Strobist

A Sunset Serenade: Capturing Sharon Stacey at Winscar Reservoir

There’s an undeniable magic that happens when the universe conspires to bring together elements of raw nature, an artist’s passion, and the fleeting beauty of a setting sun. On the 19th of July, 2023, I had the pleasure of photographing the incredibly talented Sharon Stacey, as she serenaded the setting sun at Winscar Reservoir. Setting …

A Sunset Serenade: Capturing Sharon Stacey at Winscar Reservoir Read More »

10 Must-Have Accessories for Your Photography Kit

Building a well-equipped photography kit is essential for capturing stunning images. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, having the right equipment can make a significant difference in the quality of your photographs. In this article, we’ll explore 10 must-have photography equipment items and discuss why they are crucial for every photographer. Let’s dive …

10 Must-Have Accessories for Your Photography Kit Read More »

Tips for Capturing Authentic Headshots

Why do we need headshots… Corporate headshots are essential for showcasing the professionals behind and working in a company and creating a positive first impression – usually on the About us page of your website and on professional networking sites. However, traditional headshots often lack authenticity and fail to reflect the true personality of the …

Tips for Capturing Authentic Headshots Read More »

The Sharon Stacy’s 90’s Club Hit Band

90’s House and Rave Music! I was a student in Manchester in the early nineties and a regular at Raves and house music clubs, like:- The state, The Hacienda Sankey’s soap. The boardwalk, The Limit. Home …and many, many others I can’t remember the name of around the Manchester area.  So when my friend, soul …

The Sharon Stacy’s 90’s Club Hit Band Read More »

How to Get Started as a Model – The Test Shoot

How do you get started in this industry? I’m sure you’ve seen some of the amazing photos gracing magazine covers and advertisements. You might even have a few friends who’ve modelled for various modelling sites and agencies. But what do you really need to know about getting started? The first step to getting started is …

How to Get Started as a Model – The Test Shoot Read More »

Lencarta Beauty Dish Test Shoot

I recently bought the “MOD048 | 60cm Folding Beauty Dish Silver Mk.2” as a small, portable light modifier. These are available (or will be when stock arrives) on their website (https://www.lencarta.com/all-products/light-shapers/studio-beauty-dishes) or if you’re in West Yorkshire, you can order on line and pick it up in Bradford, which is what I did. Couple of …

Lencarta Beauty Dish Test Shoot Read More »

Using the Godox AD600 on My First Post-Lockdown Model Photoshoot!

Back in Action with the Godox AD600: A Post-Lockdown Location Portrait Photography Session It’s been donkey’s years, but I finally got back behind the lens with my long-time collaborator and model, Andy Taylor Boocock. Picking a spot in Leeds was like choosing your favourite biscuit—difficult, but ultimately rewarding. So, I packed my Godox AD600 and …

Using the Godox AD600 on My First Post-Lockdown Model Photoshoot! Read More »

Wh0

DJ and production duo “Wh0” are a mysterious pair currently rocking the House dance floors around the UK – They’ve both been around in their regular DJ slots for years and have remixed some of the biggest acts around. So after a gig in Leeds a few weeks back, we met up at this amazing …

Wh0 Read More »

9 Affordable Gadgets To Transform Your Photography

Photography Kit Which Doesn’t Cost The Earth 1 – Angle Finder – £20 – £200 If you shoot low down, maybe for landscapes or createive atchitecture shots, so see through your camera, you’ll either have to lie fly on the floor or guess your compoisition. This is where your “angle finder” comes into play. It allows …

9 Affordable Gadgets To Transform Your Photography Read More »

Business Profile Shoot – Illiya the Presentation Designer

The Presentation Designer Illiya Vjestica is a great designer – a strong typographic presence, uses powerful images which leave the “message” in no doubt and also happens to be great bloke too. His business takes these skills to the art of “presentation” – he creates slides for people to transform how they present in pitches, talks and seminars. …

Business Profile Shoot – Illiya the Presentation Designer Read More »

Dr Lovelution

Joe Cusimano Founder of the Lovelution Movement, Joe Cusimano met for a shoot in Halifax – sheltering from the rain under a few of its viaducts! What is Lovelution… From his Viva La Lovelution Facebook page, Joe says… Join the Lovelution: Follow your Heart, Shine your Light,Seek the Truth and Reunite! This is YOUR revolution! …

Dr Lovelution Read More »

Team Shoot for Ardent – York City Centre

York based financial advisers, Ardent Financial Planning, are having a new website site and brand built by digital agency “Plump Digital” – Rob Colley invited McFade over to capture some great new shots of directors. Being a York based company, I was keen to create some images with York in the background – it’s a …

Team Shoot for Ardent – York City Centre Read More »

CREATIVE Shoot – Dancer Shante Liburd

Location, Lights & Action! Shooting with dancers is as creative as it gets – they spend hours training, perfecting moves and poses you can never get “normal” people to do. Spending the day with fellow lighting obsessive and photography trainer, Jayce Clarke, we took Shante and Daniella to an amazing derelict building to use the graffiti-rich …

CREATIVE Shoot – Dancer Shante Liburd Read More »

Sam’s Big Band!

[singlepic id=843 w=700 h= mode=web20 float=center] Band leader, arranger and sax supremo (is that bigging you up enough Sam ?? lol) asked for some shots of his big band – so we got everyone into an empty office in Leeds and started creating some shots. Herding cats and musicians is never easy, though it didn’t …

Sam’s Big Band! Read More »

BMX Madness

BMX Star Luke Gareth Gamble jumping over Ade on a wet day in Yeadon… . We’ll be putting on a workshop to show you how this is done… .look out for it in 2013, when it’s a bit warmer… And now here’s a gallery to enjoy [nggallery id=38]

Photographer Meets Celebrity Look Alikes in Leeds

Celebrity Look Alikes in Leeds [singlepic id=661 float=] Had the great pleasure of meeting and photographing:- David Beckham Mr T Austin Powers Simon Cowell Britney Spears Will Smith Or at least I thought I did! These were a great bunch of actors who make a career from looking like the actual celebrity – and it …

Photographer Meets Celebrity Look Alikes in Leeds Read More »

5 ESSENTIALS every photographer MUST know before using Off Camera Flash

Off Camera Flash Essentials Off camera flash is a popular technique at the moment, taking speedlite flashes off the camera, onto light stands and using radio transmitters to trigger them. It’s getting easier and cheaper – with budget brands bringing flash to the masses Technically, there and awful lot to understand to get fantastic results …

5 ESSENTIALS every photographer MUST know before using Off Camera Flash Read More »

McFade Edits.. Phil Gledhill’s “Sam” shot

As part of the Lightroom 4 exploration, we’ve been editing our student’s shots for fun – using just Lightroom 4, no plugins or photoshop. Here’s one from the Lyric of Sam chilling on the stair with his sax… Original Shot Lift shadows with Tone sliders slight toning with duotone sliders vignette to add atmosphere selective …

McFade Edits.. Phil Gledhill’s “Sam” shot Read More »

McFade Edits Phil Gledhill’s “Chris” playing

As part of the Lightroom 4 exploration, we’ve been editing our student’s shots for fun – using just Lightroom 4, no plugins or photoshop. Here’s one from the Lyric of Chris with his trombone on the stairs. Original Shot This shot seemed to suit mono, so started off with a black and white pre-set – went through …

McFade Edits Phil Gledhill’s “Chris” playing Read More »

McFade Edits Phil Gledhill’s “Chris in Window” shot

As part of the Lightroom 4 exploration, we’ve been editing our student’s shots for fun – using just Lightroom 4, no plugins or photoshop. Here’s one from the Lyric of Chris playing his trombone. The gallery feature isn’t in the right order, but each shot has a number after it;s name “brass-band-119-3” – that number …

McFade Edits Phil Gledhill’s “Chris in Window” shot Read More »

Brass Musician – Training Shoot

McFade Training’s Brass Night at the Lyric April’s taster session saw delegates return to the amazing venue that is the Lyric Cinema. This month we ventured away from the main auditorium into the more abandoned looking areas around the projector rooms – the prefect backdrop. Chris Colbran and Sam Houghton were the subjects this time, both professional musicians working in many bands …

Brass Musician – Training Shoot Read More »