Saturday, December 10, 2011

I'm gonna blow my own trumpet

It's a hectic time of the year for many reasons: work, Christmas, work and Christmas and family related matters that make posting as regularly as I would like impossible, even visiting other peoples blogs has suddenly become harder and to be honest if it wasn't for The Week I'd be behind the times on a lot of issues.

It's because of those things that relaxing away from work and even getting away from the computer is important, possibly more so during the winter months when the hours of natural daylight are at a premium. I've been lucky enough in the last few weeks to photograph some really good models and to spend time in the company of people who are a world away from my 8-5 normal routine. Last weekend I photographed a young lady called Shannon and we had a really good time on a fashion style shoot the ideas for which had come from the weekend colour supplements. You know those ones that are aimed at aspirational couples who have retired to the countryside by their late forties and spend their days reading poetry, making cheese and checking to see how their pension portfolio is doing - ah come on, middle class stereotypes don't hurt anybody.

I've posted in the usual place some forty odd photographs from the shoot but the thing that struck me as I worked through them last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday was how strong the headshots were, especially as they were really a side order to the main dish. Photography is a hobby and I am always grateful when people take the trouble to look and post comments and to offer constructive criticism. What is obvious to me is that since moving to Southampton my photography has improved and I can't explain why. I've also been told by people that I'm laid back in the studio, which comes as something of a surprise to me and if I think I told the girls at work they'd die laughing.

Anyway, here is my favourite headshot of Shannon.

5 comments:

A Northern Bloke said...

I've had a look at the "Shannon Set" and there are a lot of very good photos there, Paul.

I know what you mean about getting away from the computer : I'm thinking of taking up a hobby that will take me away from the glare of the VDU and all the hassle of computers.

Paul said...

Thanks Shy, I appreciate your feedback. I'm going to change your status at some point from contact to friends and family because the session I did this week included a lot of shots I don't want to see turning up on the Interweb. There are a lot of photographs though and it won't be for a week or so.

I've really eased off non-work activity apart from the photographs and some tidying up of my back-ups it got to the point where I physically didn't want to switch the computer on out of office hours.

A Northern Bloke said...

Yes, I understand, Paul. I find it all too easy to sit at the computer for hours and acheive more or less nothing. To be honest, I think the time of year is taking its toll and I suspect that after Christmas I may well find new levels of energy.

Span Ows said...

I'm spending less time online, still teh blog and a couple of other places but alot less tahn before! Feeling better for it too. Great picture, very nice depth and she's quite nice too!

Paul said...

Thanks Span. Less computer time means less mental energy expanded on things I can't change.