Harder Then It Looks

Needed to get my photo mojo back so went into Center City today for a street photography wander. I set myself one rule, only being allowed shoot from the hip. At no time could I put the camera to my eye. Ended up being harder then I thought, trying to slow and stop while taking sneaky pics of people, trying to judge the angle, distance etc while not looking at people.

But I'm going to keep at it. I need to try and just stop for a second, fire a shot then keep walking like I never stopped without thinking it over too much.

Sixers!

Been a while since I've posted anything so here we go! Some shots from a Sixers game we went to a few weeks back. Never really liked basketball but after actually being there and watching it I have to say it was pretty good. Not as good as baseball though! And football is still rubbish haha.

Mary and David's Wedding

So Mary and David Cost were nice enough to ask me to photograph their wedding after seeing an ad I put on craigslist. Just want to say thanks to them for taking a chance on me and calling me after they got the pictures to say how happy they were with them. Was very much appreciated.

Face of a Legend

Went to an irish pub here in Philadelphia, called Slainte. I was going down to meet a Belfast boxing team who are over here for the Irish weekend in Wildwood in NJ. I was told about this by a photographer over here, Tom Keenan, who also teaches photography here. Lovely, lovely guy.

Got there, was chatting to some of the guys when all of a sudden I heard "Joe is here".

Turns out it was JOE FRAZIER.

He was great, posing for pictures for everyone and shouting "Who let the dogs out!" and barking during every one of them. Was great to see such a legend not taking himself too seriously. Even got punched in the stomach by him when I got my picture with him.

Great evening.

P.S: I went a bit overboard on the post work on this shot but...it's Joe Frazier, a legend. I might put up a less processed version soon. Wish it was a little sharper as well.

The Waterfront

Went down to the waterfront last week for a tour around a new casino that's opening in Philadelphia. Table games are only just recently been legalised here in Philadelphia so casino's could be the new leaders for employment perhaps. The one I went to, Sugar House, will employ over 800 people when it opens it's doors on thursday I believe it is.

Around the back though I saw all these birds relaxing and although it's kind of hard to see, I really liked the rays of sunlight coming through the clouds overhead.

The Jack Dillman Band

First time shooting a band since I got over and it was the really very good Jack Dillman Band. Shot them out in Lancaster, which I was happy to see was amish country. Who doesn't love the amish. But no, Harrison Ford was not hanging around.

Cajun Baby

Had a chance the other week to visit a new Cajun place in Queen Village. Catahoula Bar and Restaurant was my first taste of cajun food and it was realllll good. Especially the duck which was ridiculously good.

Walt Whitman Bridge

Coming back to Philly from Jersey over the Walt Whitman Bridge one evening.

Is it a bird.......

Just going through some shots from the other day and noticed this fella.

More from Philly

One thing I've noticed about photographing Philadelphia is the light. The light here is beautiful. A lot of the shots I'm taking look really post processed when in fact it's just a little bit of contrast. I'm not normally one for taking shots of buildings and architecture but when the buildings are as big as they are here, and look as they do, how can you not?

Tony Jones

Tony Jones. I met him over a pint of Guinness in a bar called McGuillicuddys. An extraordinarily nice guy, and well travelled all over europe, playing jazz. Fascinating man.

Everything is bigger....

Everything here in the States is bigger. Whether it's the buildings, cars, portions or the smallest size cap they had, that I bought, which is too big for even my giant head. Everything here is bigger.

Wandering

After feeling awful with a lovely case of jet lag (my first time ever too), I decided to get out and explore Philly. I walked, a lot. It was a trip to try and get my bearings really and get an idea of the size of the city and figure out how the streets work here etc.

Met some cool people, like the artist (who's name I forget) who let me take his portrait after a few beers in Tattooed Mom's. I definitely think I'm going to enjoy Philly. A lot.

First shot from Philadelphia

Right so. I am now officially in Philadelphia and it is hot! Like really freakin hot. And the airline decided it was a great idea to put my bag on a later plane. Geniuses. But now I have my stuff and so here is the very first pic from Philly. Taken on the drive from the airport. Shot at 800 iso so it's fairly grainy but there ya go.

Aslan

Went up to Leopardstown last night for the Bulmers Fest concerts they put on every year. This week it was Aslan playing. I've shot quite a few of their shows so it was good to be able to get one last one in before I head to Philadelphia (three weeks and counting). Just a small bunch of the pics, I might put more up again later.

Powerscourt

Been a while since I posted anything. But today went up to Powerscourt and took some shots around the waterfall. I'm heading to America in three weeks for a year (hopefully more, but that'll depend on visa's etc etc) so I'll be shooting like crazy over there. Can't wait. But for now, a shot from today.

500 Photographers

Just thought I'd put this up as it's a great idea. Run by a photographer named Pieter Weisse, 500 Photographers is a blog wherein Peter will be posting 5 photographers, a brief description of their work and they themselves and a sample of their work per week. Also included is usually a video on the photographer or specific work and a link to their site. Check it out.

500 Photographers

Portrait Photography

Two portraits. The first was shot in studio and then post processed to give a look similar to Dragan's work. His work is post processed quite heavily but I've always liked it, having an almost film still quality to it.

The second is a portrait taken of english model Kitty, in Cork. I always loved the lines of her arms and legs, the positioning of her hands and feet. The quality isn't great as I've had to rob the image from my Flickr due to losing all the original images. Lesson being back up, back up, back up everything. But you live and learn...

Some images from a past project, taken in Bridgestone Muay Thai Club in Stoney Batter, Dublin. They were black and white before but have been re-done using Nik Silverefex Pro.

Music

One of the first areas of photography I got into after leaving school was music photography. My first ever gig being a disaster (shot on film whilst not knowing that there were different film speeds etc on an old family camera) didn't deter me and I kept at it moving to little digital cameras. After blagging my first photo pass for A Blind Guardian gig in Dublin I took out a student loan and got my Canon 20D and 50mm f/1.8, which I still use today.

Since then I've taken shots of bands such as Chris Cornell, Aslan, The Blizzards, Republic of Loose, Rise Against Juliette and the Licks, Vader, Deicide, Opeth and many others.

Just thought I'd put up a couple of my music shots, including one of Ozzy Osbourne, though unfortunately not in concert. The other three are of Rise Against, Boss Volenti and Republic of Loose.

Current Project Update

Went out this evening and got two more portraits for my project (which is detailed in a previous post just below). Decided to put them up now as I'm really happy with them. Along with a house that is right near myself. A nice little house except that all the windows and doors are bricked up.