Photo of the day (Nuthatch)

Taking photographs of wild birds can be incredibly frustrating. No sooner have you raised your camera and the moment is lost.

Not so today, though. This little Nuthatch was joyfully pecking away at the dead branch in shot and was more than happy to be photographed.

Nuthatch. (Aperture 5.6, Shutter speed 1/80, ISO 100).

If only every day out with the camera was like this one!

Shock Rock Photography (album covers)

In this post, I want to explore three images and a range of techniques when photographing a Shock Rock artist for a potential album cover. I want to demonstrate techniques that help to convey a sense of unease and create a sinister atmosphere. Essentially, we want to disturb the viewer!

Filling the frame

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What skills does a photographer need today? 2000s and beyond (part two)

This post is part of a series that charts the history of photography since the 1900s. The series takes a decade-by-decade look at how the skills a photographer needs have changed in light of technological, economic, and societal change.

The ‘democratic’ medium

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Five Spooky Image Ideas for Halloween

Halloween is a perfect opportunity for photographers to experiment. There are so many creative effects to explore!

I want to share five techniques I used over the weekend. These ideas range from the simple, where you don’t need a fancy camera, to the more advanced, where you’ll need a degree of skill with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Hopefully, there’s something for everyone.

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What skills does a photographer need today? 2000s and beyond (part one)

This post is part of a series that charts the history of photography since the 1900s. The series takes a decade-by-decade look at how the skills a photographer needs have changed in light of technological, economic, and societal change.

Rise of the smartphone

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Photography: “The all-seeing eye.”

I’m currently on holiday in Greece reading Debbie Harry’s autobiography, where she refers to photography as “the all-seeing eye.” This recalled Mick Rock’s similar description in a previous post, where he talks about photography as the “all-pervasive beast.” For me, the image conjures up sinister connotations from Tolkien and the eye of Sauron. A kind of unwanted surveillance that is menacing, invasive, and inescapable.

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What skills does a photographer need today? The 1990s.

This post is part of a series that charts the history of photography since the 1900s. The series takes a decade by decade look at how the skills a photographer needs have changed in light of technological, economic, and societal change.

Digital cameras

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