So I have managed to do my first ‘proper’ session. I say proper, what I mean is the first session that was for a specific purpose. 

For my photography course at the British Academy of Photography (BAPH), I have to do certain assignments with a specific aim that teaches you about the whole business of photography rather than just ‘taking pictures’. I admit to being a bit lapse with the course as life got in the way. However, I was so pleased and grateful when I found out I still had time to complete the course. 

I would recommend anyone with a serious interest in photography do some form of organised learning. It doesn’t have to be a course, as such, but it does have to be structured and well led. A lot of my learning has been self taught through books and YouTube videos but I have also completed some learning with Creative Live and the BAPH which I have found so beneficial. 

The theme for my assignment was to reproduce an album cover, the style of which has to represent the music being ‘produced’. 

I haven’t a lot of experience with photographing people, so this assignment made me nervous 😬. 

I gritted my teeth and asked some friends, put out a model call, and, after a bit of searching, a very good friend agreed to model for me. 

We found an amazing place in East London where there was a courtyard with some really cool graffiti. My model has a unique personal style, so this easily complimented the scene. 

I brought my camera, a light stand and external flash and mount, an umbrella and my wireless trigger system to try off camera flash. 

We tried a couple of locations. The first didn’t work well, I think due to the background clashing with her outfit. 

We moved to a different location and it worked so much better. 

I set my flash on the stand with its trigger and a diffusion cover. Unfortunately the umbrella didn’t work. It was too windy and it fell over, slightly bending the spokes so I chose not to use it. 

I set up my camera to ISO 200, f5.6 and spot metering with fill flash. Flash power was low(ish), 1/64 I  think 💭 and set at a 45° to the model. 

Overall we spent about an hour and half shooting which was a lot of fun.  

The outcome was pretty good, the model liked it. 

Things I have learned from my first session:

1. I need to do more reading and practise in posing 
2. Never use an umbrella when it is windy
3. Sandbags are a photographer’s friend 
4. Always check your bag is done up properly before leaving a location to avoid your expensive lens rolling on to the floor 😬😢
5. Thank heavens for Fixation UK!!!!!

1 down more to go……..