Architectural Fictions

The current exhibition at South Hill Park, Architectural Fictions, features some stunning photography, especially those taken in tunnels underground which are lit to perfection. Talking to a visitor while invigilating last week (who self-admittedly knew little about taking photographs), she was fascinated by the compositions created and how the eye is drawn around a scene. Have encouraged her to look into Bracknell and Wokingham College's City and Guilds photography course as it's an excellent starting point as she is keen to learn more. A visit to the gallery to view this exhibition is, naturally, thoroughly recommended!

Naming Day

My first Naming Day was a lovely experience. It was a very relaxed ceremony, taking place outdoors, which meant that the little guys could run about and go in the playhouse oblivious to the proceedings! The rain held off too but I'd brought my studio lighting kit with me, just in case - I'm British, I carry a brolly, but as a photographer, it's a different kind of brolly required on such an occasion! Got some lovely photographs of the event, as everyone was relaxed it really shines through. I do need to find a way to photograph children on the new style trampoline though (with the sides) - short of going in with them (a camera disaster waiting to happen...?!) you can only really take photos through the mesh, which is an interesting effect but I need another trick!

19 May: At Play at South Hill Park

Giant pink fluffy chairs, life-sized marionettes and playhouses made of tin - all part of South Hill Park's At Play exhibition, which I was asked to photograph. I work in the gallery once a week as an invigilator, but it was fantastic to have the opportunity to photograph this fun exhibition (on until 20 June) in this wonderful space. Got some great panning shots using the tripod too, which is a technique I've not really used since my photography studies many years ago (in the pre-digital age!).

1 May: she shoots, she scores!

Come on the Hop Leaf! A great shoot (!) today of the Hop Leaf FC at their home ground in Reading. Following the obligatory team photo, was fully telephotoed up to take some action shots of the game. Two of my photography worlds merged when a dog ran on the pitch 10 minutes before the end of the first half! I clocked it, the ref didn't!

15 April: To bee or not to bee

A very sleepy bumble bee found his way into our kitchen today, managing to avoid being trodden on by me or being eaten by the dog (thankfully). Taking him out to replenish himself on the hyacinths in full bloom, he looked like he'd had a few too many! Due to his dozy state of mind was able to get some great close-ups without the fear of a bee in the face. He crawled over rocks looking for his next drink of nectar, drunk and drunk and drunk...then, after about half an hour he looked fully revived and happily flew away.

7 April: Family Portraits

Family portraits for an old school friend.

How do you get a three year old to pose for photos? Ask him to do the opposite of what you want! "Don't cuddle your brother, don't smile, don't hold the dog..." His mum's brilliant idea to get him to cooperate. He then got really into the photo session, jumping on cushions, dancing about, drawing on the backdrop (with my full permission!), having a great time! As it turned out, Mum was really pleased with the photos of him and his brother drawing together on the backdrop. As it's a paper roll I'd cut the end off anyway at the end of the session, so allowing him to draw on the biggest sheet of paper ever was pretty exciting stuff!

The threat of being tickled by the proper feather duster also helped! I picked this up at a jumble sale and it's a really pretty object with jewel-coloured feathers (that's my excuse for not using it to dust...). It's a good trick I learnt from a tog forum.

Was a great, fun session overall with everyone being relaxed and smiling - and enjoying the tea and cakes afterwards as we had a proper catch up.

1 April: The residents of the National Seal Sanctuary, Cornwall relished posing for photos. Yawning on command was particularly useful! Trouser (our dog) was communicating to them in a very special seal lion to furry seal lion manner.

The Sanctuary is a very accessible place - you can get really close to the creatures, unlike an aquarium, which is a real boon for photography. You can take dogs there too, unlike the majority of places. The staff are honest and explained that, by not registering for charitable status, the Sanctuary has complete control over the finances, rather than being directed by, er, directors. It's just a shame it's 5 hours from here...