Hi All
As a professional event photographer who regularly works in and around Edinburgh and Scotland, at this time of the year, I always reflect on the year, what was good, what needs to change etc. This has been a good year for me with an abundance of business over the spring and summer period and also a good variety of professional photography commissions spread around Scotland, everything from sport, to award ceremonies, graduation events, birthday parties, conference photography and fine art infrared photography around Scotland. In fact one of my challenges was fitting all the commissions into the summer and autumn period. However, here is the seasonal problem facing most photographers. As mostly an outdoor event photographer, I could work twice during the spring and summer months, but often have periods of inactivity in the winter ie now. Whilst this gives me the opportunity to spend time on my marketing, social media and my website, you still need finances to see you through all seasons and this is the challenge. So one of my targets of the year will be to find other markets which generate income between November and March. I already have plans for my infrared work next year, more presence online and I am sourcing the possibility of producing an "Infrared Photography in Scotland" book. I have purchased some new equipment to enhance my corporate, conference and event photography in Edinburgh and around Scotland.
The highlights of the year, well that's a difficult one but I think I have 2, the first was a golf photography commission to cover the Deer Park Masters in August, this was my first attempt at golf photography and I loved it. Also, whilst I have been selling infrared photography prints depicting locations around Scotland, I received my first infrared photography commission from CrossReach, to photograph Charis House in Edinburgh, this provided me with total creative freedom to depict the garden area and the building in infrared. All the client had to do was to choose their preferred print. It worked out well and everyone was pleased with the print.
Anyway, have a great Christmas and New Year, can't wait to get going next year.
Until next time.
Kind Regards
Colin
www.colinwrightphotogrpahy.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com
In these days of mobile phones and accessible digital technology in cameras, why do we need corporate photography from commercial photographers in Scotland. Well for one they bring all their experience and expertise to enable capture of the best quality of images for your event. Timing is crucial in corporate and event photography. The ability to capture the decisive moment is paramount, this includes ensuring you have the correct vantage point, the right equipment for the location and the ability to react quickly to unpredictable situations. Modern professional cameras also deal effectively with very challenging lighting and a good professional photographer will know when artificial lighting is required and when it is appropriate to use it. You can’t constantly burst the flash at the delegates during conferences, you will need to ration your usage, otherwise you could risk disrupting the event and ruining the learning experience for the delegates. A good photographer will get the balance right. Then there is also composition, what should be in the frame and why, also when is it appropriate to get the essential shots and when can you add something that little bit different and creative. The variety of final photos provided to the client is also important, some close ups of the speakers, images of the delegates, networking images and key moments if special guests or politicians arrive at the event.
Then you also need to be able to respond quickly and effectively to unexpected requests for group shots, often large numbers of people in confined spaces, with very limited time. Finally, there is the editing of hundreds of photos, often required immediately, or very soon after the event. The final photos should be what the client requested and more. They should tell a story and be of the highest quality. I hope this convinces you that it is worth employing a professional event photographer to cover your event. You won’t be disappointed.
For further details. contact Colin Wright, professional event photographer Edinburgh, at [email protected] or through his websites at www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk, or www.edinburghphotographer.com
Hi Everyone
I thought I would use this blog to update you on an exciting project I am about to embark on. As you know, as a professional photographer operating in Scotland, one of my main areas of work is concerned with infrared photography and throughout the years I have been photographing colour and black and white infrared fairly diligently throughout Scotland. I am about to put together a digital collection, which will encompass up to 15 of the best infrared images I have taken around Scotland. These will include images from the Highlands and Islands, my home county of East Lothian, Edinburgh, Glasgow and other locations from this great country. The collection will be varied and will include different subject matter. The aim will be to publicise the collection on Social Media, my websites and other publications. Watch this space. Even in this atrocious weather I have been able to get out and about shooting infrared and managed a shot of the new fantastic work of art - the Dunbar Bear, photo attached. At this time of year in particular, I enjoy the contrast of my commercial conference and event photography in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland, in comparison with my infrared, it keeps me creative.
Anyway, until next time.
Kind Regards
Colin
Hi Everyone
I was out last week on a commercial photoshoot at Giancarlos in Tranent for Just Eat. As a professional photographer operating in Scotland, it is always a pleasure to get a variety of different commissions. Food photography is something I enjoy. This particular commission has some strict guidelines/requirement from the client and this is fine but it got me thinking of a few tips for food photographers. Here they are:
1. Use a tripod for consistency and sharpness, especially if shooting with natural light
2. Get creative with where you focus, this adds interest to the photo
3. Try and get the food to shine. This can be achieved by spraying it, or lightly topping it with oil so that it glistens
4. Better brighter than darker or under-exposed where food photography is concerned, it makes the food more attractive
5. If photographing something fairly basic such as a hamburger shot side on to show the fillings
6. Where flash is used, always diffuse the light and only aim straight at the subject if you are using a fairly large softbox or light modifier, otherwise the light will be too harsh
7. Use props ie chopsticks, cutlery, salt pepper, herbs etc
8. Try and make the food look colourful and it must look very attractive to eat, sounds obvious but I have seen some food photos that put me of the menu
9. In some cases photograph 90 degrees above with drinks included to give the impression of a 3 or 4 course meal
10. Try some preparation shots, with chefs making the food, it can help to tell the story
Hope all that helps
Until next time
Kind Regards
Colin
Hi Everyone
With the festive season preparations in full swing, I thought I would look back on some of my Christmas photography commissions as a professional photographer in Edinburgh, East Lothian and throughout Scotland, particularly whilst working as a newspaper photographer in East Lothian and Midlothian. Its largely a great time to photography people, due to the joy, costumes and general light shows you get at this time of year, but I thought I would look at some of the challenges for the Christmas photographer. Here we go:
1. Photographing Christmas Light turn on celebrations can be challenging due to the weather and the crowds, make sure you are in the perfect spot when the lights are turned on - be assertive, otherwise you will get lost amongst the crowds and get poor photos.
2. Most outdoor Christmas photoshoots are in almost total darkness. The lights themselves won't help overcome this, as exposing to the lights will only show the lights in the photos and not the people. Use flash to get photos of people in the foreground, then take a tripod long exposure shot of the lights, preferably when there is still some detail in the sky, ie not at the darkest time of day.
3. At any Christmas event, photograph children, with the permission of their parents of course. They look great in their costumes and their genuine enthusiasm for Christmas enhances any photo.
4. Try to capture facial expressions, always important, but even more so at this time of year.
5. If outdoors, prepare well for the weather. You will probably be hanging about waiting on something to begin, so get well wrapped up.
Anyway, hope that helps you to create some magical event photography images.
Col
www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghotographer.com