photo Graphy

Travel photography and themes

2011-11-02T00:44:00.001Z

When travelling, keep in mind all your projects, and follow the threads of themes that are of particular interest to you. Each trip is a source for multiple projects, and all your trips and outings are where you will get materials for great coverage of each subjects.

Or you could take it the other way around and have a look at what you gathered in all these trips and discover the themes that run through your work...

MY BEST WISHES FOR 2011

2010-12-31T16:40:00.003Z

Spiderman

2010-08-20T23:51:00.002+01:00

Spiderman, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Dance and theatrical performances are a subject I really love. It is a all a question of ryhtm and anticipation.

Please forget bracketing and tune in to the show. Unless the performers are in a long pose, the timing is so tight that bracketing would most likely make you miss the moment. And it is so rewarding to capture the right moment: it is a bit like being part of it.

Of course, if you have the chance to see the spectacle a few times, you know you will get killer shots as you will already have spotted the crucial moments. However, I personally take a lot of pleasure getting it right on a unique performance....

It was that big!

2010-06-24T00:27:00.002+01:00

It was that big!, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

I had another shoot with my favorite model Anna, and the session was as explosive with ideas than ever. We have decided to meet again soon to explore some ideas and concept more deeply.
All the shots are taken on location, not in a studio. We were blessed with a raging sun, a very rare occurrence in Manchester.
Our sessions seem to always take the best of the day, until we are exhausted, but we did have so much fun!

George, Portrait of a Musician

2010-06-24T00:20:00.002+01:00

George, Portrait of a Musician, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

I shall praise natural light again...This shot was taken with solely the light from a window. It was a very sunny day, but the light was not direct. I find natural light to get not only the atmosphere, but also and mainly the character out of a person.
I'll have to destroy a myth for you though: This person is not a musician, but a fellow photographer....

Don't skip scouting

2010-06-01T20:38:00.004+01:00

In wedding photography, the backgrounds are very important, and it is good to exploit the location as much as possible. In the photo above, I matched the wallpaper in the bride's room with her dress, associating the colours and shapes.
Observing the environment is crucial, whether for light or elements, layouts , objects... Scouting is the best way to make the most of the places available. Don't skip scouting: you'd be unprepared...

Manchester University Fashion show 2010

2010-05-13T00:41:00.003+01:00

Under, over, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Another year, another fashion show for the Textile design, fashion and retail course of Manchester University. The students are the models, and one part of the garments are created by the students, the other part is bought items associated to represent the year's fashion. Quite interesting to see that the 80's return is not over, unfortunately with bright and fluorescent colours. The themes these year were tribal, Candy floss, bling, and underwear over. It was the 10th Fashion show, and all the proceeds like every year are going to a charity. The amphitheatre was full to bursting once again, excellent news for the charity...

Red hair again

2010-03-04T22:13:00.004Z

I have been working with Anna again, this time she dyed her hair red, and the shoot was outdoors around the Northern Quarter, a fantastic photographic playground.

We encountered a lot of derelict and decaying buildings, walls and oddities, like that filthy bearded mannequin head that we found on a chair, on a wild car park, or the old milk float, rubbles, rubbish and lots of empty alcohool bottles.
The shoot was very fruitful and inspiring and sprouted further ideas for future work.
A good rapport with a model decuples the opportunities during the shoots, and working several times with a model allows further exploration of ideas.
I worked with the available light as we were lucky enough to get a soft winter sun; to me, the world around us will always be the best studio...

Animals

2009-12-25T19:20:00.001Z

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

2009-11-28T12:52:00.006Z

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

2009-08-22T09:11:00.006+01:00

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

2009-07-28T01:26:00.004+01:00

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

2009-07-17T21:22:00.004+01:00

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...

2009-05-25T23:55:00.005+01:00

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

2009-05-25T02:33:00.007+01:00

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

2009-05-06T22:30:00.003+01:00

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

2009-03-13T23:49:00.005Z

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

2009-01-16T12:43:00.001Z

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....

Warrior of the Emerald Buddha temple

2008-12-01T13:53:00.002Z

Warrior of the Emerald Buddha temple, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

Two years ago I was back from a trip to Thailand. Considering the current events in Thailand and the unrest blocking the International airports in bangkok, If I'd gone at the ame period this year, I would have benefited from extended holidays...

Thailand is a truly beautiful country, well worth a visit at least...

Persistent rose

2008-09-23T17:04:00.001+01:00

Persistent rose, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

After a nonexistent summer, we get a few rays of sun, nature is a bit lost, not knowing what season we are in...

Photography and exploitation of pre-conceived ideas

2008-09-02T00:35:00.002+01:00

Platform, originally uploaded by Christ tell.

I went to Berlin two week ends ago, and I mischievously took photos that represented pre-conceived ideas about Germany. Although I stayed in Kreuzberg in Berlin which is very different to the rest of Germany, I wanted to capture some photos that represent a common view of Germany. Note the cleanliness, the 'No-frills' look, the rucksack, the clock to remind you of punctuality...
You can make your photos say anything. That's the magic of photography...

Urban moves Festival 26&27 July 2008

2008-08-19T20:32:00.008+01:00

Urban moves
Originally uploaded by Christ tell

Even though most of this summer has been cold and wet, the weather was magnificent on the weekend when the Urbanmoves Festival took place. One performance involved the dancers moving from the stage into Piccadilly Gardens fountain. As soon as they reached the fountain, the waterjet started, and all the kids joined them, screaming and jumping everywhere....

Lee Griffiths Concert at Alter Ego 31/05/2008

2008-06-07T01:47:00.004+01:00

Colin Ridyard and Lee Griffiths

Another great concert of Lee, with Colin joining him with vocals and guitar. The concert was supposed to happen at Moho as part of the Hide and Seek festival but due to a mix up, the band was moved to Alter Ego.
Not all the fans could catch up with the last minute changes, and since the venue was out of the way of the festival, the audience ended up as friends and family. Lee and Colin gave an outstanding performance.

The festival season has started in Manchester

2008-05-29T14:01:00.005+01:00

Kranius at the Ruby lounge

Last week-end featured two festivals in manchester city Centre:
- Eurocultured in Wakefield street with 5 venues and bands, european breakdance and graffiti competitions, a feast for the eyes, and
- MAPS, a Northern Quarter festival for Music, poetry,comedy, fashion, arts.... over 16 venues and 200 performers.

The UEFA cup disaster

2008-05-17T01:33:00.006+01:00

Considering how sour the 14th May turned out to be, a city center trashed and riots (more than 100 000 Glasgow Rangers gathered), I'll try to keep in mind the photo above taken the day before, of a little boy playing football on the Piccadilly Gardens fountain in Manchester city Center. Around the fountain were the Adult Rangers fans, cheering and drinking, and in the center, possibly the ones really deserving the name of fan, the children actually playing the game.

Some football event going on today

2008-05-13T21:41:00.006+01:00

I've always tried to avoid football, but living in Manchester makes it extremely difficult...

Spring

2008-05-11T21:00:00.005+01:00

Manchester University fashion show

2008-05-08T00:11:00.009+01:00

The fashion show represents a whole year of work for the students, who also are the catwalk models at the show. The event took place tonight.

2008-05-05T20:33:00.009+01:00

Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester is not the prettiest place in town, but it is a very popular spot for people to meet and soak up the little amount of sun that we get here at the moment. It is also providing children with a fountain of endless fun. The water jets appear, grow and vanish sometimes randomly, sometimes with a pattern. The parents watch their offspring and have dry clothes and towel ready for when the children come back to them exhausted and full of stories to tell as they start shivering...

The fairies are around us

2008-05-05T18:49:00.006+01:00

In the back street next to my building, there is a little fairy that it took me a long time to notice, she's watching who comes in. She's a beautiful creature, well hidden between a blue water pipe and a red brick wall. She must have been living here for a while....

What do you think she's watching?

Winter, The summer in reverse?

2008-01-09T21:32:00.003Z

(Port Grimaud, France)