Fun and raindrops on the sea wall...

Two fabulous things about doing this project: I get to meet some really interesting people and I visit new places.  Today, I met Barry and his bicycle at Black Dam Ponds, Basingstoke and Caroline on the sea wall near Lymington.

After postponing various shoots because of the weather, it was a really challenging experience to make pictures in the rain today.  Various questions whizzed through my brain:  What would be the effect of rain on the lens?  How wet can a Nikon D700 get before it starts to go funny?  How quickly will hypothermia set in when the subject is wearing a pretty dress and a nice pair of shoes on the sea wall?

One thing I did discover - is that it is actually really difficult to work in adverse conditions, especially when shooting with unfamiliar kit (I should have stuck to my lesser D-200.)  As a result of trying to rush and get the pictures before things got very unpleasant for my fantastic athletic volunteers, I didn't do a good job at all...  So, Barry and Caroline...  Can we meet up again, please?

p.s. Thank you to Lyn Caswell for holding the umbrella and driving me around.

p.p.s. If you have never been to Lymington: Go!  Maybe you could even take a walk, or a run along the sea wall?

Back in Hampshire - but just for a little while!

Following my within-the-speed-limit 'mad dash' back up the M4 today, I finally was able to photograph one of my young athletes - so thank you to Caroline and her dad, John for the shoot!  (Not only did it stop raining - the sun actually came out!)

When making pictures in public places, there is always a bit of waiting to be done...  I think a couple of boys were running around the track at this point.  Or were we waiting for cars to clear the top road?

Although there is very little to report (I've been working on my university project for a couple of weeks) I am very excited to say that The Daily Basingstoke and Farnham Knights have all helped in my search for a weightlifter: I MAY JUST HAVE FOUND ONE!  Thank you, chaps.

This weekend, I am hoping to photograph a cyclist, triathlete and wheelchair basketball player at least.  Please keep fingers (and toes) crossed for me.  And if you know anyone who rides a horse for fun...  Well, I am still looking.

April Showers Cause Photographic Havoc!

This week, I have mostly been looking at the BBC Weather site and trying to work out if the window of opportunity between showers would be big enough to allow a portrait session...  Amazingly enough, even though I have made three attempts to photograph a particular pair of athletes (thank you to their dad for ferrying them back and forth - I do appreciate it!) I still didn't manage to get the shoot...  I am sure that it will be great when we manage it...

Luckily, I did get down to Havant to photograph Larry and his rather impressive rifle and the Hamble (after getting lost) to photograph Emily and her canoeist's paddle.  Thanks also to Emily's mum for coming to find me and leading me to the right place.  One thing that this project is confirming: I am geographically challenged.

Larry's .22 rifle

Weather permitting, tomorrow I should have made portraits of a cyclist and a hockey player.  Hurrah!  Although, I am still no closer to finding someone who fences, sails, or rides...

Where are the sailors, equestrians and fencers? And - have a look at a shot!

Not wishing to insult anyone at all...  But I am starting to wonder if some areas of sport are still elitist.  What I can't quite work out is why none of my emails to riding, sailing or fencing clubs/organisations have been answered.  Is there a special 'spam' warning for mails from documentary photography students?

The exception to this elitism question is obviously my lovely modern pentathlete.  She rides and fences.

Come on you people who wear jodhpurs, life-jackets and facial protection...  I only need one athlete from each discipline - you shouldn't be too hard to find, should you?

On a more positive note - I have finally found the time to look at the shots from last week.  I thought I would post one here, so you can see the sort of thing I am up to.

Hannah - Modern Pentathlon

Sprinters and Synchro

I am very happy to report that yesterday's portrait sessions went very well.  It was a real delight to meet three young athletes who are stars in their age groups and could well go on to be Olympians of the future.  So, thank you to Modern Pentathlete, Hannah and sprinters, Myles and Owen.

I was also delighted to get an email from the coach of The Portsmouth Victoria Synchronised Swimming Club - I can't wait to come down and photograph some of your members!

On the subject of sychronised swimming, if anyone didn't see this week's Saturday telegraph, you missed a treat of a story about the British syncro team - and the cover photograph by Ivor Prickett really is amazing.  You can check it out for yourself here:  CLICK FOR PIC!

The next series of portraits are lined up for next week...  Exciting!

p.s. Ivor Prickett just happens to be a graduate of Newport...  But that's not why I am featuring him: honest!

First shoot - tomorrow

Well, I am very excited...  Tomorrow, I have my first three portrait sessions.  I shall be making pictures of a modern pentathlete and two young sprinters (including the 2011, U15 British number 1 at 200m and 60m and the U13 British number 3 at 200m).  Talent indeed.  Isn't it fabulous - these guys all live in Hampshire!

I have also arranged a session to photograph a canoeist - sorry for getting the terminology wrong - (I referred to her oar, instead of her paddle!)  This is going to be a lovely shoot as my subject is taking GCSE photography at school: we are going to have lots to talk about!

And, thank you to the North Hampshire Road Club who have also just agreed to take part in the project.  So, if you are interested in finding out more about cycling in Hampshire, you can find their website at:  http://www.nhrc.co.uk/Welcome.html