My Monthly Newsletter

Well, that’s my Monthly Newsletter for February compiled, despatched and for many, received – all today! The Newsletter gives ideas, tips and hints and tells folk what I am up to generally and how I can help with outdoor photography specifically.

Let me know if you would be added to the list, and I will also send you a back copy. All good stuff you know!!

Displaying my wares…

Last Friday evening I was invited to show my work to Kingswood Photographic Society, near Bristol. It was a great evening and I was made to feel so welcome!
This is an excellent way of not only showing people what I do (and where, how and why) but I can also get the opportunity to give my sponsors and supporters some publicity as well as recruit new clients. But, for me above all else, it is the immense pleasure I gain through simply sharing with others the absolute passion I have for my photography!  Off to the Rhondda Valley in south Wales later this week to do it all again – I do love my job 

Nick Up North…

Last week saw me presenting to  three camera clubs in Scotland; Dunfermline, Edinburgh and Kelso. I love showing clubs and societies what I do – it’s not about showing off, but rather about sharing. I was very well looked after by all three clubs and they seemed to enjoy what they were shown! It also helps raise my profile a bit and maybe attract more clients for my photo workshops at the same time.

On the way home I stopped over on the Northumberland Coast, a superb AONB with SO many opportunities. The weather was first class too – cold but dry and bright!

All in all a busy but massively enjoyable week. The car is now 1300 miles worse off and absolutely filthy!

Embleton Bay and Dunstanburgh Castle

On the offchance…

of some fairly favourable weather today I took off to Cardiff Bay and the nature reserve of Cosmestion Lakes, an old quarry beautifully converted to a country park, in Penarth. The blackest of skies and horrifically heavy hail did yield for short periods, giving some lovely moody winter light.

I did manage to get a few robin shots before it all kicked off again. One is attached.

Merry Christmas and a Happy 2012!

The weather in that part of the UK where I live is currently what I believe the Scots call driech! Grey, wet, a bit cold and more than a bit miserable. But, that means it has to get better soon, so camera batteries charged, lenses cleaned and I am ready for the first whiff of blue sky!!

Lots planned for next year, including plenty of workshops; one day and longer. Also, I am getting into the swing of Blurb Books now – have you checked out my Frpm Trickles to Torrents yet?

Aiming to attract many more commercial customers too, to really help them promote their businesses – things are tight so I reckon every little has to help.

In the meantime, may I wish all of you a lovely Christmas and a happy and health 2012. Your support, Facebook comments (well some of them!), patronage and general enthusiasm is so much appreciated!

Nick J

From Trickle To Torrent…

I finally completed my latest Blurb book last night, at 12.30! It is all about waterfalls and how I photograph them. Waterfalls are one of my favourite photographic subjects and I am lucky to have so many quite close to where I live.Here is the link to the book. Have a flick through and maybe buy a copy.

http://www.blurb.com/books/2827125

Camera Club Presentations

Whilst I am infront of the computer, I had a lovely evening last Wednesday – gave a talk to Crai Camera Club in a hotel in Brecon. Some new photographs in the talk/presentation and, though I say it myself, it was pretty good! The same talk is ready now for Cardiff University Photography Society this coming Tuesday.

I really enjoy giving talks. It’s about sharing where I go, what I do and how I do it – and a presentation to a group is an excellent way to do that!

Our Glorious Weather!

We seem, in the UK at the moment, to be ‘enjoying’ the old four seasons in 24 hours scenario again. Actually, I love it. It gives some fantastic lighting opportunities for us outdoor photographers. I took myself off to the Glamorgan Heritage Coast yesterday and enjoyed a mixture of blue sky, low sun, sun rays, dramatic dark clouds etc.

For sure not all the photographs were top notch, but one or two I was pleased with and I certainly discovered some great new locations to revisit.

If I am looking for a moral here I suppose it’s this; don’t write off the day with your camera if the weather looks grotty or mixed. Get out there and see what nature gives you to work with – you just never know!

To wobble or not to wobble?

Nikon call their anti wobble lenses VR (Vibration Reduction)

Canon call them IS (Image Stabilisation)

Sigma refer to them as OS (Optical Stabilisation)

Pentax and Sony (I think) build this into the camera.

They are very useful and effectively ‘buy’ around 2 stops of light (manufacturers will claim 3 stops) so that it becomes possible to hand hold the camera/lens and, with the function switched on, get sharper shots. BUT…

I am amazed by the number of photographers who leave/put their lenses (or cameras) into anti camera shake mode when they are on a tripod, or beanbag or something similar.  Why do this? The tripod IS an image stabiliser. To leave the function on just wastes battery power, wears out the little gyro or stabilising motors and, in some cases, actually softens the photograph.

Also, some folk leave the switch on when shooting at around 1000/sec. How much camera shake do we think we are going to get at 1000th of a second – are we convulsing??

There – that told you!!

Glamorgan Heritage Coast

Some of you may not be aware I have started putting selected photographs into Blurb books. My latest, The Glamorgan Heritage Coast, from Penarth to Port Talbot, can be reviewed here – if you know someone who loves this strip of protected and beautiful coastline this photographic book may make a nice Christmas (or any time of year) present?

Have a look and see what you think!

http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/2487928