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!
]]>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.
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.
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.
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
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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"
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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.
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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.
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!
]]>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.
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There's something a little bit special about the early autumn colour breaking through the vibrant greens of the summer. As i'm always looking for contrasts; the yellow is so obvious to see, and I can't help but make some sketches with my phone this morning.
ICM images made on my I Phone with Slow Shutter Cam app and processed in camera for double exposure effect using Photosplit app.
Last Friday I decided to expose my self to the contemporary photographic world, and I visited the Unseen Amsterdam exhibition in the city. Just going to the city alone was an adventure for me, but my whole afternoon was one of eye opening, light bulbs and a greater understanding of what I am becoming involved in as I push myself towards photography as an art form, rather than just a output of the camera.
There was plenty of work I really did not get, and that did not remotely inspire me; but that's ok; if everyone liked the same things the world would be a very boring place!
I only had my phone with me so please excuse the quality of the documentary photos, but hopefully it will give you just a little insight into my day.
Walking around I was drawn to those artists portraying textures and nature. These artists all display a feeling of colour and texture in their images.
As I walked around the exhibition I was inspired a couple of times to create my own artwork from the inspiration for the work of others.
Diana Scherer created photographs entitled 'Root bound' - she photographed the resulting rood growth in a natural mat. The mat was on display along with her photos and I loved the textures and colours and combined 2 of my ICM images together to create 'unseen earth mat'.
Martina Della Valle created some very botanical images in the style of Japanese Ikebana. She had an Ikebana flower display with the images, and photographing all the textures and colours of it was fascinating, resulting in the 'red and feathered grass' image I produced from ICM and double exposure techniques.
Many of the exhibiting artist's work I probably failed to understand without an explanation. However I was lucky enough to sit in on the artists talks sessions and I was completely inspired by the work of Simon Norfolk and Eva O'Leary. They were both so passionate about their projects and explained perfectly how they researched and finally executed their bodies of work. An absolutely fascinating insight into the process of creating a body of work.
Initially I wondered if my time at the exhibition might be a bit wasted as the genre of photography was not quite my style! But I can safely say, that having chosen to embrace the styles and open my eyes, I have a much greater understanding of what lays behind work that reaches galleries around the world. Which I shall make full use of going forward.
Just as in the guilds of years gone by, to become a Master Craftsman with the Guild of Photographers you need to create a masterpiece worthy of the title! This is our highest distinction and recognizes you as being able to create work of the highest possible standard both technically and artistically, so your application must reflect the highest level of content and presentation and show the most meticulous attention to detail and creativity along with complete understanding of the art and craft of photography. It is the most demanding and yet exciting of our titles to apply for, because you have full artistic licence to create your own work of art".............not too much pressure then!
The 5th September 2018 was a huge date in my life - it rates as one of the biggest actually! I became a Master Craftsman with the Guild of Photographers! After achieving qualification around six years ago, and my Craftsman four years ago, this qualification award was a long time in the making....but 100% worth waiting for!
I gained a huge amount from completing my Craftsman. For me, it was as much about the journey with my mentor as it was achieving the end qualification. Initially I assumed that Master Craftsman would be the next logical next step in a short space of time. But it was not until October 2017 that I decided I was ready to offer a selection of images to a new mentor to see if I was ready to submit. After our first mentoring session, we both recognised that just submitting a back catalogue of work with updates and additions would gain me no satisfaction. It very quickly became apparent that another journey was in order!
The journey has been an amazing one, I am extremely proud of this panel and what I have achieved and amazed at my own creativity and conviction that I love these images.
During the last year I have been encouraged to develop photography that displays my passion and creativity. Also to research and identify what makes a cohesive and compelling body of work, that is essential for the Craftsman and Master qualifications.
Many of these images have been made just a short walk from my house, and prove that you need not travel to beautiful and exotic locations to create unique images. I find myself more often using my phone on dog walks, collecting images that provide ideas and inspiration, almost like sketches in preparation for a final painting.
My aspiration for these images is that they be recognised as ‘art’ and not just photographs. I hope that my passion for the landscape around me is evident, and that these images make you take a minute to linger and wonder about your own location in which you live. What I’m aiming to do is to leave the viewer wondering if they are missing an appreciation of their immediate surroundings, because they are ‘just there’ ? Or maybe because they just don’t allow themselves the time to look at the obvious?
I could talk on much longer about finding my inner artist this year, wondering how on earth I was ever going to get a panel together and the amazing light bulb moments I experienced in completing my MC. But I will leave you with my panel images, and I hope you enjoy them.
All the images can be viewed here also in this album.
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Walking through the wood I love to explore the paths less trodden, but sometimes there are exceptions. In the woods right on the eastern edge of the Hogue Veluwe National park in the Netherlands a beautiful bike path has been created, that reflects perfectly the nature around it. Forget the straight lines that exist everywhere in the Netherlands; this path has been built to replicate a meandering stream and I just absolutely love it.
Photographically it offers a unique opportunity to balance man made and nature in one photo, and add to that a little autumn colour and voila - an image that portrays this beautiful location with movement, colour, light and a feeling of being right there on that path.
Using the intentional camera movement (ICM) technique carefully I moved the camera upwards during the time that the shutter was open, but with just enough pause at the start to render the path clearly. I love to capture more than just straight lines in my ICM work, hence i play with the direction of movement of the camera quite a lot.
I am absolutely delighted that this image has won me just my second ever GOLD award with The Guild of Photographers monthly competitions. I am hugely proud of this one!
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Every month I enter a selection of my images for judging by a panel of industry specialists. The images are judged on technical merit, story telling, composition, framing, imagination and creativity and the use of focal points. In 2012 I made the decision to enter all categories; People, Weddings and Open.
Early on in the year I submitted images to receive feedback on my photographic progress and to gain recognition for images that were of a high standard. Nearly all the images that I enter into the people and wedding categories are from client shoots and real life weddings, and I found that on hearing that their images were ‘award winners’ my clients were really pleased. However, as the year progressed and I started to notch up more and more awards I then became aware of the annual photographer of the year titles.
I just counted up my awards for 2012 and I received no less than 69 bronze awards, 7 silver and 1 elusive gold award.
My gold bar winner in 2012.
So, when early in the new year I received an email from The Guild of Photographers to congratulate me on a top 10 placing in at least one of the categories that I had entered throughout the year, and inviting me to the awards dinner to be held in February in the UK I was delighted.
With a bit of reorganising of my travel arrangements for my ski trip (due to start the day after the awards evening) it was from The Netherlands, via Lyon in France to Heathrow and then Manchester I traveled on the 8th February. I was looking forward to an enjoyable evening and a secret hope that I had been placed in the top ten of all three categories.
So, it was at 7.30pm that I descended the huge staircase (in a dress and heels…….fairly unheard of!) to the champagne reception with a whole lot of butterflies! The atmosphere was friendly and I recognised a few friends, then I started putting a whole lot of faces to names that I recognised from the Guild discussion boards and Face Book pages. Although I sat down on my table for the evening with 5 other individuals I had never met before, by the end of the evening, I felt i had always known them!
Steve and Lesley Thirsk, the directors of The Guild of Photographers hosted the evening, with awards presented by Guild panel members and sponsors of the competition. Just to add to the suspense, top 10 winners in each category were read out in no particular order before the winner of each was announced. I honestly can’t remember which category was announced first, all I know and remember with ever-growing excitement was the announcement of my name in each category as I had hoped!
With much support and cheering from my table I found myself collecting a 4th place in the wedding category, 4th in the Open category and 6th in the people category, so not just top 10 but high top ten in every category! I was beginning to wonder how I was going to transport all my framed certificates home in my hand luggage!
And now onto the “all round photographer of the year” announced Steve. I had the tiniest hope that I might be placed runner-up in this category given my awards so far that evening, but i tried to knock that hope away should I not be successful and end up disappointed.
Now, I’m well-known for my inability to control my emotions (especially happy ones) so when my name was read out as ‘All Round Photographer of the year – winner’ I was so shocked I burst into tears! Going up to collect my award was a bit like being in a dream!
A tearful acceptance of my award!
With Lesley Thirsk and Lesley Chalmers
With Steve Thirsk
The rest of the evening passed in a bit of a blur, but not before I realised what an accomplishment I had achieved and decided to celebrate a little bit!
I am so very proud of my achievement, not least because 2012 involved a move from the UK to The Netherlands, during which time I really struggled to find my feet with my photography. 2012 saw me develop my skills into landscape as well as people photography, and the move gave me a chance to renew and explore my creativity as an individual before restarting my business again in a new country.
Being a member of The Guild of photographers has been invaluable to me in my photographic journey. The support from its members when I was struggling with my move was amazing, and the mentoring opportunity that I have embraced with Lesley Chalmers has changed my photographic style and allowed me to really explore my development as a photographer. The monthly awards have provided valuable constructive feedback to me, and I can’t rate Lesley and Steve Thirsk highly enough as directors of such a wonderful organisation.
I look forward to defending my title this year. With January and February already complete and 9 bronze and 2 silver awards already achieved, I look forward to the challenge of creating more award-winning images.
I’ll leave you with a few of my favorites from 2012.
Enjoy x
To be awarded a gold bar is something very special, some months a couple are awarded, other months none; this month I had the only one, and my image was also awarded overall image of the month as well!
So; here is my gold bar image. Taken a couple of weeks ago on a very cold, misty and snowy morning just a few hundred meters from my house on the cycle path. It amazes me how, in The Netherlands the bike paths get cleared of snow before the roads.
Other images that were awarded bars include this photo of the cows in the mist taken at sunset. This image was awarded a silver bar. I spotted the mist rising and the sunset and jumped on my bike to look for cows down my road and came across this bunch of very inquisitive heifers. Luckily I had my camera all ready when I arrived at the field, as minutes later they all galloped towards me and the images I took at that point were not quite to serene!
This bronze bar image of Mickey and Lucky Luke in the autumn I love. I’d ridden through this wood with its carpet of beach leaves several times, and when I asked Mickey if I could take her photo with Luke she was more than happy to help me recreate my vision.
The following three images, I took on a return trip back to the UK. I keep in touch with many of my clients and these two families booked me immediately they heard I was returning to the UK for a few days. I have photographed both families several times, and it is a privilege for these images to have been awarded bronze bars.
Last but not least two more bronze bar winners for my wedding images. Both very different captures of special moments on each of these couple’s special days.
