Jamie Takes Photos

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Took a trip over to Bristol today and went to check out some of the new artwork from Upfest. Bristol's positive attitude towards creativity is unrivalled and the city never ceases to amaze me with the variety of street art on its walls. Flick through for a few of my favourites from today. Big thanks to Dave and Jess for looking after me, if there were medals for hosts they'd get it. Also probably going to post these little entries on my proper blog in future, looks like Tumblr is a bit of a pain to view from an outside link. Anyway, enjoy!

[jamietakesphotos]

I've been following this band for what feels like forever now, doing the odd photoshoot and helping with videos and it finally looks like they're about to get the break they've been working so hard for.

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A few photos from the weekend trip to Bath/Bristol for Sean's stag do. I've come home battered and bruised from all out paintball warfare and stupidly competitive kart racing, but it was worth it. Fully worth it. I can't get enough of Bristol, everytime I leave it calls me straight back, and I feel like I need more time to explore Bath. But what I saw was beautiful, it definitely deserves another visit. These were all taken on the OnePlus 6 and edited in VSCO. If anything I didn't take enough photos, but I like what I captured. I didn't take the new camera out this time either, or the drone, but I regret it everytime. I should really learn from my mistakes.

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Man I love this camera, in a way it’s making me feel like I’m learning everything all over again, but I think that’s the comparison between the sensor on what I’m used to. There’s just so much more to play with, the detail is crazy and the images look great straight from the camera. That kind of means I don’t want to edit them too much, but at the same time I want to push myself to do better.

If you hadn’t noticed I haven’t really been shooting any cars recently, I did a show a few weeks a go but nothing since, I’m working on that though. Feeling like I’m ready to get back to it, just I’m living in the middle of nowhere and still don’t have a clear idea of when (or where) I’m moving to. So that’s sort of taking up a load of my time and the fact that I have to travel what feels like half way across the world just to get anywhere.

Anyway, I’m making excuses. In truth I’m actually feeling really motivated, I can’t wait to get back to shooting properly, the urge to make videos is unreal, I don’t even know what about, I just want to edit, tell a story and make something fun. I’m even making time to write more, it may not make a whole lot of sense and I’m aware it’s poorly planned and written, maybe even incorrectly spelled, but the fact that I made the time to go and take a photo of this cup just to post a photo to have something to write about overrules the fact that I haven’t used a full stop for a minute.

There you go, breathe again.

[jamietakesphotos]

Yesterday I spent the day with Ash off of the internet. We had a little lunch, a dose of caffeine and talked about cameras, videos, youtube, all sorts. It was great to catch up. We decided to meet up in Grantham as it’s the middle point for both of us, so out of convenience more than choice, and we ended up at Belvoir Castle. The same location I’d used to film his car a while back, but it was shut over the winter, this time it was open.

I got some shots of the gardens, the statues, ponds, anything really. After messing with the focus on the 6D I wanted to give it a test again, and for the most part I think I’ve figured it out for now. Ash vlogged, he’s getting back into it again which was great to see, there’s an awesome shot of me pulling a graceful face in the wind and rain for a second, I’ll link the video below.

In other news I’m at a stag do this weekend, so no shoots planned and no idea what show I’ll be at next. Are there even any more shows? There must be. I’m also still in moving limbo, waiting for one thing and starting to look at other options as a back up plan. Found something pretty special, not getting my hopes up too much about it as anything can happen but I’ll explain when I know what’s going on. Who knew that adulting could be so much fun! That was sarcasm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oTQLMAr-_s

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Stance Fever was decent, I don’t think I’ve been before, but I love pretty much any event they put on at Rockingham. Unfortunately the pits weren’t open at this one, but there were still some great cars in attendance. A chilled out show and the perfect opportunity to put the 6D Mk2 through it’s paces.

The picture above is from a little after show shoot I did with Jay, so I’m not posting the others until his set goes live, but it’s a taster. I love the camera, just little things like the high res screen gave me so much more confidence in what I was shooting, it was so clear and easy to see if I’d got the shot. The screen on the 5D Mk1 is ancient so most of the time it’s guess work, but I’d grown used to it. The auto focus was a little hit and miss, but I didn’t realise this until I got home to edit. This was just down to the settings the previous owner had set up which I’ve tinkered with and think I’ve got it nailed now.

The sensor is fantastic, there’s so much more detail in the images, and editing is way more flexible, I’m finding the pictures are much more forgiving and the limitations (or lack thereof) of how far you can push the highlights or pull back the shadows are crazy, it’s actually made me feel like I need to step up my editing game, I realise now how much more I can do now.

In short, I still need to experiment more, I’ve played with video too but I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface with it. I can’t wait to really get stuck in with it.

[jamietakesphotos]

I’m so excited for tomorrow! I haven’t been this excited for anything in so long and I’ve been waiting what feels like forever. To some people it’s just a new camera, to me, it’s getting to completely change my workflow. I can carry ONE camera that does it all instead of two separates. I can charge ONE set of batteries, save space and rearrange my camera bag, use full frame video for the first time EVER and just take the next step up in general. The camera also has some history, which wont mean a lot to most people, but to me it’s inspiring and it just worked out perfect. Anyway, more on that when it gets here. 

Saturday it looks like I’m heading to Stance Fever, don’t think I’ve been before and it’ll be good to get stuck in again. 

Feeling fresh and ready to get back in the game, time to take 2018 back for the killing.

[jamietakesphotos]

There’s a friendly rivalry between Dan (Aspire Automotive) and myself. And by friendly I mean we will insult each other to the absolute max as much as we can until it get’s weird and we realise other people are listening and think we’re being serious. Again, I’d like to apologise the family with young children who sat near us in Krispy Kreme today. My Bad.

Anyway, the other day our mate Liam said that Dan had taken his favourite photo of his car, which would have been fine, except I was stood right there and Liam didn’t realise, he kind of just let that one slip out of his mouth without thinking. But I made him repeat himself, just to watch him squirm.

You see, I’ve taken many photos of Liam’s Fiesta. MANY. And rather arrogantly I’d just assumed mine were his favourite, but now, now I had someone to compete with. Someone to crush. So today we had a shoot-out, here’s my entry (it’s the best one).

Joking aside Dan is a fantastic photographer, and this is the thing, I consider all of my “camera friends” to be healthy competition. I think it’s important, it keeps me on my toes and looking at how I can up my game. Yes we take the piss out of each other and it’s childish, but deep down there is a level of respect there between us all and knowing how far we’ve come and how much ambition we each have. Well at least I hope there is. Bunch of dickheads.

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*Picture totally unrelated to post*

I did’t sleep much last night, it could have been to do with my childish excitement and the constant planning of my upcoming holiday, or it could have been the sweltering heat throughout the night. I think it was the former.

I’ve been looking at where to eat, drink, shoot, everything I can possibly squeeze into this NYC trip, and man have I found some belters. I mean, for a start I’ve found way too many burger joints I can possibly try in a week, but I’ll for sure be living off them pretty much the entire time!

Youtube has been scoured for “secret spots” and cool places to visit for photos, hidden bars and shops, I’m going all out on this one, the list is growing by the day. I’ll get it all organised into a manageable amount soon, or not, you know.

If you’re one of the twenty people I know (or dont know) who still use tumblr, feel free to throw suggestions my way on Instagram @jamietakes.photos, I’m all ears.

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Living out in the sticks again. It’s not so bad, apart from the hour commute to work and the hour back home, but you know, it’s temporary. 

The house is sold! At last, no more crack den, feeling more myself than I have in a long time which is great and I’m starting to feel like i’m more in control of whats going on. I can start planning out the new place, make it my own and make it feel like home, that’s more important to me than I know how to explain. 

What else, I’ve got a new camera on it’s way, my first upgrade in 5 years, I can’t wait for it to show up, it’s also coming from a personal hero of mine. More on that later. But yes, this means I’m getting back behind the camera again, it’s time. As a side note actually, if anyone knows where I can get a Ronin-S from hit me up, they’re sold out EVERYWHERE.

Lastly, I bit the bullet, pulled my finger out and FINALLY made a decision on what to do for my 30th. It’s NYC, it’s happening, I’m heading to the Large Apple to explore, photograph and live like a hipster for a week. It’s the first holiday I’ve actually planned out fully myself and I’m truly excited for the trip, both for the travel part but also to go to America again as an adult, it’s been way too long and I’m well overdue a visit. I’ve booked myself a cheeky little Birthday treat and I’m so excited, I feel like a kid.

Anyway, that’s it for now, thanks for reading.

[jamietakesphotos]

I got to step foot in my new home for the first time today, this is what I’ve been working towards for what feels like forever. Looking forward to having somewhere I can really call my own, make it look however I want, finally get some of my own damn photos printed and framed, get a real office going where I can feel inspired to make some cool shit! Fully ready and not much longer to wait. Progress!

[jamietakesphotos]

[jamietakesphotos]

[jamietakesphotos]

Helped out with a little shoot for my friends over at STNC today. We made a short video and got a few photos of this awesome looking MK7 Golf R on air suspension and Ferrari wheels. Amazing setup, the video will be on it’s way asap.

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Why I’m Quitting Car Shows

Although it may not look like it, I’m kicking 2018 hard, right in the anus. And yes, that title is a little OTT, but we’ll get to it in a minute. From the outset I knew that this year was going to be different for me, as always I’ve set myself some new goals, some targets to try my best to smash, but they’re a little different to last year. I’m in the process of getting my house up for sale, I’m viewing new places and setting my sights on moving closer to work. And that’s going to be my main priority, hence the lack of car shows. The truth is, growing up can suck at times, you get less time to do the things you really love and have to do more of the boring stuff, the stuff that pays the bills (unless you’re REALLY lucky and get payed to do what you love, and I’m not there yet). As much as I would love to have another year of travelling up and down the country every weekend, hopping onto spontaneous flights and road tripping across Europe with my friends, I can’t, it just isn’t financially viable or even very productive. So I’m taking a year out to get my own life on track, to focus on work, build a better life for myself (serious shit huh?) and think about/plan my future. I’m still going to be at a few selected shows, I kind of have to, but I can’t promise I’ll be providing the same sort of content I was last year. Instead, I’ve got a list of 5 names that you should be following if you don’t want to miss anything.

You should be need to be following:

@aspire_automotive

@jay.bass

@liam_stnc

@jamierobinphoto

@connorphotouk

These boys have got it covered, head to Instagram and give them a follow. In the meantime I’ll still be posting, just less frequently. But as always, feel free to say hey online or IRL, the support from you guys has been awesome and that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Anyways, I hope this explains my absence and if you got this far thanks for reading, does anyone even use tumblr anymore? Who knows.

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Golden Hour

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