Photoplate

Cornish Delights

2010-02-16T16:20:00.020Z

Well, there has to be the first time so finally, here we go.

It's really great to be part of this group whose main scope is the furtherance of this extraordinary artistic medium. I've known Podge and Tom for quite some time now and it's nice to have Ken Sklute, another fantastic photographer join the group.

Podge, I really love your treatment of the sunset image and putting it into a triptych is the master stroke. Congrats also on your merits in the 16x20. I also managed to obtain 4, with one of them winning the Traditional Portrait Category.

Tom was also instrumental in the success of this convention and thanks also to him for putting up this blog.

After the Convention, five of us Maltese guys drove down to Cornwall and spent 3 days in a cottage, shooting the fabulous landscape of this extraordinary coastline. So I thought I'd post a few for a start.

"Just Fooling Around"

2010-02-06T08:04:00.007Z

I have had this image for a good while now.

And did nothing with it, the other night

just sitting her playing on my laptop

Or as I said "Just Fooling Around"

I came up with this....just a bit of fun

I have the before and afters here just so you can see how it went.

Hope you like it.....Podge

SWPP Conevention London 2010

2010-01-29T09:53:00.006Z

Hi Guys and Gals

As Tom has already said we were all at the

SWPP convention in London...what a great Buzz that was.

Anyway I was very luck and got 3 merits for my print entry

so here they are.

I took these on a trip to Malta as you night have noticed as I posted

some from that trip already...but these 3 got me my Merits in the International

20 x 16 Print Competition....they are very special .

Hope you like them.....Podge

Tom Lee - Photographic Success

2010-01-22T21:12:00.007Z

January 2010 saw Europe's largest seminar led photographic convention in London, with over 12500 visitors, 150 international speakers and over 140 trade stands, culminating in a glitzy black tie Awards Dinner and Presentation.
It's with great pride that we can say that Ken, Podge, Joe and myself took a major part in the event with Print Judging, Masterclasses and Superclasses throughout the 6 day event. I even had some success in competition myself with my merited images shown below:

'The Boatyard' - A monochrome image depicting an area of the decaying film set from the motion picture 'Popeye'. A less than successful movie filmed on the island of Malta, starring the American actor Robin Williams.

'The Sword and the Flower' - A mythical depiction emphasising the relationship between beauty and power, often portrayed in the sagas of the Valkyrie.

'Ellena' - A simple but beautiful study of a one month old baby. This was my crowning glory and achieved best in category of Children and Babies. The baby was lit with a single softbox umbrella.

Snapshot of Asia

2009-11-12T19:17:00.018Z

After a trip of almost 6000 miles, venturing to the far east is a heck of a journey I can tell you.
Gathering stock photos for various projects along the way was exciting but very tiring. Fly to Beijing and take in the Great Wall at Juyongguan before leaving for Shanghai and the world heritage site of Souzho.

Souzho world heritage site, Pedicab and Humble Administrators Garden

Leaving China for Okinawa in Japan to visit the underground Naval headquarters and Peace Park was immensely interesting as I have a keen interest in WWII.
From Japan to Taipei where numerous temples and Chang Kai Chek's memorial park were highlights.

Chang Kai Chek's Memorial Gardens and Prayer reading at one of the many city temples

From here we hopped over to my favourite stop - Hong Kong over several days is a must.

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong Island by day and night

Vietnam was a total culture shock and I'm not sure I was ready for the sights that greeted me. Singapore was a short stay but we still got to Raffles Hotel and yes Karen (my wife) did indulge in a Singapore Sling - but only one.

A quiet day in Vietnamese traffic, chop shop Saigon, Ponagar Temple, silk embroidery and finished work

Last stop was Bangkok and the Golden Palace which was awe inspiring. I'm glad I did it but I'm pretty well cleaned out for now. Nest trip will be into next year I think, when I've paid the bill for this one!

Monks at the Golden Palace and River life in Bangkok

My Firs Post

2009-10-01T10:35:00.010+01:00

Hi Everyone

My name is Podge I am part of the group...My First time to blog.

As you may have seen, My friend Tom put up some images of a shoot we did in his Studio

with his projection machine..it was a blast and you can see the results...great idea

and gives you the photographer endless choices for shooting...Thanks Tom..great day shooting.

So here are just some other images I have taken over the last couple of Months..

I hope you enjoy..and see you here again soon.

Podge

Charlotte pics by Podge Kelly

2009-09-29T20:27:00.007+01:00

Podge Kelly took some great pics of Charlotte and her friend Gemma using our new Virtual Backgrounds Scene Machine - enjoy

Liverpool Waterfront

2009-08-06T21:50:00.008+01:00

The image above is world famous, but the waterfront is changing and new structures are springing up all around the group of buildings collectively known as The Three Graces. These are (left to right) - The Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.
I was showing my good friend Podge Kelly around my local area on a recent visit, and decided to take him on a trip on the equally famous Mersey Ferry. Weather was windy, squally and very wet but like brave souls we ventured out across the water. I hadn't taken any photos recently and thought it was about time I updated my archive.
The original photo is shown below before retouching and converting to monochrome.

Hilbre Island Expedition

2009-07-16T23:09:00.012+01:00

Tuesday 14th July saw an intrepid band of explorers venture out accross the Wirral sands from West Kirby to the nearby Island of Hilbre on the Wirral. Having one of the world's greatest beauty spots on your doorstep is a great bonus, but useless when you ignore it because you can visit it at any time....

Tom Lee, Podge Kelly, Mike McNamee and John Ashton ventured out to re-aquaint themselves with the natural beauty of the local nature reserve havng not given it due consideration for some time.

The images contained in this post is a small selection of our photography and will be added to in future posts...enjoy.

Member Profile - Tom Lee

2009-06-03T09:15:00.002+01:00

Although Tom is recognised for his expertise in digital image capture and also for his storybook style of wedding albums, this site concentrates on the artistic side of this UK based international photographer. The standard of Artistry and quality of printing means that clients are expected to pay a high premium for his work.

"The vitality and insight captured via the use of light and shadow in his work provide a unique view that can stand side by side with the best. His work holds beauty, grace, authority and influence for us all to experience."
- Jonathan Brooks MPhotog (USA), FSWPP -

Tom has a global reputation having given many seminars in the UK and abroad and writing extensively for the SWPP magazine Professional ImageMaker. He was awarded Fellowship of the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) in 2002 and made Vice President in the same year. Continuing in the role of Senior Strategic Advisor, he received an award for his outstanding contribution to the photographic industry in 2007 and also became a Craftsmen of the Society in the same year. Tom is also a member of NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals), GPA (Guild of Photographic Artists), PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). His success in open print competition and twice holder of the annual album competition over the years, is testament to his standing among the best in the world.

Tom has also authored several books including 'Art in Focus', ‘Digital Capture and Workflow for Professional Photographers’, and has co-authored a book with renowned American photographer Norman Phillips, 'Lighting and Posing Techniques for Photographing Women'.

Malta Trip

2009-06-03T08:29:00.000+01:00

Ever wonder what some of us looked like...
Left to right, Tim (guest), Clara (model), Joe (cool dude), Chantalle (model), Tom (on my knees again), Podge (the big fella).
It was hard work but a lot of fun. Tom publishes his own books under the 'Maltese Lion Publications' banner and the girls' portfolios can be viewed by visiting the Gallery page of Toms personal website (use link on the right)

All photos were taken on location in Malta.

The Boatyard

2009-06-02T11:32:00.000+01:00

Yes, we're under way....
This is the latest offering from Tom - it was taken in Malta a few weeks ago and has been treated with many layers of Photoshop and specialist plug-ins.

"I've recently rediscovered my love of the Black and White images and added this sample to my collection. Malta is a beautiful island and needs to be visited before the EU get there hands into it..."