>Are you a Family that keep Chickens?

>Are you a Family that keeps Chickens? If so I would be interested in hearing from you. Ideally you would need to live in North London, Hertfordshire or Essex area. I have a magazine that is after shots of families, preferably with children that keep their own chickens.

If your interested please contact me. I will be able to give you more information.

>Jodie Gasson and syndication splits

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I wrote a post on Glamour model Jodie Gasson in 2009. At that time I was hoping to make available picture sets for sale to my usual agency for this type of shot. Unfortunately on this occasion no reasonable agreement was made between myself and the models manager at that time for a syndication split. Such a shame as I’ve had a a lot of interest in the images from this shoot. They will now only be seen on flickr and this blog.

Much glamour photography is done on this basis and the photographer and model would only receive money if the photos sell to magazines or similar. Some photographers even deduct a value for their expenses before any such split is made. Jeff Walker of Epic Pictures explains how syndication works on his website.

Note:- I have reprocessed the shot posted here, you can see the original version here. Also a brief note on syndication and my photography; At the moment I am not shooting glamour pictures. I do sometimes shoot lifestyle pictures (you get to keep all your clothes on) which I submit to one of my picture libraries I deal with. I don’t pay any money up front, I do pay a split as per syndication should the picture/s sell. Pictures can sell more than once or not at all. If I do this with a model I was also endeavor to get some pictures that the model can use for their own portfolio. If you would like me to consider you for something like this in the future please contact me.

>Berlin – Brandenburg Gate on Fotolia

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I recently went to Berlin, Germany to Visit a friend. I didn’t get to take as many pictures as I would have liked to have done. Also the weather wasn’t in my favour for quality images for stock use. I did however, manage to capture a few of the Brandenburg Gate, or Brandenburger Tor, if you live in Germany.

NatJag – Fotolia.com

As they were only taken on my 8MP camera I didn’t feel the quality would be good enough to upsize and submit to my collection at Alamy. Instead I sent it to a microstock site called fotolia.

There have been many discussions about micro stock sites on photography forums as they sell pictures at a very low price. This is very good for many people that have personal blogs and want quality images to use without the huge cost that businesses would be able to afford for slightly more exceptional images. I only have a small collection on this site as I removed much of it a few years ago. They still have strict quality controls and one of my images wasn’t accepted. Next time I visit Berlin, I will perhaps take my tripod and get some exceptional images of the city.

Also see a rejected image by fotolia on my rarely used blog site at Shutterchance.com

>Radio times party with Terry Wogan

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Last week on 18th January there was a Radio Times Cover party at Claridges Hotel in London. The event was listed as ‘No Press Access’. This didn’t stop many photographers from turning up outside the hotel anyway. I was really pleased to have photographed broadcasting legend Terry Wogan. Although it wasn’t a posed studio shot, it was still nice to have seen him through my lens.

I am now away in Berlin for a few days.

As I mostly try to to point out, all the photos on my blog and on the first link included are taken by myself (except where I state otherwise). In this instance they are available for commercial use via Famous Pictures. If you are interested in prints of my pictures contact me for details.

>Hollyoaks actress Melissa Walton celebrates her 21st Birthday in London

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It is very quiet for me at the moment. Things should be picking up soon, with few lifestyle shoots being planned.

The other week I went to the Café de Paris in London for Melissa Walton’s 21st Birthday. This was as a paparazzi photographer rather than being in a press pen or something similar. Melissa Walton is in Hollyoaks. I was hoping a few of the other actresses from the show would also turn up. Sadly for me they didn’t. I’m sure it didn’t stop Melissa enjoying her night.

>2010 – A few favorite or special pictures

>I thought it would be interesting to have a look through my pictures and post a few pictures that either I like or were special to me for a reason. I’ve not included any shots that I have already posted. Non of these pictures were very successful for me. That’s not always the point for me.

This first shot of Jodie Marsh was taken in February 2010 at a Haiti Earthquake fundraiser at the Roundhouse in Camden Town. There weren’t many photographers at this. There weren’t many celebrities either. As a result, many photographers left after an hour. Another photographer Brian Jordan of Celebrity photos UK and myself stayed, the promotors/pr promised free beer. Jodie Marsh arrived and Brian asked a busker outside the venue if we could borrow his guitar, he obliged.

The second shot of Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud was taken after a day in London. I had a few events to cover. A free concert “Music for Mum’s” for Cancer in Covent Garden, with Gabriella Cilmi, follow by the variety Club annual dinner and ball at the Hilton Hotel in London. On my way back to the station I walked past the Mayfair Hotel to see a friend of mine. Within 10 minutes Nicola Roberts walked out wearing this stunning outfit.

This final shot was taken of US singer Rihanna at London’s o2. It isn’t technically a great shot. I found out the day of the concert photographers would be at the mix position 2/3 back in the venue. I would need to longer focal length than I had. I couldn’t have hired a lens (which I didn’t think about at the time) I decided to purchase a 2x extender. This creates problems,as I will loose 2 stops of light, in addition the quality isn’t great unless stopped down to at least f8 (f5.6 is the minimum on the 70-200 f2.8 lens). There were many other photographers there with nikon cameras (great at high ISO) and 400mm prime lens. I was surprised how good some of the shots were, although not tack sharp, I had caught what I needed to of the concert. This taught me a few things; next time I should hire a lens.

Finally I would like to wish anyone that reads this best wishes and blessings for 2011. Thanks for looking and following.

>Saturdays help for Breast Cancer

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Not much from me this week as I went to Berlin for a few days. The night before (13th December) I was given a choice of events to go to. I choose one that supported Breast Cancer, Concert For Cure. For a few reasons, one being that it was for a good cause and the second was that I would get to shoot some live performances. Girl group The Saturdays were the headline act. Other acts on were Daisy Dares you and Lauren Pritchard. We only got 1 song from each act. Here is my favorite shot from the night.

Technical info:- Lens used on this shot was 17-40 (we were right on top of the stage), Other lens used for head shots (pictures seen in link) 70-200 processed the RAW file in Aperture 3.

As (almost) always, the direct link includes all shots taken by myself on the night, including posed shots on the promotional boards.

>Craig Douglas Benefit Concert

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Craig Douglas is a singer from the early 1960′s. He was still performing up til last year when I was suddenly taken ill. His legs are now paralyzed which prevents him from doing all the things he use to, as it would anyone else in the same situation. Saturday 11th December a benefit concert was arranged for him to raise money to help him. They raise short of £5000. Craig sung a 3 songs at the end of the night including his no 1 hit Only Sixteen.

While this picture isn’t how Craig Should be remembered, it shows how brave he was to perform in-front of people while in his wheelchair.

The Link about shows some of the other performer that performed for free on the night. All pictures are available for commercial use via Wire Image and Getty Images.

>I’m back in the country with Kylie Minogue on Sunday

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I’m now back from my 2 month tour of Holland. This means I’m back to taking photos. My first job back was the 2nd day of the Jingle Bell Ball. The main person I wanted to photograph was Kylie Minogue. 20-25 years ago being in front of Kylie and taking her photo would have been a dream come true. It isn’t the first time I’d been fortunate enough to take her picture. The first time wasn’t so great for me. Unfortunately, concentrating on taking a picture means I don’t remember the moment. I have to make sure I get the picture, rather than be in the moment. She looked stunning as you can see from the picture.

Please note:- not all pictures in the event gallery at famous are taken by myself.

>I’m Out the Country

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I’m now out the country for 2 months touring Holland with a Cliff Richard and Shadows Tribute show.

See you in December