Doug Chinnery Photography

Snap a Day

2010-01-04T09:42:00.000Z

G9, ISO200, 7.4mm, f2.8, 1/60 second

Todays snap was taken yesterday afternoon close to my home while out walking Stan. We are still in the throws of a cold snap here and so the fields are dotted with iced puddles. Some aren't too interesting, but others have amazing patterns trapped in them.

This image uses the G9's macro function yet again (I love it) and was just a handheld snap of a tiny section of ice. I took about twenty different images during the walk and have about half a dozen which I will probably process.

The main problem doing these macro's when out with Stan is that he immediatley wants to be right where you are pointing the lens. That square inch of ice becomes the most important thing in the world to him... because you seem so interested in it! I have to distract him by throwing a treat biscuit for him to go and sniff out and then take my chance while I can to get the shot.

On a different matter altogether. I ma holding a macro workshop at my home in Worksop this coming Friday, 8th January and I still have places available. Please see my workshops website at http://www.dougchinnery.wordpress.com/ for details.

Snap a Day

2010-01-03T07:50:00.000Z

G9, ISO400, 22mm, f3.5 @ 1/25th sec

This first 'snap a day' image was taken last year on a walk through Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.

I have been inspired by Paul Harts work in his book, 'Truncated', where he shows fine art images made by large format camera of trees in the forest. Although they are landscape images, he focuses on the trees almost as characters, giving the images a feel closer to portraits. Wonderful work in the field, added to superb darkroom skills.

Since aquiring the book, I have been inspired over the last year to start my own project which I have called 'Treescapes'. I view it as a long term project, making images in various locations when opportunities present themselves (and sometimes I go out with the express idea of working on the project). I find having several projects like this on the go helps me focus on different aspects of photography and gives it purpose. I often find I add images to my projects when I am photographing in those less inspiring places which work, family and lifes commitments mean I spend much of my time in. (Oh, to live in the Highlands of Scotland, on Skye or the Pacific Northwest... maybe even Hokkaido...)

Paul Harts work is superb. Mine doesn't even come close - you can see his website at http://www.paulhartphotography.com/ and I highly recommend adding the book to your photographic library.

Most of my Treescapes are made with my 1ds mk2 - this image, however was made with the G9 and is a demonstration of how some of the images in the project are made when the opportunity presents itself. In this case, a walk with Stan with the G9 in the pocket, 'just in case'. I have done no processing of the RAW file in either Lightroom or Photoshop - just the B&W conversion using the Dark Sepia preset in Silver Efex Pro. Job Done.

Snap a Day 8

2009-12-31T14:04:00.000Z

G9, ISO200, 44.4mm, f4.8, 1/80 second

This snap, again taken while out with Stan the other evening, is of one of my favorite lone trees.

It stood silhouetted against a beautiful sky after the setting of the sun and just cried out to be photographed.

I was thankful to have my G9 in my pocket - I would have been very sad (and frustrated) if I had missed the shot.

If you love Skye...

2009-12-31T13:43:00.002Z

Sligachan III
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

then please take a while to watch this program on BBC iplayer by Cameron McNeish on BBC Scotland.

In it he walks from the northern most tip of Skye, allong the Trotternish to Sligachan and then over the Cullin to Loch Curisk (sp?) and so to Broadford.

A great program... just beware, you will wish you were there...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pl19y/The_Adventure_Show_2009_2010_The_Skye_Trail/

Snap a Day 7

2009-12-24T15:36:00.000Z

Hnadheld on G9, then processed

in CS3

Todays snap was taken in a field near our house. Again walking Stan I saw these seed heads against a blue sky. I got down low and shot upwards to exclude any fore or background - just showing the plants against the sky.

Back at home on the PC I got a bit arty and converted the image to B&W and then used the invert feature in Photoshop to invert the image - giving it a 'X-Ray' look. Then using textures and blending modes I blended in three textures to give this look.

Not to everyones taste, I know, but I enjoyed the process.

Snap a Day 6

2009-12-22T14:44:00.001Z

Stan in the Snow
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

Just a quickie this time.

I mention Stan often in my posts as he is often with me when I am out making images in the landscape. So I thought I would post a picture of him made in one of his rare stationary moments, and it was a moment, believe me.

A tip for Cocker Spaniel owning photographers - take a pocket full of biscuits with you. When I am ready to make an image I throw one for him to go and sniff out - keeps him occupied just long enough to fire off a couple of exposures. Then repeat.

Snap a Day 5

2009-12-22T13:42:00.000Z

G9, Handheld, ISO 80, RAW,

7.4mm, f3.5, 1/20 sec

Todays 'snap' was taken on Stans morning walk. We have had snow here in the UK and I have been trying to make the most of it. No chance to get away to an iconic location so I have busied myself shooting in my local patch, mainly while walking Stan.

This shot was taken using the G9's macro mode and is of ice, frost and partially melted and re-frozen snow on the top of a fencepost.

The G9 is great and picking up the detail in this type of shot - you just have to watch the shutter speed doesn't get too low. I was pushing things here - I try to stay at ISO80 as much as possible as the G9 is noiser than a DSLR so the lower the ISO the better. Here in the pre-dawn light it took a shutter speed of 1/20 sec to get the exposure which is slower than I would have liked - the shake warning was flashing away at me. As a backup I took several shots and thankfully several came out sharp enough to use. (I haven't applied any sharpening to the above image, just some adjustments in Lightroom and a conversion to jpeg ready to upload.

I came home with loads of images I like so you will be seeing more of them in future days.

On another note, I have uploaded a whole series of new photography and software workshops for the new year, right through to April. You can get prices and full details at http://www.dougchinnery.wordpress.com/ - hope you can join me.

Snap a Day 4

2009-12-19T18:05:00.000Z

Near Aviemore - G9, ISO80, 44.4mm, f4.8, 1/125 sec.

Todays image really was a 'snap'. I had been up for the dawn to photograph Loch Morlich and then returned to the B&B for a well earned breakfast. Now, heading north east towards Peterhead I saw this scene outside Aviemore. I was in a rush to make an appointment so have to confesss I pulled up, wound down the window and snapped the scene. Noting like lazy photography, is there!

What had caught my eye was the layers of winter trees, grasses, bracken and heather - rising up from the field in the foreground onto the hill behind. It was these contrasts and textures that made me decide to process the image in B&W to focus attention on the detail rather than the winter colours.

I also liked the zigzag line of the plants and trees up the hillside taking the eye up through the image.

On a totally different note. I have as a contact on Flickr a very fine Scottish photographer called Duncan Smith. He makes good landscape images amongst other things but he has an ongoing project I love called 'Lost Trollies'. He photographs supermarket trollies that have been abandoned. Sounds awful? Well take a look - http://thelintie.com/2009/12/allure-of-lost-trolleys/ He has done over 400 images of them. You can see his stuff here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncansmith/ and here http://www.pbase.com/duncansmith . Enjoy!

Snap a Day 3

2009-12-18T13:38:00.000Z

French Lavendar - G9, ISO80, 44.4mm

f8, 1/20 second, RAW.

Todays snap may look like it was taken in a field of scented French Lavendar on some juncket to the south of France, but in fact it was snapped outside a Marks & Spencers somewhere - they were selling the plants in pots to put in your garden.

Even at 1/20 second the image stabilisation on the G9 kept the image nice and sharp and the RAW file delivered great colour and tones.

One of those occasions I was very happy to have the G9 in my pocket.

2010 photography and software workshop schedule announced

2009-12-17T11:35:00.002Z

Stonehaven
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

Just a quick heads up that I have just announced my photography and software workshops schedule for January to early April 2010.

I have developed some new workshops and also have some of those that are proving very popular with students.

Please take a look at http://dougchinnery.wordpress.com/upcoming-workshops/ for all the details

I hope you can join me.

Snap a Day 2

2009-12-17T08:46:00.000Z

View from the A66

Canon G9, ISO80, 25mm, f6.3, 1/1600 sec.

Todays G9 snap was taken on the 3rd February this year. My wife was driving us up to Scotland for a holiday and I was shooting images from the passenger seat. I was loving the the light on the snow over the high hills as sunset drew in.

She was doing 70mph when this was taken, hence the shutter speed! I was shooting into the sun, which was very bright, without the benefit of ND grads and was trying to balance the exposure in full manual mode. The G9 is great for this, and the fact it captures images in RAW means I have been able to just bring back a bit of detail around the sun itself in the clouds which looked blown out in the RAW file. It is amazing what Lightroom and a RAW file can do.

We had the heaviest snow in England for many years last winter and this was the day it all began. I was torn between looking forward to some great winter shooting in Scotland but hating leaving behind the snow in all my regular haunts - places I had wanted to shoot in thick snow for years. Like most landscape photographers, I wish I could control the weather sometimes.

Many of the images were blurred or badly focused or exposed but justa few came out quite well considering we were driving. Composition was hard, you have to look ahead and try and spot things in advance, get the zoom right and just hope for the best. The shutter on a compact does not react like a DSLR shutter and at speed you don't have time for a second shot. It is then that you appreciate just how fast and responsive DSLR's are.

I have released my 2010 Landscape Calendar

2009-12-16T17:10:00.000Z

I am pleased to announce that I have released a calendar of my landscape images for 2010.

The calendar is A3 in size with a month to a page. Each image is approximately A4 in size on each page. I have created a gallery on my website which shows all of the images used on the calendar.

Each page shows the full month including important dates highlighted and also has a mini calendar included for the previous and following month. On the rear of the calendar is a calendar for 2011.
There is space on each day to write brief reminders or notes.

I have selected all the images from those I have taken in the last twelve months including some of my most popular images with customers and personal favourites.

The high quality professionally printed calendars are produced on high quality heavy satin 170gsm card and at the end of the year the images can always be saved and framed. This is a great way to own some of my landscape works for yourself.

As I am only having a very limited print run of the calendars the price, including VAT and delivery in the UK (overseas delivery extra), is £19.99 each. Payment via PayPal, cheque or BACs transfer. Please send me a messagevia the 'contact us' page on my website if you wish to order.

Snap a Day 1

2009-12-16T13:11:00.002Z

Gerbera IV
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

I follow Darwin Wiggetts blog and he has started doing a series called 'The Daily Snap'. I like the idea very much. He has a Canon G9, as do I, and he aims to post an image a day from it in an effort to show that you don't need to lug around a DSLR and a bag of expensive glass all the time to get great images. It also shows how having a compact camera in your pocket helps you get images you would otherwise miss.

If we are a photographer then surely we are a photographer all the time? Why turn on and boot up our 'photographer module' just when we go out with the sole purpose of making some images and then switch it off until next time when we get home?

If we have a compact camera in our pocket or glove box or handbag - soon our mind gets into photographer mode all the time. You find yourself looking at light, tone, texture, contrast and interest everywhere you go. Having the goal of posting an image a day also makes you strive to take at least one good image every day. Surely, thats got to be good practise?

So I am going to have a bash myself. Not sure if I can post an image a day, but I am going to try, and I am going to call the series 'snap a day' (Don't want Darwins lawyers crawling all over me :) ).

So here is image 1, day 1.

Taken with the G9 using natural light, no flash, handheld at ISO80, 7.4mm at f4 in RAW. No cropping, just added a tad of fill light and blacks in Lightroom and converted to jpeg. Just shows how good the G9 is at macro work.

So I hope you can follow my posts here and why not follow Darwin too - a far better photographer than me - at - http://www.darwinwigett.wordpress.com/

Better still, why not have a go yourself?

What shutter speed do our eyes see things at?

2009-12-07T18:02:00.001Z

things are looking up
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

Just seen an interesting comment over at Darwin Wiggets blog - which is worth following, by the way.

He is doing a 'snap a day' - a shot taken with his G9 each day. Anyway, he has posted a shot of snow fall and comments that he took it at 125th of a second and that ths shutter speed 'records movement similar to the way the human eye sees movement'.

I have never heard this before and it intrigues me. What do you think? I will have to experiment as it is one of those useful bits of knowledge that if it is correct (and being Darwin, I am confident it is) could come in useful from time to time when shooting.

What type of photographer am I?

2009-12-06T09:24:00.001Z

Constant
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

I have found myself contemplating an answer to this question over the last couple of weeks.

You see, I have always described myself as primarily a landscape and nature photographer. Landscape photography is my first love, I would do it whether I got paid for it or not.

However, I also photograph people for portraits and weddings (as well as personal family images). I photograph things too. This year I have photographed, among other things, gas valves, cutlery, teapots and even wooden pallets - all for commercial customers. (If you want a challenge, try photographing pallets to make them look interesting!). All these things were photographed for customers, for money. If I hadn't been paid, I wouldn't have chosen to make images of them.

On Flickr I think I am known primarily as a landscape photographer. Most of my contacts have made me so because of my landscape images. Recently this had an effect on the interest shown on some of my uploads.

I had been preparing some macro images in readiness for a macro workshop I was conducting and so posted a few images of flowers. I wondered at that point if Flickr had broken down or if I had been sent to Coventry by my contacts. Comments dried up. Tumbleweed blew through my Flickrstream. The silence was deafening. I imagined people passing me in the street and looking back at me whispering to each other - 'that's him... he used to be a landscaper but now he takes pictures of...... flowers'.

I thought about this and realised it was because I was posting something different to what people usually saw from me. Some of the macro shots even had textures applied to them. Here I was, a landscaper, a man for goodness sake, posting flower pictures.... flower pictures with textures. Wasn' this just a bit 'girly'. Why was I betraying my roots in landscapes? What was wrong with me?

When I then posted a landscape again, I even got comments about it being good that 'normal service had been resumed'! As if the sickness had passed. That it was just an abberation, a phase.

This got me to thinking about what type of photographer we are. There are many contacts I have who I follow avidly on Flickr and most are landscapers. And that is my point. I have made them contacts because they are landscapers. They are superb photographers, yes. But they are landscapers and all they post, and I mean ALL they post are landscape images. Wider landscapers and intimate landscapes, but they only seem to use a camera out in the landscape. (they may well make other types of images, but they never post them).

It made me realise that although I have always described myself as a landscape photographer, in reality I am not. Most of my work is in the landscape but I take photographs of everything. People, places, machines, animals, plants, abstracts, landscapes. I photograph what catches my eye. I am trying to hone my ability to see light, rather than things or places and then to capture that light and its effect on what I am looking at.

I carry a G9 just for this purpose, so that I don't miss anything.

When I look at the work of other photographers I like to see photographs of anything. The key for me is, technical ability aside, for the image to move me in some way. To have an emotional impact, be that to admire a wonderful landscape in great light or to laugh at something humourous. To see age written into the wrinkles of a persons face or the textures in an old door. I like to see all types of photographs.

I don't think I could be devoted to just one form of photography, be it landscapes, black and white, abstracts, portraits or any other type. I wouldn't want to be devoted to making images of just one type myself either.

I know all the advice is, develop a style and reputation of your own and become known for it. The idea is to make your images stand out as different, so that when people look at your images they have a tell-tale signature look that screams out 'you'. I can see this point of view and it worries me a bit that I don't think I am going to achieve this. But on reflection I think it would worry me if I did get to this point.

I want to be able to hand hold my camera if I want to - not to be tied to the tripod as landscapers have to be. I want to use a Lensbaby to create abstract 'arty' images sometimes. I am toying with the idea of buying an old polaroid camera to play with that too. I want to shoot flowers and apply artistic textures. I want to have a bash at still life photography. I love working in mono and need to develop my skills in this area. I want to have a go at 'street photography' trying to capture Cartier Bressons 'decisive moment'. What I don't want is to be tied down to making just one type of image.I don't want to be known only for landscapes done in a certain style.

I want to be known as a photographer. I want to photograph what I want, when I want, in whatever style I want.

Maybe that will become my signature!

How do I create a watermark on my photos?

2009-12-01T12:05:00.003Z

I can't believe it's not butter
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

I was asked this on the macro workshop I was instructing yesterday and when I went to demonstrate to the students I couldn't remember one of the steps in the process (bit embarrassing!). So I thought I would put it in a blog post for all to use.

Watermarking your images is not a foolproof way to stop people using them without your permission. Some will ignore it and use it anyway. Others will spend a few minutes in Photoshop and remove it - with basic cloning skills it is usually not hard to do.

What watermarking your pictures does do is put off some who would steal your images and just emphasizes that it is against your wishes.

More effective is converting the image to 72ppi and reducing the size to say 1000 pixels on the longest side before uploading them. This makes the image unusable in any printed form. It will still display perfectly on a screen as these work at 72ppi - but printing will be useless.

Anyway, on with the tutorial. There are two ways of doing this - by creating an Action or by making a Copyright brush. I tend to use the brush method.

1. In Photoshop create a new blank document. (click file, new). This should put a blank white page in front of you.

2. Next create a new blank layer

3. Select the Type tool to type your text - in my case I would then select a font and font size and type - Copyright 2010 © Doug Chinnery - (you can hold down the Alt key and type 0169 on the number keypad and this will inset the copyright symbol automatically)

4. When you are happy with it select the Rectangular Marquee tool by pressing the M key and drag a rectangle around your line of text.

5. Then go into the Edit menu and select 'define brush preset'. When the dialog box opens give your brush a name (not a name like 'Dave' or 'Debbie' but call it Copyright Brush for example.) Then click OK.

6. Now in your brush presets drop down box you will find your copyright brush at the bottom of the grid. It will looked all squashed up but don't worry, it will display correctly when you use it.

7. To use it, open a photo you want to copyright and add a new blank layer to it.

8. Select either white or black as your foreground colour - press D to set black and white as the foreground and background colours then press the X key to swap them if necessary. I use white mostly unless the image is very bright so white won't stand out, then I use black.

9. Press B to get the brush tool selected and up on the options bar drop down the brush toolbox and click on your copyright tool brush at the very end of the set.

10. Use the [ or ] keys to make the brush bigger or smaller

11. Click on your image where you want the copyright info to be.

12. The in the layers palette on the blank layer with your copyright brush info use the opacity slider to adjust how the strong the brush is - you can really fade it out so it isn't distracting or have it more prominent if you prefer.

13. When you are happy, flatten the image.

14. Remember to save the file with a different name so it doesn't overwrite your master file - otherwise your original file will have your copyright info plastered across it - not good if you want to print it and hand it on your wall!!

I hope this info is helpful?

If you prefer to use Actions then record the above being done but instead of creating a new document just put a blank layer on a photo, type your copyright info, and set the opacity, flatten the image and then stop the action recording. Then it is just a case of running the action on future images - the only problem with this is that it will put the copyright info in the same place and at the same opacity on every image and sometimes this doesn't look right., but the choice is yours.

New photography workshop dates soon to be announced

2009-11-27T22:05:00.004Z

The Dying Day

Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

Just a quick 'heads up' that I am soon to announce a set of new dates for various photography workshops.

Themes will include

Landscapes - in the Peak District
Landscapes - Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
Seascapes - North Yorkshire coast followed by some landscape work on the North Yorkshire Moors
Basic Photoshop and Lightroom skills
Macro Photography masterclass
Possibly a macro/wildlife workshop at a Butterfly farm
Workflow Workshop
How to start making money from your photography workshop

Those who get in touch with me by email get advanced early notice of all workshops - just contact me via my website or Flickr - and I will add you to my mailing list.

Workshops are then announced at my workshops website at http://www.dougchinnery.wordpress.com/ and at my website at http://www.dougchinnery.co.uk/

My aim is for my workshops to be enjoyable and informative. I aim to answer your questions at a level and pace that suits you, no matter what your level of photography experience. I want the workshops to be fun, relaxing and for people of all ages and abilities. I also want them to be very affordable.

I aim for you to go home having learned things that will take your photography to another level and that you will have some images from the day to be truly proud of.

I hope you can join me on one soon.

Update on the big focus issue

2009-11-27T21:54:00.001Z

Sunrise over the Severn
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

If you have read my blog post from earlier today (see below) you may be interested in Tim Parkins comment to the post.

There he gives a link to a Wikipedia article describing what David Noton was on about - it has a name - 'Parfocal Lenses' - lenses that hold their focus on a point even though they are then zoomed to change the framing. I recommend you have a read.

He also gives a link to a page that lists the Canon lenses that have this ability. I am chuffed to say that all of my 'L' range lenses are on the list of those which are Parfocal.

More importantly perhaps, this paragraph of David Notons has made me realise the benefit in the quest for ultimate image sharpness of paying attention to and using the Hyperfocal distance to my advantage - namely, to be able to use a wider aperture than f16 for landscapes to improve sharpness while still achieving maximum front to back depth of field.

Focusing revelation

2009-11-27T14:44:00.001Z

Ice Maiden
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

I have just read David Notons latest posting on his website (www.davidnoton.com). It has put me in a right state, I can tell you.

He has a chat about focusing and in particular, using the hyperfocal distance.

Basically, and simply put, if you focus your lens a certain distance away from you at a given aperture and focal lenght then everything from half that distance from you to infinity will be in sharp focus - very handy for landscapers.

It all gets a bit tricky as you need to know the hyperfocal distance for your lens at a given focal length and aperture to use it - meaning you need a wad of tables with all the info on or, as used to be the case on prime lenses, a hyperfocal scale on the lens itself. Modern zoom lenses don't have these scales, nor do Canon primes (although I think Nikon primes stoll do).

Now, as a basic rule of thumb, I set my landscape lens to f16 for good depth of field and focus a third of the way into the scene and this roughly equates to the hyperfocal distance. However, I know that my wide angle lens is actually sharper at f11 than f16, but I use f16 just to give me a greater margin for error. If I could tell for certain where the hyperfocal distance was at f11 easily in the field, I could get perfect depth of field and greater sharpness by using f11. (I shy away from f22 because the lens gets even softer at that end of the aperture scale.

Now, Mr. Noton, knows a lot more about the hyperfocal distance of his lenses than I do and in the image he was talking about he knew it for the focal length (28mm from memory) at f11 on his lens and it met his needs - it kept a foreground fallen tree trunk in sharp focus right up to infinity (the mountains in Canada he was shooting. So he got the nest of both worlds - perfect depth of field and the extra sharpness of using f11 over f16.

Then came the bombshell (you wondered when I was going to get to it, didn't you?).

He says he zoomed in to the scene to a branch on the tree trunk at the hyperfocal distance (just under two meters from him) and manually focused on it...... then...... wait for it........ zoomed back out to frame the shot without touching the focus wheel and took the shot.

Freeze. No body move.

He zoomed in and focused, then zoomed out and didn't re-focus - he just took the shot.

This is something I have never heard of before... and trust me I have read thousands of magazine articles, dozens of books and heaps of blogs by superb photographers and no one has even hinted at this technique.

Here I am, stuck indoors working and how am I supposed to concentrate?

So does anyone know, does this work? Am I the only photographer who doesn't know about it? Is it such a basic thing to all of you out there that writers don't even bother to mention it when writing about technique? Is everyone laughing at me as I stand behnd my tripod as they use this technique and giggle away because I am the only one on the planet who doesn't know about it?

I have always assumed that if you focus, then adjust the framing of the shot by zooming in or out that you have to then re-focus? I have read Davids words carefully and he certainly seems to be saying this isn't the case. That if you zoom in on an object at the hyperfocal distance from the camera at your aperture so you can see it large in your zoom lens and focus on it carefully, you can then zoom out to frame the shot as you want it and take it without re-focusing and the focus will be correct. Much the same as someone with live view on a camera can zoom in on their rear screen to check focus - buut in this case actually zooming the lens.

I await any views/intelligence/information you have on the subject because if it is right, I need to start doing it right now!

Okay, so where did I put those hyperfocal distance tables.....

Burnham Lighthouse

2009-11-19T15:12:00.002Z

Burnham Lighthouse
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

Well, this is the result of my early start this morning - please read my post lower down the page.

This was one of those times it was worth getting up early and driving through the night - probably the pinkest dawn I have ever witnessed.

Stan enjoyed running with all the dogs on the beach too, especially as it was blowing a gale - the wind excites him.

If you would like to join one of my landscape workshops please take a look at the schedule and prices at http://www.dougchinnery.wordpress.com/

Workflow Workshop - January 2010

2009-11-19T02:30:00.002Z

Purple Rain
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

Just announcing my Workflow Workshop for January

Workflow Masterclass – Friday, January 15th 2010

Do you find it hard to organise your images? Do you struggle to identify which ones to spend time on improving in the computer and which ones to put to one side or delete? Is Lightroom, Elements or Photoshop a bit of a nightmare to you? Do you wonder how the pro’s get such superb shots? Do you wonder if you should be shooting in RAW or Jpeg? Does RAW scare you?

On the 15th January I will be holding a workflow masterclass p you with all these issues and more. H eld at my home, close to Junction 31 M1 andthe A57 junction with the A1 for easy access.

The class will cover workflow in its entirety;

Getting your camera set up right to maximise the quality of images it produces
Importing them into your computer (using Adobe Lightroom – but the principles will apply to whatever software you prefer to use)
Using metadata to tag your images to make finding them in future easier
Shooting in RAW and how to use RAW files
Organizing images on your hard drive effectively
Using Lightrooms tools to improve your images (If the new Lightroom 3 has been released you may even be able to see that working).
Making additional improvements using Adobe Photoshop or Elements
How to create slideshows of your images
Basic print techniques or exporting images to online print companies/Flickr
How to create a Copyright brush in Photoshop/Elements
How to create a free blog to use as an online website and gallery of your images
Basic instruction on how to set up and use a Clikpic website to sell your images.
The dark art of backing up made super-simple.
and lots more
Please feel free to bring your own laptop if you have one, so you can try out what I am teaching as we go along. Also bring your camera. Although we won’t be taking images on the day, we can ensure your camera is set up to maximise its potential.

This workshop is ideal for photographers of all abilities who want to streamline their workflow or understand how to use the computer to make the best of their images. The class is kept small, no more than five participants so I have plenty of time to explain things at your pace and answer all your questions.

This workshop will revolutionise your photography and help you make the most of your images. You may even end up earning some money from selling them as a result.

The workshop costs £65 and includes lunch and refreshments. We will start at 10am and it runs through until about 4pm. Please email me if you want more details or can’t make this date but would like to be emailed advance notification on future workshops. I look forward to meeting you.

Also, I have a new website dedicated to my workshop program - keep an eye on it for new dates and topics - http://www.dougchinnery.wordpress.com/

The Twilight Zone

2009-11-19T02:22:00.002Z

Dales Dawn
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

I have come to realise that being a landscape photographer puts you in a parallel universe, a twilight zone.

Although you are part of the human race you live your life on a slightly different plane to 'normal' people.

It is 2am on a blustery morning. I am at my desk typing my blog. The rest of the human race sleeps. I am in the Twilight Zone. Yesterday I was up at 4am only to drive through torrential rain up to the Malham Cove area in the hopes of shooting images of some trees I want to capture at dawn. Of course, despite my seemingly limitless optimism, the rain continued to pour. The roads were flooded and dawn, rather than exploding in all it's technicolour glory as I had hoped, seemed to limp into the sky in a reluctant, creeping greyness.

I got some images of Stan. Quite an achievement bearing in mind he is a dog who finds it impossible to stay still for more than a nano second. I was able to scout out some future potential locations. But the odd landscapes I shot will probably languish on my hard drive forever, never to be seen by the World. (Unless one is suitable for a mono conversion - my boundless optimism at work again, you see).

Today, undaunted by the BBC weather mans reports of gale force winds and rain sees me unable to sleep. So I am up, keywording stock images and replying to email enquiries about my forthcoming workshops ( more at www.dougchinnery.wordpress.com ). At 3am I am off into the dark - to Burnham lighthouse. I am in the Twilight Zone.

As landscapers we arise at stupidly inhuman and unsocial times to drive through the night only to arrive at deserted locations, shoot for an hour or two and then drive home. We may well head back out while 'normal' people are sitting down to enjoy a nice meal with the family and an evening in front of the telly. We find ourselves alone again, behind the tripod on some beach, up a hill or in a field, peering at the clouds, looking at the watch, waiting for the light. Sometimes it happens, mostly it doesn't and we drive home in the dark knowing that in just a few hours we will be setting off again into the darkness.

To live in this etheral, unreal world and to stick at it, you need that limitless optimism that today is the day the clouds, the light and the scene will come together to give that image that will capture stun your audience. An image that expresses the sense of place in all its glory, at its very best. That optimism needs to be strong enough to withstand countless disappointing dawns and dusks. Endless failed journeys. It needs to be strong enought to last until we witness and record another superb morning display or evening symphony of light.

We need to be prepared to live in this otherworldly dimension that sets our internal clock to rise in the night and to be busiest and away from our loved ones just at those times when others are together.

It has to mean more to us to be alone in beautiful places than to be sat on a sofa with a glass of malt in front of the telly or down the pub or up the allotment, or whatever it is that 'normal' people do. We have to get our buzz from those rare days when all the elements that make for stunning images collide and produce beauty.

So today, even though in my heart of hearts I know Burnham Lighthouse is going to be weighed down by heavy cloud, whipped by driving rain and grey light, I am going to set off (with Stan) and put this to the back of my mind. Because maybe, just maybe, the stormy weather will break the cloud just enough for crepuscular rays to pierce the gloom. Maybe, the horizon will ignite with a display of reds and oranges streaking across the sky, reflecting off of the wet sand. Maybe I will get an unforgettable image of the lighthouse on stilts I have so long wanted to photograph.

But if it doesn't happen at least Stan will have explored another bit of the UK coastline. At least I will have scouted a new location for the next time (because there will be a next time). And lets face it. I can sleep when I'm dead.

So its off for another episode of the... 'The Twilight Zone'.

Shock Review of the Canon 7D

2009-11-12T09:22:00.002Z

What is it with Colour and Flickr II ?
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

I just came across this field test of the Canon 7D and was very suprised by the results. To balance what you are about to read, it may just mean the 7D's RAW files will need more processing to get them to look right, but it may instill some doubts in the minds of those considering buying this new camera?

Darwin Wiggett and a photographer called Samantha did a field test with unprocessed, unsharpened RAW files from a Canon 450D (Or maybe 500D, - the Americans call them 'Digital Rebels' so I am not certain on the model number), the 1ds mk3 and the 7D for comparison. Take a look at the images and his comments.

http://darwinwiggett.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/the-canon-7d/

Next Landscape Photography Workshop

2009-11-11T17:21:00.003Z

Beechwoods
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

My next landscape photography workshop will be on Monday 28th December 2009 for all those wishing to escape the overindulgence or need an excuse not to go to the sales!

This will be a dawn to dusk workshop, for those who are keen to start at 6am near Hathersage. Those who like their beds can join us at breakfast in Hathersage a bit later. Sunset is around 4.00pm so I am happy to stay out until about 5pm to get the best of the days light.

The day will be spent capturing the waterfalls in Padley Gorge along with the moorland landscapes around Hathersage - hopefully with some mist, lovely soft winter light and maybe even some frost thrown in. Sadly, one thing I can't control is the weather!

I am limiting the group to five to ensure all get personal attention and help. The cost will be £65 per person and this includes breakfast (but not lunch or drinks later in the day).

It will be ideal for camera users of any ability. I will help you get the most out of your kit be it a compact through to a top end DSLR. The one thing you really will need is a tripod to make the most of the day.

We will be able to set up a laptop during breakfast so we can review images taken and to demonstrate workflow and basic techniques using Photoshop (and Elements) and Lightroom.

My aim is always to spend time with each student giving help specific to your needs. I am happy to hear from you in advance by email on things you specifically would like me to cover with you.

There will be some walking and light 'clambering' so while you don't need to be an athlete or mountain climber you will need to be able to get do some walking.

If you would like more information or would like to reserve a place, please drop me a message via my website at http://www.dougchinnery.co.uk/ or drop me an email.

Photographing Stars

2009-11-08T09:25:00.001Z

Eons
Originally uploaded by thefatcat44

Firstly, this image is a composite. I don't mind composite images, as long as the photographer is up front about it.

My reason for using two shots for this image is that while my wife and I climbed up to The Old Man of Storr on Skye in the night in order to photograph the dawn, the position of the Milky Way was wrong.

So the shot of the Old Man was taken at night (early hours of the morning before sunrise). The Milky Way image was taken a few days before near Gairloch and I have combined them.

To photograph the stars I set the camera to f2.8 (depth of field is irrelevant when photographing stars so the wide aperture keeps the shutter speed as fast as possible.).

I upped the ISO to 800 - some noise is not really an issue as it makes the stars look denser.

I sed a wide angle lens to capture the sweep of the galaxy - 16mm in fact.

The shutter speed was 30 seconds - this was long enough to records the stars but fast enough so they haven't moved much. If you zoom in to 100% you can still see they have moved a fraction. But at 30 seconds on a tripod they still record as dots of light, not streaks.

I also tweaked the white balance to bring up some of the colour in the sky, deepened the blacks in Lightroom and used a screen blending mode in reduced its opacity in Photoshop to bring out the full glory of what I had witnessed.

If I had used the stars as they were in the actual shot it wouldn't have made such a good image and the light pollution from Portree spoiled it too.

Some will feel this makes the image invalid. Some will feel there is no problem with it. I have no issues with it, as I said, as long as the photographer is up front about it and doesn't claim to have captured something they haven't in order to boost their 'status' or whatever.