Shooting Nana: Conclusion

So where are we after all these pictures of Nana?

Well we’ve some lovely images here and personally it was well worth getting these taken.  She’s someone who I’ve found difficult to capture in an image and now I feel I have something that starts to do her justice.

However this was also a series of experiments in photography as well as an excuse to photograph Nana.

I’m definitely liking the medium format thing:

  • I really like shooting with the longer focal length lens (for the same distance to subject) and the look and feel it creates in a portrait.
  • I kinda like the ultra-slow consideration that’s forced by 12 shots.  It’s very different and for the right subject works very well.  I need to not rush through them and forget the tendancy for continuous shooting.  If I talk more and shoot less without putting pressure to click every few minutes I might get more variation from my 12 and more keepers.
  • I really like the interaction not being stuck behind the finder.
  • I don’t however love it so much I’m going to drop €20k on Medium Format digital.  If I had the client base for more of this I might consider it.

My 35mm digital working is much more dynamic.  It allows much more freedom to shoot and it suits the way I work with kids much more.  It has less advantages for more static subjects like this but:

  • Working on the tripod with the release got better this time and is something that I will definitely bring into more of my commercial portrait and profile sessions.  In fact I’ve already shot one almost entirely from the tripod.

35mm Film presents very little extra to add to the way I work at this stage.  It’s has only two things going for it and these aren’t going to be enough to offset the cost and advantage of Full Frame digital:

  • It ‘slightly’ slows you down and makes you think a bit more before shooting duplicate images.  But you could force yourself to work this way equally with digital.
  • That film looks is really nice – and it hides lots of technical issues that become distracting in high-definition digital.  But the hassle and expense of processing 35mm black and white film and the ability to do this digitally (albeit not as easy or consistently) doesn’t make this worth while apart from the sheer fun of it.
  • I have to give up part of the workflow: I am at the mercy of the lab unless I take the time to process my own film.  The amount of crap and scratches on the negs of all the films was quite astonishing.  In fairness this is probably a function of the amount of film being processed but this was also a feature in my previous use of film.  It was less of an issue with the 120 as the negs are that much larger but it killed off a few images on 35mm completely.

So it’s easy to see why 35mm film is pretty much a craft market these days.  It’s lovely to work in but lacks a strong case for sticking with it.

The assumption here though is that you can afford to kit yourself out with 35mm Full Frame DSLR kit.  If you’re shooting a crop sensor or even a compact with a smaller sensor and you want that ’50mmf1.4′ look then in fact a film SLR and a 50mm lens may be your most cost effective way of starting out.  It might be enough to help you understand if this is going to be useful before forking out and extra few grand on a Full-Frame DSLR.

I’ve learned something about shooting portraits.  I have some new techniques that are now good enough to use commercially (and can still improve).

I’m not sure I’ll be using 120 film in my commercial work but I will be ordering some more film for a few more personal shoots.

The fun of spending time with Nana, shooting with all those cameras and the feedback on the images was definitely worthwhile.

Autumn Family Portrait Special Offer

€50 Session Fee + 10% Discount on Prints and Storyboards

It’s a perfect time to get out and have a Family Photo Session: autumn is here and the woods look fantastic; it’s bright and still warm outside.

This October we’re offering special discounted rates on all session booked from now until the end of the mid-term break.

For €50 you get a full Family Session anywhere in the Cork.  We’re also offering a 10% Discount on the Gallery Price list for print orders placed at your viewing after your session.

There are many spots around Cork for great Outdoor Family Photo Sessions.  We’ve worked in Currabinny, Rostellan, Fota Gardens and even more suburban locations like Fitzgerald’s Park and the Japanese Gardens.  All we need is somewhere you can be free to relax and play and we can capture your family at their best.

You might also consider some of our great local beaches at this time of year: Myrtleville, Rocky Bay, Garretstown or the Dock Beach have all worked well for us in the past.

But if you have your own favourite spot that your family know well then why not get photos taken there.

Weekend sessions are available but with limited availability.  The promotion runs through to the end of the October Mid-term break so you can also schedule a session while the kids are off school (3rd November).

Contact us now for more info or to book your session: 021 429 3714 rob@roblambphoto.com

Terms and Conditions Apply:

  • You have to be prepared to go out there and have fun
  • The Session Rate of €50 applies to family sessions booked between 4th October 2013 and 3rd November 2013
  • The 10% Discount applies to the normal Gallery Price List and is only applied to products ordered at your viewing session (subsequent orders will be priced at our normal rates)
  • In the unlikely event that the weather isn’t great the day of your session then we’ll re-schedule (I don’t mind getting a bit wet but there are some days when it’s just not going to happen).  The offer will still apply to rescheduled sessions even if they have to get taken after 3rd November.
  • All work is covered by our normal terms and conditions of business

Bring on the Autumn

Family Photographs Outdoors
Don’t let the weather stop you

OK so the weather has taken a turn after one of the best summers we’ve had for years.  But don’t let that stop you getting out there and enjoying yourselves.

In fact it’s still pretty mild and there’s some dry weather forecast.  The woods are looking fab at the moment and there’s nothing kids like better than getting out there and enjoying the fresh air now that schools are back and we spend so much time indoors.

So it’s a great time to organise a Family Photography Session and we’re launching a new promotion to help you make the step and book your session this Autumn.  Watch this space for more details.

€30 Christmas Vouchers Now Available

Following the success of previous year’s Kris Kringle vouchers we’re making them available again this Christmas.

These are limited availability vouchers that give the gift of a full family session and a 5×7 print for just €30.

We’ve found that people coming back to us with these vouchers were all delighted to receive them – often they were thinking about getting a family session done but hadn’t gotten around to making the booking.

Our family sessions are unique, they are designed to be relaxed and fun and the images that come out are the gift that lasts a lifetime – so why not give the gift of bit of magic for Christmas.

Happy Holidays

With the schools closed it’s time to move to my normal summer office hours.

From 9th July until 31st August, my normal office hours will change to 10-12 Monday to Friday.

As usual, these are the hours when I will definitely be in the office.  I am generally available in the Gallery for most of the day but since it’s just me here then I do need to close the Gallery and go out to meet clients, suppliers and take photos (not necessarily in that order).

So if you want to just drop in then 10-12 is your best bet.  If that doesn’t suit then just call me to confirm that I’m in the Gallery at another time during the day – or we can make an appointment.

I am still taking evening and weekend appointments over the summer.

We having a few plans for going away over the summer which will mean that the Gallery will be closed for a few days.  Most of these are weather dependant so nothing definite yet.  One of the advantages of working for yourself is the flexibility of your working hours (tempered against the need to work whenever you’re needed) – so this summer I intend to take advantage of that flexibility a small bit.

So if you need me, call and make an appointment – 021 429 3714 (diverts to mobile if I’m not here) or drop in 10-12.

The Best Professional Photographer in Douglas

Bluebells and Fairies

The best sessions are just plain fun.  The kids aren’t performing, they’re just being themselves and I’m lucky enough to share that and get to capture it in a series of stunning images.

And what’s more beautiful than young ladies gathering bluebells!

Special Easter Forest Sessions: €50 Session + Canvas Wrap

Great Package Offer this Easter

With the Easter Holidays approching and Spring definitely here, it’s time to get out in the local parks and forests and take some pictures!

People always love our Forest Sessions and to encourage you to get out there this Easter break we’re offering a special promotional offer.

For €50 you get:

  • A full Outdoor Session in the Cork Area
  • A Viewing Session at the Gallery in Ardfallen Estate to review your selected images
  • A 12×18 Canvas Wrap

The offer applies to Outdoor Sessions taken between 31st March and 15th April 2012 (no sessions available on Easter Sunday 8th April).  Other products can be purchased using session images at our normal pricing.

So now’s your chance to get that Forest Session done over the school holidays.

Call us now to make your booking – 021 429 3714

Sos Beag

We’re taking a couple of days out over the mid term so the Gallery will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week (13th to 15th Feb).

I will be available on the mobile for anything urgent but otherwise feel free to drop me an email and I’ll get back to you on Thursday.

First Holy Communions in 2012

First Holy Communion Pictures

I have just added two new pages to the blog giving information about the Communion Sessions and Packages for this year.

First Holy Communion Photographs for 2012 contains details of the various types of services offered for Communion Days

First Holy Communion Packages 2012 contains details of the print packages available to both Communion and Confirmation sessions

There’s a fair bit of information in these pages but feel free to contact me if you need anything else: 021 429 3714 or rob@roblambphoto.com