Blog - Page 2 of 8

Featured Images

Regular visitors to this site will know that the images I create can be licenced or purchased from my shop. In addition, you can view a wider selection of my work in my gallery here. However, I thought it might be an idea to regularly feature an image and explain a little more about it. Where it was shot, what settings were used and a little background to it. These will be a low-resolution version, which will also be available, in all their glory, in the shop.

Feel free to leave a comment if you have a favourite, that you’d like me to feature.

Like & Share

Related Images:

Pushing & Pulling Film

For my latest video, I have attempted to describe and explain what it means to “push” or “pull” your photographic film. In a nutshell, pushing and pulling is a technique of setting your camera to a different film speed than that of the film you’re using. Effectively under or over-exposing it. You might do this because the environment you’re shooting in has too little light. Or perhaps just for artistic reasons etc. Whatever your motivation, the process can be simple if you remember a few basics. Watch my video and be sure to check a much more detailed explanation found here.

Another big thank you to all my subscribers!

Like & Share

Related Images:

Lakes for Level Water

Those of you that know me well will know I am a bit of a fanatic about water. I’m always near it, on it, or in it and I am very passionate about other people getting a chance to experience the same. I was taught to swim from an early age and I consider it a hugely important skill for people to have. I still swim of course (wouldn’t be a great lifeguard otherwise) but I am not a distance swimmer at all. However, I have decided to challenge myself to swim 1km in open water, in aid of Level Water. The lakes of the UK and the Outdoor Swimming Society are supporting Level Water in their mission to provide bespoke, 1-1 swimming lessons for children with disabilities across the UK. Level Water wants a world where everyone has access to swimming. For life.

By donating to this challenge you are helping to make sure that, once pools have re-opened, lessons can continue straight away and children can continue to learn this life-changing skill. Please consider donating via my Just Giving page as every little helps.

Like & Share

Related Images:

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. From currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. There are many ways for people, communities and organisations across the country to show their support and get involved. I was therefore honoured to be asked, as First Lieutenant of Worcester Sea Cadets, to attend a ceremony today at Worcester’s Guildhall. Despite restrictions, we listened to a speech from our Deputy Mayor and later the Last Post was played as we saluted the colour.

If you’d like to find out more about Armed Forces Day, and how you can support it, visit this site.

Like & Share

Related Images:

Olympus OM-40 Program

This is the 1985 Olympus OM-40 Program. In my opinion, one of the best consumer 35mm SLR’s ever made, and a model I have been on the look out for. Three exposure modes, ESP metering and full DX film capabilities, all make it a very versatile camera and one that is already becoming my favourite to use. Unfortunately, I currently only own one OM mount lens, a 70-150mm zoom. So now I’m on the look out for a nice fast prime lens. You can read more about lenses here.

A massive thank you to everyone who interacts with my channel in any way. You’re all awesome!

Like & Share

Related Images:

Olympus OM-101

The 1988 Olympus OM-101 Power Focus was an unusual SLR. Known as the OM-88 in many parts of the world, it was an entirely automatic camera. However, with the addition of an adaptor, it could be converted in to a manual one. My version unfortunately appears not to be working despite my efforts to clean it. Perhaps somebody can offer me some advice? In the meantime, enjoy my video where I discuss the camera and explain it’s operation.

A massive thank you to everyone who interacts with my channel in any way. You’re all awesome!

Like & Share

Related Images:

Charity Challenge 2021

My employer, the University of Worcester, holds a 24 Hour Charity Challenge every two years. Due to COVID-19 it could not take place last year. So we were extra delighted to help make it a success this time around. In aid of Cure Leukaemia, teams from across all areas of the university competed in several events. Walking, canoeing, running, basketball and a water assault course to finish. Working for our outdoor campus, I was able to help with the design and build of the assault course. Testing it out and lifeguarding were a lot of fun.

My qualifications meant that I could also assist as one of the safety boat crews for the canoeing. Getting up at 2.00am, the plan was for a 16 mile journey in sparred canoes along the River Severn, starting at 5.00am and finishing around 8.00am. The views of the sunrise and the mist on the water were stunning and thankfully only my photography skills were called upon. The best part of course was raising £15,864 for a very worthy cause.

Like & Share

Related Images:

The Calm Outdoors

My work is not often about the calm outdoors. My focus is usually on the excitement and risk and my videos tend to reflect that. However, the outdoors has much more to offer. The healing and calming benefits of being in the outdoors are undisputed. Much research in to mental health and wellbeing shows that there are numerous benefits to spending time on or near water, in the woods, or just open countryside.

I thought it might be fun therefore to take this one in a different direction. No paddlesport, climbing, zip-wire, powerboating etc. Just a relaxing video featuring the sights and sounds of “my office”. ASMR? Perhaps. Enjoy.

Like & Share

Parallax Explained

The Parallax Effect is phenomena that can spoil your photographs, but what is it exactly and can it be overcome? In my latest short video I hope to answer these questions. It does not affect Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras as we are looking through the taking lens. But with point and shoot and other types of camera, we don’t always see what the camera sees. If our point of focus is relatively close, this can mean a missed opportunity. Luckily most manufacturers have our back.

This week my YoutTube channel reached over 300 subscribers and over 50,000 views which is absolutely mind-blowing to me. A huge thank you to all of you.

Like & Share

Related Images:

Could You Volunteer?

Could you volunteer to help inspire young people? We currently have vacancies for various roles within the Worcester Unit of the Sea Cadet Corps. You don’t any particular experience, as full training is offered. So why not get in touch?

Like & Share