2017 a year in review

So as 2017 comes to an end I thought it was worth taking a bit of time to reflect on this years photography.

Two of the main highlights from 2017 that spring to mind are being awarded a third London Salon medal for one of my images entered in this years (2017) London salon. Having been lucky enough to have been awarded medals at medal at previous Salons – I never thought I would get a third.

The second highlight was having an image in Great Britain entry for this years FIAP colour biennial .
I also achieved the EFIAP/Platiumn award which has been a long-term goal for me. (see below).

Studio wise, I have been busy in there and I have also done quite a number of location shoots too, which offers a different challenge to working in the controlled enviroment of a studio. I have enjoyed the challenges of working on location and learnt a few things too.

There have been chances to work with a number of new creatives again this year and I have enjoyed working with them and together we have created some great images, and also had good fun playing with different light approaches.

New creatives this year have included:

Dancers: Alexa Hilton, Charlie, Jay and Erica Mulkern.

Dance Photographer - Dance photography - dance moves by alexa hilton
Richard Spurdens Photography – Alexa Hilton – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV -Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Dance Photographer - Dance photography - dance moves by alexa hilton
Richard Spurdens Photography – Alexa Hilton on pointe feet movement – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Dance Photographer - Dance photography - dance pose by dancer erica mulkern
Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photography – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Dance Photographer - Dance photography - dance pose by dancer erica mulkern
Richard Spurdens Photography – Erica Mulkern red top black shorts – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Dance Photographer - Dance photography - dance pose by dancer erica mulkern
Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photogrphy Erica Mulkern – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Models: Rachelle Summers, Nicole Rayner, Scarlot Rose, Pippa Doll (who is a karate expert, dancer and skate boarder too) and finally Zoi Morgan.

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at pipewwll hall featureing designes by Jane-woolrich-design. model is seated in a red winged chair wearing a pink negligee and slip
Richard Spurdens Photography – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
portrait Photography - portrait Photographer - colour image of subject looking out to the right hand side of the frame shot using nature light she is wearing a light brown blouse which is off both shoulder and she is holding it in the middle of her chest.
Richard Spurdens Photography – Rachelle Summers – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM – 1/60 sec @ F / 14.0
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot with model wearing croped demin jeans and a striped shirt she is stood against a dark brown back ground with one arm hold the shirt coller and the other resting on the opposite leg
Richard Spurdens Photography – studio shot with model Pippa Doll – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV : EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM 1/125 sec @ F / 8.0
Fine Art Nude Photography - Fine Art Nude Photographer - a toned monochrome image showing the model holding a bunch of white tulips against the skin
Richard Spurdens Photography – four tulips -Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS 1/125 sec @ F / 3.2

I have also worked with a number of others from previous years including: Carla Monoco, Madame Bink, Ivory Flame, Elle Beth, Mischkan Scott and (aerialist and model) Em Theresa.

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at pipewwll hall featureing designes by Jane-woolrich-design. model is standing by the wiindow with a rocking horse wearing brown lace negligee
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot series -Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: 35mm
Fine Art Nude Photography - Fine Art Nude Photographer - monochrome image of artistic nude model sitting in profile on a small wooden stooll and her legs are raised forward to form an angle she is wearing a white hat and her arms are both reaching up to hold the hats brim. lit with a single gridded rectangular soft box
Richard Spurdens Photography – Madame Bink with white hat – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS 1/125sec @ F / 4.5
Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portrait head shot image of a subject looking directly into the camera lit from the window light on the rhs of her.
Richard Spurdens Photography – mischkan scott hs white top Canon EOS 5D Mark IV : EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM 1/125 sec @ F / 3.2
dance photographer - dance photography - colour image of the dancer wearign a large floaty blue dress kicking her right leg high out the the lhs of her with her arms reaching back behind her
Richard Spurdens Photography – Blue Dress moves – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – EF50mm f/1.8 II 1/125 sec @ F / 6.3
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a studio fashion shoot subject is wearing a red ball dress, shot using natural light
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV : EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM 1/125 sec @ F / 2.8

In terms of the FIAP distinctions trail; I was pleased to received my EFIAP/ platiumn award in June of this year, which a great achievement. So that goal was finally achieved within the 5 years I had set out for it.  As I mentioned in my last review (2016) I had really scaled back the number of exhibition I have been entering, only entering mainly prints and looking to support exhibitions that maintain a good printed exhibition catalogue. I have managed to maintain a good rate of acceptances and also have managed to pick up a few awards as well. A couple of my images have been on the front covers of the exhibition catalogue, which is always a good result for an entry into the salons.

Image that was the front cover of the Cotswold Salon 2017

artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - monochrome image the model in using a white posing box she pushing up with her arms at the back of the box and her left foot to lift herself off the box her other leg is lifted and pointed at ninty degress towards the light. which is a single side light to the right hand side of the model.
Richard Spurdens Photography -artistic nude figure study titled: A simple point of the foot – efiap platinum level image

I was also invited to be a judge for a number of national photographic exhiditions in the UK, which took up quite a few weekends in the first half of the year. As always, it was hard work but rewarding in being able to see what other photographers have been creating around the country.

I have also supported Walters Wardrobe (Jen Brook) and her couture themed shoots at some great locations. This year these have included a shoot at Western Park in Shropshire (Ruffles & Ready), which featured the designer: Mishi May, with styling by Jen Brook, Millinery: Donna Graham, and MUA: Sophie Battersby. The models included : Victoria Coutts, Jodi Lakin, Nicky Philips and Kamila Nowak.

We also returned to the vast stately home at Wentworth Woodhouse (Dance of the Decadent Dolls). This was with Designer: Rosie Red Corsetry and Couture, with styling by Jen Brook, and Millinery by Donna Graham, MUA: Sophie Battersby, Olivia Morewood, Rebecca Cordell, Sophie’s MUA/hair assistant: Rachael Doig. The Models for this event included: Ayla Rose, Ivory Flame, Jaye Yip, Rebecca Cordell.

The final shoot for this year was Sandon Hall Staffordshire, (Beauty and the Feast). This featured the designs of Katie Newsam, styling by Jen Brook, assisted by Jodi Lakin, Livvy Morewood. MUA: Sophie Battersby. Models: Amelia Mary, Katie Talyor, Charlotte Burton, Catherine Ashworth.

Images from the Walters Wardrobe shoots of 2017

colour fashion image of a model wearing a ruffle designed full wide skirt and match bodice and hat designed by Mishi May
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: 35mm
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image of model wearing a red and gold ball gown with makeing red hat she is seated on a stone plinth in the garden room- shot on location at sandon hall, Dress Designer: Katie Newsam, Styling Jen Brook, Walter's Wardrobe Productions
Richard Spurdens Photography – Fashion shoot at Sandon Hall – Red and Gold dress – Model: Fuji X-T2 Lens: XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR 1/80sec @ f / 5.6 ISO 800
colour image of the model wearing a sculpted figure huging design of designer Mishi May
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: 35mm
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot at sandon hall, Dress Designer: Katie Newsam, Styling Jen Brook, Walter's Wardrobe Productions, model wears full lenght purple ball gown with scalloped purple swirl running from the left shoulder down to the right foot of the dress
Richard Spurdens Photography – Fashion shoot image designer Katie Newsam – Model: Fuji X-T2 Lens: XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR 1/60sec @ f / 4.0 ISO 400
pom pom dress seated on the stairs
Fuji X-T2- Lens: F18mmF2 R 1/125 sec @ F /5.6
Fashion Photography - Fashion Photographer
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: 35mm
Dance Photographer - Dance photography -
Fuji X-T2 – Lens: XF18mmF2 R
Dance Photographer - Dance photography - colour image showing dancer on pointe wearing a white corset dress and to her rhs is a swam with eggs and balllons so the image is called dancing at the swans party
Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photography – Fuji X-T2 – Lens: XF35mmF1.4 R

2016 a year in review

I can’t really believe that we are at the end of another year, and again I have had a good year photographically so here is some of the highlights from my 2016.

Having a studio has been a real boon and I have worked with a number of new models there this year. We’ve created some great images, and also had good fun playing with different light approaches.

New models have included Amber M, Em Theresa, Katie Green and finally Nicky Philips. Also Marmalade – but not at my studio as we worked on location in the Pit in Nottingham. The other creative I had the pleasure to work with during the year was the Make Up Artist (MUA) Monica Montalvo. We created some pleasing beauty images working with the model Amber Tutton.

New Models images:

portrait photography - portrait photographer - colour portrait image of model with blue coloured hair
Richard Spurdens Photography -Blue Haired Beauty
fashion photogarphy - fashion photographer - fashion with shadows
Katie Green – shadow patterns
dance photographer - dance photography - colour image of the model wearing a red leotard jumping and making a runing shape holding the rugby ball.
Richard Spurdens Photography – The sprint
Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - model crouching in the window light on balls of her feet and holding her head in her hands exposed for the window light so models figure is in shadow
Richard Spurdens Photography – Crouching in the window light
Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portait image of model topless looking across her shoulder back into the camera
Richard Spurdens Photography – model Nicky Philips
Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - artistic nude model balanceing on a box with a panel to the left hand side making look she is on an L shape
Richard Spurdens Photography – Balancing on the L

I also worked again with Anita De Bauch, Elle Beth, Fredau H, Carla Monoco, and Amber Tutton. it is always good to work with models that you have worked with before, its a bit more relaxing as you know what they can do.

More models:

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour image of the model reflected in a the mirror with her red nails and hair shining brightly
Richard Spurdens Photography – Red nails blue eyes
Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of the model with the patterns of the material creating shadows on her figure
Richard Spurdens Photography – Mischkan shadow patterns
Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of model wearing a white textured top light by natural window light
Richard Spurdens Photography – Elle beth in natural light
Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour image of the model wearign white tights seated on the floor with legs half crossed looking directly into the camera
Richard Spurdens Photography – Simple Fredua H
Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portait head shot image of a subject wearing a white hat with a black rim and is looking directly into the lens
Richard Spurdens Photography carla m – white hat elegance – Fuji X-T1 – XF 56mm F1.2 R 1/ 125 sec @ F / 2.5

I have also supported Walters Wardrobe (Jen Brook) and her couture themed shoots at some great locations. These have included Allerton Castle and the vast stately home at Wentworth Woodhouse plus some other great locations too. The Wardrobe team included the MUAs Olivia Morewood and Abigail Pulleyn, with Jen doing the styling, sourcing outfits from the likes of Designer Sharon Bowen- Dryden.

Walters Wardrobe images:

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at sledmere hall
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot – Lady of elegance
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at allerton castle
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot at Allerton Castle,
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model wearing a white bridal dress and high hair
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour portrait image of kelly ann showing of the dress design and hair
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photography fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse house

This year I have also started a number of projects which I will feature early next year on this site. The main one has been “Reflected Leeds” which is about creating images of Leeds but using reflections.

I have also had a few trips to various different parts of the country to give talks on my work. These have included a visit to Smethwich photographic society and Bristol photographic society. Both are very prestigous societies so I was pleased to have been invited to present my work. Earlier in the year I attended the Arena Photographers weekend in Bournemouth, showing some of my “Perfecting the art of ” series of images on the Photo walk on the Saturday. These were well received by the delegates at the weekend.

The FIAP distinctions trail had been progressing, I received my EFIAP gold in June of this year, which was pleasing, however I have scaled back the number of exhibition I have been entering, only entering the ones that have good exhibition catalogues. I have managed to maintain a high rate of acceptances and have managed to pick up a few awards as well. I now need to get on with submitting my application for the EFIAP/ platiumn award.

A couple of visits to Spain were fruitful in terms of photography with some more interesting bull running images and other image opportunites. A visit to Glasgow in late October also produced some good images of the city architecture.

Other images from the year:

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour image of the subject looking up towards the light wearing a red beret
Richard Spurdens Photography – Red beret II
Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portrait image of the victorian post mistress standing behind her counter in the victorian shop at the Black country museum
Richard Spurdens Photography – the post mistress
Travel Photography - travel Photograher - colour image of three surfers heading towards the sea carrying their boards
Richard Spurdens Photography – surfers in pembrokeshire
Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of artistic nude model hold a vertical rope down the center of her figure with legs each side making strong shapes and arms gripping the rope each at an angle
Richard Spurdens Photography – Fine art nudes – elle beth with rope
Aerial Arts photographer - Aerial hoop photographer - Aerial Arts photography - colour image of aerialist on a red hoop and wearing a red leotard holding an aerial pose using hand one hand and inner leg
Richard Spurdens Photography – Aerial hoop shapes with Aerialist EM – Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 1/125 sec @ f/ 5.6
fashion photographer - fashion photography - monochrome vintage fashion shoot with model wear a sixty style psychedelic designed dress hat and black shoes
Richard Spurdens Photography -Standing tall
Sport photography - sport photographer - colour image from the time trail stage from javea to calpe in spain.
Richard Spurdens Photography – time trail focus
Travel Photography - travel Photograher - images from a bull running festiveal in the port of Javea Spain
Richard Spurdens Photography – image from bull running in Javea Spain
Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of artistic nude model standing on tiptoe in a square of window light comming from behind and the figure also been lit from the side again from a large window.
Richard Spurdens Photography – Elle Beth at The Natural light Studio
Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - Blue dawn light Javea
Richard Spurdens Photography – Blue dawn light

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Walters Wardrobe at Wentworth House

The Venue.

Wentworth Woodhouse is a Grade I listed country house in the village of Wentworth, near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. With some 300 plus rooms it is the largest private house in the United Kingdom. It has also featured in a number of films and TV programs including Mr Turner (2014), and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015).

The event:

And for one weekend It was also became one of the location for a Walters Wardrobe event run by Jen Brook. What a really impressive location for a fashion shoot, its was too. With some truly great locations and large rooms to shoot in, together with the large windows which were providing some wonderful natural light to work with. Together with the designer outfits that Jen sourced and brought together for the event.

The crew:

This Walters Wardrobe event featured the following models Carla Monoco, Mel Tougue, and Kerry Ann. Now I have worked with both Carla and Mel before so it was good to also to meet and get to work with Kerry Ann. The MUAs artists were  Abigail Pulleyn, and Livvy Morewood,  who both did a great job with the MU for the models. Giving them the distinctive look to match the outfits for this event.

The styling:

Jen had sourced the dresses by Joanne Flemming Design and Headpieces by HF Couture Bridal & Millinery Designer Accessories. For this Walter wardrobe event there was also two dancer in attendance Rachel Gittins, and Rocky Serg Widdowson. Both who worked hard to show some great dance moves and poses in the large ballroom area at the location.

dance photographer - dance photography - colour image of two dancers one male one female the male is performing a side lift of the female as she kicks her top leg into the air. in the background are two roman statues
Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photographer – High Kicks among the Statues
dance photographer - dance photography - two dancers one male one female in the center of a large tiled dance floor the female is performing a spin so her skirt is spinning out and the male is holding out a hand as if he was spinning her as a top
Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photography -Spins and patterns
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model wearing a white bridal dress and high hair
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photographer – fashion shoot wentworth woodhouse
Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer -colour portrait image of kelly ann
Richard Spurdens Photography – portrait photography -The lady of Elegance
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour portrait image of kelly ann showing of the dress design and hair
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photography fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse house
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model wearing a gold and brown design dress
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photographer – fashion shoot at wentworth woodhouse
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model lying on the floor in a gold and brown dress shot from above, she looking like she has fall to that place on the floor
Richard Spurdens Photography -fashion photographer – fashion shoot wentworth woodhouse
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model wearing a white bridal dress and high hair
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse
fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model wearing a white bridal dress and high hair
Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photographer – fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse us a Lens baby composer lens

Thanks to Jen and the Walters Wardrobe team for another opportunitie to work in a great location with some great models. dancers and designer outfits too.


Allerton Castle with Walters Wardrobe A-team

Allerton Castle described as England’s grandest and most elegant gothic revival stately home and a venue for weddings, is a location that is quite close to me and it’s an amazing location both inside and out, and when Jen Brook posted a Walters wardrobe event at this location I had to put my name down for a place.

The following models were in attendance Angela Hudson, Arielle Jammy Fox, Alexa Taylor, Antia De Bauch, (hence the Walters Wardrobe A- team). With MUAs Abigail Pulleyn, and Livvy Morewood. Styling was provided by Jen Brook using dresses by Joanne Flemming Design and Headpieces by HF Couture Bridal & Millinery Designer Accessories

I have worked with both Angela Hudson and Anita De Bauch before but not the other two so it was good to get to work with two new models (to me) and also to work with Angela and Anita again as they are both great to work with. Jen had done a great job with the styling with each models outfit working well with the rooms that we worked with them in.

I shot mainly with the rooms’ natural light and my Fuji X-T1 which I found great to see what the exposure would look like on the display screen and then compose the shot. I did use flash in a couple of the rooms just to lift the models a bit out of the scene.

So here are a few of the images from the shoot wifi’d from the camera to the pc so no post editing :

So thanks to Jen and all the team for a great day at this location.

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