How 2 bloggers helped inspire me

Its been a while since writing a blog or for taking photos if I’m honest, its been hard to find any inspiration or motivation to get up and go out and I have been becoming increasingly annoyed with myself because in the past if I felt like this I would jump in the car and drive…. Ending up anywhere but always capturing something good.

I’ve watched a few photography blogs and vlogs that are kicking around from facebook, youtube, and some photography websites but there are 2 people who have held my interest since I started taking photography seriously and I’ve finally watched all their videos! These have given me the kick I needed to get myself into gear and get back out with my camera. Now these are 2 very different types of photographer with how they deliver their videos but both (in my opinion) amazing in what they do… I know I might sound like a proper groupie, but I will take that on the chin because through them I have found things I want to try and places I want to go and has gave me a bit more passion about photography again.

Peter Mckinnon, “what’s up everybody” right this bloke made me want to use my camera! Not only that but now I look forward to his vlogs.. from tips and tricks to even a video about him just going for coffee! The first video I seen of his was 8 camera tricks in 90 seconds then It moved on to his 2 minute Tuesdays, his tutorials and before I knew it there were no more of his videos and I found myself waiting for his uploads.

It started off with me looking for a bit of inspiration but it turned out I got to pick up a few tricks (at this point Peter would have some b-roll or sound effect for the transition) one I am starting to get right into is steel wool photography! One of my friends does light painting classes and I’ve honestly let myself down by not getting along to one yet (check her out! Claire Harper light painting, wex has snapped her up so you know she is good) but I came across the Video Peter done with Chris Hau and didn’t realise how easy this was! A quick drive to the diy shop and supermarket and I was ready!

This led me on to wanting to find more things to try… next was his how to make things float video and make your photos move and come to life tutorial.. these made me want to use photoshop.. up until this point I had been afraid to use photoshop because I hadn’t a clue where to start (that along with this absolutely terrible laptop) even though I have had loads of lessons by another photographer who I admire Keith Saint I just couldn’t grasp it.

So seeing these nw things I wanted to try.. had to try! I got stuck in. at first the results were terrible but I kept at it and became pleased with what I had created. As I mentioned above it started out looking for inspiration and motivation but I found myself watching his other videos because he does them with an energy that’s addictive!

Then there is Thomas Heaton. I was directed to him through the suggested videos on youtube, I gave a few a try but kept going back to him. Mostly because he is a local lad but where Peter is like the Evel Knievel of photography Thomas is the David Attenborough. A completely different way of presenting his videos, in fact the total opposite of Peter but equally captivating and it helps hat he is a local lad! He has shown me places that are accessible to me, places I can actually get to (when my car is working that is) basically doing what I would love to do; jump in a camper van, travel and take photos! His landscape photography is amazing and his passion for it shows in his videos, I wanted that feeling back and as I watched more of his videos I was getting it back. As with Peter I was trying things that Thomas was suggesting but living in Northumberland the weather dictates when you can take photos so most of the places I want to go will have to wait until the better weather kicks in. I have sent Thomas a couple of messages to see if he would give a talk at my camera club, I think a lot of our members would benefit from is experience and tales of his travels.

Now im not saying that these will be as motivating for others as they have been for me but out of all the photographers I follow who blog and let you in on how they do things these 2 are the 2 that stand out from the rest for me, I think it’s the contrast between the 2. I could watch 50 landscape photographers and they will all be doing the same thing or I could be watching 50 product photographers and they could all be shooting the same shelf and I would be back to where I started.

Speaking of product photography Peter has just uploaded his tips on product photography and seen as I work for a pre-press packaging company dealing with major bands I think I should give his tutorial a go and hopefully do some of our product justice.

This isn’t about advertising photographer’s channels or websites this is more of how I overcame a short period of being bored with my camera and ways to liven it up, I have posted links to their sites if anyone fancies a look because if you ever felt like I did then watching things like this will help.

http://www.petermckinnon.com

https://thomasheaton.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/claireharperlightpainting