Thoughts & Photographs

London Calling

2011-02-07T00:06:00.003Z

A few favourites from london... I just love the lines. I have always loved symmetry, diagonals, anything metalic and shiny. The obsession continues when i shoot anything even vaguely architectural. Completely different in style to the funkier, softer gentle, or emotional nature of portrait and wedding photography.

Wish upon a wedding

2011-01-25T21:10:00.003Z

A Recent turn of events meant I was delivered my good friends Greg & Jane's wedding invitation, this is the wedding being held in September 2010. Anyone else notice a problem with that?! I did however attend, and photograph.... here are some of the results:

Enter the Trees

2010-11-06T22:31:00.005Z

A five part series entering the natural world one autumn day.
When the weather is dull, and drey sky of death seems to eat up all the edible landscape, one is left to find new ways of making such gorgeous trees worthy subjects.

Imagine the things these trees have seen: the couples kanoodling in the dappled light; the young children running and skipping around and around, while their older siblings use the boughs as a place of play and hiding; the lone walker with her dog seeking refuge from the bitterly icy onslaught of a sudden deluge; round to spring when an older couple decide to relive their youth, checked picnic blanket covered with a delectable spread brie, baguettes, pate, homous... not forgetting the bottle of wine.

Always watching, choiceless in their provision of services, whispering and swishing in the breeze, never quite silent and definately never heard.
Latest offerings: enjoy

Location: Farmers Field Nr. Beeston, UK

I'm really enjoying learning Lightroom 2

2009-08-20T15:42:00.005+01:00

Editing so many photo's is giving me that chance to really get to grips with lightroom 2 and what a powerful piece of software it is! Well worth the investment.

Latest offerings: enjoy

His Details, originally uploaded by Izula.

His Details, originally uploaded by Izula.

Wet Weather Pic's

2009-08-20T01:08:00.002+01:00

As a break from the wedding photo's i thought i'd edit one of my much loved "colour" shots. Subject, rained on paving slabs in london! There is always something to photograph when one keeps there eyes open.... "Caroshine" is the result: carousel gently shining onto the wet paving.

Caroshine, originally uploaded by Izula.

Wedding approaches fast and is over already

2009-08-08T23:16:00.007+01:00

Excitement, adrenalin and a slight hint of nerves lingered the evening after a day of meeting the Bride and Groom's families. This is after all the first wedding that i have photographed as more than the support act. I am so glad before the big day arrived that i had a chance to meet, chat to, and get to know (a bit) the family.

In the end the day went very well, after the initial hiccup of the late start. Then again, i guess that is somewhat expected for the Bride, this often being her first attempt at marriage and organising a wedding! Ruth did look stunning, and Neil very dapper.

To cover myself i took a fair few pictures (around about 900), and although i've got rid of about 200 straight off, i'm still left with 700 odd to sift through. However, i feel this a small price to pay to make sure i got the key photos, despite my nerves!

The editing continues...

(For the guests - please find photos being added to http://www.photoboxgallery.com/lizzybiggsphoto).

Here are one or two of the photo's so far:

Red Rose, originally uploaded by Izula.

Bride's House, originally uploaded by Izula.

Aged Accompaniments, originally uploaded by Izula.

For the Bride, originally uploaded by Izula.

Bridal Preparations, originally uploaded by Izula.

Hair Spray, originally uploaded by Izula.

Less Is More

2009-07-28T16:20:00.005+01:00

Over the last couple of years, when experimenting with flavours in cooking it would seem I have a tendency to over do things the first time round...(usually second time is better and third time perfect). Less is more. Be that less of a particular flavour, or, less flavours (herbs/spices/seasonings/juices/vinegars/sauces....) in combination together.

This has got me wondering... is this the same with photography? Is the recipe for a better photo 'Less is more'? Naturally in the minimalism movement less is necessary, however, what of 'normal' photos? What of portraits, landscapes, wedding photo's. My current hypothesis:

"Less is more: by controlling the elements within a photo so that there is less happening and a clear 'flavour' (focus) a better photo should be produced...."

I believe this is probably the case in more photos than not, until proven wrong. I will of course experiment over the coming month and share my findings but am also going to survey the many 'successful' photos I see to find the exceptions which prove the rule. My expectancy is that they will be photo's by established photographers, those who have learnt the rules that they might better break them!

If you have any thoughts on this, or any photos for either camp to share please comment and link.

Value of words

2009-07-24T23:21:00.008+01:00

An update on the London pictures: Canary Wharf station on the Jubilee line. I just love the lines and shapes in the industrial styled architecture!

Stair Lift, originally uploaded by Izula.

I'm known for being the chatty type. Personally I couldn't possibly comment. However, of late the value of words has become eminently apparent. Reading is a key form of learning, and with so many excellent sources at our fingertips (quite literally), delivering vast quantities of valuable information, what excuse do we have to remain naive in our chosen fields of work, hobby or otherwise?

Personally I am linking this to my photography. I wish to improve, grow, be stretched, experiment, and reach my goals on a regular basis. Of course, I cannot expect that by just 'being a brain' improvement will willingly fling itself upon my prior undertakings, embrace the mistakes, and turn them into articles of finesse and splendour. Practice is key. However, much of what I have achieved alone, has taken twice the time of similar ventures where I have sought help, and read expert advice.

Over on deviantArt many of the photographers whom I most respect, admire and look up to have recently been suggesting subjects to read up on, articles of value, and discussing the books and tutorials they themselves are currently using to develop their work. I guess this leaves me no choice in the matter... The only remaining question: "where to start?"

Answer: By learning from the best - Joe McNally - The Moment It Clicks

Entered "Natures Natural Textures" Competition

2009-07-23T15:39:00.005+01:00

Have finalised one of my Kew Gardens photos specifically for a contest over on Deviant Art (DA). First time i've entered such a big competition so i'm a little nervous - but at the same time thrilled at the piece i have to enter. Even if its not a winner i can see improvements through practice so that pleases me!

Skeletal Obsession, originally uploaded by Izula.

Dissapearing Act Over!

2009-07-22T18:20:00.004+01:00

Well i've now finished my degree with a respectable grade (so i'm told) of a 2.1 BA(Hons) in Applied Theology. So now on to the next stage of my life - work (or job hunting in this case). However, while i am doing this i am picking up some hours waitressing. Money is money you might say. I have also found i have a little bit more time for taking photographs (wahoo).

Back in January this year i went to Malawi for 5 weeks, and although focused on my college placement i found time to take a few photos. My favourite photo (a spur of the moment act now or forever miss it out of the truck window) can be seen below.

I See You, originally uploaded by Izula.

Next i got lost in essay and my dissertation which proved "time consuming" at least. Oddly no photo's of that

May brought sunnier climes and an escape from written work with a trip to France to help lead the 14+ teenagers work at Spring Harvest Holidays just for the half term week. Final night we had a talent show, and some talent there was...

Jump 2, originally uploaded by Izula.

Since then i managed to spend a bit of time at the beach before moving back to my parents(not alot mind you.)

Between finishing college and starting the job hunt (slightly more leisurely as i have a part time job to keep me going) i had about 2 weeks off... 1st week i was at the NFI conference in Brighton, and second week included a trip to London to take some more photos, go on the eye, and watch Les Miserables. Great fun and photos to follow....

Now back in the sunny north i am almost unpacked. To keep me happy i have several new toys to play with.

1. Metz 58 AF-1 Flash Gun

2. Photoshop CS4 Extended (Jump 2 is the first picture processed in it and prob. more of a learning curve than quality but hey...

3.Lightroom 2

4. A website bizzyliggs.mfbiz.com which is under construction but getting there slowly! :)

So that's me somewhat up to date... Hope to get the new pictures to you soon....

Where has summer gone?

2008-06-21T20:53:00.014+01:00

Hello, long time no visit however pressure is off for a little while, so i now have a little more time on my hands! Time - what a wonderful commodity. This last month has been mental, unfortunately full of deadlines, they came thick and fact hardly allowing recovery from one to the next...

But i'm back. My reward to myself, having at last found the time to sort my accounts out for the first time since January to discover how much was in my camera savings, was a new camera. My first DSLR - a Pentax K20d, on which i have an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 II kit lens. I also purchased a cheap 3rd party zoom lens 70-300mm f4-5.6 as having been shooting my Sony H5 i've been used to zooming! :) It'll do me for now!

Until now i have been relying upon my trusty Sony-H5 p&s with some manual control... but the difference is remarkable.

Having said that what is it with the weather - having taunted me while i beavered away (oh the greatness of cliche expressions... for i am not a bever, and there are many other animals who work equally hard, and yet, and yet from the realms of possibilities what comes to mind? The humble bever - surely i have only the socialisation of terminology to thank for this!)

This aside, the sun played its tempting rays over my skin on many a walk from my digs to the library and back again, only for him to dissapear faster than i could say 'sitting duck' when freedom presented its precious time to me... Why oh why... i have a new camera to play with but no willing subjects out in the gardens with the play of pretty light. Merely drizzle. Not good enough for waterdroplet photos - but enough to soak! arghhh...

As such i reside myself to taking and organising my photos indoors. hmmmmm. Then what is this? Photo's from last year still un-tagged, un-named and un-sorted! A project!!!! In sorting the folder entitled "2008 02 21 - Moorlands Grounds & Kat-Josh Engagement" i came across the most wonderful early spring blooms.

Springtime flowers, originally uploaded by Izula.

Failing summer rays, why not enjoy the joys of spring! We can reminise on days gone by - photographs afford us this opportunity! :)

Two and a Half Years Later

2008-04-18T20:37:00.001+01:00

The other day i finished post processing a shot i am really proud of. Not necessarily because it is technically brilliant or because it is stunning but mostly because it shows just how much i have improved in this journey...

All of about two and a half years ago i got a new point and shoot (Nov 06) and me and my bro randomly chased the sunset up the canal. Our journey brought us to stumble upon this new build block of flats and we decided to photograph it with its lights as dusk was pretty much out by this point (yes i know - we didn't turn back once the sun set but kept walking).

Without a tripod or full manual settings the shot just lacked something and was more than slightly blurry. Believe it or not this is the best of the bunch...

Jump forward to April '08 - Myself and Sarah had decided to go out shooting. I wanted a few gaurenteed subjects to make some nice photos without too much effort so i could put more effort into helping her understand a little more about photography. Bingo - the canal... many interesting subjects, time to capture the sunset at one location and then some low-light photography options further along.

By the end of the evening we reached this site... memory pops - thought running through my head - i want to do better! the result.... (you tell me)

Beautiful. I'm so happy with myself!

Take care all
xxx

2008-04-17T21:49:00.001+01:00

A Bit About Me...

As a first post it seemed fitting to tell you a little about myself... so here it is!

A Truly unique blend

Start with 1KG of exception to every rule
Add a little bizarreness very slowly
A couple of capsules of Talk All Day; beaten in with energy
100g of excitement and passion for life
As much energy as can be contained in a large can
A scoop of thoughtfulness
An encyclopaedia of random facts no one needs to know
A huge heart for people
5ml of clumsiness
Teaspoon of confusion
Pinch of humour

Finally add the Breathe of life (but careful about for how long) then shake well and watch the results

So there I am. Go figure if that leaves you any the wiser... I am me and me I will always be.

I have been passionate about photography for a couple of years now. It is a growing pursuit and it is amazing looking back how far I have actually come. Being a student even means that I sometimes have time to actually take photographs and then post-process them. However at other times it means I have no time at all and will seemingly disappear off the face of the planet. But then such is life! Actually this is meant to be one of those disappearing times but as I listen to the wonders of Jamie Wilsons guitar instrumental on high wires I feel it is time for a break dontcha know?! I mean I have been working hard all day (ok well almost all day – I did a few odd jobs too and a little surfing of DeviantArt and all that jazz). Then again it only means I won’t allow myself on the internet tomorrow for this assignment is due Tuesday and I’ve still got another 4,000 words and more research to complete! Joy of Joys...

Anyhow enough about my work life – I’m sure there are more interesting things you’d like to know such as what to expect of this blog in the coming days, months and weeks. Well for a start I will share with you all my random thoughts and insights into life – just not too often. I can talk for Britain you know!? Then secondly these thoughts will be interspersed with weird, wacky, wonderful and awe inspiring (fingers crossed) photo’s documenting the world around me. I probably lean more towards nature photography recently be that landscapes, forest and beach views, animals or birds, however I am branching out and fairly varied when I have a moment or too. I have a couple of portraiture and modelling shoots under construction for this term, not to mention my love of all things coloured, patterned and random which my intersperse themselves throughout!

Happy hunting and remember... That’s Life....

xxx