Welcome to our new Blog feature that will see us discuss our favourite photo of the month. You can understand how we created it and see how we feel that we could improve it (is there really such thing as a perfect image?)

This is a shot from a make-over shoot to produce images for a modelling portfolio. We had planned on four styles for the shoot -

• Plain Jane -no makeup or hair styling, au-naturale
• Fresh - hair straightened and vibrant fresh makeup
• Funky - hair was put-up with lots of texture and shape with makeup much more bold
• Grunge - basically messing up the Funky style and smudging the makeup to give real attitude

This shot was from the last style, Grunge, in-fact one of the last shots of the session. A dark moody shot with some real attitude and purpose to the lighting and pose.

The Techniques

We were looking for a harsh contrast across the models face (I love it when the short side of the face and eye is in partial shadow) to give real punch to the image. It would have been too easy to play safe and illuminate the whole face and body. This shot isn’t about seeing the detail in the clothing and bright fresh skin and eyes, the styling required far more attitude than that. You can see from the catchlight in the eye that the key light was placed to the models left, past the 45 degree mark, at about 60 degrees. This gave us full illumination on the long side and shadow past the nose. With just this single light we were not going to get a good separation of the model from the background, plus details, such as the texture of the hair on the short side, would not be there. Therefore we used a hard light behind the model to capture her messed up hair and to give a rim light to her right arm and back. The resulting shot instantly gave impact and interest. The shot was taken at f/5.6. This is my most used setting for portraits because at approx 1.5m from the model I will get a depth of field from the tip of the nose through to the ear, and the background will be out of focus which was 1.5m away from the model. (A point to note here, the most powerful studio lights are not always suitable. Many photographers will buy the most powerful lighting they can without any regard to the size of the studio. Buy wrong and you will struggle to get F/5.6, you will end up shooting at f/11, or more, which would have ruined this shot)

The Final Image

The almost expressionless face (I say almost because there is a meaningful stare at the camera and a slight look to the mouth) can’t help but get you looking into the eyes. The model is clearly going (or has been) to a party because of the little black dress, but her messed up hair and smudged makeup make you question the full story. Everyone who looks at this image would create their own story to fit the details, and thats the whole point. You subconsciously understand an image just by looking at it, a forgetful image is one that doesn’t require any thought, doesn’t evoke any emotion and doesn’t stand out from the crowd. Without doubt, when people view this image (and more importantly in this case model agencies), they will not forget it so quickly. Sure there will be some more traditional posed images in the portfolio, but also a few big impact shots to make the viewer stop and look, instead of just going through the motions and numbly flicking through all of the pages of yet another would-be models portfolio. I like the confidence in the pose, the rebel within, the strong hard line of the neck, the ‘don’t mess with me’ feel that the model is portraying (we joked whilst shooting this that we should get some vampire fangs). I am happy with the overall lighting effect and look to the image, even though I accept that it will not be to everyones liking. Details have been purposely left hard and edgy (not softened in photoshop) and I think the shot benefits from it - the model still looks beautiful. There is a time and a place for perfectly smooth skin and a healthy glow, but this is not a shot for those lighting styles and techniques.

What would I do next time

There are a couple of things that I would experiment with. Firstly I would be interested to see how the image would look without the triangular light patch on her right cheek. The rim light I like but a more full shadow may give the shot even more punch. Secondly I would also like to see the pose with the mouth just (and I mean just) open for a stronger pose.

What do you think? Do you like the shot, or is it not your thing. I would love to share your thoughts and ideas.

Tags: Northamptonshire Photographer, portraiture, portfolio, ASC Photography Solutions Ltd, Studio

Leading on from our previous blog ........

Angel & Sienna were stars when they visited the studio. An hours studio shoot comprising of some posed shots and some organised play time can produce some portraits of your children to cherish forever. Hang a frame on your wall containing timeless imagery like this and we guarantee you will smile every day. You continually watch your children grow up, now you can capture them year on year so you never forget how they were. Here is a typical set of images from one of our hour shoots, enjoy ......

ASC Photo Shoot_360p

To book a session please contact us at the studio, thank you.

Tags: andrew cresswell, ASC Photography Solutions Ltd, award winning photographer, portraiture, professional photography, Children, Northamptonshire Photography Studio, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire

Apart from the weddings last month the studio in July was busy with Makeover and Children’s shoots. They say that variety is the spice of life and I couldn’t agree more. Being a professional photographer can bring you something new each day, each with their own challenges and problems, and each requiring a very different approach.

Makeovers are very rewarding. Once the client has arrived we have a group discussion (client, me and Sarah) to agree the style of hair & makeup that suits the outfits that the client has brought along to the studio. Then the transformation begins - I don’t know how Sarah does it but the changes are nothing less than spectacular. Georgia rarely wears makeup and her hair is normally combed straight with very little body. Neither Georgia or her Mum had any idea of what potential there was until Sarah worked her magic.

Photo shoots with children are a totally different kettle of fish. With babies and toddlers you may get a few opportunities early in the shoot for some poses, but generally the session turns into an organised play time, which is a great way of getting lovely natural shots to capture the individuality of the child. Older children are a little easier as they are normally happy to pose, unlike teenagers that can become very self aware and awkward in front of the camera. One of the shoots in July were of sisters Angel and Sienna. A mixture of poses and play time meant we were able to capture some gorgeous shots.

After the shoot, and once the client has seen the presentation of the shots, we can offer a variety of products to show off your images. Books and portfolio’s make a lovely keepsake but Georgia and Angel & Sienna’s Mum chose to display their favourite shots on the wall. Our new in-house framing service means that we can offer a variety of frame styles. All of which are printed in-house with the latest Epson, 12 ink, large format printer and assembled by us using only the finest grade products. By bringing this process in-house we can control the quality and offer our clients competitive pricing completing our full photographic service.

Tags: Northamptonshire Photography Studio, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Corby, Kettering, Market Harborough, Uppingham, Oakham, Rutland, Make-over, Modelling, Children, Baby, professional photography, andrew cresswell, ASC Photography Solutions Ltd, award winning photographer

Back in February this year we ran our first Northamptonshire’s Next Teen Model competition for girls aged between 13 & 16. One of the contestants was Charlie from Corby, who we have previously blogged about when she decided to pursue a professional career as a model.

Well............





We are very proud to hear that Charlie has now been taken on by a prestigious agency and further to an audition last week has just been picked to be one of the faces of Superdrug, appearing throughout their stores in the UK for a year. Charlie and her Mum are over-the-moon with excitement, emailing us saying:

Hi Andy,

just to let you know charlie is now on the website internationalcasting.co.uk !!

They phoned her to go to a casting lastweek in london for superdrug! so we went along and she done really well, Anyway they called me today and she has got the job! out of all the girls that went, they said they love her and she starts shooting next thursday in chancestreet studios for the superdrug advertising campaign, her photos will be used instores allover the country for a year! Im so proud i can hardly speak haha, thought you would like to know as if it wasnt for your model competition i doubt she would have this job now!

thanks,

Joanna & Charlie ...

We are so pleased that we have been part of Charlie’s discovery and development. Well done Charlie, carry on doing what clearly comes very naturally to you and I predict there are bigger and better things to come.

You can read the Evening Telegraph article here - click here

Here is our previous blog with some of our favourite Charlie shots - click here

Roll on Northamptonshire’s Next Teen Model 2012 - You never know who we will discover.

Tags: andrew cresswell, ASC Photography Solutions Ltd, award winning photographer, Studio, portraiture, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, portfolio, photography, Modelling, Make-over

The School Prom season is upon again so we thought we should share some photos from one of our recent Proms.

For the second year running Montsaye held their Prom at Highgate House in Creaton. The conservatory at Highgate House is a great space for us to be able to erect our full mobile studio and printing kiosk, which allows us not only to take studio quality shots on location, but also to print and sell during the event. The students can purchase, later in the evening, great shots as a memento of their School Prom. All of this service combined with our Price Promise Guarantee is why ASC Photography Solutions Ltd is the number one preferred choice in Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire for Prom/Event photography.

We always enjoy attending Proms because the students are always in high spirits making for some fun shots. Montsaye Year 11 students were a great bunch, very polite and well behaved, but, totally up for some fun in front of the camera, just what we like. We have taken a multitude of slightly crazy shots at Proms over the years, but this was the first year we have ever photographed a human pyramid, and no, it was not the boys, but the girls!!

Here is a selection of shots typical of one of our events as well as the girl pyramid (well done girls, great fun)..........

Venue: Highgate House - Creaton

Tags: Northamptonshire Prom Photography, Leicestershire Prom Photography, Cambridgeshire Prom Photography, School Photography, andrew cresswell, ASC Photography Solutions Ltd, award winning photographer, Montsaye Prom Photos

The Willow Foundation is a national charity which was established in 1999 by Arsenal legend Bob Wilson and his wife Megs in memory of their daughter. The Foundation provides special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds.

Four weeks ago the Foundation contacted us to arrange one of their Special Days for Karen. Karen wanted to be pampered with a make-over and a studio photo shoot with her brother and her partner which the Willow Foundation were happy to fund through their Special day scheme. The Willow Foundation runs the Special Day scheme to help you and your loved ones create an unforgettable day of your choosing, in Karens case, a photo shoot.

The photo shoot has since passed, with Karen and partner returning to the studio yesterday to pick their favourite shots and choose their frames. In two weeks time Karen will have three stunning frames for her wall, two of our Bevel Edge frames and one Prestige frame.

If you know someone who is seriously ill the Willow Foundation may be able to help you arrange a special day, a chance to feel normal and to create happy memories. To be able to fund more than 100 special days a month the foundation needs as much support as they can get, so if you are interested in fund raising for the charity they would love to hear from you.

For more information - Willow Foundation Website

Tags: Willow Foundation, portraiture, Northamptonshire Photography Studio, andrew cresswell, ASC Photography Solutions Ltd, award winning photographer