General Archives - Richard Spurdens Photography

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Highlights of 2019

As we reach the end of year it is time to put some highlights of 2019 from my photography year together.

In January I worked with Stephanie Dubois a uk based freelance model. Stephaine had been on my list of models I want to work with for a while. So it was good to get to work with her.

Highlights of 2019 images:

Studio Session with Stephanie Dubois at The Natural light Studio, on January 2019.

January also gave me a chance to shoot some Ski racing in the Ski resort of Tignes. The European Alpine skiing cup was taking place the week we were there. Unfortuately the final parallel slalom races took place in heavy snow. So not easy conditions for the racers or photograhers.

colour image of dual slalom competitor racing for the line — Images from the Ski trip to Tignes, at Tignes resort, on January 2019.
Model: Fuji X-T2 Lens: XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR 1/500 sec @ f-8 / ISO 200

I also got a visit to the Black country living museum in Dudley which gave the chance for a few location portraits using natural light.

colour image from the black country musumn of the motor cycle shop gaffer- highlights of 2019 — Images shot during a visit to the Black country museum on March 23 2019.
Fuji GFX 50S Lens: GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/60 sec @ f-2.8 / ISO 500

colour image from the black country museum of the general store assistant- highlights of 2019 — Images shot during a Visit to the Black country museum on March 23 2019.
Fuji GFX 50S Lens: GF45mmF2.8 R WR 1/8 sec @ f-5.6 / ISO 800

Walters wardrode productions, opened it doors with two events which I attended. One in April and the other in early October, both of which were great. Good models and high class fashion designer outfits to shoot in fantastic locations.

Walters Wardrobe images:

colour image from a fashion shoot at western park featuring the designs of Dress designer bowen-dryden — Images from a Walter’s Wardrobe location shoot at Weston Park on April 302019. Photo: Richard Spurdens Stylist: Jen Brook Production: Walter’s Wardrobe
Fuji :GFX 50S Lens: GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/60 sec @ f-2.8 / ISO 100

Images from a Walter’s Wardrobe location shoot at Prestwold Hall October 2019.
Stylist: Jen Brook Production: Walter’s Wardrobe Camera Fuji GFX 50S, Lens: GF45mmF2.8 R WR 1/60 sec @ f-2.8 / ISO 3200

Electric Dreams

Another fashion shoot but with a very different look and styling was the Electric Dreams themed shoot – Styled by Ivory Flame. Featuring designers Yummy Gummy Latex, MUA Gemma Howell and hair by Even Huang

colour image from electic dreams model wears a clear plasticmack and shor using neon lights - highlights 2019 — Images from the Electric Dreams themed shoot at Hacienda Studio, on March 2019. Designers: Yummy Gummy Latex, MUA: Gemma Howell, Hair: Evan Huang, Creative designer:Ivory Flame. Fuji X-T2 Lens: XF10-24mmF4 R OIS 1/30 sec @ f-5.6 / ISO 400

colour image from electic dreams model wears a orange plastic skirt and red top and shor using neon lights - highlights 2019 — Images from the Electric Dreams themed shoot at Hacienda Studio, on March 112019. Designers: Yummy Gummy Latex, MUA: Gemma Howell, Hair: Evan Huang, Creative designer:Ivory Flame.
Fuji X-T2 Lens: XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR 1/60 sec @ f-3.6 / ISO 400

A new model to work with this year was Jessica Talyor we had an enjoyable shoot in April.

colour image of model Jessica taylor wearing a black lace body, looking back to the camera over her shoulder — Images shot at Silkwood Studios featuring the Model Jessica Taylor on April 2019.
Fuji GFX 50S Lens: GF110mmF2 R LM WR 1/125 sec @ f-5.6 / ISO 100

I also found two other Aerialist to work with Fanny Müller who is a dancer as well as an Aerialist. Allegra who is a trapeze artist and instructor. I created some great and different images with both of them.

Image showing a dancer on pointe, wearing a red dress and holding a red balloon is it seems to pull her to the sky — Dancer and Aerialist Fanny Muller
image from my Red Balloon project

Allegra on the trapeze

colour image of trapeze artist and model allegra

It is good to look back at the highlight of the year and the 2018 highlights can be found here.

The Berlin Wall and its Wall Art – a few of my favourite images of those murals.

It was 30 years ago since the fall of the Berlin Wall on Saturday the 9th November. The news coverage reminded me that during a visit to Berlin we had gone to visit the remaining bits of the Berlin Wall. The Wall which for many years was a symbol of division has now become the world’s largest open-air gallery, featuring 105 murals by artists from across the globe. So here are a few images from my visit to see the iconic structure and the art murals that still adorn it

The street view of the long section of the Wall and its murals

this image shows the street view of the berlin wall and its art — Fuji: X-T2 Lens: Touit 2.8/12

The Wall art murals were mainly painted in the 1990, although a number of them have been repainted as a result of either the work being damaged by vandalism or deterioration due to weather.

‘The Kiss’ painted by Dmitri Vrubel depicts the famous embrace between the then Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German President Erich Honecker Fuij: X-T2 Lens: Touit 2.8/12

‘The Kiss’ is such a mural and was repainted in March 2009.

At this section of the wall, you can step into what would have been known as no mans land between two sections of the wall. The River Spree flows behind the left hand section showed here. Then the major wall with the murals is at the right hand side of the image.

So here are a few of my favourite Wall art panels:

Painted by Birgit Kinder and is of a Trabant car breaking though the wall.
Fuji Model:X-T2 Lens: Touit 2.8/12

This image speaks for itself. Fuij: X-T2 Lens: Touit 2.8/12

This mural, entitled The Wall Jumper painted by Gabriel Heimler
Fuji: X-T2 Lens: Touit 2.8/12

It happened in November painted by Kani Alavi depicts the sea of faces that appeared at the first opening of the wall that famous day in November Fuji : X-T2 Lens: Touit 2.8/12

Tolerance painted by Mary Mackey Fuji: X-T2 Lens: Touit 2.8/12

I have featured just a few of the 150 plus iconic murals that can be viewed at the open air gallery. I would certainly recommend anyone visiting the city to take your camera and capture your own images of what is left of the Berlin Wall, and its art work.

2018 review of the year

As the final few days of this year are upon us I thought it was worth taking a bit of time to put together a 2018 review of my year in photography.

A few highlights for the 2018 review of the year were a trip to Rome to join the Fashion Artwise team at a location shoot; a trip toSouthern Ireland to visit the Dingle peninsula; a visit to the Island of Crete to work with Zoi Morgan and her Sirens of Crete event and meeting Rankin.

Also finally getting the chance to work with Ivory Flame, Elle Rose and Nicole Rayner together at a location shoot.

Image from the Fashion Artwise event.

Image of ana wearing the white bridal dress designed by Franco Ciambella — Ana wearing the white bridal dress designed by Franco Ciambella Natural light.

Dingle

Sirens of Crete 2018 Model Zoi, Styling by Zoi Morgan Photo: Richard Spurdens

Studio wise, my studio lease came to an end in October. Trying to find a new studio is a job for next year. But for this 2018 review of the year I have had a productive time in the studio. 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 Dancers

New Dancers this year have included: Ayla Rose and Geraldine Bell.
I have also worked with a number of others from previous years including: Elle Beth and Gem as a duo pair, Ivory Flame, Ella Rose and Nicole Rayner and Em Theresa, Pippa Doll and Nicky Philips.

a colour image of dancer alya rose with bent legs and leaning back on her left arm with her right reaching up towards the light — Dancer Ayla Rose at the Loft Studio, Single overhead gridded Octa box light

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: EF50mm f/1.8 II 1/125 sec @ f-5.6 / ISO 100

I have continued to enter a few of the uk photo exhibitions focusing on supporting exhibitions running print sections and have gained a number of acceptances into these exhibitions. I’ve also picked up a few awards as well. I was also invited to be a judge at this years PAGB Inter Club Projected Digital Image Championship, which was enjoyable.

I have also supported Walters Wardrobe (Jen Brook) and her couture themed shoots at some great locations. This year I only managed to do two of these great events. The first was a shoot at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, (Still I Rise), which featured the designer: Joanne Fleming , with styling by Jen Brook, and MUA: Shara Gray and Livvy Morewood. The models were: Bethany Bennett, Liv Free, Stefanie Nieuwenhuyse, and Ceci Zhang,

Single flash unit to the lhs Stylist: Jen Brook Production: Walter’s Wardrobe

Natural light image from the Belvoir Castle Stylist: Jen Brook Production: Walter’s Wardrobe

The second event was (In Bloom) This was with Designer: Rosie Red Corsetry and Couture, with styling by Jen Brook, and Headpiece: CC Millinery Creations Set Desing by Donna Graham, MUA: Sophie Battersby, Olivia Morewood, Rebecca Cordell, Sophie’s MUA/hair assistant: Rachael Doig. The Models for this event included: Lauren Rose McGee, Jaye Hicks, Olivia Harriet, and Leela Tikadar

Images from a Walter’s Wardrobe location shoot at Ragley Hall Stylist: Jen Brook Production: Walter’s Wardrobe

A new Rankin book

A new book found its way on to my bookshelves late last month. When I had the chance to go to one of the launch events for the new V&A photographic gallery.

A visit to the Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre

The Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre reopened after a major refurbishment in early February, with its first major exhibition being a retrospective of the work of Andreas Gursky.

Andreas Gursky is an acclaimed German photographer, well known for his large-scale pictures, so a visit was on my list when I was last in London.

This exhibition also marks the beginning of the Hayward Gallery’s 50th anniversary year. The Gallery is nothing much to look at from the outside and the exterior architecture is often described as brutal. However, the two year refurbishment has focussed on allowing the gallery’s pyramid roof lights to bathe the spaces below in natural light, as was in the original design.

April Images

A selection of image taken during the month of April, hence the title April Images.

As I seem to be failing at the moment to get my Blog posts going on a regular basis, I am trying this approach of having a posts each month where I can just add image and a little text about them. I keep taking lots of images but never seem to get them into a blog post.

Photographing Rome at night

Photographing Rome at night was the only real option I had during a recent visit to the city.

A visit to the city of Rome had been on our list of places we wanted to visit for a while now and when the chance came up to combine it with a fashion shoot and masterclass organised by Valentina Feula, founder of Fashion Artwise Productions we planned a short visit.

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).

48 hours in Glasgow with my Fuji XT-2

The first time I visited Glasgow in the early 1970s it was a city that gave the impression of being dark, grimy and unwelcoming. All the streets seemed to be empty and the bars didn’t seem to have any windows at street level. The only restaurants that we could find open were on the central railway station.

First impressions can be lasting, but today Glasgow has a completely different feel and look as the old grime seems to have been washed away. It’s historic beauty created by architects of the likes of Charles Rennie Mackintosh has been blended with the modern architecture designs, like Zaha Hadid with “the Wave” (the Transport Museum). This is now a modern vibrant city and well worth a visit with your camera.

If you are in the centre near the Central Station, a good place to start is a visit to The Lighthouse. This building was designed by C. R. Mackintosh in 1895 as the offices of the Glasgow Herald, and it is now home to Scotland’s Centre for Design and Architecture. The city scape views from the top are well worth the climb of the corkscrew stairs. There are also several levels of galleries which offer exhibitions and portfolio overviews of contemporary artists and designers.

Images from The Lighthouse location

glasow roof top views from the lighthouse tower — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/3sec @ F / 16

One of the views from the top of the building.

window views of glasgow city scape — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/1250sec @ F / 5.6

The view from the bottom of The Lighthouse tower stairs which start on the third floor of the building.

looking up from the bottom of the lighthouse stairs — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 30 sec @ F / 11

View across to The Lighthouse Tower.

a view of the lighthouse tower in the winter sunshine — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/2000 sec @ F / 4.0

A visit to Bellahouston Park is also well worth making. It’s out of town but well served by buses or take a train to the nearest station. There you’ll find the stunning “House for an Art Lover”, built in 1996, based on an unrealized C. R. Mackintosh design from 1901. The other good thing is that you can take photographs inside which is always a bonus.

Images of the iconic Mackintosh designs

close up of the Stain glass design by mackintosh — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/125 sec @ F / 2.2

Image showing the design details of the wood work designed by mackintosh — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/280 sec @ F / 2.8

wooden panelling artist designs by mackintosh — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/450 sec @ F / 2.8

shadows of a window playing on the opposite wall in a corridor — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/125 sec @ F / 4.0

The house is in some great grounds too and with the low winter sunshine and winter frost gave it a different look worth photographing.

image showing the rich browns of the winter trees and shubs in the low winter sun — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/125 sec @ F / 8.0

Modern Architecture

It’s not just the classic architecture that makes Glasgow interesting; there are several large modern buildings which are worth a visit to photograph, including the SEC Armadillo amphitheater and the UFO-like SSE Hydro Arena. Both of these were designed by N. Foster and Partners.

Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/250 sec @ F / 11.0

Another great building to photograph is the Riverside Museum, designed by the architect Zaha Hadid, with a roof that resembles waves of water.

The building is Glasgow’s Transport Museum and houses a collection of more than 3,000 historic cars, trams and motorcycles.

a black and white image showing the design of the wave building designed by Zaha Hadid — Fuji X-T2 – Lens: Touit 2.8 – 1/500 sec @ F / 5.6

You can walk to this musum along the River Clyde which has now been redeveloped and gives some good photographic oppertunities as the images below show.

landscape view of the clyde Arc and the finnieston crane — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/250sec @ F / 11.0

a landscape view from the clyde river and clyde arc bridge — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/30sec @ F / 16.0

The Finnieston Crane or Stobcross Crane structure and its shadows made an interesting image

Structures and shadow on the the finnieston crane structure — Fuji X-T2 – XF 55-200mm F 3.5 – 1/125 sec @ F / 6.4

The BBC Scotland building and the Bells Bridge

image shot across the river clyde showing the bbc building — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/250 sec @ F / 9.0

The Tradeston pedestrian bridge

the tradeston bridge a pedestrian bridge across the River Clyde — Fuji X-T2 – XF 18mm F 2.0 R – 1/60 sec @ F / 14.0

The final image was a scene I came upon outside the transport museum – bungy jumping Santa Claus! This was fun to watch and a good reminder of the festive season to come.

Fuji X-T2 – XF55-200mm F 3.5 – 4.8 R 1/250 sec @ F / 9.0

Zurich a short visit

And so on to Zurich – after a smooth and fast journey to Zurich during which you certainly got a relaxed view of the French country side as you sped through it. When we arrived in Zurich main station there was a lot of people around and Saturday night entertainments as in most big cities seem to be in full swing. After a bit of walking around we found our hotel. (We chose this Boutique hotel, just by the station). An evening stroll around the streets of Zurich then gave us a bit of idea where to go on the following day.

Exploring Zurich.

Setting out the next day with my Fuji XT-1, we walked around the town crossing the river via the many bridges and walking to various locations of interest. Here are a few of the more general tourist type images of the iconic buildings and a few different views of the place. I had to include the locks on the bridge as the colours made them stand out in places.

Autumn colours

Were also at their best and the golden colours made a good feature to include in some images. In others, they gave a strong focal point.

As with all street photography it is often good to explore up side streets and see what interesting things you can find. Sometimes nothing – other times some more interesting street images. Here are a few of the more interesting finds.

You can also walk along the side of Lake Zurich and when you hear the sound of Alpine horns, you have to go and see what is happening. It turned out to be a group of Alpine horn players giving a free concert.

Strolling a little further along the shore line we came across this scene with the kids really enjoying the giant bubbles being created and then chasing them around

Stopping for a drink and a bit to eat provided an opportunity for a few interesting images.

Just loved the sign.

Heading back into town I spotted this chap who seemed to be directing trams at a junction that was having a bit of major work being undertaken. Not sure why you need to direct trams on tracks but they seemed to manage ok when went for a break.

An interesting place for some different types of images for me, expensive but worth the trip to visit and explore.

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