How to perk up a picture with fancy lighting

When I started my career, most people worked with their hands doing something tangible,usually making or mending something. This was often quite photogenic and this quite easy to create a pleasing picture. Nearly 40 years on and no one does that anymore. Although I try to avoid pictures of people in front of computer sometimes I'm forced to. So today I thought I'd share some ideas to make them a little more interesting.

This was a new university cyber security course for a prospectus. So I used the projector that's often found in classrooms and projected some computery matrix type photos onto the students. Another trick is to use the light of a screen to illuminate the user.

I’ve also used coloured gels on flash's to perk up a dull setting, for instance a bit of blue light on the background can all of the sudden make things look very high tech.

 

The coloured gels I use on my flashes can also have a wider range of results. Using this effect can enhance and add atmosphere to any shot.

 

New Kid On The Block

Becky in action on a recent school prospectus assignment a few weeks ago.

I’m delighted to welcome Pixel’s new apprentice, my daughter Becky. She’s been keen on photography ever since she was at primary school. She’s the third generation of Photographers in the Randall family. My dad started his career in the early 1970’s. I’m busy teaching Beck everything I know about the business and she’s joining me on most of my jobs, so hopefully you’ll get to meet her soon. Here are a few of her pictures from the summer.

Fly Through Videos

I was recently asked to do a Fly Through Video of a clients newly renovated building. I was a bit apprehensive at first, having never flown indoors before. I gave it a go and I was delighted with the results, I’ve a feeling that this new service is going to prove very popular. After the first one I bought a new 4K drone to enhance the quality even more. Here are the low resolution videos to give you a taste.

New Cookbook

I’m ashamed at how slack I’ve been at writing blog pieces, but it has been very busy since May when pandemic restrictions were eased. Anyway, one of the things I’ve been doing is a cookbook and I’m delighted to say it’s now published. All proceeds go to The Stroud Women’s Refuge if you would like a copy you can order here.

A few positive words about the book.



‘I have just bought two more for friends. It is inspiring and incredibly thought provoking. The only cookbook that ever made me cry.’

 

‘I've just bought my copy of the cookbook from Stroud Bookshop - what a triumph. I've been sitting reading and looking at it for the last couple of hours and it's certainly a visual feast! You have done brilliantly in every respect, and I think it's so distinctive in its approach with the artwork, personal stories, and local emphasis. Thank you so much for having the vision and determination to develop the overall concept with such flair and for seeing this project through to completion!’

 

‘I think it's really fantastic - there is a great range of recipes, including leftovers, which is really excellent, and the photographs of the food are so good. I also like the fact that it's not just a cookbook, I've just been reading about our R.A.S. (which took me back a few years !!!!) and also about 'everything in moderation’ which is a reminder of my years of 'weight watchers' as that was their punchline. So much more than another cookery book.’

 

‘What a lovely book!  I love the mixture of recipes, artwork, stories and gorgeous pictures of food and it seems a really good idea just to have a limited number of recipes for each type of food so that you don't get overwhelmed by choice.  I've bought one for myself and one for my sister and am thinking of giving it to everyone at Christmas!’

 

'The cookery book is a huge success! I think I said that the courgettes and chickpeas were yummy. I’ve also made the cauliflower tikka - a winner. It seemed a bit time consuming but that is because the recipe was new to me. Next to try is the butter squash and cashew and coconut korma!' 

Construction Industry

I think it’s fair to say that it’s been a tough year for Photographers. A lot of my business has been hit hard by the pandemic, that’s why I am so grateful for my lovely clients in the Construction Industry. Luckily they have been working throughout and have enabled me to feed my family. Being a director of my own little company means that I haven’t been helped by the government, so their work has been a lifeline. Here are a few of the pictures that have kept me busy.

Fire and Rescue Service

I’ve recently been helping the Fire and Rescue Service with their recruitment drive. I’ve worked for them before and I’m always humbled by their devotion to duty and their selflessness. Most of the guys I’ve photographed are On Call which means they do normal jobs and are ready to drop what they are doing and run to the Fire Station day or night. They really are a smashing bunch of humans that deserve our respect at all times.

The New Outdoor Studio

Today I went on a shopping spree and bought all that is necessary for a Covid compliant Outdoor Studio. I’ve just tested the idea in my garden in the rain with my long suffering wife Claire and it works better than I could have hoped for.

I can set this whole studio up in in any outdoor space in pretty much any weather, it’s 3x3 metres, so distancing will be a breeze, infact for most shots I will be outside the studio shooting on a telephoto lens.

Now that we can all get our haircut I’m very much hoping this will enable my clients to confidently book me for their headshots soon.

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Back to work

I’m delighted to say that this week I went back to work after 3 months. I was very relieved as I am one of the small limited company business owners that don’t qualify for government help.

The first shoot was for one of my long term clients, GreenSquare Homes. When I arrived on site I was given a squirt of hand sanitiser and had my temperature taken. As I expected social distancing was easy as I usually use long lenses that mean I have to be way more than 2 metres away. It felt good to be back, it’s the longest I’ve been away from work for nearly 30 years.

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Pandemic Operating Guidelines

New PPE will be used on each shoot.

New PPE will be used on each shoot.


To continue working through the pandemic Pixel PR Photography will be adhering to the following guidelines to keep everyone safe:

  1. Strict social distancing, this is easily accomplished using telephoto lenses.

  2. Thorough hand washing and cleaning of equipment.

  3. I will wear gloves and a face mask.

  4. If possible conduct the shoot outside.

  5. Inside shoots to be in well ventilated spaces and keep the number of people in there at one time to a minimum.

  6. Only one shoot per day.

  7. Freshly cleaned clothes and disinfected equipment before each shoot.

* Covid 19 Update *


Following Government advice, Pixel PR Photography will be returning to work on the 1st June 2020. Using telephoto lenses social distancing can be adhered to at all times.
Client safety is our top priority in these difficult times so Clint will be using the correct PPE where appropriate and will follow strict safety measures. All photographic equipment will be wiped to ensure that everything is clean and safe to use. 

www.pixelprphotography.co.uk

Photos of the new normal

I’m starting to notice that pre pandemic website and brochure pictures are looking dated. People huddled together and shaking hands just look wrong now, a bit like people smoking in adverts.

Luckily the way I work is almost always done at a distance, the exception being the handshake at the beginning, but that can wait for now. I have always favoured telephoto lenses that blur the background, they also dictate that I have to keep at least 2-3m away from the subject.

Work portraits of individuals still look completely up to date.

Work portraits of individuals still look completely up to date.

Corporate portraits outside can be a great way to keep everyone safe during a photoshoot.

Corporate portraits outside can be a great way to keep everyone safe during a photoshoot.








How to deal with a celebrity?

A celebrity or VIP can be tricky to handle, you know what you’d like them to do at an event or opening ceremony, but often everyone is too polite to ask.

After 30 plus years of photographing famous folk I have realised that all they want is some clear direction and no faffing about. For them it is part of the job, a normal work day and they want the pictures to be done quickly and successfully for the host. After all the VIP has either been paid for this or they feel passionate enough to support the cause.

My plan is to always find out what the client would really like in an ideal world and then set it up, when everything is in place I’ll ask the VIP if he or she wouldn’t mind joining us for a quick photo, they step in, smile and it’s all over. Everyone is happy, I then move out of the way and carry on shooting candid pictures from a distance.

Here’s some pictures from an event I did with Professor Robert Winston earlier this year.

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Why you need a good headshot

A bad headshot on your companies website doesn’t make a great impression. A dreary photo taken on an iPhone is never going to cut the mustard. On the other hand a professional headshot will make you look professional and create the best first impression for potential clients.

You can then get the photo working for you in so many ways, company website, Linkedin, Press Releases, Blog posts, Twitter, Brochures, Business cards, the list goes on.

I can come to your office and bring a studio with me, it couldn’t be easier.

If you would like me to shoot your new headshots get in contact.