December 2011
91 posts
Dec 31st
I’m actually pretty sad that 2011 is nearing an end. I’ve seen nothing but anti-2011 statuses and posts across the social networks I use, but for me it’s been a fantastic year. 2011 has seen my portfolio surge and I believe about 80% of the strongest images in my portfolio have been taken this year. I also realised what path within photography I want to head down, got the camera of my dreams, amassed way over 3,000 people into my photography page, got to shoot one of my idols, and have shoots lined up for 2012 with other big names in music as well as agency models. I will always remember 2011 as a turning point for me, not just in photography but in growing up. I’ve experienced so much, grown in confidence. I now feel like the world is my oyster. I feel ready to take on whatever projects I can get my hands on next.
Here’s to the future.
ps. I’m shooting today!
You have a lot of great photos. Is it just you working by yourself, no assistance? Are these people you're taking photos of strangers or do you know them?
Thanks. Just me! I much prefer working alone when it comes to photography, so I can do everything my way. I’m a complete control freak about it.
The people in my pictures are all friends to some degree, although many were strangers before we first shot together. The only agency model I’ve shot with is a good friend who got signed after we did 3 or so shoots together. Although, I’m shooting with an agency model very soon who is a stranger. If I rate somebody as a model, I’ll just ask them. Got to go for it!
30th Dec
Guys - check out my brand new blog post, the first set of images from my shoot with rap and grime artist Mic Righteous, shot earlier this month :)
http://jackalexanderuk.blogspot.com/2011/12/mic-righteous-part-one.html
while editing your pictures, do you often encounter the fear of over editing? i ALWAYS get this. especially playing around with the curves and exposures. any tips ‽
Not so much these days, because I’m very conscious of it. I think (hope) I’ve surpassed the age where I overedit. Looking back at older pictures, there are times when I went far too hard on the vignette effect and it just looks incredibly unnatural. What I try and stick to is that: if you can look at a picture and pick out what the editor has done to it, that’s too much. Obviously you can tell my pictures are edited, but I’d like to think you couldn’t sit there and say ‘he did that, he definitely edited that using the example tool’ etc. Having said that, playing around is the best way to learn. Now I’ve made those mistakes in editing, I know I’ll now never make them again.
what kind of editing do you do?
enhancement of contrast and colours. removal of individual spots if necessary. remove anything else that’s distracting..
29th Dec (ii)
I just realised, I’ve never posted the link to my blog on here before (my blogspot one, that is). That’s where I post every picture that I like from each shoot. It’s basically a back catalogue of every picture I’ve taken since I started blogging there - so be sure to check it out: http://jackalexanderuk.blogspot.com/
There’s an archive to the right of the page, where you can get to other blog posts, or just keep hitting ‘older posts’ when you reach the bottom of each page.
Let me know what you think!
x
29th Dec
Help! Can anybody recommend decent video editing software for Windows? Preferably one that comes with a free trial?
