Its May, wheres the Sun in Doncaster

It doesn't look like were getting any sunshine any time soon. Doncaster is wet and rainy most days. But Ive still been busy and fortunate to have some nice weather for the jobs Ive done.
On the 6th of May I was working at a Christening in Retford, St Swithuns Church. It was actually a glorious day. Also a bank holiday so not alot else going on. Here is a photo of the Church when I arrived.

I was with the Family around 3 hours and got alot of lovely photographs, the church was fairly dark in places but was even with it, so still got great photos.

The rest of the week has been portraits with some fun families coming and some returning customers. There was a day when 3 separate competition winners came. This was from the Facebook competition to win a photoshoot that we do weekly. Its great, we let you upload a photo and get your friends to like it. Its simple and people have a great time. The page is at around 5300 people.

This weekend is the Nabba North East Championship at the Frontier Club at Batley. Im the official photographer for this event. I normally take over 1500 photographs. Its a long day but I love it. I will be preparing an article too for the Nabba Health and Fitness magazine. Ive actually got around 6 articles for the magazine again. I do enjoy this though. Ive now provided 2 covers for the magazine too. One day Il manage Flex, or Muscular Development.

Il be writing a blog next week about the photoshoot today at Mount Pleasant Hotel near doncaster on the Great North Rd, A stunning hotel with lots of new rooms and features. Also a very clean and well run hotel.
A big thanks to the management and staff for looking after us.
Lee

Star Wars Day 2012

Hi everyone. Now most people who know me know I love star wars films. Its something I like when relaxing. I love most sci fi films. Those that didnt understand it don't realise that film making and photography are very similar. The reason being, some edits require thinking out side of the box to get the results, alot like making a film and adding effects. Now yesterday was Star Wars fun day at burnley fc lancashire. The turn out was amazing. Dave Prowse the actor who played Darth Vader was there to meet people. So was the little man inside r2d2 Kenny Baker. There was some great actors also come and greet the fans. STEPHANIE ENGLISH - REBEL RADIO CONTROLLER (ESB) JOHN COPPINGER - WOOKIE SENATOR / GRAXOL KELVYYN (TPM) DEREK LYONS - REBEL HONOUR GUARD / MEDAL BEARER (ANH) BARRIE HOLLAND - LT RENZ (ROTJ) PAUL BLAKE - GREEDO (ANH) GARRICK HAGON - BIGGS DARKLIGHTER (ANH) ANTHONY FORREST -FIXER AND SANDTROOPER (ANH) DAVE PROWSE - DARTH VADER (ANH ESB ROTJ) IAN LISTON - WES JANSON (TESB) SIMON WILLIAMSON - MAX REBO (ROTJ) KENNY BAKER - R2D2 I was there for my own interest but as usual in my spare time I take my camera along. I managed to get some good photographs of all the star wars fans and characters. And some of me looking slightly geeky. But it was very busy and some photos were hard to get, but I managed. The only photoshop Ive done to some images is add some lightsaber colour and glow.

Alot of the characters were from http://www.rebellegion.co.uk/ and the 99th garrison. These people are always fund raising so look out for them soon. If anyone was at the event get in touch. www.leearcherphotography.co.uk

A quick update

Ive just added this directory to my places to be found. Looks good so far.
Wedding Photographers Directory - Wedding Photography Select. Finding A Wedding Photographer Made Easy

Commercial Photographer Doncaster

Hi again. I thought today id cover the other aspect of what I do. Commercial Photography.
Although I'm based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, I do provide my service across the UK. Some companies send me products, I photograph them and return. But the service is more complex than that.
When I photograph products, there is a brief of what the client wants or what is advised by the designer if used for brochures or web. So I shoot a series of shots, and send to the client via Dropbox. www.dropbox.xom
I then await instructions on any changes needed, re shoot if needed, then complete the job by sending a disc or dropbox as required.
I offer Hi-res product photography and also extreme close up, ideal for Jewellery photography for example. I pride my self on clarity and quality of usable images.
Here is a shot of some impact protection foam.

The brief was to get profile shots, but also show there of a long length if required. I used a black backdrop, 2 Bowens flash heads and reflector to light and show off the image correctly. The reflection was added in photoshop.

Here is a shot of A Rubber Bellow.

This again was based on a brief to show the shape and context of the Bellow. I had 6 sizes to photograph and laying them flat wasn't an option as they are soft and lose shape. I had to make a rig in front of a black background, and create a system to support the bellow as to appear floating. Then remove any odd bits in photoshop.
All images are shot im my home photography studio Near Doncaster

For a quote in your product photography just email info@leearcherphotography.co.uk or call 01302746930
thankyou
Lee

Bridal dress shoot and commercial

A few weeks ago I did a bridal dress shoot at Best Brides, Barnsley. It was a good shoot and the models had a good time. I'm still working on tweaking the edits, each time I go back I feel theres something to change. But that's photography. We photographed 9 dresses in 3 hours which isn't bad. We had hair and make-up by face-art Sheffield.

Once the edits are mastered I will be putting some images in the shop to show off dresses and a little about me. Also very nice for the models portfolios.

The above image was a Barnsley girl, I took 2 models I know and found Jade as the 3rd. A good choice for the day.

Above is Lisa. A friend who is returning to modelling. All 3 have had great feedback on the images they have. All may be available for work if you want to contact me about it.

This weeks has been different again,. Commercial work taking over and working on Rubber Bellows and Foam protectors. I was presented with the task and also problem with these products, as the rubber was soft so most positions made them look out of shape and not show there actual form.
To get round this I sat in my studio and eventually came up with a rig to support them and still keep there shape. Used a black background for these too. I will post images once client is using them.
It may sound odd, but some inspiration on how to tackle shoot problems came from watching the making of a film I liked. The way the simple ideas can actually solve the hardest problems.
So that's the week of a Doncaster based photographer. Its raining like crazy here in Bircotes but I'm editing today and its warm in the office. have a good day.
Lee

April Rain! photography challenge

Theres nothing worse than rain at the beginning of spring/summer to end plans to get out with the camera. I love getting out and photograping buildings, wildlife flowers.
I'm sure soon we will have the summer we have all been waiting for. Im working on a few projects to do some location shoots with some customers who like the outdoors.
A few who are returning customers like the idea of a photoshoot in Clumber park. We recently joined the National Trust so we can visit these places more often, not just to photograph but they are nice to relax too.
The life of a doncaster photographer can be all shoots and editing, so a trip to Clumber is lovely. We also recently visited Hardwich Hall. Another lovely place. We did take the cameras, however in the hall itself no Flash photography is allowed. My camera is great in low light so it was good to take a few images, I had the 17-40mm L lens on for wider shots.

The facebook page is busy and were ready to launch a new wedding competition. I recently gave away a free wedding package mid week and feel its a good idea to do it again. All we do to enter is ask for images to be emailed, we then put them in a folder and you get your friends to like the photo, and the page.
We run a weekly comp to give away a photoshoot and are thinking of new themes all the time, maybe you know a theme, then email us and let us know.

If your a keen photographer and want to freshen up your skills., get in touch. I don't mind giving advice and helping others. I may look at offering training later in the year on different aspects of photography so keep checking for that.

No doubt you came here from the website www.leearcherphotography.co.uk if not then theres the link.

I also work with a wedding planner, A Sparkle of Planning. A good new business that will help you plan your day. There on facebook and here is there website too. www.asparkleofplanning.com Well worth a visit,

Until next time, thankyou for reading.
Lee

April Update, why book us?

Hi, thought id best put a few words on my blog, everytime I write one I realise its been a while. So whats new and prompted me to blog?
Well, the year is going fast, and we have upgraded the home studio. A friend John Wright plasterd it all for me, and that looks great.  Newer lights to add to the bowens collection, some new softboxes etc. I have 3 Large vinyl backdrops,. black, Grey and white Lasolite.
I also have some custom backdrops for head shots, baby photos etc so alot of choice.
Added 3 new lenses to the collection in the last few months, Only the L lens standard but ones Im comfortable with. Its all a little boring I know, but the point is we just keep investing in the business so you get a great service and great photographs.

I read a fellow photographers blog and agreed with something he wrote. In reference to some people who offer to photograph a full says wedding for £100, and obviously we start from £425. We take back-up cameras, lenses and other accessories like flashes. Always more than one of each just in case something breaks or maybe is lost. The key is still photographing the important day even if something goes wrong, add to that full Insurance.
These are questions you should ask anyone who offers to photograph your day. Especially if its really cheap. But ask anyway. The other questions you should ask are, What happens if the Church is dark? I use top range cameras and lenses that cope well in low light.
What happens if the camera dies? I carry a full back-up system, extra batteries, memory cards, flash.
Are you fully Insured.? Liability and Indemnity Insurance.
Ask to see a website, facebook page and feedback from other people.

Our Facebook competition is going well. over 5000 people enjoy the page now, theres a competition each week to win a photoshoot, and Ive just run the first wedding competition. I gave away a wedding worth £325, midweek wedding deal.
The page isn't just filled with Local Doncaster people, ive looked and we have Thailand, Australia, USA, Russia. In fact nearly every country. So for a small Doncaster photography business its being seen all over the world.
Ive recently had another magazine cover for Nabba Health and fitness, and NRG have my image and name on there posters, which are in nearly every gym in the UK. Im photographing a few shows this year again. And will be writing around 5 or 6 articles for the next magazine. This doesn't leave alot of time for much else, but I love my work.
If you want any information on anything covered in the blog just get in touch. If your a keen photographer and want some advice, get in touch.
Thanks
Lee