Dodging the showers!

The UK weather makes outdoor photography rather eventful, as most people know lately it has been rain, rain and more rain! But as long as you don't mind getting a bit muddy there are usually breaks in the rain and then the sun suddenly comes out and a bit of blue sky might even appear. The trick is to work quickly before the next downpour sends you back inside!

Here is a montage of a very lovely baby who performed beautifully for his first photo shoot, I love the muted colours of this set of photographs.

What makes a good photo become a great photo?

Every photographer will have a different answer to this and for everyone taking or looking at pictures it is something different.

Is it the composition? The light? The beautiful subject? Yes, these are all necessary for a great shot, but for me, the wow factor comes from something else, a natural photograph, the one the subject didn't realise was being taken.

Once the science of photography is understood many technically perfect pictures can be taken but there is often that something special missing. I spend a lot of time on the net looking at other photographers work and the ones that make me stop and go "wow" are the ones where a very special moment has been captured. One of my favourite photographers whose work I love to look at and take inspiration from is jeansmithphotography.com so many of her photos are just incredible and really appear to capture the essence of the subject (being in the US there is usually great light too!)

After a busy day taking photos yesterday one of my favourite pictures was actually after the session when the light was just getting good and was completely natural and unrelated to the actual photo shoot. Just a girl and a horse.

This has reminded me why that, despite the UK's very unpredictable and often appalling weather, I am perserving with natural, outdoors photography and why I am not working in a white studio. The shots may be harder to achieve but then one comes along that I am just so proud to have taken.

To view more of my photographs or arrange a photo shoot please visit my facebook page: piperspicturesphotography

or my website:

http://www.piperspictures.co.uk

Black and White or Colour?

Black and white or colour? Which do you prefer? Thats the question I often ask people.

I have always been a huge fan of colour photography but for a while now have found myself moving more and more towards black and white. There seems to be a perception that black and white photographs are better or maybe just more arty?
I think both have their place and black and white prints do look amazing framed on a wall but surely sometimes especially when photographing children it is lovely to see them in full colour?

Just remember how excited everyone was at the first colour television!!

Anyway here are a selection of my colour shots of children, would they work as well in black and white?

 

If you would like to arrange a photo shoot (in colour or black and white!) for your child please contact me on picturepiper@gmail.com

Summer Wedding at the Crazy Bear.

Christmas Wedding Shoot.

How exciting I thought when I was asked to take pictures at a Christmas Wedding, brave time to get married too, considering the snow of the two previous years!!

Having only been to summer weddings, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect and was worrying about the fact if the weather was awful all of the pictures might need to be inside with flash, rather than using natural light.

Anyway Lady Luck was on our side, it was a beautiful sunny day and we could get outside for a few "formal" shots in lovely late afternoon low light - perfect!

So, in my humble opinion, Christmas Weddings are great, fairy lights galore, lots of red (the most photogenic colour!) and who knows maybe even snow, perfect for great photos!

If you are looking for a photographer either for family photo sessions or for a wedding please email me for further information picturepiper@gmail.com