Having been waiting for a battery charger, I was camera-less and felt like I should be out there taking pictures. I was tense and itching to get back "out in the field" with the camera. Sure, I had my point-and-shoot but that no longer satisfied me anymore, I was even bored with the black and white mode on it - I wanted to do more. Don't get me wrong, me and the point-and-shoot have had many adventures and they will continue as I promised myself that if drink were involved, I was banned from using the DSLR. Reason one - might break it. Reason two - pictures would be rubbish. I can barely work the point-and-shoot sometimes mid full-on drink session!
Anyway, I digress. The point I was making was, I was getting back in the saddle. Loaded with fresh battery and ready to go. The perfect opportunity arose in the form of The Robertsbridge Bonfire Society parade and fireworks.
Now, if you have never been to Robertsbridge for said occasion, you are missing a treat. Smaller, more intimate and more dark and twisted than Lewes, it is not to be missed.
In mind- An excellent opportunity but not without its challenges. I first went to the event two years ago and remember the fierce red flares and wondered how I could capture them and the dark atmosphere this created on camera. Then there was the spectacle of the bonfire and the fireworks, both very bright but with little other light source around them, I was unsure how the images would turn out.
Check some out below;
In Camera - I was fascinated by the silhouettes of the paraders created by the red flares and this worked especially well when a person stepped in front of one, shielding my lens from the harsh light of the flare but allowing smokey red cloud created to illuminate the parade. I had to be quick as the perfect moment for a shot was often gone faster than I could raise my camera, so I had to be patient to wait poised for the right shot.
I experimented with flash but promptly returned to no flash mode as the flash completely stripped the night of its atmosphere. I needed the darkness to convey the mood but this meant I had to be mindful to capture the illuminated moments when I could to make the most of the available light. I particularly like one shot that is mostly dark save for the fire on a man's torch.
The Bonfire again was similar, allowing me a light source but one that could very easily blur and so I took a great many shots assisted by my trusty sport mode to capture fast moving action and to take multiple shots in quick succession. My favourites again, where the silhouettes contrast the light.
For the fireworks, again I used sport mode and literally just snapped away whenever a colour combination or style moved me.
Well, that's the fire, now for the ice.
Another snow day swept East England, and I awoke to find snow about six inches deep beautifully sugar coating all and everything. Unfortunately, I live about fifteen minutes from my office so I had to go to work, miserably eating my breakfast, listening to all the school closures but also reminiscing my own school show days and all the excitement that brought.
In mind - Peering out of my window at work, I could see that the snow was not melting and I began longing for the opportunity to capture this beautiful landscape on camera. I was called to cover the reception at work since no reception staff were coming in due to adverse weather conditions. Luckily after about two hours, a member of staff bravely battled the snow despite breaking two ribs on snow day last year and relieved us. I was certainly relieved! Still, my reward came when it was announced we could leave work early. Yay!
Upon getting home, I was unable to leave the house for a while and I could see that it was already starting to get dark. Grabbing my camera and quickly reading something on the Internet about white balance and correct use of flash, I ventured out.
I had three objectives. Well, four if you count, get home before I bloody freeze. I was unable to wear my gloves to operate the camera and was concerned about my poor cracked, dry hands but remembered I may have to suffer for my art from time to time. I took on my mission. Basically, I was interested in trees, icicles and snowmen.
In Camera - I set white balance to cloud, which I read makes snow white instead of blue, which can happen when shooting snow. OK. I fiddled about for ages taking all manner of shots, experimenting with aperture, shutter speed and flash and kept coming up with the same problem, blur and in some cases underexposure as the shutter speed I was using was too fast and not taking in enough light?? Not sure what I am talking about really, longing for my photography lessons. Oh yes, due to in a few months, so hopefully I will understand that with which I am currently dabbling.
Ended up using auto quite a bit, close up, flash and no-flash settings. I know, I did try but I was not getting the quality of images I wanted with the manual ones. Soon, my friend.
Anyways, here's what you came for. Hope you like.
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