Wednesday 18 November 2015

MOVING THROUGH THE SEASONS....


Lots has been going on, in fact so much so that it was August when I last managed to update the blog. 

Lots of different occassions from Weddings, Working Tests, Field Trials and private commissions to Dog Photography Workshops and private 1-2-1 lessons !!!!

TWO WEDDINGS AND A LOT LOT MORE ...

 The first wedding of the season was Sally & Mark.  A beautiful working Chateau in Southern France was the perfect backdrop to a wedding that was more "Mamma Mia' than "Mamma Mia".
The Stunning "CHATEAU CAMPUGET"
I couldn't have been more nervous, The Father of the Bride, a photographer, and The Bride .. another photographer !!! ... but the sky was blue, the temperature steadily climbing and a gentle breeze to keep it just this side of uncomfortable..
" I DO"

The day threw many photographic curves my way,  generally I avoid flash photography but with so much sun, the use of fill flash was essential and by the time we managed to get around to taking the goup shots ...... 
it was dark !!!!!

It was a memorable trip for many reasons but I am so glad that I didn't let the nerves get the better of me.
"those kisses don't only happen in the movies...."
Hold her steady !!   

As the time started to slip away so did the light and eventually we managed to set up the group shots 
"in the dark" ...
Groovers in the House .. dancing till they dropped.

THE "MG" GANG

Sometimes impromptu photoshoots are just magical.  Grandad George had an afternoon with his grandchildren and his magical MG ...  He was after a couple of shots as reminders of the day ... "just before the rain" he said !!!



A SPOT OF GATHERING ...

Well it was probably the hottest day of the year when our local farmer decided to gather his flock that was spread out across the moors for a spot of shearing.  

The sheep were driven in, on foot with dogs, across the moor at 5.30am to make the most of the cool morning... !!! By 8.30 everyone was hot, dusty and in a need of a tea break.  

A hard job but I am sure the sheep appreciated their short back and sides. 

 Click HERE to see full gallery ...

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR...

A couple of days at the fantastic Yorkshire Game Fair... if you didn't make it this year, this is one for next years diary.  Fabulous main arena displays, great outdoor cooking demonstrations, the usual bows, arrows and guns together with the National Gundog Competition and various long retrieves and scurries.  Something for everyone, young and old.
 
 For full gallery of the Yorkshire Game Fair click HERE

BEAGLING ABOUT...

Autumn arrived and so too the hunting season.  Out for early morning excercise with The Claro Beagles, introduced me to these quirky character full hounds.

 I've joined the Claro a few times this Autumn, when time has allowed and to see a selection of galleries click HERE

GLORIOUS GROUSE

 This year was a quiet year for Grouse.  With moors recording massive drops in the numbers of grouse, mainly due to inclement weather conditions during the hatching and rearing season, shoot days in some areas were cancelled and the grouse left to recover, whilst in others it was business as usual.

Click HERE to see more !
  

TIME TO TRIAL

On your marks.. and we are off..  
   First trial of the season was the Gwynedd Spaniel Clubs Novice Stake - Lancaster.

A gloomy and very wet start but the sun managed to come out and make for a lovely end to the trial.
For full gallery click HERE
  

WEDDING TIME AGAIN

Our October wedding date arrived and myself and Caroline Bridges headed down to Northampton to photograph Samantha and Matts wedding.

Early October and the weather held .. blue skies and NO rain !!!.  
A lovely venue in Northampton, our Bride was stunning and her new husband wasn't bad either !!.   

Sadly due to a poorly labrador, the dogs stayed home, but not to be forgotten or to miss out we have booked a mini shoot for Sam and Matt with Coal, Finn and Jed !!!

See you soon guys xx

   


AND ON WITH MORE TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING ...

 I attend many Kirkbourne Spaniels Training days and Working Tests and even though the winter is fast approaching training continues apace.

We recently had an intermediate training day held at Driffield.  
After a miserable start the sun came out and we ended the day in shirt sleeves with dummy launchers and flying goldies !!!

 For the full gallery click HERE 
 
and for more information about all that Kirkbourne Spaniels can offer you and your dog visit their WEBSITE
 
It's also been great to catch up with my friends at N.E.F.R.A (Northern England Flatcoated Retriever Association) ... the most recent training day was a cold game day and the dogs performed brilliantly.  Retrieves over the water, over walls, through rushes, over fences .. no stopping the novice and open dogs.  For the puppies it was the first game some had seen.. and Gary took his time and encouraged each dog and handler with it's first retrieve. 


For the full gallery click HERE 
and for more information about N.E.F.R.A visit their WEBSITE   


So, what else have we been  up to !!! (as if there were enough hours in the day).

 WORKSHOPS AND PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS

Well, in conjunction with Caroline Bridges Photography we ran our second "Dog Photography and Processing" Workshop.

Our courses are limited to four photographers to ensure everyone can have individual tuition time.   We spent a fabulous morning out on the moors with our models Bob, Elvis and Billy and then headed back for an afternoon of processing.
 
Our next course will be run in March and for further information or to reserve your place please contact us at :  info@workinglineimages.co.uk

I also offer 1-2-1 lessons from basic camera principles and use to action photography, animal portraits and if required lightroom processing.

Max had already been on an action photography workshop but wanted to practice her portrait skills, and also wanted some of her own shots of her dogs to print ... so she bought them with her. 

We didn't have a huge amount of light so we also practised using a tripod.  I think it is safe to say that Max was over the moon with the results.



HORSING AROUND

 Sometimes it's good to step outside of the box or in my case, fill my viewfinder with something different ....






 and I will be doing a lot more of this during 2016.....

AND NOW ...

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR 


VISIT THE WEBSITE TO SEE OUR RANGE OF 2015 CHRISTMAS CARDS.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR 2016 CALENDARS ARRIVING THIS WEEK...  "GUNDOGS AT WORK" "PUPPIES & PORTRAITS" OR "THE GROUSE MOOR"