Posts Tagged ‘brighton’
Cheeky Guide launch party video
As promised here’s a short video from the Cheeky Guide to Brighton book launch. A fantastic evening in the “Old music library” in Brighton. Check out the weird and wonderful art installations.
There’s also some great photos of the party if you weren’t glamorous enough to be invited. Maybe next time eh!
The Cheeky Guide to Brighton is available to buy now.
Photoshoot with Natasha Wood
In my insane schedule leading up to our departure on the “big adventure” it’s been important for me to still get some great photoshoots in. I believe it’s important, even if you’re a professional photographer, to still accept TFP work and get out there as often as possible. The people you meet and experience you gain will help you make money in the future so there’s never a reason to turn it down.
Natasha Wood is a multi-talented actress, singers and dancer who’s creative resumé puts mine to shame. We had a rather impromptu expedition around the streets of Brighton finding some great locations. The shoot was very last-minute and given the time constraints I’m pleased with what we achieved.
Eye Spy – Matt Preston
We did set out to create a more theatrical set of photos. Shying away from the usual serious pouty look. As you can no doubt tell we only managed that at certain times and to be honest Nastasha looks great when serious and pouty! I think those eyes and lips really lend themselves to that look.
Stairway to Heaven – Matt Preston
Lines and Curves – Matt Preston
It’s definitely given me a taste for more creative portrait photography. In fact I’ve been busy building the concept for a series of heavily directed on-location shoots. With just a few weeks left before we go and a whole life to pack up, time may not be on my side for that one.
Going, Going…. – Matt Preston
Sweet Smile – Matt Preston
Check out my Flick Photostream for the full set.
One great thing about continually getting out there and challenging yourself with as many shoots as possible is you really get to know your camera and lenses well. You also find your creative style becomes more pronounced. You find new ways to control it and make best use of it. I feel very at home with my Canon 5D Mark II now and absolutely adore my 24-105 F4 L. At first it’s wide angle felt very alien to me as i’m always drawn to facial detail. I’ve managed to manage my creativity in a way that now suits that wide lens very well. I also adore my “nifty fifty” 50mm 1.8, a lens that everyone should own.
A big thank you to Natasha for her hard work and a great friendly afternoon.
As ever your thoughts and comments are very welcome.
Photoshoot with Alicia
I had the pleasure of an on-location photoshoot with the wonderful Miss Alicia-Christy Rodway last weekend. We were on a mission to find new and exciting angles on this fair city of Brighton. Walking the streets, exploring hidden alleyways, courtyards, parks and promenades. It was great fun, the weather was gloriously sunny but you can’t have everything eh!
Apoca-lips – Matt Preston
Think Pink – Matt Preston
Seaside Vista – Matt Preston
Kick Back – Matt Preston
These were all shot with my fantastic Canon 5D Mark II with either my 24-105mm F4 L or my 50mm F1.8. Easily my two favourite lenses at the moment.
I’m very pleased with the results. I’ve been told on numerous occasions that I’m developing a style of my own that shows through in all my work. I’d be intersted in your thoughts on that. I do believe that while some times you can conciously work to create a particular style, other times that creativity seems to find it’s own way out.
A big thanks to Alicia who is not only a great model but a budding photographer too.
As ever your comments, opinions and critques are more than welcome. You can also follow me on twitter.
Brighton Wedding Photography
Wedding photography is relatively new to me. Like many who start out in the photography business the first port of call is helping out at friend’s weddings. Sooner or later though, it’s time to take charge and be the main photographer. I was lucky enough to have a fantastic couple to work with for my first foray into wedding photography. A fantastic day had by all (naturally) and some very pleasing photographs. Here are a few choice photos.
Kiss me quick – Matt Preston
Dependable You – Matt Preston
Under the pier, On top of the world!
Lounge Around – Matt Preston
Brighton is such a photogenic city with a gorgeous seafront. It’s almost cliché to have your wedding photos taken along the sea front but time and time again you can see why people want it. Brighton is a city it’s residents all adore.
Weddings are a wonderful thing to photograph. Such a positive day. I always get a little emotional and seeing a couple so in love, hearing about their own love story is always great. Glad to know my wife and I aren’t the only ones with great love stories to tell.
Here are a few more from a great day with a wonderful couple.
As ever your comments, thoughts, and critiques are more than welcome.
You can also follow me on twitter.
Photoblog – A Mini Adventure
I love living in Brighton. It’s one of the UK’s most famous tourist destinations. It’s been a “resort” for 300 years now and there’s never a dull moment. Festivals all year and tens of thousands of visitors flock to the beach every time the sun comes out.
This weekend saw the annual “London to Brighton Mini Run” take place. Starting in Crystal Palace, London. Ending at Madeira Drive, Brighton. Right on the sea front thousands of Minis arrived in convoy, parked up for the many MANY visitors to see.
Some Car Over the Rainbow – Matt Preston
Minis are such beautiful little cars. They have such character and so many are so well preserved.
A Mini Kid – Matt Preston
The Mini is as much a symbol of British culture as Big Ben and The Queen (the band and the monarch). I adore them. There’s no other car quite like them.
On Fire – Matt Preston
I’m currently torn between very minimal post-processing to correct exposure and full on post-processing “painting” as I like to call it. The above photo is a great example. Left alone this image is nice but uninspiring. With a bit of post-processing skill you can create something much more dramtic, vibrant and exciting.
The Buff King – Matt Preston
It’s great to see so many gorgeous little minis in pristine condition. This car was by far my favourite. I stopped by 3 times to have a look. The guy clearly loves his little Mini and keeps it as shiny as possible!
Exhibitions, be they in doors or out are often hard to shoot without getting masses of clutter in the background and often unwanted items in the foreground! It often takes time to find the right crop of an image, the right effect that will draw you away from the clutter. You’ll often take hundreds of shots and only end up with a handful of real winners.
Blue Wheeler – Matt Preston
For more Mini photos check out my Flickr Photostream
As ever your thoughts, comments and critique are welcome.
Feel free to follow me on twitter.
Photoblog – Will Dance For Food
I saw these guys during a Busking Festival, a very simple image that offers so much in the way of narrative and comedy.
Will Dance For Food – Matt Preston
I think this photo speaks for itself in terms of artist merit yet asks so much in terms of subject matter!
As ever your thoughts and comments are welcome.
Photoblog – Forgotten Door
This is still one of my favourite photos. Partly the composition and partly the subject matter.
Forgotten Door – Matt Preston
I rarely walk past this door as it’s very hidden out of the way in an uninviting area of town. In fact hardly anyone would go there. The door would lead underneath roads and buildings so what it’s actually for I don’t know. Nor do I ever want to know. It’s the non-descript nature of this door that draws me to it.
Rusting, unmaintained, unloved, does anyone still use it? Where does it go? Maybe it hasn’t been used for a hundred years (its possible). Why is it painted bright red!?
The darkening of the edges of the image help spotlight the door, making it all the more magical. Funny how such a flat, 2 dimensional object can create so many questions.
As ever your thoughts and comments are welcome.
Photoblog – The Mighty Reliant
I love this pic. So simple but just goes to prove that anything from the right angle can be eye catching.
The go-faster flames and cross-processing effect help a lot! But sometimes just getting down to the level of what you want to shoot rather than standing and pointing your camera at the subject, can make all the difference.
The Mighty Reliant – Matt Preston
The thin depth of field works really well adding a slightly surreal quality to the subject. I used a 50mm lens with an aperture of F3.2. The prime is great for perfect picture quality. Sometimes you really do notice the difference.
Critics and comments welcome. Let me know what you think.
Shooting the Brunette
I recently had the pleasure of a photoshoot with a local model. Thanks to websites like modelmayhem.com it’s now possible for wannabe photographers and wannabe models to contact each other and work together, often for free.
The shoot took place on Brighton Beach and surrounding areas. Always a great backdrop and it’s nice to finally be taking photos on the beach that aren’t all about the piers and other pebbly beach paraphernalia.
This was one of the first real chances to get to grips with my new DSLR, the Canon 5D Mark ii. An amazing camera. I’ll do a full review of it in a few weeks time.
Gentle Breeze – Matt Preston
My Beach – Matt Preston
Lifting Me Up – Matt Preston
In The Blue Corner – Matt Preston
I’m loving the Cross-Processing look at the moment. A technique usually applied to film but can be simulated quite easily in software. I’ll let you know how in another blog soon!
There’s loads more from this shoot in my Flickr Account. Check out the full day’s shoot here.
I’d love to hear your comments, good or bad so feel free to have your say!