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Originally uploaded by Lenses not Included

So as I sit here in my slightly precarious state thanks to last nights engineering teams xmas do. I’ve decided to do a little blog review of the previous 12 months.

It’s been an interesting year in my professional work career, it’s been mental but proven fruitful having pushed myself further than I have for the last couple of years. Personally ….. I got married!!!!, I’m not sure the day’s really sunk in still, with so much planning and with how much stuff we actually made ourselves it’s hard to think it was just for one day (if that make sense). The whole thing was awesome and I’m blessed that I’ve found someone like Pam (who was silly enough to say yes to the big question). I can’t imagine my life without her she’s been a rock when it’s been choppy with the extra pressure from work this year she’s defiantly guided me through.

So, my wedding provided something else…….. I’d always dallied with photography, having owned various compacts and a previous DSLR however with my enthusiasm was on the wain and drifting away. This changed when we met our wedding photographer, I’m definitely blaming Karen for my now obsession with apertures, F stops, exposures, ISO settings and prime/zoom lenses. Watching someone who loved taking photos and who loves what they do pushed me back into my hobby. I always be grateful for that and the awesome pictures Karen got on the day. This leads into what I want to talk about next….

Influences, one thing I realised after I demanded a new camera from my wife is I needed to develop my style of picture and there have been three people who are helping me develop and improve in what pictures I take.

The first I’ve touched on, my first and probably most influential person is Karen Julia, our wedding photographer, Karen basically got me picking up a camera again. I love the style of photograph she takes, a really quality modern take on wedding photography. Karen’s always been really helpful when I’ve asked questions over facebook and has been a real help with me getting my photography off the ground.

My second influence, Kevin Cummins is a Manchester based music photographer. Covering anything from MCFC, The Smiths through to Joy Division. I especially admire the black and white photos of Joy Division ( I recommend the hard back monograph of JD). Cummins photos of black & white expanses and space are now seen in tandem with Joy Division and there music.

Thirdly and rather an off tangent to photographers, my last influence is Shane Meadows. Meadows is an awesome director/writer, among other films (small time, dead mans shoes & once upon a time in the west) he’s created ‘this is england’ series (two series and film). Meadows shooting style seems to be large aperture with small depth of focus, lots of close up candid portraits and colours are drained with desaturation. At anytime you could take a still from ‘england and it would be an awesome photo. This seems to be the arc of my photographic journey, looking back on pictures I’ve taken they all seem to have the same common theme. High apertures and low depth of field are a favourite and I always tone down the colours when I process them in Lightroom.

What am I planning in the future?, I’ve been bought another lens for christmas (thanks Pam), I’ve got the 50mm f1.8 the ubiquitous ‘nifty fifty’ it seems a path well trodden as it seems everyone has purchased this lens at one point or another in there photography life. I’m planning a project to use my new lens, many people undertake a 365 project were they take a picture everyday but that seems a little bit daunting at the moment and I’m not sure I’ll be able complete a full year. So I’ve decided to do a shorter version, a 50 day project using only my 50mm lens. Expect to see the results over flickr/facebook and blog updates soon. It’s something I want to do so I can push my self and develop my skill with my camera.

Lastly what’s been my favourite photo I’ve taken?, I’m not sure I can pick out a direct ‘one’ however I really like my Caravan , NQ graffiti and Alex pictures and hopefully I’ll be able to better them next year.

Blimey, that’s longer than expected, this is probably going to be my last post for 2011 so I’d like to wish everyone who reads it a good christmas and a happy new year!!!!

peace out