Well bloody hell, a week has just flown by, I have been meaning to update with you guys but time got the better of me.

I have been trying to sell a motorcycle to buy a car and am a bit disappointed that it hasn't gone yet. Getting older is not conducive to pre dawn rides to the coast to make sunrise photographs, throwing my gear in a car with climate control and heading off seems a much more sensible proposition. I have also been toying with the idea that I could take a few people to shoot and help them out with techniques etc, obviously there would be a small fee for this but hey, you get to go to an amazing scene with a group of like minded people and make photographs you won't get laying in bed. Sound good? If you think so get in touch.

I have been getting a few more interested parties for "The Collectors" series, Jon Newey was up first and photographed on Monday. I told my tale of woe and failing kit last time. This time it went much better and my Lencarta performed perfectly.....

The next day (Tuesday) I was very pleased it was warm and headed off to Southend to meet Soloman Kaine, a beat producer and generally creative guy. He was a pleasure to meet and photograph, also came up with a great suggestion which I will talk about another time. I haven't finished editing the shots of Soloman yet so not settled on the final just yet, here is one I like from the shoot...

I will be running through the rest in a bit so may post the final choice somewhere in the near future.

Last time I said I was going to tell you about an interesting project I have found myself involved with. A friend suggested that I was approached as a reference for a screen play being written. Lamiya, who is producing this work is wondering whether glaucoma is hereditary. Two of her family have suffered from this affliction which ultimately results in blindness. She thought about which areas rely on sight and who would probably struggle the most with loosing theirs, deciding eventually to have her main character be a young photographer. Now I am not so young any more, but my friend suggested me as she thinks I am a "great photographer" (her words, not mine but hey gotta love that!). I agreed and so she could get an idea of the process Lamiya booked a portrait session with me. I am not sure she really knew what she was getting into and had a slight look of overwhelmed bewilderment as I started to explain apperture stops, shutter speeds and iso, rangefinders, dslr's, medium format and view cameras. Hahaha, maybe I threw too much at her to start with, I have thought more about it and will hopefully tailor the information in a more selective way for her needs. Her character, after all only needs to be believable and sound correct, she doesn't need to know everything to make this happen.

It is surprising how much knowledge on a subject one takes for granted until trying to explain to someone else. thinking about this makes me wonder why people are so reluctant to recognise that as a pro photographer we have learned a trade much like a plumber or a mechanic. Nobody questions paying for their learned knowledge and services, why then does it seem different for photographers? Does anybody ever think because they have a good set of tools they must be an expert at something, like buying an expensive dslr and thinking you can make great photographs. I don't need expensive kit to make great photographs, I have knowledge of light and understanding of technique and process that has been learned and practised as I continually strive toward perfection. I don't think I will ever feel I have perfected my photography but that is what drives me to keep pushing, experimenting and learning. When you are thinking is it worth getting a photographer, the answer is invariably yes if you want a good result. Be sure to check before you book, make sure the photographer you are thinking about can produce consistent work, ask for references or read the testimonials on their website, just like every trade some are better than others, some are more talk than substance and styles vary. Find one you like and you won't ever regret it, we are a generally good bunch, enthusiastic about what we do and the subjects we photograph.

I am sorry, this has gone on a bit and is a touch text heavy again, to finish on a brighter note, here is a shot I have had in mind for a couple of years, finally got around to getting over to shoot it, I hope you enjoy.....

One last thing, I have been toying with the idea of doing some markets this summer for my landscapes, any feed back would be appreciated.

As ever please spread the word, if you need anything photographing or wish to order any of my prints please  feel free to get in touch. In the mean time just share and don't forget to follow......

Here we are at the start of another week. It would appear that spring is finally getting a toe in the door and with the clocks changing we have longer evening light. I have begun to think about a book of black and white landscape shots, having more time to travel before sunset will only aid this I am sure. I hope to make a few more like these....

If you like these then feel free to contact me to make orders for original prints duncan@duncan-photo.com.

I had a minor setback on Thursday which was a little embarrassing to say the least. I had a portrait shoot lined up for my series "The Collectors", the shoot was in Battersea. I had checked my gear and it all seemed ok, generator pack charged, radio triggers all set and camera just fine. As I pulled up outside the location there was a pop, the electrics had gone on my Motorcycle, it was still running and I had a headlight but nothing else. Well accepting that the ride home in the dark wasn't going to be much fun I got the kit off the bike and knocked on the door. I was greeted by Jon, the subject of the portrait and began to enjoy a conversation about rare Jazz vinyl (not an area I know much about), Jon's enthusiasm and incredible knowledge for this genre is amazing. One thing I have found during this project is the fantastic passion of the people I am photographing for their collections and music. Jon has a great look and air about him so I knew it was going to be a good shoot and the result would be another  great portrait for my series. Imagine then my horror, I set the lights up, plugged them into the power-pack and nothing. Only the sound of a malfunction. Only having limited space on my bike and had no back up, I could not have been more embarrassed. Jon however was very understanding, we made a shot using a table lamp which gave an idea of how this will look and it is rescheduled. I will hire a car for the next time and make sure I have back up, lesson learned! 

I have prepared one of my motorcycles for sale, hopefully I will get enough to look at getting a car, that will make life a lot easier. 

I had a shoot on Friday for a portrait, there is a bit more to this story but I will have to tell you tomorrow as I have to get busy working on photographs, deadlines :-)

Remember to spread the word, get in touch if you need a photographer and most importantly have fun... 

I hope that all of you reading this from the UK had an enjoyable (although chilly) Easter weekend. My folks came to stay so it was a great chance to see them and spend some time together. My Dad is a keen photographer and I always try and encourage him to learn. He has been known to test my patience on occasion but I will not give up, he will make better photographs! 

With this in mind we walked right to the middle of Richmond Park and set up by the ponds for the sunset, the sunset wasn't very good but we got enough for me to demonstrate a bit of post production technique. All in all we walked over 10Km half of that in darkness, that is probably more time than I have spent with the old man without being in the pub since I turned 18. I am not going to post the shots as, like I said the conditions weren't great, however I know more about the ponds now and will look to return when the weather suits a great shot.

I have been picking up some work on the south coast, Worthing to be exact so have been up and down the A24 on my bike. I haven't had a chance to be on the beach at sunset ye but am sure the opportunity will arise and I will get some beautiful beach sunset shots for the collection. 

I have finally found out what was wrong with my darling Aprilia, a bloody loose cable. Months of head scratching, swearing and general expense to find a cable disconnected.  Well on the bright side it is fixed and can now be readied for sale. My GSXR has to go too, it has become a choice between a bike and a car,at the moment a car is a more practical option. What carrying kit etc and if I am going to be back and forth to the coast then it is a no brainer.

Teaching my Dad about landscape photography and looking at getting a car has given me an idea. I like to get out and away from it all, ever since tennis elbow stopped me fishing I have found myself increasingly making landscape photographs. Searching for the location, researching the light and walking off to the right spot gives me time to reflect and enjoy being relaxed. Now with a car in mind I have been thinking that maybe I could teach small groups of enthusiastic photographers some of the techniques I have learn't. One thing at a time though, can't go advertising that and then trying to carry 4 people and their kit on my motorbike.

I am sorry this is a text heavy blog on what I try to keep mostly image filled but finally go and check this out http://www.theridersdigest.co.uk/mag_pdf/TRD177.pdf , it is the latest edition of The Riders Digest magazine (it is free to download) featuring an article about my trip to last years TT. Being primarily a portrait photographer I set about making portraits of people that I met at the TT. The Isle of Man TT is world famous but it would not be the event it is if it weren't for the wonderful people that come and make it so. Take a minute and have a look, I loved the shots I made and all the characters within them, I hope you do too.