Studio photography

Yesterday three of us from Cambridge Camera Club went to a studio in Newmarket to try out one of their open studio evenings as a possible precursor to moving the CCC portrait group's monthly meeting to this venue.  I have never worked with professional models before and I can only say that I was delighted to find how well it went.  There were four models available and we were divided into groups of 4 or 5 who each spent 40-45 minutes with each model.  The models were able to cope with complete beginners like myself as well as people who had done a lot of Studio work in the past and were more demanding.  All of the lights were set up before we arrived the whole evening was orchestrated by the proprietor, Vic who was always close by to provide advice and guidance. 10/10

White - and another tree

This afternoon whilst walking in the gardens at Anglesey Abbey, I decided to have a go at taking a shot for a Cambridge Camera Club project which is themed White.  Towards the end of our walk is the grove of silver birches which has been photographed many many times, but I thought that I'd have a go at a rather different shot. A couple of minutes after the birches I came across another tree with paper-like bark, but this time deep red which also made a pleasing shot

Joshua at Anglesey Abbey

The NT was providing children with small galvanised buckets yesterday for them to collect anything autumnal.  Joshua loved it and was unwilling to be parted from his until we came to the statue of the huntsman with his dogs….

Season of mists & mellow fruitfulness

Not a lot of mist about yesterday, but Anglesey Abbey gardens looking autumnal.  In particular I found the masses of cyclamen very striking. The first two were shot at home before we left.  All were shot using my iPhone as my "real" camera is away with Nikon having its USB port fixed

The Paris Opera House

When visiting Paris the Opera house is a Must Do in my opinion.  Also known as the Palais Garnier after its architect Charles Garnier, it is now mainly used for ballet whilst the opera has moved to the Opera Bastille in the eponymous Place. The opulence defies one's imagination and the usual climax of a tour is to go into a box to see the auditorium with its wonderful ceiling painted in a contrasting style by Marc Chagall in 1963 which has at its centre the Grand Auditorium Chandelier.  This time when we visited last week, I was astounded to see the stage curtain open and then a corps de ballet rehearsal began before we were politely asked to leave the box!

The exterior from the Place de l'Opera

Around the Grand Staircase

The Grand Foyer

The Stage and the Chagall ceiling

A couple of punters looking over the grand Staircase