Engagement Session at Marley Park

Here's some recent photos I did for an Engagement session at Marley Park Dublin.  These images will be used for signing book at the couples wedding reception in two weeks.

 I used a Lensbaby 3G to take these shots, such an interesting little accessory for a tilt and shift selective focus effect.

Compostion in Photography Part 2: The S Curve.

In a previous post on photographic composition I talked about one of the most fundamental principles "the rule of thirds".  This week I want to talk about looking at S curves when composing a photograph. 
Besides aligning the landscape or items within your viewfinder along lines of thirds, it's equally important to look for leading lines or curves to form a S shape to create a more dynamic image.

These principles can be applied to making any visual image not just a high end SLR camera, but even a camera phone and most importantly before these creative tools were invented it's been long established as a compositional technique in painting's and sculpture. 

The images below despite being from two separate eras made almost five hundred years apart, are excellent examples of using an S curve as a crucial part of the viewers enjoyment.  Besides being completely different mediums one a two dimensional photograph the other a three dimensional marble sculpture the principles of leading the viewers eye from lower left to upper right in a S shape are similar.

Photo by Cartier Bresson (1950's)

Apollo and Daphne by Bernini (1625)

Regardless of the different mediums the eye still dances from left to right. 
One of the advantages of three dimensional sculpture over a photograph, is the shape of an S can be maintained from different angles, this also demonstrates the genius of Bernini who could sculpt this with primitive chisels out of square blocks of marble. 

S Curve on the image plane.

The S curve can also be known as a leading line.  So called because it leads or guides your eye through the image.  It creates perspective and breaks up the photo into something more interesting than just a flat boring plane. 

So the next time your about to take a photo of a scene or moment that interests you.  Look, before you click the shutter for something that could form an S or leading line in the scene, the obvious being a path or road but people or any sort of items can be used to lead the eye in the final image, I've even seen photographers use tracks in sand or snow to good effect. 

Train British Colombia, Canada. 

The photo above combines both the rule of thirds and an S curve in the perspective.  The river and the train both form a perfect S shape that trails off into the distance in the lower right hand third.  While the sky occupies the top third and the mountain and forest's occupy the center.  It took much exploration and searching to find the right location where the train tracks bend like this. 
Also the three main colours in the photo are the three primary colours in the photographic printing spectrum Red Green and Blue (RGB).  Although it was just luck that the train was red.  

Try it yourself on any camera or Iphone, think outside the box and once you know the rules break them. 

I like to think of it as the eye going on a journey.  

SkillPages Demo Video

The up and coming Social media Start Up SkillPages has used my photography from my profile on their site, in their latest demo video of their mobile ios app. 
You can read about it from thenextweb.com

Or check out the video from youtube here. 

Men's Headshot Portraits for American Crew.

Here are some recent portraits I did in the studio for Irish Stylists for the American Crew awards.  They will first be entered into the Irish hairdressing competition, before going onto the international competition in Lisbon Portugal.

I used a simple enough three light portrait set up, with one large reflector. I was going for a film noir look that would show off the hair stylists creations. 

Each model had two looks to shoot, showing both front and back styles. 

Within a Stone's Throw Exhibition.

We are delighted at Travers Photography to be part of a permanent photographic exhibition called "Within a Stone's Throw" that will go on display throughout the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital.  
This exhibition features photos of Fifty Four Dublin Landmarks some well known to hidden gems, all within a short distance of the Coombe hospital hence the Stone's Throw title.  

It all started with an idea from Doctor Chis Fitzpatrick the former master of the Coombe, he approached us with some photos taken on his Iphone.  We would then go to these locations and retake them using a variety of different cameras to try recapture unique looks from different eras, from modern digital high end cameras to old vintage film ones like a 1960's Rolleiflex and Leica.  

We even used a medium format digital Hasselblad that we borrowed for a day worth €30,000 (I wish I owned it), that we used to photograph the Pepper Cannister Church.

To the other exteme of an old film camera from the 70's I found thrown away in a skip.  Which I then used to photograph Heuston Train Station.  

It was a great experience tracking down and shooting these landmarks and historic sites, dozens of them I never even knew existed and were right on my doorstep.  

The exhibition opened on  Wednesday 2nd October 2013 in the Coombe Hospital Education Centre and was officially opened by Dr Robert Ballagh.
The opening night was fantastic with a huge turnout thanks to everyone who attended.  

 James Travers presents Dr Robert Ballagh with a picture of the Phil Lynott statue.  (He sold Phil his first guitar).  

 James Travers, Dr Robert Ballagh and Seamus Travers stand with prints of Dublin landmarks.  

James Travers, Dr Robert Ballagh, Master of the Coombe Dr Chris Fitzpatrick and Seamus Travers stand with the plaque that will mark the permanent exhibition.  

The links below list more articles and media coverage of this permanent exhibition.

Independent.ie 

RTE.ie

Arts & Health.ie

Inside Ireland

The Liberty.ie

Here is a selection of images from the Exhibition.

 Samuel Beckett Bridge.

 The Four Courts.

 Hairdresser's shop on Upper Clanbrassil Street.

 James Joyce Bridge.

 The Patrick Kavanagh statue by the Grand Canal.

 Sean Heuston Bridge at the river Liffey.

 The Spire, as viewed by busy shoppers on Henry Street.

The War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge.  

The Wedding of Fergus & Nicola

Here's a selection of photographs from the wedding of Fergus and Nicola taken at the Lyrath Estate Hotel in county Kilkenny.

Leona & Robins Wedding

Here is a slideshow that fuses music photos and video.  These photographs are from Leona & Robins wedding made at the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan.