Photographers’ Get Together in London
- Saturday, 1st May 2010Last week I travelled down from the Scottish Borders to meet with 30+ wedding and portrait photographers from the Randall Network in London for our annual (or is it biannual!?) get together. After the huge success of the brilliant get together in Blackpool last September, expectations were high and we were far from disappointed – it was brilliant, the biggest get together yet with many new friends made. Thanks so much to those who made it and for being such great and inspiring friends. Sorry to those who couldn’t make it and I hope to see you next time. Thank you to Hayley for doing such an amazing job organising the event, to Stewart for the amazing contribution he made (and for creating the finest albums in the world!) and last but not least thanks to 3B Media for their superb introductory seminar about off-camera flash photography.
Onto some photographs… after a quick drink and introductions in a bar near Waterloo Train Station we set off in groups for a ‘fun photo challenge’. There were some rules and guidelines to follow, but nearly everyone abandoned them in favour of shooting whatever we wanted! The goal of the challenge was to get people out with their cameras and shoot things that might be outside their usual field. Everyone agreed that it was a great challenge and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The best images from everyone were put into a slideshow and shown on a projector screen the following day. Here are some of mine from the challenge, all taken with the Canon EOS 5D MKII, 24-70L and processed in Lightroom 3 Beta:
Pete Lawson is uncompromising when it comes to getting the shot he wants 
Simon Fazackarley wanted a shot of our shoes (as you do) so I took one from an alternative angle
Pigeons are fun to shoot
Back at the bar for a few drinks and to submit our images
I was demonstrating my shoot-from-the-hip “technique” which shocked Abby a little as she thought I was shooting something dodgy!!
Day two and we’re in the ‘boardroom’ for some serious discussions, coffee and Krispy Kremes!!
Phill Allen and Simon discuss their topic:
Stewart gives his ‘The Power of Social Networking’ talk
Then here’s me on the quiet train heading back to the Scottish Borders after a brilliant couple of days in London – thanks again everyone; you’re amazing people to know!
Here are a couple of superb blog posts of the get together with great photos from fellow Randall Network family members:
- Phil Barber – London Baby! – Randallmania
- Randall Photo Network London Get Together – By Barnaby Aldrick
- London by Lawson Photography
Great shots, James! Such a great meet this was – missing everyone already and wishing it could have gone on longer!
Fab photos! Soooo jealous!
Fab set of images – bar one
Was great fun wasn’t it!
Great pictures James!! Such a brilliant few days & you’ve captured them perfectly! but do I really look that dark & moody?!? =)
I’ve said this before…and I’m right. You’re getting quite good at this Kodak Brownie business. Aren’t you?
Thanks guys!
Sorry Simon – you’ve fallen victim to the vignette a couple of times :-/ I’ve had another look through and you seemed to have been a bit illusive in front of my camera…!
I’m soooo coming to the next GTG ! great shots James.
Brilliant images James love the black & whites, had a fantastic time and looking forward to the next one
James you have captured the real feel of the GTG and you challenge photos are fantastic too! Great to catch up and can’t wait for the next one, research is already underway for the venue!
I’m so glad you did this James, as I’m sure everyone else will be. There’s a series in the making there for photographers scrutinising the backs of their cameras (I seem unable to locate my screen even) and I must say I’m highly relieved that you followed mine and Mr. F’s presentation shot with the image that does follow it, rather than the one that preceded it! :~)
I admired how calmly, quietly and sensitively you went about photographing everyone around you and always found time to be unflinchingly helpful. I’m honoured to be a member of the same network as you!
My favourites were the first shot of Pigeons (for the frozen in time ness), the woman eating in Pizza hut ( for the multi layered reflections) and the self portrait for the contented exhaustion.
James; you’re special. You’ve captured the GTG as it was. Thanks!
These are brilliant James! May have to nick a couple to put on my blog! x
Lovely pictures of a fabulous couple of days. It was great to meet up with you again James – next time we want to meet both you and the Mrs though!