Incentives for 2011

My new years resolution for 2011 is to create my own calendar for the end of next year (2011) and let it go on general sale on the net!! this means putting time in to create the best possible photos from each month! I will post regular updates of the chose image for each month and how you can get hold of these come this time next year!! Merry xmas to you all!

Self Portrait - Diptych Style

For our first project, we had the brief or representing a self portrait using RC paper using a 35mm FM2 to practice our darkroom skills and film skills. I had a variety of shots that worked well and some that didn't. My aim was to create a diptych with one side of me that people would see me as, and the other what I think I am. Showing two sides through one self portrait shot. It was interesting how these worked out to be honest. Some worked better than others however lack on control developing was hard. Here are a couple of the pictures of the best work. I took them off my iPhone as i didnt have my SLR with me at the time so this will have to do, i will upload my final piece or scan the images when i get them back from marking. Enjoy!

Tramlines Festival, Sheffield (Summer 2010)

There are some of my images from the Tramlines Festivals from Sheffield this summer, was great to finally work alongside artists and hopefully let it continue next year. The acts included Professor Green, Dane Bowers, Gabriella Cilme, Skepta, Craig David, Playground Mafia etc..

more images are available on my personal website at: www.andrewcrookes.co.cc

Bedlington Snow

Couple of images I took recently for my parents of their dogs during the snowfall. I really liked the outcome and was please with the editing of the pictures! Feedback welcome as I want to achieve the best possible results without flattening my images

Little Sheffield...

For my second specialist subject, I felt it was a good idea to do the Blurb one because I would love to make a book of my work and this is the key to producing that. Andrew showed us some great stuff on the BookSmart application to which we were given the word Collector/Archive to create some shots for the book we were going to produce.

I have always wanted to produce my own little version of Sheffield using the Tilt Shift effect inspired by the great London photographer Toby Allen. I got in contact with him and he gave me some great feedback on it all to which I implied it to my work.

Here are my shots that are tests/unsuccessful ones alongside my final ones. I used the photoshop lens blur filter instead of a genuine tilt shift lens. Although it not quite the same, it still gave me the desired effect.

See what you think of Little Sheffield.

Grindleford Revisited

For the first of my chosen “specialist” subjects, I thought it would be a good idea to go to Grindleford in the heart of the Peak District and exploit its Autumnal beauty. It was a great day out and I produced some good shots with vibrant colours!



The photo above explains more about the depth of colour we found up there. I used a tripod to help me steady the shot as it was little bit windy up the top of Padley Gorge. Below are a few more examples of the shots with my trial shots playing with shutter speeds for the rivers giving it a thick fluid consistency











Overall I feel as though I did a good job, and the colours and effects I got from that was great! However, I feel as though I should have worked a bit more on some other shots either using a fish eye lens in the woods or worked bit more with the colours of the falling leaves and the deep green moss colours! The trip was a great day, the cafe was awesome shame it rained at the end of the day!

P.s try the cafe at the train station, it is a no brainer and full of food that is bad for you :D