Photography
Your Photos, Your Way.
At the core of things my photography service is about solving problems you have. It doesn’t matter so much what is being made but rather:
who you are?
why do you neeed it?
what will it be used for?
These three questions help inform my creative process to produce something that not only solves the original problem but engages and informs the end user.
Photo Shoots
A great photograph can transform how people think .
There is a lot of thought that goes into creating a great photo. Composition and story help the viewer look at the important parts of the image so the eye is directed in a specific way.
The use and quality of light and shadow can reveal every flaw or hide and mimimise the biggest defect. You can look like a stylish 1950’s Hollywood star or a subject in a dramatic painting by one of the great painting masters all with a change in the angle of the light.
The glass lens used to capture the image can show a compressed landscape with every detail in sharp detail or can reduce the background to swirls and globes of light, abstract and indistinct that makes the subject of the photo pop.
The time that the camera shutter is open can freeze a snowflake in flight, a dancer mid jump or a jet fighter screaming down a crowd line. It can also turn the flow of a river into a silky smooth ribbon, capture distant galaxies and thousands of stars at night or show the lights of passing vehicles in a busy city as a stream of red and white.
Most importantly a great photograph can show us something that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to see and being a still image allows us to examine in depth in a way that films and video can’t.
I shoot in all kinds of situattions and have experience in everything from sports, portraits, events, weddings, corporate, architectural etc. As a photographer I want to get the shots you need, the shots you want and as a creative also offer you new perspectives and ideas about how to get more than this.
The Cast
The Cast at Airedale Academy, due to social distancing needed a photographer for their headshoot shoot. Headshots are important for the students as they will be used for applying for interviews, auditions etc as well as for use in programmes, social media posts etc. The headshot needs to represent different sides of the performer, create interest and also inform the viewer about the characteristics of the performer.
A one day shoot saw headshots created for almost 30 students with each student receiving several different looks that showed them off to their best. Shooting in a socially distanced manner with a 3 light portable setup I was able quickly and effectively work with the students, pose them and get the results they needed.
Aspire @ The Park
NMFX Creative was asked to photograph the opening of a new leisure complex in Pontefract. The new building had been lit up by Atmosphere Productions and they wanted a set of photos that showcased the lighting and work that had gone into the project. Two shoots were organised. One captured the instalation and set up of the equipment and the team working while the other was on one of the nights of the event itself.
Shooting at night brings it’s own challenges and capturing highly saturated lighting and moving effects whilst also allowing enough time to expose the darker areas of the image is a balancing act but the client loved the final images we delivered and intends to get several blown up to form wall art in their new office. The images also feature prominently on their website.
Call Us On:
(07545) 312 084
Email us:
info@nmfx.co.uk
Editing
Post processing turns your iamge from good to great
Capturing a great image is only the first step in delivering a finished product. Many professional images are captured using a RAW format which preserves and allows apps to change many of the vlaues of a photograph. This means as a creative I can tweak bits or even the entire image to craft a final result. This could mean removing something from a composition I dont like the placement of or darkening an area as it attracts too much attention from the viewer or adding some texture and clarity to an area. It can also mean softening and removing blemishes on a subjects skin, smoothing tones, removing redness, reducing the prominance of wrinkles, adding volume to hair etc.
While I try to get as much work done in the camera as I can, it is part of modern photography that some post processing will be done on a photo and I will work with you to ensure that your photo is enhanced and you receive the best images for whatever you need them for. Whether its a set of 1000 for a wedding album or one for printing on canvas to put above your fire place they all receive the same care and attention to detail.
Several levels of post processing are available and I will talk to you about what is suitable during your consultation and if it impacts the cost of your images.
Editing and Cleanup
Sometimes an image contains distracting areas or untidy objects which when taking the photo we have no choice but to include. However with post processing we can remove these distractions as well as removing some of the redness from the grooms face and changing the white shirt so that it looks brighter. This is just one example of how NMFX Creative can take an image and enhance it with post processing.
Retouch
A retouched image is a specific edit that looks at manipulating parts of an image directly. In a portrait this is usually retouching the skin to enhance how a subject appears. Removing blemishes such as spots, pimples, moles and somewhat making the skin look smoother. Ideally a portrait should look like the subject on their best day and this can mean fixing stray strands of hair, adding volume, enhancing eyes, bodies etc. Photographs should still look natural and the edit noticeable only when you have the original to compare it to.
Special Effects
Your imagination is your only limit
Taking a photograph and using it to form the basis for a special effect can completely transform your photo and take it from the ordinary to the extraordinary. At this point your photograph becomes simply pixels that can be manipulate, controlled and directed. If you want your children to be playing with Unicorns, exploring in space, becoming superheroes etc then anything is possible with a little imagination. Do you want your next family portrait to look like they’ve been in a shrinking machine or maybe transported through time? Essentially if you can dream it then NMFX Creative can create it. There are lots of different special effects that can be applied to your photograph but in the main I am talking about composites. Taking different elements, adding them together and then unifying so that the image looks like it was created as a single image.
We see composites all the time, From movie posters to product adverts. Anytime an image can be easily created in camera on studio or location.
I have been using Photoshop since 1995 and creating composites regularly since 2001 so have lots of experience in crafting composite images. Composites can use just a few different images or can be very commlicated with hundreds of individual elements.
As with all great images the final product should look unified and as if it was shot in studio or on location.
Frozen - Motion Picture
I wanted to take a photo of my daughter and transform her into her favourite film character. As the character is animated I also wanted to reimagine what Elsa would like as a real person and what her magic powers would look like. Essentially Frozen made by Marvel.
This composite is made from 6 images as well as the text and snowflake vector. The main subject was photgraphed on green screen and then other complimentary images to the design were sourced. Lucy’s hair is brown so this needed to be chaged to blonde and the ice effect was built up over several layers that gradually transformed her hands to ice.
Dragon Warrior
The client had previosly had a photoshoot done at stonehenge as part of the autumn equinox. I wanted to take one of the images and change the location to a barren plain complete with dragons in the style of Game Of Thrones with a cinematic feel.
Using dodge and burn to accentuate the lighting on the main subject and look a little more painterly. I added the warrior head dress and replaced the staff in the original image with a two handed sword. The background was made from 2 different images, the dragons were sourced from a fantasy site and the fireball was taken from a photo I took of a fire swallower at an event. sparks and dust were added in the foreground to help blend all the items. This was a fun project and really helped add value to a photoshoot as an extra bonus image.
Printing
Ideal complement for home or business
Once you have your images you may decide that you want them printing. NMFX Creative can help you realise your photographs printed on pretty much anything you can imagine. A family portrait deserves to be displayed as wall art, wedding photos look great in albums and you can personalise your next set of christmas cards with one of our seasonal mini-sessions. Any of your images that you choose to have printed will be additionally retouched and edited as high res files to ensure that they look their best and the printer can use them without any trouble.
Your images can also be printed as personal gift items on things like key rings, mugs, coasters etc.
An experienced creative offering photography services for individuals, groups, events and businesses, whatever you need.
Whenever you need to send a message, tell a story or document an event with still images NMFX Creative can help you. With over 25 years experience of working with Cameras, editing and special effects NMFX can help you achieve whatever it is you want to.
From initial contact through to final presentation I will be available to answer questions, guide your project and deliver the results you want on time and on budget.
You can have confidence in receiving an end product that not only meets the description but you can be proud to use and call your own.
Get in touch today and find out how NMFX Creative can help with your photography needs.
Your Photography, Your Memories.
Being able to capture and record moments frozen in time is special to me and being asked to do it for other people even more so. A photograph is more than just a digital image made from coloured pixels. A photograph is the result of choices that result in the capture of light that in turn can transport you back to a special moment or place and allow you to share that experience easily with others. I take pictures professionally and also for fun. Below are a few projects I have worked on.
Gallery
Please visit my previous work for a sample of how I can help you.
