Olympic Highlights - The Main Event - Photos 8 to 12

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 12

There were only a few events left to be played out by the time I got to London on the last weekend of the Olympic games.  One of these events was the Men's 50km Walk.  

There was a magical atmosphere on The Mall on the day of this event.  It was a great pleasure to saddle up alongside other spectators and watch competitors trot up and down in the sunshine outside Buckingham Palace.

Here are the highlights from the main event...

As I began to take photos of the live action it became clear that photographers at sporting events are in the same position as the athletes themselves...they have one moment to get it right and they need to be quick or they'll walk away empty handed.  The shots I've got to show for the day can't compete with those of the professionals but at the moment they are my personal best.

The photo above is a front-runner for me, I like it for a variety of reasons.  The flag in the foreground shows you the perspective I'm looking at things from...a British perspective, that's who I'm supporting.  The flowers mirror the colour of the flag beautifully and take you further into the image.  Now my eyes are searching for something more, they are drawn to the crowd - their gaze directs me to the competitor in the right of the shot.  The walker's unnatural pose makes it easy to identify the event that he's participating in.  The stretch of road in front of him suggests there's a way to go before the finish line.  The colourful crowd, some wearing his colours (like the little girl in the blue hat) will cheer him on to the end.  I like that every element of the photo is part of it's narrative (except, of course the cones and strap front right of the frame...which have no place in this image).

                                                                                                                                                   



















These colour coordinated images coupled together show two athletes making tracks in the competition.

The repetitive nature of the first image (the cones, the positions of the competitors, the Finnish flags in the background) give it a sense rhythm.

The second image sets the pace. This  picture has a sense of motion because it feels as though the walkers are speeding away from the flowers (all the more static because they are in focus).  I particularly like the detailing on the back of competitor 1722's top, it talks of the trail already travelled.

Once again, however, the strap front right of each frame is an unwelcome obstacle for the viewers' eyes to overcome.

I really enjoy looking at photographs, I also enjoy hearing about them.  I love listening to the creator of an image express his/her thoughts on his/her work, after having interpreted it in my own way, to see if we share the same point of view.

It appears that the stories which emerge from my images only do so when I sit down, after a day of taking photographs, to examine my work more closely.  Only then does my brain begin to reveal it's reasons for instructing my finger to release the shutter when it did.  I'm starting to think that maybe we see a lot more in a moment than we are consciously aware of at any one time.

Simply put, I took the photo above, for example, when things lined up before me in a way that was pleasing to my eye.  When I look at the image now I see more than I did at the time when the image was taken.

Now, I see the solitude of competitor 1638.  It makes me think about what might be going through his mind.  Maybe it's...'I can't believe I'm here flying the flag for my country' or 'I've got the green light, I'm going to go for it now'.  Maybe he's using the shadows on the ground as faux finish lines...'I just need to get to the next one as quickly as I can', or visualising himself further down the line 'I am alongside the leading competitor'.  Basically, that's what would be going through my mind if I was in his position!  

None of this was going through my mind when I took the shot!  I like the thought that photographers need only rely on their instincts when taking photographs, safe in the knowledge that the brain is seeing the bigger picture!

In this image it appears as though the competitors, who are all jostling for pole position, are being supported in their efforts, not only by the crowds, but by a higher realm as the statue in the distance seemingly applauds them.  I like that aspect of this image. I also like the fact that the athletes, representing humans at their fittest, look like mere mortals next to the force that is mother nature, represented by the trees.  

If I were to alter the image in any way, I would crop it marginally all round.

The London 2012 Olympic Games - Photos 4 to 7

Zero to Pro - Blog 11

The London 2012 Olympic Games got underway in Glasgow, I was there taking photographs.  The London 2012 Olympic Games got underway in London, I was at home

watching all the action unfold on TV and listening to every sports person and spectator under the London sun talking about the amazing atmosphere surrounding the games.  I felt decidedly like I was standing on the sidelines watching a million photo opportunities pass me by at record speed. 

When I saw the games entering the final straight I decided it was time to play catch up and chase some photos down.  It was London time.  I arrived on the penultimate day of the games determined to soak up the last of the Olympic spirit, bottle it in photographic form and take it home for my blog.

Here are the highlights...

The Olympic Stadium

Ok, not so much a highlight as a low point for me.  At the moment there is nothing more demoralising than shooting a fixed target, such as the Olympic Stadium – which was obviously a focal point for every passing lens.  I don’t enjoy taking the same photographs as everyone else (especially when I know that so many of them will be superior to mine).  Anyway I felt that, in the spirit of the games, I should give it my best shot!

                                                                                                            

Not loving this photo.  Every time I look at it I tilt my head slightly to the right in the hope that the photo will straighten up and stop slouching on the left.  The Olympic Park looks messy, it looks like it needs to be rearranged which points to poor composition.  Worst of all the stadium itself is washed out by the white sky.  Any words of wisdom to help me do better in the face of future fixtures would be most welcome! 

The strategically placed wild flowers surrounding the Olympic Park were very beautiful, it seemed as though they had always been there and that the stadium and sculpture had materialised organically along side them, with just a little help from people behind the scenes (or screens in this case).  

I enjoy the way in which this photo is divided, on the outside tranquillity on the inside  a sense of activity.  On the downside, I would have liked to be able to bring the colour of the flowers to the forefront in this photo, for there to be less sky in the frame and for the remainder of the sky to be less grey.  On the upside...there's plenty of room for growth! 

Looks like the Olympic Park is about to set sail...all aboard for the aquatic centre!  The ship shape and the stance of the guy sporting the camera suggest a voyage is on the horizon.  

I'm beginning to understand that looking at everything from different angles is important if you want to get a fresh perspective on 'things'!  I like the alternative view that this image offers.  I also like the odd detail too, like the Olympic rings sitting on the flexed arm of the photographer.  I just wish there had been a blue sky that day or that I knew how to create more contrast with my camera!

The Arcelormittal Orbit dominated the Olympic Park.  By day, the sculpture presented the idea of movement in much too static a way for my liking, I wished that it was free to move around and make its way to an amusement park perhaps?  I played around with settings on my camera until I took a shot in which it appeared as though it might be able to do just that, having taken on a rather robotic form.  The structure looks alive to me in this image, I quite like it for that reason.

Silver & Bronze - Photos 2 & 3

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 10

At the beginning of August I went on my first photo shoot to Hampden Park, where Olympic action got off the ground with the women's football.

I published my shot of the day in my last blog.  Here are my silver and bronze efforts.

I realise none of the shots will be winning any medals but it's the taking part that counts...right? 

As a complete beginner when it comes to photography I find it challenging, not only to take decent photographs but to explain what I like and don't like about shots I've taken.  Nonetheless, I think it's probably good practise to try to paint a picture of the impression I have of the photos I take.  Then, perhaps, you can give me your perspective so I can begin to get to grips with both the camera and the lingo!

I like all the lines in the photograph above.  The hedge leading into the shot, the red line of the flag and the stride of the man sporting it taking you further along the road and the yellow and white lines on the road running parallel to that.  The lines in the foreground take you to the row of flats in the background.  It feels to me like the lines are guiding you home or that it's 'going home time' (which it was, this photo was taken after the game).  Though first you must get through the other lines...the volunteers, the barriers, the police and the traffic.

I also like the fact that there are no crowds for the flag bearer to negotiate, this tells you something about the day as the games at Hampden were very poorly attended.

Finally, the photo also speaks volumes about the spirit  of the volunteers which could not be dampened by the weather or the lack of women's football fans that day, one of the finer details of the photo that stands out for me.

The negatives that are apparent to me...the photo is too dark, I could have cut back on the amount of hedge in the shot and it feels like there's too great a distance between the front and back of the shot...if that make sense?

You can let me know if I'm speaking a foreign language!

Very simply, I like the repetition of colour and pattern in the shot above.  The reds, whites and blues run throughout while patterns repeat themselves left and right - to the left the print on the boys back and the sign above his head mirror each other while on the right the post in the foreground and the one in the middle of the frame match up.  All these details tie together to make this image fairly pleasing to my eye.

The feeling the image presents to me is that Mum is ready to go home (and perhaps has her eye on the taxi in the background) while the kids have gained energy from the games and and want to take a more colourful route home (via the hurdles no doubt - yes there are no bikes but children can always improvise)!

On the down side... I think there is too much dead space in this shot.  Less pavement and less sky might have made for a more interesting image.  Also, the image round about the colours I mentioned looks very washed out.

Your advice on any aspect of these photographs would brighten up my day and no doubt any future images!

Kicking Off - Photo 1

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 9

The Zero to Pro project officially kicked off at the end of August.  Earlier that month I thought I had better begin to do a little ground work.  I wanted to have a few photos ready to post when things got up and running so I started to look out for photo opportunities.

One such opportunity presented itself on August 1^st.  The Olympics were to kick-off at Scotland’s National Stadium and so I thought I would warm up by stepping out into the cold with my camera and heading to Hampden Park.

I’ve always carried a compact camera around with me everywhere I go - to family gatherings, to events, if I go out for a walk...just in case something that should be caught on camera catches my eye.  Until recently, there have been very few occasions where I have had the opportunity to go out with the sole (or soul) purpose of taking photographs purely for pleasure.

So, as I made my way towards this big sporting event with my big camera (I know most people call it a digital SLR) I felt a little unusual.  It was liberating to be able to go out into the world just to search for beautiful moments but a bit scary at the same time...what if none showed up?  I knew where I was going but I had no idea what I was looking for and this unsettled the part of me that likes to have a purposeful plan.
 

I decided that the best idea for me going forward would be to get a bit of background on any area/event I’m going to before I arrive so that I can have shots in mind that might be available for the taking.  However, these imagined images can’t be too fixed or fixated on as this may cause my eyes to be closed to other possibilities that I could not have anticipated and that may be far more interesting.

I figure, the other advantage to doing a bit of leg work and having some knowledge about an event/area in advance is that it may offer an alternative angle to that of other photographers in the same place.  For example, knowing who is likely to be at an event gives you an idea of who to look out for or picking up local knowledge of an area might allow you to put yourself in prime position to get the best shot. 

That shouldn’t be too difficult based on my first experience of being out with a digital SLR in sight.  I imagined that you might be met with hostility when taking photos of people who did not ask you to take photos of them.  In reality, people seemed to view me as a safe person in a crowd of strangers.  When I wasn’t in the process of taking photographs people would stop and talk to me or ask directions.  When I was in the process of taking photographs people were happy to get in my way, they wanted to be seen. 

I, however, wasn’t as comfortable with the view they were taking of me.  I felt like a fraud and feared that someone might want to chat about what I was doing when I clearly didn’t know.  I think the photo below is proof of that!

I know that there are many ways in which this photograph could be improved but as a first shot I was relatively happy with it.

It took me a while to get the image I was looking for.  At first I wasn’t confident enough to put the camera to my eye with the crowds streaming towards me.  I was at eye level with everyone which meant some people were way to close to the camera and aware of my presence.  So, I decided to climb up on a wall, where a hedge was handily providing a little cover, and take some photos from that position.  I lined up a shot showing the stadium and flags so that the setting was clear, I was then looking for a sense of occasion...someone who would walk into the frame and tell the story of the day.  

The moment I was waiting for arrived.  A little boy spotted me behind the camera and burst into a joyful state waving his flags as he danced towards me.  The girls that were taking care of him looked comfortable with me taking the shot so I released the shutter. I was only a couple of feet off the ground but I felt on top of the world when out of nowhere everything I was looking for appeared in front of me!  It felt like crossing the finish line first.  I was elated.

 

To me the photo presented the idea that the youth of the day had come away from the event inspired and perhaps ready to be at the forefront in the future with regards to sport.  The boy’s energy also appeared to be in contrast to those behind him, maybe representing the lethargy of the past in Glasgow where fitness is concerned.   

So, overall, I was happy with the composition and the finer details in the shot, like the Irn-Bru van in the background (although it's a bit rubbish that I allowed the bin and sign to creep into the right of the image).  I’m pretty sure everything else could have been a lot better.  The little boy is out of focus and the image is a bit dull.  I’d like to know how to do better next time so if you have any suggestions I’d be happy to hear them?!

A Step In The Right Direction

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 8 

My main interest at the moment is in making beautiful images.  The subject matter doesn’t matter too much to me at this stage.   I’m sure an interest in specific genres will develop through study of and experience in different fields.  For now, I feel it’s important to take the time to find out where my skills lie (if indeed I have any), where they would be best placed and where I would enjoy using them most.

The photographs I most like to look at perhaps reflect the photographs I’d most like to take.  People and emotion seem to be the central themes.  

I first thought about studying photography a few years ago and started to compile a reading list from which to learn the basics.  I stumbled across a book at that time which didn’t seem at all relevant to my requirements but it stopped me in my tracks and insisted I bought it.  That book was ‘Street Photography Now’ by Sophie Howarth and Stephen McLaren.  As soon as I got my hands on it, I walked slowly through the pages and was amazed to see a running commentary on life in almost every image.  That’s when I really fell in love with photography, when I realised that it has the potential to tell the story of life in a single shot.

So, as a starting point, I decided to hit the streets, aiming to capture images that speak of the human experience or better still the human spirit.

A Future In Photography Starts Here

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 7  

I always wanted to do...well, everything!  So, I had trouble choosing a path in life because all avenues looked interesting to me, I was reluctant to walk down one and close off all others.

Of course, I had to do something so I took the most general route available...I studied business – a bit of marketing, a bit of finance, a bit of human resources, a bit of law, a bit of everything that could be used in just about any job.  After university, I meandered into the hospitality industry on a full-time basis because I knew it would allow me to work with a wide variety of people anywhere in the world.  I was, essentially, still trying to keep my options open. 

Nonetheless, I’ve always really liked my work though I could never say I loved it.  I liked it because it was, for me, all about excellence.  Every day was about delivering the perfect service, offering the customer the exact experience they had hoped for.  I developed an eye for detail and an ability to build rapport quickly with all kinds of people.  I took pride in what I did but it never felt like it was enough.  I wanted to use my business skills and my creative abilities but creativity was reserved for the kitchen, there was little room for it front of house.

Now I have finally found the freedom that I have always craved within the confines of just a few areas.  Photography and writing allow me to indulge in the diversity of self expression and give my entrepreneurial spirit room to manoeuvre.  Maybe the question we should ask ourselves before we begin on our career paths is how do I want to feel every day rather than what do I want to do.  This question gave me the answer I’ve been looking for, for what feels like forever.

My future in photography starts here!

False Starts and Fear of Failure

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 6

So here we are six months on from when I sent out emails to test the water with regards to the zero to pro project and I still haven’t jumped in at the deep end...until now that is!

Why? Well in February I was all set to take the plunge and focus on the zero to pro project on a full time basis for 9 months.  Then, as you may know, I had to come to terms with the fact that the project may take a lot longer to complete and so I had to re-work my finances.  Six more months of saving and some part-time work going forward will now allow me to dedicate most of my time to the zero to pro project without being distracted by money matters...I’m finally free to be creative!

Of course, the project has been pacing around in my mind this whole time; I've thought about every step without being able to take a single stride.  So, the nerves have been building and as I once again approach the start line they appear to be my biggest obstacle.

As a perfectionist, the thought of putting photographs which are so far from perfect out into the world to be judged fills me with fear.  Creative work, I feel, comes from the heart; it is an extension and an expression of self (regardless of quality) so criticism of it is more likely to be taken personally.  This was a concern.

A talk by the author Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity helped put my mind and my heart at ease.  She made me see that if we feel compelled to create then that is our only job...to create.  It is not in our remit to be the judge of our work or to be concerned with how others judge it.  All we are to do is create from our centre and then let go of our creation and allow it to be whatever it will be in the world.

 

So, that’s what I’m going to do.  I’ll take photographs and write every day because that’s what I feel I should be doing, it’s what makes me happy.  I really believe that if I do this, just follow my heart and my intuition, everything else will take care of itself.  I guess we’re about to find out!

A Race to Photo Finish

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 5

If you read the email below you’ll have noticed that the original idea for this project was to go from zero to pro in 9 months.  I was convinced that the project needed an angle for it to be of interest to anyone.

So I was surprised but delighted when I found many positive responses to the project in my inbox, supporting the idea of the project minus the timescale which was deemed to be, not impossible, but unrealistic by the majority.

The timescale was inspired, in part, by my time at university; I spent years there learning about business and the hospitality industry.  I enjoyed that time in my life.  A handful of lectures each week and the odd tutorial was balanced with a healthy social life.  In the end, I got a good degree having had a great time, I wouldn’t change it.  However, I always felt that I could have condensed what I learned into a much shorter time frame with greater commitment to the cause and fewer distractions.

I imagined that if I took this focussed approach and added my passion for photography to the mix it would propel me through my studies and I would land, 9 months later, in the field of photography ready to earn a living.

Anyway, I made the wise decision (well actually I let the professionals make it for me) and said goodbye to the timescale.  Of course, part of me wanted to try to prove people wrong but I thought ‘hello’ if you’re going to start off by ignoring the pro phos you’re defeating the point of the project, which is to learn all I can from experienced photographers so that I can be one too.    

In any case, perhaps there’s more value in pursuing your dreams at a leisurely pace rather than running yourself into the ground.  So now the project is zero to pro...one photo at a time for as long as it takes!  

Gratitude, Paying It Forward and Giving Back

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 4

I can assure you that the help you offer will always be gratefully received.  I can also promise, as I progress, to ‘pay it forward’ by extending the generosity you show to me to others.  Other than that all I can give you in return for your valued advice are some of my existing skills or alternatively my time.  One part of the email below sets out my skill set, the remainder tells you a little bit more about me and my initial ambitions.

Dear ..........  [Sent to a handful of professional photographers on 29^th February 2012]

Today I’m taking a leap of faith and writing to you in the hope that you will be able to help me achieve something many others may see as impossible – I’m aiming to go from zero to pro photographer in the space of 9 months. 

My life has changed dramatically in the last 9 months.  The end of a long term relationship marked the beginning of a new life for me - I moved house, got fit, widened my circle of friends and tried many new things.  During this time photography caught my eye, captured my imagination and caused me to consider a career change.

In the next 9 months I’d love to bring a new career in photography to life.  I intend to fix my focus on photography and, once again, radically change my life in the time it takes to create one.  I don’t expect to be fully developed as a photographer but I would like to be at the stage where I can begin to look at photography from a professional perspective.

Professional Help

You may think I need professional help...you’re right!  I’m currently looking for mentors who would be willing to help me develop photographic skills or who would be able to offer expert advice.

I would be grateful for any hints or tips you have on getting started; any information you can offer about your industry; any reading material you can recommend; any workshops or courses you approve of or the name of anyone you know who might be able to help me.  Most of all I would be grateful for work experience of any kind.

Anything for a Photo Opportunity

If you give me a shot perhaps I can help you with any jobs you may not have time for – cleaning, filing etc or maybe you can put some of my existing skills to good use.  I have a business degree from Strathclyde University, specialising in marketing.  I’m great with people and have very strong organisational skills which have allowed me to enjoy a successful career in the hospitality industry, managing bars and restaurants at home and abroad.

I’m now ready to explore my creative side and the world of photography.  The plan is to blog about the journey along the way, this would give me an opportunity to promote the services of all the kind people who have taken the time to help me.  I hope you’ll be one of them.

It would be great to hear anything you have to say or better still to see you in person.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Kind regards,

..........

The Path to Enlightenment

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 3

I am certain that the learning curve which will take me to the height of professional photography will be steep but I am determined to enjoy the assent. 

I, therefore, thought it best to study in a way that suits and inspires me.  I enjoy formal education as I respond well to structure but it’s not always fun.  I love the idea of being self-taught; educating yourself through experimentation, but the process can be slow and somewhat frustrating. 

So, I have opted for an ‘Online Education’ this time round, where I have a classroom full of inspirational resources that is always open and where anyone who knows anything about photography can be my teacher. 

I will of course, additionally, read books and consider taking classes that are recommended to me by those of you out there in the know...professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts alike. 

Ultimately, the dream scenario is to be given the opportunity to watch some of you at work in the real world, I realise that distance learning will only take me so far!

In the meantime, I’ll be out there with my camera putting everything I can learn here into practise.

A Light Introduction

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 2

I am ready to set off on my journey into the world of photography.  All I have with me is very basic equipment and a basic desire...to make beautiful photographs.  At the moment, I am confined to taking the photographs my camera captures on automatic (something anyone can do) and I am then left looking at its version of events.  What I would really like is to be able to bring the image in my mind’s eye or the image that suddenly appears before me to life in photographic form, manipulating the camera to make my photo.

The Zero to Pro Photography Project will see me travel from someone who enjoys taking photographs to someone who works as a professional photographer.  My hope is that you will be part of my adventure, help me navigate some of the terrain and arrive successfully at my destination.  Who knows maybe the tracks we create will lead other people to pursue their own path into the field of photography!

This, the Zero to Pro Photo Blog, will essentially be the online journal of my journey.  It will be my base, a place I’ll regularly check into to let you know what I’ve been up to, show you some of my latest shots and hopefully pick up any guidance or direction you are able to equip me with so I can go out into the world with more skills at my fingertips than when I arrived!

Welcome to the Zero to Pro Photography Project!

Zero to Pro - Photo Blog 1

Welcome to the Zero to Pro Photography Project!