Wednesday 27 July 2011
Monday 25 July 2011
Who needs Glastonbury? (....me!)
Posted by Jude
With summer festival season upon us, Brian and I decided last minute to go to the final day of 'Oxegen 2011' in Punchestown. With Brian thinking back to our 2003 foray into festival camping at the pre Oxegen event 'Witness' he was championing the 1 day idea as a much more civilised way to 'do' a music festival. So we headed off to the venue Park and ride on Sunday 10th July.
With a line up promising a bit of cheesy pop (The Saturdays, Kesha), our old university favourites (Ocean Colour Scene, Manic Street Preachers) big headliners (Beyonce & Coldplay) and managing to meet up with our friends Annie and Gavin we were set to have a great day. Numbers apparently were down this year, but that only added to the relaxed atmosphere whereby it was easy just to sit on the grass in the sunshine and watch the big screens from afar. Having said that - I did make a beeline to the front of the crowd for Beyonce's set. The girl can sing, the girl can dance and she sure knows how to work the crowd. I did what I could with the photos. Cameras with detachable lens were not allowed into the venue so I didn't have a lot to work with, and I was holding the camera above my head for most of the stage shots with no clue what I was focusing on!
All in all it was a fantastic day that we would definitely do again. I may not be able to convince Brian that a Glastonbury 2013 ticket is for him, but maybe I'll get there myself one day (Dougie has just bought a Motor home....mmmm...).
Posted & Photographed by Jude
With summer festival season upon us, Brian and I decided last minute to go to the final day of 'Oxegen 2011' in Punchestown. With Brian thinking back to our 2003 foray into festival camping at the pre Oxegen event 'Witness' he was championing the 1 day idea as a much more civilised way to 'do' a music festival. So we headed off to the venue Park and ride on Sunday 10th July.
With a line up promising a bit of cheesy pop (The Saturdays, Kesha), our old university favourites (Ocean Colour Scene, Manic Street Preachers) big headliners (Beyonce & Coldplay) and managing to meet up with our friends Annie and Gavin we were set to have a great day. Numbers apparently were down this year, but that only added to the relaxed atmosphere whereby it was easy just to sit on the grass in the sunshine and watch the big screens from afar. Having said that - I did make a beeline to the front of the crowd for Beyonce's set. The girl can sing, the girl can dance and she sure knows how to work the crowd. I did what I could with the photos. Cameras with detachable lens were not allowed into the venue so I didn't have a lot to work with, and I was holding the camera above my head for most of the stage shots with no clue what I was focusing on!
All in all it was a fantastic day that we would definitely do again. I may not be able to convince Brian that a Glastonbury 2013 ticket is for him, but maybe I'll get there myself one day (Dougie has just bought a Motor home....mmmm...).
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Mowing and Milking
Posted by Jude
I took these pictures on my Uncle's farm near Katesbridge (or 'down home') a little while ago on a lovely sunny evening at milking time. At that time he was keeping some sheep in the farmhouse garden. Well, never mind those lawn specialist guys whose vans you see about Belfast, I'm getting myself a sheep for my sorry patch of grass! On my last visit, his lawn was lusher and greener than any I have ever seen. "That's down to the sheep Judy" he said. A constant cycle of slowly mowing the lawn by eating it, coupled with their natural fertilizer is just the trick then.
The farm and the animals looked particularly beautiful that evening. Even the sun streaming into the milking parlour and my camera shy younger brother made for a nice photo.
It's only now I'm older that I can really appreciate the stunning countryside where I grew up and rode my bicycle around freely. Driving over the Kilkinamurry hills, when the Mourne Mountains come into view is a priceless view that I all too often overlooked when walking the mile or so home from the school bus!
Tuesday 28 June 2011
Annie's Family sitting
Posted by Jude
I knew that my good friend Annie comes from a large family so when she asked me to take a photograph of her Mum and Dad with all their grandchildren I knew that it might be a challenge - but nothing compared to photographing a full class of preschoolers. "How many are there again?" I asked Annie - "Oh only 17.".......!
Off I headed down to South Armagh one Sunday morning with the studio ready for action. After being warmly welcomed into the house and greeting many, many people and children ranging from babies to teenagers I began to think about how to assemble this photograph. As there were so many kids to make smile my initial thought was to take the photo in little groups and photoshop them together like we do for school groups (check out our other website www.coolforschoolphotography.com), but then I thought what the heck - everyone pile in!
Firstly - apologies to all the parents who I had to banish from the room! My only aim was to try to get the kids looking and smiling at me and not their mummy! Secondly - thank goodness for such a photogenic, smiley family with really well behaved kids. I had a lovely morning and got some great shots of the family. Now if you ever need a babysitter.....
Posted by Jude
I knew that my good friend Annie comes from a large family so when she asked me to take a photograph of her Mum and Dad with all their grandchildren I knew that it might be a challenge - but nothing compared to photographing a full class of preschoolers. "How many are there again?" I asked Annie - "Oh only 17.".......!
Off I headed down to South Armagh one Sunday morning with the studio ready for action. After being warmly welcomed into the house and greeting many, many people and children ranging from babies to teenagers I began to think about how to assemble this photograph. As there were so many kids to make smile my initial thought was to take the photo in little groups and photoshop them together like we do for school groups (check out our other website www.coolforschoolphotography.com), but then I thought what the heck - everyone pile in!
Firstly - apologies to all the parents who I had to banish from the room! My only aim was to try to get the kids looking and smiling at me and not their mummy! Secondly - thank goodness for such a photogenic, smiley family with really well behaved kids. I had a lovely morning and got some great shots of the family. Now if you ever need a babysitter.....
Wednesday 15 June 2011
Family and Football
Posted By Jude
My in-laws do like their sport. Golf features heavily, but followed closely by football. So when the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United rolled around and happened to coincide with some family visiting from Canada it was a great excuse for 'Ma Malone' to host a lovely night of great food and banter. It also provided me with an excuse to assemble a pop up studio in their house for the evening. This is a good way to get lovely natural, fun images (rather than a scheduled formal sitting) as everyone is in good spirits - and yes, that may include some of the alcoholic variety!
So with Brian in a Man United shirt and our Nephew Jack in the Barcelona kit - the trash talking began! But it was Jack who got the last laugh when Man United were outplayed and lost 3-1. (sorry Brian.....)
It was nice to get some photos of Nana Malone aka 'Gan Gan' with her brother visiting from England, her friends from Canada and her great grandkids. She enjoyed the night so much and is beaming in every photography - a natural model!
Posted By Jude
My in-laws do like their sport. Golf features heavily, but followed closely by football. So when the Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United rolled around and happened to coincide with some family visiting from Canada it was a great excuse for 'Ma Malone' to host a lovely night of great food and banter. It also provided me with an excuse to assemble a pop up studio in their house for the evening. This is a good way to get lovely natural, fun images (rather than a scheduled formal sitting) as everyone is in good spirits - and yes, that may include some of the alcoholic variety!
So with Brian in a Man United shirt and our Nephew Jack in the Barcelona kit - the trash talking began! But it was Jack who got the last laugh when Man United were outplayed and lost 3-1. (sorry Brian.....)
It was nice to get some photos of Nana Malone aka 'Gan Gan' with her brother visiting from England, her friends from Canada and her great grandkids. She enjoyed the night so much and is beaming in every photography - a natural model!
Friday 6 May 2011
Cycling - on a Ferry?!
Posted by Jude
As a photographer you can be asked to do all sorts of jobs. It's great whenever something is brought to your attention that you would otherwise never even have heard about and you end up somewhere interesting. I was asked to take some marketing pictures for The P&O Ferries sponsored Tour of the North International Cycle Race. The event is the biggest Easter sporting fixture in Northern Ireland and the biggest cycle race in Northern Ireland. It attracts over one hundred top class cyclists from Ireland, the U.K. and Europe. Riders compete over 250 miles, taking in some of the toughest terrain in the province as the riders compete for the coveted race winners Yellow Jersey.
So, is the Bridge of a Ferry interesting? Well, more interesting than a normal day maybe. I had the pleasure of photographing World Brompton Cycling Champion Liam Curran (Curran Racing – Bangor) with Captain Val Plant on the bridge of the P&O Express in Larne.
Unfortunately, a free trip to Scotland was not included!
Posted by Jude
Monday 25 April 2011
Paris in the Springtime
Posted by Jude....
Girls, if you haven't been to Paris take note - dropping subtle hints to your other half over about 10 years will get you there!
Although to be fair, Brian and I had just never got around to 'doing' Paris. We have been to plenty of other European cities - Prague, Budapest, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid - but maybe thought that we would leave Paris for a special occasion. Well, my husband must have thought, why wait for a special occasion? Resulting in a very lovely Christmas morning surprise....
So, after much debate with myself over my carry on wardrobe we headed off in March. There are only 3 things to consider when packing for a sightseeing 4 days in Paris - 1. Comfort, 2. The Weather (it was Cold!) and most importantly, 3. How the heck am I going to look as chic and effortless as those Parisian ladies whilst also trying to stay warm and be comfortable?! I had to think more Converse trainers than Carrie Bradshaw.
As for our 4 days in the city, all I can say is that I have fallen in love with Paris as so many people said I would. I could easily live there (I dream!). It was beautifully chilly but sunny weather. Even with the daytime temperature hovering around 3 or 4 degrees C, a sunny spot on an outdoor cafe terrace could be found to enjoy a cup of Cafe au lait and some people watching.
We packed a lot in but never felt under pressure. If there is one thing that I would strongly recommend, it is to use the practically free 'Velib' bicycles. It's a fantastic system that allows you to see more that you ever would on the Metro, is much quicker than walking and allows you to feel a little bit Parisian for a few days as you cycle along with others doing their shopping or going to and from work. Do cycle along the St. Martin Canal on a Sunday (closed to vehicles all day) but maybe don't cycle up The Champs Elysees though like us - fast and free, but scary!
Posted by Jude
Girls, if you haven't been to Paris take note - dropping subtle hints to your other half over about 10 years will get you there!
Although to be fair, Brian and I had just never got around to 'doing' Paris. We have been to plenty of other European cities - Prague, Budapest, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid - but maybe thought that we would leave Paris for a special occasion. Well, my husband must have thought, why wait for a special occasion? Resulting in a very lovely Christmas morning surprise....
So, after much debate with myself over my carry on wardrobe we headed off in March. There are only 3 things to consider when packing for a sightseeing 4 days in Paris - 1. Comfort, 2. The Weather (it was Cold!) and most importantly, 3. How the heck am I going to look as chic and effortless as those Parisian ladies whilst also trying to stay warm and be comfortable?! I had to think more Converse trainers than Carrie Bradshaw.
As for our 4 days in the city, all I can say is that I have fallen in love with Paris as so many people said I would. I could easily live there (I dream!). It was beautifully chilly but sunny weather. Even with the daytime temperature hovering around 3 or 4 degrees C, a sunny spot on an outdoor cafe terrace could be found to enjoy a cup of Cafe au lait and some people watching.
We packed a lot in but never felt under pressure. If there is one thing that I would strongly recommend, it is to use the practically free 'Velib' bicycles. It's a fantastic system that allows you to see more that you ever would on the Metro, is much quicker than walking and allows you to feel a little bit Parisian for a few days as you cycle along with others doing their shopping or going to and from work. Do cycle along the St. Martin Canal on a Sunday (closed to vehicles all day) but maybe don't cycle up The Champs Elysees though like us - fast and free, but scary!
Posted by Jude
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