November 2020’s record of my apprenticeship learning fine art photography through 10,000 hours deliberate practice
Hours 4,406 to 4,532.
30th November
Hours 4,528 to 4,532
An hour sorting Stairs and Escalator images for the next SPPC competition, due in tomorrow. Including creating the following variation of my successful (Amersham and FIAP) “Hoodie Descending a Staircase” – shot on the same day but constructed using a different selection of RAW files, i.e., the image below does not form any part of the previous image.
An hour researching top photographers by genre, with particular attention to landscape/ seascape artists.
An hour creating/ updating the following contemplative images:
Two hours at the Amersham Photographic Society – Inter-club competition APS v RAHENY CC in IRELAND.
29th November
Hours 4,522 to 4,527
An hour shooting at Stoke Park still foggy even mid-morning.
Three hours processing today’s shots.
An hour watching the following YouTubes:
- Daniel Wretham: “Misty Sunrise on the River Frome, Wareham” (by image shot, from the same position, on 23rd October below).
- Gabriel Biderman for B&H Event Space “Journey into the Night“
An hour updating this journal and associated Flickr site.
28th November
Hours 4,519 to 4,521
An hour finishing processing of yesterday’s Stoke Park images in Photoshop. Used both the following techniques discussed on Thursday evening:
- Using a solid 50% grey layer with the Overlay blend mode for subtle dodging and burning – works OK but pure whites and pure blacks are unaffected
- Use a solid layer of a dark colour found in the image as the base for a vignette. Punch a hole in it with a mask to reveal the underlying image and lower the opacity. Maybe, also use a darken blend more.
Half an hour updating this journal.
An hour and a half watching the following YouTubes:
- Art Perspective: “Rococo – The Flamboyant Late Baroque Period” European art of the 18th Century
- Daniel Wretham (Dorset Photographer):
27th November
Hours 4,515 to 4,518
Beautiful frosty and misty morning. An hour shooting at Stoke Park followed by another hour processing.
Half an hour shooting, then another half an hour processing images of the defibrillator on Stoke Green. The goal was to both show the location of the defibrillator and promote the fact that this was sponsored by Thames Valley Heartbeat.
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Half an hour writing up this journal.
Half an hour watching the CaptureOne YouTube: “Version 21 – Sneak Peak 1” which covered the following enhancements:
- Speed edit – keystroke followed by a cursor drag, (where ever the cursor is, within the CaptureOne window) to control common adjustments such as exposure, contrast, etc. This is more efficient that having to move to the slider on the control panel (which can now be hidden, therefore giving more screen real estate to the image being worked on.)
- New RAW processing engine/ profiles for the most popular cameras (not the Sony A99II, in the first release at least).
26th November
Hours 4,508 to 4,514
First hour a couple of YouTubes:
- Ted Forbes: “From Mad Men to Henri Cartier-Bresson :: What can composition do?“
- Skills that make a great photographer:
- Intent
- Previsualisation
- The ability to capture the decisive moment.
- Need to study the history of art to make a contribution.
- Skills that make a great photographer:
- Capture One: “Capture One 21 – Sneak Peak #2” – the Dehaze slider (and the ability to adjust brush characteristics with a key stroke rather than having to right click; apparently the same as Photoshop).
An hour creating more yellow/ blue versions of Dorset Seascapes including the following of Durdle Door.
Two hours on the Karl Taylor Education webinar – critique of food photography. Key take home message:
- Simple steps to composition – applicable to all genres:
- Identify the subject (Hero of the piece)
- Make subject obvious
- Remove all distractions.
- Peter Lippman – top Still life photographer, food and other subjects
An hour watching the Perspective YouTube: “The Wild West to Jackson Pollock” – including the critical influence of Theosophy on abstract art and most of its early practitioners.
Two hours webinar with the Amersham Photographic Society – “Ask APS”:
- Maggie James: Masking
- Create a more subtle vignette by:
- creating a solid colour layer by selecting a darker colour from the image
- add a gradient round the outside
- reduce the opacity by adjusting the opacity on the gradient tool (or lowering the opacity of the layer itself)
- Use the “stapler injury” tool on the Hue/Saturation tool to adjust a specific colour
- Create a more subtle vignette by:
- Peter Jones: Blending Modes:
- Fill and Opacity behave differently that Fill does not affect layer styles (strokes, etc) but opacity does
- Dissolve – useful for adding textures
- “D” sets brush colours back to defaults
- Use a photofilter (warning 85) then the colour burn blend mode to identify sensor spots
- Usually use about 3 for high pass filter sharpening
- “Appitance” how hard an edge transition is
- Use the “50% grey” method combined with the soft light blend mode for a more subtle method of dodging and burning.
25th November
Hours 4,504 to 4,507
An hour at the virtual Amersham Cafe Africa meeting.
An hour creating images similar to the following which have been enhanced with LAB colour modifications decreasing contrast on the “a” channel (magenta/ green tint) and exaggerating it on the “b” channel (blue/yellow).
Two hours at the Amersham virtual colour group.
24th November
Hours 4,498 to 4,503
First hour, updating this journal, mainly with regard to Sean Tucker’s recent YouTube about Jungian psychology and his process of Individuation:
“The process of fulfilment which negates neither the conscious or unconscious position but does justice to them both.”
Carl Jung
An hour processing images from Dorset.
An hour shooting a couple of self portraits for inclusion in this evening’s presentation to the Stoke Poges Photographic Club. Then another hour practicing this presentation.
Two hours at the Stoke Poges Photographic Club – Charles Harding presentation competition.
23rd November
Hours 4,492 to 4,497
An hour shooting at Dorney Lake at sunrise – lovely misty morning – quite cold.
An hour and a half processing the images.
An hour watching the following YouTubes:
- Sean Tucker: “The two halves of your creative journey” relating Jungian philosophy to the creative process of a photographer
- The morning:
- mainly relates to external influences as we seek to meet our basic needs
- learning everything we can and experimenting with as many techniques as possible
- Noon is mid-life crisis time. This is a moment of dissatisfaction when we think we haven’t achieved as much as we should have.
- The afternoon:
- is characterised by greater openness and honesty
- we feel that it is no longer sufficient to be successful (in the way we defined this in the morning)
- one become selective and intentionally forgets much of what was previously learnt
- The best work occurs in the afternoon.
- The morning:
- Kyle McDougall: “Composition Techniques for Better Images“
- Nigel Danson: “Photographic Composition – What works, what doesn’t“
“The first half of life is devoted to developing a healthy ego; the second half is going inward and letting go of it.”
Carl Jung
Half an hour working on tomorrow’s presentation to the Stoke Poges Photographic Club.
Two hours at the Amersham Photographic Society – Members’ evening:
- Jackie Titcombe
- John Minter
- Diane Smith
22nd November
Hours 4,489 to 4,491
Half an hour working on the following sunset images from Dorset.
An hour and a half processing, in Capture One Pro, the images shot at Stoke Common over the last couple of days.
An hour drafting a presentation for the Stoke Poges Photographic Club – Charles Harding competition: “My Favourite Failures”.
21st November
Hours 4,484 to 4,488
Three hours processing images from Dorset.
Half an hour shooting at Stoke Common at Sunset.
An hour re-processing images following feedback from Yin Wong.
Half an hour updating this journal.
20th November
Hours 4,481 to 4,483
An hour shooting at Stoke Common first thing in the morning.
Two hours processing the images shot in Dorset yesterday.
19th November
Hours 4,476 to 4,480
Half an hour updating this journal.
Half an hour house photography in Dorset.
Two hours shooting Kimmeridge Bay.
Two hours at the Amersham PIC group – work presented by recent RPS fellows:
- Philip Joyce – Contemporary FRPS showing the distortion of images produced by the anti-zoo movement
- Mark Phillips – first ever Documentary FRPS on recreational areas in Havana and New York.
18th November
Hours 4,473 to 4,475
An hour and a half with the virtual Amersham Cafe Africa group.
An hour and a half processing yesterday’s images from Stoke Common in Capture one and producing the following multiple exposure in Photoshop.
17th November
Hours 4,469 to 4,472
An hour updating this journal, mainly with regard to yesterday’s competition.
Half an hour YouTubes:
- Nigel Bailey: “Photography night-caps in Storm and Coastguard Rescue” – impressive astro-photography shooting the milky way at Durdle Door
- Thomas Heaton: “6 ways to improve your photography with less”
- Take less gear with you
- Use a longer lens to include less of the landscape
Half an hour shooting at Stoke Common.
Two hours with the Stoke Poges Photographic Club – Lecture by (my friend and mentor) Yin Wong: “Street Photography and Outside Portraiture.”
16th November
Hours 4,463 to 4,468
An hour researching top landscape photographers, following several on Instagram. Key discovery:
An hour and a half on a zoom call with my mentor and friend, Yin Wong, rehearsing his presentation to the Stoke Poges Photographic Club tomorrow.
An hour and a half completing the Fado 2020 salon including 3 new images.
Two hours at the Amersham Photographic Society, competition: judge Ken Scott.
| Image | ….. | Comments |
 | “Clavells Pier” 17 Good overall design Tonally good. Island on the horizon, essential. [No negative comments.] | |
 | “Silver Birch Dorney Lake” 17 Reminds me of Ansel Adams’ Aspens. Particularly like the subtle soft tonality in the background at the base of the image. [Again, no negative comments.] |
Judges being encouraged to score on a wider range; two entries actually scored a 12! 17 was about average or perhaps slightly above. So good but no “Wow” factor.
15th November
Hours 4,461 to 4,462
An hour reviewing images from Landscape Photographer of the Year.
Started a FIAP submission but god distorted into further processing some woodland images for a consistent style. Now like the rich colours I’ve been getting from Stoke Common.
14th November
Hours 4,457 to 4,460
An hour processing the images shot at Stoke Common yesterday morning.
Two hours watching the Karl Taylor Education flower photography workshop. Top tips:
- Shoot vertically down on an octabox originated vertically with the flower held upright over the middle, above a black octagonal card in the middle of the light. This creates a gentle rim-lighting effect from the ground up
- Shoot through a “window flag”, a pieced of black card with a sensor shaped hole, to reduce flare
- Light the middle of the flower with a snooted light
- Create interesting lighting by firing the snooted light multiple times, in different positions, during a long exposure
- Also using a longer exposure shoot the rim lighting partly with the flower in perfect focus (when the centre flash fires), then further times with the point of focus being brought forward. This give a pleasing glow
- Generally start by having the key light behind the subject and bounce light back to fill in the shadows.
Last hour processing yesterday’s images in Photoshop, updating this journal and the associated Flickr site.
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13th November
Hours 4,454 to 4,456
An hour shooting at Stoke Common at sunrise.
Two hours finding and updating images for next week’s PDI competition at Amersham on Monday. Two images which included making the changes to the Clavell’s Pier image discussed at the Mono group on Thursday.
Also creating the mono version of the Silver Birch Dorney Lake below:
12th November
Hours 4,449 to 4,453
An hour and a half shooting, and re-shooting the following “found still lifes”. Implementing the philosophy of Paul Sanders from Monday’s lecture where he said ones approach to a scene should be:
- “to observe it, find the beauty in it and photograph that. To rearrange it it destroy its authenticity.”
Half an hour processing both colour and mono versions entirely in Capture One (no Photoshop).
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An hour constructing the prints for my CPAGB submission and reprocessing the “God Rays Patagonia” image as follows:
Two hours at the Amersham Mono Group where my images were critiqued as follows:
| Image | ….. | Comments |
 | Clavell’s Pier I Could do with even more contrast. Try cropping off the lefthand side. | |
 | Clavell’s Pier II Remove 3/4 of the sky leaving just the Isle of Purbeck. | |
 | Corfe Castle Just a bit grey – needs more texture contrast in the castle. Perhaps loose the left third. |
11th November
Hour 4,448
Half an hour updating this journal, mainly with regard to the social media associated with the images submitted to yesterday’s competition.
Half an hour producing a new version of the Minimalist Old Pier Swanage image below.
An hour assembling my CPAGB prints and reworking the “God Rays Patagonia” image below.
Two hours at the Amersham Mono group where my images were critiqued as follows:
| Image | Comments | |
10th November
Hours 4,442 to 4,447
An hour shooting, first thing in the morning, at Burnham Beeches. Actually this was a second choice; the original plan was to go to Dorney Lake but the gate was closed (should open at 6.30am – queue of cars outside at 7am). Slightly misty morning, I know fog has a tendency to hang around at Burnham Beeches so I headed there.
An hour processing those images in Capture One.
An hour re-processing some previously colour images, mono in Capture One for Thursday’s mono meeting. Doing this in Photoshop was less satisfactory as it produced some banding presumably as a result of too many adjustments resulting in the tones being clumped together.
An hour working on today’s images in Photoshop.
Two hours at the Stoke Poges Photographic Club – Competition: “Circles and Swirls”:
| Image | ….. | Comments |
 | “Dying Orb Triptych” 16 First two images too similar. If the third image had been presented alone, the picture would have scored better. | |
 | “Bookshop Buenos Aires” Held back – 18 Very strong dynamic image. Circle dominant Like the movement in the people, all very believable. Clipping the top off the balustrade loses a point or two. | |
 | “Minimalist Old Pier – Swanage” Held back – 18 More contrast required at the base of the rear posts as these otherwise look as though they are floating. | |
 | “Fishing and Abandoned Cruise Ships – Durdle Door” 15 Needed bracketing & HDR to remove the over brightness in the sky. |
9th November
Hours 4,438 to 4,441
Two hours watching then writing up the following YouTubes:
- Nigel Danson “The Reality of Landscape Photography: Running around like crazy“
- Daniel Wretham: “Portland Bill Lighthouse” – definitely on the list for next time I’m in Dorset.
- Ted Forbes: “5 Excuses Photographers Make (and how to overcome them)“
- Social Media if Rigged against proper photographers
- Be clear why you are doing SM in the first place. What is the objective
- Do it consistently and do it well
- Respond to and interact with your following.
- I don’t want to do video, I’m a photographer – it broadens your attraction to clients if you do. In almost all cases.
- It’s 2020 and I can’t travel – shoot locally but do it differently:
- different focal length, time of day, technique or attitude.
- revisit composition fundamentals
- try to tell more of a story; “turn your nouns into verbs.”
- Having too much equipment – concentrating on the gear rather than the image,
- I need more gear – you don’t.
- Social Media if Rigged against proper photographers
- Ted Forbes: ” Are Bigger Lenses Better?” Yes for technical reasons. Not necessarily for practical reasons.
- Adorama: “5 Techniques & Communication and Effortless Photoshoots“
- Make sure you completely understand the technicalities of your equipment (camera and lighting) so that you don’t have to think about how things work on the day. Techy stuff should be second nature.
- Plan the shoot in detail, ensure that the clients know what is being shot where, when and what they are going to be wearing
- Arrive early and check the location
- Spend the first 15 minutes of the actual shoot building further rapport with you clients, before even picking up a camera. [Bought the book he recommended: “The Charism Myth”.]
- Ensure that you are delivering what you client actually wants; images that play to their values and aspirations.
Two hours at the Amersham Photographic Society zoom meeting. Lecture: Paul Sanders, “Mindfulness in Photography”.
“Katachi: the direct connection between the beauty in the creator’s soul and the object of their craft.”
Dr Mari Fujimoto – Ikigai & Other Japanese Words to Live.
“When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don’t leave until you have captured its essence.”
Minor White
“All photographs are self portraits.”
Minor White.
8th November
Hours 4,433 to 4,437
First hour reviewing the work of the local landscape photographer, Paul Mitchell FRPS, whose courses and lectures I have attended many times.
An hour shooting Dorney Lake at sunset.
Three hours processing those images.
7th November
Hours 4,429 to 4,432
First hour updating this journal with images from the last week or so.
An hour shooting Stoke Common at sunset.
Half an hour watching the “Andy Warhol private exhibition at the Tate“.
An hour and a half processing today’s images in Capture One then Photoshop.
6th November
Hours 4,424 to 4,428
Three hours processing the Stoke Poges woodland images shot yesterday in the fog.
Two hours watching the Karl Taylor webinar: “How to photograph cosmetic swatches.”
- shoot just of plan view
- use a macro lens or standard lens with extension tubes
- simple lighting:
- light size is relative to the size of the subject. So shooting small swirls of makeup only requires a small softbox to achieve really soft light
- could use just a flashlight
- white board as a diffuser and bounce card is ideal.
- the hard part was getting the sweep in the makeup in the first place.
5th November
Hours 4,418 to 4,423
An hour at Stoke Common, shooting in the fog at sunrise.
Two hours processing the images shot this morning in Capture One Pro.
An hour watching a documentary on Saul Leiter.
All about compositional shape and colour palette:
- Reminds me of Vic Atfield’s techniques:
- reflections, shooting through windows, etc. to create layers and depth in an image
- body parts, suggesting the story rather than presenting it whole
- dramatic compositions with elements on the edge of the frame
- Lots of negative space, especially shooting through a frame or window
- Use of analogous colours, or boldly complementary colours, or both on different layers within the same image
- Even his “maximalist” photos are simplified through a limited and controlled colour palette.
“I may be old fashioned. But I believe there is such a thing as a search for beauty – a delight in the nice things of the world. And I don’t think one should have to apologise for it.”
Saul Leiter.
Two hours at the Amersham Beyond group.
4th November
Hour 4,417
Half an hour reviewing and reprinting my CPAGB prints with Greg of GS Photos in Gerrards Cross.
Half an hour updating some of my Dorset images following comments from Yin Wong.
3rd November
Hours 4,412 to 4,416
Two hours processing the recent images from Dorset in Photoshop sending the best few to Yin Wong for review.
An hour watching the following YouTubes from my favourite vlogers:
- Nigel Danson: “Pros and Cons of Ultra Wide Lens Photography“
- The foreground becomes more important and potentially dramatic
- Beware distortion, even in landscape shots
- Sean Tucker: “Josh Jackson’s Experience of Personal Projects and Publishing” top tips:
- have a well conceived project by the time you approach a publisher, i.e., don’t present anything half-baked
- Daniel Wretham: “Photographing Corfe Castle“, top tips:
- shoot from Corfe Common with a long lens
- different angles on the castle from the extremes of the West Hill
Two hours at the first round of the Rose Bowl for the Stoke Poges Photography Club – we came last, but only just. Final scores 272 ImageS CC, 262 New City PS and Harrow CC, and 254 Stoke Poges.
2nd November
Hours 4,409 to 4,411
Half an hour processing some Dorset images in Capture One Pro on the desktop computer at home, then exporting to Lightroom Classic.
Half an hour finishing the new month admin updating this journal; creating the new month’s banner etc.
An hour preparing images for the Amersham Beyond meeting this Thursday and the Stoke Poges competition next week (due tomorrow).
An hour’s zoom with the Amersham Photographic Society, external competition against Park Road Camera club – we won.
1st November
Hours 4,406 to 4,408
An hour shooting at Swanage, stopping off on the way to grab an image of Corfe Castle, which I thought looked quite good silhouetted against a threatening sky.
An hour and a half processing today’s images in Capture One Pro.
Half an hour updating this journal including all the new month admin.