery of the individuals who stand in front of my lens! And, thanks to a few sneaky glimpses of my camera screen along the way, it looks like there are already a bunch of regulars interested in getting their hands on a copy of the book. Great stuff - I can't wait to see the end product!

To find out more about the Thursday Jam Nights, you can contact me via any of the usual channels or get in touch with the event's co-ordinator, Keith, through the dedicated Facebook page (be sure to tell him where you heard about the event!).

I'm not there every Thursday, but if you do come along and see me, um, 'working,' don't be a stranger. It's a very relaxed state of affairs, and so is my shooting style (not, I hasten to add, due to over-zealous consumption of local ale!). Make yourself known, have a chat and enjoy the tunes!

You never know - you just might make it into the book!

As an aside - a quick shout-out to Lorraine Paintin for the use of the picture you see here. See, I do sometimes get caught out on the other side of the camera - sneaky, Lorraine!

Edit: For a progress update, hit this link!

Pimp my Moleskine!

2010-04-21T17:30:00.004+01:00

Here's a quick general interest piece, which just might inspire you to try something different and increase your productivity...

If you read my 'Looking ahead to 2010' post last December, you may have picked up on a sense that I was wanting to make changes to the work I do, the way I operate, and the way I handle my workflow. Well, you'd be quite right.

Having just put in an order for some new kit, I'm reminded that I am still very much tied down to the modern technology, but one thing is crystal clear to me now - moving back to a traditional diary was definitely the way to go! Almost five months into the year, and I have seen my productivity grow, simply because of the way I can structure my days and weeks using old (ie less-fashionable) 'technology'.

As with technique and the way individual items of camera equipment are set up, there's something to be said for feeling 'happy' with one's kit. This may sound odd, and it is a little difficult to describe, but I suppose it's a bit like a golfer having a favourite club, or a chef having a favourite knife. Whatever it may be, these items make their operators feel confident and comfortable in their day-to-day activities.

So, I've finally got around to personalising things a bit further, inspired by a small leather-bound sketch book I bought Inny for Christmas; thanks to her, my Moleskine diary is now a far less standard, corporate affair, and features a nice new buttery-feel wrap-around cover and fastening.

For anyone thinking of doing the same, there's no need to go out and spend a lot of money. The coloured chamois leather itself was an off-cut bought from an art shop, the leather cord came from a haberdashery and the alien fastening was pulled from a pack of buttons bought at Hobbycraft. Total cost - about £4.

Okay, so it's just a bit of fun really, but there is another accidental advantage to this whole process. Because it's something a little bit different, my diary has now become a talking point on occasions when I'm in meetings with clients, colleagues and contacts in my network.

And just as with so much of this kind of thing, you never know what might come out of the most trivial of conversations!

Just in case you missed the link above, please do check out Inny's site, and her exhibition (I plugged it here), which runs until the end of the month.

GBP Facebook

2010-04-08T12:53:00.006+01:00

Exciting news - Giles Babbidge Photography now has an official Facebook page!

You can check it out by following this link, which will take you direct to the main page showing the latest posts, news, updates and conversations.

I will also be be sending updates to my Twitter page in real time, so can be sure to keep up to date with what's going on.

As ever, I fully encourage you to get involved, to widen the network, so be sure to sign up as a fan and join in!

Exhibition plug - IngridNation

2010-03-31T23:15:00.006+01:00

A quick plug today...

... for my lovely lady, Inny, who now has an exhibition running in Bethnal Green, London, until the end of April. The location is the rather funky Prick Your Finger yarn and haberdashery shop, and the show features work from a number of Inny's more recent projects.

Between us, we've spent our day setting things up and drinking much tea, during which time I documented proceedings from start to finish - everything from discussions first-thing in the morning to the Private View in the evening.

The resulting pictures will be used both as a record of the event and for publicity material in all manner of online sites and publications within the knitting & textiles world.

You can check out more of Inny's work over at IngridNation - so please give her a visit and be sure to give some feedback!

Article: Service with a smile

2010-03-21T14:00:00.006Z

“My God! There’s nothing frightens you more than a furtive grocer.” So said Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the classic BBC sitcom Open All Hours.

One of the things that I love so much about this TV show, especially the further we head away from its original airing back in the mid-1970s and 1980s, is that it presents a wonderful image of what I think is sadly a fast-disappearing entity here in the UK – the friendly, local, independent shopkeeper. With a particular good-natured gentleness, the series exuded a wonderfully timeless charm all of its own, inducing a sense of whimsy and nostalgia for ‘the good old days.’

Earlier this week, I posed a simple question on Twitter: Is the traditional British shopkeeper a dying breed? The responses I received clearly corroborate my own sentiments, with many people disheartened by the closure of vast numbers of their favourite local suppliers. Sure, this can now be put down partly to the recession, but certainly this isn’t the key factor here – it is simply a topical element. The reality is, sadly, a lot more corporate in its nature.

Over the last 10-15 years, via the portal that is one of my neighbouring small villages here in Hampshire, I’ve seen the increasing dominance of the larger national organisations over the ‘little man in the street.’ At one time, some years ago, you could get everything you needed right on your doorstep; this in itself had a sense of assurance about it, but by default it also created and enforced trust, brought people closer together, created healthy inter-village competition (thus fuelling the much-coveted vegetable-growing competitions!) and provided jobs for generations of families living there.

When the local Co-op decided to expand, it was only a matter of time before we said goodbye to the butcher, the grocer and the wine merchant. The Post Office was next to be affected, being incorporated into the back of the newly refitted convenience store (not to everyone’s delight, it has to be said). Give him his due, the newsagent did his best to keep up, forced to obtain a license to sell alcohol to make up for his losses on basic groceries (having stepped in, just about, to plug at least part of the gap left by the aforementioned grocer’s departure).

But let’s not focus on the doom and gloom – it’s not all bad news. My Twitter poll flagged up a number of examples where people have been reassured by the continued survival of their local champions of community. They have related tales of one-to-one assistance more often seen in days of old, acts of kindness and professionalism which you just don’t get when shopping in larger supermarkets and warehouse stores. A shoe repairer glued a boot for free, an electrical shop assistant opened up a sealed pack to check for instructions and offered a full refund if he was wrong… Such stories are somehow quite heart-warming, aren’t they?

As a business owner myself – and, of course, as a consumer – it is immediately clear in the character of Arkwright (played by Ronnie Barker) just how one could/should go about providing a service to one’s customers. He also beautifully demonstrates the wrong way to go about things! The fact is that people love people – treat your customers right and they’ll return to you again and again; upset or anger them in any way, even on seemingly trivial matters, and chances are you’ve lost them on the spot.

As the backbone of many a small country village, corner shops such as Arkwright’s have, along with the church and local ale house, been at the centre of communities up and down the land for as long as we can remember. They say that our lives are progressing, advancing for the better thanks to the wider choice, cheaper prices and greater convenience afforded by the likes of supermarkets - but is this really the case? I’m not so sure.

I think that the recession is an easy scapegoat for not parting with cash. At the end of the day, and in spite of tight purse strings, people are still happy to pay a premium if what they get in return is better produce, better value and better service. And quite rightly so.

Clearly, not everyone believes the hype (dare I say ‘propaganda’?) which saturates our televisions, radios and billboards. This is why we are seeing a backlash, a movement of support for local producers and providers here in the UK. Farmers’ markets, ‘grow your own’ initiatives, loyalty schemes and town incentives are all slowly winning people over to the kind of values which, in all honesty, they probably know have always lurked deep within them all along.

If you would like to see what I get up to month-by-month, why not take a look at my Blog. And if you’re up to speed with Twitter, then please look me up and say hi. Social media, after all, is no different to our traditional forms of communication, other than it is hosted in a virtual space – so please feel free to comment on any posts, remarks, thoughts and ideas I may come out with along the way – the more the merrier!

First published at BritishPages.org

TFM&A 2010

2010-02-25T15:40:00.006Z

Earlier this week, I travelled up to London for a show called Technology For Marketing & Advertising. In all honesty, it was not exactly what I expected - but please do not take this as a reflection of the show itself.

I think the problem (if you can call it that) was centred around the fact that a lot of the exhibitors were aiming their services very much at big business - or certainly those bigger than mine. For example, one web content company I was talking to said their prices started at - wait for it - £50,000. Clearly not what I have in mind. Ok, so I often undertake assignments for organisations within this ball-park and bigger, but that figure does not really match my budget right at this moment!

That said, there were some excellent speakers at the event, and I would particularly like to share a resource passed on by Dave Chaffey, the "bestselling author, consultant and speaker who enjoys sharing tips, tools and techniques on SEO, PPC, Social Media, Email Marketing, Site Design & Analytics." (this quote courtesy of his Twitter bio).

What follows is actually the web page featuring Dave's presentation slides, which cover a range of topics that might be of interest to you when considering your online marketing strategy. Simply click on the illustration above, or THIS LINK to go straight to the page.

For quick reference, here are the main points discussed:

Q1. How engaged are our email subscribers? Suggestions for measuring and goal-setting for engagement.

Q2. How can we increase relevance? Recommendations on email engagement strategy.

Q3. What will make our campaign more engaging? 5 ingredients of an engaging campaign.

Q4. How can we make our email templates more effective? Practical tips for an engaging template.

Q5. How can we integrate email and social media? Examples of email and social media integration.

I hope you find this as useful as I have, and it would be great to hear your thoughts via the comments section below.

Article: A train too far

2010-02-24T15:00:00.009Z

In a recent post earlier this month, I told you about my new arrangement to write articles for a website called BritishPages.org.

As promised, here is my first offering (after an introductory preamble). It is something of a lighthearted rant, detailing a farcical train journey on the Southern UK rail network...

A Train Too Far

On occasions, I like to substitute my car for the train when travelling locally. Of course there are environmental benefits to this but, personally, it affords me the chance to take a break from rushing around and allows me to make the most of my travel time by getting some work done. The danger with this, of course, is that as a passenger, you are completely at the mercy of the transportation system itself (not to mention the staff and operators).

Leaves on the line, the wrong kind of weather, a fatality somewhere up ahead – we’ve all heard the excuses as to why trains can be delayed. But my fortunes at the hands of this method saw a new contender a couple of days ago.

Let me give you a bit of background info. It was coming towards the end of the day, around 5pm, and I had had a lovely day out with my Dad in Chichester – a local city steeped in history, folklore and vast trade connections spanning back to Roman times and beyond. It is well connected, transport-wise, thanks to a wide network of rail and road routes, and in my experience this remains problem-free roughly 90% of the time. Any delays tend to be relatively short-lived.

Not so, the day in question.

With my Dad’s train due to depart at 5:16pm, mine was conveniently scheduled to arrive at the other platform five minutes earlier. As is turns out, his arrived a little early, and we said cheerio so he could sit in the warm and I could head over to the other side of the track. This is where it all started to go wrong.

I saw the light on the front of my train a little way up the line. The only trouble was it didn’t appear to be getting any closer. Fair enough, I thought, it was probably just waiting at a signal, to let another pass by.

Ten minutes came and went. And then another five… at which point a voice crackled over the PA system, announcing that the 5:11pm train was delayed a little way up the line ‘due to a mechanical fault’. No explanation given (of course, that would be asking too much). Now, I’m no expert, but even a rapidly-cooling member of the public like me could hazard a guess that this was a fair assumption!

I should point out that there was no snow or ice in the area at the time. This would at least have presented something of an argument, as in recent weeks (see picture above), but the severity of the weather was limited to light rain which had fallen earlier in the day.

We (the freezing passenger brigade) did get a further update after about another half an hour; the cause was – and I quote our friendly announcer here – “The brakes have locked up.” Marvellous.

I’ll save you the interim details, but suffice it to say that after 2 hours of waiting (with no other services able to come along the line), I’d had enough. My feet were bitterly cold, my hands were fast catching up, I was tired, hungry, and I still had a load of work to do, having been out of the office all day.

This was the point at which I took it upon myself to tackle the station guard to ask just what they (the all-powerful southern rail network) were planning to do, to rescue myself and the other 50+ passengers from a potentially long and dismal evening with not so much as a complimentary cup of tea between us. The answer to my question came somewhat hesitantly (as I was passed the default complaint/claim paperwork) in the form of “Um… we’re laying on a replacement bus service”. When will this be arriving? I asked. “Um… not sure.”

Brilliant.

Luckily, there is a large bus station/depot just around the corner from the train station, so I headed off, determined not find myself ultimately emailing clients upon a return home at around 11pm.

Thankfully, one of the drivers had by now been tipped off about the situation, and he was extremely friendly and polite; it was a welcome sight to see him handle his passengers’ concerns with complete professionalism. Within 5 minutes, I was on the road and, due in no small part to his clearly ‘bending the rules’ of the speed limit, I finally got home at about 7:45pm (after picking up a connection at another train station).

This whole sorry state of affairs begs the question: Is it any wonder the government gets frustrated that we don’t use public transport more?! Reliability issues are one thing, but surely they must realise that these, combined with poor communication and a lack of respect for one’s paying customers, will only lead to despondency and ill feeling.

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts and your situation, wherever you might be.

Incidentally, if any of you would like to see what I get up to month-by-month, why not take a look at my Blog. And if you’re up to speed with Twitter, then please look me up and say hi! I am a big fan of social media and the way it brings us together, so please feel free to comment on any posts, remarks, thoughts and ideas I may come out with along the way – the more the merrier!

Note: I wrote this piece on another train bound for London yesterday. As I was approaching Woking in Surrey, yet another shaky voice appeared over the in-train PA, announcing that due to “technical difficulties” which the train guard did not “know the nature of”, I would shortly have to disembark onto another train which, it was hoped, would get me to my destination on time. Two days in a row – do I get a prize?!

Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project: First tests

2010-02-16T17:00:00.005Z

Well, the Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project is moving on at a nice pace now, with our latest tests showing definite improvements over the last.

In the first of our audio commentaries below, you'll hear us constructing our MK#1 camera, taking it outside for exposures using only available light (the sun) and developing the very first paper negatives. It was interesting to see what appeared out of the darkness of our improvised darkroom...

Pin Hole podcast - 003

With the MK#2 camera in hand, there was a definite increase in sharpness, contrast and density in our results. In a somewhat more controlled environment, we stayed indoors and set up a still life arrangement; this was lit by a constant light source (one 1000-watt halogen photo lamp).

By no means perfect (watch out for the schoolboy error!), our work is still very much about understanding the process and slowly refining our technique... as explained in our final thoughts about how to move things along in the very near future. Enjoy!

Pin Hole podcast - 004

Oh, and if you missed our first two instalments, you can catch up with them here.

Writing for BritishPages.org

2010-02-15T15:00:00.005Z

As many of you know, my time is not spent purely as a photographer; I am also a writer, primarily putting together articles for the outdoor and photography markets.

Well, following discussions with a fellow Twitter user, I am pleased to announce that I will now be writing regularly for BritishPages.org - a place for discussion on all manner of things quintessentially British. My articles - posted under 'Blogs > Babbington Blog' - will fit in with the site's already well-established theme of cultural topics such as tourism, news, entertainment, expatriates, business, food, fashion and more besides. My is essentially text based, but you never know, I might just throw in some audio and video footage along the way!

I'll also be re-posting these same articles here on the GBP Blog, along with a link to their location on BritishPages.org - so either way, you shouldn't have any trouble keeping up to date.

To kick things off, then, here's the link to the post 'Introducing the Babbington Blog'. As ever, I'm warmly welcoming readers' thoughts and comments. So don't be shy - enjoy and enter into the debates!

Clever sweaters

2010-01-31T17:30:00.003Z

This little video amused me. It's also a clever piece of marketing, I think, on the part of Pringle of Scotland, who commissioned David Shrigley to produce a short 'behind-the-scenes' animation for this year's Milan Fashion Week... Enjoy!

Many thanks to the lovely Inny for the heads-up :)

Tough times and productivity

2010-01-22T12:40:00.003Z

It's an interesting time for everyone right now. Of course, you don't need me to hark on about how the economy is on its knees and how companies are struggling to survive, their owners wondering how they are going to pay the bills just so that they have a base to work from.

Stress and concern is around every corner, and we all handle this in different ways. My take on the situation is not quite so head-in-the-sand as some people's. Yes, I've felt the effects and yes, I am looking forward to a return to normality (whatever that may be). But at times like these, I tend to get somewhat philosophical and just push on regardless. Sounds like an obvious approach, right?

Time, that ever-precious commodity, takes centre stage - and I'm not one to sit and twiddle my thumbs as the hours pass by. In recent weeks, I have been preparing for what lies ahead and taking care of tasks which might otherwise find themselves pushed further down the order - to the point that it could be weeks before they get done. Such activities are not reserved for moments of quiet, though; for me, January is always a month of gathering thoughts and looking ahead.

Take yesterday, for example. Following an early start and a networking meeting, I scheduled a get-together with a photographer friend, to get some objective, constructive criticism about my website. As regular readers will know, I am not at all happy with the current site. In consideration of its revamp, I was (and still am) completely open to suggestion and feedback.

We discussed where my company is heading, where I want it to be in 6 months' time, and what I need to do to get it there. We considered all manner of issues from website styles to functionality, cost-effectiveness and client appeal. It was a very frank and worthwhile meeting.

The result of those two hours? I now have the design process of my 2010 Commercial/Editorial website under way and, more importantly, I have a 3-phase marketing plan set out in the Moleskine which will take me right up to March. At that point, I will be following a separate, but mostly similar, plan of attack for the Wedding side of my business.

Out of the apparent gloom of this rainy January morning, I am genuinely excited.

All too often, we get too close to our businesses, our projects, our day-to-day running of things. We fail to see the glaringly obvious flaws when it comes to the way we operate and the ways in which we might make improvements. It is not unusual for people to get on the defensive when offers of support and advice come their way, but I have no issue with asking for opinion; it is only in so doing that we develop as professionals, as artists and as individuals.

Documenting property

2010-01-14T10:00:00.005Z

In a previous post, I wrote about a quick job undertaken locally for a good client of mine. Well, in this additional follow-up, I thought I'd speak about the idea of photographically recording your building either for future reference or for promotional purposes.

So, the second shoot, about three weeks later at the same location. This time around, the properties in question were covered in a delicate veil of snow, which had fallen the previous night. Luckily, I was just about able to navigate to treacherous roads to get there; but even more lucky (photographically, at least) was the fact that the snow had not been disturbed around the buildings, so I knew they would look wonderful in the pictures.

The first picture here shows the scene which presented itself back in November. A very simple shot, it illustrates the property clearly and smartly.

Nothing more than that, it is a simple record shot - and one which has already been used in a number of promotional activities by the client.

The second shot - very obviously the same building, and essentially an identical shot, but this time with a slightly different message behind it. Specifically, this picture illustrates how these new-build houses offer comfort and shelter from the elements. If this is not immediately apparent, it is perhaps worth mentioning that I also shot some interiors, featuring inhabitants, in order to support the 'making this house our home' message.

To all you business owners out there, I would say this: Regardless of your sector or type of property, it's always worth considering how you might go about exploiting your premises in order to educate and encourage new customers. After all, assuming that you are paying out on a lease and utilities, it makes sense to get the most out of such a great asset.

With the change of seasons comes a fresh set of new opportunities for exploiting what you have at your disposal. Perhaps you run a hotel which looks equally lovely at first light in the summer months as it does last thing at night as it is bathed in the crisp winter light. Or maybe you are a landscape designer who could be documenting the changing face of a client's gardens.

And if the above does not fit with your requirements, because you are not thinking in business terms, there is still relevance here. It might be worth you documenting the various changes your property goes through over the years - whether this be because you want to track building work and modifications, or because you have family and/or sentimental reasons for doing so.

On this latter point, you only have to see the popularity of activities such as the tracing of one's family tree to see the value of keeping a photographic record for future generations.

Whatever your situation, it's well worth giving this some thought.

Awards in spite of the snow

2010-01-12T14:00:00.002Z

The trouble with planning ahead, of course, is that, very often you can't predict what might happen in between now and the time you are planning for. As if to prove this point, I recently found myself having to reschedule arrangements in order to photograph an awards night for a new corporate client.

The problem was actually something which neither I nor my client could prevent - the weather. Specifically, the snow. And, come to think of it, how typical that in the weeks before and weeks that followed, the snow did not pose nearly half as much of a threat to our activities!

But, look, you've probably heard just about enough about the snow if you're over here in the UK, so let's talk about the shoot...

All said and done on the arrangements front, I did finally manage to get to the location - the local Guildhall - in plenty of time. With all bags and cases decanted, the first thing to do was was have a run through the brief with those concerned. Even though timings often shift throughout the evening (as they did here), it is important to have a framework which allows us to make the most of our opportunities on the night.

The next 30 minutes or so were then spent wandering around the reception bar area, where guests slowly arrived for a pre-meal drink. I covered this with a two-camera set-up, which allowed me to switch between close-up grab shots from a distance and posed/semi-posed images of couples and small groups, as and when they presented themselves. I really like the flexibility of this approach which, by default, lends itself to the production of a wide variety of photographs.

Following a few 'table' shots, and with everyone now seated, I headed upstairs to get a bird's-eye-view of the main hall. With an ultra-wide lens fitted on a camera bolted securely to a tripod, and a relatively long exposure, I was able to capture the low-light atmosphere of the room. You'll notice how people's movement appears to be blurred in places; I really like this effect and every time I create it, I am reminded to put the technique into practice more often!

The final part of my brief was a set of award presentation shots, for which I had to stand up on stage. On this occasion, the approach was not my typical one, and was actually far from perfect. Due to the fact that the client had television cameras filming the whole sequence, I had to remain very much 'in the wings', shooting on a long lens at people with a less-than-favourable background.

I suppose we are perfectionists, and so this did not sit well with me. One of the first things you learn to do as a photographer is to check that your backgrounds are smart and uncluttered; unfortunately, on this occasion, they were neither. But I was governed by the situation and the pictures were technically very good, so this was just one of those occasions where you grin and bear it.

A few final grab shots of performers on stage rounded off the night, before I once again headed out into the cold. I was lucky to get a train back home (the roads were not suitable for driving) as I had put in some extra time and it was a 50/50 chance whether I'd catch the last one.

All that then remained to be done was the editing. All pictures were online for the client to view the following day and a disk containing those same images was sent out in the next available post.

Introducing: The Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project

2009-12-31T16:50:00.000Z

With the end of another year just hours away, it's time to think ahead to what the next twelve months might hold in store. That in itself will be the topic of a forthcoming post, but for now I'd like to talk briefly about a very exciting project which I will be involved in throughout the whole of 2010...

Many of you will by now be aware of my friend and collaborator Richard Vobes - most likely as a result of following either him or myself on Twitter, or via various audio chats we have recorded this year for vobes.com (some of which have also subsequently appeared in posts here on the GBP Blog).

Well, now we have taken things one step further, embarking on an idea which Richard came up with a number of months back. Its working title is The Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project - and we are very excited about it!

In a nutshell, we are going to be stripping back the photographic process, removing the hi-tech, super-material, computer-reliant aspect so prevalent these days, instead concentrating on producing a set of images as the final outcome of a simplified yet very involved process.

Why so involved? Well, rather than simply purchasing a pinhole camera and photographic film, we will instead be working from scratch - completely from the ground up. As such, the starting point will be to construct our camera- most likely from traditional materials such as wood, varnish, brass, leather etc. And then there's the small matter of the physical medium onto which our images will be physically recorded (clue: we want to make our own).

The final images will for part of an installation/exhibition around this time next year.

For the benefit of both ourselves and those who would like to follow our progress, Mr. V and I will be recording all of our steps along the way - via audio, video, stills and note books. We've already documented our first tentative steps via audio; you can listen to these below in order to get a better idea of just what we have in mind.

Pin Hole podcast - 001

Pin Hole podcast - 002

To keep up to date, either check by here to see new pinhole-related posts, or bookmark the Pinhole Camera Project page over on vobes.com.

Dear diary...

2009-12-31T10:00:00.007Z

Is it me, or are people getting just a little bit tired of technology, the further it travels along the road to apparent progress?

This may sound like a very blasé question to pose, but it seems that a great deal of individuals I speak with all-too-often find themselves the victim of newfangled ways of carrying out tasks, where their traditional methods never caused such problems. As you might guess, it was my own experiences that brought me to write this post, and one in particular which has to do with organisation and data loss.

In previous years, I have always used a typical, long-established form of diary - a paper-based affair - as I am quite traditional at heart and like the combination of reliability and the strangely-comforting tactility of its pages. But 2009 saw a switch to a more hi-tech solution. Or so I thought.

The rationale was simple enough: As I am often out and about, it made sense to have my diary sync'd up to my BlackBerry device so that, in combination with my online diary, I would be able to view/update my schedule in real-time. Simply put: short of losing a connection, everything would be to hand and I would be able to easily stay on top of my commitments day-in, day-out.

But what is it they say about the best-laid plans? I forget now. What I do remember, however, is that by week 2 of November, my online diary only had entries for the last week of October; by the end of the month, October's records had disappeared completely. And on 16th November, it was already beginning to remove that month's earliest entries. Strangely, January-September and December onwards remained intact throughout.

Now, I'm sure the boffins out there would be able to offer many suggestions about how to recover the missing data and so forth but, frankly, I am no longer interested. At the end of the day, I need my workflow systems to be reliable and dependable (in this respect, a diary is no different to, say, my cameras) and so it is time to seek alternatives for the new year.

With this in mind, then, 2010 will see a return to what I know works best for me - a traditional pocket diary. As I type, there are already scribblings in a nice new, highly portable, soft-cover Moleskine - which allows for much pimpage (probably not an actual word) and considerable peace of mind. By way of backup, I will also resurrect my whiteboard planner in the office, so that activities are always noted in multiple locations.

Granted, a return to 'old technology' would not be everybody's answer to the above dilemma, but it certainly suits me. In talking over this issue with a number of people, a variety of alternative options have been suggested - each not without its own merits.

Even though I have now found my solution, I'd still be keen to hear what you have considered useful in terms for boosting your workflow and/or productivity - so please, as ever, drop me your thoughts in the comments section or via the usual channels.

Looking ahead to 2010

2009-12-28T14:00:00.002Z

Just as with 2008, I have decided to a write a post centred around a look towards the next 12 months.

It's been a funny old year, for all manner of reasons. Some have been professional - not least of all, the challenges presented by the continuing economic climate; but also I have had something of an unsettled time on the personal side of things, too. There's no need to go into detail here, but suffice it to say that I would once again like to thank all those who offered their support and kind words along the way - it meant a great deal.

But as the saying goes - we must now push forward, onwards and upwards!

The way business is conducted - not just within the photography industry - has noticeably shifted. Clearly, many more people have jumped on the social networking band wagon this year, setting up blogs, podcasts and accounts on open platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Flickr. As far as I can see, this can only be good thing. And from a personal standpoint, thanks to the use of my networking activities, I have not seen a significant loss of trade as a result (regular readers will know that I generally don't spend on 'traditional' paid advertising). Looking ahead with latest developments in mind, it'll be interesting to see what comes of Google Wave... and beyond. All very exciting stuff!

I recently took a few minutes to revisit my 2008 'yearly summing-up' post, to get an idea of just how much of my 'intentions for 2009' list I have actually achieved. Well, in spite of everything, I was pleasantly surprised to realise that I've actually done better than at first thought. So, with this fresh in my head, here is my initial list for 2010 (again, to be extended as time goes on, no doubt!):

GBP website - revamp, develop, launch a completely new look
Record more audio/video content for GBP Blog; monthly/occasional podcast perhaps?
Extend online writing activities (speak up if you can help with this, please! I'm especially keen to target photography, outdoor pursuits, business and networking e-zines, )
Consider further tutoring and public speaking opportunities
Personal projects - research and develop further; possible exhibition?
Continue to build online network, especially via Twitter
I must make time to visit exhibitions by other photographers and artists
More use of prime lenses, starting with purchase of a new 35mm f1.8
Keep up to date with my subscription to Wired magazine - so many good ideas, so much inspiration... it's wasted on the bottom shelf of the coffee table!
Ensure that computers remain as de-cluttered as possible!

So that's a start - and enough to be getting on with, I think. I will also be continuing with a number of points detailed on the previous list, despite not mentioning them here.

Let's hope 2010 proves to be a great and successful year for us all. As before, do let me know what you have planned; it'd be great to follow your progress and see where you end up in 12 months' time!

Take care, everyone, and have a great new year :)

Festivities, fun and fireworks

2009-12-08T15:15:00.001Z

Well, it only seems like about a year ago (give or take a few days) since I last wrote about the 'C' word. Yup, that's right - Christmas is just around the corner once again!

Am I more prepared this year? Um... well, I'd have to go with an optimistic "It's too early to say right now." Certainly there are a few things which have been discussed and which have got my brain moving in the right direction. One major achievement, though, is that I have a date set in the diary for getting the decorations out and put up. Hey, it's progress!

On a larger, more public scale, you would expect commercial organisations to be in full flow on this front. And from what I can see on a local level, they are. Christmas lights, street entertainers, hot chestnut vendors, kiddies meeting Santa's reindeer... all these things were set up and ready to be captured through my lens on a recent shoot for one of the local city councils.

In terms of photography, this was pretty typical stuff for me - but as regular readers know, I love getting involved with events as they present so much subject matter to indulge in! Doesn't matter what the theme is - everything from local themed Birthday parties to internationally-recognised multiple-day events.

Thankfully, I was given a pretty loose brief on this day, with only two main technical considerations. One was to keep an eye on timings, as various highlights were happening in specific places at specific times (such as a choir singing and the turning-on of Christmas lights).

Secondly, I had to be aware of the inclusion of young children (sub-18yrs) in my pictures. Such is our current climate of fear/paranoia/mistrust that I will typically make a point of introducing myself to any kids' parents, explain why I am photographing, and for whom, and then request permission to take photographs.

On this latter point, a standard official minor-/model release form often needs to be completed; something of an inconvenience at times, but at least it does offer some reassurance to all those involved about one's legitimacy and professionalism. In simple terms, it is an official 'permission slip', and is standard practice in our industry. It's sad to have to take these steps, but an unfortunate necessity.

But back to the event...

All was going well up to about 4:45pm when, with light almost completely faded, the area was treated to a not-altogether-festive downpour of rain which, quite typically, decided to fall in biblical fashion just around the time that the firework display was set in motion, moments after the blessing of the Christmas tre and turning on of lights.

Having researched and arranged my shooting position earlier in the day, all plans quickly evaporated as I only had a 7-minute window and needed to get some - any - shots showing the display acting out behind the cathedral. In spite of the conditions, I managed to get the tripod set up just in time (to avoid camera shake during long exposures).

So relentless was the weather that I could not very well keep the lens free from rain as the camera was tilted skywards and (due to logistical reasons) I did not have an umbrella to hand. Without exaggeration, the water was literally flowing off my camera and yet the Nikon still performed (another fitting testament to the pro- versus amateur-build quality debate).

You can clearly see the water droplets recorded as out-of-focus highlights in the picture on the left here. Yes, I could have wiped the glass, but this would only have smeared the water around - and with so little time available, I would most likely have missed my chance to record a decent number of frames.

Now, admittedly these were not the greatest fireworks pictures I have ever produced (they wouldn't be, under such conditions) - but you know what, I kind of like happy accidents. Call it 'artistic license' if you like. Whatever. But at the end of the day, I am a creative who is brought onboard a project for that very reason - to put my angle on recording the subjects I am presented with.

All said and done, everyone seemed to be having a great time and were not put off by this soggy end to the day. The resulting imagery will now be used immediately and throughout the coming year (and beyond) for all manner of promotional purposes. Think in terms of websites, flyers, festivities brochures in the run-up to Christmas, annual reports etc and you won't be far wrong.

You know what? It almost feels like Christmas... :)

Unveiling simplicity

2009-12-07T11:25:00.002Z

A really quick post for this morning...

I recently undertook a job for one of my long-standing local clients. Nothing over complicated, it was a simple case of recording the viewing of several newly-constructed properties, with the resulting images destined for use in various traditional and online marketing publications.

Given that the people involved were there simply to discuss the new unveiling - and not to be bossed around by their photographer - this was a very flexible shoot which involved me fitting the various imagery of my brief around their schedule.

As is quite typical, the shoot entailed the official 'group' picture, informal portraits and a number of interior scenes showing off the overall spaces, fixtures and fittings. And with the properties being empty, devoid of any furniture, the brief really lent itself to some lateral thinking - after all, how does one make an empty room look homely and inviting to would-be residents? Well, if you know me and my approach, you can imagine that the answer is not too complicated!

Because of my long-standing working relationship with this client, I knew that they would be very open to the idea of a little creativity in the form of what we technical people call 'wonky angles' ;) It's a simple enough technique, really - you just rotate the camera a little to throw a touch of visual interest into the picture. Simple, but effective.

On a slightly more technical note, simplicity again won the day - I used a single camera, mounted on a tripod (for the interior shots), and alternated between two lenses (note techies: 18-70mm, 10-24mm). Lighting was whatever came through the windows and from the ceiling-mounted light bulbs, apart from the people shots, which required a single flash light either bounced off the ceiling (inside) or fired directly from a position alongside the camera (outside).

So there you have it, a quick post about a quick set of basic imagery which will be used to promote my client and their properties over the medium- to long-term.

Old photographs influence the way I work

2009-11-26T14:39:00.006Z

This morning saw another local networking meeting, and my turn to give a 10-minute update about just what GBP is all about. At times like these, it's very tempting to go full-force into the 'official' promo blurb about professional digital imaging, how I work closely with my clients, building up one's status, blah, blah, blah...

But as regular followers will know, either via the GBP Blog or my Twitter feed, that's not my style. I'm far too down-to-earth, and perhaps far too honest, about the reality of the way I operate day-to-day. I don't like BS and I don't like people who are blatantly out to impress in an all-out blagging fashion (transparency, in such individuals, is not a good quality!).

So, the basis of my presentation today was to turn things around... ignoring the technical, the corporate, the case study, the computers... instead concentrating on what I know best - me, and specifically, how my passion for old photographs directly influences the way I work.

The picture on the left here is a quick scan showing a number of cartes de vistes dating back to the mid-1800s (ok, to be picky, perhaps I should refer to the larger ones as 'cabinet cards'... but that's not important now).

CDVs have a quality all of their own. Sometimes haunting, always intriguing, they link us with our past and, by default, help create and shape our sense of identity. I always get sucked in by good examples of vintage photography, to the point where my computer Bookmarks folder is bulging and my collection of reference books/cuttings/hastily-jotted notes is dictating the practicality and layout of my office space!

Cutting to the chase, what does this amount to? Simple answer - visual awareness.

By default, the 'source imagery' that I consume also informs, inspires and directly influences the work I produce both for personal projects and for my commercial clients. Maybe a lighting technique, maybe a method of posing subjects, maybe even a colour balance; I never know from where the next moment of inspiration will strike - but it's always an interesting process when it does.

We are all familiar with the process of taking family snaps. And at first, such a loosely-bound approach to photography may seem worlds apart from what you'd expect in my day-to-day high-level work. But there is a common thread between the two - the balance of formal/informal conventions...

I like to work in a relaxed way, regardless of my subject matter. Whether it's a high-brow global corporate or an up-and-coming local musician, I always draw, as much as possible, on my knowledge, passion and interest in order to produce imagery that everyone - myself included - is delighted with.

As such, it is very rare that I produce stiff, 'deer-caught-in-the-headlights' portraits (as often seen in 'traditional' studio shots); much more appealing is to get people relaxed, laughing, enjoying the experience rather than fearing the camera as the cold, hard, recording device that it once was. Often, my subjects aren't even aware of the camera, crazy as that might seem - which is why they look so much more 'themeselves' in the resulting photographs.

What inspires you? What are your experiences of having your picture taken? I want to know - and the best way to tell me is either via the comments section below or by connecting in real-time via Twitter.

Giles on Empty Shops Radio

2009-11-14T21:46:00.008Z

For those of you who are Twitter-literate and who follow my antics (so simple to do - just look here!), you will have picked up on the fact that from this week, and on occasions throughout the weeks leading up to 19th December, I am going to be involved with a new collaborative project down here on the south coast.

Arranged by Artists And Makers, in conjunction with Worthing Lions and EmptyShopsRadio.com, the initiative is turning a former Allied Carpets showroom into The Upmarket - a space for local charities and communitiy groups to raise funds and showcase their work, as well as a meeting place for other assorted arts-based activities.

Today has been great fun, and my first chance to get properly involved with proceedings. It was also a great networking opportunity (so, a quick shout out in particular to good ol' Mr. Vobes, Marie-Louise Plum and David Rogers - all of whom are super-well connected via the Twitter network, of course).

In terms of photography, I had a casual mixed bag of shots to produce, ranging from the typically formal 'group' shots for publication in local press, to spontaneous promo imagery of radio interview activities 'on the shop floor' as it were.

One person who did not feature in any of the pictures was yours truely (probably for the best, to be honest!). However, I did sit down to record a podcast with Mr. V, in which we discussed the use of photography and new media (such as Twitter, Blogs and audio) in publicising your business, events, musings etc.

You can listen to this simply by clicking on the play icon below:

Play Podcast

If you happen to be in the Worthing area, or else fancy taking a trip down from elsewhere (as Marie-Louise did), the guys will be very happy to meet you and discuss what this whole little shindig is all about. The more of you that get involved, the better!

In the mean time, be sure to check back at the Empty Shops Radio web page to hear the latest podcasts as they are uploaded.

Product test: Aquapac PDA Case

2009-10-26T17:27:00.011Z

One of the latest additions to my kit bag is an audio recorder, which I've begun using to produce interviews, location reports, video commentary etc for the GBP Blog. And so far, I can't fault it ('initial impression' review coming up soon). That is, except for one thing.

This technology is all well and good, but there comes a time when it needs a little helping hand in more extreme environments. Put simply, the audio recorder doesn't like the rain. Suffice it to say this is an assumption and I don't wish to test the theory - but for piece of mind, I set out to find some decent protection for the thing.

Enter Aquapac, who produce all manner of dependable covers and cases. I have been aware of these guys for many years, and took the opportunity to catch up with them earlier in the year at the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show. Jump forward a few months and they suggested the 100% waterproof PDA Case for my particular requirements.

Rather than waffle on here too much, I've put together the following short video so you can see and hear the test for yourself:

Several details are not mentioned in the video, as I wanted to keep it fairly brief, but for your reference:

This case will float in water, and is submersible to 15ft (5 metres)
It has an optically-clear rear panel, good enough to shoot photos/video through
You can use your PDA stylus as normal right through the case
A stylus holder is built-in
The product model reference/number is Small PDA Classic (344)
You can also check out more more from Aquapac on their Facebook page

If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to jot them in the comments section.

New website - honesty and advice

2009-10-15T14:50:00.008+01:00

I need your help. But first a little background info.

With hands held aloft, I'll admit that it's been a while since the Giles Babbidge Photography website was tweaked, revamped, poked or otherwise toyed with. I could come up with a number of excuses but, frankly, there's no call for that. So I won't.

Fact is, the site's looking a bit dated these days. And in the words of John Cage (anyone remember Ally McBeal?) - "it troubles me".

But, hey, at least I've realised this - so I'm already on the road to resolving the situation, right?

There's been a fair bit of change at GBP in the past 12 months. Again, no need to elaborate, but one thing's for sure - the direction of my work and the way I promote myself, my services, have both been shaped by the the rise of new media (online social networks, blogs, videos etc) and my desire to adapt and make the most of such technologies. You'll know this if you're following me on Twitter, or have connected via YouTube or LinkedIn.

So what am I trying to say? I'll be completely honest - the current site just isn't me. Sure it's my imagery, my words, my philosophies even... but I feel it doesn't do a satisfactory job of representing me or the work I undertake. Don't ask me how it's happened, but the site is now far too 'corporate' for my liking - and although I frequently undertake corporate work, I'm just not of a corporate nature, so why should the site be if I'm trying to get 'me' accross?

With all this in mind, I'd like to put out a simple request and ask a quick favour of you.

If you could spare just 2 minutes to take a look at the website in its current state [ed. this is no longer available, as the new site is now in place!], and give me some feedback (either in the comments section at the bottom of this post or in an email), I would be extremely grateful. What do you like?... What do you dislike?... What would you prefer to see less or more of?... You know the drill.

Just so it's clear, I'm not going to take your comments personally, not going to take offense, and certainly not going to argue back at you from one keyboard to another. I'm being completely open and honest here, and I would ask you to do the same.

Inspiration often comes in the form of criticism - both good and bad - and as I see it, this is what I need in order to drive the website development not just to a satisfactory resolution, but to create an online resource that I can be happy and proud of.

Your thoughts about this here blog will also be gratefully received.

Thanks guys :)

[Update: Thank you all so much for your positive and constructive feedback. I hope you'll agree that the new site is a great improvement!]

Take shot, take flight

2009-10-15T13:18:00.010+01:00

A number of weeks ago, I teamed up with all-round nice bloke John Preston (of Preston Creative Design Consultancy), to illustrate some publicity material for another of his clients.

The brief was simple enough - photograph a single male subject against a bright blue sky, pointing a branded paper aeroplane towards that sky. The reality of the shoot, naturally, turned out to be less than perfect just as soon as the weather got involved.

Arriving in plenty of time, John and I had a scout around the area for the best location, taking into account the sun's direction, the patches of blue sky and the fierce wind that was blowing around the coastal area. It's one thing having a nice breeze blowing through, but on this occasion it threatened to jeopardise the shoot, given that the paper plane was relatively flimsy and our subject's hair could look a mess if he was blown around too much! The morning's weather had generally been pretty good up until that point and the ground was dry underfoot, so at least that didn't pose any real problems.

Whilst Mr. P went off to meet with our subject, I investigated further, picking out a shortlist of two possible 'sets' to work with. In each case, the sun would be behind the subject - acting as a back-light over his right shoulder (and in so doing, balancing the flash nicely). But my main concern was getting the subject sheltered from the wind.

Here's a quick diagram of the set-up (click to enlarge):

Our saving grace came in the form of some trees and bushes, roughly shaped like a letter L, which wrapped around us nicely.

Next thing, moments before the guys returned, it was time to set up my kit. As ever, keeping it very simple, I went with a single lens (50mm) and single light (SB-800, triggered by Pocket wizard, on a stand). Remember, the sun would be my 2nd light - after all, it's free, so why not make use of it?!

That's when things started to slip. And within a time frame of approximately 1 minute, the shoot was over.

In all I shot just 7 frames, including lighting and posing/angle tests, before the heavens opened and we were forced to run as fast as we possibly could back to the cars.

From memory, the sequence went something like: Sun becomes obscured by cloud... wind picks up... single patch of blue sky is replaced by grey rain clouds... torrential rain. What a farce.

Of course, there had always been a Plan B - to head for a local hotel which both John and I have worked with in the past. There, we would be able to set up a more typical 'studio' arrangement in one of the larger rooms, if needs be.

Amid the ensuing deluge, we peered at the back of my rain-soaked camera...

Job done. No need for additional pictures, no need for a re-shoot. The only call was for dry clothes and a hot cup of tea.

Once the pictures were turned over to John's team, they were tweaked a little - just enough to bring a bit more colour into that damn awful sky. The picture at the top of this post is a quick scan of the final document, showing the image as it appeared, so apologies if it doesn't exactly 'pop' off the screen.

In hindsight, and keeping in mind the less than perfect conditions we faced, I was happy with the way these photographs came through. Looking for the positives, the paper plane stands out well from the sky and the 'mood' of that sky ties in well with the accompanying text.

Sometimes, as they say, it's not the destination but the journey - and this shoot was a case in point. The greatest irony of all still remains that as I was driving back to the office, the clouds parted, revealing a great blue sky and perfect sunshine. Bugger.

Still, at the end of the day, the client was delighted with the end product - and that's what really counts.

Now is the time to take action!

2009-10-07T13:07:00.006+01:00

Given that it was recently my Birthday, I thought I'd mark the occasion with a Special Offer.

Simply put, here's the deal:

For the whole of this month, I am offering a discount on all rates. Photographic shoots, image restoration, even photo presentation options - everything will be subject to 1/3 OFF.

I'm not one for hidden catches, so there are none. The only condition is this:

All assignments must be booked and undertaken by 31st October 2009, and will be subject to a discount only when the Reference Code GBP30-1 is quoted.

A lot of people are holding back on their advertising/marketing spend (no guesses as to why!), and the issue of cost often over-shadows that of 'value to the business'. That's fair enough.

But at the same time, it is important to remember that bad photography can have a worse effect on, say, a website than including no images at all. Tempting as it is do 'do it yourself,' this is often a false economy.

I want people to be using great pictures in their brochures, newsletters, flyers etc because I know what a great marketing tool photography is.

So, if you've been considering commissioning a new set of imagery for your business, now would be a great time to give it some real thought and take action.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, this offer also applies to the social side of life too - family events, fund-raisers, group trips... everything is covered!

If you are planning an end-of-year event, such as a staff party or a charity ball, you can also benefit by taking action this month.

Secure your December photography booking by 31st October, and you will be given a 10% Discount.

All assignments must be booked by 31st October 2009 , and will be subject to discount only when the Reference Code GBP30-2 is quoted. Bookings will only be secured after receipt of a non-refundable deposit.

Getting in touch is easy - just follow this link and tell me what you have in mind.

A positive exhibition

2009-10-05T15:00:00.013+01:00

Well, I'm glad to say that things are finally getting back to some normality, following the past couple of months... which means the GBP Blog is fully functioning once again. Thank you to all those who offered their support in recent weeks; it meant a great deal.

Right then, by way of a quick catch-up, a small reminder of my joint exhibition which runs until 1st November...

Some months ago, my good friend Jane Doel, author of a little book of inpiration entitled 'Positive Steps Forward,' approached me with an idea for a collaboration - to illustrate some of the pages of her book. From this starting point, progress generated further ideas, until the day we said "Let's put on an exhibition!"

And so, with everything in place, our first collaborative show - intitled 'Positive Posters' - has been revealed to the public.

The location is the Pumfrett Room and Coach House Cafe at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, just off the A3 near Petersfield, Hampshire. Jane is Life Coach in residence at QECP which, together with Butser Hill and West Beach on Hayling Island, has been the source of inspiration for the words of her book and the photographs I have taken to illustrate them....

So, if you are in the area and have half an hour free, why not pop in and take a look?

Entrance is free, car park is £1 all day. And if you have any questions or feedback, you can get in touch with me here.

If you can't make it along, fear not. At some point in the near future, I will be writing a post specifically about the exhibition. I shot some time-lapse footage at various stages of preparation and at the Private View launch evening, and we will also be recording some audio, too.

FOS '09 - Day 3

2009-07-05T22:21:00.011+01:00

Just a quick post this evening, by way of completing my 3-part coverage of this year's Goodwood Festival Of Speed. It's been a long, hot weekend and as much as I've enjoyed covering the event, as I always do, I really am looking forward to hanging up the cameras and taking a few minutes for myself at the end of this day!

Following a brief visit to the track and the opening Super car run, I went in search of a few candid protraits as drivers waited to make their way to the start line. It was the turn of the pre-war race cars, so lots of opportunity to show off some of the great characters behind the wheel. Although this event does not specify 'costume' (as with the Goodwood Revival later in the year), a number of those taking part were clearly more than happy to get into the spirit of things.

By late morning, current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton made his first appearance on the track - and of course, being a star attraction, it was important that he was photographed as part of the web site coverage. I caught up with him as he got out of his car to a round of applause from spectators - who he graciously acknowledged.

With the afternoon sunshine beating down, it was time to head over to the Cartier Style et Luxe area again, to photograph the competition-winning cars, following judging earlier in the day. Nothing fancy, just simple pictures which showed the vehicles being admired by onlookers.

The day wrapped up with the now-traditional award presentations, recognition of drivers' performances throughout the weekend. With a myriad of famous faces up on stage, the assembled crowd saw a great end to yet another fantastic Festival Of Speed.

When time allows, I will be working on a number of my pictures from the three days, giving them the treatment they deserve. Naturally, these will be presented here on the GBP Blog - along with a little background information. Watch this space!

Today's action (featuring a selection of both my images and those captured by colleagues) can be seen on the Goodwood website here.

Related posts: FOS '09 - Day 1, FOS '09 - Day 2

FOS '09 - Day 2

2009-07-04T18:46:00.010+01:00

Well, the second day of Goodwood's Festival Of Speed 2009 has drawn to a close under a blue sky and puffy white clouds. It hasn't been like that all day, but at least the only rain we had lasted all of 2 minutes - so I mustn't grumble!

So then... Today's imagery was not so much weighted towards the main track action, instead taking in the wider variety of sights and the people enjoying them.

After a brief visit, first thing to, to the Supercar line-up, I headed to the Dunlop area in order to get a few people pictures. With lots of display panels and notable vehicles running on Dunlop tyres, there was plenty of scope to shoot some candid (unposed) pictures - both of the public and of guest speakers. At the time I arrived, racing car driver Richard Attwood was being interviewed, and I ran off a series of pictures looking down from the back of the 'audience' stand, just as the brief rain shower began.

Very often, part of my brief involves interacting directly with people, posing them and arranging them strategically. However, it is always my preference to follow the 'natural' route where possible, as the expressions and true personality almost always come across better when the subject is unaware that they are beingphotographed . It is for this reason that the same approach (albeit under very different conditions) is used when we deal with with teams, staff and corporate groups.

On the walk away from Dunlop, one passes through the Cartier Style et Luxe area, which this year displays some fine examples of both vintage and modern machines from the likes of Bugatti, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. With the rain still clearly visible on the bodywork, I took the chance to go in close to capture some detail shots which are simple in their arrangement, but great as 'filler' images. Plenty of scope here, also, for images depicting people viewing the cars, looking through windows and under bonnets. Oh, and we mustn't forget the jazz musicians who were creating a great backing track to a lively atmosphere on the lawn.

Next it was another brief visit to the Hill action, and a great vantage point looking directly down the track, to capture modern-day Formula 1 cars racing away from the start line. Amazing machines and challenge enough to capture on camera! As were theEurofighter Typhoon planes flying overhead just moments before.

A brief lunch was taken before heading to one of my favourite areas of the whole event - the rally stage, set in woodland at the very top of the site. So good is this area that it could actually pass as a real setting for a race. The cars on show - spanning a number of decades up to the current day - looked fantastic as they were thrown round the chalk roads. I positioned myself on one outer bend, protected by hay multiple bale barriers, and mixed up the shots to include both long-lens and wide-angle views of the action. Great stuff.

By this time, my shooting duties were drawing to a close, and I had just enough time to photograph a number of displays on my way back to the Press Office and before the process of preparing the images in line with yesterday'sarrangements.

Not sure what the weather will be doing tomorrow, but either way it should be another great day of diverse photographic opportunities.

Today's action (featuring a selection of both my images and those captured by colleagues) can be seen on the Goodwood website here.

Related posts: FOS '09 - Day 1, FOS '09 - Day 3

More to come.

FOS '09 - Day 1

2009-07-03T18:21:00.013+01:00

Once again, I am under commission from Goodwood in West Sussex, covering this year's Festival Of Speed event. And as in previous years, I am shooting imagery for direct use the Festival Of Speed website, this time along with a number of colleagues.

With day one wrapped, it's time for a little reflection on just what I have been photographing today...

Friday is always the quietest day of the FOS weekend, with slightly fewer people - but no less of the action. Things kicked off bright and early, with a light drizzle that cleared up within 30 minutes of being on-site, just in time for the Supercars to make their way up 'The Hill'.

Name a sports car brand and chances are it's appearing at the event - from Mercedes to Ferrari, Lotus to Bugatti. My brief was fairly loose, insofar as there were not specific cars that I had to capture; rather, it was a case of getting a selection of images which would fit in nicely with the copy written by my journalist colleague.

Next up was more of the same, covering everything from pre-war cars to motor cycles, modern-day Formula 1 cars to sports prototypes.

That took me up to around lunch time - and a chance to get out of the sunshine for a few minutes.

One highlight just before though - a special appearance was put in by Peter Fonda on the original 'chopper' featured in the film Easy Rider - with the man parading past the crowd to at backing track of 'Born To Be Wild'.

At 3:30pm, my attentions were turned skyward in anticipation of the Red Arrows air display team. Always stunning in the sheer speed and agility that they show, these guys once again stunned the crowd with against a backdrop of coloured smoke and blue sky.

The latter part of the afternoon was a matter of capturing general imagery, showing off the attractions and atmosphere all around, before liasing with another colleague in order to back up all pictures and confirm a selection of imagery for inclusion on the 'live' web pages.

All in all, a good day and very happy to have the sun shining! These awesome machines always look better with a brightness that brings out their colours, shapes and performance body work.

More to come tomorrow.

Related posts: FOS '09 - Day 2, FOS '09 - Day 3

Always carry a camera?

2009-06-30T23:48:00.012+01:00

They say that you should always carry a camera with you, just in case a great picture presents itself out of the blue. For this reason, the G9 is my constant companion.

A couple of weekends ago, Manda and I decided to take some time out and go for cycle ride. And, wanting to get away from things, it we chose to head just a little way up the road and hit one of the nearest woodland-surrounded off-road trails. Because the main objective was simply to get out and about, we travelled light - just a pump and tyre repair kit, some water and a mobile phone (my BlackBerry ) - 'just in case'. It was this last item (complete with built-in camera) which proved to be the defining factor in our afternoon's events.

After about 15 minutes of incident-free cycling, we rounded a bend in the trail - only to be greeted by a 'crackling' sound and plumes of smoke coming from a number of hedgerows. After questioning whether these might be controlled burnings, I decided to make a call to the local fire brigade just in case. Turns out these were purely of a boredom-driven, needless nature and there were also other fires on the go further along the way. Aren't people charming?!

What amazed me was that it too 3 fire engines, 1 fire Land Rover and 10 fire fighters to extinguish the flames! Still, I'm no expert in these matters, so I'm sure it was all quite justified. At least the fires got put out - which is the main thing after all!

I had initially been quite happy just to stand by and watch whilst waiting for the firemen, but the photojournalist in me took over, and I ended up capturing a good few frames on the Blackberry.

Nothing special, and with no post production, these pictures merely serve as a record of the events of that afternoon. Upon my return, I made a quick call to the local newspaper and emailed the photographs (all of which appear here) across for publication, simply as 'local interest' news images.

The moral of the story, so they say...? Always carry a camera - in whichever shape or form - because you never know what opportunities lie ahead, just waiting to be pictured.

Funny... but oh so true

2009-06-30T23:09:00.006+01:00

I was reminded of this short video in the past week, having seen it some time ago. Yes, it does make you smile, but for anyone running a business in these 'interesting' economic times, the sentiments will surely stike a chord!

You know the 6 Ps make sense

2009-06-18T15:24:00.006+01:00

According to one variation of the old 'Six P' adage, "Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance". One job, a few days ago, was a case in point - and stands as a lesson in both the positive and negative outcomes of heeding this advice... or not.

OK, so I had an assignment up in London, for which I was given about 4 days' notice. Nothing unusual there - people often leave it far later than that, and I am more than happy to fit them in if I have the availability. With a number of calls/emails/texts exchanged, everything was confirmed and I knew I had to be on site for a 9am start. Which meant skipping a networking meeting but still being up at a considerably-less-than-favourable hour.

Lesson 1: If an event/meeting/job has taken considerable effort to come to fruition, don't waste everybody's hard work by messing up on the travel arrangements. I always allow plenty of time for my journeys and on this occasion it was just as well; due to tube strikes (and therefore more people choosing to drive into work) on that day, what should have been a 1.5-hour drive actually took an additional 45 minutes. I arrived at 8:45, so no panic and no worries.

Once in the building, I had a short wait for my contact to arrive, before being led back outside to do some exterior shots. After that, it was back inside to set up and do a few general shots at the first location whilst we waited for our (non-professional) models to turn up. Give them their due, they all arrived dead on time, at 10am. However...

Lesson 2: Please, please, please - if you are wanting your staff/colleagues/students/associates/friends/neighbours to stand in as subjects for your pictures... ASK THEM BEFORE THE SHOOT! Long story cut short, there were around 8 people expected to assume the role, and not one of them would agree to being photographed. In fact, so I gather (it was decided that the client would 'negotiate'), some of them were demanding payment for their 'modelling services' and were even less willing when the reply was a resounding 'no'!

Having wasted valuable time waiting for a decision, we eventually got around this considerable oversight by having a number of staff change out of their uniforms and into their everyday clothes. Not ideal, but this was the only option short of coming back to finish off the shoot another day.

Of course, the general public observing the resulting pictures will be none-the-wiser. But that's not the point. The fact remains that the whole shoot was jeopardised by the actions of one or two people, very nearly wasting both my time and theirs. Whilst I appreciate these things can and do happen, in these tough economic times, I would encourage everybody to ensure they have everything in place ahead of the agreed day/time; not just with regard to photography shoots, but in the general day-to-day running of their operations.

Failing to do so just might cost you considerably more than your time.

What's your go-to?

2009-06-17T00:58:00.004+01:00

This post is a non-technical 'one-year-on' review of sorts, and is essentially a follow-up to this post.

Our colleagues over in America have a phrase they use to describe any technique or item of kit which is the mainstay of their work; something which is used time and time again - dependable, reliable, guaranteed to get the results they require. The phrase? 'Go-to'.

For all the high-tech 'bells-and-whistles' kit we use on a regular basis here at GBP, I would have to say that my go-to item has come to be the trusty Canon Powershot G9 point-and-shoot camera.

Having used it regularly for just over a year now, I can honestly say it truly is an indispensable tool on a great many assignments. Whether to capture behind-the-scenes snaps and reference shots at a recce, or to film events in real time, this little machine has come up trumps more times than I can remember. Quiet, subtle, unobtrusive - it is small enough to slip easily into a jacket pocket, yet powerful enough to deliver. Clearly a rugged shell of a body, it has done remarkably well in all conditions from rain-soaked moorland to sun-baked car forecourts; even when it suffered a 4-foot drop onto the pavement recently, all that was required was a simple lens realignment - surely testament to its build quality.

The 12.1 megapixels offered is more than enough for our requirements (you already know my thoughts about the issue of resolution). The resulting images have frequently matched the quality produced by the Nikon SLR cameras - to the point where the G9 always accompanies me as a back-up camera, just in case all the SLRs should pack up mid-shoot. With so much manual override available, including two user-defined Custom settings, this camera has proven itself to be just as versatile as the big boys.

When it comes to video, the 640x480 'standard' video quality setting is more than adequate for use here on the GBP Blog; and the time-lapse function (user-defined between capturing one frame every one or two seconds) produces highly effective results. Time-lapse is a great way to capture the events of a shoot from set-up to completion and thanks to silent operation, clients are more comfortable with the G9 in the corner of the room than a regular video camera; they even comment that they'd forgotten it was even there.

My only real gripe concerns ISO/noise levels - specifically, that when you set the G9 to ISO 400 or above, the 'grain' within images is often clearly visible, whereas it is not at the lower sensitivities. This, of course, is not such an issue most of the time, as I very rarely go above 200. And what's more, for web use (for example behind-the-scenes stuff), one can often get away with a slightly lower quality image if the output is, say 400x300 pixels.

Of course, as is so often the case with manufacturers these days, Canon has superceded this model with the Powershot G10 which, as you can imagine has 'a better this, a faster that' and so on. Before you ask - no, I'm not going to rush out and buy one; it's predecessor is still more than capable of doing everything I could ask from it, and I therefore have no need to change it.

Would I recommend this camera? Definitely. And with it now being 'the old model', you just might find yourself a bargain online.

Thoughts, comments, questions gladly welcomed as ever.

Radio appearance - Picture your business

2009-06-10T16:17:00.005+01:00

On Monday, I posted this notice ahead of an appearance on Louise Barnes-Johnston's radio show. Well, we had a great chat for half an hour or so and, as promised, I'm now posting the link for those who didn't get the chance to listen in.

For quick reference, here is a run-down of the main topics we covered:

The early days of GBP, how it all began.
Starting out - the importance of seeking advice.
How to gain new clients with little or no marketing budget.
Networking - the valuable key to building connections.
The diversity of work undertaken for our wide range of clients.
Advice to business owners who are nervous about the current economic climate.
Top 3 tips for businesses considering using a professional photographer to spruce up their business image.

As ever, please feel free to drop me a few lines of feedback - questions, what you thought etc - either via email or in the comments section below this post. Enjoy!

Waiting for inspiration to strike

2009-06-08T16:14:00.012+01:00

They say that inspiration is lurking around every corner. But is it? Are such moments of clarity really there for the taking, or do you have to make them appear through the process of your own thoughts and actions?

Whichever way you cut it, inspiration comes in many forms. Whether it hides in the pages of a book or magazine (my current read of the moment is Wired Magazine), or comes from the company you share... Perhaps the places you visit or the journeys you make around the internet super highway - everyone has their own way of coming up with fresh ideas.

For us photographers, we need to be on the constant lookout if we are to stay on our toes and produce interesting images. It is one thing to be set a brief to follow, but when you are commissioned to create a set of images, it is your ability to visualise concepts and bring them to fruition that will keep the client happy - not simply your ability to 'press the button'.

What about personal projects? In previous posts, I have written about the importance of photographers producing work for themselves, as well as producing commissioned work. I have been getting a few ideas of my own together recently - nothing concrete, just a few thoughts and images to test the waters - and the latest developments came about thanks to the postponement of an assignment over the recent Bank Holiday.

Seizing the opportunity to get out of the house, Manda and I headed off for the local ancient woodland - with no real thoughts towards image making in mind. It was a beautiful day and we were just glad to be out in the fresh air. But... Me being me, with my head always buzzing, I began to think about how I could use the location to my photographic advantage; every corner we turned presented the possibility of a would-be backdrop.

Thoughts immediately sprang to mind of Drew Gardner's fantastic work, which I have been following via his blog in recent months, and I soon found myself stopping to take 'location snaps' to place in my sketch book for future reference.

What I have in mind is by no means the same as Drew's concepts. I am drwaing on my own interests and influences, my own love of the outdoors and how I wish to place my subjects there.

I have not set myself a deadline for this personal work - it it not at that stage yet. For now, I'm happy simply to keep on walking, to keep on thinking, to be open to outside influences and the oportunities of what is yet to come.

Another radio appearance

2009-06-08T12:21:00.007+01:00

A quick tip-off for something which is coming up later today...

Following my appearance on the Vobes Show at the end of April, I have been asked to contribute to another online radio show - this time hosted by Louise Barnes-Johnston at Frontline Results. A brief overview of the show can be found here.

As well as discussing 'where it all began' for GBP and the sort of work we undertake, Louise and I will also be addressing issues which concern small business owners in these tough economic times, including what potential oportunities are out there just waiting to be exploited.

I hope you can find the time to listen in - 5:30pm (BST) - and of course, I welcome any feedback in the comments section which follows this post. For those of you who can't be with us online at the time, I'll be posting up the audio shortly after the show.

UPDATE: The audio for this interview can now be accessed on this post.

Calling all musicians...

2009-05-19T17:15:00.004+01:00

A quick request...

As anyone who has checked out our videos on YouTube or the GBP Blog will know, we always like to include a music backing track to our productions. Up until now, this has always been a single track, used over and over again. It has served us very well, but it's time for a change.

So... Are you a musician, UK-based or international? Do you know any great musicians out there whose sounds should be pushed out to a greater listenership? If so, get in touch!

Here's the deal: Our videos typically run 3-5 minutes and feature behind-the-scenes footage, often time-lapse, of shoots and all manner of things that arise in the course of our work (have a browse through this blog and you'll get a good idea). If you'd be kind enough to let us use your soundtrack, we'll give you a plug - not only on the videos themselves, but right here on the Blog too. And on our Twitter stream. And in our monthly Newsletter... All of which have a far-reaching global audience. Hey, it's all free publicity!

Added to that, we'll give you special rates on photography if you or your band ever need some fresh publicity shots.

Interested? Then drop us a quick line via email or in the comments section below. And if you have a web presence at all - your own site,Facebook page, Twitter stream, MySpace profile etc - pop that down too.

Remember - it's all about spreading the word, and connections build connections.

Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sun, wind, scenery, portraits

2009-05-19T14:47:00.003+01:00

Last week, I undertook an assignment photographing a couple on their Wedding day. This came about as the result of a referral passed by one of our corporate clients some months ago, and just goes to prove the value of networking and the power of recommending trusted suppliers.

This was not a 'Wedding photography' job, per se, as the couple were having a very low-key ceremony and did not require our coverage at the West Sussex registry office where they 'tied the knot'. Instead, they asked us to meet them at a rather grand five-star hotel about an hour and a half away, up in the glorious Bedfordshire countryside, where we would simply concentrate on some nice relaxed portraits within the picturesque grounds.

One thing which I did take from the 'Wedding photography' check-list was the need to have a look at those grounds ahead of our meeting. We always insist on conducting a recce with every couple we photograph, taking in all locations where photography is required (for example, the Bride's preparation address, church, Reception location etc). Typically, this occurs about one month before the Wedding day, and let's us make an initial connection and look for possible areas for photography, as well as taking stock of potential issues and considerations such as the need for a contingency plan, should the weather be less than favourable.

On this occasion, though, logistics dictated that it was not feasible to make two trips and so I simply arrived about an hour ahead of time, in order to have a wander around and see what photographic opportunities awaited us. What greeted me was something of a photographer's playground - rock gardens, freshly-mown lawns, stone statues and gardens created by the famous landscape designer Capability Brown. All good stuff, and I couldn't wait to make some images!

There were two main obstacles that we faced here: One was the strong overhead sunlight - lovely to walk around in, but less than ideal for portraits, as it casts heavy shadows at every opportunity and people have a tendency to blink! No worries, though; I simply 'filled-in' these darker areas with some complimentary subtle flash light, and took the couple into shaded areas where suitable. The second concern was the wind - it was a very breezy day; but again, we made use of natural shelter where possible and exploited those moments of facing oncoming headwinds so as to inject a little humour into the images. Hey, you have to make the most of what you're given!

Following that day, the pictures were placed in a secure, password-protected album on our website, allowing the couple to take advantage of the Slideshow function and share them with friends and family.

A printed Preview Album is also on its way to them, together with suggestions of how best to display these pictures. And our services do not simply end at 'pressing the button' - as I have often said, pictures are there to be looked at; because we want our clients to get the most out of images, we will happily discuss the wide range of presentation options available to suit all tastes and budgets.

It's a team effort

2009-05-05T16:12:00.005+01:00

As I have said many times here on the GBP Blog, the clients we work with aren't always of the 'shirt and tie' variety. One of the greatest joys of what we do is the range of assignments we undertake. For example, one day I could be on the beach shooting informal portraits, the next I might be thirty metres up in the sky perched on a crane and swaying in the breeze. As I said in yesterday's post, indoor work is all well and good, but give us half a chance to get out of the office and into the fresh air with our clients and we'll take it.

Another quick example from last month, then, which saw me working with a local football club one Sunday morning. Nothing too challenging or remarkable about the job itself, but a prime example of the need for simple yet effective pictures which could be used widely in all manner of marketing activities.

We were very lucky with the weather on this occasion - blue sky, puffy white clouds - all of which worked very well with the team's freshly-washed, colourful kit. In terms of a 'shot list', we had already outlined three sets of images to capture during our time together - team shots (as a whole), player profiles (individuals) and supportive imagery (game action). As is often the case, organisation was the key here; I turned up early in order to meet my contact and make introductions with the team, and the players themselves were already in place, warming up. It was then simply a case of getting everyone into position for the first 'group' shot, followed by individual portraits in quick succession.

Given that all anyone there really wanted to do was play football (i.e. not stand around being photographed!), I kept things very simple. Setting up two cameras - one for the portrait stuff, the other for the action - the D2H was again brought out of the bag for the latter, making the most of its ability to capture the fast-paced action. On this occasion, I seem to recall, it was set to a rate of 4 frames per second and I shot in bursts of 2 frames in succession.

The resulting images from the hour or so that I spent on the sidelines have since been used on the team's website and in the local press, with plans to use them further in newsletters and printed promotional matter.

Indoors, up-country

2009-05-04T13:53:00.016+01:00

With the weather getting better (well, I am an optimist!), it would be nice to think that all our assignments will be set outdoors from now on. Being realistic, of course, this won't be the case - by default, some projects dictate an indoor set-up. Think product and food photography, room sets and medical sector - that sort of thing.

April saw a trip up-country to Cumbria, to undertake a follow-on shoot for a hotel set in the glorious Lake District. I love the outdoors and this area of the country always holds great appeal, so the long drive up there didn't seem half as bad when faced with such a backdrop.

The task at hand was to photograph a number of recently-refurbished bedrooms and some of the finer details contained therein. For this, I used one of my favourite setups - one tripod-mounted camera, two lenses (wideangle for overviews, standard for closer details), and one/two mains-powered lights, each bounced off the ceiling.

Now, the joy of lighting any subject is that there exists a great deal of flexibility - and therefore potential visual results - in the equipment we can use. On location outdoors, for example, regular readers will know I am a great fan of using small, lightweight flash guns, making the most of wireless technology.

However, when photographing room sets, I nearly always turn to the use of 'continuous' lamps, specifically a set of 1000-watt halogens. These are great, and typify the essence of lighting. Simple and 'no-frills', they produce a very natural light, enabling me to see immediately how the subject is looking, where shadows are falling and where any unwanted highlights might appear, even before I take the first test picture.

Having spent many thousands of pounds on the refit, it made sense for our client to again make use of strong imagery in the marketing of their hotel. And as GBP produced the previous set of pictures, it also made sense to have us back so as to keep a continuity.

In these tough economic times, there is a tendency for businesses to hold back on their advertising/marketing activities and, unfortunately, one of the first casualties of this action is frequently professional photography. Out of this, two observations can be made:

Firstly - 'in-house', 'DIY' photography often has a negative effect on your business. For example, you might have a nice website and a great product, but many is the time we have seen poor 'snap-shot' imagery not just completely undermine the efforts of a web paid designer, but also make a company's product/staff/service look second-rate and amateurish when compared to those of their competitors.

Secondly - any marketing company will tell you that when times are tough, the last thing you should do is cut your marketing spend. Rather, you should invest (within your budget, of course) in keeping your product/service in the minds of existing and potential clients. When things calm down, you will then be ahead of those competitors who have held back - clearly an advantage.

A final note about these last points, in something of an ironic twist - It doesn't have to cost as much as you think to employ such professional services, but not heeding these warnings can/will have a profound effect on your business, to the point where it is very difficult to recover from such a 'cutting corners' approach.

It doesn't cost anything to ask for advice or opinion, so feel free to get in touch or speak up in the comments section of this post!

Giles interviewed on the Vobes Show

2009-04-30T11:11:00.020+01:00

Yesterday was a fun day. After spending the morning taking care of a few things around the office, I made my way over to see Mr. Richard Vobes, who interviewed me on his online radio show, ready for airing today. I say 'interviewed' - actually, it was very much relaxed, with a feel more along the lines of a chat among friends.

For those who don't know of him, Richard is an award-winning internet broadcaster, multi-talented to say the least. He also happens to be an all-round nice chap. Regular readers may remember I spoke of him in this post a couple of months ago.

We discussed all manner of things throughout the course of our time together - including traditional & digital photography, the media, networking & online social networks, and a number of topical stories hitting the headlines. Oh, and as for me being referred to as 'Babbington'... bit of a long story!

So pour a cuppa, sit yourself down and enjoy an hour of laid-back, informal conversation. Simply by click here and the audio will open up in your chosen player.

As ever, I'd really like to hear your thoughts and comments. And for more of the Vobes, be sure to check out Richard's site.

GBP featured in Making Money magazine

2009-04-25T14:36:00.008+01:00

As many of you know, I am a great believer in the use of networking as the fundamental basis of generating interest and activity in one's business. I am by no means an expert - no more so than the next active networker, at least - but I'd like to think I have built up some worthwhile knowledge which can be passed on to anyone interested in the topic.

In a roundabout way, it is thanks to networking that we came to be interviewed for the current issue of Making Money magazine here in the UK (cover date May 2009). The subject of the article: networking.

Some years ago, when I was at university, I got chatting to one of my lecturers. He was an active photographer and journalist, with a wealth of information readily available to be shared with any student willing to show the initiative. Well, me being me, I did just that - staying back after class, following up the topics discussed in tutorials and arranging further meetings as part of my post-grad activities (i.e. setting up in business).

In the course of our conversations, it transpired that my tutor actually lived not too far from my family home and I was invited to get in touch any time I needed advice. Long story cut short, I was building on this connection week-on-week and within months we were working together on a regular basis.

Why am I sharing this story? Well, in many ways networking is all about chance meetings. Sure, you can check out who might be at a particular meeting you wish to attend - you can even research them beforehand via their websites, blogs, Twitter feeds etc. But often, day-to-day networking really is about these chance meetings, a matter of being in the right place at the right time and simply making the effort to take those meetings one stage further.

The exciting thing about the process of networking is that you never know who you might bump into; in turn, you never know where such occasions might take you and you product/service.

Oh, and in case you missed the connection, the author of said Making Money article - my university lecturer who, thanks to our symbiotic working relationship has just put GBP in the minds of an estimated readership of 50,00.

If you have any questions about networking, feel free to email or drop a few lines in the comments section of this post, below.

Wired Magazine comes to UK

2009-04-24T14:44:00.006+01:00

A quick public-service notification: Wired Magazine has finally been released in the UK.

I have been reading the US edition (launched in 1993) for some time now and it is without doubt one of my favourite regular reads. In American parlance, you could say it is my 'go-to' publication when I want to find out what's going on in the world of popular culture, technology and the people/developments who are shaping the future - and it has proven itself as a source of inspiration time and time again.

This post is not going to spread out into a review so I will keep it short and sweet simply saying that the superb-quality launch edition shapes the magazine up to be every bit as informative and pleasing to the eye as it's US counterpart. Not exactly a bargain at £3.99, but it is very much worth a read. And besides, when was the last time you found such a publication for under £3 on the news stands?

If web versions of magazines are more your thing, you should definitely check out the Wired UK website.

Mine is a WiFi world

2009-04-24T13:15:00.007+01:00

Funny how we come to rely on things without realising, isn't it? Case in point - internet access.

Regular readers and subscribers will have noticed that the GBP Blog has been somewhat quiet in recent weeks; there is a very good reason for this. Well, several really. But most importantly is the fact that, due to an impressively disruptive combined-effort cock-up on the part of our phone line and broadband suppliers (let's not mention names, eh?), we have been without internet access for the best part of a month. I won't go into the messy details here, but if you see me around and really want to know, you might want to buy us a coffee because the story is a long one!

Getting back to the point, then... Without this service in the office, we have been lost and our productivity has dropped noticeably. Don't get me wrong - we've not been sat twiddling our thumbs, but not having internet (by default creating the need to venture forth from the office) has meant that our days have certainly been longer and more tiring. Clearly, we multi-task more than we know, conducting web-based activities whilst waiting for imaging processes to run their course - simply put, saving time and energy.

In this tech world, it is no stretch of the imagination to say that we cannot make do without the internet in our business - certainly, 95% of GBP's marketing endeavours are web based, for example the website, YouTube , Twitter and LinkedIn.

So when we get no connection, this spells potential disaster... or, rather it would do, were it not for the WiFi service available in many hotels, restaurants and cafés. If you have received any communications from us in recent weeks, including our newsletter, then these will have reached you thanks to this technology. The above picture shows my all-too-familiar coffee house 'workstation' set-up - an Asus Eee PC, BlackBerry and a nice cup of tea (well, you have to make the most of what's on offer!).

But this inconvenient need to use other people's facilities rather than our own is not all bad. There is an expression, something along the lines of 'out of necessity comes... something-or-other...' (answers on a post card please), which alludes to the fact that a change of circumstances generates fresh ideas, insights and positive developments. I have certainly found this to be true and as a result of my 'location office', I am now seriously considering making regular use of my net book (the Asus), a mobile broadband dongle and online cloud facilities to control such things as email, calendar and general marketing activities.

It's all food for thought.

OS Outdoors Show 2009

2009-03-28T11:46:00.008Z

Yesterday saw another of my yearly trips up to the NEC, this time to visit the Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show. My reasons for going are two-fold: on the one hand, I am very keen on all things to do with the great outdoors and on the other, the show gives me a great opportunity to network and to catch up with people within such related industries. This year's event was slightly smaller, given that it only occupied one exhibition hall rather than two, as in previous years. That said, there was a steady flow of cash-ready visitors (what recession?!), but not so many that I couldn't have uninterrupted conversations with the people I was there to see.

So what does this have to do with the GBP Blog, and specifically the world of photography?

Well, as regular readers will know, I don't just write about photo-related matters. Rather, I like to share my thoughts about a wide range of issues, including anything which I feel might be of interest to fellow phtographers, business owners and the 'general public' readership.

I am pleased to say that, thanks to the co-operation of a number of exhibiting companies, I have arranged to produce a string of product and service reviews which I hope will be of interest to you. We will be looking at all sorts of things - everything from waterproof cases for your mobile/iphone/GPS, to luggage for your valuable camera equipment, online networking websites to accessories which will make your day-to-day activities just that little bit more comfortable.

To make sure you don't miss any of these features, you can get updates just as soon as the blog posts go live; either subscribe to the GBP Blog using one of the methods on the right here (via email is arguably the easiest and most popular way) or if you have a Twitter account, you can hook up here.

Oh, and if you have a product or service which you think would be of interest to our readers, please feel free to drop me a line and we'll see what we can do!

Now we Tweet!

2009-03-22T00:43:00.013Z

If you are into the 'online community' way of things, you will no doubt have heard of Twitter. For those that don't know, this is another of the minute-by-minute, user-updatable sites out there. Think along the lines of Facebook, Beebo etc and you're not far off. The official blub reads:

"Twitter is a unique approach to communication and networking based on the simple concept of status. What are you doing? What are your friends doing - right now? With Twitter, you may answer this question over SMS [text messaging] or the Web and the responses are shared between contacts."

Well, the latest news in GBP's widening online network activities is that I have now joined up, and you can check out what I'm up to in several ways:

Go straight to my Twitter page here, or...
Follow the link over on the right (directs you to the same place, actually), or...
Check out the 'Twitter Updates' section, again on the right-hand side of this page.

To keep things in perspective, I'll tell you now that I am not planning on sending tens of messages each day. At this point, the aim is 1 to 3 per day. Maybe more, maybe less - depends on my schedule. As and when the mood takes me, I'll be adding the odd picture along the way, too, just for a bit of fun.

So, I suppose the question is... do you Tweet? If the answer is yes, then why not hook up with me? This is how it all works, after all!

And if you're just curious to see what all the fuss is about... well, you have all the links you need to find out!

Simply effective product photography

2009-03-09T15:29:00.019Z

Another little product shoot from earlier this month, a further example of how I like to keep things nice and simple. The products in question were a range of samples produced by a local firm of screenprinters, engravers and precision engineers. We have created images for this company in the past, and the purpose of this assignment was to show off the new line aimed at the medical profession.

One empty meeting room, one camera, two lights and a plain card background - that's all we needed in order to produce a set of simple yet effective pictures which can be dropped into the company's website, brochures and all manner of marketing material.

Here is a time-lapse video showing the process, from start to finish. Be sure to check out the selection of images at the end of the film:

DVD: Location Lighting with Drew Gardner

2009-03-07T00:35:00.007Z

In my recent Focus On Imaging post, I mentioned catching up with fellow photographer Drew Gardner, and that I bought a copy of his new DVD.

Well, I've finally had a chance to watch it, and would like to share a few thoughts. This is by no means a review or a critique - merely a reflection on what I saw, which should serve as information for anyone interested in Drew's work or who is thinking about getting a copy for themselves.

First of all, it's important that you know something, as if it isn't obvious in other posts I've written: I am passionate about photography. I also have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. And I never get tired of seeing 'behind the scenes' footage showing other photographers (and creatives) at work.

A pleasant surprise here was that not only do viewers get to see actual shoots unfolding, but Drew then goes on to explain the lighting details (both 'how' and 'why') for each of the shoots covered. As an added bonus, he also shares his post production technique, too - something I really wasn't expecting. So as you can imagine, as far as my criteria were concerned, all boxes ticked.

I think one of the things that really comes accross in the DVD is how very open and honest Drew's approach is. A great many of these DVDs are often 'polished' so as to somehow keep up apearances; not so with this one, and it shows all the good bits, not so good bits, warts and all as the shoots progress. And he doesn't take himself too seriously either, which is definitely a good thing ("If I had hair, I'd pull it out!").

As a photographer, there are many 'nuggets' of information which I would gladly endorse here. For example: the emphasis on advance planning and being in a good frame of mind ahead of a shoot, the fact that pictures should not rely on post production for their success (get it done in camera, at the time!), and that good communication is also essential to the success of a shoot. Photography is all about the moment, but we are reminded that often these moments need to be crafted and built up one element at a time, such as with lighting.

If you are now intrigued, why not check out the teaser which Drew posted on his blog a little while ago here.

Of course, if you have already seen the DVD, let me know what you thought - it's always nice to get another perspective.

Any thoughts or questions - please hit the Comment link below.

Feedjit the widget

2009-03-06T22:51:00.011Z

I thought I'd take a moment to tell you about a neat little widget that you may not be aware of. It's called Feedjit, it's completely free and, simply put, it basically works in two ways:

For bloggers: It allows you to track, in real time, traffic to your blog.

For readers: It allows you to check out what's being talked about on blogs in you local area.

If you would like to find out more, take a peek at this short 'About' page.

We have known about Feedjit for some time now, but never really thought to add it to the GBP Blog. However, as we get further into our online networking activities, we thought it would make an interesting addition here. Scroll down and you will see that it currently appears below the 'Content Labels' list on the right-hand side.

Many of you will be aware of other such ways to keep track of things - for example StatCounter and Google Analytics. If you are approaching this as a reader, and want to keep up to date with blogs, it's well worth considering opening a (free) Google account in order to take advantage of their Reader application, which works as a simple RSS feed reader. Other free 'readers' are also available.

I hope this little widget will be of interest and use to you; if not, then perhaps you know someone who can benefit from it. That being the case, please do pass on the link to this post.

Another late night, sleep deprivation and a long drive

2009-03-01T21:41:00.022Z

The end of February was a hectic time - with all manner of, shall we say, 'challenges' to overcome before heading upcountry for various commitments, including Focus On Imaging. Not least of these 'challenges' was my ongoing love/hate relationship (currently mostly hate, it has to be said) with PC computers; they were giving grief right up until an hour or so before I jumped in the car.

All appeared to be well upon departure but, would you believe it, I find out the laptop is still unwilling to co-operate, despite a full clean-out, and hence this post comes to you thanks to Manda's MacBook. So that'll be another tick in the 'switch-to-Mac' box, then.

On the Saturday night of the weekend I was due to head northwards, I was commissioned to document events as they unfolded at a private 30th Birthday party. A nice job (as you know, I particularly love event photography) and thankfully very local, as timings ran from 6:30pm to 10:30pm. It was the usual sort of thing - guests smiling and chatting and generally having a good time. Add to this the 'overview' room pictures and 'detail' shots which gel the series of pictures together (bowls of sweets, chocolate fountain, goodie-bags etc), and I came away with a nice set of images which told the story of the evening.

Once back at base, there was just enough time for a quick bite to eat before heading straight to the office to begin the process of editing and uploading all images to the GBP website via our Client Area. Whilst the latter was being completed under its own automated steam, I took care of the client's labelled DVD and all corresponding paperwork, ready for posting at a more reasonable hour.

All said and done, with other matters also taken care of, my head finally hit the pillow just as the birds began their morning sing-song. Now, late nights are not unusual for me, but one has to question the sensibility of driving four and a half hours on just three hours sleep! Ah well... all part of the service, as they say!

As part of the 'package', we also prepared in advance a set of 'event slips', each slip containing the online album access details. Every goodie-bag contained one of these, and once logged in, visitors would then be able to view and order photographic prints in various sizes and finishes (eg gloss or matte) directly through the website.

Incidentally, one day a couple of weeks ago saw a shoot in conjunction once again with Matt; typical marketing material sort of stuff, created using all the benefits of our wireless technology. A video of that day will be following in due course, but I've not even had the chance to look at the raw video footage we shot yet.

Why the D2H still holds its ground

2009-03-01T20:57:00.019Z

First up, a warning - this post is a little bit technical. But only insofar as it allows me to contextualise myself for the sake of my ramblings. Please don't let this put you off; instead, read on to find out why I still whole-heartedly believe older equipment is still capable of standing up to more recent (and blatantly snazzy) technology.

So... A bit of back-history: The D2H was introduced in 2003 and was something of an odd-ball, due to a relatively low resolution of 4.1 megapixels.

'Resolution', for those that don't know, basically refers to a camera's ability to record detail; we are told that the higher the megapixel count (resolution), the more detail can be captured in a picture.

Favoured by sports photographers and photojournalists on account of its ability to capture images at a rate of 8 frames per second, this camera was replaced in 2005 by the D2Hs. At the time that I purchased mine, around the beginning of 2004, feedback for the model had been generally very positive and so I decided it was a worthy addition to my kit bag.

But let me get to the point...

In spite of the marketing men screaming at us that we should buy the latest models, with the highest resolutions and all the bells and whistles, my day-to-day working experience remains somewhat defiant. In practice, for the type of work that I am involved in, 6-8 megapixels is plenty. But wait - I just said the D2H has 4.1 megapixels. Yes, I know that. However, I still maintain that it can hold its own in the ever-lengthening quest for pixel power.

The pictures on the left here show a couple of images I shot some years ago, reproduced on the side of a Renault Traffic van (roughly the same size as a Ford Transit). The actual printed size was somewhere in the region of 6ft by 7ft. From a 4.1 megapixel camera.

Now, many people are shocked when I reveal this to them, saying "But it can't be - that level of resolution would never hold at such a size". In fact, at one point, even I wasn't convinced and I went back through the archives to double-check I had my facts right. Sure enough, they were shot on the D2H. Furthermore, the first image is a crop, showing the central portion of the original picture.

So, how and why am I able to produce this scale on imagery on this camera? Well, of course, it helps that the photograph is correctly focused and exposed in the first place, and that any post production is applied carefully. The next consideration is that of correctly upscaling the image to spec - in this instance, I used a programme called Genuine Fractals, which allowed me to enter the output size and create a larger version of the picture without any loss of quality. All clever stuff.

I was also reminded of this camera's performance capabilities at another recent shoot. I have often maintained that photography is nothing without light - apply either too much or too little, and you will produce inferior-quality images which do not make the most of the technology at your disposal. This picture is also a crop, representing about 1/9th the total area of the full image. Focus is shallow, concentrating somewhere near the middle. Lighting came courtesy of a Nikon SB-800 bounced off the ceiling directly above. And the subject was no more than 8 inches across. You may not be able to see at this size of reproduction, but trust me when I tell you that on closer inspection, the clarity of the sugar dusting and texture of the 'egg' sweets is quite simply breathtaking... And yes, only 4 megapixels. In fact, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between images shot on this and my other higher-resolution cameras.

As I said, I am not easily swayed by the manufacturer's marketing departments, and it is true to say that there is a lot of hot air blown around when it comes to technology and 'advancements'. But here is a cold hard fact - good, crisp, clean lighting will work wonders when it comes to bringing out the detail in all manner of subjects, regardless of the camera used. And experience has taught me that the much-vaunted argument of camera resolution only carries so far.

I have found flash to be particularly complimentary to the D2H - which is why, in the past, it has served very well as the camera to use in studio arrangements. OK, so this machine is getting on for 5 years old now, but it works - works well, works for me, works as far as my clients' imagery is concerned.

What is that old saying, now...? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Quite right.

Focus On Imaging 2009

2009-02-27T03:33:00.019Z

On Tuesday this week, I made my yearly trip up to Focus On Imaging at Birmingham's NEC. For those that don't know, Focus is Europe's largest annual imaging show, where professional and enthusiast photographers alike can get up close and personal with all the latest news, equipment and trends surrounding the photographic industry.

My interest each year is very often centred around meeting up with our suppliers (for example canvas printers and picture-book makers), as well as getting a sense of what the market is doing. This occasion was no exception, and I think it is fair to say that, in spite of the economic situation currently in our country, there appears to be no let-up in the number of people ready and willing to part with their cash.

As for the way the technology is progressing, I got the impression that things have settled down a bit, following several years of hype and excitement at this thing we call 'digital'. Of course, there were new releases on show, along with the usual faces shouting about how great their products are and how they will make your photography soooo much better.

One stand that I had been very keen to visit was Mac. If you are following my gradual journey from PCs to this operating system, you will know why. If you are none-the-wiser, check out this page in order to get up to speed with things. But here's the thing - I was completely unimpressed with the Mac stand a Focus. So much so that I didn't bother approaching them. In previous years, they took up a fair amount of space at the show, with lines of computers there for everyone to try out, along with an impressive area where guest speakers would share their thoughts and valuable knowledge with the public.

I do hope this 'scaled-down' approach isn't a reflection of Mac's resting on its laurels and riding its current wave of popularity. This is what Canon did, and their absence was noted at a previous Focus; they were there this year, as were rivals Nikon (keen to build on the success of its D3/D3X cameras). Coincidence?

A couple of mentions about some people who I had the pleasure of meeting this year...

First of all, fellow photographer Drew Gardner, whose enthusiasm for our wonderful art is there for all to see in a frankly shameless and infectious way. He's also a bloody nice bloke. We listened to him talking on the Phase One stand, discussing the workflow capabilities of their Capture One software, as well as the astonishing resolving power of their current line of digital camera backs. I gladly parted with some of my hard-earned cash and bought a copy of Drew's new DVD "Location Lighting With Drew Gardner", which he very kindly signed for me. Not had the chance to check it out properly yet, but absolutely can't wait. I encourage you to take a peek at the teaser which he posted on his blog a little while ago here.

Edit: DVD has now been watched! See my thoughts about it here.

Secondly, a quick mention for Richard Vobes, whose online radio show I listen to regularly and call up via Skype whenever I feel so inclined. Richard is also a 'good egg', and he was at the show in his capacity as an entertainer, playing out one of his many guises. If you like to be entertained and enjoy good conversation, I would encourage you to check out his site here. Make sure you tell him I directed you to the show and you never know, we might even link up over the air waves.

Edit: The 'Vobes Show' online show is no longer being brodcast; however, please do still check out Richard's site to listen to his daily podcasts.

A matter of ownership

2009-02-26T12:12:00.004Z

Many of you will have either read the above edition of Metro, or else heard through one channel or another that Facebook recently changed some of its Terms and Conditions; in effect, the powers that be granted themselves full rights and indefinite use of all users' photographs, 'Wall' posts and additional information. There was no advance warning, no communication with users, and certainly no open discussion. As you can imagine, once word got out, the news triggered something of an outcry... which ultimitely brought about Facebook's retraction of their newly amended Ts&Cs.

How does such a large company (are they an 'organisation' yet?) make such a huge mistake, when clearly they have unlimited resources of legal and ethical practice advice? Of course Mark Zuckerberg, the site's founder, immediately started backpedalling by saying that no content would be "shared in a way you wouldn't want". Oh, well that's ok then - we can all rest easy again.

But this isn't about Facebook, so let's move on.

The issue of content and material ownership is still very much a misunderstood one. As image makers, creatives, authors, we know that a breach of the Copyright laws which govern such material is a very serious matter - and one that can have very serious ramifications. But for the 'consumer', there is a definite lack of education on the subject, so perhaps it is not so surprising that people are often taken aback when you try to explain that they simply can't take an image they find and use it for their own purposes.

Here's a real-life example: A while back, I was talking to a client of ours during the course of a shoot. The subject of picture usage came up and the conversation went something like this:

Client - Where can I get a photograph to illustrate computing and technology?
Me - Well, either we could produce a bespoke image to your requirements, or else you could try a stock library, such as ours. But whatever you do, don't just lift a picture you like directly from a website.
Client - Oh, is that not allowed?
Me - No, this is a breach of coyright... etc... etc...

Some months later, I was talking to another client and he happened to mention the man above. Turns out, he ignored my advice and took a picture he liked directly from a website anyway. The website owners found out and started court proceedings almost immediately.

Another example: In the last few days, I received an email from a new client with whom we are due to do a shoot in a couple of weeks' time. The resulting images will be supplied on disk (as is often the norm), and he will be free to use them on his organisation's website and in various local press. In the message, the question was asked "Can we then sell the images on to our members?" I explained that this would also be a breach of the law, because images are supplied for the stated usage and copyright always remains with the photographer unless an agreement is reached to purchase it outright. Essentially, the photographs are classed 'not for resale'.

As a result in the case above, and after finding out more information about just what was required, we are now going to make all the images available via the secure, password-protected Client Area of the GBP website, so that members can purchase photographic prints as and when they wish.

So, what is the moral of this post, if indeed one exists? Well, clearly there are plenty of people out there who will always defy the law, always feign ignorarance if they think it will save them a few pennies. However, in the end, this approach often catches up with them. More importantly, I think, it all comes down to education. Specifically, people need to be educated about how and why they can or can't use images that appear to be at their disposal. There's nothing wrong with asking, as the second example above proves, and in the long run everyone ca and should benefit.

Communication is the key.

Yes, we do 'do' weddings!

2009-02-10T21:56:00.011Z

Weddings. Ah yes, the eternal question: Do you or don't you? A fair enough question, and one which many photographers seem to stumble over when trying to answer. Funny, really, that there appears to be stigma attached to being labelled as 'a wedding photorgapher'...

I must admit, for many years I was one of those people. And for exactly the same reasons as the majority, I should imagine... For one thing, it is often viewed that if you are, say, an industrial photographer and you suddenly start shooting weddings at the weekends, you have somehow 'sold out'. "Trying to make ends meet, are we? Things so bad that you have had to resort to the 'unthinkable'?!...".

Actually, in my case, this could not be further from the truth. My introduction into wedding photography was via another photographer - someone who already had a succesul business set up in the sector, and who was looking for an additional photographer to join him. Of course, I made the usual excuses as to just why his 'very generous offer' just wasn't for me, but ultimately he won me over to his way of thinking. How? Slowly. And in a very gentle 'take it as it comes' fashion.

In hindsight, it was a great a great opportunity and a great decision of mine to go along with the offer. At that time, the weddings which I photographed for him filled a few income gaps in my commercial and editorial work throughout the year. And besides, my weekends were generally quiet, so it was something of a no-brainer: get out and about, meet some great people, take pictures (which, of course I loved doing), have lots of fun, whilst at the same time earning some additional income.

As a quick side-note... I think it is also interesting that there is clearly still a certain public perception/expectation of what it means to be a photographer. Many is the time that I have answered the question 'What do you do for a living', only to be asked the immediate follow-up 'So, you do weddings, then?'

Weddings are actually great fun to photograph. And as a photographer, you are in a priviledged position. Personally, my approach is one of being led by the couple's preference of imagery; some like more formal shots whereas others (and increasingly, this is the majority) prefer the more candid 'reportage' feel. Either way, I feel it is the photographer's duty to record the event not just as technically and professionally as possible (that goes without saying), but also as discretely as possible, too. Yes, there are times during the course of the day where instructions need to be shouted, and people need to be arranged, but in the most part you have to remember that as their photographer, you are simply there to record events for the bride, groom and their wedding party to enjoy in the years that follow.

So here it is - Yes, I (and by that I mean we as a company) do 'do' weddings!

But to be clear, this is just one of the many wide-ranging services offered to our clients, in much the same way that there are also many add-on products offered to compliment the work we produce.