Farino at The Mill Sessions

The 4th of the Mill Sessions this year took place on Wednesday, and this time featured accoustic guitar duo, "Farino".

As with previous sessions (see Sean Taylor, Beth Fouracre and Becc Sanderson & Graeme Stephen), I was given time to get some photos of them before the gig started.

Unlike previous sessions, however, the seasons have moved on, and it is now light in the early evenings. Additionally, with The Mill on the Fleet open again for the tourist season, the empty gallery space I used for the last 3 photo sessions is no longer available.

So I turned up early to try and find another possible area. After searching inside and out, I was directed to a closed off, derelict part of the complex, which had plenty of space and light.


Guitar duo, Farino

There was also a great old weathered area of wall that added a wonderful texture in the background for close-up portraits


Graeme Wrightson


John Shepherd


Farino

When we were heading back over to the main building, I realised we were in the "golden hour" where photography is concerned - when the sun is low in the sky, giving everything a golden hue.


Sunlit



Like last time with Becc Sanderson, I recorded one of their songs on my camera. It was a close run thing - the memory card would have run out if it had gone on for another 15 seconds.



If for any reason the video isn't showing above, you might need to click on this link:
http://youtu.be/svw-f0se0LI


I should also mention the support act, warming up and getting everyone in the mood, was talented local singer-songwriter Marcus S Wright, and I also managed to squeeze a quick photo session in with him too.


Marcus S Wright

The room was packed, and the atmosphere and playing were superb. It was a great evening.

You can hear more of Farino's music on their MySpace page, here
And Marcus's music can be found on his MySpace page, here

Scottish Tattoo Convention 2011 at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange

When Skid (the lead singer from Cash From Chaos) asked if I’d be interested in attending the Scottish Tattoo Convention in Edinburgh, I knew it was too good an opportunity to miss.

As a portrait photographer, I love faces and the way people inhabit them, so to get the chance to go to a place where many would also be highly decorated with tattoos, piercings and more unusual hairstyles, was a dream.

Of course I had to overcome an extreme reluctance to ask complete strangers if they would mind having their photo taken – normally people come to me, not the other way round – but as it turned out, not a single person refused or even seemed the slightest bit irritated.

The experience was about as far removed from normal portrait photography, as it was possible to get.

Usually when I photograph someone, I spend time with them to establish a rapport and trust. I arrange the background so it’s uncluttered, and the lighting to help generate the mood I’m after. I take many shots, showing them as I go, so we can work together towards achieving an image we are both going to be really happy with.

At the Tattoo Convention, however, I could do none of these things. The backgrounds were busy from any direction; the lighting was very low and mostly coming from straight above, so cast dark shadows over the eyes; and I only had 30 seconds to a minute with them to try and get something worthwhile.

Because I handed a business card to nearly everyone I photographed, and told them if they contacted me I would send them a copy of the photo, it meant the challenge was immense.

I have spent most of the past week working on the best of the photos, making adjustments to compensate for the poor lighting and background conditions.

Finally I have a collection I’m ok about displaying. Below are a small handful. The rest can be found on my Flickr Account, or on my Facebook Photography page

As always, you can click on the images for larger versions


David - the very first person I asked to photograph


This guy was getting an eagle head tattooed on his neck


Laura had problems keeping a straight face


Originally from Borneo, this guy does traditional tattooing by hand - not an electrical appliance in sight. A much slower process and certainly not for faint hearted


Sakura's "horns" are silican implants. Despite appearances, she was a very warm and friendly person to chat to


Nonchalant expression. To look at her you might be forgiven for thinking she was being drawn on in felt pen rather than having a needle jabbed thousands of times into her thigh.