To Lightroom or Not to Lightroom.... this really isn't the question....

Simon Harvey December 2, 2014

I was out shooting an area guide for another property company recently.... with my beloved Fuji X-Pro1 and my even more now so (sorry X-Pro) Fuji XT-1. Whilst out, rolling around on the floor (for sunset shot below!) in Brockwell Park, south London, trying to get a nice sunset shot, a chap came upto me and started chatting photography. I always have time for a chat about anything photography with anyone! I love, that people LOVE taking pictures, and we are all trying to learn and get better at doing it!

Rolling around on the floor in Brockwell park.... either gets you collected by an ambulance or a nice picture :)

His first question was regarding contrast.... "I've bought a little canon G15 and everything is really contrasty. the sky blows out and the shadows just fill in. Its not as good as i was hoping for" ... I had to laugh in an 'I hear you mate' kind of way .... as this is the main problem with digital cameras.

I asked him what software he used to develop/ process the images and he looked at me stumped?? I then went on to explain that out the can, most digital images are way to contrasty.... even a £5000 Nikon D4 is still has about 11 times less sensitivity than the good old human Mice Pie! (Eye for anyone north of Watford)

I explained that a simple 2 mins in Lightroom will transform what you see in the camera (especially if shooting in RAW!)

So, if you want better pics (even from your iphone).... get them on your comp and have a fiddle....

These 2 images below are the Same file. The one on the TOP is the RAW unadjusted file. The one UNDERNEATH is the 'Lightroom Tweaked' one!

Processed and Tweaked JPG from Fuji XT-1

I rest my case :-)

Shades of Grey?

Simon Harvey September 30, 2013

a character in Hackney who caught my eye. don't you just love those shades

Faces of Soho

Simon Harvey August 23, 2013

Faces of Soho.... all different, all interesting in their own way.

2 day Travel Photography adventure in Magical Marrakech

Simon Harvey November 29, 2012

I went there with dreams of colour and life... but its was SOOOOO Hard to shoot there! Any of you that have been there, know that taking pictures in Marrakech is far from easy... and not the romantic holiday destination you would think of ... so armed with a hulking great big Nikon DSLR and a long lens, i hardly blended in... and these people are hyper sensitive to cameras! You either get a "NO PICTURE" and a hand raised over the face, or a hand out asking for money the second they see you!! So ....with only being there for 2 days I had to adapt quickly, and learn to be very quick to seize any picture opportunities ... Its still a great place to go to though if you like a challenge!! ;) Enjoy, share and rate please :)

Set Stills Photography with lovable Aussie boys, Hamish and Andy

Simon Harvey November 18, 2012

Some of you might know, that during the summer, Aussie TV and Radio sensations - 'Hamish and Andy' were over here in London filming their new TV show 'Hamish and Andy's Euro Gap Year'. I was pulled in to do some Set Stills Photography, Promotion shots and some behind the scenes photography too. I have to admit, before I got the call about working on the show - I had never heard of them. After a quick Google and Facebook search, I soon realized that these cheeky smilers have a big following on the south side! 1.6million facebook likers and half a million followers on twitter! Zoiks... i hoped they were cool!?

Our first shoot was set for some calamity capers around the London Eye, Westminster and then onto St Johns Wood for some Beatles Abbey Road fun! within 2 mins of meeting the guys i was pleasantly surprised at how absolutely lovely they were! Grounded, polite and great fun! from there on in .... it was all easy!

I hope you like the images and will check out these chaps... Hamish and Andy's Euro Gap Year is showing on ITV4 at the moment, and i guarantee you'll be smiling if you tune in! Enjoy!

Wet Wedding Photography in Seven Dials, London

Simon Harvey November 13, 2012

I was walking through Seven Dials only yesterday doing a job when i happened across this lovely couple walking up Monmouth Street having their wedding photographs taken!! The photographer was using flash close up with them, and i knew he was missing out on all the beautiful ambient light and reflections... so had a cheeky word and asked the couple if they minded if i took a quick shot of them on the Zebra crossing!! :-) I hope they get in touch so i can send them the shot .... i think you'll agree, the light is beautiful and it makes for a great shot! :) Good luck to them both!

Sneak Peek - Music Promo Photography with Tankus The Henge

Simon Harvey November 12, 2012

Today I met up with my crazy friends - Tankus The Henge! I've known and been photographing these lovable lads for the last 4 years now and there has never been a dull moment. With the arrival of their new Drummer, their manager thought it about time we got some new promo shots done... so we headed to the wonderful floating Dutch Barge that is 'Tamesis Dock' on the London Southbank of the Thames... Apart from being a great location, Neema the lovely lady who runs this ship (literally) provides some lovely food and drinks....! get down there and check it out! its magical! :)

The Tankus boys were in fine form, even if it was an early start... and we soon got going with some cheeky antics....

These are just a couple of tasters from the shoot. Hope you like them, and if you fancy coming along to listen to these chaps.... have a look at their facebook page here and come along!! I challenge you to not be able to love them!! ;)

[caption id="attachment_2699" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Music Photography by Simon Harvey on the Southbank with Tankus The Henge[/caption]

London Landscape Photography

Simon Harvey November 1, 2012

This is why I LOVE my job! My brief - 'Shoot some Iconic London Landmarks and Cityscapes along the London Soutbank'. NICE DAY AHEAD! Although i had to rise at 5am to get down to Tower Bridge to catch the sunrise, it was worth it! Every time I have to do a job which involves getting up and out in the dark, I am reminded that there is nothing better than being in London as the sun rises. it really is the best time of day to be in London! Still, calm and truly beautiful ... until the hoards arrive and the buzz takes over again. So, as I was going to be walking around all day long, I didn't want a trailer load of backbreaking gear with me, so opted for my evermore popular choice of kit - my Fuji X-Pro 1 ... in a tiny bag with 3 lenses and a spare battery, a very small Manfrotto tripod and I'm done! LOVE IT! discreet and light allowing me to crack on without feeling depressed each time I know I have to pack up and move on! I started by shooting east towards Butlers Wharf from St Katherine's Dock at sunrise and then spent the day strolling and exploring the Soutbank from Rotherhithe to Westmisnster Bridge...

I'd never been up the OXO Tower and had this in mind for the end of my day. It was thoroughly worth it. I was a bit worried about rocking up there in my jeans and North face photographer kit! ... but the staff were very lovely and guided me to their free public viewing balcony outside - where I was able to wait for the light to drop and the magic of the city lights to come to life! I wasn't sure how the Fuji X-Pro 1 would cope with long exposures on its small sensor ... but i am very impressed with its clarity and low light noise levels. Not to mention again its sooooooo small! Chuffed!

I hope you enjoy the images as much as i enjoyed my day taking them! :-)

[gallery columns="4" orderby="post_date"]

Street Photography with 'street13'

Simon Harvey October 9, 2012

yes yes yes .... its been months since i have blogged .... i need another set of arms and legs at the moment, not to mention brain!! I have been SOOOOOOOOOOO Busy for the last 5 months .... and still hectic, but thought its about time i got some stuff up on here to show you where i have been and what i have been doing! :) So ... as many of you know, i am a big Instagram fanatic!! But.... i mean Instagram in the true sense .... so my shots on Instagram are all 100% Iphone and nothing else!! ... I found this dude 'Sam' while on my way to a shoot... he got on the train as cool as a cucumber on his retro hotwheels and sat there in amongst the other travellers without a care in the world ... I quickly whipped out my trusty iphone 4 for some shots (on the quiet of course!) and got some great shots of Sam without him being aware ... ! But when Sam also got off at Willesden Green, my curiosity got the better of me, so i asked him if he'd mind me taking a few shots (i had my Nikon in my bag!! ;) ) and here they are. Sam was a very interesting guy with a story to tell that amazed me and truly makes you realize that we should never judge a book by its cover!! I hope you like!![gallery]

Iphoneography

Simon Harvey November 30, 2011

As most of you who look at my blog will know, photography has always been firstly my passion and secondly my job. I count myself very fortunate to be paid to do something which gives me such pleasure - no matter what the subject. Photography takes me on a different journey each time I pick up my beloved Nikon D3 and D700. Whilst I'm out on my jobs I often come into contact with other enthusiastic photographers who often dismiss their abilities based upon having a cheaper camera!? To this I always laugh... as a picture is not just about it's technical brilliance... It's about the subject and the moment! The energy and the feeling. What might be nothing to someone else can mean the world to you in a picture, and Vice Versa! A photograph does not have to be taken on a £5k super shooter to still make a person stop, look and ponder.

To that end, I lead onto my new love for my IPhone and the amazing 'Hipstamatic' and 'Instagram' apps. These fantastic little snapper enhancements are the perfect way to catch a moment whilst out and about.

So.. I thought I would share a few of my snaps from my Iphone with you, and hopefully inspire you all to do the same :-)

Enjoy!

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