Just a quick post to let you all know I have now put together a Model Portfolio Package Price list.
You can download it from my website from this page:
You can download it from my website from this page:
Showing posts with label northern ireland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label northern ireland. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 July 2012
Model Portfolio Package: NOW AVAILABLE
Sunday, 15 July 2012
New Project....A Taster.....
Well, this week i have been struck down with feeling rather under the weather, but it hasn't stopped any photography progress. In fact, things are almost snowballing!
Maybe not quite image making, but ideas and creativity have been rather keen to make themselves shown the past week.
To make this a quick update and just a hint of the project ahead....I'll explain it simply.
1. Found a bunch of old negatives slides that belonged to my Grandfather two years ago. Chances are they haven't been looked since many years before he died. Unfortunately, there was no slide projector in sight.
2. I visited a bootsale on the off chance of picking up some decor for my new photography studio when I stumbled upon a lovely vintage slide projector!
The man selling it was quite old but to my surprise, didn't actually know what it was. I paid £7 for it and got the carrying case with that too. Bargain. Felt like it was meant to be.
 |
| A lovely find |
3. On my way home, I couldn't wait to get to a power socket to try the thing out, but I remembered to stop at an old abandoned house on the way home.
I wanted to stop at the house as I had been here easily 10 times before and knew there were some nice vintage signs left getting dusty. It seemed a sin for them to sit there any longer!
So, i went to the house and one of the garage doors was open. It had always been closed before. Curiousity got the better of me and I took a peak inside.
It was a pretty normal garage. The usual bits and pieces left behind getting rusty and a wide range of creepy crawlies had set up camp. Nothing that exciting. I quick scan around I found a few letters, mostly dated 1970. It was nice to be able to put rough time and a possible name to the person who lived there.
I had photographed two hats that were left on a shelf over a year ago and had always wondered who they may have once belonged too.
Aside that, I turned around and sitting, looking right at me (no, not a spider) but a rotary slide tray for negative projectors! I couldn't believe it and instantly was intrigued.
I thought about it for a few minutes then picked up the box and opened it. It was like new under the layer of dirt.
Upon opening the box I saw that every gap in the holder was filled. It contained photographs! I could hardly contain my excitement as I just LOVE old images and the mystery that lies behind them, especially in this case.
4. I made the decision (which probably upon reflection, was not the right thing to do) to take the slide holder.........
 |
| My inspiration to a new project. |
The rest is to follow :)
However, it will be similar to my last previous project "Then & Now" - Check my website for info:
Monday, 2 July 2012
Bootsale Camera 2: The Halina 3000
Been a while since I have done one of these little reports, so thought I would update today with one!
Went to the local town today and the Fairground has returned for it's 'Summer Trading' - If you can call it summer.
If you want to check out some photographs of the fair, check out my account on the brilliantly fun Instagram (for those using an iPod, iPhone or other Mac devices)
Search: Suzi_nyc
and you will be able to follow my image uploads there :)
Or, if you are using a desktop to browse, visit: http://ink361.com/
Back to the Halina 3000......
It was a rather overcast day, and I was using ISO 400 film to take a few images of streets and shops whilst walking.
Just a quick roll of film to test the cameras abilities.
I shot on the following settings:
Shutter speed: 1/125
F: 8
The camera was a Halina 3000, a Hong Kong made, compact camera for 35mm film.
Check out more info on the wonderful Camerapedia .
 |
| Here is my Halina 3000, it cost me a whopping £1 |
The results were mixed as halfway through the film, when I wound on to the next part of the negative it sounded as though the teeth on the wheel weren't quite catching the film correctly.
I did however result in some nice abstract looking double exposures. So not all bad!
Here are the images for those who are fans of Flickr:
Feel free to leave you comments or add, I am only too happy to check out what others in the photography world are up to!
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Shout out for Models / future Models!
Morning guys,
This is just a quick shout out for those living locally to Belfast, Bangor, Co.Down area.
I'm looking to build up my own personal contacts for models that would be interested in photo shoots for prints for their portfolio.
I'm looking to expand my own photography portfolio and I'm concentrating on fashion imagery at this moment in time.
If you, or anyone you may know would be up for putting there name on my list, then please do contact me with the following information and a photograph attached.
Looking both males and females. All different looks and styles, each person will fit a certain type of theme, so if you aren't contacted, it doesn't mean you aren't on the list!
- NAME:
- DOB:
- LOCATION:
- INTERESTS:
- MUSIC:
- CONTACT DETAILS:
- jpg. photo attachment.
Please forward information to:
s.taylorphotography@live.com
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Skate Park Images, First ones!
Today I FINALLY got to get to a local skate park to get some boarding and blading images on the go. This has been on my list of things to photograph for around a year now, and feels great to have a few new ones to add to the collection.
These were taken at The Bridges Skate Park, Belfast. Which is free to use and open between 7:30am-10pm. Everyone of different abilities down there, lots of friendly people too!
Enjoy the images. Hoping to get some more at this location over the next week or two.
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
How about a Music Podcast....anyone into that?
http://www.serc-mapa.org/Ok,
This is a slightly different post, just to show you some of the other work I do with photography.
Thankfully I landed myself into helping out with a weekly, music podcast. All filmed in SERC Bangor, Northern Ireland, live from their music studios.
This is my final year at the college, and I began life there at a sixteen year old music student, only wise to the words of AC/DC and many of the other typical bands worshiped by guitar obsessed, long-haired, (occasionally wasted or high) musicians! These were great days! When music is your life, it is nice to use education as an excuse to be participating in it someway or another for most of your day (and night.)
Anyway, we are now quite a few years on and I was invited down to the music department to help out and fulfill the roll of full time photographer for the podcasts.
It's a great way to spend an evening a week. For me, I get to reminisce in the music department, whilst dusting off the skills I'd acquired many years ago during Music Technology and Sound Production class.
The team have a band in once a week. Usually varied in style and image, but all local artists from around Northern Ireland, starting to get their name and music to the front.
Since this is a photography blog, I should probably talk a little about the situation.
Firstly, my gear.....
I don't need much for this. After the first couple of weeks photographing what was going on, I learned what I could do with and what I could definitely do without.
One of the good things about working in the same location, with generally, the same lighting and people positioning each week, is that you get to know what settings work best for you.
I know now that for the bands I work with an ISO of 1600 as the room is quite dark.
I also use a telephoto lens sometimes, so with the lens length, I'm loosing F stops the bigger it is, and with a shutter speed of around 1/80 - 1/125 it is restricting only haveing certain apurtures avalible.
Situations like this is when an understanding of what each function on your camera does, is when the knowledge becomes the most beneficial. You are left standing looking confused and missing the best moment, instead, you capture what you want, and more. Leaving with some great images to add to your portfolio of work.
As far as lenses are concerned, as said, I use a 70-300mm zoom lenses. This is great for close ups without distracting the performer - which helps capture their real moods and attitude during their particular performance.
The second lens I bring with me is a standard 18-55mm. Why? Because it's a great all-rounder for the job.
Second reason is they are lightweight and relatively cheap to buy compared to the other lenses I use.
This was, when working in low lit situations, with sometimes a lot of other people walking around, it isn't only to be a big deal if this lenses were to be damaged by accident.
As for the use of the lenses, I think in the size of room I'm working in, if I had too, I could do the whole job with just this lenses.
It's a fun lenses to take angles from the floor or in the air with. Lightweight and well balanced. Doesn't drag your camera out of your hand!
Through doing the weekly podcasts, I have learned how I work. It's quite nice to have that comfort zone as a photographer, but it's also much better to push your own boundaries and constantly being out there and trying different situations, set-ups, lighting, space etc....
For me, the podcasts will never get boring. The photography is just another aspect to a fun evening of live music, lots of nice studio equipment to oogle and play with, never mind meeting some new people and hearing what's going on with the music in the area.
Here's a few of my sets on Flickr taken during the live podcasts:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629599270319/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629583701465/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629218905508/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629218836868/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629532332563/
Don't forget to check out the live video's and interviews too! On Vimeo here:
http://vimeo.com/channels/lasm#38585104
And the creative team's official website:
http://www.serc-mapa.org/
We also just joined youtube.com....but it's still in the makings....Subscribe anyway! There will be more videos up in the near future.....
http://www.youtube.com/user/liveatsercmapa?feature=watch
Last but not least, all updates for bands, podcasts, interviews and images are mainly posted in Facebook, so feel free to visit the 'Live at SERC MAPA' page and keep updated!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/pages/Live-At-SERC-MAPA/209785575725755
Back to the photography route, I shall be posting a review of a book by the wonderful Alec Soth of Magnum photography.
Should be up within the next few days - there will be a tweet! So feel free to follow all the updates :)
http://twitter.com/#!/Suzi_NYC
This is a slightly different post, just to show you some of the other work I do with photography.
Thankfully I landed myself into helping out with a weekly, music podcast. All filmed in SERC Bangor, Northern Ireland, live from their music studios.
This is my final year at the college, and I began life there at a sixteen year old music student, only wise to the words of AC/DC and many of the other typical bands worshiped by guitar obsessed, long-haired, (occasionally wasted or high) musicians! These were great days! When music is your life, it is nice to use education as an excuse to be participating in it someway or another for most of your day (and night.)
Anyway, we are now quite a few years on and I was invited down to the music department to help out and fulfill the roll of full time photographer for the podcasts.
It's a great way to spend an evening a week. For me, I get to reminisce in the music department, whilst dusting off the skills I'd acquired many years ago during Music Technology and Sound Production class.
The team have a band in once a week. Usually varied in style and image, but all local artists from around Northern Ireland, starting to get their name and music to the front.
Check out the official website here:
Since this is a photography blog, I should probably talk a little about the situation.
Firstly, my gear.....
I don't need much for this. After the first couple of weeks photographing what was going on, I learned what I could do with and what I could definitely do without.
One of the good things about working in the same location, with generally, the same lighting and people positioning each week, is that you get to know what settings work best for you.
I know now that for the bands I work with an ISO of 1600 as the room is quite dark.
I also use a telephoto lens sometimes, so with the lens length, I'm loosing F stops the bigger it is, and with a shutter speed of around 1/80 - 1/125 it is restricting only haveing certain apurtures avalible.
Situations like this is when an understanding of what each function on your camera does, is when the knowledge becomes the most beneficial. You are left standing looking confused and missing the best moment, instead, you capture what you want, and more. Leaving with some great images to add to your portfolio of work.
As far as lenses are concerned, as said, I use a 70-300mm zoom lenses. This is great for close ups without distracting the performer - which helps capture their real moods and attitude during their particular performance.
The second lens I bring with me is a standard 18-55mm. Why? Because it's a great all-rounder for the job.
Second reason is they are lightweight and relatively cheap to buy compared to the other lenses I use.
This was, when working in low lit situations, with sometimes a lot of other people walking around, it isn't only to be a big deal if this lenses were to be damaged by accident.
As for the use of the lenses, I think in the size of room I'm working in, if I had too, I could do the whole job with just this lenses.
It's a fun lenses to take angles from the floor or in the air with. Lightweight and well balanced. Doesn't drag your camera out of your hand!
Through doing the weekly podcasts, I have learned how I work. It's quite nice to have that comfort zone as a photographer, but it's also much better to push your own boundaries and constantly being out there and trying different situations, set-ups, lighting, space etc....
For me, the podcasts will never get boring. The photography is just another aspect to a fun evening of live music, lots of nice studio equipment to oogle and play with, never mind meeting some new people and hearing what's going on with the music in the area.
Here's a few of my sets on Flickr taken during the live podcasts:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629599270319/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629583701465/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629218905508/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629218836868/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzitaylorphotography/sets/72157629532332563/
Don't forget to check out the live video's and interviews too! On Vimeo here:
http://vimeo.com/channels/lasm#38585104
And the creative team's official website:
http://www.serc-mapa.org/
We also just joined youtube.com....but it's still in the makings....Subscribe anyway! There will be more videos up in the near future.....
http://www.youtube.com/user/liveatsercmapa?feature=watch
Last but not least, all updates for bands, podcasts, interviews and images are mainly posted in Facebook, so feel free to visit the 'Live at SERC MAPA' page and keep updated!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/pages/Live-At-SERC-MAPA/209785575725755
Back to the photography route, I shall be posting a review of a book by the wonderful Alec Soth of Magnum photography.
Should be up within the next few days - there will be a tweet! So feel free to follow all the updates :)
http://twitter.com/#!/Suzi_NYC
Monday, 19 March 2012
EXHIBITION REVIEW: "Churches" by Sylvia Grace Borda
"Churches"
Photographs by Sylvia Grace Borda
Where: Belfast Exposed Gallery
When: 20 January to 2 March 2012
Review by Suzi Taylor
The artist, Sylvia Grace Borda is Canadian-born, but has been living and working in Northern Ireland for the past number of years.
She has studied Fine Arts at the University of British Columbia (MFA) and Media and Photography at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (BFA).
Borda has had many solo exhibitions worldwide. From Vancouver to Ottawa, Edinburgh, Glasgow and now Belfast.
Borda has also received a number of public grants and awards for her works from 2005 onwards.
This latest exhibition from Borda has been supported by several departments throughout Northern Ireland, including the Arts Council, Belfast City Council and the National Museums of Northern Ireland.
"Churches" - the latest work from Sylvia Grave Borda was the last exhibition hosted by the Belfast Exposed Gallery.
I visited this gallery during January to see what the work of Borda was all about.
I had read a few tasters on what was to be expected and went to this exhibit open minded as usual and keen to see some photography that was new to me.
Visiting exhibition is a great way to get inspired or find some influence if you are hitting the wall with your own projects.
However, I couldn't help but find this work (with great disappointment,) un-inspiring.
I entered the gallery and it was a different set up to the usual empty white room with images around the walls.
The space had been blocked off by a huge black wall, outside of which, was a display table with items encased in glass.
These items were several artifacts from churches around Ireland.
I had picked up the information sheets on the way in so took a few minutes to read through these before moving onto the next part.
The table of artifacts were in fact a series of ceramic objects, on loan, from Government collections in Northern Ireland. Amongst the items was a traditional 'souvenir plate' which is often used as a token of remembrance.
I saw the connection here of the reason Borda work was printed onto plates, but had not yet seen the main body of work.
I continued around the corner of the black wall and followed a short corridor of blackness until I reached the room the images were displayed in.
The room was square, dimly light (around three lights perhaps) and in the centre, was a long table with each plate set out as if you could sit down and have a meal.
My first reaction was to think this was possibly influenced by the last supper, but a quick count before looking closer showed that Borda had 18 plates at the table (not 12 as I had originally assumed.)
There were a handful of seats around the table for perching on. These were handy as Borda had an extensive collection of images to show in this series of work.
These were being displayed at the wall at the end of the table via a projector. It beamed the images out, circling through them quickly.
I felt more time could have been given on each image, but since there was over 100 to get through, I can appreciate the speed these were being shown.
I lapped the table a couple of times and took a close look at the plates. It was a nice idea to reflect on the 'souvenier plate' with her imagery printed on them. I thought that was a nice touch and a different way of showing work.
Unfortunately, for me, I didn't find the images that enthralling. The buildings weren't visually captivating, and the way they were photographed, wasn't either.
Architecturally, these buildings always seemed bland and bleak to me. Flat, dull, and lifeless.
I felt the photographs were the same.
It took Borda 2 years to put together this project. I can appreciate here time, effort, and commitments to a project such as this, but I personally feel, do dedicate so much time to a subject, I would certainly want to have much more interesting results.
Photography is the most common form of documenting many things. From objects, people, places, and buildings. I feel that Borda has been committed to her work into "Churches." She has used it effectively as a way to capture a photographic survey of Northern Ireland's modernist churches.
Unfortunately, for me, I couldn't take much away from this exhibition. I left feeling a little disappoint and perhaps a little confused.
Then again, maybe I'm missing some sort of deep meaning to this work. With that, I decided to read more about Borda and her past works.
Her project "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC" connects me to her style of photography and to her "Churches" exhibition.
For this project, she had made it her purpose to photography (as the title helpfully suggests) every bus stop in Surrey, British Columbia.
This series of images can be seen here: "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC"
Patience is a fine thing, and I feel it is something that this artist has a lot of. That, alongside determination.
Although these images, rather uninspiring, have managed to create an extensive collection of many of the churches seen around Northern Ireland.
Maybe to locals, it is too much of a regular occurrence and are seen as fit to be ignored, nothing interesting here, time to move along. But to someone outside of our culture, it could be perhaps, more thought provoking.
That said, I do enjoy some of her other works, such as "Hotel Stirling" and "3176" - I recommend you check these out if you want to see more from this artist, and if "Churches" wasn't quite up your street.
Find out more on the artist Sylvia Grace Borda here on here website:
http://sylviagraceborda.com/index.html
More gallery reviews to come. I've been very busy with projects lately and haven't been writing as much as I would like to be, but do keep posted on the Facebook page or Twitter, all updates will be posted there.
The artist, Sylvia Grace Borda is Canadian-born, but has been living and working in Northern Ireland for the past number of years.
She has studied Fine Arts at the University of British Columbia (MFA) and Media and Photography at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (BFA).
Borda has had many solo exhibitions worldwide. From Vancouver to Ottawa, Edinburgh, Glasgow and now Belfast.
Borda has also received a number of public grants and awards for her works from 2005 onwards.
This latest exhibition from Borda has been supported by several departments throughout Northern Ireland, including the Arts Council, Belfast City Council and the National Museums of Northern Ireland.
"Churches" - the latest work from Sylvia Grave Borda was the last exhibition hosted by the Belfast Exposed Gallery.
I visited this gallery during January to see what the work of Borda was all about.
I had read a few tasters on what was to be expected and went to this exhibit open minded as usual and keen to see some photography that was new to me.
Visiting exhibition is a great way to get inspired or find some influence if you are hitting the wall with your own projects.
However, I couldn't help but find this work (with great disappointment,) un-inspiring.
I entered the gallery and it was a different set up to the usual empty white room with images around the walls.
The space had been blocked off by a huge black wall, outside of which, was a display table with items encased in glass.
These items were several artifacts from churches around Ireland.
I had picked up the information sheets on the way in so took a few minutes to read through these before moving onto the next part.
The table of artifacts were in fact a series of ceramic objects, on loan, from Government collections in Northern Ireland. Amongst the items was a traditional 'souvenir plate' which is often used as a token of remembrance.
I saw the connection here of the reason Borda work was printed onto plates, but had not yet seen the main body of work.
I continued around the corner of the black wall and followed a short corridor of blackness until I reached the room the images were displayed in.
The room was square, dimly light (around three lights perhaps) and in the centre, was a long table with each plate set out as if you could sit down and have a meal.
My first reaction was to think this was possibly influenced by the last supper, but a quick count before looking closer showed that Borda had 18 plates at the table (not 12 as I had originally assumed.)
 |
| "Coming to the Table" |
There were a handful of seats around the table for perching on. These were handy as Borda had an extensive collection of images to show in this series of work.
These were being displayed at the wall at the end of the table via a projector. It beamed the images out, circling through them quickly.
I felt more time could have been given on each image, but since there was over 100 to get through, I can appreciate the speed these were being shown.
I lapped the table a couple of times and took a close look at the plates. It was a nice idea to reflect on the 'souvenier plate' with her imagery printed on them. I thought that was a nice touch and a different way of showing work.
 |
| Souvenir Plate with image |
Unfortunately, for me, I didn't find the images that enthralling. The buildings weren't visually captivating, and the way they were photographed, wasn't either.
Architecturally, these buildings always seemed bland and bleak to me. Flat, dull, and lifeless.
I felt the photographs were the same.
It took Borda 2 years to put together this project. I can appreciate here time, effort, and commitments to a project such as this, but I personally feel, do dedicate so much time to a subject, I would certainly want to have much more interesting results.
Photography is the most common form of documenting many things. From objects, people, places, and buildings. I feel that Borda has been committed to her work into "Churches." She has used it effectively as a way to capture a photographic survey of Northern Ireland's modernist churches.
Unfortunately, for me, I couldn't take much away from this exhibition. I left feeling a little disappoint and perhaps a little confused.
Then again, maybe I'm missing some sort of deep meaning to this work. With that, I decided to read more about Borda and her past works.
Her project "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC" connects me to her style of photography and to her "Churches" exhibition.
For this project, she had made it her purpose to photography (as the title helpfully suggests) every bus stop in Surrey, British Columbia.
This series of images can be seen here: "Every Bus Stop In Surrey, BC"
Patience is a fine thing, and I feel it is something that this artist has a lot of. That, alongside determination.
Although these images, rather uninspiring, have managed to create an extensive collection of many of the churches seen around Northern Ireland.
Maybe to locals, it is too much of a regular occurrence and are seen as fit to be ignored, nothing interesting here, time to move along. But to someone outside of our culture, it could be perhaps, more thought provoking.
That said, I do enjoy some of her other works, such as "Hotel Stirling" and "3176" - I recommend you check these out if you want to see more from this artist, and if "Churches" wasn't quite up your street.
Find out more on the artist Sylvia Grace Borda here on here website:
http://sylviagraceborda.com/index.html
More gallery reviews to come. I've been very busy with projects lately and haven't been writing as much as I would like to be, but do keep posted on the Facebook page or Twitter, all updates will be posted there.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Flickr Update!
Hey guys,
Just wanted to put a quick post up here to connect you to my Flickr page.
I upgraded (finally!) so will be posting a lot more work up onto there.
Updates include:
So, check it out and keep posted, as I'll be keeping it as live as possible!
Thanks!
Just wanted to put a quick post up here to connect you to my Flickr page.
I upgraded (finally!) so will be posting a lot more work up onto there.
Updates include:
- Bands and live music
- Events
- Bar / Club promos
- Any personal works / projects
So, check it out and keep posted, as I'll be keeping it as live as possible!
Thanks!
Thursday, 8 March 2012
The Addiction that is Urban Exploration
Urban exploring is something I have been into for a few years now. Although it is something I would like to dedicated a lot more time to personally as it is an aspect of photography that involves risk and potential danger along the way. I myself find that hard to resist!
It is surprising how much information on this subject is out there, not to mention books and forums on the subject are widely available and definitely worth checking out if you are thinking this is something you want to get into.
Many people do it without a camera, others, thankfully like to document what they see and find with the rest of us through photography. This is where urban exploration becomes really interesting.
Seeing others work inspired me to go and find some locations for myself.
Finding places can be tricky, but once you get started, it becomes addictive and you are constantly on the look out for empty buildings, crumbling structures, waiting for places to close down. An ever growing list of new explores is always on hand.
I have a had a lot of people asking me where the building I photograph are located, but there are a few codes of conduct amongst urban explorers that stop such information being forwarded too easily!
This may sound stupid at first, but when I look at the amount of time I have spent hunting a few places down, it seems like a crime to go giving them out for free to others!
A great way to get the ball rolling is to find a few people that are also interested in the subject. I'm lucky enough to have a few friends who love photography and love exploring (and that have the balls to do it!) - I'm not denying it, it can be scary at times, but that's all part of the fun.......
Another bit of advice I can offer is to get online and to check out a few forums. I'm not into forums at all and generally despise them! BUT, for this topic, it is a great way to get out there and see what others are up too. What new finds they have, where they have been, where they are intending on going, and, most importantly, their location.
Finding a few members that are local to your area are a handy connection. Even if they don't give the locations away, you can make a rough guess at recognising them and making your own adventure from there :)
Here are some links to a few great forums on the subject:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/
http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/
http://www.silentuk.com/
http://www.urbansickness.co.uk/
http://urbanexplorers.net/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/990583@N23/
Once you have got to grips with the forums and you know the best way to go about exploring, it's time to get out there and make it happen.
You pictures and locations sure as hell wont happen themselves!
Another good thing to do is check out your local library in town or college. I have a few books (much to my surprise) on the topic.
Most libraries will have a local section too dedicated to history and heritage of your area, this is another good place to have a look and get some research together.
I found a book by Tarquin Blake which was based around many old building throughout Ireland.
Here is a link to his website:
http://www.abandonedireland.com/keywords.html
Once you have hit a few buildings, your work will start to grow quickly. You will also find that on some of the forums, if you prove yourself with enough of your own work and finds, you might just discover that the members are happy to help out with finding new locations or giving you a few hints as to where a few may be.
It's a bit of a trust thing, but it's a nice way to be. Otherwise, anyone and everyone would be doing it.
The unfortunate aspects that come with certain people knowing about these locations can be vandalism, which urban explorers find totally not cool!
As photographers, finding the areas without graffiti, damage, signs of homelessness etc is gold to us. The better images are left when the places have remained untouched and have only fallen apart naturally over time.
Vandalism can take away the creepy, 'time stands still' feeling to a lot of these places. It's more fun knowing that without graffiti, empty bottles, mattress and old shoes, that you and probably only a handful of others have been through the location.
Enough talk for now, here are a few pics.......
Some of this work of mine is from last year, but I have a few finds that I'm hoping to explore next week as I have a bit of free time from college work, so expect a few new and interesting finds up on my pages soon.
Hope this small article will help you on your way to getting some nice images of abandoned spaces....along with experiencing the thrill, risk and fear of it all too!
Have fun guys!
Urban exploration: Discovering and exploring man made structures that have been disused and abandoned for often a long period of time.
It is surprising how much information on this subject is out there, not to mention books and forums on the subject are widely available and definitely worth checking out if you are thinking this is something you want to get into.
Many people do it without a camera, others, thankfully like to document what they see and find with the rest of us through photography. This is where urban exploration becomes really interesting.
Seeing others work inspired me to go and find some locations for myself.
Finding places can be tricky, but once you get started, it becomes addictive and you are constantly on the look out for empty buildings, crumbling structures, waiting for places to close down. An ever growing list of new explores is always on hand.
I have a had a lot of people asking me where the building I photograph are located, but there are a few codes of conduct amongst urban explorers that stop such information being forwarded too easily!
This may sound stupid at first, but when I look at the amount of time I have spent hunting a few places down, it seems like a crime to go giving them out for free to others!
A great way to get the ball rolling is to find a few people that are also interested in the subject. I'm lucky enough to have a few friends who love photography and love exploring (and that have the balls to do it!) - I'm not denying it, it can be scary at times, but that's all part of the fun.......
Another bit of advice I can offer is to get online and to check out a few forums. I'm not into forums at all and generally despise them! BUT, for this topic, it is a great way to get out there and see what others are up too. What new finds they have, where they have been, where they are intending on going, and, most importantly, their location.
Finding a few members that are local to your area are a handy connection. Even if they don't give the locations away, you can make a rough guess at recognising them and making your own adventure from there :)
Here are some links to a few great forums on the subject:
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/
http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/
http://www.silentuk.com/
http://www.urbansickness.co.uk/
http://urbanexplorers.net/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/990583@N23/
Once you have got to grips with the forums and you know the best way to go about exploring, it's time to get out there and make it happen.
You pictures and locations sure as hell wont happen themselves!
Another good thing to do is check out your local library in town or college. I have a few books (much to my surprise) on the topic.
Most libraries will have a local section too dedicated to history and heritage of your area, this is another good place to have a look and get some research together.
I found a book by Tarquin Blake which was based around many old building throughout Ireland.
Here is a link to his website:
http://www.abandonedireland.com/keywords.html
Once you have hit a few buildings, your work will start to grow quickly. You will also find that on some of the forums, if you prove yourself with enough of your own work and finds, you might just discover that the members are happy to help out with finding new locations or giving you a few hints as to where a few may be.
It's a bit of a trust thing, but it's a nice way to be. Otherwise, anyone and everyone would be doing it.
The unfortunate aspects that come with certain people knowing about these locations can be vandalism, which urban explorers find totally not cool!
As photographers, finding the areas without graffiti, damage, signs of homelessness etc is gold to us. The better images are left when the places have remained untouched and have only fallen apart naturally over time.
Vandalism can take away the creepy, 'time stands still' feeling to a lot of these places. It's more fun knowing that without graffiti, empty bottles, mattress and old shoes, that you and probably only a handful of others have been through the location.
Enough talk for now, here are a few pics.......
Some of this work of mine is from last year, but I have a few finds that I'm hoping to explore next week as I have a bit of free time from college work, so expect a few new and interesting finds up on my pages soon.
Hope this small article will help you on your way to getting some nice images of abandoned spaces....along with experiencing the thrill, risk and fear of it all too!
Have fun guys!
Friday, 3 February 2012
Bootsale Camera - IDEAL COLOUR 35
Hi guys,
I just got my first film developed from this lovely little hand held 35mm German camera. So, I thought I would post a few of the results and give you a bit of insight to the gem.
I picked this sturdy, 35mm up at a car boot sale in Bangor, Co.Down one calm Sunday morning. The sale wasn't that busy as this was December and it was rather cold by the sea in the morning never mind the rest of the time.
It set me back a whopping £5.00, after a haggle down from £10. Thus, walking away feeling twice as good. I was a camera up, and didn't feel as though I had been completely robbed blind.
A quick test saw that the shutter and aperture seemed to be working ok. We all know there is nothing worse than picking up a broken camera, but you can't go far wrong with old 35mm. Provided there are no light leaks into the body of the camera, the lens doesn't appear damaged and there's nothing suspicious rattling around inside, then you should be onto a winner.
The film I used was a 35mm color Kodak ISO 400, 36exp that thankfully, since the apperance of Poundland in my local town, can be purchased for £1 a roll. This has been a godsend, as before, ordering batches from e-bay and being constantly involved in bidding wars for cheap 35 mil film is never fun or on ones top priority list when it comes to fun.
I equipped myself with the camera for a day or two over a week and snapped away. Some shots indoors, some outdoors, daytime, evening & some dimly lit indoor situations.
From using a lot of Lomography cameras out and about, I'm a bit out of the way of really taking time over my shots. Lomography are a photographic society mad about analogue photography and mad in the technique of how their images are taken. It's all about being spontaneous! - But more on the wonderful world of Lomography on a later post :)
I approached this first film with the 'point and shoot' method. Mostly for the purpose of getting through a film to see if I had a working camera to add to the collection, or whether it was another e-bay listing for parts.
The camera feels strong and well built in your hand. If not, perhaps a little small to grip sometimes, even with my tiny hands! Otherwise, it does feel rather nuke-proof as I throw it into my backpack, not having to worry about silly plastic attachments protruding and breaking off.
The shutter speed is easy as pie to operate. You are given a choice between 25, 50, 100 and B (for bulb, which is as long as you like) The aperture operating the same way. You have F16, 11, 8, 5.6, 4 and 3.5.
As I return back to Donaghadee, the winter evening is dim, and the lighting in my room is hardly worth mentioning. Opening the aperture and moving shutter sppeed to 50 gave slightly blurred results, but they had some character none the less. Which is the best thing about using this sort of vintage camera. The element of surprise.
I continued to remain snap happy over the next few days. I headed into the recording studio at college where I used to study music to assist on a few recording sessions. It was dimly lit for filming in the live room, and even darker in the editing room.
Home again, it was time for a quick self-portrait mirror shot, as standard! The lighting hardly wonderful here as it was the evening.
Soon enough it was time to get the film developed. Although I can process 35mm & 120mm myself, I unfortunately didn't have any chemicals for color processing handy at the time, so it was off to the photo lab in Bangor, and negatives are processed there and put onto disk for around £2.50, which is better than paying for a full set of prints!
I was super pleased to see results and the little German 1950's camera is locked and loaded again for use again soon. Would be a lie to say I wasn't looking forward to it.
Would definitely recommend of of the great, reliable vintage cameras if you are looking something worthy of use, but not exactly a rare find, to add to your collection.
If anyone is interested on more info on this camera, or any camera for that matter, I strongly recommend checking out 'Camerapedia' - It's part of Wikipedia, so as you can imagine, it's a hive of information, not all of it probably accurate, but a source at least!
Camerapedia's info on the Ideal Colour 35mm
Will post again soon, debating the idea of a bit of a learning topic for beginners and a bit of the history of photography too.....
Laters!
I just got my first film developed from this lovely little hand held 35mm German camera. So, I thought I would post a few of the results and give you a bit of insight to the gem.
 |
| The Ideal Color 35mm - Produced in the 1950's in Germany |
I picked this sturdy, 35mm up at a car boot sale in Bangor, Co.Down one calm Sunday morning. The sale wasn't that busy as this was December and it was rather cold by the sea in the morning never mind the rest of the time.
It set me back a whopping £5.00, after a haggle down from £10. Thus, walking away feeling twice as good. I was a camera up, and didn't feel as though I had been completely robbed blind.
A quick test saw that the shutter and aperture seemed to be working ok. We all know there is nothing worse than picking up a broken camera, but you can't go far wrong with old 35mm. Provided there are no light leaks into the body of the camera, the lens doesn't appear damaged and there's nothing suspicious rattling around inside, then you should be onto a winner.
 |
| Film is easily put into the camera - Only issue being, there's no window to show if your film is winding correctly. |
I equipped myself with the camera for a day or two over a week and snapped away. Some shots indoors, some outdoors, daytime, evening & some dimly lit indoor situations.
 |
| Club Mono Poster, Belfast City, Northern Ireland. Taken on an overcast afternoon. |
I approached this first film with the 'point and shoot' method. Mostly for the purpose of getting through a film to see if I had a working camera to add to the collection, or whether it was another e-bay listing for parts.
 |
| Stormtroopers & other random Sci-Fi happenings in Belfast City. Very odd indeed! |
The camera feels strong and well built in your hand. If not, perhaps a little small to grip sometimes, even with my tiny hands! Otherwise, it does feel rather nuke-proof as I throw it into my backpack, not having to worry about silly plastic attachments protruding and breaking off.
 |
| The underground crossing & it's graffiti. Belfast City, Northern Ireland |
The shutter speed is easy as pie to operate. You are given a choice between 25, 50, 100 and B (for bulb, which is as long as you like) The aperture operating the same way. You have F16, 11, 8, 5.6, 4 and 3.5.
 | ||
| Shutter speed and aperture settings are quick and easy. |
 |
| My room. Picture, wall, flag & bass |
I continued to remain snap happy over the next few days. I headed into the recording studio at college where I used to study music to assist on a few recording sessions. It was dimly lit for filming in the live room, and even darker in the editing room.
 | |
| Setting up for a live session & podcast recording. SERC college, Bangor, Co.Down |
 |
| A very dim mixing desk and a few of the guys. Would have said an ISO 800 would perform for this type of low light |
 |
| Self-portrait. Ideal Color 35mm |
I was super pleased to see results and the little German 1950's camera is locked and loaded again for use again soon. Would be a lie to say I wasn't looking forward to it.
Would definitely recommend of of the great, reliable vintage cameras if you are looking something worthy of use, but not exactly a rare find, to add to your collection.
 |
| Getting ready to go to processing....it's the Roxy All star style today :) |
Camerapedia's info on the Ideal Colour 35mm
Will post again soon, debating the idea of a bit of a learning topic for beginners and a bit of the history of photography too.....
Laters!
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