Portraits - Portfolio building

As I've mentioned before, portraits are what I feel most comfortable at taking. Now, I'm not saying that I am great at it, just that I enjoy the interaction between the subject and me. I try to capture them as I see them. Obviously I'm subconsciously referencing classic views and light, but it's as I (want to) see them.

Ok. I'm setting myself a portrait project. One, two, three, four and five light portraits. Indoors and outside. As any good strobists should know, the outdoor images will or may include sunlight as one of the sources.

So, tonight....one light.

Pics to follow.

Ready for Church

Wow...I am so proud. My Mum, ready to take the kids to church. I just hope she is as happy.

Friday's recap to the past week

This past week has been quite eventful. At the weekend we traveled to Manchester, to visit my wife's family and my cousin who all live in Salford.

I stayed at my cousin's apartment which allowed me to be all tech'd up, having access to my email and the blogs I follow seemed such a relief.

As we'd planned to stay until Tuesday, I thought I'd arrange a model shoot. I had placed a casting call on a model website for a TFP (time for prints). As it was to be outside and it being Manchester, I needed a plan B, an indoor location. I had contacted the manger of the Lime Bar at the Lowry, Salford Quays asking for permission to shoot inside and in front of the bar premises. He was really cool about it, allowing me to set up in an area near the front which has natural light coming in.

We spent an hour in the bar shooting using a single softbox and a reflector. I need to have extra light as the natural light was not present as it was so grey and overcast, quite dark in fact. When we saw the weather start to improve I decided to take the shoot outside. Well, it was bright but freezing. Luckily no wind, but really cold. My model, Lucia was very professional, not complaining even once. We were on the canal outside the designer outlet which did have a cold wind coming through. My cousin Vishal was there taking a few images for me, recording what I was doing, for this blog (I'll have those images up at the weekend). It was a really good session. I had fun and got quite a few new shots worthy of the portfolio/website.

Monday I took Mia out for a photo-walk in Manchester. We went to the Wheel, the Print Works and the Arndale, Piccadilly Gardens and St Ann's Square off Deansgate. Mia ended up taking more photos than I did. She is starting to develop that sense of knowing what she likes to look at. Understanding that it might not be a great photo, but that the object is something she likes the look of. I found it fascinating to follow her and try to work out why it looked nice to her. I'm really proud of her. On the way back to my cousins apartment we reviewed the images she took. I really had a great time with her.

Eating out - Meat, Meat and more Meat

On Monday 1st my cousin took me to a Brazilian restaurant just off Deansgate, Manchester. I'd been to a similar one in London, basically eat as much as you can for £22.50.

It was great. They had a buffet which had the regular salad, rice and stuff, but also had cooked meats and some fish too. This would have been great value at just £12.50 without the roasted meat on rotisserie skewers. There was pork and black beans, stewed beef, among other meats. But we were here for the rotisserie meat feast.

Beef and Lamb. different cuts perfectly cooked. Chicken and sausages, ditto. Ham, sweet and succulent.

We ate ourselves silly, it was so nice and can't wait to return. If you're up that way, check it out, if you like good food. you won't be disappointed.