I am now back from a busy and eventful Photography Show (TPS) at the NEC. Always good to visit and glad this one was back in Birmingham.
It is always an honour to be asked to speak there and when Benro invited me to talk on the first day, I couldn’t refuse! As part of the MAC group, they also encompass Shimoda and Tenba and I am ever grateful for the support that they give me in my work.
Whilst I have four (soon to be five) talks that I give, this was to be a new one, specifically for the show on the Fundamentals stage, which of course speaks for itself: back to basics!
I developed and delivered it entitled, ‘I’m not a megalomaniac but…’ which basically explores the reasons why ‘we’ as landscape photographers are actually megalomaniacs. Not in an aggressive way of course but we control the camera, we control the light and we control the outcome of our images. To be fair, you could label that at most forms of photography but you get my drift….catchy title though!
image courtesy of Wayne Ellison
Point proven!
As usual, as with all my talks, I included lots of puns etc and I even received emails from people who not only enjoyed the talk (the stand up as a couple referred to it) and understood what I meant but they also included jokes for me to use too!
I thank you!!
It is always nice when people come up and talk with me straight after. as often happens with the clubs I visit, it’s nice to share stories and experiences with like minded people. I would also like to thank the those who took the time and trouble to write to me too. I appreciate that.
As you mooch around, checking out stands in hall 5, it is always nice to bump into old friends and also make new ones. This year didn’t disappoint.
On top of that, I had some excellent conversations with both LEE and Fujifilm who have supported me for many years and I whilst not an ambassador for the latter anymore, the management and staff go out of their way to tell me that I am still part of ‘the family group and always will be.’ I really appreciate that.
As for my own photography kit, I am satisfied with the camera and lenses I currently have and see no reason to change. My trusty X Pro 2 is still going strong and until it decides to show signs of old age (like me…..…) then I will keep on using it. Still good to see what is around though.
As many of you now know, I have done what I said I would never do: namely to return to making programmes.
After a working a lifetime producing and directing, I finally retired from the Home Office in 2008 and I said that, “from now on, it will just be ‘the single image’ for me.”
Well, that was the intention….
How can I put it….times have changed and more importantly so has the technology.
I was fortunate to work with excellent professionals who knew their role in production and when I look back, it amazes me to think that when I started out shooting broadcast quality programmes some forty years ago, there were three or four of us crewing the shoot. With mics, lights and tripods etc it was a mission sometimes to set up and get things done. It was still enjoyable and never felt like a job though.
Now…..it is relatively easy to get a programme produced. Of course, I’m talking about the technical side though not the quality….thats a different kettle of fish! It is me as the presenter/researcher/composer with a small microphone and Vicki on camera using my iPhone, cradled in a DJI Osmo 7P Gimbal! At this point, I have to give a big shout out to Vicki, as she has never done anything like this before and is ‘learning’ as we go along. As ever, I am ever grateful for all the help and assistance she lends to the work we do. To be honest, as I had been used to working with a professional cameraman when we made the programmes I was happy to slow the whole thing down so that she could assimilate what was needed but as ever she is a quick learner and has acquired some excellent skills. I am delighted with what she has done and those who know me are aware that if I didn’t think it worthy, I wouldn’t put the films out there.
Extraordinary what you can do with just a small kit. If you haven't already seen it here is my latest offering. I hope you enjoy!
This year at TPS, I went on the hunt to find a small LED light for my videos, to use when I undertake the piece to camera segments in my office. I eventually found one made by a company called NEWELL and I shall be using that in the near future.
It is called the ‘Cutie Pie’ so how could I resist….!
If you watch the programmes I have recently put out, you will notice that in the end credits, yours truly also composes and records the music that accompanies them.
Music and its creation is something that has always fascinated me. I admit in all honesty I dabble but it does the job for what I want. Adds to the creative side and I spend as much time composing pieces to fit the narrative, as I do cutting the programme. Many moons ago, I had an actual studio set up with mixing desk, tape machines, keyboards, synths, drum machines and recording equipment.
Now?
My iMac is my photography and music workstation, as it controls the recording software which is connected to a couple of special boxes for my guitars and synth keyboard.
How times have changed and for the better in my opinion.
I am now back home and it is an office day. The sun is shining (not my favourite photography weather anyway) so I will plough on and look at a few more intimate landscapes I recently took near Coniston.
Lets hope that it starts to warm up now and we can go out now that spring has sprung!
My shorts are at the ready….you have been warned!
Enjoy your photography!
Regards
Mark