Reflections on 2008

In January, it's traditional to look back at the past year and make resolutions for the next. Personally I need to start going to the gym again :) , but I also strive to improve myself in as many ways as possible, which includes aiming to take better images.  Photographers are probably the most critical of their own work- For example, only today I had to re-shoot some corporate headshots as I felt the lighting wasn't good enough- although the work was acceptable to the client, I knew it wasn't as good as it could be. The second attempt was much better as I had full control of the lighting, by changing the location and adding fill flash.

At a wedding the hired photographer isn't always so lucky- the church or venue may have very dim lighting so the fastest lenses (f/2 or better) and higher ISO speeds are necessary. Flash is often forbidden for the wedding photographer, as are the points at which images may be taken, although this can be difficult to understand when the congregation are snapping away throughout the ceremony with their compacts! In these situations the professional must strive to make their images different from the friends and relatives who may never set foot in the venue again, while the poor professional risks upsetting what can be a regular relationship with the priest or registrar.

Anyway I digress - here are some of my favourites from the last year- not all weddings, but each image has its own story. In the meantime let's hope the weather improves - it's freezing!

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The Lake District in October

Last month I drove up to the Lake District to get away from it all for a few days. I usually go to Wales or the Peak District with a friend, but he was busy and although both have fantastic scenic mountains, I fancied a change of scenery so I braved the M6 to Cumbria.

I stayed at the National Trust campsite in Grasmere this time, so I didn't have to chance my luck on the Wrynose and Hardknott passes which must easily be among  the scariest roads in the country. On arrival I soon found there was a race on as the place was full of overly-fit people- and it was very, very wet. Luckily I missed the flooding which happened a few weeks later and caused many of the race contestants to shelter in disused mines! I took the bad weather as a sign to find the nearest pub and sample the local delicacies.

Next day was bright and dry, so I visited Windermere, Keswick and Ambleside and managed to shoot some images. As I had a fair bit of camera gear I was on the lookout for any weddings that might have needed a photographer, as on a previous trip I passed one but didn't have my kit!

At Windermere I bumped into a very exciteable Liverpudlian photographer, who took my photo as he'd never seen a D3 before!

Here's a small selection of images from the few days I was there:

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