Tag Archives: Pocket Wizard

Oct 27 2017

Art for Art’s Sake – But not money for God’s sake!

It’s been a while since my last workshops but everything is changing. In the not too distant future I will be conducting a series for those who love the ‘Fine Art’ aspect and desiring to embark on their own journeys of discovery. “Art for Art’s Sake” will explore the inspiration and developing a brief from a literary subject, designing a shoot, costumes, props, locations. lighting methodology using canonical methods including “Chiaroscuro”, advanced subject posing, composition for output, retouching methods and much more.

Creative Fine Art workshops with a Pre-Raphaelite theme

With only 4 places available on each Workshop, this is a truly unique and interactive experience not to be missed and will only be repeated on demand with no more than 4 to 6 workshops per year. It’s not rocket science to work out that with just 24 places available in a year this really is an exclusive opportunity. So, don’t dither and contact me now for to enquire about dates and places. So there’s no guessing, each place will be incredible value at £300 including lunch, refreshments, two fantastic models in full theatrical costumes and the option (at additional cost) of reminiscing over dinner in the evening. There really is nothing like this on offer anywhere!

The first practical workshop will take place in the Spring of 2018 with a small number of ‘Taster Evenings’ on offer in the Winter of 2017 through to the end of March 2018. Watch this space for early notification.

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Oct 27 2017

Back online and back on track!

It’s been a while since I last posted. In fact far too long as I have been working on establishing a new, working photographic studio in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa. But I’ve also realised that there is still very much a demand for the kinds of photographic education I offer. However, instead of a focus on the business of photography I am turning my sights towards my passion – Fine Art using photography as an expressive medium. There are so many ‘trainers’ and ‘guru’s’ out there offering all sorts of solutions to the problems of marketing and business development so I am not going to play in that arena. Instead my aim is to inspire and stimulate creativity as ‘soul food’.

My new workshops will examine how to create images based on literary theme similar to this study based on the ballad “La Belle Dame sans Merci” – A popular Pre-Raphaelite theme

Very soon I’ll be announcing Workshops and other new style educational happenings for 2018 – so watch this space. In the meantime I’m going to get back to driving the new studio!

Jul 3 2017

The right kind of image for Fine Art papers

Having ventured back into the world of ‘Fine Art’ the burning question is exactly what kind of media is suitable to output my art pieces. The choices are staggering with a wealth of manufacturers in the market place. But I want to focus on my own experiences rather than engaging in a debate as to what may or may not be the best materials available.

For my last project entitled “Ars Longa Vita Brevis” (Art endures, life is brief) which was founded on my love of Renaissance art, the pieces were inspired by the second poetry collection of my partner, Katypoetess. From the outset I envisaged a series of canvases initially in the form of scrolls, bound and sealed and later as sizeable fine art canvases. I could have easily handed the initial print work to my lab, OneVison Imaging in Coventry but at this stage I was determined to understand the processes of calibration and custom profiles – next stop, Alex Cullen at Permajet and re-establishing a long term friendship with their CEO, Robin Whetton.

Having purchased a Canon Pro1 printer after having seen tremendous results, (on Fine Art Paper, I must add at this stage) I tasked Alex with using his immense expertise in writing some custom profiles for me and my new baby. No matter what we tried, output on Canvas, my chosen medium, just wasn’t happening to create  the reds I envisaged, and as the entire collection were in the warm end of the spectrum, this was a huge problem. Drastic measures were required, so I made a further investment in an Epson P800, et voila! Perfect prints on Permajet Mercury Canvas. Still needed custom profiles, but the reds were exquisite!

The Unrepentant Penitent - Shadows of Magdalene Collection ©2016

The Unrepentant Penitent – Shadows of Magdalene Collection ©2016

There is no easy route to selecting the right paper for the right image except lots of ‘professional’ qualified advice, a smattering of trial and error, and maybe a few trips to art galleries and museums for inspiration! So, where to get that expert help? The first ports of call should be your pro lab if they are printing your work. One Vision Imaging use an extensive range of Fine Art papers and not forgetting my principal supplier, Permajet. Having the right profile is critical to ensuring the best results and if you print your own, consider having custom profiles made.

Please visit: www.onevisionimaging.com and www.permajet.com for more information on services and products.

 

Jan 4 2017

New Workshops for 2017

Throughout 2017 I am offering a number of workshops in the UK based at my Leamington Spa Studio. Easily accessible from the M40 and Train links. Plenty of reasonable accommodation and parking nearby. Each workshop is for a maximum of 8 delegates ensuring quality of delivery and enough time for everyone to absorb themselves into the content.
1. Posing Workshops – 8 places – £250 per place
2. Environmental Portraiture – 8 places – £295 per place
3. Studio Portraiture – 8 places – £295 per place
4. Fine Art & Photography – 6 places – £395 per place
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Each workshop will include refreshments, lunch, 2 models (1 model in costumes for the Fine Art Workshop), materials where appropriate (printed output on the Fine Art Workshop) and notes. I anticipate that the Fine Art Workshops will be very popular as they are very intensive so early registration of interest is essential. In the early Summer and Autumn the Fine Art Workshops will also be available in a slightly different format in Pembrokeshire.
For further information and to register your interest please contact me via direct message on Facebook through my various pages or by email at mgrahamedunn@me.com
Nov 1 2016

“I lavish in desire” – Art by Martin Grahame-Dunn & Poetry by Katypoetess

Formally, a study based on the ballad "La Belle Dame sans Merci" now retailed - "I lavish in desire"

Formally, a study based on the ballad “La Belle Dame sans Merci” now retailed – “I lavish in desire”

Recently, I have began a journey of research to use the art and literature of the Pre-Raphaelite era as an inspiration to create pieces of fine art via the medium of photography, in that distinctive painters style. My first reference was to look at certain stanzas in the Keats ballad, written in 1819, “La Belle Dame sans Merci” that in itself is a reworking of the 15th century piece by that name by Alain Chartier. The stanza chosen was:

“I met a lady in the meads,

Full beautiful, a fairy’s child;

Her hair was long, her foot was light,

And her eyes were wild.”

John Keats 1819

So, my Lady and I revisited a location we love, fully laden with a costume (although not in the colours I would have chosen) and props including beautifully crafted armour, and a head garland of white roses, that I had sat and made up the previous evening. The day itself was the third anniversary of us being together and what better way to mark the occasion than by doing something together we both love. Art & Poetry. Waiting for the ’sweet light’ of the day I took sufficient images to create the first test piece for my new collection.

Later that evening having completed the art piece, my Lady, unbeknown to me wrote a beautiful piece of what she has dubbed, ‘Micropoetry’ and Tweeted it to the world. It’s actually a perfect fit for the image and together I believe we have achieved what every artist and his muse desires, a harmony of vision and execution….

“I lavish in desire

for decay around me

in face or flower

cliff rock or body

or the sun setting on

another dying day”

© Katypoetess 2016

With great thanks to the lady and poetess in my life – Katypoetess. Please follow her on Twitter to enjoy more of her ‘Micropoetry’ @Katypoetess. Her first published poetry collection, “Of Lilith and Anthony” is available on Amazon.

© Martin Grahame-Dunn 2016

Oct 25 2016

Keeping up appearances – being a great photographer is a complete package!

Some food for thought. What is a Professional Photographer in 2016? What should they look like? How should they behave? Three very important questions then, that need an answer, and probably answers that some will not want to hear. So, perhaps its better to face questions with questions that only one’s conscience can answer.

Isn’t professionalism in photography more about a demeanour than a ‘God Given Right’ to call oneself professional, as it is a sole source of income? Nowadays how many people do we know that have multiple income sources? Many of my ex-commercial photographer friends have had to diversify to survive and some have taken second jobs to make a living. It’s clearly a time for thought and how the professional organisations should be assisting and supporting those who have dedicated most of their working lives to the profession. Ivory towers are havens of fantasy, can fall and are often indefensible.

Surely a professional photographer should dress appropriate to the assignments they are undertaking? Is it therefore right for the photographer at a wedding where the guests are dressed smartly and elegantly in suits and dresses to turn up in jeans, T Shirts? How should one dress to shoot the MD of a blue chip company? As an equal or a tradesman?

Finally, on the subject of behaviour. Of all the ‘disagreements’ between a photographer and a client, the vast majority are caused by behaviour. Sometimes it’s contractual. ‘He said, she said’ scenarios, or at worst its ego’s that get in the way. Fear of criticism of their images to the point of being aggressively defensive when sometimes, those criticisms may be justified.

We are all judged continuously, not by a discerning market but on the whole, a market driven, cost conscious litigious one. Time for inward reflection and to remember, you are your brand.

© Martin Grahame-Dunn 2016

Jun 6 2016

Professional Qualifications in Denmark with the dff

As I am constantly travelling and delivering education, training and mentoring of a global basis, I thought I’d give some thought in this post to the differences of delivery to the dff, the world’s second oldest organisation for professional photographers. So here goes….

A synopsis of the two different level workshops.

  1. Master
  2. Qualified Master

The Workshop for aspiring ’Masters’ (BIPP and MPA Licentiate equivalent) covers the minimum basic requirements to qualify as a dff “Master’ photographer. The key elements of camera craft, lighting, composition and posing (where appropriate in people photography) are examined and developed in a mixed theory/practical workshop. Demonstrations are given in posing and handling groups in particular. Simplistic but effective lighting techniques are demonstrated and discussed illustrating the better known and used lighting patterns. Individual appraisals are undertaken of each applicants work and in group format, planning, presentation and layout for a digital submission is introduced as another essential element for success.

The Workshop for aspiring ‘Qualified Masters’ (BIPP and MPA Associate equivalent) examines not only the more substantial requirements to achieve a higher level of qualification but also instils the need to understand and practice self appraisal in a constructively critical manner. This is not simply a ‘top up’ of the M workshop as it requires a fresh start by all candidates where there can be little or no reliance on a current and past portfolio. Attaining a higher degree of qualification requires a serious commitment and investment in your future. Increased standards of imaging and ethics undoubtedly result in a better client experience. There are obviously a few areas of common ground between all levels of qualification but these escalate exponentially as the levels and requirements rise. This is a dynamic workshop integrating discussions and planning sessions focussing on personal continuous professional development. Lateral thought will be encouraged and a better understanding of the importance and implications of one to one Mentoring discussed. Your trainer will also explain in detail the systematic approach to conceptualising, planning and executing a person project as the base of your qualification.

If you’re interested in progressing your professional qualifications or simply improving the standard of your imaging, contact me.

Apr 29 2016

Ahmed Gaber – Aged 19 – A young Egyptian Photographer with something to say

The next in my series of constructive critiques of the work of young Egyptian photographers. When I asked Mohamed Mahdy to arrange this I could not have hoed for a more enthusiastic group of young people.

Ahmed Gaber text

This image entitled “Break Time” shows great insight and a natural flair for composition in its simplistic, documentary approach. It just goes to show that his opening statement is humble as he clearly demonstrates a budding talent with a good eye for an image.

"Break Time" by Ahmed Gaber, aged 19 from Egypt

“Break Time” by Ahmed Gaber, aged 19 from Egypt

Even thought there are differing points of subject engagement and interest, Ahmed has worked hard on subject placement within the frame and constraints of his DSLR. All to often we hear the terms “fill the frame”, but to do so effectively one should ensure that the content is properly constrained. He has grasped the premise that space around subjects is golden. To enable them to live and breathe giving life and credibility to the animation. ‘Street’ images of this kind are not all about exercising absolute control of your subjects. Rather to affect the composition by placing yourself in the right place and controlling the content of you capture. Well done Ahmed, I can some great images will emerge from this young image maker.

 

Martin Grahame-Dunn – April 2016

Apr 26 2016

From my Mentee – Allen Thomasson LBIPP

Thanks to my Mentee, Allen Thomasson of Timeless Portraiture for this testimonial…
I discovered Martin completely by accident whilst reviewing some business webinars on the Imagefile website. His no nonsense approach to business and photography was refreshing and I thought that is what I need, clear concise advice and critique. So I joined Martins’ Mentoring Programme in April 2015 and can say it is the best thing I have done for my photography and confidence as a photographer. 
With Martin’s support and guidance, I submitted a panel of 5 portraits for the BIPP National Photography Competition in October 2015. In February I attend the awards evening at the BIPP HQ and was chuffed to be awarded joint winner of the Provisional Photographer of the Year 2016. I was also successful in gaining my L’ plates on 3rd March 2016 when my panel of 25 portraits was assessed and awarded my Licentiateship (LBIPP). I really believe that I would not have achieved this without Martin.
Martin is a great teacher; putting you at ease, generous with his knowledge and skills of the craft and encouraging  you to constantly improve and learn. When creating portraits I now hear a voice saying ”Step back. Don’t zoom”, “lighting; Flag it! Vary it!”. 
Do your photography a favour and ask Martin to mentor you and realise your potential. Thank you Martin.
Allen Thomasson – April 2016
Apr 14 2016

New Testimonial – Darren Powell

Fun and games at the reception - Darren Powell taking centre stage!

Fun and games at the reception – Darren Powell taking centre stage!

When a testimonial says it all…..

“I may be biased, but I would argue that Martin is the best mentor/photography trainer out there! I first met Martin on a natural lighting course he ran 2 years ago and his passion and knowledge blew me away. Martin is extremely talented and has a rare ability to not only take great images himself but dramatically improve those of others. The development of my images over a short period of time has been nothing other than remarkable. If your looking at developing your photography skills or need ongoing support I would highly recommend any courses or workshops ran by Martin”

Darren Powell – 2016