More From The Shoot

Below are a few more shots from the shoot yesterday.

Tender, originally uploaded by BenGoode.

, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

A Gift

A Gift, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

I only had the one photoshoot in the end today, the one with my Niece has been put back.

The shoot with Dani at Dida Photography was good fun. It turned out they didn't want anything formal, it was nice and relaxed and natural. It wasn't easy directing 6 of them, but we got some great results. Really need to get my sensor cleaned, it's all of a sudden got quite bad. Nothing that Photoshop won't be able to sort out though.

I've just had a quick look through the shots, this one stood out. A proud Dad with his baby girl.

Thanks again for Dani! :)

Busy Day Tomorrow

I've got two portrait sessions tomorrow. The first booking is for my 18 month year old Niece Millie and her Cousin Charlie, the shoot will be shot in their Nannies playroom, so should be lots of fun.

The second will be in Poole. A friend and photographer of Dida Photography has asked me to shoot a family of six in her home studio. The family are looking for something formal, not my style but should be a good experience.

I'll let you all know when the shots are ready to view in the client area.

From Me To You

Have you seen the latest John Lewis adverts? The one with the Beatles cover in the background. That song has been playing over and over in my head. It took me ages to work out what the cover was. I found a link on the John Lewis website for a free download of the track. If like me it has been going round and round your head, right click here and 'Save Target As' to download the mp3 file.

Introducing Roxie

Introducing Roxie, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

Introducing Roxie, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

This is little Roxie, my Sister's 8 week old Staffy. She came with us on the walk on Sunday. She's lots of fun! I played around with a new action in this shot. I recently got the Melissa Webb photo actions, they're pretty good! The day was so cold and bleak, the action just seemed to inject some warmth into the shot.

On another note, Blogger puts a border around any shot you upload. I have always edited this out. I'm now not sure whether to leave it in. What do you think?

Family

Family, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

We have come home. Things just didn't work out in Northern Ireland. It's a long story I will not bore you all with. Unfortunately the change in accommodation meant we were not as welcome as had previously hoped.

With the prospect of no roof over our head and my work not yet confirmed, we decided to head back to England.

The day we returned I had an email confirming my work. I would have been based in Ballymena, about 45 minutes from Belfast and a lot more rural. We may have been able to hang on a few more days and move that way, but in hindsight we would have been quite isolated and lonely without our family and friends just down the road. Sometimes you have to loose something to realise what you had.

Yesterday afternoon Jen, Micah and I went for a Winters afternoon walk with my Brother, Sister, Brother-in-Law and Niece to the Southampton Common. It felt good to be home. The picture above is of my Sister yesterday on the walk.

Capital of Culture

Capital of Culture, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

This morning I caught the ferry from Birkenhead, Liverpool to Belfast. I was there to see the sunrise, it rose from the right of this shot. I couldn't get a decent shot until I was on the deck of the Ferry, by then the orange haze in the sky had almost gone.

This was shot from the Ferry looking across the Mersey to the Liverpool city skyline.

It was fantastic driving my VW Golf up this time, instead of the van. I filled it up with £50 in Southampton, the fuel needle didn't move until I got onto the M40. It only used quarter of a tank to go from Southampton to Liverpool.

Just Clear

Just Clear, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

The images from the Just Clear IT Solutions shoot are now available to view. This was shot on Cambs Hill, Portsmouth looking away from the sea. The shot is a little ironic considering the business name.

The Journey

Lagan Viking, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

We have made our move over to Northern Ireland! Accommodation plans were changed last minute which caused Jen and I to question our decision to move over there. But with just a few days left in our house and both of us having left our jobs, we went ahead with our original plans.

We were due to get the Ferry on Sunday night at 10.30 from Birkenhead, Liverpool. But when we got there we were told the Ferry had been delayed until 6.30 the following morning. It was a long drive in our hired Ford Luton van, it was so loud and I'm sure it had square wheels. Jen had the great idea of getting ear plugs at our first Motorway Services stop. The moment they went in it was like someone had sound proofed the doors, and lined the floor with plush carpet. Had it not been for the bumpy ride, I would have forgotten altogether that I was driving the van, oh and the fact I could turn the steering wheel 10 degrees clockwise or anti-clockwise without the van moving an inch.

At the docks we were now faced with a long and very cold night spent in a tiny departure lounge. A departure lounge with no heating and a TV stuck on ITV1.

We boarded the NorfolkLine ferry 'The Lagan Viking' at half 4 on Monday morning. We headed straight to our cabin to get some sleep. I awoke to what I thought was an earthquake at 6.30 a few hours after boarding, to just find we were leaving port. It took 10 hours to get to Belfast!

I am currently in England as I type this, I have returned the Van and now waiting for tomorrow night to drive my car to Birkenhead, Liverpool and get back over to Belfast. It has only been a few days, but I'm missing Jen and Micah loads!

Jen has already found us a house, we'll have a few spare bedrooms which means we can have visitors come out and stay with us :).

Today I did the photo shoot for Just Clear IT Solutions. It had been canceled from a few weeks back due to bad weather, luckily today the weather was pretty good by the afternoon. The shoot went really well, the shots will soon be available in the client area.

Last Booking Before The Move

Just Clear IT Solutions have booked a commercial shoot for the 23/11/2008. They are moving offices and about to roll out a new website. The photography will be used throughout the new site.

It is likely to be the last booking before we move to Ireland. Part of the shoot will involve capturing the surrounding area to the offices, hopefully I'll get good weather.

bgcreative.co.uk

As of today www.bgcreative.co.uk will no longer be a live domain. Those who still use the address will now be re-directed to www.bengoode.com.

Micah's Burberry Casting

Back in October I wrote saying my son Micah had a model casting for Burberry. We have since heard back from his model agency, he didn't make the Burberry Winter collection but they want to use him for their Spring collection!

Despite the move to Ireland we will keep him on the books at the agency as it will only be an hour away in the plane.

Soon To Be Home

Soon To Be Home, originally uploaded by BenGoode.

On the 28th of November Jenna, Micah and I will be moving to Northern Ireland. We will initially be staying in Dunmurry.

I hope to set up my own studio in Belfast. I will still be available for work in England.

Ready to View

The shots from Seth and Lindsay's Wedding day are now available to view in the client area. Friends and Family of the bride, and those interested in booking services with Ben Goode Photography please feel free to email me and request the password.

Seth and Lindsay

The Journey, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

Taken from the wedding I shot on Saturday the 1st of November for Seth and Lindsay. This was Lindsay just getting into the car, leaving her house.

Despite the rain, we got some great results. I shot the day with my Dad and excellent photographer, John Goode. We had planned to get some morning shots of the Bride and Bridesmaids at Porchester Castle. The formal shots after the ceremony had also been planned for outdoors.

To get around this we set up a mini studio in one of the rooms where the reception was being held. We set up a large white backdrop, and three strobe lights. One was behind the white backdrop, the other two where positioned at the front. It worked perfectly!

I also tried out a new style for me... Some of the portrait orientated shots I rotated about 20 degrees, I was really pleased with the results I got, it makes quite a dynamic shot. The above shot is an example.

The entire day will be available to view in the client area shortly.

Site Update: Prints

The 'prints' section is now live! Order from Photo and Canvas Prints to Hard Back Photo Books, view from a large range of sizes and prices. FTP upload is still on its way.

The Deep

The Deep, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

I wrote a few posts ago that we took Micah (my son) to the London Aquarium. The three of us really enjoyed ourselves, especially Micah. This is one of the shots I got whilst on our way round. It's a Moon Jelly fish. They have no tentacles.

It was really poor light in there, I didn't have a flash with me (mind you it's not like I would have been able to or wanted to use it). This was shot at ISO 1600 and f/2.8. Was pretty pleased with the result considering the setup.

Print Products Coming Soon

Ben Goode Photography will soon be able to offer Photo Prints, Canvas Prints and Posters in an array of different sizes, frames and finishes. I will also be able to offer hard back Photo Books, ideal for wedding albums.

Also coming soon... FTP upload service. If you have existing photographs you want printed, take advantage of my quick new FTP uploader. All coming soon.

Land Before Time

Land Before Time, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

This is another one from the Giants Causeway.

I love shooting into the light. You get some really beautiful effects. It's a shame you can see the water specks on the lens, but I didn't have anything suitable to hand to wipe it. I'm still really pleased with the shot though, I think I'll upload it to my landscape gallery.

On Approach

On Approach, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

As we walked down the hill to the Giants Causeway the views were just stunning. This was the second bay we passed. The weather was perfect for photography! We got there mid afternoon, the sun would set in a hour or two which meant I could get some great back-lit shots.

There were some stormy clouds out there, and the sea was pretty rough too. On the two points of the Causeway the waves were smashing against the rocks, forcing the water straight up in the air.

On the way back to the car I decided to get some more shots in the bays and rock pools, everyone else took the bus back up. See in this shot the rocks in the distance just in the sun, well I thought it would be a good vantage point to get some shots, and there was no one else there (and there was obviously a good reason for that). So with camera in hand and my gear and bag over my shoulder I ventured out. I thought I was being really careful... when slip. My foot slid off one rock and crashed into one below which sent me to my side. I was falling to my right and my camera was in my right hand! I took the brunt of it with my arm so as to not smash the camera into the rocks. Luckily there were only a few scratches to the body of the camera.

I then did that thing were you get up and pretend nothing happened and made sure no one had seen, and I continued on. As it was I did end up getting some pretty good shots. More to follow.

Free Wallpaper

Wallpaper, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

I said the Giants Causeway shots would follow... This is nothing too special but makes a great desktop background. Right click here and 'save target as' if you would like to download the wallpaper. Email me if you need it in different dimensions and cannot resize it.

Coming Home

Coming Home, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

We are back in England... we landed yesterday and are home sweet home. We went to Northern Ireland to see Jen's family and had a lovely time. We went to the Giants Causeway (photos to follow) and Glens of Antrim, such beautiful places! We also headed south towards the border and saw the Mountains of Mourne. It is such a beautiful country! In stark contrast we went to see the famous Falls Road and surrounding area in Belfast where most of the 'troubles' took place in the 70s and 80s. The divide is still quite evident with murals and flags from either side. It amazes me that a country of such beauty in nature and people has seen such atrocities. The very week we stayed there was a bomb scare at one of the high schools just a mile from where we were staying.

Today Micah (my son) had a model casting for Burberry in London. It went really well. Will find out soon if he got the job. As we were in London we made a day of it, we took him to the London Aquarium... he absolutely loved it!!

Site Update

There have been a few updates and additions made to the site today. There is also a print section coming soon! Detailing finishes, sizes and prices for your prints.

Must get to sleep now. Holiday tomorrow!

Holiday

I will be on Holiday until Monday 27th October. Internet access will be sporadic, so it is unlikely I will be able to respond to any emails.

Wire to Wire

Wire to Wire, originally uploaded by Ben Goode.

We didn't get to do the photo shoot today. Hopefully the weather will be as good next weekend to give it a go again.

I haven't uploaded anything to my Flickr page in a while, been so busy recently. I read once that commercial photographers find they no longer have time or the passion for their own personal work. I hope it's not true for all. This was shot yesterday on my way into work, it was a cold and foggy morning. The early morning sun was shining bright.

Photo Shoot

Tomorrow my wife, son and I are on a photo shoot. But this time (for a nice change) I'm in front of the lens. A good friend, colleague and photographer Matt Shaw will be taking the shots tomorrow at Southsea Pier in Portsmouth.

The weather is said to be good, so hopefully we'll get some good results.

Rob and Ravina

All the shots from Rob and Ravina's wedding on the 20/09/2008 have now been processed and uploaded. A small selection from the day can be seen in the wedding gallery.

If you wish to see the entire shoot, please email me and I can give you the password to access the client area. Please note this will only be available for family and friends of the bride and groom, and those wishing to book services with Ben Goode Photography.

First image blogged

All I Need, originally uploaded by BenGoode.

I'm not sure if the text is too difficult to read, grey on grey may not be a smart move. I wanted to blog an image to firstly get one in, and secondly to see how the text now looks.

This shot is part of a recent portrait session taken on Hill Head Beach, Fareham for some friends of mine. Other shots from the shoot can been seen in the portrait gallery.

bengoode.com

I have just registered and set up www.bengoode.com. The domain is loads easier to remember and more relevant than bgcreative.co.uk, which was originally a design site.

You can still email me on my bgcreative email address. I have now set up ben@bengoode.com. I will keep the domain bgcreative up-to-date for the next few months whilst I get everyone over to the new site and email.

Welcome to my Blog

I have just registered my new blog address. It's been a while since I last had a blog.

It'll be a place to write about my photo shoot experiences, and lessons learnt. I'll also upload shots that don't get uploaded to my site or Flickr gallery.

I've got a Wedding shoot coming up on the 1st of November. It'll be my third Wedding shoot to date.