The First Outing Of Winter

Temperatures below zero, pitch black and the subtle reflection of the moon bouncing off the snow. Ideal conditions for some landscape photography? I think so!

Dad bought himself a Canon G11 yesterday and has been itching to try it out. So because I've missed the snow the past couple of years I though sod it, I'm desperate to take photos of the snow, so I asked dad last night if he fancied heading out to take photos first thing in the morning. He said ok.

Boy I'm glad I woke up.

When we first got into the car we were undecided as to where we were going. So after sitting in the car for about 10 or 15 minutes we decided on seeing whether the road up passed Betws-Y-Coed was clear. When we found it wasn't too bad we carried on going to Capel Currig and turned off for Beddgelert. The roads were clear and the snow in the fields were untouched by any sort of life form. Bliss.

After buying myself some Hama polarizing filters in the summer, I was really hoping to see how they'd cope with the glare of the snow. To be fair they coped a damn sight better than I though they would, considering their £19 price tag.

After we got as far as we could go and took few snaps there, we headed back and stopped in a lay by to see if there what any golden opportunities there. And indeed there was. We came across a river that was pretty much completely frozen (there will be a photo of the other side of the bridge we were standing on coming up in the end of the post) we got a couple of nice shots there. Unfortunately I was unable to get photos of the river in front of the bridge as a whole because the river was a little bit bigger than what my 18mm sigma could fit in.

So that's it really. The first photography outing I've had this winter and, to be honest, I really enjoyed it and it was good spending time with my ol' man. I'm going to put the pictures up now and stop boring you with my ramblings. So here they are. My favourite 5 photos from the shoot.


















































Just before I go I want to give a shout out to James Taylor at Outlaw Photography, Texas for being an absolute gem. I emailed him the other day thanking him for a blog of his I found online that has helped me and opened my eyes no end!!! If only all photographers where like him! The world would be a better place.

Check out his blog at

http://parttimephoto.com

Andrew.




- Andrew Cockerill Photography
andrewcockerillphotography@gmail.com

Location:Manod Rd,,United Kingdom

Tonights Snow

Just a couple of shots I took from outside my house. There will be more uploaded tomorrow

Andrew

SNOW!!!

Finally its snowing! And it's snowing well.

I did think the snow we had in January was absolutely awesome but the one today is absolutely epic! We're currently at about 11 inches of snow and it's still hammering down. I was supposed to be working today but I can't even get the car moved from the spot it's in. I might not have been in today because I've either got an abcess or I have the early stages of Glandular Fever. Not good.

It definitely wont be stopping me from going out to take photos this year. I've missed the snow for the past couple of years because of work, but now its got to that bad I cant go in I'll definitely be doing a long walk to get my goal of winter, capture a decent snow picture.

anyway enough of my ramblings for now. Lets enjoy the snow while we can.

Andrew

Things I Must Buy In 2011

Canon EOS 5D - approx. £450-600.
Canon 17-40mm L lens - £500
Canon 24-70mm EF f2.8L USM - £970
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM - £1200
Canon Speedlite 580EX II - £306
Manfrotto 293 ALU TRIPOD - £80

Okay all of these above I will not buy BUT I will have to get the 5D, the 17-40mm, the 24-70mm and the canon speedlight. If I want to make it in the photography world these are the minimum I need. If I manage to get the 70-300mm as well, well, that will be an added bonus.

Lets see how I do!!!

Andrew

Location:Blaenau Ffestiniog,United Kingdom

A Moment

Current Reading: Buried Alive - J. A. Kerley
Current Music: Michael Buble - Crazy Love
Mood: Sorry For Myself
Smells: Nothing. Bloody cold!!
Sounds: How The Universe Works on TV
Thoughts: Must get my arse into gear big style.

Location:Blaenau Ffestiniog,United Kingdom

Bokeh

Okay one of my favorite backdrops for pretty much any portrait has definitely got to be bokeh. I attempted a couple of weeks ago when i did the "Shwgwr Plwm" shoot. In one of the photos the backdrop did have the desired effect but I wasn't happy at all with the level of light on the subject herself. Not long after I had the shoot I went to see a close friend of mine who has been doing photography since he was 16 and he told me a way to do it. All I got to do is slow sync the flash. The idea in this is the initial burst from the flash will light up the subject and if I have a shutter speed of about 1/2 a second or longer it will allow the lights in the background to 'bokeh'.

Here are some of my favorite examples:




















I cannot wait to get back out again and give this another go.

Andrew.

Location:Blaenau Ffestiniog,United Kingdom

The Art of Photography

Just realized haven't posted on here in a week so I thought Id just post a small blog to let you know about something I've been watching religiously lately. I personally think that everyone who is beginning or even advancing in the world of photography should check out The Art Of Photography's free video Podcast. I wish I had a way of showing you some of his newer videos, but unfortunately the only 2 he has on youtube are some of the older ones but Ill pass on the pilot episode anyway just so you can have a look.

Enjoy.

Andrew.