The gales had died down just hours before, replaced by “Frozen Planet” icy temperatures. My shooting location was a blow up ‘Log Cabin’ parked at the back of the dance venue (aka gym – but well decked out).

Despite asking for some light during my reckie earlier in the day on 9 December, none was provided and resorted to getting camera focus by torch light held between my legs. I’d already rigged up a flash on a tripod and hidden it behind a snowman as I had to be a bit creative in this  6 foot by 8 foot plastic interior. Then power cuts caused a serious deflation, knocking reindeers and my flash over – but got a shot of the blow up on the way back up. Only on uploading the images later did I see that the remote flash had gone off inside. I gave up trying to stick the antlers back in its head! Fortunately I had a builders tungsten bulb mobile light and rigged that up.

Bloody cold shoot, in the most awkward circumstances. But as ever with 1 Scots, always a good bunch.

[Show as slideshow]

Dropped off a huge 40”x30” photograph at 3 Rifles today. It was a composite of 40 images from the summer fancy dress ball in July. Not done this before so a bit of a risk at £50 a print if you get it wrong. Anyway after about 2 hours planning, layout, off to Loxley Colour pro printers it came back. Well chuffed at the outcome. Only problem was I put on the floor at home where I thought it was out of the way, but my wife found a way to stand on it. So had to get another one done. So didn’t make much money on the job in the end.

3 Rifles Redford Barracks

See image here

Shoot for another Edinburgh Convention Bureau Ambassadors evening event on 31 August this time at the Roslin Institute just outside Edinburgh.

Call from Raphael Rodin looking for pictures for his fringe festival show on the last night. Story telling and music and fantastic show and shooting live. Well enjoyed the shoot and helpful venue who allowed time after with lighting to get some more controlled shots.

” good work - I really like the photos – Anastasis likes them as well – great!!!! Maybe see you in the future”  regards, Raphael.

A real weekend fiesta of Spanish dance, music, food and a giant paella helped brighten an at times wet Spanish Tourist Board promo event on The Mound Edinburgh.

Spain’s principle holiday areas were there to promote a sun destination which wasn’t lost on a somewhat damp Saturday (Sunday turned out good). I was booked for 2nd year by Lotus UK the London PR agency appointed by the Spanish Touroist Board.

Taste of Spain arrives again this year on 16 and 17 July.  Have been booked again by the London PR agency Lotus Uk on behalf of Taste of Spain.

A weekend of music, Flamenco dancers, golf, football, stands from Spain’s regions, the airline Jet2 and a GIANT paella. For more >> http://bit.ly/oJJqAr

Some of last years photos…

Taste of Spain Edinburgh

Lisa and Jamie were married in Thailand a few weeks before they had their reception back in Scotland in June 2011.

I had the pleasure of photographing them along with family and friends at the fabulous John Hope Gateway at the Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh. A chilly (June!) night didn’t put Lisa off from photos around the gardens and at the Glasshouse which she had visited often since childhood. There are too many great locations to choose from so we weren’t stuck for choice. 

“Thank you so much for the photos which we received.
They are fantastic, there are some real special ones there which I am looking forward to developing, framing and showing off!!
Many thanks again for all your efforts, you really captured the whole evening and for all your help and patience with all my requests!”

Lisa.

Was pleased to get the assignment to cover this years conference in Edinburgh.

DDL – Drug Delivery to the Lungs has been a long standing event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and is organised by a voluntary committe from various companies and The Aerosol Society.

More images…

DDL   The Aerosol Society

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One of the gains of photography is the various experiences of meeting those you come in contact with.

From a recent enquiry through a business listing web site for Cpl Stevie Gibb, and in competition to other photographers, I won the opportunity of covering the Homecoming Ball for the Corporals Mess of 1 Scots at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh in Oct 2010. The Royal Scots Borderers is the name given to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS). 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Scots_Borderers

From this I ended up doing the group (80!!) photo for the Regimental Sergeant Majors’ (RSM) In/Out dinner – a dinner for the leaving RSM and incoming RSM. This particular event was delayed as the outgoing RSM was in Afghanistan. I was also asked to cover a second Ball – this for the Sergeant’s and Officers Mess the following Saturday.

I think this was my first ever ‘touch point’ with the army, a barracks, the various ranks, civilian access to a barracks and more. From a life in (hospitality) business and now photography, this was a new world. At every point of contact all I can say what a great ‘bunch of guys’ and I include Sgt Sarah Learmonth (who booked me for the Sgt’s Mess Ball). And at one time exiting the barracks had good chat with the MOD guards.

Anyway both evenings were a pleasure to do. Ball gowns and smart uniforms were the order of the evening. I was there to photograph couples and groups, unfortunately with not the best of backgrounds. The huge gym was transformed with marquee interior drapes, balloons and lighting.

I found out that on the Saturday afternoon of the Sgt’s Ball there was the Homecoming Parade from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Park where there was to be the medals presentation by the Lord Provost and Brigadier Richard Felton and other top army officers. Through my contact at Dreghorn with Sgt Major Mo Morrison I offered to photograph the parade and ceremony for free and make the pictures available.

An exhausting run/stop/run down the Royal Mile following the troops ended with the medal’s presentation in Holyrood Park for all who had just returned Afghanistan.

Already there in Holyrood Park were the injured soldiers and I was shocked to discover one young man there waiting to accept his medal and who had lost both legs and most of his fingers. Some other photographers took his individual picture but I couldn’t and instead took one of him being video interviewed – shown below. Seeing these guys was humbling, a full realisation in the flesh of what is sacrificed on our behalf. And whilst the able bodied in their ranks opposite also received their campaign medals, they will also have come back with their own memories of their 6 months tour – and not least of 3 comrades killed in this time.

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Commissioned as ‘official photographer’  (well have to brag a bit!) by Lotus UK on behalf of The Spanish Tourist Board for this year’s Taste of Spain by the galleries on The Mound. The mornings  photos were ftp’d to the news desks at lunchtime.

Flash slideshow here and static images on Taste of Spain Facebook page.

Thanks to Kate and Jules from Lotus UK .

Taste of Spain Edinburgh