A great end to a wonderful year (22.06.2015)

A great end to a wonderful year (22.06.2015)

So I've finished my first year at university. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it to be that great - but it turned out to be really fun! I learnt a ton about technical stuff like studio lighting, and business-y things, and met lots of wonderful and unique people.

 

From one of my last uni projects this year. 

Most of the memories I made this year ended up on my wall. Or should I say my old wall, because I no longer live there. I had a big wall(s) filled with Polaroids with friends and photoshoots.

Lovely Polaroids from my last few shoots

It's been a brilliant year, a huge thank you to everyone I've met and have helped me along the way. I hope 2nd year of uni will be equally as enjoyable. 

Tea cups (20.06.2015)

Tea cups (20.06.2015)

This shoot was from last month. It was a fun shoot with Dayana from Model-Union, and Sarah - a make up artist I've worked with several times.

Catching up on a busy month (28.05.2015)

Catching up on a busy month (28.05.2015)

Since my shoot with Leni over a month ago, I've been really busy with photography. I've had several shoots in the style of black and white agency style portfolio look. I shot this style a few times, because I wanted to approach more agencies to test with their models. My portfolio didn't have enough studio work, and it didn't look 'safe'. I mean safe in the way, that my style wasn't very consistent, I wanted these black and white shots to show I can consistently shoot at that level and style. So here are a few shoots I did in the past month.

Credits:
Model: Lena (www.lenaedwards.co.uk)
Model: Aurelija @ Model Union
Model: Jay @ Body London
MUA: Sarah Elizabeth Makeup Artist

Quick Photoshop Retouching (14.04.2015)

Quick Photoshop Retouching (14.04.2015)

Kip Photography - Quick retouching from Kip Photography on Vimeo.

I'm trying out something new. I uploaded a quick retouching video from my recent shoot with Leni. I'm planning to record some tutorials in the future, but here's just a quick look at how I edit. I don't claim to be a professional at retouching and editing, it's just a quick video to show some insight in how I edit.

Shoreditch Fashion Shoot (09.04.2015)

Shoreditch Fashion Shoot (09.04.2015)

On Tuesday, I had a lovely street style with LeniSD (ModelMayhem) and Sarah Elizabeth MUA (Facebook) in Shoreditch. It was actually the first time I'd collaborated with a make up artist, and it was amazing! I regret not working with make up artists until now, because Sarah kept pointing out hairs and other small things that I wouldn't have noticed until post (and that would've been a pain to sort out!).

These photos were shot around Brick Lane - Shoreditch area. The last two photos with the Vans shirt were shot on Blackall Street. It's a beautiful street, with buildings covered in art. Sadly, they're tearing the buildings down as part of the regeneration of the area. When we got there, only half of the buildings remain.

Here are some Polaroids I shot as well.

Self Portraits (24.03.2015)

Self Portraits (24.03.2015)

Today I received my Westcott 43' Umbrella Kit. I've always been inexperienced with studio photography and speedlights, so I decided to shoot some self portraits to test out lighting styles and to get used to setting up lights.

This was shot in front of a wall in my room, I'm surprised they turned out quite well, considering how small my room is.

Hitting the wall (12/02/2015)

Hitting the wall (12/02/2015)

"Everyone hits the wall at some point in their lives". That's what people tell you, but what people don't tell you is the signs that you've hit the wall, and the actual feeling of hitting the wall. It's a shit feeling, to be blunt.

I've hit the wall - I'm currently hitting the wall. It's a long time coming, ever since Christmas I've felt myself slacking more and more. The biggest clues were when I had many opportunities to shoot but I never took them. My excuses were; I don't have any ideas or plans, it's too short notice, or I'm busy that day (when all I did was just sleep in and play video games).

The honest truth was I hated shooting. There was a period between Christmas and now, where I was unmotivated to shoot. I still loved the idea for being a photographer, working on projects and shooting. I loved the idea, but I didn't like the reality of how much work is needed to plan a shoot. I hit my low when I was thinking of changing universities, and even changing careers. I was having doubts about if it was a mistake not carrying on studying Media Production at university.

This week is Enhancement Week at my uni, we had a 24hr shoot which involved using Phase One cameras. For those who are not familiar with Phase One cameras, they're high end medium format cameras - worth a pretty penny and are every photographers' dream. Essentially, 24hrs was a whole day event where we as first years had the freedom to shoot whatever ideas we had with over £10,000 of equipment. I... passed that opportunity down. I didn't have any ideas or concepts. It was too short notice.

Right now, I'm looking back on my previous shoots and reminiscing. Wondering how I came up with ideas for shoots, or how I even shot without having any concepts to begin with. This isn't a Wikihow article on how to be more productive, or how to avoid hitting the wall. I don't currently know how to do that. What I can say is, it's good to stop and look back at your progress. Compare your current work to your older projects and see how much you've improved, or if you've improved.

I haven't done a post like this before, but I felt the need to vent. Hopefully someone in the same position as I will find this useful.

Annie (08.11.2014)

Annie (08.11.2014)

I had the pleasure of working with Annie again. If you haven't seen our previous shoot together check it out here! We shot in Hampstead Heath - there were lots of lovely places to shoot, despite walking around for two hours we barely covered 1/4 of what's there!

These three photos were shot in a lovely hill garden that was sort of hidden from the main paths. 

If you haven't seen Annie's work please check it out here: Annie Hall Art

Burberry Shoot (26/09/2014)

Burberry Shoot (26/09/2014)

I approached Ellie originally for a classic black and white portfolio style shoot, but as we developed the idea for the shoot it slowly became a Burberry Style shoot. 

Ellie brought her classic Burberry Trench Coat, and we just roamed Brick Lane - Shoreditch area to shoot!  

Ellie was a delight to shoot with. Easy to shoot with and great at posing! Check out her food blog at: Good for Bellie