Food...

So... it's been a busy week! And to celebrate, I had a 99 on the beach!!

In other news, I assisted on my first food shoot this week for Malcolm Menzies. As it turns out I'm quite a nifty food stylist and really really enjoyed it!

Selman stables...

Selman Stud - Marrakech

Weddings...

"Thanks so much for the photos, we're sat here admiring them now! We are so proud to have had you as our photographer. Everyone has been saying how professional yet friendly you were on the day and how relaxed they felt with you! Thank you again."

A lovely message from Michelle and Dan Smith, who married at Ufton Court on 2 February 2013. Congratulations again guys, such a beautiful wedding!

Reuters pictures of the week are definitely worth a look...
http://blogs.reuters.com/fullfocus/2013/01/11/photos-of-the-week-4/

Putney Bridge

Putney Bridge

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Very Happy 2013!

Photographic printing

Photographic printing: I have just had one of my Richmond Rut shots printed as a 20x24 Glicée Print by Genesis Imaging... stunning!

Rutting season in Richmond Park

This morning I couldn't resist jumping out of bed a little earlier than usual to catch the morning mist as dawn broke in Richmond Park. As a self confessed country girl, I am rarely more content than when surrounded by acres of grass and woodland and while living in London, Richmond Park has become my haven... yet this morning during the autumn rutting season, the Royal Park seemed more enchanting than ever before. 

Phase One goes to the Olympics!

London 2012: While I was standing on top of the hill in Greenwich Park, watching the equestrian riders negotiate the challenges of the eventing course, set against the back drop of Canary Wharf, I met Simon Roberts. Armed with a Phase One P65 and a digital back, he explained that tripods were not allowed into most venues and therefore his 4x5 was on temporary retirement. So to capture the many Olympic landscapes, the Phase One was recruited... see the results here... http://simoncroberts.com/work/xxx-olympiad/#PHOTO_1 

2012 CPSA/NSCA World Sporting Championships

I have spent the day in the rolling Cotswold countryside shooting the World Sporting Championships for the CPSA. The dramatic skies delivered pelting rain, shortly followed by bursts of dazzling sunshine. A magnificent event, with competitors clearly riding high on Peter Wilson's Gold medal success in the London Olympics a few days prior. Further images can viewed here

Seriously creative editorial

With the Olympics upon us sports editorial is everywhere... 

Roy Riley is definitely worth taking note of... http://www.royriley.co.uk/ 

A little evening of light browsing...

Just spotted Dan's timelapse of the Norton and Townsend shoot... 

As always enjoying a peruse of Tori Hancock's blog wellies+vogue... 

and finally a fond browse of Cris Barnett's work...

Canon 5D Mark III Metering Issues

Canon 5D Mark III Metering Issues:
http://www.pdnonline.com/gear/Canon-Offers-Free-In-5534.shtml

Investec Women's Finals

I have spent the weekend at Sonning Lane photographing the Investec Women's Hockey Finals... 

couldn't have asked for better natural light... the rain held off right until the final whistle!

Lui Bolin - The Real Life Invisible Man

Just stumbled across Lui Bolin... incredible!

http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/meet-the-real-life-invisible-man.html

Interiors

A few images from a shoot for a boutique rental company 

Doug Inglish on David Beckham...

Feet up again for a few weeks after second cruciate ligament op in three months... 

just glaring over Doug Inglish's latest shoot... 

http://blog.chromavisuals.com/2012/02/doug-inglish-david-beckham-uk-us-mens.html

A lunch for Pepi...

I have been fortunate enough to spend the day shooting a private party at the renowned Scott's restaurant, a tricky combination of being discreet whilst ensuring I captured the shots from which the day will be remembered. 

Kodak: Farewell to the People's Camera

On January 19, 2012, Eastman Kodak announced it had filed for bankruptcy protection as the 131-year-old film and camera-making innovator struggled to adapt in a world where digital photography rules over...

Why is Kodak at death's door while Fujifilm, its old rival, is thriving?

Why is Kodak at death's door while Fujifilm, its old rival, is thriving?
http://www.economist.com/node/21542796?fsrc=scn/tw/te/ar/thelastkodakmoment

Phase One Certified Professional training programme...

Phase One have introduced a Certified Professional Training Programme... included in the course is: technology behind Phase One backs and cameras; trouble shooting computers, backs and cameras; advanced operation of backs etc. Passing the course enables you to call yourself a Phase One Certified Professional (POCP) and you will be listed on their website www.phaseone.com

100 most influential photographers of all time...

100 most influential photographers of all time...
http://www.professionalphotographer.co.uk/Magazine/Photographic-Inspiration/100-most-influential-photographers-of-all-time

Exposed...!

Just met Alison Jackson, who very kindly gave me a copy of her latest book... love her work... would really recommend it for the Christmas present list! Also discovered Number Sixteen a seriously lush hotel in South Kensington... just fyi!

Pictures of the Week: October 28, 2011 | Plog — World, National Photos, Photography and Reportage — The Denver Post

Pictures of the Week: October 28, 2011 | Plog — World, National Photos, Photography and Reportage — The Denver Post

Sports photography...

Sports photography: Really love Bob Martin's work... http://www.bobmartin.com/

New York...

Just back from new york... not exactly the trip I had planned, due to Hurricane Irene... 

still, found a little time for a trip to the shops...

Inspiration...

Been flicking through Art Department | 2011... check out Norman Joy Roy

I also learn't how to shoot time laspses today, http://www.thewhippersnapper.com/LittleBramper/Site/Home.html is defo worth a look...

Latest kit...

Yesterday I visited Direct Photographic to have a play with all their new kit. Lloyd Barker (Direct's technical director) talked me through their latest ranges from Broncolor, Profoto and the epic new Phase One 645DF. We rigged up a few sets to see what it could do and it was great, the only downfall was in low light. Broncolor's Scoro A4S offers a stroboscopic function which is used for multiple flashes at specific intervals, fantastic for freezing motion. Ian Harrison was also on hand to show me through different lighting set ups and we tested Broncolor's para with a ring flash, Broncolor's Balloon and Profoto's Globe. Ian also showed me lighting with a 2ft 4 Bank Kino Flo which I had never used before but really liked the natural light they produced.

Interiors...

I have been assisting Adrian Houston for interiors recently, which I have really enjoyed and is a very different style of photography, using tungsten lighting. Yesterday we did fifteen shots of a new boutique hotel in Convent Garden, which consisted of everything from busy reception shots to awkward bathroom lighting. It was a long day but a great way to learn a variety of techniques for capturing different moods. Adrian primarily uses a Hasselblad tethered to Phocus software and ARRI lights with heads ranging from 300W to 800W.

Mens fashion...

Norton & Townsend Campaign Shoot from Lloyd Sturdy on Vimeo.

I returned to The Worx today, one of my favourite studios for a menswear shoot with Dan Kennedy... who created some incredible shots http://lockerz.com/s/121395830... ending the day outside in the rain. Also worked with a great make-up artist (Beth Alderson) and model (Richard Biedul).

Press photography...

Today I was at Tower Bridge Studios assisting Dan Charity for  The Sun, shooting an article for their Justice features. I met a very different industry crowd, gaining insight into the life of a press photographer. Video seems to becoming more and more current, especially with the HD capabilities of the 5DMKII, behind the scenes editorial features are becoming a regular part of shoots. A major imprint of the day was meeting our subjects... all relatives of teenage murder victims.

Fashion shoot...

Assisted Dan for a fashion shoot at McQueen 55-61 Tabernacle Street, London... had a great day... he gave me a full lesson on the profoto equipment whilst setting up... tested me on my metering... and it was great to arrange the location for each shot. Dan also showed me the shadow fall offs on the shots and why and where fill lights were required. It's a lovely evening... perfect I think for a beer after a very successful day at work!

Simplicity...

Marrakech for me is usually work... but for the last four days it has been some needed 'r+r'. Although a few days away with a clear diary, proved life south of the Straights of Gibraltar is actually just as social as London life! As well as having made local friends, many Europeans have been drawn to Morocco for the cosmopolitan lifestyle offered in the heart of the cities and the relaxed local lifestyle on their outskirts... add a beautiful climate, fountains strewn with rose petals, sunsets, cumin... and evenings mingling in the souks you begin to understand why a mere three hours on Easy Jet or Ryanair seems so appealing! It would therefore seem appropriate to include some pictures of rose scattered fountains... but for me it is actually the charm of the primitive culture of Marrakech that I relish... 

Late night thoughts...

This is often the time I ponder on the internet... researching photographers, reading lens reviews catching up on the latest antics of the TOWIE cast etc! So just thought I would share... found another blog today which made the headlines... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1391527/Lotte-Mullens-Sony-work-experience-blog-bought-Hollywood-2m.html... and discovered Stuart Leech... amazing!! 

Lunchtime...

Brixton has recently become my haven for photography... today I have been studio based, editing... but thought I would share some pics from when I stepped out for a few moments...

A day in the park...

I seemed to be the only one on the Victoria line this morning heading in the direction of Brockwell Park for some location shooting... but on a lovely day like today where better to be than in the sunshine doing what I love most! We did a variety of set-ups shooting in the shade, shooting into the sun and a few silhouettes for fun! Using basic kit consisting of a couple of speedlites 580ExII, orange gel, Elinchrom ranger quadra pack and a soft box...

Wedding fever...

Aah it's that time of year... weddings are in the air... but what to wear?

Busy day...

Had a brilliant day assisting Dan Kennedy for a big shoot at The White House, Ealing... not Washington!! Incredible all the same...!

Country life...

After some incredible Royal celebrations... my wellies are packed and I'm headed for the Cotswolds... country walks and pub lunches... oh and a little light shopping... perfect! Enjoy the rest of your bank holiday... x

Set for the olympics...

Today I got to shoot Dr. Donal Bailey... who is Ireland's No.1 sprint cyclist with his eyes firmly set on qualifying for London 2012... watch this space!

Happy Easter...

A trip to the 'rellies' always ensures yummy food... happy easter x

Summer's here...

Wow it's glorious outside...

Lighting course...

Today I made my way to Brixton to the Photofusion studios for a lighting course concentrating on high-key and low-key set ups; three point lighting with key light, fill light and effect light and a variety of lightshapers from beauty dishes to fresnal spots. We used Bowens lights. 

Studio assistant...

A couple of weeks ago I met Nicole from Jet Studios who kindly offered me some experience with them...

Only two of the studios were in use... and one was a closed set but it was still invaluable experience... my morning ranged from running to Putney high street to get a specific battery for a Hasselblad to running to Tesco for some shower gel for the poor model who had been painted with what seemed to be coal! Following that, my duties were in the kitchen helping with the preparation of lunch, and then a major spring clean of all the cupboards! The remainder of the day consisted of clearing up from a shoot for Nuts magazine from the previous day... which seemed to involve vast quantities of water... so studio two actually resembled a paddling pool. Best thing to do.... hoover it up! Once all the kit was back in lighting room... a roller and a bucket of white emulsion were all mine!

Seriously good day... great to see how different studios operate and to make new contacts!

An evening out...

This evening I decided to make the most of living in one of the worlds most vibrant cities and try out my new pride and joy...

5D Mark II...

Following my day on the sandy shores... it would appear I have managed to bring a few grains home with me... although drastically they are lodged in the body of my camera! After various bouts of technical advice... my beloved was looking pretty pricey to repair...

After a couple of days of contemplation... I reached the decision to invest to the next level.... 5D Mark II... WOW!!! LOVE IT!!!!

Last weekend...

Last weekend I went to visit some friends in Bournemouth and of course grabbed a few hours on the sandy shores...

Morocco...

Marrakech has now become one of my favourite places to photograph.

Words of wisdom...

I read an interview in The Independent last week with Rebecca Adlington and this quote stood out...
"I've never, ever snoozed my alarm, not once in all my years of life, and I never will. If you don't love what you're doing then it's a chore." 

To fill you in...

My lifestyle has primarily led me to shoot landscapes and I although I naturally lean towards landscape and interiors, I am excited by portrait photography and love being able to capture the moment.