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If the clothing is noticeable or overbearing in a portrait, it could easily become a distraction. Clothing that does not attract attention to itself is the ultimate goal. It could be the difference between a very successful portrait and just another picture. You may be asked to change your clothing selection before I take your portraits if you do not follow these basic guidelines.
Darker clothing helps to blend the bodies with the background, so that the faces are the most important part of the photograph. Dark colors definitely tend to slenderise the subject.
Bright colours attract attention away from the face and may be reflective. Avoid wearing red, bright pink, bright green etc. When choosing lighter colors, stick to pastels, but avoid pink tones. Pale yellow and pale blue work well, especially with jeans or kaki trousers. These colours work great in nature for example, if you have a sunset photography session booked in.
If you are worried about not appearing slender then it is safer to avoid white. White can look beautifully simple and fresh. White shirts and/or blouses under a dark jacket are perfect.
This includes logos. Avoid prints of any kind and patterns. No matter how small the print or the pattern, it will become a distraction. In the case of digital portraits, in particular, small patterns in clothing (even a small herring-bone or checkered pattern) can cause terrible distortions to appear in the portrait that are not originally there.
Long sleeved clothing is a MUST! For casual portraits it is equally important to wear long trousers instead of shorts. When arms and legs are exposed to the camera there will be more flesh in the photograph in those areas than on the face, itself. This is a major distraction.
Don’t over accessorise! Overbearing or heavily noticeable accessories can be a major distraction. Simple and minimal works best.
Eye glasses may or may not be worn. Non-reflective lenses, of course, are a big help. Better yet, sometimes it’s possible to obtain a matching set of frames without any lenses. This is particularly helpful, if your lenses sometimes distort the outline of your face.
Hair styles should be SIMPLE and MUST be off the face. Hair falling down onto the sides of the face create distracting shadows. Bangs that come down too low onto the face will keep light from getting into the subject’s eyes – the very most important part of the face. It is always a great idea to have your make up and hair professionally applied for your photography session. It will make a huge difference in how you look and feel.
The most flattering neckline for anyone is something that comes up close to the neck. A wide-open neckline tends to thicken the neck in a photograph. On the other hand, a neckline that comes up to the base of the neck – a turtleneck or a v-neck top is the most flattering. It tends to slim down the person and frames the face beautifully.
Keep your clothing simple and coordinating. It must be carefully selected to blend the bodies together. Avoid loud or busy patterns and large logos. Solid colors are best. First, decide whether the basic tone of the clothing will be warm-toned (browns, etc.) or cool-toned (blues/grays/blacks, etc.) Then, make sure to follow all of the above instructions. Keeping a group in similar colours focuses the attention of the portrait to the faces and individuals that make up the portrait. Dissimilar colours in groups tend to be more distracting. White tops with khakis or jeans can look very nice and casual, but if anyone in your family is super pale, white can make pale skin look paler. Jeans are the timeless choice and they’re great for fun, casual pictures because they are flattering and don’t show wrinkles. Lighter shirts on top give the pictures a more casual and bright look. Pastels are also usually appealing because they enhance natural skin tones. Black or other dark shirts on top give the portraits a more serious and thoughtful feel (not to mention that black is slimming). Everyone should have colour-coordinated outfits (Not a uniform necessarily, but there should be a theme). For the children, choose outfits that fit well without a lot of “growing room”. Jeans / khaki’s and white or black tops are always very nice for a family portrait.
Solid colors work best. Bright and fun and funky bring out a whimsical side while Khaki’s, blue jeans, and white shirts are for more serious captures. A pretty dress is always beautiful for little girls. Don’t forget hats, sunglasses, boots, blankets, jackets, etc. can be great to show personality and bring out their silly side.
Teens have their OWN sense of style – I love to let them express it however they wish.
Final thoughts. Your portraits are meant to be enjoyed for generations to come. Fad-type clothing should be avoided, unless you are planning to have new portraits made annually. You will feel very rewarded when you view your photographs. All of your efforts will be worthwhile.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me before your portrait session. See you at your shoot!
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We helped to organise a 'Street Party' all done at social distancing, everyone in their front garden, but everyone together. It was amazing we met neighbours we have never met before, and had a fantastic day.
During this event we had a competition for the best VE75 window display, there were some amazing ones, it was hard to choose, so we brought in some 'independent' judges who didn't live in out street.
I photographed some of our neighbours during this event, which sparked an idea of Doorstep Portraits. I had heard that some of my friends were also doing this in their own towns.
If you would also like to arrange a Doorstep Portrait in Sileby, Leicestershire either email us, or message us on FaceBook
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Orussey Market is Centrally located in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Orussey Market is much more geared towards locals than tourists; hence you will not find as much in the way of souvenirs you need to go to the other markets. You will find a huge array of foodstuffs on offer including the wet market with fresh meat, poultry and seafood. Other items in abundance include house ware, hardware and electronic goods.
This 3-storey market, located only a few hundred meters South west of Central Market is a true maze, it has been described in another Blog as "a Khmer version of Alibaba’s Cave." Our friend Ian chose this market for us to see because it is mostly used by locals and not tourists.
Orussey Market has multiple entrance doors and parking spaces, i
ncluding one...on the rooftop! Go there in the morning, before th
e burning heat starts hitting. This is also the time when most of the action is taking place. You will see on multiple vans coming from all the provinces and getting filled with household items, rice bags -- and even live cattle -- by drivers with a true talent for piling and rope tying all these items so they don’t fall off during their journey on Cambodia’s bumpy roads.
There are a wide variety of items available for purchase in Orussey Market, Phnom Penh. This is one of the not so famous Tourist Attractions in Phnom Penh. The market is more frequented by the locals than the tourists in the city. The shops in the market generally sell essential items rather than souvenirs. That is why, tourists do not take much interest in visiting this market. Still, a visit to Orussey Market, Phnom Penh give you an opportunity to interact with the local people and get an idea of their food habits and daily life.
The shops at Orussey Market in Phnom Penh generally sell foodstuffs, household items, electronic goods and hardware. Orussey Market, Phnom Penh is one of the most traditional markets located at the heart of the city. This old market in located just one block away from one block away from Monivong Boulevard, one of the main avenues and shopping centers in the city. The market is housed at a closed, big square. The structure, painted with white and blue feature many colorful knickknacks.
A huge array of foodstuffs is sold including the wet market with vegetables, fresh meat, poultry and a wide variety of seafood. The range of household items include utensil, cutlery, crockery, dinner set, bed sheets and soft furnishing. In Phnom Penh Orussey Market you can shop for electronics goods at a surprisingly cheaper rate. The range include video games, calculators, electronic watches, torch, radio and toys. Bargaining is allowed at the market.
Apart from Orussey Market, Phnom Penh there are several other markets in Phnom Penh. Those who have a taste of handicrafts and artifacts and want to buy something special must visit the markets located around Orussey Market including Russian Market and Central Market.
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Camera Clubs are great places to share ideas and just talk photography. Leicester Forest PS have run an amazing program of speakers and competitions and I must say it has been a good choice to be involved with.
The competitions have taken a bit of time to get used to, the images I take for clients and not the images that camera club judges seem to like, so it has been a bit of trial and error. The club runs a three layer system, Group A the Experienced, Group B the Intermediate and Group C the Beginners. I sent in some work at the beginning of the season and it was suggested I entered in Group B.
I submitted several images to start with with not much success, so back to the drawing board! But I found that the Judges of the competitions wanted to help everyone, their comments were brilliant and helpful ... and most of the time correct! There were things I didn't see in the images that I should have.
So I just kept on submitting and after a while I started getting some success.
This image was entered into the colour print competition and was Awarded 1st Place. I was highly delighted.
Then in March The Covid-19 Virus hit the world and everything stopped! But not quite, the competitions must go on, Leicester Forest PS are very lucky to have some Highly Skilled members who are also Judges, so everything became Digital Image submissions.
The next competition was Monochrome or Black and White. I submitted 2 entries.
Floating Village Life was Awarded 2nd Place
Chiang Mai Temple was Awarded Highly Commended.
And then the final success of the year.
Gabi in the Portrait Competition was Awarded 1st Place.
I am happy with the results for this year and now look to build on this success for next season, although we don't yet know at the time of writing this wether next season will be 'Virtual' meetings or the Real Thing.
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Back on the road again and this time we decided to go down to Skala. We drove through Lourdata as we needed fuel for the Quad Bike. We had many questions, what fuel, we knew it was Unleaded, but would there be a choice? How much would it be? And do we serve ourselves? Well we didn't need to worry about that as the nice man spoke good english as did most of the people we met. He served us the fuel and joked, he looked in the fuel tank and said I bet it will take €15Euros. Was he right? Well €14.81
There is one major road from Argostoli to Skala, which was quite busy, not only cars, but Lorries and Buses, but it was an easy route. All I had to remember was keep my right hand near the kerb, as an Englishman I was driving / Riding on the wrong side of the road!
We got to Valerianos and there was a choice in the road, straight on or turn right towards the coast. We went right, through some small villages that were so beautiful. We got to Thiramonas and saw the signs to a winery, we had missed the chance yesterday to visit one so off we went following the signs to Melissinos Winery. We drove through the village and turned up an un-made road and found a carpark. There were three people there, who told us the Winery was closed. We must have looked so disappointed that after a quick conversation in Greek, there decided take us for a quick tour.
I believe the man was referred to as Nikos told us about their wines. He told us they make small quantities of high quality wine, one of the Red wines was so dark he told us, it was called Mavro. Oh Black! said Cheryl; how do you know the greek word for black. She told him that I speak a little greek and we have named our Black Cat Mavro because he is very black.
He took us through a gate to an old house. He told us the family had been producing wines here for many years. He showed us around the outside of the house and told us how they collect the grapes.
He told us the reason the Winery was closed was because the family had gone to London to exhibit their wines.
He then went into the building and came back with a bottle of MAVRO wine and presented it to us. We were over joyed, we think it was because of our comment about our cat being called Mavro.
Around the house were trees full of oranges and lemons, Cheryl asked about them, he said pick what you want. I must say I have never tasted oranges so sweet. The lemon we sliced up and put in our water bottles the next day.
And then it came time for our Good Byes, such lovely friendly people, Thank you so much.
Update: We are now back in the UK, so here is a picture of our Cat Mavro with a bottle of his Marvo wine.
Credits:
Photography by:
Paul Taylor of Images Beyond Words
Blog words by:
Wine from:
Melissinos WineryIonian
What the Greek Wine Insider said about the Melissinos Winery:
"The winery is engaged in the production of high quality wines, in a limited number of bottles. Our aim is to highlight the valuable and rare local varieties of Kefalonia and the economic and cultural development of the region."
What decanter said about Melissinos Winery:
"Pay a visit to the Melissinos-Petrakopoulos Winery in Thiramonas. This artisanal winery set up by entrepreneur Nikos Petrakopoulos aims to produce terroir-driven wines, with a production of not more than 25,000 bottles. A fascinating range of three Robolas and two Mavrodaphnes showcases the complete array of flavours and textures these varieties can create. The complex pre-phylloxera Mavrodaphne is particularly worth tasting."
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We have just come back from a lovely weekend in Malvern, Worcestershire caravanning with the Camping and Caravan Club. It has been their National Feast of Lanterns, which is an amazing event.
Here is just a selection of pictures from the event.
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Hurt is caused through dealing of desire.
Bring out unpleasant Feeling.
The head…reeling…Down trodden and sealing,
Or too high…Never healing.
The Cure of nature starts with Earth…
This mother surrounds and tolerates…So we can re-create.
Starts with honesty…Require a lot of… Modesty
This is her nurture.
She passes us to water…Who washes away the rawter*
Cools down the heat…Bring us out of defeat.
Then puts us back on our… Feet.
Give clear sight…So there is no need… to fight.
Then comes fire…The one who frees us from desire.
With his gentle glow…We relearn to flow.
Transforms the attitude…To one of only gratitude.
Seeing only the best…In all of life’s tests.
No more a slave to the past…Only sees peace at last.
We move to air…A Judge that’s just and fair.
With total care…The needs are now nowhere.
Lifts the heavy burdens…Shifts us for certain.
Helps us take flight…Beyond to a world of light.
Either…
Above space time and all creature.
Here the spirit is filled….Refined… and milled
All old illness…Dissolved Where all problems… Get solved.
Treasure with in revealed…The only bliss Field.
Now you know we are totally healed…
Play the part…From this new start
Rooted in this truth.
Never looted of the truth.
Ever living from truth.
* rawter- is the raw negative emotional mess that comes with being to stressed ( made up word).
What an amazing event was held on a farm in Kineton, Warwickshire last weekend. The Central Counties Region hosted a 1940's weekend. We had arrived the weekend before to help with the working party. Over that weekend the camping field we were all staying in was marked out and an arena was also marked out. One of the Barns was transformed with a stage and a Bar being added.
When we arrived this weekend, there was bunting hanging from the roof of the barn. Everywhere was looking splendid and ready for a great weekend.
On Saturday we all enjoyed the Mardi-Gras Parade. So much thought went into the costumes, they were splendid. There were entries from most of the Counties that go to make up the Central Region.
Well done to everyone.
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I was walking around Stockholm with Bjorn Thomassen during a seminar tour in Sweden, we visited the old area and were overjoyed to find Old Narrow streets, Cafes and Gift shops. All the things I like to photograph when visiting a new place. I like to experience the colour of a city in this way with 'Street Photography'.
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they don't always happen the way you think, but this one did. I positioned myself at the front of the Chapel so I could just wait for the shot I wanted. Just after the vows and the exchange of rings Colin and Tez just looked at each other and then the spontaneous KISS.
Technical Details:
ISO 3200
60mm
1/400, f4.8
]]>Well if you ask my friends they will tell you i'm messing about in boats. Every year since 2006 I have been travelling to a place I call; My Island. I very special place for me, the Island of Milos, in Greece. For the last few years I have been helping my good friend , who runs a Sea Kayak business on the Island. We run trips around the Island each day. We have a combination of Day Trippers and Paddlers who have come for the week. Each trip is a circular tour of a particular part of the Island of Milos. We will paddle for about an hour and stop for Cookies and Bananas (sometimes other things as well) then back on the water for another paddle. Then we stop for lunch.
Well Rod is Famous for his Lunches! He will Magic a Table out of nowhere and all at once we have a 5 Star meal in the most idilic of places. Then back on the water to return back to the starting point.
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Ok we are in my Favourite City ... Athens. This was last October. I was showing off Athens to a friend of mine, so we went to visit the Acropolis.
Most people would put there camera away. But I don't. The people still came to see this Wonder of the world ... with their Umbrellas.
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To me expression is everything, I stood at the side of the chapel during the wedding of my friends Tez and Colin and I could see this picture about to happen. Grandpa picked up his Grandson to stop him going to Tez and Colin during the vows. And then the shot happened as both Grandma's took notice of what was happening. As a Documentary Wedding Photographer you have to anticipate things that might happen and be ready when they do.
Technical Details
Nikon D300
ISO 3200
1/100 f5.6
]]>The grounds of Walsingham Abbey are famous for their Snowdrops. We were amazed at the variety of different snowdrops. You could go through like thinking that all snowdrops are the same ... until you visit here. We found tall ones and short ones. Single ones and double ones.
They reminded me very much of Spring Brides showing off their Beautiful Dresses on their Wedding Day!
The secret to getting exciting snowdrop pictures is to get down low, kneel or lie on the floor, change your camera angle and isolate the flowers from the background. Play with different aperture and speed combinations. Most of all take your camera off Automatic and the 'P' setting and experiment
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Quite often, you are searching on the Wedding Gift list for something special to give to the Bride and Groom, not another kettle or toaster and you cannot afford to give them the Sports Car!
Here is an idea that is catching on fast. A donation towards their Wedding Album.
Everyone really wants a Wedding Album, but possibly cannot afford it. You can donate anything from £25.00 towards the cost of the Album.
If you are doing a collection from Work, you often end up with 'odd' amounts in the collection. Here is the solution, we can create 'Custom' Gift Certificates.
Contact us to make a payment. We will then send you a Beautiful Gift Card to give to the Bride and Groom on the Wedding Day.
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The day started in the quiet Leicestershire village of Sileby with the preparations, Almost everyone arrived at 'Nanny's' house, but that did not affect Annamarie, who just looked so happy. After pictures were taken during the preparations, the Bride left with her Mother in her chosen Wedding Car ... A Landrover.
Annamarie and Richard simply enjoyed the day. The Registry Office at Leicestershire County Hall
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Snow. It covers the land with a fluffy white blanket and makes everything clean.
Until it is disturbed. Today in Woodhall Spa was just one of those days. We woke up to a couple of centimetres which covered the plants in the garden. The best time to photograph snowscapes is when the sun is out, it produces highlights and shadows to add depth to your images. But beware with all that brightness the meter in your camera can be fooled into thinking there is more light than there is, it will compensate and you end up with dull images. So try turning off the automatic settings and try your camera on the manual settings. You could also experiment using the exposure compensation settings.
So we are expecting more snow this week, there will be lots of opportunities to go and have fun.
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