Interview 5th March

Interviews…something I’m really really rubbish at. So it’s safe to say I’m worrying about it. I spoke to my tutor Liz about it and she just said, “be yourself” “get to the point” and “be confident”.

So these are my reasons for third year;

·     I need a year to properly set up and be an all round person with photography knowledge as well as work experience.

 ·     I want to take advantage of being labeled as a “student” to get as much work experience as possible.

·     At the end of education I want to become a confident freelance photographer or work in a team using my skills.

·     I want to collaborate with other like- minded students to help benefit me in the industry, for example favor for a favor.

 ·Recently I’ve enjoyed Food Photography and I’d like to use the year to build up a strong portfolio.

Yeah so basically there’s the points, all pretty similar really but I need to speak clearly (cause if you know me personally - under pressure I get a bad stammer) and have approachable, friendly and inviting body language.

Also I need a CV
(Currently needing to start)

Passport Photo (For once I actually have a suitable one)

Portfolio
(Currently deciding on what’s my best work and what needs printing)

Guidance Notes for Statement of Intent

(Need finalising)

So yeah apart from all that I’m pretty much good to go!

Martineau House Monday

 Martineau House Monday

I was quite excited about this shoot till I couldn’t get an assistant to help out. The day before I was panicking and worrying I’d sleep in or my equipment would fail, well none of these things happened. Instead the Metro service decided to take off two coast trains so I was late, not late by 5 minutes either 30 MINUTES LATE!

I really couldn’t quite believe my luck, I left my house 2 hours in advance just incase the traffic was bad being a Monday morning. Anyway because I didn’t know Sally’s mobile to send her a text (signal was too low to make a phone call) I had to text Jane. They were nice about it and a lot calmer than I was. They picked me up from Tynemouth Station and we went to the fish quay to get the crabs & fish!

As soon as I got there it was all hands on, the fish quay was dark, and the weather was over cast and foggy so I couldn’t really work with it. I ended up using auto on a few pictures just so I had something. Looking back on them I feel guilty as hell cause they are “snap shot like” pictures, anyone could have taken them!

Once we got back to the Guest House, It got intense these were the pics that mattered and the photographs that Jane (Journalist from The Journal) would use if she used any. Sally’s two friends, which were our models, were great fun. Sally was rushing around as because I was 30 minutes late and Karen (one of the models) had to leave at 12:30 we didn’t have much time.

First we started off taking pictures of the crab being dressed.

The night before I did have a nightmare about a crab, I think this was purely cause I was anxious about the shoot though!

Throughout the cookery class the phone would ring or people off the street would enquire about staying, this was just real life, things do happen. Everyone gets disturbed but it was nice for the customers to see what we were doing and of course it’ll all get round word by mouth especially with a columnist and a photographer at the scene.

After the mad rush of dressing the crab, we were able to taste them. Sally made crab dumplings, crab cakes and something, which I can’t remember the name of but we were to dip it into either soy sauce or sweet chili for that extra kick!

In between the cooking and serving time Sally said her guests would go change and freshen up for serving. This is crucial to get the maximum flavor as the guests would have been around crab and fish all day that they would lose their sense of smell. So by having a break they can enjoy the experience by getting freshened up and ready to eat their freshly made seafood trio.

Before Sally served the Gurnard I was able to take more pictures of the dish. In preparation of the shoot I went to Poundland to buy reflector items such as tin foil, tins, and a silver emergency blanket. Also Blue Tac just incase! When the time came to actually taking photographs of the food there wasn’t much room and I still wasn’t comfortable because of being so late so I didn’t use my reflective materials. 

Luckily Sally’s kitchen had a patio so there was light coming in but personally because I’m so used to my set up with lots of space it didn’t feel right so I tried to just make the best with what I had. 

Really being a photographer I should have the confidence to move things and get on with it but since being flustered about being late & worried of their opinions I just tried to get on with it – this is something I need to work on – CONFIDENCE!  

Anyway after the shoot we discussed other events coming up and I’d love to get involved, hopefully I tried to laugh off the metro trauma and they believed that I do try to be professional but sometimes things can’t be helped ESPEICALLY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

Here are just some of the pics, to improve I would have used a 50mm lens, used reflective materials and been more confident.

 

Never the less Sally and Jane seemed impressed so I was chuffed. Also because I finished shooting around half 2 I went straight home to edit the pictures. 

I edited 79 in total in one night by just retouching and brightening them up. Retouching the same day as shooting has helped massively cause I do feel like “right that’s done, what’s next?” rather than worrying thinking “I’ll do it later.”

It was also really nice to receive tweets about being appreciated. I did speak about how I don't expect payment as I want to build up contacts and practise. In my opinion if something goes wrong and I don't charge they have nothing to lose so it feels like its covered me. However I do want to make a living of this eventually but the work experience I'm learning right now is (in my opinion) crucial. 

Bad Leg

No idea how it happened, why it happened or what happened. When I woke up on Saturday my leg was still really sore, I felt like I pulled all the muscles in it. 

I’ve got to admit being in physical pain is frustrating cause I knew I had so much to be getting on with. I was meant to be going to Riley’s Fish Shack but had to cancel cause I just couldn’t walk properly on it. I would have been OK being there but I was worried that carrying heavy kit around would put more pressure on my leg. 

So I texted Adam and apologised, hoping we can reschedule for another time.

Important Phone Call

Important Phone Call

Friday 22^nd February I was chilling about just about to start some more work on my PPD file, but then my mobile started ringing and it was  “PHOTOSTORE”  I panicked thinking about all the equipment I’d borrowed over the past couple weeks worrying if I didn’t take something back or something had broke, but no it was a very different kind of phone call!

Christian has a photographer friend who was in college on Friday just enquiring about some kit, Christian asked if Kevin Gibson had any tips on food photography and told him about my situation. He said I was just getting into food photography and I have plenty contacts just not enough knowledge or confidence.

Kevin said the best thing for me to do would be to come and give him a hand at a food shoot at The Assembly Rooms, which he was going to in the afternoon. When Christian told me this I jumped at the chance, I had possibly the quickest shower on record & ran for the bus.

When I got there I was nervous but excited, knowing that he was Christian’s friend put me a bit at ease cause I think he’s a good judge in character. Anyway I texted Kevin saying I was here but then I thought “Oh how silly Steph he’ll be too busy to check his phone!” So I went in to ask the receptionist and she said he’d been expecting me.

As I walked in there was a quite a large table top scoop high key set up with 5 people standing watching Kevin. He was warming polite and friendly. I felt very nervous as I gave Fiona a handshake to be polite and I don’t think she was quite expecting it.

Kevin was working away, I was fascinated how much mess there was, not in a bad way but how much room and space the shoot took up. I was really shy around Kevin for quite a while cause I just felt in the way. He’d show me what he was photographing and talk me through how many lights he was using, why he was using them, what reflectors he needed and talk me through what would be happening.

I picked up on a lot, I learned that salad gets replaced with fresher salad just before you take the final shot so its fresh and looks appetising.

I learned that breadcrumbs go everywhere, so taking a paint brush to brush crumbs away is essential.

 I learned that you could never have too many teaspoons as Kevin was constantly on the hunt for one.

Reflectors to bounce light back in is a massive part of filing in gaps, also is being random. 

Once Kevin explained that you need to be random with food, for example random herbs on the top of a chili, you need to have an odd number or it doesn’t sit well visually. He also mentioned that if there is any shadows or holes that’s where your eyes draw to first so you must cover any holes and bounce light back into the food to avoid shadows.

I did take a few pics on my blackberry but they aren’t great quality as I was rushing around. During the shoot I was holding a tablecloth over the set to avoid shadows, running around finding teaspoons, searching for blue tac, holding up reflectors and when appropriate asking Kevin questions.

He seemed happy enough to answer my questions, I asked if he used photoshop and he said that’s only really for emergencies but really you should get it right in camera every time. I completely agree with this, not just because I’m  not great with photoshop but because you want your client to be happy there and then not relying on photoshop to solve issues that could have been resolved there & then.

When packing up he did mention if there was anything I wasn’t sure on make sure I ask cause breaking equipment would be a huge loss in costs and honesty is the best policy.

After I helped pack away the equipment he offered me a lift home, usually I would have said no but because he was going that way anyway and we did get chatting I accepted. I was amazed that Kevin knew so many people that I did so it did make the experience less formal and more chatty. 

He’s offered me to go on my shoots with him, which I’m really excited about because I do think I’d pick up a lot. 

Cakes By Becky (take two)

I went to Becky’s cake shop on Tuesday 19^th and as soon as I got there I just got stuck in. I moved furniture around (with her permission) to get the best daylight.

 I used a tripod so when I get a good daylight spot I don’t have to adjust the camera. I also used a reflector which was very handy and noticeable on certain shots.

Here is just a small selection of some of the pics I’ve taken, none are edited.

Marco Polo

No sleep & bricking it, that’s how I felt before meeting up with Wiesia (my lovely photography friend who got me the gig and let me borrow her lens – which I then fell in love with)

Even though I was told to be prepared with a tripod, speed light & cable I ended up using natural day light by a big window and 50mm lens.

Wiesia insisted in a posh beautiful starter, so posh it had such a fancy name that I can’t remember it! Indeed it was beautiful.

In between the time from the starter and our mains I decided to snap around the room for some lifestyle shots.

Then I shot our main dishes which mine was lamb meatball pasta & Wiesia had Chicken pesto. Very delicious, I would have shot deserts but because we were also eating I was far too full so hopefully I’ll be able to go back and snap up some ice cream & fruits!

The images below haven't been edited...yet!

I'll Buy You A Pint If You Design My Logo Yeah?

So basically I have a good friend who is a web designer and one of his projects is to brand me. 

That includes my logo, website, letterheads, invoice designs, business cards etc.

He'll be needing photographs for some of his other projects too so we'll help each other out.

So far we have this logo;

I love it but I do agree its a tiny bit plain, but this is the foundations we are working on!

I've also decided I'm going to be 

STEPH BELL PHOTOGRAPHY

(Losing the Stephi and the P)

Fish Shack

Jane Hall mentioned Riley’s Fish Shack and said they would be worth sending an email so that’s what I did

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 6:14 PM, Stephanie Bell ‪<Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.> wrote:

Hi Adam,

I've been in touch with Jane about taking some photos of food/drink & lifestyle for my uni portfolio. She recommended that I should get in touch incase you were interested.

Basically I'm shooting a portfolio of images for my degree, my theme throughout my portfolio is really to keep it all very local and real. Would you be interested in getting involved? I'm doing this just for images, work experience and to gain some confidence as I'm still quite a shy student haha

Also I could pass the images on to you so you could use them for social networking, website or blogging.

Let me know what you think,

Many thanks Steph Bell

Hi Stephanie, sorry for the delay, its all been a bit mad lately.

Sounds like a fab opportunity for us both, I have an event a week on Saturday (23rd) if your free?

Call me if you want to chat.

07402259635

Thanks

Since then we’ve been in touch and Adam would like me to come along to the event on Saturday 23^rd February and luckily for a change I’m off work so I’m going to try and attend. I’m not massively keen on seafood but I reckon I could get some great pics and again all this work experience should help with my self confidence – well that’s the plan!

Valentine’s Day spent with cake, a cake maker, a camera & free scones!

So as I’m single I was kind of dreading the whole Valentine’s Day thing so I decided to make myself busy and photograph Cakes By Becky. She had gorgeous cupcakes and we basically chatted the whole time about business, clients and how she’s never looked back since becoming self-employed.

I watched her create a birthday cake for a 10 year old, the description for the cakes was “She likes trees & rats” I found it really interesting to watch Becky work. She is amazing with icing! I didn’t really photograph much because I was still shy and didn’t want to feel in the way so instead we just chatted and discussed what images I could get next time I visited!

A Job You Say?

After being in touch with Jane Hall she mentioned Sally Craigen, who runs Martineau Guest House in Tynemouth.

Below is the email I sent & the reply!

On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 11:55 AM, Stephanie Bell  > wrote:

Hello there Sally,

I've been in touch with Jane about taking photographs of food/drink & lifestyle.

She recommended getting in touch with you as she said you may be interested in making a brochure. I'm doing all this for work experience & work for my Uni portfolio, so I'd love to help and get involved.

Let me know what you think.

Many thanks, Steph Bell

On 7 Feb 2013, at 13:36, Sally Craigen wrote:

Hi Steph,

Yes Jane mentioned you yesterday. It would be good for both of us I think if you could get involved. What sort of time do you have? I can do Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays as I look after my granddaughter Wed, Thirs and Fri afternoons. Perhaps we could meet up first to talk about what photographs we could do.

Sally

So me and a friend went to pay Sally a visit where she explained that she wanted to have cookery lessons which would involve going to get fresh fish and seafood from the local fish market then taking it back to the Guest House and teaching her guests how to dress a crab and enjoy tasty seafood dishes. In the meantime while she has a practice with her friends I’d photograph this and we’d hopefully get a broche put together so Sally could advertise this offer. This would help making contacts and get some fancy sea food images for my portfolio!

I’ll keep you posted with this one as me and a friend have arranged to shoot on the 25^th February.

http://www.martineau-house.co.uk/