I recently shot for one of my favourite clients, Certitec. I have shot for them several times over the last few years, I love what they do and there's always good energy there. Certitec offers Adobe authorised software training in a host of creative programmes on site at its 3 locations in London Covent Garden, Bristol and Cardiff. Whether you want to learn Photoshop, lightroom, Premiere Pro, Illustrator or After Effects, check them out: www.certitec.com
Below are some of my favourite shots.
Last month I was shooting headshots for fabulous architects RLB. They also wanted a natural teamshot to use on their global recruitment pages. The image needed to be candid, natural, bright and reflecting the diverse nature of the company. It also had to be cropped wide.
We knew that we wouldn’t have long to actually shoot it as we had a lot of headshots to get done and also we were taking people away from their work. First we found a large communal desk that we knew we could easily fit 4 people around. We also wanted to include windows. However this was a dark December afternoon in London, so I knew I would have to work hard to get it looking bright both inside and out, whilst retaining a nice crisp image. This was made even harder by the ubiquitous poor office lighting.
Here is a phone snap of the space we chose
After selecting the best location I had to decide on the lighting. The examples they had shown me looked like they were all shot in California in Summer, so how was I going to transform this dark London afternoon? Well I started with 4 flashes; 2 at the front, bouncing off the ceiling to light the subjects faces with a broad, soft light, then 2 flashes behind pointing at the walls. These 2 were lighting the background, but I had to be careful they did not reflect in the windows. I fired a few test shots with my helpful stand in model and although the shot looked pretty good, it seemed a bit flat, not like a sunny day in Silicon Valley. This is where a bit of fake sun came in. So I grabbed another flash, positioned it high near the window, the same angle as the sun would come in and I pointed it right towards my subjects. I zoomed the flash in so it was a tight, hard light and I put an orange gel on it to give that warm sunny glow. This light really made a difference and was the missing piece of the puzzle I was looking for. You can really notice it on the 2 people on the right of the image. The shadow cast by the womans hair on her face and the backlighting on the guy.
This snap shows 4 of the 5 flashes I used to light the scene, another was hiding behind the wall on the left.
This is the selected photo straight out of the camera, unedited.
As above, cropped wide.
With basic exposure, contrast and colour adjustments. Notice how dark it is outside.
Photoshopping those windows really made a huge difference, check out how much better and brighter it looks outside.
The final photo. With a bit of tonal correction and extra brushing to brighten the top right corner and darken the bottom left.
I was pretty pleased with the end result and I feel I did well to transform a dark December day and dull office lighting into something bright, sunny and natural.
Christmas get’s earlier every year, but it’s never too early to book your photographer. Document your company relaxed and in fun mode, enjoying a well earned party!
I'm still taking bookings for Christmas parties in London and the South. So if you still haven't booked your photographer yet, check out my party photography gallery.
Ho Ho Ho!
Aside from all the millions of things you have to think about to organise a good conference and once you have chosen the right photographer, here are a few little tips to make their job a bit easier and ensure you get some awesome imagery:
1. Don’t bother using an app for asking questions. Firstly, they can fail and from experience often do. Also, they can distract the session chair and it doesn’t look good in photos when the speaker is talking and the chair is just looking at their phone. An app also limits audience interaction, so the photographer would not get those cool shots of people holding mics asking questions directly.
2. Make sure projectors aren’t shining on people during panel discussions. Often the tops of people’s heads can be skimmed with the light of the projector. This is almost impossible for a photographer to remedy and looks pretty terrible. Either aim your projector higher or project from behind. If you can't do either of those then prepare a slide with the conference logo in the top half and have the lower half blank. Ask AV to display this slide during panel talks if the above issue arises.
3. Create custom branded items such as toys, goodie bags, gifts, programs. These can make for really cool, quirky shots that do well on social media.
4. Have lots of branding in the form of signs, banners, projections. The bigger the better. Hung just above head height is best. Also, it’s best to give these a matt finish to prevent unwanted reflections.
5. Make stage lights bright. It’s surprising how many venues don’t light their speakers well. The lights should illuminate the speaker/speakers/panel well, but not be so harsh that they squint. This improves photos greatly and if I can shoot without the need for flash it’s even better.
6. Make sure that there aren’t overly distracting items on the podium when people are speaking, eg mics in the way, laptops, water bottles, etc.
7. Seat as much of the audience near the front of the auditorium. If they are too spread out then the venue may look less full in the photos. You may need to rope off areas at the back to encourage delegates towards the front.
8. Give your photographer a good shotlist and itinerary. Best as a printout, as checking apps can be annoying when you are already juggling a couple of cameras.
9. Elevate static videographers on a platform. This will ensure the photographer does not obstruct their line of sight.
10. Feed the crew well! This is something that usually happens anyway at conferences, thankfully. But it can be very tiring shooting a conference and so it’s important to keep the crew energised.
In summary, we live in a visual age, when billions of photos are uploaded to the web every day. Images are vital selling tools and ensuring you have bold, slick photos will help your conference stand out and look its best. I hope these insights of a conference photographer were helpful to you and they help you create even better photos at your events.
Marketforce never fail to deliver a great conference and this years Future of Utilities was no exception. Etc venues St Pauls is a great London conference venue and I always look forward to the bento box lunch (thanks EY)! Here's some of the conference highlights:
Slide of the day here. You can't beat multiple dancing Carltons!
In no particular order:
7. The Langham
Located on Regent Street, The Langham is classical, luxurious and stylish.
8. A Thames Cruise
A really great way to see the sights of London from a unique perspective. Sit down and enjoy dinner, drink and dance whilst some of the worlds most iconic landmarks pass beside you. I loved shooting on the Elizabethan, a beautiful old style paddle steamer.
9. The Natural History Museum
An iconic location. Party with the dinosaurs!
10. Old Billingsgate Market
A large, sophisticated market conversion. The riverside terrace has great views of the Shard.
11. Sky Bar
The Sky Bars modern and stylish interior sits right on top of the Millbank Tower, offering incredible views over the city.
12. The Arts Club
Oozing with timeless cool the Arts Club is incredibly stylish.
13. The V&A
Another London landmark, and a fascinating place to visit.
In no particular order:
1. Grange St Pauls Hotel
A great hotel in the heart of The City, beautiful and modern roof terrace with stunning views.
2. Gibson hall
A very large, grand, classical banqueting hall in The City.
3. Tobacco Dock
A huge and impressive, converted and listed warehouse space.
4. Kensington Roof Gardens
Beautiful, stylish rooftop venue in Kensington.
5. Tower Bridge
Everyone knows the iconic landmark, but did you know they host events in the high level walkways? They also have a section of glass floor, so if you are brave enough you can stand on it and wave to the boat passengers passing below!
Looking across from one walkway to the other
The view from Tower Bridge
6. The Painted Hall Greenwich
The Painted Hall is part of The Old Royal Naval College, in Greenwich. It is absolutely astounding. Often referred to as "The Sistine Chapel of the UK" words cannot do it justice.
I'm loving these serene night portraits of mountains by Reuben Wu. Ethereal and inventive, Wu uses drones to lightpaint the nocturnal landscape.
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2018/03/light-paths-of-drones-by-reuben-wu/
Here's his Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsreuben/
Apigee have partnered with Google Cloud on their "I love API's" world tour 2018. From Silicon Valley to London, New York and then Chicago. I was in London last week to shoot their conference in County Hall.
1. I love learning
I often find myself really appreciating interesting talks and debates. I have very broad interests and have enjoyed learning about science, tech, marketing, medicine, and politics as well as motivational talks by specialist speakers. We are living in exciting times, scienctific, technological social and political revolution abound, bringing forth a brand new world. Photographing conferences allows me to bear witness to these developments from the inside, which sometimes feels pretty special.
Amazing displays at The Hunterian Museum
A fascinating historical tour of Manchester Town Hall
2. I love meeting interesting people
Conferences are a great place to meet people who are passionately engaged in their subject. There's always a good buzz. Occasionally a special speaker or VIP guest also shows up.
Referee Pierluigi Collina, balloonist and adventurer Bertrand Piccard, with a robot.
The mighty Evander Holyfield
Football referee Pierluigi Collina
President of the Supreme Court Lord Neuberger
3. I get to go to some really interesting places
I have ended up in some great venues over the years in London and all over the UK. Some of the best places my conference photography has taken me include: The houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, The Hunterian Museum, The Crystal, The London Eye, The Churchill War Rooms, The Natural History Museum, The Painted Hall Greenwich, The Royal Pavillion Brighton, Manchester Town Hall, The Emirates Stadium. Attending conferences means I get to go to places I would not have done otherwise, often I might not even know they exist.
Manchester Town Hall
The events space at the top of Tower Bridge
The Hunterian Museum
The V&A
4. I get to participate in fun activities and see great shows
I get to meet some great entertainers, including magicians, musicians and theatrical displays and I always enjoy their shows.
5. I enjoy the shooting style
Each photographer has their own preferred style. Personally I enjoy documentary and location portraiture. Conference photography offers me this opportunity. I even end up shooting a bit of product, interiors, architecture, food, action at conferences.
6. I like the variety
Each conference is different and I never get bored. I am constantly encountering new people, places and subject matter.
Sometimes you just can't fit everything into a standard aspect ratio. Then it's time to go wide!
Several times over the past year I have run into the same magician at different events. He is very friendly and very talented. He leaves everyone aghast with his mind boggling tricks. His name is Kevin and he runs his own entertainment company called Blank Canvas.
Kevin the Magician
Kevin leaves more people baffled and astounded
Confusion and amazement manifested in laughter
Blank Canvas are awesome. They have an amazing array of the finest entertainers in the UK, including magicians, dancer, musicians, circus skills, caricaturists, and many more. Chancers are if you've been to any events recently you've encountered someone on Blank Canvases books.
The mesmerising "Calvos"
Calvos
The hilarious "Singing Waiters"
Singing Waiters
Singing Waiters
Singing Waiters
So if you are looking for entertainment at your event check out Blank Canvas, they are awesome!
13. The Royal College of Surgeons
Another iconic classical space with a great modern makeover.
14. The Royal Horseguards Hotel
Grand, charismatic hotel with beautiful meeting spaces.
15. Claridges
Another classic London hotel, perfect for sophisticated meetings.
16. Etc Venues St Pauls
Modern conference venue in the heart of The City. Great city views from the atrium.
17. The Churchill War Rooms
This is a bit of a quirky venue for a conference, but there aren’t many places as historically significant as Winston Churchills wartime bunker, where the fate of World War 2 was drawn up. A fascinating place.
7. 30 Euston Square
Modern, clean and smart in a great location.
8. The QE2 Centre
A huge, purpose built centre in the heart of Westminster.
9. The Royal Society
A classical, historic venue upgraded nicely.
10. The Excel Centre
A huge exhibition and conference space, which stages some impressive shows.
11. The Royal Society of Medicine
A nice modern conference space with a bright glass ceiling atrium.
12. The Crystal
State of the art architecture make this a truly unique building.
There is an amazing amount of top quality conference venues in London, offering a whole variety of styles and catering to a mixture of needs. From luxury classical hotels, to state of the art dedicated conference spaces, from corporate spaces to something quirky. Here is a break down (in no particular order) of my favourite spaces where I have shot conferences. There are so many in London I am going to post this in three parts.
1. The IET: The Institution of Engineering and Technology
A great venue on the Embankment. Beautifully merging the classical and modern. The roof terrace offers some of the best views in London.
2. Etc Venues County Hall
Inside the Iconic County Hall on the Southbank of the Thames. Plenty of space, nice modern facilities.
3. The Langham
Located on Regent Street, The Langham is classical, luxurious and stylish.
4. More London
Cutting edge architecture in a great location, offering amazing views of the City and Tower Bridge.
5. Etc Venues Bishopsgate
Beautiful lighting and clean crisp design in the middle of The City of London
6. The Landmark Hotel
Another classic hotel, this time in Marylebone. Extremely spacious, with a large glass roofed atrium.
I love science, so shooting in a lab is always a fascinating experience for me. It's never easy, as a photographer, with all that glass and chrome bouncing the light about and causing crazy reflections, but I always relish a challenge. My recent shoot at BPL labs was no exception, but we got some great shots!
Party photographer in London, providing Christmas party photography for businesses and private parties
I am an experienced music photographer and currently looking to work with musicians on album artwork. So if you make good music and you are after some bold creative imagery then please get in touch. I am particularly interested in conceptual and experimental projects.
A great location shoot with Angela in St James Park. Just the right time of year and we were lucky wit the weather.
