Creative Boom...

Creative Boom Reading are a regional online magazine about the creative industries in Reading and the surrounding areas.  They cover everything from fashion, film, gaming, photography and art and design, animation and marketing. The site is managed by Creative Boom - its parent and national magazine, designed to celebrate, inspire and support the creative industries.  In partnership with jammmedia (a quite awesome design studio - great site) who are a young, energetic creative studio based in Reading.

The lovely Lucy from Creative Boom wrote to me last week and asked if she could do a quick feature on her site about some of my images.  Of course I obliged and having no clue about which images are being chosen or what has been said I await nervously until Monday morning (around midday) when the feature goes live.  

To check out the site (which is fab I must say!) then poke the page here.

Corp-ly does it....

Dug some of the files out and as mentioned, came across some of mine and my clients favourite corporate images.......I think all of these images show action and also capture the atmosphere of the event. Even though the top and bottom one's are still life I still think they manage to show the 'type' of event that it was and also give a nice overview of the VIP and corporate side that needed promoting.

Normally when I speak to corporate clients they want images that really speak volumes about the event or project. So not only the acts that may perform, the guests collecting their awards and the sponsors, but also the people enjoying themselves, the little details that make it extra ordinary and the values & 'feel' that are being promoted in relation to the venue or client on the evening.

Funnily enough, the boys always like the K Jenkins one!!!

Childhood memories with Louis de Gama....

If you have not yet heard of Louis de Gama then I strongly recommend you visit his website and sample some of the beautiful garments he has designed.

His latest Autumn Winter 09 collection is full of lace, ruffles and layers and reminds me of playful games of 'Tea and Biscuits' as a child or the gentle fingering of the intricate fabric which adorned my grandmothers dressing table. Memories are childish but beautiful, careful and emotional and all of this from just looking at images of the garments - not even having felt the soft fabrics or feminine frills. Sentimental but totally delicious - check them out here.

(Pictures courtest of www.louisdegama.com)

"A sensual & user friendly experience...."

......It says that on the box......and does it fulfill.......oh yes!!

Having brought a graphics tablet this weekend I have fully adapted already and I am a total convert!  Although yes it takes a little getting used to there are an endless number of programable functions, the pen can be as sensitive as require it and in terms of editing....well it just feels natural!  I am editing pictures better, quicker and more efficiently.  It really is a great start to the week!  Yes I am sad and yes, this excites me!  So what tablet did I get, how much was it and a few FAQs for those digital artists or photographers that may be looking at their options.....

WACOM Intuos 3 A5 Tablet

• Cost: £229.00
  
• Colour: Grey
  
• Size: 345 x 262 x 113mm with an active area of 203 x  152mm.
  
• Pressure sensitivity: 1,024 levels
  
• Connection: USB
  
• Comes with: Pen with loads of nibs (very impressed!)  / board / mouse / cable / Pen Stand / Install CD and if you need it Coral Painter Essential  

First Impression?

Ahhhhhh - I think I am in love.  Its so lovely and shiny.  Would prefer it in black but hey, nothing is perfect!  (Apart from possibly the Mac Book Pro!)

Easy to use?

Initially if you are used to using a mouse it will take a while to get the feel for the pen and the way it reacts with your movements and your computer.  It is very intuitive and sensitive and once you have spent an hour or two navigating around Photo Shop or Illustrator and the rest of your computer and apps you will wander how you lived without it.  It also has programmable function buttons down the side which is great, i find these work well when swapping from app to app.

Did it really speed up editing time?

YES!  I can honestly say in the last few days I have been far more efficent in editing.  The clone tool in PS3 reacts as it should, the pressure sensitivity of the pen offering far better control and manipulation than a mouse or the track pad.  It is quick to jump across tools and alongside all the key shortcuts my Mac works as it should do and work just gets done.  Plus it feels good while I do it.  Editing can be really boring especially if you have batches of things and this just speeds it up, makes you more productive & above all, brings a little fun back!

Own a graphics tablet?  Want to review it or let me know what you think?  Got other tips and tricks for Photoshop or editing photographs that you want to share with readers?  Get in touch - carli@carli-art.co.uk

Knowing me knowing you...

The Fat Mix evening promised good music and a vibe to part to, well it did just that! Although there to take pictures I was also in a social mood & thought a bit of getting to know your peers and so forth was in order.  Plus I was enjoying my stripy blue top (straight from my sis's wardrobe!!) and thought it deserved a shimmy on the dance-floor.

The evening saw DJ Chef (Lets Move Forward Productions) VS Run DJ's, both giving excellent performances and ensuring there was some booty shaking and foot tapping on the dance floor.  

The event was @ The Blag Club in London, Russell Gardens and although not the best sound system in the world it was a quirky setting which apart from the issues I had with the sheer amount of red in the images, was an interesting venue to get some images.  It was a Asian style venue with lots of big comfy seating, incense and real thick wooden tables.  The highlight of the evening I have to say was the live percussion, the bongo dude and the saxophonist.  Both excellent performers and really added a special touch to the evening.   One other thing I saw and like lots, was the gold dress being sported by a lovely lady called Vicky, suited her down to the ground & teamed with some wet look leggings and nice shoes, the gal pulled off the bling dress with pure style!!

See the pics @ www.carli-art.co.uk/login - FATMIXRUN gallery.

Look what I found....

Ok some (many) of you may know about this place already but today I stumbled across a great blog - http://www.fashionphotographyblog.com/

They have a section where you can submit your images to be 'shot of the week' & they have some amazing advise on the sight about everything from prepping for a shoot, getting an agent or representative and maintaining a good relationship with them, right to the piece I was particularly interested in, Exhibiting your work.  I plan on doing an exhibition towards the end of the year, maybe around August sometime so this article was of particular interest and focussed on some things like paper for printing and PR that I otherwise would not have thought about.  Also it has reminded me that I need a book.  Ok every photographer needs a portfolio but since Uni I haven't really had a printed portfolio as I have relied on my website as a reference for clients.  With my new ambition of doing a fashion shoot every 3 months I have come to realize that yes, I really do need a book.  After my next shoot I am looking to hopefully get on an board with an Agent so not only has this blog given me a kick up the backside and a positive reminder that yes I need to do this and my money would be well spent doing it, I have picked up  some great tips on getting started.  Check it out.