Award winning professional photographer based in Maldon Essex, specialising In boudoir, fashion and portraits
New video now up streaming with the pictures from the maldon classic car show.
This is a short snippet of what I got on the day. But the images in this video I whole heartedly love! So
If you have a moment or 26seconds would love to have your support. Just click the thumbnail below to head over and watch it.. if you can watch the whole 26 seconds and then if you like it hit the like button.. as this really does help my very small channel.
This is My Ten simple tips to create beautiful lighting that flatters for professional photos or perfect selfies
1: Use natural light whenever possible.
Natural light is often the most flattering and easiest to work with. Putting your subject in the right place at the right time of day with natural light can be the softest lighting to work with, and most effective.
2: Experiment with different times of day.
The quality of light can change significantly depending on the time of day, so try shooting at different times to see what works best for you or your subject.
3: Use reflectors or a white card to bounce light back onto the subject.
This can help fill in shadows and add dimension to the subject. Bring out a glow to the eyes and under the chin to make an image more appealing to the eye.
4: Experiment with different light sources.
In addition to natural light, you can also use artificial light sources such as studio strobes or continuous lights. Even a simple ring light can be a creative tool or a small video light will add a pop to your pictures.
5: Pay attention to the direction of the light.
Light that is coming from the side or from behind the subject can create a more dramatic effect, sometimes a bright light from behind will result in a more silhouetted looking image.
6: Use diffusers to soften the light.
This can help reduce harsh shadows and make the light more flattering to the subject. A simple white sheet over a window will give a soft touch to any image.
7: Avoid shooting directly into the sun.
This can create harsh shadows and cause lens flare and in turn make the images soft with less contrast. Though this rule isn’t always bad. It can also be creative if used in the correct environment .
8: Use negative fill to create shadows. By placing a dark object near the subject, you can create shadows and add depth to the image.
If you have a very light room from natural light through a window or a white bedroom this idea will be great, even a dark sheet/ blind or black card will reduce some light giving more depth to a subject.
9: Experiment with different apertures. Aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera, as well as the depth of field.
This can be found on all manual settings in camera or on smartphones. This is perfect to add a little creative look when using a low F number ..
10: Keep an eye on the colour temperature of the light. Different light sources can cast different color temperatures, which can affect the overall mood of the image. Use a colour checker or white balance tools to help ensure accurate colour. For instance house lighting and sunlight can produce a warm tone to an image.. where a window lit by indirect light or even a snow scene will have a cooler more white look..
Please remember that these are my personal tips, we all have our own ideas. There’s nothing wrong with using a bunch of the above methods and then in your preferred editing software creating something much more refined or dramatic.
Let me know what you try and how it works out for you.
Follow me on here or on Instagram http://www.instagram.com/adriandayphotography to see more !
This is my Five reasons I love my 85mm lens it’s one of my bread and butter lenses.
1: It’s great for Portrait photography:
The 85mm focal length is ideal for portrait photography because it allows you to capture flattering, up-close shots of your subject without distorting their features. This is especially useful for capturing headshots and full-body portraits.
2: Bokeh:
The 85mm lens is known for its ability to produce beautiful, creamy bokeh in the background of your photos. This is especially useful for isolating your subject and drawing attention to them.
3: Low light performance:
Many 85mm lenses have a wide maximum aperture, which allows them to perform well in low light situations. This makes them a great choice for indoor photography or for shooting at dusk or dawn.
4: Compact size:
85mm lenses are generally smaller and more lightweight than other lenses, making them a convenient choice for photographers on the go.
5: Versatility:
While the 85mm lens is often used for portraits, it can also be used for a variety of other subjects, including landscape, street, and event photography. It’s a versatile lens that can be used in many different situations. The 85mm is always with me!
In closing:
So, in all honesty this lens is one lens I would recommend any photographer purchasing.
These days the 85mm 1.8 isn’t that expensive and if you’re a multi shooting photographer who likes shooting landscapes events or models, this lens would pay for its self ! Low cost, high quality prime lens that will get plenty of use!
To finish … if you’re a photographer or someone just starting out. And own an 85mm lens let me know in the comments if you agree that it’s worthwhile buying one..
This is only a short post! While I have a few moments
The last few weeks I’ve Been working on new product and new digital art.. The new images I’ve had printed really look amazing and more like paintings. Than photographs.
But that’s the look that I’m going for .. we all love art in some way. And though I’m first and foremost a portrait photographer I have a love for capturing the world and giving it a painted look.
Here are a couple of images that I’ve been working on let me know what you think?
Please leave me a comment if there is any of these image you would see as a potential wall art for you..
Hey guys and girls just a quick message to let you all know that there is a very short video just been posted !
Please go show a little support and follow like subscribe!
Let me know what you think of the images !
YouTube post click here to go see it !
Saturday November 20/2021 6:00am can’t sleep! Been trying, but I just can’t seem to sleep. Clocks ticking, cats got a sugar rush on! Mind away with the fairies! Other half’s got the fidgets
I look at the better half and suggest the unexpected!!! No hey …. Stop thinking that.. nothing rude!! Shall we get sorted and head out with the cameras ? Not expecting the “sure let’s do it!” Reply .. wicked, that buzz kicks in!!
And Like a kid a Christmas, I spring from the bed before the ‘or should we just stay in bed kicks in’ a quick shower later … Coffee in hand camera bag on our backs, we head to the door.. yes obviously we got dressed too!
Now as the door opens that rush of cold air hits your face and you think am I really doing this .. but anyone who loves being a photographer will tell you .. we want to get back in bed ! No … not that at all!
We will do anything to get a great shot!
Now the destination we have planned to go is pretty local, about a thirty minute walk. a little more when it’s chilly and you haven’t had any sleep in 48 hours !
It’s a lovely part of a sea side town in Maldon Essex.. called ‘The Maldon Promenade’. It’s known for its boats, amazing sunrises, distant river views, shipwrecks and it’s many birds ! And a favourite place for me to frequent
A short stroll later, we enter the gates and cross the vast green fields to the sea wall.. sadly the tide is coming in, but it’s still a way out .. so first thoughts ‘I may not get the shots I would really like’.
As you can see tide still way out but will be in, in a few hours ! Fingers telling me “hey we’re already cold!’’
But the smell that’s in the air is refreshing .. no again I bet you’re predicting the next line to be, the smell of the sea.. no actually it’s the smell of bacon. This location has food huts ! And they open early ! Bri & Debs best in the park! For food and drinks !
But that will have to wait we need to get some work done, then it’s time for hot food!
Okay back to the photography!
Our first port of call was to walk toward the shipwreck (karma) thats finding its resting place just off the river blackwater but close to the edge of the back main field of the promenade, this ship can be seen looking down from the bird watching tower or you can take a very slippery walk along the sea wall, me being a daredevil I took the slippery route!
It’s not hard to find the entrance to this part of the sea wall, as there is a loop that you can do of the promenade and if you take the gravel track walk you’ll soon find there is a little trail that bares left that takes you along the main sea wall towards Maryland sea .. a very long walk.. One I started at the beginning of Autumn. ‘Started but didn’t finish’
If you walk just a few steps into this trail you will see a walk way that takes you perfectly yet slip sliding towards the shipwreck.. (yes I did it Saturday) btw if you’re thinking of walking and trying this route.. don’t do it while the tides coming in unless you have your wit’s about you.. as water comes in round the back of you.
About fifteen feet round this ridge is the shipwreck and yes it’s the perfect photogenic subject ..
sadly the sun come up just before we got to our shipwreck destination .. but we didn’t miss anything as the sky was so cloudy and overcast there was no beautiful sunrise to be had.. to give this shipwreck the perfect pop, one I’ve captured so many time before.. but still I managed to get this shot below ..
KARMA SHIPWRECK .. As the sky was just greyish blue i tried to take the image showing minimal sky ..
The light was just starting to get change as I took this so this pointed us in the direction of the birds .. and soft light, I could tell this was going to be fun! This could take a little walking and me being quiet.. not something I’m said to be good at..
We started back toward the back field and a small area known as Delph Ditch. It’s a grassy and wooded area With small bird, moorhens, coots and the odd duck or two.
This is about the 100th time we have been here so we knew there was going to be a couple of things that could take our fancy.. there is a beautiful tree that stands tall above a small wooden bridge. We have aptly named the water lilies. You know like the monet painting.. take a look at the image below and even though it’s Autumn the only difference to me is the colours ! With the Autumn oranges and warm tones.
Delph Ditch an interpretation of Monet’s – water lilies
Here is where we crossed from the left of the image through and under the tree and crossed over ‘The trolls style bridge’ to the right hand side ..
As you cross this bridge you can look behind the tree and see what’s in the little stream that runs off about 40 ft into the distance.. there wasn’t much apart from a small Robin and he soon made a fly for it. So we started our climb back ..
This is where we met a little friend!
We had only walked about fifteen feet from the bridge when my partner told me to stop! And stay still.. and look slowly down to the right on the fence.. I didn’t see it at first but there stood a a stunning fluffed up Robin.. it soon become apparent that she wasn’t alone. ( no I don’t mean because we was there 😄 )
There was a family of robins and they was super friendly .. bobbing from the fence a few feet over to the shrubs and then back to the fence.. each time it come to land on the fence it got closer and closer to us and the camera that was resting on the top of the fence post.
Now I’ve been close to a few birds in my time… yes the feathered kind.. but never been close to a Robin. The longer we stayed the closer she was getting. Every time she landed, I would try to snap some shots off .. then refocus when she landed on the shrubs . Back and forth.. until she was that close just an inch from the tip of my lens … I think she was showing off to us and so was mr Robin he wouldn’t get as close but still within a couple of feet.
I think you can tell with the images that I’ve managed to capture how close these beautiful bird got to the camera .. very happy with this set of images .. images below 👇
Images 1 Robin looking for her Batman… she was so close I wish I had took some food with me.. or come here after going to the food kiosk.. maybe it would have eaten out of my hand.
Image 2 as she was just a few inches from me on the top of the fence .. could see so much detail in her feathers !
Image 3 And the there he was Mr Robin I believe.. watching from just a few feet away.. such a beautiful sight to see and honestly loved getting these images .
Now time was getting away, we had been here for about 3 hours and Mr piggy was calling ! No not a pig I could take photos of. More the bacon roll I hit upon earlier.. so off we trotted to the kiosk and got a hot chocolate and a bacon roll to take away.. this is where things to yet another odd turn of events .
Just call be bird man!
To get to Bri n Debs kiosk from where we was capturing the Robin it’s about a five minute walk along the sea wall back towards the main lake .. again time may very depending on energy level .. mine at this time well over 48 hours with out sleep.. it took a little while longer ! But while taking this slow stroll, We come across a sign that tell you what birds to expect to see walking around the Promenade!
While my partner walked over and ordered our mid morning bacon roll I stood reading the sign!
And seeing if I could see many of the birds on the list, Now just so you know I’m literally standing twelve inches from the sign. And nearly get landed on by two starlings .. trying to land on said sign.. right infront of me. First thought ‘the birds here are blooming friendly ! ‘
Tap on shoulder and the good lady has returned from the kiosk with breakfast! I managed to take my first bite look up and to my surprise there was five starlings now! Looking at me with the ‘I’m hungry give that bun to me look’
Honestly it was like a mini scene from the film ‘The birds’
If I moved left they did if I moved right they did.
Ping! Brain fart.. let’s see if they want some of this roll and maybe I can get a few images along the way .. not so surprising.. took a pea size nibble off the roll and the birds starting tweeting! Loudly ! Not sure if this was a give me tweet or not didn’t take long to find out it was more of a phone call to their friends and family.. because bird started landing from everywhere.
About 30 in total ! At one point or another I put my hand out and the bird furthest left on the sign takes of and nips it right out my fingers ! And fly’s away, I look down take another small piece off look up and the space that had the last bird I fed was taken, put hand out again the first in line took off pinched with piece of roll and took off !
By Now the line was pretty full ! about 10 bird on the sign and there was an audience of starlings on the sea wall.. and people watching me feeding out of hand these stunning birds … now to cut a long story short ! I’m not great with an audience! ‘Human audience that is’
So I take out the camera and real off a number of shots trying to capture a number of them as they all had something different about them from speckled chests to colourful bellies.. fat one skinny one!
The feeding wasn’t over ! Ended up feeding the masses with half my roll ! And having a field day with these beautiful starlings.
landing on my hand, flitting back and forth changing places. I managed to take a good thirty images maybe even more and my partner took a lot too.. these guys, honestly such beautiful birds.. people truly misjudge them and the way the work as a team their wasn’t any fighting stealing it was like a natural feeding line .. one after the other.
Here are a few of this shots so you can see what I mean !! Take a moment to look at the details on their body and the stunning ‘petrol on water’ colours in the blacks !
Standing in line ! The middle one is ready to fly because I had food in my left hand 🙂
Feeding line this way Im so sure that this one was not cleaning its self more directing air traffic control!
I’ve been tangoed such vibrant orange tones and Cadbury purple tints to the wings
The boss man the colours on this one just outstanding .. peacocking in all it’s glory.. really beautiful!
Sadly this was all the time we had as we needed to get back home, but we spent a good five hours at this location.. and we will definitely be returning here.. so keep those eyes open for more birds boats and landscape..
Please if you managed to read this to this point thank you for taking the time out of your day I know times precious! Thank you for your support. And will we are talking about support please follow the blog .. so you can be first to see posts
We have great posts coming on here.. if you can head over to our social pages and show some love that would be amazing .. links are in our menu..
And most of all please feel free to comment ! I love interacting with you all ! And love hearing what you all think!
So until next time ! Remember you only have one life, one shot, so capture it!
Adrian Day Photography 