Painting with light - or tripping around in the dark!

I belong to a photographic group called the Tamar Photographic Group. Our activities are practical based, and we try out new techniques as often as we can.

On Wednesday 13th October, we gained the permission of the vicar, then invaded the churchyard, where we practiced "painting with light". This involved sweeping a one-million candle power torch light across various landmark areas of the churchyard to illuminate selective areas over a longish exposure. As our confidence rose, we also tried combining bursts of flash with the torchlight. Some of the group got some brilliant images before the torch batteries failed!

Trying to avoid falling over/into the graves was challenging in the dark! It was also quite spooky seeing bursts of flash, which lit up the graves in a very spooky manner!

The hand-bell ringers in the church got a bit alarmed by all the flashing that was going on, and came out to investigate! When they found we weren't vandals, they were very interested in seeing what we'd shot!

Great fun was had by all - and it's a technique we will definitely be trying out another time, putting into practice what we learned on the 13th!

A couple of my efforts are shown below!

Spare time - what's that?

Have had the honour to be invited to assist a very talented wedding photographer.

I have known Maggie McCall (www.maggiemacall.com) for over ten years, and have long admired her portraiture and landscape work. Since her return from New Zealand a couple of years ago, she has been building up her Wedding business - and now needs another assistant. I am "training" with her for the rest of this year - so we can match styles and while it is really exciting - it is also quite nerve-wracking! Fortunately, my camera kit is pretty good - especially the lenses! So - it's technique that needs fine tuning! That's what I will be doing most Saturdays for the next few weeks!

All above shots were taken at the recent Wedding Fayre at Dartington Hall, Devon

Hair cut day!

The tree man eventually got his truck fixed, and arrived to give the trees a haircut. They are looking a bit shorn - but I'm sure they will look great next year! They needed doing, as Mike had difficulty getting around some of them to mow the lawns! Should also be able to see what was planted under some of them - especially the Rhus Cotinus and the Magnolia Soulangeana. Uploaded a snap at last! Hope my lovely sister stops nagging me now?!

Tree Pruning

The tree surgeon was supposed to call today to do the once-every-three years "haircut" on the trees - particularly the Magnolia, which is looking very shaggy! However, he had truck problem - so now it will have to be Wednesday. Hope the weather holds? Will post some snaps then.

Sunrise/sunset

Been out on Dartmoor twice this week (6.00am until 7.30pm) trying to get stunning photos! So far - nil! Heavy, thick cloud along the skyline on both occasions - and on all four outings - meant great disappointments! Lots of mileage - so not very green, I'm afraid! But I shan't give up easily!! Watch this space!

The photo used today is one that I took a while ago. Not Dartmoor, I know - but pretty, isn't it?