Liverpool's Chinatown

Yesterday I told you about my open-top bus tour. I would recommend it to all and I will be learning about other cities in the near future. This is a photo of the arch in Chinatown. You can see the predominant colours are red and green and shortly after this photo was taken we learned that doors are painted in these colours. The red signifies mankind and the green signifies nature.

It was also pointed out that the street signs have their names in English and Chinese. It is interesting to learn that Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe but not the largest as this title was recently taken by London.

I am sure that you could take a better photo of this arch. and it is quite possible that the gentleman in the photo got a better view. It is a lot easier to take photos when you are not on a moving vehicle. It is even better with a tripod, partly because there is no camera shake and partly because you will have given the compostion a lot more thought.

Happy snapping

How many Liver birds and what's their gender?

I was in Liverpool on Wednesday and I went on an open-top bus tour. These photos are not the ones that I would choose to take if I had more time. I would prefer not to take photos from a bus but it certainly meant that I saw a lot of the city in a very short space of time. At least the bus was stationary for both of these photos.

The guide was proud to tell us that the clock face was larger than those of Big Ben. We were given quite a few more statistics but the most interesting fact was that there are two Liver birds on the building (you can see both of them on the right) and that one was male and one was female. You can tell which is which because the female is looking out to sea waiting for her loved ones to return. The male is looking towards the city and waiting for the pubs to open.

Happy snapping

Poses backgrounds and wishes

Most couples are not used to this pose, but because they aren't used to it then you are more likely to get natural smiles. It took a moment to get this photo but at the pre-wedding meetings I am not greatly concerned with smiles. It is really important on the day to get the best expressions but here I look for the best backgrounds and I look for my instructions as to how the couple want their photos.

We discuss the timing and when and where I am wanted. I make suggestions but the ultimate decisions remain with the couple. The one exception is during the ceremony. I still listen to the couple but we all have to go along with the wishes of the person conducting the ceremony.

Happy snapping

Pre-wedding meeting 2

Another reason for a pre-wedding meeting (see yesterday's blog) is to go through some of the poses. On the left the bride and groom get the idea of showing the back of the dress. I also get to know where to take these photos. Steps are usually a good place to show the back of the wedding dress and the train and the steps on the left will be no exception.

On the right is an alternative pose. I mention a few basic poses so that on the day the couple are aware of what I will be asking them to do. It really doesn't take long to take photos but it is always worth taking theses poses with different backgrounds as expressions change a little from photo to photo. Of course backgrounds change as well so even if expressions are identical the couple will have their preference.

Happy snapping

Pre-wedding meeting

One reason for a pre-wedding meeting is to look at backgrounds, in particular for the main group. A few days ago I took these photos of the reception and the church. It was a lovely day and we know there are at least two options for the main group photo.

This meeting also gives us a chance to talk through the day. When am I wanted and where? I can also suggest some possibilities for photos to the bride and groom and it is always easier to do this when you are actually at the venues.

It is not essential but it is nice to have sunshine at these meetings. You can see where the shade is but most importantly you can see if the sun would be directly behind the group.

Happy snapping

Stan Laurel

While I was in Ulverston I saw this photo of Stan Laurel in a shop window. On the left you can see a reflection which makes it look like the photo has been stained, however a few minutes on the computer and I have amended it to the photo on the right.

It is an old photo and if you enlarge it you will see quite a lot of marks. I took a lot of these marks off before I decreased the contrast of the background and made it darker. The two images that you see are one and the same so I also had to distort the photo on the left to make it look like it had not been distorted. I think that makes sense.

Happy snapping

Laurel and Hardy 2

Yesterday I wrote about the lamp post and how it divides a close-up picture of Laurel and Hardy. You can see what I mean with the photo on the left. If you want the whole statue in the photo then you can't see any great detail.

On the right is one close-up. I don't know where the dog came from but I do know that if you put a camera on the floor then you don't need a tripod. You also get a totally different perspective and it may be worth taking photos from the floor just for this different view. If you know about the dog then please leave a comment.

Happy snapping