Diary of a pro (part 2)

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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As an extension of my original Dairy Of A Pro thread, I've just set up a blog called The Viewing Angle that will allow me to record my wanderings as an angling photographer and someone who's just interested in all things photography-related.

It's going to be a bit of everything; a record of where I've been and what I do on a day-to-day basis as a pro, things i see on my travels, subjects within photography that interest me, and me highlighting other blogs, websites and photographers that float my boat.

It's my first 'proper' blog and is something i've wanted to do for a while but wasn't sure how it'd pan out. Hopefully it'll be insightful to some of you and as I am inspired, you may be too :)

If this is in the wrong area then feel free to move it Mods and I hope people don't see this as me being narcisistic :)

Pat
 
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Looking forward to this, mate. :)
 
Dean - excellent mate.... just hope I can do it justice. Don't want to turn into one of those meandering, up-my-own-bum blogs that you see on flickr from the people who seem to spend all their time correcting people :)

Keebsuk - Thanks. It's a start and I hope it'll develop well.

Yep, DHP is David Hall Publishing and yes, Rog is still here but he's moved upstairs since he passed over the reigns on match fishing magazine. He mainly works on our events like Evesham festival and sorts all the internal networks and hardware.

Me in the likely lads.... I could only dream of being that good!! :) Ivan Marks was a God and I had the pleasure of fishing with him at mallory for a season or so and I know Roy Marlow well through work and through being good mates with his son Nick.
 
Looks interesting... I have bookmarked it for a regular read :thumbs:

I like your piece with the landscape shot - that shows honesty and openess thats rare, certainly amongst pro togs ;-)

Perhaps we should see more of that on here - "here's what I shot", "here's what it looks like now".... with decriptions of what happened in between. Most are too scared to show that :D
 
Desantnik - thanks, really appreciate your comment. :)

I agree (maybe it's something I'll write about) - I like to know how the photographer got to that final image, be it through concerted effort in-camera, or by doing it in software. Either way is effective on its day and both are as valid as each other. We're always told there is no right or wrong way but like you say, some people seem scared to admit they've worked around a problem..... :)
 
I've added to my RSS reader. I'm sure it will be an interesting read.
 
Looking good, I like the angling shots. You say you've moved away from writing to photography? Be interested to know more.

I've found bloggings a really good way to get me to think about things I probably wouldn't normally, gets me to ask myself why I'm doing something a certain, often leading to a better way. Good luck.
 
Disphotic said:
Looking good, I like the angling shots. You say you've moved away from writing to photography? Be interested to know more.
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I started out as an assistant editor and spent over six years as editor of a national angling magazine. It was only when the crunch came that financially, it was cheaper (and easier) to have an in-house photographer than use freelancers, which is is when I moved over from editorial to solely doing photography.

I still do the odd bit of writing at my own discretion for certain editors I work with, but I don't make a habit of it because my photographic workload is just too big and doesn't really give me much time extra to write features. :)

Disphotic said:
I've found bloggings a really good way to get me to think about things I probably wouldn't normally, gets me to ask myself why I'm doing something a certain, often leading to a better way. Good luck.
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I started out as an assistant editor and spent over six years as editor of a national angling magazine. It was only when the crunch came that financially, it was cheaper (and easier) to have an in-house photographer than use freelancers, which is is when I moved over from editorial to solely doing photography.

I still do the odd bit of writing at my own discretion for certain editors I work with, but I don't make a habit of it because my photographic workload is just too big and doesn't really give me much time extra to write features. :)
 
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Really enjoyed those two latest updates, glad I almost got a name check lol.

Can't wait for more, most interesting blog I've read in a while!
 
Great reading all round Pat, but particularly enjoyed this post. I agree with your point of view about the "photographic nirvana" of straight out of camera which some people aspire to- why not use lightroom/photoshop if you think it will improve the image?
 
Dab said:
Great reading all round Pat, but particularly enjoyed this post. I agree with your point of view about the "photographic nirvana" of straight out of camera which some people aspire to- why not use lightroom/photoshop if you think it will improve the image?
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Cheers fella. Trying hard not to come across too preachy but i want it to be a bit thought-provoking if anything. :thumbs:

New post here :)
 
simonblue said:
Just read the blog,how its going with getting the D3,maybe D700 a bit cheaper :)
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D3s is the goal to do stills and video. Just gotta twist the boss' arm :lol:
 
Anyway, fast-forward a few days and I've posted my latest entry regarding light and just how to deal with the crappest that the sun can throw at you - click here :)
 
Still interesting, still like it :thumbs:
 
That is a fantastic and inspiring blog. I really like the last picture at the reservior using the curve of the concrete :thumbs:

Thanks

Nick
 
New post up about my current exploits with lightpainting - inspired by this very forum. I love the fact this place can get your groove moving :)
 
Like it (still) (free bump!)

From the latest episode I actually discovered a whole new section of TP ("creative") and from that I've got enough things to keep me amused over the winter until motorsport starts again next year.

Cheers Pat!
 
Brilliant read Pat.
I really like all the information you share and id love to get into the magazine industry like yourself.

Bravo.
 
amazing blog, i'll be checking back on tis daily! Loads of hints and tips aswell! AWESOME!
 
Interesting! I think I have an application for what you've just shown me too... Looking forward to trying now!
 
Nice on the shooting against black with lightpainting. I've used this technique a lot to make our product images more interesting than the usual box on white
 
Good stuff. I really must get some black cloth and try it out on my own rods.
 
specialman said:
I've put up a new post, as today I've been.... **SHOCK! HORROR!*** ....lightpainting! Yes, it's getting boring but this time I introduced some flash into the shot for some interesting results and yet more experience to use in future.

http://theviewingangle.blogspot.com/2011/12/two-become-one.html

Enjoy and feedback and critique is always more than welcome :)
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It looks like the art of light painting still life is really paying off for you Pat, I'm please to see that it's working out for you :thumbs: and that you are using it for actual paid for work :thumbs:

Matt
 
Chainsaws...we need to see an article about juggling chainsaws next time :-P

Seriously tho, good stuff matey ;-) keep going please!
 
desantnik said:
Chainsaws...we need to see an article about juggling chainsaws next time :-P

Seriously tho, good stuff matey ;-) keep going please!
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I'll find a suitable butter with an arm or two spare if it goes wrong. I'll be on the 70-200mm, well out if the way.... :LOL:
 
Enjoyable and informative as usual.

I've even had a go at this lightpainting malarkey meself. I'll be using it to spruce up my on-line presence in future. Thanks for the inspiration.:)
 
Ed Sutton said:
Enjoyable and informative as usual.

I've even had a go at this lightpainting malarkey meself. I'll be using it to spruce up my on-line presence in future. Thanks for the inspiration.:)
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Excellent effort - trying to work out the rod and reel combo.... rod looks like an old Shimano i used to have, but can't be sure.... reel looks like something akin to an Aerlex or Titanos GT.

I like the shot - what did you use as the light source? :)
 
I used an LED head torch set to just two out of six LEDs, in a dark garage with the shutter on B. I'm on the lookout for a single LED pen-torch now for more control.

If you haven't seen them there are some interesting light painting ideas here.

The rod's one of mine (I'm a rod builder ;)) the reel's a Shimano Biomaster. A bit more light on the reel handle would have lifted the image a little, but I was more interested in making the rod look good!

Thanks again for the inspiration to give this a try. :thumbs:
 
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