Back to the future

I was recently looking through my photography cupboard and found my trusty old Pentax 67s. I used them on countless fashion and portrait shoots.  Even on a few weddings, when the mood took me. Finding them sparked something inside me, which I can only describe as getting nostalgic for the good old days of film.  A time when being a photographer was as skill that was acquired over time.  Loads of test shoots and reading everything you could grab on the subject was the way you learnt.  Not the off the shelf, one size fits all, crash course that seems to be prevalent now.  Don't get me wrong digital is fantastic, but unfortunately it has opened up the flood gates to a batch of very mediocre photographers, who armed with their styled shoots, that are set up for them to go out there and proclaim that they are photographers.  Its definitely making it harder to find work, but you have to differentiate yourself.  This is the reason why I am going back to using film on wedding shoots.  I am not turning my back on digital.  Its great in situations where you have to be mobile and photograph movement in tricky lighting.  My 67s will come into action on more static portraits.  The fall off in depth of field is second to none and the rendition of skin tones is far more natural.  Silver based back and white prints are just in a different league.  The sample image was taken at a friends wedding with a 90mm lens at 2.8.  As you can see the depth of focus is lovely and the tones so smooth.  It will cost a bit more to get processed if anyone still is out there with a darkroom.  I don't miss the smelly chemicals though.



My gorgeous old 67.  Love the old style wooden handle.  Ha ha wood in a camera!!!  No light meter, just a handheld meter.  Crikey!! I wonder what would happen if you gave one of these to a student
now.

Roger Brown Corporate Photography

Its always a slow couple of months with weddings at the start of the year.  So with the help of the excellent Daniel Crawford at Type and numbers, we have developed a long overdue website which highlights all my editorial and corporate work.  Its great to have the balance between social photography and editorial portraiture.  It keeps everything fresh through diversity and each aspect benefits each very different style of photography.  In the last couple of years I have been really lucky to have worked in some fantastic locations throughout Europe and photographed some of the most interesting people that you could meet.  Hopefully through this website it will bring in many more assignments and I am looking forward to whatever the future brings.

Please take a look at www.rogerbrownimages.com. Any feedback is always appreciated.

Best wishes.  Roger

Cheesy but I like it

Sometimes you can't just can't resist the opportunity of a traditional style of photograph.  I love this one.  Really captures a moment.  They all can't be reportage style images.  Why restrict yourself ?
I always find that Bride and Grooms want a set of images that tell the narrative of the day whilst also getting some gorgeous images of themselves.  Roll on the Summer.

Your Surrey Wedding

Here is my latest advert running in next issue of Your Surrey wedding.  Hopefully bring lots of new lovely enquiries in.  Its a great way to advertise and highly recommend it to any photographers out there.

I love this shot taken at The West Gate of Hampton Court.  I had about three flash lights on this, but tried to make it look as natural as possible with some light modification.

Summer

I needed a little reminder of what lovely Summer evening light looks look like. So have uploaded this picture from Anthony and Christopher's wedding at Braxted park.  I cant believe it was back in June.  Hopefully the Winter will pass as quickly.

B & W

Just in the process of designing Natalie and Dante's wedding images and came across this image.  Sometimes its nice to photograph the Bride and Groom on a larger scale which encompasses landscape elements.  This sets a foundation image which when combined with more personal aspects, tells the narrative of the day when designed properly within the album.  Thats why I always try and explain the positives of extending that budget just a little further.

Hampton Court Palace

A recent one from Hampton Court Palace, where I seem to shooting loads of weddings at the moment.  Its such an amazing venue and anyone looking for a venue with such perfect photo opportunities and steeped in history.  Then look no further.