Advent Challenge 2013

It's almost December, can you believe it?! So last year we had Advent Doodle, this year it's opened up to Advent Challenge... For each day on the run up to Christmas I've given you a theme or object to illustrate, paint, photograph, make - whatever you want. You might only do a couple of days or you might decide to do each day and create a wonderful calendar at the end of it - why not get the kids involved too? Last year a teacher got her class to play along. 

If you would like to share your creations use the hashtag #adventchallenge2013 on social media such as twitter and instagram. I'll retweet and possibly feature your mini masterpieces on this blog. 

Have fun everyone!

Talent Tuesday - Emma Robinson

It's been a while since I did a 'Talent Tuesday' so I'm really excited to share with you the talents of Emma Robinson today. Emma uses Instagram in a really beautiful way with stunning results. I'm going to leave it to Emma to describe her work as her descriptions are much better (and more personal) than mine! Needless to say, Emma's cats Sampson and Socks appear a lot in her photography and below you can see some striking, powerful photos of them - as well as some more relaxed ones!

You can follow Emma's photography on Instagram - @princesschem.

"I have always had a passion for arts and photography is my new found love. My attention to detail I owe to my dad, he is creative and a true perfectionist. I love to travel and my biggest passion of all is nature. Instagram opened my eyes to photography and inspired me to look at the world in a completely different light" Emma Robinson

"This image of my cat Sampson Bengal cross, brought a new light to what I could achieve with photography"

"Socks is my ginger and white short haired cat. The black and white photograph seems to captivate a sense of drama"

"The cat that got the cream! I love this shot as it captures Socks in action and makes me smile every time"

"I love the rich velvety colours in this capture! Giving it a beautiful feel. Socks is relaxed and naturally posed"

"Capturing The Fly in focus with a shallow depth of field was extremely challenging. I was delighted with the result, highlighting the incredible detail of the fly"

"Tractor taken at Summerseat. The bold bright primary colours give it a child like animated appearance"

"The canals of Amsterdam provide a perfect setting to capture symmetry and the reflection adds another dimension to the image"

A little photography studio

Recently I've been taking product shots for a client of mine, so I thought it was time to invest in a portable studio. Here's a few pics of Harrison's toys I took using my new photo studio dome. I'm really happy with the results!

Exhibition - Cartier-Bresson and Tim Walker photography

After a lovely work meeting in London last week, I took the opportunity to check out two photography exhibitions at Somerset House. They are both running until the 27th January, so not long left... and the bonus is they are both free!

Cartier-Bresson - A Question of Colour
Explores the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson and his love of black and white photography, never really embracing the world of colour. The exhibition shows the work of 14 international photographers who have adopted Bresson's style of capturing the moment whilst adding their own twist. And most of whom have embraced colour photography.

Henri Cartier-Bresson, Harlem 1947

Henri Cartier-Bresson, San Francisco 1960

Jeff Mermelstein, Untitled (Red Puddle, NYC) 1995

Melanie Einzig, September 11th

To find out more about Melanie Einzig's striking photo click here.

Tim Walker - Storyteller

Walking into this exhibition you instantly become part of the theatre and extravagance of Tim Walker 's photography and vision. Tim Walker is a fashion photographer who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry from Stella McCartney to Vogue to Vanity Fair. He often uses huge props juxtaposed with the models, and the exhibition includes these oversized props as you can see below. This, in effect, brings you closer to the photography... which without them could almost seem too fantastical. To see more of Tim Walker's amazing photography go to his website here or click this link for more photos from the exhibition. 

Olga Shearer on blue horse

Model Lyndsey Wixson with oversized doll

The doll as part of the exhibition

I loved these two exhibitions, they are so completely different in their styles - one 'shooting from the hip', one so staged and theatrical yet both telling stories in their own alluring way. I recommend you get along to these before they finish on the 27th January! And let me know what you think...