This is an ongoing project where I photograph people in the studio and play with lighting for varying contrast and impact in the images. I do love shooting portraits, especially when people don’t realise how photogenic they are and then they get excited when they see the images.
Here are a few of my favourite mono images from over the years:
Some of my favourite portrait photographs taken on location from over the years.
Some are with models organised via Purpleport, others are portrait jobs, weddings, or practice sessions with friends or family.
If you are looking for a specific location photoshoot email me at Gem@devonpt.co.uk and I’ll get back to you asap.
Colours make such a big difference to your photographs, imagine Photographing a family portrait with a mix of patterns, floral, stripes, chequers, someone in a football kit, someone in bright green next to someone in bright red. It can be a bit of a nightmare! I often send out clothing guides when Photographing groups. Helping me to avoid clashing colours and print.
I have been exploring colours in the studio recently, Photographing my black dog against the orange an working with different skin tones and outfits to see what works and what doesn’t. There are loads of colour theories you can find when looking at the colour wheel, we can work with harmonious colours such as black and orange contrasting colours such as red and yellow or complimentary colours such as yellow and purple or green and magenta.
Here are a few examples of playing with colours in the studio:
This evening I met up with a lovely lady who came to me for photography training and we went out and took some photographs together. I wanted to capture the tide washing over the steps near Jacob’s Ladder in Sidmouth and also wanted to have a play with creating some HDR images where you merge multiple exposures to get one shot with lots of detail in it.
Here are some of the shots I got with the settings used:
Above: Taken with 1/125th of a second to freeze the movement in the water. My aperture was set at F2.8 to allow enough light in the camera for the correct exposure and ISO 140 for a good quality shot.
Above: This photo was created by merging 5 different exposures together which allowed me to get detail in all the shadows, highlights and mid tones throughout the image. The light on the rocks was lovely so I just had to get a shot of this scene. I used a tripod for this HDR image.
Above: This shot was taken wit a fairly fast shutter speed of 1/200th of a second to help freeze the movement of the water splashing on the rock. The ISO was set to 125 for a good quality image with minimal noise and the Aperture to F3.2 to allow a good exposure (I slightly overexposed in camera to allow more detail in the rocks.)
Above: This shot was taken with 1/5th of a second to show more movement in the water, with an aperture of F11 to cut down on the amount of light entering the camera and to give a fair amount in focus and an ISO of 31 for a quality image with no noise.
Above: This shot was taken at 0.8 of a second to show the movement in the water even more, F22 to cut down on the amount of light entering the camera through the lens and to give more in focus. The ISO was 31 for a good quality shot.
Above: A shot of the moon taken with a long exposure over 5 seconds with an aperture value of F7.1 and ISO set to 31 for a high quality image. Sidmouth doesn’t get as good a sunset as North Devon beaches do but these subtle pinks and blues make for a nice image, and the moons come out to say hello. This one was taken with my ND Variable filter on the front of my lens to cut down on the amount of light entering the camera so I can use a slower shutter speed to show movement in the sea.
Above: Another long exposure shot at 2 seconds, F2.8 and ISO 31 The water moving over those rocks caught my eye.
Above: I love the warm tones in this image and the sky is looking prety impressive too, I used a slow shutter speed to get movement in the water and the figure looks a little ghostly where she has moved over the 13 seconds I took this image (Using an ND filter to cut down on the light coming into the lens)
Above: Practicing with bracketing and HDR to try and get more detail in the rocks which are in hard shadow if I tried to just take one correctly exposed image. This is 5 exposures blended into one but I don’t like how the cliffs further away look a abit hazy and blue.
If you would like to tag along with me on a photo session and/or have a tuition session please do let me know.
This tradition in the heart of Devon is one that many people flock to each year, on the 5th November local families who have lived in the village for generations get the honour of carrying flaming barrels up and down the streets of Ottery St Mary amongst the crowds of people, with no barriers and no designated route!
As a spectator you definitely have to mind your step and try not to get in their way so you don’t get trampled or burnt or both! Lots of people come to take photos and have this event on their bucket list.
This year I decided to take my ‘proper’ camera and a flash to take some good quality images and also some portraits of the people who carry the barrels, once they have taken part that is. The images show some pretty sooty, sweaty and charred looking people.
If you know anyone in the photos please share the link with them so they can see their images, or share on facebook and tag them :) – Thanks
A photography gift voucher is more than just a present. It’s an opportunity to learn a new skill, build confidence, and enjoy time doing something creative.
At Devon Photography Training, gift vouchers can be used towards photography tuition sessions designed to help photographers get more from their camera, whether they’re complete beginners or looking to improve specific skills. From understanding camera settings to composition, editing, and creative photography techniques, sessions are tailored to the individual and taught in a relaxed, supportive way.
Unlike gifts that end up forgotten in a drawer, photography tuition creates lasting value. It helps people capture better memories, enjoy their hobby more, and feel confident using the equipment they already own.
Gift vouchers are available all year round and make thoughtful presents for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, celebrations, or simply as encouragement for someone wanting to explore photography further.
If you’re unsure what type of session would suit your loved one, feel free to get in touch for advice and recommendations. Vouchers are available directly through our gift page and can be sent ready to give.
NB: Gift vouchers are purchased for session time, meaning the recipient can choose the photography topic they’d like to focus on when booking. This makes them perfect for genre-specific photography lessons including wildlife, landscape, portraits, street photography, editing, and beginner camera tuition.
Vouchers are £139 for studio based sessions (Honiton) and come gift wrapped in a gold envelope with ribbon.
