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Durham Wildlife Trust’s Rainton Meadows

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Outdoor shoots like this are so enjoyable when the sun shines as it did this day! I was invited to Rainton Meadows, part of Durham Wildlife Trust to capture photography of their nature reserve facilities and portraits of their volunteers. The imagery was to use for their marketing material designed by local design agency Intimation Creative, to attract more people to visit the local nature reserve.

The birds conveniently flocked to the sky whilst shooting the bird hide, disturbed by my venture into the marshes. The autumnal sun was low and striking, with light bouncing everywhere so there were some excellent photo opportunities for high contrast silhouettes and reflections.

The smiley happy volunteers were clearing the pond area of vast amounts of rushes and were happy to stop to have portraits taken for the “My Wildlife’ poster campaign that features strong photography of the people who make the Durham Wildlife Trust such a great place to visit. The sunlight was challenging as I used it to light my subjects and inevitably it caused people to squint, however pointing my camera in this direction away from the sun gave me the most fantastic rich blue sky backdrop. A handful of the shots from the day are below and I am sure you will see more rolled out across the website and at the Rainton Meadows and High Barns centres.

To visit a Wildlife Trust near you, visit http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/ to find out more.

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The All Seeing Eye, Fluid Group Newcastle

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The All Seeing Eye opened two weeks ago by owner Oliver Vaulkhard of Fluid group in Newcastle. Heineken’s Star Pubs and Bars have invested in the refurbishment of what was The Blackie Boy’s rarely used function room upstairs. The historic features have been exposed with the roofs rafter’s, rustic red brickwork and 30’s satined glass windows creating a cool New York feel together with ornate Moroccan tables and velvet furnishings adding a laid back vibe.

The brief was to capture PR portraits of Manager Dave Walker and his staff along with photography of the bar interior design showcasing the large atrium, the light features and the relaxed low ceiling snug area. The lighting and colours created dramatic compositions perfect for PR & marketing photography for todays Journal to promote this fantastic new late night bar in Newcastle city centre.

The article is in today’s Journal on this link http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/popular-pubs-receive-240000-makeover-7120118

The all Seeing Eye Newcastle BarASE Newcastle 016ASE Newcastle 022All Seeing Eye Newcastle Fluid Bar

Arlo Cafe Bistro’s Food & Family

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I LOVE ARLO! The food is tremendous the staff are just gorgeous and the place is run by one of the nicest families you’d hope to meet. Susan & Lucas are perfect hosts and the kids Otis, Lola, Arlo and Luna (a cool 4 letter theme) are often in there munching on the cakes looking super edible themselves.

The photography brief was to capture food, staff and family in a two hour window so luckily my experience in 2 of my specialist areas, food and portraits made it thorough yet enjoyable. I was shooting the kids (people often snigger when I use this term- but you know what I mean..) whilst the chef whipped up the new international menu.

The food photography was executed on the wooden tables in the cafe and I used a mixture of natural blue toned light to highlight the clarity of the food & with the warm glow of tungsten light in the back ground. For any budding food photographers, use a macro lens and a shallow depth of field for food photography. You dont need it all in focus, just the tasty bits and be prepared to work fast to get the freshest look.

The staff portraits were shot as the team worked which created a lovely informality with lots of fun expressions and movement. They then cleaned up then chowed down for a low key meal & meeting coupled with a predatory photographer. They seemed game (thanks Dan)! For more images taken of family & staff, or just to check out the food menu check out their site on this live link http://arlojesmond.com/category/general/

arlo's bistro cafe jesmond food photographyArlo & family

arlo's staff portrait photography in jesmond bistro newcastle
arlo cafe bistro staff photos copy

EXTWENTYFIVE Digital at Newcastle College

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Late last year a fantastic exhibition celebrating the work of alumni from the past 25 years was held at Newcastle college. It showcased ex students who have been successful in their careers using digital design mediums including animation, advertising, graphic communication, fashion & photography and I was really chuffed to be part of it.

It was incredible going back there as it hadn’t changed since I was last there is 1991, (yep I only just qualified for the 25 year period… yikes!) The work I chose to exhibit was creative, atmospheric and colourful.

Myself, ex colleagues and many old friends were part of this exhibition so it was particularly exciting. One of my longest friends (note careful not to say ‘oldest’) who exhibited is school friend Helen Lyon. We have been best pals for a quarter of a century!

Helen graduated from Middlesex Uni in Communication Design, worked in agencies, taught in higher education then later set up studio HB over a decade ago. Her company specialises in environmental graphic design and has worked with, amongst others, The Science Museum, The British Museum and The Natural History Museum in London.

Helen & I often work together on projects and studio HB recently commissioned me for shots of her graphic panels at ‘David Bowie is’ at the V&A (featured in EXTWENTYFIVE) and the Olympic Journey at The Royal Opera House. We also created some relaxed portraiture for her new brand website. Helen’s design portfolio can be viewed on this live link http://www.studiohb.co.uk

sarah deane photographic at ex25 newcastle college exhibition 2013

 

ex25 exhibition at newcastle college 2013 with studio hb helen lyon studio hb at ex25 exhibition newcastle college

Irwin Mitchell’s Office Views

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You may remember seeing my smiley happy shots of Irwin Mitchell’s Xmas do at the People’s Theatre last year. This year the event was held at their brand new offices as they boast amazing views across Newcastle and they wanted to share it with their clients.

The views from their Gallowgate premises are absolutely spectacular and so I headed down as the sun set during the ‘magic hour’ when the sky is a piercing blue but low enough to see twinkling city lights. It was possible to spot favourite landmarks and buildings across the city centre and across to the Tyne Valley and beyond. The guests were in for a treat!

irwin mitchel xmas 2013 eventirwin mitchell xmas clienty event & new offices