Homework 1 - technical info

All of the pictures were created using my Nikon D80. Pictures 1,3,4 & 5 with the 50mm 1.4 lens, picture 2 was with my 18-135mm kit lens. All the pictures were taking in daylight (no artifical light source) and I tweeked the images using lightroom 3 and CS5. For pictures 3&4 I used my tripod ( a basic Jessops tp 320 for now!) and shot each picture using the manual setting and in RAW. I played with the aperture and shutter speed until I had created the desired exposure and depth of field.

Homework 1

......and at the start of time.......the gorgeous APPLE was born from the skies!



Behold..........The fruit of KINGS (and Queens!)

Basking in the glory of the kitchen, spending it's days with fellow fruit bowl dwelling articles.............

Until one horrific day..............the mistress decided to harvest the fruit dwelling vestibule in a mass cull!!

and a great feast followed, leaving nothing left of the once beautiful and plentiful fruit........

The End

Some of my previous work



 I've been interested in photography for many years and started my obsession with an olympus SP 350. This enabled me to start learning about the basic functions within the camera as well as having the usual 'point and shoot' capability. I started to learn about shutter speed and aperture and became more creative in my shots.

 In Dec 2007 I took the plunge and bought my Nikon D80 with 18-135 lens and really started to get into it. I was lucky enough to be going to New York over that New Year and took hundreds of shots of this energetic and vibrant city. It was a shame that I didn't use the full capability of the camera, but I was still very new and had a huge amount to learn. Over the next 18 months, I simply took pictures wherever I was and whenever I could.

In 2010, I thought it was time to get some proper training so I stared a 'portrait' photography course at Cannock college. I found it very rewarding as not only did I learn a great deal in the classes, I also met professional photographers (including Maggie) and was able to draw upon their expertise. In May I did my first photoshoot for a friends Saxophone band an in June I did my first Wedding.

I also started taking pictures of dogs (I have a golden lab called 'Eddie' and I have several friends with dogs!).



Then.......I invested in a 50mm 1.4 lens!

I have now done a few photoshoots (with the guidance and support from my friend Maggie! - she's a star!) of friends and family.

And finally......why am I doing this course?

I want to succeed in gaining a recognised qualification in photography so that I can gain more confidence and skill in a activity that I love doing. I'm also, very much, looking forward to meeting like minded people and learning in relaxed and friendly environment where we can all share knowledge and expertise.

First post!

I'm very excited to be on this course as I'm a very passionate amateur photographer who wishes to improve my photographic skills and knowledge and mix with and learn from a group of people who share my 'obsession'.

I find people fascinating and love taking portrait shots that captures a persons essence and character. I wish to broaden my horizons, stretch my brain and most of all enjoy the next 16 weeks!