Animals

Elephant, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

If you are not going onto an faraway safari, You can still pay a visit to the zoo. Take it as a challenge to use the existing backgrounds, and use the proximity of the animals to your advantage. Change your perspective and try to be creative. It is a good exercise, and a great challenge.
And your entry ticket will help towards feeding the animals, because as much as we'd all like to see them free, zoo animals cannot be released in the wild...

Natural portraits

Ana - simply, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Two essentials for portraits: good light, and a good model. But one needs both at once.

Models? Good modelling is something innate that can be worked on to improve, but if the spark is not there in the fist place, there will be limitations.

Light? Natural is best in my opinion, but if it's not available, a good light set up is the next best thing. the current cameras are pushing the boundaries and will do so even more in the future to capture what ambiance light is.

There is one more element, the catalyst: The rapport between the model and the photographer...

These are the ingredients, now the cooking...!

For this project with ana, I had access to alocation with two full wall of natural diffuse light (yes naturally diffuse in Manchester: we have the clouds for that...lucky if we get a ray of sun), and one of the walls was raw concrete.

Ana, although not a professionnal model, is very at ease, natural and let's face it, has a knack for it.

I also happen to know Ana well enough as a friend. Great for insight, trust, complicity, and confidence.

We all enjoyed the shoot, it was very relaxed and friendly, and so the atmosphere totally conducive.

The old Dubai

I feel utterly spoilt in Dubai, The light is amazing, and the locals are so kind and enthusiastic about having their photo taken... This is the kind of portrait which is difficult to achieve in the UK or in France, random people will not let you take a photo of them. Here, they ask for it, and I think their generosity appears on the photos as they look sereine, sometimes severe because they pose very seriously, but humour and smiles are behind it...
When I ask to take a photo of people, I am greeted with joyous welcome and a great human exchange.
I wander alone all over Dubai, and feel very safe. 95 % of people in the street are men, and they are curious about me, as it is a rare sight, a woman walking about on her own. But rather than harrassment, I get help and friendliness. Dubai is such a mix of culture that an openness is created. Sometimes, somebody will ask me to take their portrait which I do with great pleasure of course, and a crowd quickly aggregate around us, then I am asked to take more and more portraits, and when it's finished, the crowd disperses in an instant. I feel amused by it, and have not felt threatened once. I can only understand curiosity too well...

Wedding red hair

Kate, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Red hair brides are a godsent for the photographer, even better when the bride has a fair skin, it's a light feast and a great opportunity to play with colours, high key, contrasts....
I really enjoyed taking Kate's photos for her red hair, but she also had a very unusual dress which meant a fresh look for the wedding....

Wedding Photography

Kate, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Wedding Photography in Britain is often an issue regarding the weather: Whilst you'd expect a beautiful bright sun in the summer, we're more often than not confronted to that characteristic and caracterless white sky... Thankfully compensated by the shining bride!...

On the mood of exotic rains...

Sudden rain in Gurney drive, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

As I was having a meal at the Gurnley drive hawker center, a sudden and very heavy rain started puring down.

As much as I do mind spitty rain in Britain, I do not mind the warm rains of Asia. The atmosphere changes, and the rain refreshes, I don't mind the wettness and sogginess as I know I won't be freezing or shivering... And everything suddenly seems to be darker, and shimmer ...

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Last year, when I travelled to Georgetown on Penang Island, Malaysia, I stayed in the best hotel I could ever dream of. I was very lucky and grateful to be able to rent a room in this historical place.
The Mansion is a masterpiece of Feng Shui, renovated and winner of the 'UNESCO Conservation Award 2000 National Architecture Award for Conservation 1995'.
The Blue house as it is also called, has a soul, and a captivating history, and is a wonderful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.

And of course a fantastic photo opportunity...

You can find more details on the official website and the Wikipedia pages (the Mansion - the man:Cheong Fatt Tze), definitely worth a look.

Fashion Photography

Harvey Nics, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Fashion Photography needs lots of expensive props, expensive beautiful people, a good studio, great lights, a scene, a lot of planning and organistion..
But it does not need to be so, why not start with shooting details? Shopwindows are great places to start, find the angles, quircky details, interesting light. It's a fun activity, creative in another way, that will improve your photography, if not your studio skills.

Broadstone gallery Exhibition opening

Broadstone gallery Exhibition opening, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

The opening took place on Thursday 12-03-2009, featuring artwork from the residents as well as a few external artists.
Broadstone gallery is a great art/studio venue. Well worth a visit...

www.broadstone.co.uk
Venue: Broadstone Gallery
Upper Ground, Broadstone Mill, Broadstone Rd Reddish, Stockport SK5 7DL

You could spot some of my work on your visit....

Tirasia Harbour

Tirasia Harbour, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Technology is of great help in photography, but sometimes, light is more important.
I took this photo a few years ago with a brandless 2MP camera. I only added a touch of nostalgia with lightroom.
Shooting with low quality equipment has its great rewards, and I love to have at hand both limited and high technology equipment....