The lighthouse at Jandía / Morro Jable beach, Fuertaventura

Just recently returned from the workshop and a series of photo walks at Africa’s Spanish island of Fuertaventura.

One of the places I have visited is the most popular tourist attraction, mainly for the German language speaking population named Morro Jable (= the original fishing village) and Jandía (= the “new” town). Since Jandía seamlessly passes into Morro Jable both towns together are just called “Jandía” in travel guides or magazines.

A vast, proper light-colour sand beach with fine sand (behind which there are protected salt meadows) is one of the main attractions as well as local cultural obelisks like the lighthouse, giant ancient sea creature skelet and many more. The Jandía as a city is mainly based on post volcanic mountains hills, facing the beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

Photographically the main benefit of the South Town location is that it’s geographically below the main Sahara’s dust, winds stream, so the air is much more clear than in the Central and Northern island areas however you could still see some smudges on the sky… looks pretty cool to me

1500 GMT Facing North- The lighthouse

The picture below has been taken at about 1500 GMT but as it is near earth’s equator the sun has still been quite high. Please have a look and do not hesitate to comment. Below I have placed the map.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=morro+jable+lighthouse&aq=&sll=28.051606,-14.355097&sspn=0.020111,0.038581&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=lighthouse&hnear=Morro+del+Jable,+P%C3%A1jara,+Palmas,+Canary+Islands,+Spain&ll=28.224339,-14.111771&spn=0.419902,0.581335&t=f&output=embed
View Larger Map

 

Thanks for watching,

Michal

The African week

Every now and then I find very useful to go to a country where you can find very different lighting conditions and to work with some photo shoots.

This time i have decided to organize a free workshop that was great success to me.

The interest has been so big that I had to extend it from 1 day to 2 days. The program was very easy and if you haven’t read it already this is it:

- landscape and city photography
- planes and sport (surfing)
- outdoor model photography without a flash
- and few other ideas that came along with the workshop

We didn’t have much luck with the surfing as the weather conditions were to soft for proper surfers.

The city and landscape photography was the best part of this workshop for me. But we had fun all those 2 days. We worked over some HDR images that will be put together later on. We had also few plans in sight

I have also worked with the workshop attendees to deliver them a bespoke video from this event and you shall see it soon.

These pictures posted now aren’t edited in any serious software, they have been only touched with iPad. Please enjoy and feel free to comment as always.

Cheers Michal

in The Girl’s Eyes

The emotions of the little girl’s eyes on this picture has been a mixture of happiness and disappointment. I wanted to show the softness and simplicity in the girl face expression. The mysterious lady is 2 years and 2 months old, and her name is Vicky.

Christmas packages

As we all get closer to the seasoning occasions like Christmas or a New Years day, we have put together with our Make Up Artists a complete Christmas / New Year’s gift package for in Studio photography.

The package includes up to 20 different poses with 4 (four) types of make ups.

The client can get their own outfits and we shall combine that with our stylists work to get the best results. All pictures will be given on a DVD as a sideshow and as small jpg files to by published on any social media networks. We will also give a  Collage Poster (50×75 cm) with all the pictures taken in it, individually composed for your design. All the pictures we take will be also placed in our on-line, password protected gallery for you for next three months (http://portfolia.smugmug.com)

To order your gift voucher please contact us directly on 0844 209 2149, 07 849 259 678

Thank you very much!

Mike

Joy to watch, Joy to think, Joy to feel and it’s only for Them!

Today I would like to share with you my point of view for the photography of those who are expecting…. future mothers and fathers.

Each time a woman is pregnant she can remember and feel what is happening to her in a very different way. This already creates the special memories connected to the child that she is carrying. Everything she will remember about the baby is on the ultrasound prints… what about the mother’s look, fathers look and the general appearance… Well this is the moment where we can step in and capture all these different looks, emotions of dad and mum while they are expecting. Our shoots, combined with the scans create the only, unforgettable story of life that can stay with you and your family for generations… Think about it…

Isabel and Alex in Studio WK23

Joy to watch, Joy to think, Joy to feel and it’s only for Them!

More of this type and another photos on our protfolia website

Hawarden Photo Walk results

The workshop in Hawarden as I promised took place yesterday.

We went to have some HDR and non-HDR experience photographing landscapes and the beautiful Fall

As a team of six we manage to capture several interesting point of view. The biggest surprise were the results from my iPhone where first of all I didn’t expect to get such a great result on any of the HDR photos. Steve’s invention has taken my by surprise again. Below I have published my favourite shoot with little Amelia, daughter of Lukas, the participant of the photo-walk. She was waiting for Lukas to give her the camera so she could join us and take some pictures.

Hawarden Royal Air Force / cemetery

The shoot was taken at Royal Air Force cemetery in Hawarden, North Wales

Let me know what do you think :)

Before and after the filter

Inspiring fountain at Piccalilli Gardens in Manchester’s City Centre.

Piccalilli Gardens in HDR no filters

This photo was taken in a Halloween day evening and surprisingly there are not too many people around this place. Some are in a hurry to bus or rail station, besides of that few homeless people and a one or two police walking patrols around the square.

This a part of my Mass Observation 2010-2011 project I’m doing in the UK.

A very unique scene you would suppose, comparing to the kind of regular crowd always present at this location. This occasion helped me to take the photo of the fountain that normally is almost impossible without some moving people in the scene.

This picture is combine from 3 exposure taken with Canon 5D MKII and the brightest picture was then EV+1 in Adobe Lightroom to increase the available light spectrum

Here below is a version of the same photo but this time with filters on. I couldn’t decide which one I like more so I’m leaving the judgement to you

Piccalilli Gardens at Manchester's City Centre in HDR with filters

Please comment and share as usual.
Thank you for watching

Sunday’s Photo Walk

I’m very happy to invite all interested people to join out Sunday’s Photo Walk. it’s free of charge, all you have to do is get there ready to Rock & Roll :)

Time: 13 November · 12:00 - 19:00

Location : Hawarden Castle Grounds
Map: http://g.co/maps/zs7ge
Hawarden, Saskatchewan

More info

We shall start a photo-walk and workshop going first for the old cemetery, St.Deinols Church and the Castle Grounds. After that we shall have a break one of the local pubs. The we could visit Airbus Site and Runway, Maybe seeing some A380 and trying to grab a picture of it.

It there will be enough time, we could also visit Chester, The Wall for a Panorama shoots.

So don’t forget your tripods if you have some. We are going to meet, in the location showed on Google Maps link attached above – just next to the Fox and Grapes, Please sign up, we will start to drive from our studio in Manchester Eccles at about 11:00 am.

Any questions please ask or give me a bell at 07849259678.

Friends, Family most welcome.

Remember to charge your batteries, clean your lenses, prepare to take lots of cards and… don’t forget to bring all that gear :)

Cheers

SuperCars

Taking pictures of super-cars can be as exciting as taking a pictures in studio of a beautiful model… nope.. but It’s fun anyway!

Last weekend I went to take pictures of some of the most desirable, 4 wheeled, technological innovations of the 21st century – The Super Cars.

The show and pre-booked driving event was taking place at York’s Air Museum runway, race track. There were 18 machines. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Audi, Vauxhall (US:GMC, EU: OPEL), Nissan and a Buggie Race Car . As the sun was shining and the were only some minor greyish clouds around I treated this occasion as a chance to take some pictures of those mentioned before ‘toys’

Please feel free to leave your comments :) Thanks for looking and sorry for being such a pain

Zooming The Beatles – 12 gold LP’s

Museum of Liverpool - 12 gold LP's of The Beatles

At the beginning of this week I went first time to see the museum of Liverpool at Albert’s Dock. Architecture wise the building is very interesting. Simple form mixed with triangular elements creates a feeling that the building is sliding of the pedestal. The whole construction if pretty big so the dock yard and ship-shape of the building are giving really impressive effect.Inside the main hall is not that impressive any more. Simplicity of interior design and lack of style. Just wired. But what do I know about the modern art design :)

The ground floor had a very small exhibition of unknown etymology. I couldn’t understand what was it really about. Anyway the first floor was still under construction so I rushed to the second floor where was the sports achievements, Welsh heritage, industrial and The Beatles. When I have noticed this exhibition with their 12 gold albums, LP covers set together on the wall. When I took the first picture it looked a bit boring so I have decided to try out old good way of zooming to add some special FX to those LP’s. See what came out of it… As always please feel free to comment and leave your feedback.

Thank you for visiting