Work has slowed me down.

I was hoping to complete "Light" by mid December but work has kept me busy.  With the Christmas season upon us work has been cranked up and time is short.
I feel that a coup;le of the exercises may have to be re-taken but on the whole I feel that most of the images have been quiet successful.

Back home.

After two weeks in the sun with work I have now been returned home.  I managed to get a lot of exercises done while away and I feel that it wouldn't have been possible in the UK as quickly.
Even back at home I can carry on with the remaining few exercises.... I just have a lot of writing up to do.

Moving on...

Work has brought me to the sun, and I am able to progress with my work.  The call of the beach can sometimes be overwhelming but I have managed to take some shots while relaxing.

Wrong time of year...

So now that I need bright sunshine for my assignments.... the winter has arrived.  Grey days are with us as the fog hasn't lifted for a few days.
Thankfully work is coming to my aide at last.. I am due to work abroad again, and with two days scheduled for relaxing I should get my exercises done, fingers crossed.

Onwards

Yesterday I made a start on "Light."  I managed a few shots and ideas but due to technical mess ups I am going to repeat a few.  It won't hurt and the practice will do me good.  I will try for a few shots today as we have to go out, do I wish for rain or not?

Report Received and Read

On the whole another positive report.  It was one that I wasn't looking forward to, but it turns out that was unjustified.

Done

Assignment 3 is now done....

So Close.

I have all my final images sorted and I am in the process of making sense of it all.  Just a few more notes are needed and then I  will be able to submit my assignment.  It has taken time but I feel a real sense of achievement.

Light at the end...

After what feels an age I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I have found this assignment so difficult and until now I don't think I appreciated what problems I have with colour.  I can see individual colours, but as soon as they are layered they start to merge.
Always the colours that I have favoured (or am able to see constantly) are Blue and Yellow.  Looking through my photographs in preparation it becomes clear that this is still the case as I find more of the images with this colour scheme.
I hope that within a few days everything will be in order for assessment.

It's going to take longer...

After finding this chapter quite demanding I have slipped behind the schedule.  Thankfully I have an understanding Tutor and have been granted a stay of execution.  I hope I can complete the assignment in a manner that doesn't disappoint, either myself or my tutor.

Practice for Assessment 3...

Another family trip to London and I was able to include a trip to the Saatchi  Gallery and shopping at Camden Loch.  I say shopping... my wife did the shopping while I carried my camera trying to capture enough for my next assessment.  I will sort out the photographs in the next few days.

Exercises Done... at last.

It has taken me a while to get the exercises for Part 3 Colour done.  I am still within my time to get the assignment done and submitted, but I may be a little rushed and not my best work.   think I am going to have to contact my Tutor with cap in hand.  I will give it a week before I write the email.

At last progress...

I have made progress at last, I have been able to find colour combinations in situations that suite me.  It has taken a long time to get the photographs for the exercises in part 3.  A lot longer than I had anticipated.  In a couple of days I should have something to show on my blog.

Starting Again..

Having not made any head way with Part 3 I have decided to start again.  I have been looking for colours for 5 weeks now and only find the combinations I need when I look through my photographs after taking them, or when my family point them out to me.  This is the most frustrating set of exercises and I hope it is a one off...

Away again!

Work is taking me away again, this time for three weeks.  I have to travel light so I will have to choose between camera equipment and books....  I hope to get going a bit more with my colours.

Nothing to show...

I had a day off work and went out with my camera.  I caught a few frames, but nothing for my exercises...
I think this is going to be a big challenge for me.

Part 3 Colour

I have made a start to part 3 and should be able to spend a couple of days on it this week.  It's not a chapter that I am looking forward to, it will be a challange.  Not only has my Tutor asked for it to be as a narrative, but I think I may have forgotten to tell him I am green-red colour blind, that includes shades of pink and violet...

Assignment 2 Report is Back

My feedback on Assignment 2 is back and is quite promising. I am in the process of making some adjustments and then I will be putting it all on here soon.

Assignment 2

Assignment 2 is coming together now, photographs taken and sorted.
Work is taking me away again for a few days so my reading has been chosen.  I was wanting to get started on "The Genius of Photography" but being such a large book I don't want it damaged on a coach so I'm going with "Camera Work the complete photographs" instead.

Part 2: Elements of Design

Done! Assignment 2 is now a work in progress.

The Photographers' Gallery

I managed to have a look around this recently refurbished building.  I wish they had more on display though.

More Books!!!

Another parcel arrived today.  Another five books.  My wife seemed to suggest that she deserved something sparkly as I keep buying books...
The more I read the more names grab my attention, hopefully they should last a while....

Still moving ...

I had hoped to have "Part Two done and dusted by now, but with the unexpected cropping up I am behind my own schedule.  I have written most of the notes, I just need to spend time typing.  Maybe tonight.

Pictures...done!

Finally after a week of block I have manage to take the last photograph for Part 2.
I just need to finish writing up my notes and then onto Assignment 2.  I have an idea of the route I want to take with that and so hopefully it shouldn't take too long.

Still Life.

I Still haven't got the pictures yet.
Why am I finding this part so hard?
I want the photograph to be interesting... Am I just looking too hard?
I have one group of objects but I don't feel that it is inspiring.
Maybe after a nights sleep I will be able to sort something out.

Tomorrow then...

I didn't get my still life done as planned.  I will get some of it done tomorrow and hopefully finished before the weekend.  I have no real excuse why it wasn't done... but I do have a new pair of walking boot so I can get out longer.  I have been trudging about in my steel toe caps, though very comfortable they are heavy.

Still Life

I need to get my still life done tomorrow.  I have a day free... I need to get it done.  I just need to read this in the morning to remind myself.

I had another day in London with the family and manage to get a few more photo's again.

Part 2.. part done

I think in a few days Part 2 maybe complete.  I have the back bone done, I need to give it some flesh and try to bring it to life without smothering it.  I am pleased with most of the photographs.. though just one or two are borderline.  The more I look at my photographs the more I find fault... if I look too long I would probably never complete any more education  on photography again.

Assignment 1

I have updated my Assignment 1 after reading and digesting the report from my tutor.
I feel that for a first assignment it was on the whole successful.
I am now reading my way through a lot of books.  An advantage of my work is that with a lot of travelling and time away from home I can pass my spare time reading if I can't get out with my camera.

I have made god ground with Part 2 of the course and I feel that even without pushing myself too hard I may be preparing my next assignment early.

Another week away..

With work taking me away again it has been an ideal time to read.  The only problem is the more I read the more books I order... Another three books arrived today with another two on the way.

The problem with the pocket books is that they have just enough information to get you interested but leave you hanging.  As I read through "Masters of Photography, Classic Photographic Artists of Our Time.  Reuel Golden."  I order more books as interest and money sees fit.

Part 2 is on it's way soon.

I managed to get some more photographs for part 2 done today.  Will try and get my assignment 1 finalised soon so that I can put it to bed.  Still going through a BW moment.

Taking my work away again...

This time I'm away for a short break, bags are nearly packed and the memory cards are empty.  I will try to get some images that are suitable for my exercises, but family photo's will come first.  I just hope that I need some pictures of European Mice soon.
I have updated my reading list, I've just run out of time to get updated on Assignment 1.  I have nearly what I want... apart from time but this time it's my fault.

Assignment 1

After reading my feedback from assignment 1 I have been capturing images and making adjustments to some of the images submitted.  I was pleased with the feedback as I felt it was fair and just.

I have also made good head way with "Part 2" and hopefully I will have something to show for it on the blog soon.

Got off my butt...

"Clacton-On-Sea is hosting a BKSA kitesurfing competition on the Easter weekend."


A fantastic sport and a fantastic opportunity to get some photographs....(don't try it without lessons, it is very dangerous)... Just one problem, not enough wind.  So very little was happening.  With a little improvisation and a change of direction I think I managed to get some photographs in the bag.

Little done...

With work taking me to Scotland for a few days I was hopeful that I would get plenty of work done with my camera.... wrong.... I managed to get just one photograph while I was up North of the border.  On the other hand, I did manage to get some reading done on the bus...

A quieter week..

Due to illness and end of year finances at work to tidy up, I have not been at my computer of camera for nearly a week.  That is not good going.  I will have to make up for it at the week end.

Good news though. I had my report back for my First Assignment and I was pleased with it.  Naturally I have a few areas to look at, but not bad for a fist attempt.

Next week work takes me to Edinburgh, I hope I get time to use a camera while away then.  I can never tell with work.

All done...

...and onto the next exercise...

(no HDR in this image)

Missing a picture... oops

At the moment I am working away from home.  I thought I had uploaded all my pictures for assignment 1 in preparation to completing it today... Only to find the final photograph is missing.  This means that I will have to call my wife when she gets home from work and talk her through it all.  Should be fine.  Once that is done I can then submit it all...

Almost done..

I have made good ground with the first assignment.... Having looked through all my images I have noticed the distinct lack of people.  Do I have a problem with taking strangers pictures? Maybe.  It follows through with the rest of my library.  I thought it was just because I took pictures for me and of the family.  Now that isn't the case so I need to be aware of this and make a move towards photographing more people I think.  Work is is in London again next week, I will make a conscious effort to correct this phenomena.

Assignment 1

I've made a good start on my first assignment, now with two weeks away with work I will either get an opportunity to take plenty of photographs or none.  It's never something in-between.
I plan on taking more images than needed so that I may pick the ones that I prefer. As long as my tutor has similar taste I should be fine.  I will get to read what he prefers soon no doubt. 

Day out..

I had the chance today to spend a day at a studio messing about with the lights...  When I say messing about, it was educational... but fun.  I would recommend it to anyone.

Another start...

I have been able to make a start on the first assignment.  I have plenty of time but I won't be pushing it to the wire.

I found a message in a bottle .... dated 29/02/12
it said "my life, my love, my ameri, my heartbeat...
there are no words to describe how much i love you,
will you marry me,
one day?..
even if we are old and grey
where are you sweetheart?
love always your English Rose..
S.R"
(name and address attached)

I have to say I sent it back on it's way... wonder where it is now.

Part One Done!

I managed to complete the final exercise of part one, I didn't manage to use the subject that I wanted to... but it is complete.
I have been able to make a start on my first assessment.  I'm looking forward to this and as I am ahead of time in my schedule I have a month and a half to get the picture taken and sorted.  I have Ideas for most of the assessment (often more than one for some headings).

Just a bit of messing about... kept the kids quiet...

Part One almost done...

Just one more exercise to complete.  I know what I want to photograph for this.... I just need to find it.

Another day at the Zoo.

Having the Zoo so close, (less than 5 minutes drive) it's an easy distraction for the children and friends. 

Getting out.

Still haven't finished the exercises of part 1.  With the kids on holiday this week not sure when I can get out... will have to think of a cunning plan.

Night in London

I managed to get into London for a few hours, I learnt allot from the trip.  I will be repeating it again soon.
I would recommend everyone gets out and has a go as it can be good fun, and in the dark you soon learn where all the buttons on your camera are.....

Am I slowing?

After a full week of work I feel as if I have ignored my studies.  I have the week end of though and even with having to visit relatives I should be able to get something done.  I plan to go into London at night to take some photo's of landmarks... maybe find something suitable for some of my exercises.

Time to get out...

After quite a heavy fall of snow, and the roads quiet ( for obvious reasons) it was a chance to get some landscape pictures of the snow.  For a first attempt I was quite pleased with the results, I may be able to use one for my first assignment.

Snow day...

I have been going through the photographs that I have taken for Part 1 and reading through my text.  I think I'm getting on top of this now.  I have three more exercises to do, it could have been two but my two headed zeba didn't make the grade.

I manage to get some pictures of two-headed zebra today, what luck!

We had a family day out at the zoo yesterday.  My 8 year old son had one of my old bridge cameras and had to take picture of everything.  He really enjoyed himself, I just hope he doesn't want a SLR for his birthday.

I've been busy with the exercises in "Part 1".  I have had to leave a couple for now as I haven't had suitable subjects to photograph.  I think I may have Friday off again so I should be able to make more progress then.

Good Day..

I managed to get out for a while yesterday.  I don't think I was successful in all the exercises that I tackled so I will repeat them.  It's all part of the learning isn't it?  You make a mistake and then try again.
Some of the photographs cover the brief, but as pictures I'm not too happy with them.  I will put them on next week when I write up on the exercises (with any new photographs that I manage to take).

At last...

I'm lucky enough to have an extra day off this week.  It makes it easier to justify a day to myself.  The weather is looking fine all day.  I have my list of locations.  I've read ahead a couple of exercises and have some ideas of what to photograph.  I hope it all comes together.

A Start Has Been Made...

I have stamped both feed firmly into the ground now and have completed the first few exercises.  Please explore the Tabs above.  I hope to get out over the next few days and make a start on the first project, as long as the grey sky lifts.  Everything is looking so flat at the moment.

Fingers crossed and we will see what happens.