Skateboarding in infrared in Scotland
Hi Everyone
Just before my corporate and event photography commissions are due to start in Scotland, I am expanding my fine art infrared photography portfolio. Recently I have been photographing my son Lukas, who is a keen skateboarder. I decided to go for some dramatic infrared photos of him skateboarding and also portrait photos, although none of the photos are posed, I have just photographed him while he is unaware of me in the background. I think black and white works best but the next aim will be to get some dramatic colour infrared photos with foliage in the background, or other landscape or street photography props that lend themselves to infrared photography. Once again, the clouds are crucial to add a sense of drama. I also used flash in some of the images to add contrast and bite to the images. It also gives me the opportunity to try out stuff myself and act like the overgrown kid that I am. Hope you like them, more on the way soon.
Until next time.
Kind Regards
Colin
www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghphotogrpahe.com
The Importance of Clouds in Infrared Photography
Hi All
As a professional corporate and event photographer working near Edinburgh, who also spends a lot of time photographing infrared around Scotland, this means I spend a good amount of time outdoors. For infrared photogrpahy, you may have heard me go on about the importance of sunlight and foliage in the composition, in addtion to the quality of light. However one of the most important factors for successful infared photography is the clouds in the sky. If the sky is blue without any clouds I probably wont even take the shot. this also goes for non-infrared landscape photography. Whilst most locations are roughly the same every time, it's the clouds that can change everything, the shapes, or the intensity, whether they appear blurry, if photogrpahed at a slow shutter speed during a windy day, or puffy and sharp with repeating patterns, they are going to enhance your photo, whether of not it is in coluor or black and white. So the next time you go out on a infrared photoshoot, or landscape for that matter, I want you to look up into the sky and check out the clouds.
Good luck.
Kind Regards
Colin
www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com
Cameras, with the biggest change since the digital age
Hi All
As we are still in lockdown and event and corporate photography in Scotland is still a while away, I thought I would do a short article reflecting on how the cameras we work with have made a pretty major change recently to the profession. Some would say that no change can be as big as the film to digital transition and this is true but now there is a major change coming into play and that relates to the size of cameras. This change has probably been coming largely due to the explosion of mobile phone photography, with smaller lenses providing the final image. However, the boom in mirrorless cameras has finally come. At first it was Fuji, Panasonic and Sony leading the way, now the big guns have embraced the market, with Canon now promoting the EOS R series as their main camera choice for professionals and amateurs alike. The convenient small size, coupled with the familiar touch screen operation will appeal to many. The new range of lenses are also helping to promote the product. I would say the only area where these cameras aren't yet dominating, is in professional sport in low light, which is still largely dominated by big camera bodies and long telephoto lenses. As a conference photographer I love mirrorless cameras, especially the touch screen facility and the ability to reduce my visibility at events, in addition to less weight. However, I still prefer my larger camera bodies for most sport, due to the auto- focusing and low light capabilities - things are changing though and I expect this market to become part of the mirrorless revolution. I just hope they do not get too small, as I like to be able to grip my camera, but otherwise, roll on the changes, I am getting to the age where I don't want to be lugging around a lots of equipment all the time.
Anyway, until next time.
Kind Regards
Colin
www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com
The Falkirk Wheel
Infrared photography in Scotland by professional freelance fine art and corporate photographer Colin Wright, Edinburgh, Scotland
Harbour photography East Lothian, Scotland
Hi All
I thought I would spend a a bit of time on one of my recent fine art infrared photography projects, which is photographing harbours in East Lothian. As a professional corporate, conference and event photographer working in Edinburgh, Glasgow and throughout Scotland, due to the covid restrictions, I have spent a lot of time on my personal projects, particularly infrared photography and due to travel limitations, I have been photographing local subjects, like the two harbours in Dunbar. So I thought I would do a little blog on how to photograph harbours. Dunbar has 2 harbours, one of them, Cromwell Harbour is the old one and there is a larger new harbour which leads out to the open sea. I won't go into the aspects of harbour life, but I will concentrate on studying infrared photography from a harbour point of view. As with all infrared photography we are looking for sunlight where possible, although in this case , as long as you have some cloud detail, it can be possible to get some good photos. There are so many things to photograph in harbours, I like old fishing boats, but modern yachts are of interest also. Black and white or colour can be considered and the weather could dictate which is best, in addition to the colour of the boats etc. I also think you should always be looking at what you want to achieve down the line after editing, as infrared photography is a bit like in the old film days and the image you see on the screen is a long way from the final version after editing. Close ups can also be considered.look for creels, ropes, old bits of boats and engines in the foreground, in addition to fishermen working on the boats. I also look for any grass areas or trees close by, which will be prominent in infrared. As always look at the angle you are shooting with, some low ground level shots can be very dramatic.
With the lockdown, I have had the opportunity to do a very in-depth study of harbour photography, so much that I hope to turn it into an Infrared Photography exhibition in the future and also to add some of the images to my infrared photography in Scotland book, with a separate chapter on the subject of harbour photography.
Anyway, hope that helps.
Until next time.
Kind Regards
Colin
www.colinwrightphotography.co.uk
www.edinburghphotographer.com