My work is an ever evolving entity. Every day can offer new opportunities to explore new locations, sketch ideas, and build new bodies of work. Here in my blog you will find all my most recent work, and an insight into the way I work and what inspires me.
If you love what you read, please do leave me a comment.
Focus stacking in Photoshop - The Dutch tulip fields
Focus stacking in Photoshop - The Dutch tulip fields
After many years of trial and error, trying to blend layers in photoshop using masks and the eraser tool, I finally have learnt how to do focus stacking in Photoshop – a revelation! Thanks to a great article in Amateur Photographer magazine from May 2018, I have learnt this wonderful new technique.
With April as prime tulip photography time, I’m busy trying to get front to back sharp images, which is really important in some locations – especially where windmills and tulips are involved. Out with my guests in the tulip fields, I am often asked the best way to shoot the location. Whilst good photos can be made using a great depth of field and selecting your focus point within one image very carefully, it is still tricky to get the whole image in focus if the distance between objects within the image is great.
This is the image I have just created using the focus stacking technique.
p.s. apologies for large watermark but this is the type of image to be utilised without my consent.
Factors to get right on location
- On location when you are taking the photographs ideally you should use a tripod (you will hear in the video that I did not in this example!) this way you need not worry about trying to align all the images later.
- You should take a minimum of 5 images with differing focus points front to back within the image. More images of course can be used for better coverage.
- Shoot in RAW if possible to enable the best editing options.
- Make sure to select a good composition, and exposure as you would any other photograph.
Back on the computer
- Import the images into light room………then follow the video.
I hope the video gives you an idea of how to work through the process, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I also cover a little of my work flow when producing my images.
Please click here to view the video on my You Tube channel
More videos coming soon!
Spring is pink
Spring is pink
With the first sun in weeks, the blossom has suddenly appeared on the trees, or maybe it was there before but my head was low between my shoulders keeping out the wind and rain! Either way, I got out last night determined to do som ICM on the blossom. However i was sidetracked by the beauty of the blossom, so of course it was not just ICM that I did. But with the tree in my front garden, its a very easy location to go back too!
As with all ICM, it was a bit of trial and error till I found the style I liked. I was about half an hour playing before it clicked what i needed to do and see on the back of the camera. This little selection contains a variant on styles, but i think my favourites are the 1st one and the 3rd one.
With another sunny day today, i might just give it another go later! Practice makes perfect. Enjoy your weekend.
The art of ICM - day workshop 5th April 2019 - Nottingham, UK
The art of ICM - day workshop 5th April 2019 - Nottingham, UK
I am delighted to announce that on Friday the 5th April I shall be running a full day of training on the ICM technique.
Whether you are a complete beginner with an interest or an enthusiast in this creative art of photography you are very welcome. With only 6 attendees the day will be tailored towards your aims and aspirations during your time with me.
ICM photography is a wonderful way to introduce creativity, freedom and expression into your photographic style. Although you can't forget everything else you have learned before, this style of photography encourages experimentation and a chance to try something a bit different.
Our day will start at Patchings art centre with coffee and an introduction to the techniques. I will share my experiences and make suggestions to ensure you get the most from your day. After that, it's outside and hands on for the rest of the day. At Patchings art centre we will enjoy the walk around their grounds to nail the basic understanding, before heading over to Newstead Abbey just a short drive away. This amazing location offers streams, waterfalls, lakes, reflections, a Japanese garden and ancient woodlands in addition to the old buildings.
The day starts at 10am and concludes at around 4pm. Morning coffee, entry and parking at the abbey are included. Lunch is not included, but will be taken at the cafe at the arts centre.
Equipment required: A camera that you can control ISO, shutter speed and F. with. If you have ND filters these will be useful and essential if we get a sunny day. If you would like to purchase filters before the day there are a number of low cost options i can recommend. A tripod is also an option if you would like to bring one to expand your learning options.
The cost for the day is £150 per person for Guild of Photographers members and £195 for non members.
Please contact me if you are interested. Places are limited to only 6 photographers to keep the training personable, enjoyable and to allow me to work with each and every one on my course on an individual basis during the day. [email protected]
Booking link for the course
In addition to the workshop you may be interested to combine it with the "Connected exhibition" at Patchings art centre. I am delighted to announce that I will be exhibiting three of my images along side other stunning photographers at the exhibition. Connected exhibition 2019 The exhibition has its official opening and event weekend on the 6th and 7th April, during which time there are two days of speakers (and its a completely free event!!!). I will be there that weekend.
Arnhem station simplicity
Arnhem station simplicity
Sometime looking for the most simple things can yield the most beautiful results.
Yesterday I was in Arnhem station with just 5 minutes to spare. Always a location that has inspired me with my photography, this time was no different. Its amazing, every time I go i make completely different photos because I see new things which catch my eye and inspire me.
The first 4 photos are ICM images made on my I phone using the slow shutter cam app. I then worked on them in lightroom to develop the colours and accentuate the contrasts.
The last photo is a standard phone photo, but one which I have worked on in Topaz Impression using a coloured pencil setting to create the more industrial feel to it. The quality on the original photo was not brilliant, but i loved the lines, so using this plug in enabled me to create something with it.
Spring is in the air
Spring is in the air
So finally we have seen the sun the last couple of days, and what an uplift to the spirit it is! Even the snowdrops feel it is time to appear. This is a triple exposure made on my iphone.
ICM mages made in slow shutter cam app and then combined in Pixlr
The snowy Peak
The snowy Peak
At the end of January I was back in the UK for a couple of days. I decided with a friend to drive via the Peak District to reach our destination. With the weather forecast promising heavy snow and impassible roads, we were not sure how far we would get, but figured we would just have a go and see!
With the satnav set for Castleton we set off. Coming from an absolutely flat land, its hard to describe how exciting it is when you see hills topped with snow!
All roads were surprisingly clear and I was delighted when we reached the top of Winnats pass and were were able to drive down through it. With snow piled high on either side and just the bare rocks and trees peeping through the while blanket of snow its not quite what I had planned on photographing, but I was determined to see what I could do with it.
The photos that follow are my record of The Peak District covered in snow on a fairly misty and grey day. The light was uninspiring, but the scenery was different. Sometimes 'different' is all you need to inspire your creativity! I hope the lines and textures of this area come through in the images.
I chose black and white for this series, as all my images looked almost black and white anyway, and adding the conversion just added to the contrast and strength of the landscape features in the snow.
These are a couple of the images I made - for the full series please take a look at this album "Snowy Peak"
Christmas doubled!!!!!
Christmas doubled!!!
This year, after many years of saying that I would......I actually made my own Christmas cards.
Having found the wonderful world of ICM and double exposures on my phone I decided that this year my cards would be abstract Christmas works of art.
Local to us we have the most amazing garden centre called Intratuin. Each year it puts on probably the biggest indoor display in NL, and I decided it was the perfect place to find inspiration. Armed only with my phone and a couple of Apps I spent around 3 hours in perfect creative bliss collecting ICM and detail shots of lights, tinsel, decorations, greenery and decorations. Its fair to say I have literally hundreds of images on my phone. Those you see are just a selection that I worked with in the photosplit app and in photoshop to create the double exposure effect.
Happy Christmas!!!!
And a little behind the scenes sneak peak. The garden centre.
Here are the two photos for each of the final photos. Just to give you an idea of what I see and what I combine. I look for interesting combinations of light, colour and shape. I try to minimise distractions so I can easily overlay images in a phone ap. But for the second of these examples I did take the image into PS to remove the price labels. When I was walking around I was looking for strong lines, shapes, contrast and colours that could combine and compliment each other. In some images I used ICM to add a bit of a creative feel, but with some of the textures I liked how they were and just took a normal photo.
Image of the year Finalist with the Guild of Photographers UK
Image of the year Finalist with the Guild of Photographers UK
In 2016 I won the runner up award in the landscape category, in 2017 I went one better by winning the award of best landscape photograph. This year I am once again shortlisted to the final 10, which I am delighted about. I'm thinking 3 times lucky might just be one too many so I am very happy with the shortlist and wait and see in February how I do at the awards event.
PRESS RELEASE
Local Photographer Charlotte Bellamy achieves international acclaim!
Charlotte Bellamy, a photographer based in Angerlo near Arnhem has reached the Final of the fiercely contested Guild of Photographers Image of the Year Competition.
The Guild is a highly respected UK based association for photographers which has members from overseas as well. Each year it runs an on-line monthly photographic competition, judged by internationally respected judges with awards given to the best entries.
During 2018, the competition has attracted 12,000 entries from the most talented of photographers.
It has just been announced that from all the entries across the year, the Guild’s Judges have selected JUST 10 images in various genres to go forward to the annual Image of the Year Final. Those selected really are the best of the best, and an image by Charlotte is one of those selected as a Finalist!
Guild Director Lesley Thirsk said “One of the Guild’s aims is to drive standards and creativity amongst photographers. Our competition certainly does that, for the standard of the entries we see each month is quite staggering. To have an image recognised by the Guild in the monthly competition is difficult enough, so to have an image selected as being one of the best in a category for the end of year Final is without doubt an incredible achievement, and shows just how talented photographer, name is”
Charlotte said “I love photography and put a lot of effort into developing my skills. One way I do that is to enter the Guild’s competition. It drives forward photography standards month after month so it helps me push myself. The images I see getting awards each month are inspirational, so knowing just how high those standards are, to have one of my images shortlisted for the overall Final from the many 1000’s submitted across whole year is really exciting. This is the 4th year in a row that I have managed this achievement, so I am absolutely delighted.”
Charlotte’s image along with the others will now be printed ready for the Competition Final in December, when highly regarded Judges will be coming together from across the country and overseas to choose the overall winner.
The final outcome will be announced at a lavish Awards night in a magnificent Jacobean mansion in Cheshire on 2nd February 2019.
Autumn tree fireworks
Autumn fireworks
This year with the summer drought, my usual Posbank photographic foray to the purple heather covered hills was cancelled; no flowering heather! However this wonderful National park on my doorstep has put on another show of its own this autumn - absolutely amazing colours in the trees finally.
Yesterday I spent a few hours out with my camera up in the hills of Holland capturing the colours. I have so many to edit, but I just wanted to share with you this final photo (an ICM double exposure) and what I actually saw in front of me.
This was the finished piece of art. Two images combined; the one below, and another ICM image of the same scene. Post processed in Photoshop.
This is what it looked like to the normal visitor!
I've been encouraged by a few people to keep a record of what I actually see and what I create, so this is the first of those shared images.
More to follow when I have the time to decide which ones to edit!
A reflection on Amsterdam
A reflection on Amsterdam
There are so many times I go out with my camera with no clear idea of what I want to create, I just feel the light or the need to be out photographing, and then when I get started I find my path to the images I love.
Yesterday I was in Amsterdam for a meeting and I had a spare two hours with my camera, and I was determined I needed some focus before I arrived. Having photographed Amsterdam so many times I know that I love the landscape, that the colours are crazy and its all actually rather busy. I normally return home with such a selection of images I can do nothing concrete with them. So with an hour on the train I took time to think of the strongest factors I think of when I think of the city.
It came down to two things - the canals and the buildings.....still a bit wide at that point, so I decided to go one step further and ended up with reflections in the canal water and ICM of the tall, beautiful angular buildings. Then i'd see if I could combine these!
These two give you an idea of what I had imagined in my head.
Of course I got distracted; the stunning weather and leaves turning summer to autumn meant that I also collected a few landscape images of Amsterdam, and the ducks in the water were also a distraction.....but on the whole having a goal was hugely successful. I walked up one side of the canals with my long lens and my eye on the reflections, and then returned with my wider angle and an an ND filter to capture the ICM images.
Back home I have worked on a few and these are the results.
