A little more Onelight

So another quick evening of experimental photography - this time joined by my friend Dave. Not, with two people, one ends up the guinea pig.....sometimes me, sometimes Dave. Neither wishing to be in front of the camera, but both prepared to look fools in the pursuit of photographic perfection. 

Another quick blast at the BMX park.  

(Dave above, me below)  I went for the option of not looking at the camera: 1) because I blink all the time, and 2) I look stupid whatever expression I try to pull!  Good job I generally take photos rather than need to pose for them.

Onelight @ Cheltenham BMX park

I got out tonight for a swift 30 mins to shoot some more personal work with off camera flash. Although a little late, I captured a few frames at the local sk8 park with promising results. Hopefully I'll find a little more time to session this place properly and improve my skills.

It was a sweet sky tonight, hence the mad rush to get out the house and capture it.

Baby #2 - wahooo.

It's not a big belly, it's a baby. Daisy's gonna have a little brother or sister and she's already started chatting to the baby. Mind you she can't stop talking so it's to be expected.

Ali is now 20 weeks pregnant so we're due an addition to the family in late Jan 09 - exciting huh. Or should that be 'daunting'? It's easy to forget just how hard it is to have a baby that requires 24/7 attention. At least with Daisy we get some relief with Cbeebies...when she doesn't want to be painting. Yes, Daisy's favourite past time.

Daisy interprets painting somewhat differently to other children, as she doesn't appear to need paper. The last session we had involved painting her hands, her feet, then of course Daddies feet! Having spoken to Daisy tonight we're apparently doing more of the same tomorrow :-)

Pittville Pump Rooms Wedding Photography - Ian and Emma

Ian and Emma - 13th Sept 2008

Ok, so this really has got to be a quick post as time is super pressing this week, but none the less, here's a few shots from saturdays wedding at Pittville Pump Rooms, where we had some super late evening sun for a few photos.

Pics & slideshow below >>>

Christchurch, Cheltenham. And I do believe the clock was correct.

Pittville Pump Rooms and one very little bridesmaid

Golden light streaming through the pillars at Pittville Pump Rooms - you just can't beat autumn weddings

Seeing as I've been popping up words of praise, I thought I'd include these from Emma today. I'm seeing a growing trend of couples checking my blog & their email when on honeymoon! You lot just can't keep away. (I say, writing on my blog at twenty to midnight.....must sleep)

AMAZING, AMAZINE, AMAZING!
You even managed to make me look ok! Just had a quick peek and we can't believe what a FAB job you did for us!!! Will give you a bell when we get back! A MILLION thank you's!!!
Em & Ian

Center Parcs - WARNING: I HAD A PINT OF BEER BEFORE WRITING THIS

Center Parcs - ummmmm...??? Now, before we get too far with this blog it's worth mentioning that prior to going to Center Parcs I wasn't sure I was the kinda guy who'd like it. Now upon my return it is fair to say that indeed it's not exactly my cuppa tea, although palatable.

Anyway for want of making this an unnecessarily long blog, in short the Davis' along with a couple of friends decided to dip our toes into the world of 'packaged' holidays - with the main reason being toddlers. Yes, CP (as we'll call it for short) is geared up to families with kids - or so they say.

Well, we did have a great few days, although it blinking well rained on a couple of them (what's that all about - come on, give me a break). It does offer plenty of activities; face painting, glueing, sticking, soft play, swimming,blah, blah, blah. But god damn it's pretty expensive. I've done painting with Daisy before and it certainly worked out a lot cheaper than a CP session!

So, without going on and on and on, here's some photos that sum up the few days we had last week relaxing (hah yeah right, with two toddlers & a baby!) at CP.

You'll notice a few photos along this theme. It's called painting with light and involves me & Dave messing about with a torch and a camera whilst the girlies look on in disbelief as to what an earth their hubbies are up to. Note: there is no Photoshop trickery here, it's all done in camera with a long shutter speed, torch and a flash. (was that too techie for you by the way or do you all know what a long shutter speed is?) Above was my best attempt, below is one of the many earlier failures where I struggled with the concept of writing the letter 'G' back to front. Note: this is harder than it looks!

Just cute Daisy - ahhhhhh.

More trickery with a flash gun and long shutter speed - spooky huh! LOL. Ohh that's CP in the background by the way - that's the PLAZA...woooooow.

So, whilst on baby sitting duty (as the girls were off pampering) Dave & I took it upon ourselves to learn more about 'off camera flash' (Zzzzzz, boring Matt, I hear you all say!!!). But no, it's all very relative as one day you'll be on the receiving end of my off camera flash and wouldn't you like to look as fine as Dave and I do in front of the camera? OK, so we're not the best at posing....that's because it's all about the camera settings, not the pose! PS - these were the two I chose to show on my blog, other out-takes are available but not for general viewing!

Ahh yeah, (above) that's Dave & I looking after the kids. Dave taking pics of them, me taking pics of Dave taking pics of them. Who exactly is looking after them you may ask? We too had the same concerns...well for a second, then got on with taking more photos!

Here's my little Pocahontis.

Ahh, Dave on child care duties AGAIN. Both eyes firmly on the tv, what a loving dad! Daisy (below) with square eyes, clearly from watching too much TV.

Ohh look, I did take a pic of the place we stayed - there you go mum, you'll like to see that. It's the one on the right hand side of this row. Daisy rather liked the puddles out the front.

PS - as a note, Ali aka BIMPY (my wife) and Clare (Dave's wife) did come with us on holiday, yet we apparently neglected to take any photos of them. Ooops, sorry girls, I mean ladies! They must have been off pampering all the time, that's why...yeah, that's it! :-)

Gloucestershire Wedding Photography - Manor House Hotel, Moreton-In-Marsh

Last weekend was a little wet to say the least (yeah, I know I go on about weather, but where was summer this year?). However, Sat was the drier of two days I worked and thankfully we managed a few outdoor shots around the Manor House Hotel, which has beautiful gardens & grounds set amongst it's ye olde buildings.

Keith & Nicola had a great wedding with some nice personal touches. I especially liked the Polaroid photos with an album to slip them in and guests comments alongside their shot. The boys shooting these were right fun too, so top marks for the organisation there!

Anyway, without further a do, here are a few photos from their day, where I covered bride preps through to first dance.

....I really think you should put a dress on rather than the stripy shirt!?

Keith & Nicola specifically requested that I was allowed to take photos during the wedding ceremony. This shot was certainly a great one I was pleased to catch.

.....and the wedding slideshow

I had a few words of thanks from Keith's mum yesterday so thought it nice to include these alongside their slideshow. Here's what Eleanor had to say.

"Good Morning Matt, Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful pictures of Keith & Nicola's wedding - they really are 'something else' can't stop looking at them. Thank you so much for turning a wonderful day into a wonderful memory".