Finding your way around my blog

I've been blogging for 6 months now and, having reached almost 150 posts, it was getting difficult even for me to find previous material. I therefore decided this morning to re-classify all the posts in such a way as to accomodate the needs of the different sets of people who regularly read my blog - some are potential clients, others want to know only about the technical side of photography.

This classification system is visible under the title 'Labels' on the right hand sidebar. Getting this to display was not a trivial exercise as I'm using a classic Blogger template and publishing via FTP to my own website. Many thanks to phydeaux3 for the HTML script, though unfortunately it's not possible to display the number of posts under each heading.

Feedback: comments from previous clients - weddings and other.

General: photography related issues.

Kit: equipment reviews and tips.

Personal: family and personal projects.

Portraits: both people and places.

Technical: photography tips and educational material.

Weddings: samples from my wedding portfolio.

I hope this makes it easier for my readers.

Check out my photography here: wedding photographer in Kent

Apple Cinema Displays

I'm a huge fan of Apple's products - premium-priced but well-designed and built and with resulting longevity. I've got a Mac running my mini music studio (another passion) which is over 10-years old.

I've just had my first problem though. I bought a 23" Apple Cinema Display (£600) last year and declined to purchase the 3-year Apple Protection Plan (£69). The products are so robust and I treat them very well so why bother? Wrong answer this time. Last week the screen remained ominously dark when I switched on the computer so I took it to the Apple Shop at Bluewater. They couldn't get it working with its power supply but, by complete chance (and in retrospect very good fortune), it was tried with a power supply for the 30" Cinema Display they had to hand and it worked fine. They therefore concluded my power supply was at fault and ordered a new one for me. I returned 3 days later to try this out but the screen still refused to work. I was asked to leave the screen with them and told that if it was at fault Apple operated a full-unit replacement only and it would cost me £400 for a new one with a limited 90-day warranty. Not ideal.

I needed a screen straight away (and also realised it was probably a good idea to have a back-up) so I bit the bullet and invested in a 30" cinema display (with Apple Protection Plan this time). Outrageously expensive but a magnificent bit of kit and with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels perfect for photo processing.

I got a call from the Apple shop the next day to let me know they couldn't get my screen working so I suggested they try a power supply for a 30" display. They called back shortly after to say the screen worked perfectly. For some reason my old screen seems to require more power now - any suggestions as to why are most welcome.

I just need to buy myself a new power supply then - so I seem to have got off relatively lightly. I haven't checked the price yet but, knowing Apple, I'm sure it will be in 3 figures.

Check out my photography here: Kent wedding photographer

Portrait photography at Pfizer in Sandwich, Kent

I was hired by the American science magazine 'The Scientist' last week to take a portrait shot of some of the people involved with Celsentri (maraviroc), Pfizer's new anti-HIV medicine, that was discovered and developed at Sandwich. I only had a 5 minute session for photography so I did a very quick location scout before meeting up with them. It was then primarily a question of getting them looking relaxed and in pin-sharp focus. The ambient light was underexposed by -2/3 stops and the subjects were flash-lit with flash exposure compensation of -2/3 stops.

Check out more of my photography here: Kent portrait photographer

Emily's Photobook

I was invited to beta-test a printer's latest Mac software for album design last week and so decided to put together a photobook of my daughter Emily's first year. I'm sure all parents think the same - where did that year go! I thoroughly enjoyed doing this and I'd recommend putting together albums of your favourite photos - it's good to get the shots off the monitor and into printed form.

Check out more of my photography here: Kent Portrait Photography

Wedding Photography at Mount Ephraim Gardens

I had the pleasure of photographing Fleur and Aatif's wedding yesterday at Mount Ephraim Gardens near Canterbury - see their wedding gallery. After having had the last two weekends off and enjoyed wonderful weather I was welcomed back to wedding photography by rain and high winds! It certainly didn't spoil the day or limit the photography though. The main hall has a wonderful glass roof giving good levels of light inside - a great venue for photography.

Fleur and Aatif had a civil ceremony followed by a Muslim blessing, bringing together English and Pakistani families in the process, and in joyous contrast to the cultural divisions that are daily reported from around the globe.

Check out more of my photography here: Kent wedding photographer