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.

JOB DONE!!!!!

Love this image.  Weddings are always so full of characters and this Father of the Bride certainly fits the bill.  Every wedding that I photograph I try and get a good balance between the capture the moment images and some gorgeous shots of the Bride and Groom.  Why pigeon hole your self by saying that I only do reportage or classic?  A good photographer will always capture the narrative of the day.

Could be Provence

Quite close to Croydon actually.  Julia the Bride wanted a Provence feel to her per wedding photos.  So no better place than Lavender Fields in Banstead.  For a small fee they stay open late, so that the late Summer light can be captured.  I love a bit of lens flare. Love these pictures also (Just a couple of many).  Always a good idea to book in a shoot before the big day.  Makes you feel really comfortable with having the photos taken on the big day and gives us a chance to get to know each other a bit more.

LONDON!!!!!!

Kate and Anthony's London Wedding had so much going on.  It was a photographers dream.  The ceremony was held at Inner Temple church with a reception on The Thames and also at Inner Temple itself.  Amazing venue in the heart of London without any pedestrians and traffic.  I am only posting this image as I think it really captures what a fun couple they are, but if you would like to see some more, then London Bride magazine is about to feature some images from the day. Till later.

LIGHT!!!!!!

I love the late Summer evening light in this image.  It really brings out the texture in the grass.  It was a fantastic opportunity to work with two lovely people, who did not mind dodging sheep poo to achieve this image at The Henry Moore Foundation.  The venue is a brilliant place for couples who love art and want something with a different twist.  Hope you like the image. There are so many more, but from now on I will try and  feature at least one image from a recent wedding each week.  Till later.  Roger

Images reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation.

Hockwold Hall

Back in 2015 I was very lucky to have photographed Selica and Richards Harry Potter themed wedding.  They loved the wedding experience so much that they decided to invest in the beautiful Hockwold Hall as a wedding venue.  As you can see from some recent weddings, it is gorgeous and offers so much photographically.  I can't recommend it enough.  It has a really intimate feel with some very sumptuous surroundings.  I am sure it will be a great success and one that I can be part of. Hope you like my photos.

Rebecca and Stuart

Here are a few of the many images from Rebecca and Stuarts wedding. Such a great day at The Order of Saint Johns Museum and later at MC Motors. I enjoyed it so much, and I think the fun and romance come across so well in the images.  If anyone wants a cool, sophisticated, urban wedding then look no further than MC motors in Dalston.  As the name suggests it used to be a garage, but now hosts some of the most original weddings in the capital.