Monday 28 December 2009

Pool Challenge Game

This pool table in a semi-derelict cottage caught my eye recently and a special challenge game was arranged for a photo-shoot. Thanks to Hamish and Sarah for dressing up, braving the sub zero temperatures and for hanging around while I tried different balance settings for the two off-camera speedlight flashes. It was late in the afternoon and there was very little natural light coming through the windows.












Thursday 24 December 2009

High School Prom Girls

The Thurso High School 5th & 6th year prom was held on Tuesday and I was invited to take some pix of 6 friends before they ventured down to the New Weigh Inn Hotel. I used two off-camera speedlight flashes for the first time to see the effect they gave.

The girls were very glamorous and four were brave enough to face the camera on their own for some different individual shots. I suspect they didn't look this good after the post prom parties!















Wednesday 23 December 2009

Halkirk School Christmas Fayre

The Halkirk School Christmas Fayre was a roaring success with standing room only for the Christmas concert. Loads of money was raised for school funds.













Sunday 20 December 2009

Halkirk snow

Some snowy scenes fom Halkirk today. I couldn't venture too far as the car is hopeless in snow. The main streets were a brown mush so no Christmas cards scenes of the village's main landmarks. Maybe later this week?









Friday 18 December 2009

Dunbeath Castle

Some pix of Dunbeath Castle taken early on Saturday. It was minus 3 degrees and it was a good test for my new Sealskinz gloves. They kept my fingers warm so they passed with flying colours!









Thursday 17 December 2009

Neil Gunn Statue

I went to Dunbeath harbour early last Saturday to catch the sunrise on Dunbeath castle. The statue of Kenn and the salmon from Neil Gunn's famous book "Highland River" caught my eye and I used off-camera flash to add impact.










Thurso's Christmas Lights

After trying the Halkirk lights on Friday, I repeated it for Thurso's Christmas lights on Saturday afternoon at 4pm. There is a bit of luck in getting good light trails from passing cars and buses. Exposure time is around 10secs.









Tuesday 15 December 2009

Halkirk's Christmas Lights

My first attempt at night shots last Friday in Halkirk. A sturdy tripod is needed for the long exposures of around 6-15 secs. The car light trails add more interest and are difficult to get just right.









Monday 14 December 2009

Speed Freaks

A big thanks to Serendipity in Thurso for agreeing to loan me these fun models for a day. They are selling fast in the run up to Christmas.

I set up an off camera flash to the left and had natural light on the right. The background is a curved piece of black card.

I have converted some to B&W and applied a special filter on others. Great fun for a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon!