Ashton

At this time of the year, its often not pleasant to be outside.  However with the mild weather this winter, I thought it was finally time to get out and about. I recently acquired a new compact camera as a Christmas gift, so I could have something small and light to pop in my handbag or pocket, instead of carrying my SLR around all the time. 

We took the dogs over to a little village called Ashton, intending to go on a designated walk along the river.  Unfortunately that was not to be, as along with many other places in the country, the river had burst its banks and flooded the pathway.  So we went for a walk along the village road instead, where I took a few shots with my new camera. 

Harry Again

He's just so adorable, and growing into a handsome little boy, and I just cant resist posting another set of photos.

Harry

My grandson Harry tried his hand a blowing up a balloon today...He wasn't very successful, but he did make me laugh

 

Rain, rain go away

Well, spring has commenced....or so they say...

I planned to get out and shoot some lovely spring shots today, but alas, when I woke up the rain was pouring down.  Thankfully it soon subsided, but I got some rainy spring shots before the sun came out.

My gorgeous little Grandson Harry.  I've not seen him in a while, which is a shame...I don't want him to forget who his nanny is.

Colchester Zoo

What a lovely day I had at Colchester Zoo yesterday.  It was a very cold day, but I wrapped up ward, and had a full day watching and photographing the animals.

Engagement

My beautiful daughter Sophie has gone and got herself engaged to a lovely young man called Edward.  Here are a few shots of the engagement ring she is so proud to be wearing.

Sophie

Hi to everyone out there.  Well its been a very long time since I've posted anything, but I've still been very busy taking photographs.  When my daughter Sophie (19) asked me to take some shots of her, how could I refuse such a willing model.  We went over to Ferry Meadows, our local country park and nature reserve.  It was a very cold day, but we got some great shots.  I hope you enjoy looking at them.

 

 

 

Montage

I'm busy looking for professional print services for my business.  I really want to step up a gear next year, so I'm looking for lots of new products and services at the moment.  I'm also busy learning lots of new techniques to make my work even better, so watch this space.

Here's just a little montage of baby Harry.  I took the photos earlier on this year, he's grown a little since then, and will be enjoying his first Christmas this year, then his first birthday the day after. 

Megan

This is my second session for yesterday. I have photographed baby Megan once before so she's a real pro now.  Her mummy wanted a photo of her wearing angel wings.  As she is now crawling around, I had to shoot quickly, and it wasn't easy capturing her in the best way to show the wings.  But I just simply love this shot, she's such lovely girl.

Ellie-Mae

This little cutie is Ellie-Mae.  I had a photo session with her yesterday and she is adorable.  Full of curiosity, 'helping' me with the setting up, discovering what's inside my prop box, and having a good time showing me how clever she is.

Thanks for looking

Newborn Shoot With Baby Thomas

Hi all.

I recently did a newborn shoot with baby Thomas.  He was just ten days old when I first met him, such a cute little bundle.  I was looking forward to my first shoot with this perfect little boy.  So taking all my 'mobile studio' over to his mummy and daddy's house, I set up and was ready to go.  After a couple of shots, Thomas decided he wanted us to all know he was ready for feeding.  So off mummy went to feed him, while I made some adjustments to my set up.  Well, when he came back with mummy, he wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and just would not go back to sleep, so I did a few more shots with him, but couldn't get exactly the shots I wanted, so eventually we called it a day.  However I agreed to return the following week to try some more.  His mummy assured me if I came a little earlier I would find him in his most restful period, where he tended to sleep more soundly....I only wish Thomas was in on the plan....Lo and behold the same pattern emerged.  He was asleep when I first arrived, but soon woke up to see what was going on...Good job I've got loads of time and patience.  I didn't get as many shots as I'd wanted, but I still got a good few.  Here are some of them:

Thank you for looking. 

If you are interested in my photography or would like a photoshoot, please visit my website

Deborah Jane Photography

Jemma's 21st Birthday

Hi.

I was recently asked to take some shots for a friend's 21st Birthday.  She just wanted some shots of herself and her boyfriend, and her family and friends.  They were taken in her garden and at a restuarant before a celebratory meal out.  Normally I like to take people out on location to parks or woods etc and do more artistic shots, however on this occasion we were limited for time.  Here's just a few of the shots I took.

Growing Fast

Well, my lovely grandson Harry is now four months old, and he's growing really fast.  I thought I'd share a couple of photo's with you so you can see how well he's doing. 

I can't believe how much time flies, he's almost rolling from his back onto his tummy so that'll be another milestone reached. 

Harry's sister Ellie was also willing to oblige me with a photo, she has beautiful eyes, and gorgeous red hair and freckles. 

It's always important to capture children as they grow, they're my favourite subject. 

Deborah Jane

Nicole & Taylor

Hello and welcome.

With the warm weather that we've been having lately, I thought I'd seize the opportunity to take some action shots, whilst at the same time trying out some new settings to freeze the action. 

I met my daughter and grandchildren at Ferry Meadows in Peterborough for a bit of a session.  My youngest son also accompanied us. 

Wedding Day

Hi

What a gorgeous day we had yesterday, sunny and bright.  I was more than happy.  I had my very first wedding shoot for a friends of mine Anne-Marie and Steven.  They had a beautiful day at a georgeous historical venue.  Here is a photo of them after the service.

Hope they like what I've done.

Lens Hire

Hi all

Today I've been trying out a lens that I haven't used before. 

It's a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM. 

It's a monster of a lens, weighing well over two pounds.  I've actually hired it from Lenses For Hire for seven days.  The reason for hiring in the first place is to use for a wedding shoot I have this Friday.  It's a costly lens, so hiring it is a great way to test it out to determine whether it will be worth purchasing.  I have been taking shots of my son in a bid to get used to what it can do.  I love it.  So here are a couple of shots I've taken of my son.

I love black and white shots, but I've used an action from The Coffee Shop.   I have some more testing to do before Friday, but I'm pleased with the result so far.

If you would like to try out any lenses, I can thoroughly recommend the excellent service from Lenses For Hire.

Thanks for visiting.

Deborah Jane   

Blue Moon

Hi everyone.

As much as I love taking photos of babies and children, I'm always looking for other opportunities to broaden my skills.  As I was walking to my car after work today I gazed up at the most amazing moon in the darkening sky, and thought "I've just got to capture that".

As soon as I got home I grabbed my camera, attached my zoom lens and took a few shots.  Now I have photographed the moon before, and it's not as easy as you think.  The camera, doesn't see the moon as you see it with the naked eye. 

Try photographing it yourself, and you'll see what I mean.  Here's the original jpeg I took:

As you can see, the moon in this jpeg image is very bright, but I've lost the shadows and definition.  I did however shoot a RAW image too  A RAW file is much larger than a jpeg image as it retains all the digital information as it was shot.  It is the equivalent of a negative from a non digital film camera.

With a RAW file, you can bring back the areas that have been over exposed, which you wouldn't be able to do with a jpeg.  Is that all as clear as mud....ok.  So after I edited the RAW image I cropped the photo so the moon was bigger.

 

Now doesn't that make for a more interesting shot.  The moon is much more planet like....not just a bright white ball in the sky.  You can actually see much more definition.  I'm really pleased with this shot, but I thought I'd have a little fun with it, and make it even more interesting and more of an artistic image.

I used the Lens Flare effect in Photoshop, to put a bright white light on the edge.

I love this effect, but then I decided to add a lighting effect filter to the image....and here's what I got:

It's more of a fantasty image now, but it just goes to show how versatile Photoshop is, and what fun you can have using it on the most common of everyday images.

I've just learned that tomorrow night will see the the biggest full moon in two decades, when it reaches it's closest point to the earth.  So you'll have to be ready if you want to see it,  I might even take some more shots, it should be spectacular.  Lets hope it's a clear sky.  If you are interested in the moon and would like to know more then just click on the link HERE

Thanks for taking the time to look.

Deborah Jane

Nicole & Taylor

Hello

I recently took a visit to Sacrewell Farm with Nicole and Taylor, my grandchildren, specifically to do a photoshoot.  When we got there the weather was gorgeously sunny, but wouldn't you know it, after about half an hour, the rain came down and didn't stop.  We did however get a few lovely photo's, then went over to my daughters house to finish off the session.

Now I know this isn't a child shot, but I do love it.  First I bumped up the brightness & contrast using a curves layer.  I wanted a vintage look, so I ran an action on it (Creamy Chocolate Black & White), from The Coffee Shop blog.  Then I ran a Vignette action to darken the corners.  The Coffee Shop is run by Rita, she has some amazing Photoshop actions, and best of all they're free....now how good is that.

Here's a shot of Nicole, running off to see the animals.  I love these type of shots that show a little bit of action, yet keep a little mystery.  Look at her cute little wellies, and those gorgeous curls at the back of her head.



Now, what's all this then....

How's this for a cheeky smile...and look who's been kissing the girls...(tooth missing).

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Now here's some shots we took in an improvised studio at my daughters house, when we came back after it started to rain.

There....just a few....there are many more as I'm sure you'll guess.  Can't wait until the next session....apparently Nicole has a tutu and a wand, now that should be fun.

Take care

Deborah Jane