March » 2011 » Julie Edwards Photography

Watermarks and Blogging

If you follow this blog you may have noticed that the last post featured far smaller watermarks on the images. I have also reduced all of the watermarks on the main site and Flickr stream.

This follows a few months of deep thought and discussion. I was well aware that the watermarks were spoiling the images hugely but at the same time I, like all that make their living producing imagery, am worried about image theft on the web.

The next issue is social media. The aim of this is to get your site and images seen across the web but of course, who wants to share an image with a huge watermark spoiling it? On the flip side, what is the point of getting images shared if no one knows they are yours?

It’s a huge dilemma for photographers and artists alike.

So I have reduced my watermark across the whole of the lower edge – small and unobtrusive. I am saying to not-for-profit bloggers, feel free to blog the image, share it. All I ask is you link to it correctly and send me a link of your use. For commercial organisations – the images are not free and you need to contact me before use. I will be using technology now to find misuse of my images on the web.

So, feel free to free to link, blog and discuss but be warned.. I am watching..

Police protection

Marching from classical to rock

Friday, Saturday then Sunday, 3 days to demonstrate the wide range of my work;

First, Friday and a pleasant trip with my “mobile studio” to North London to visit Dimitri Kennaway; a pianist and composer. The aim was to produce a set of portraits for use on his new website and also his social media sites (Facebook etc). We started in the music room with Dimitri playing his own works and Rachmaninov whilst we chatted and I set up lighting, reflectors and started shooting.

Dimitri Kennaway

After we were happy we had finished in the Music Room, we moved into the garden where the afternoon light was lovely for some more informal shots.

Dimitri Kennaway

So from peaceful Rachmaninov in the music room to the noise and confusion that was the Anti-Cuts march on Saturday.

Between a quarter and a half a million marching through London is huge news. The problem was we all knew it would get hijacked and there would be violence and once there is this level of violence the media will be dominated by images of this over the peaceful rally. My plan was to stick totally with the peaceful rally which was sort of limiting my outlet before I start but I am not an expert on shooting violence and to be honest I did not really want to put myself or my camera in harms way.

I started off at the head of the rally at 11:30 for the start..

Brendan Barber at the head of the march

My usual plan is then to move with the rally, gradually dropping back but this was so long (I understand it took over four hours for the tail to cross the start line) that this was not really an option so I moved along to Whitehall (near Downing Street) and stayed there allowing the march to pass me always keeping an eye out for interesting banners and sights. In hindsight this was probably not the best place to stay but it did also fit in with my overall plan to file about 2pm before heading back out. Although the mood was very jovial and good natured, there were a couple of pockets where the mood changed distinctly and although all the police I dealt with on the day were good natured and helpful, there was always a hint of what was to come if you looked for it..

Police Riot helmets

I headed off about 1:30 to file my shots and just as the last one uploaded, I received a tweet that mentioned the HSBC bank had been attacked at Cambridge Circus; only 2 minutes walk from where I was. I hurried over to photograph the aftermath (being sure that that perpetrators would have moved on). What caught my eye was that only 3 or 4 minutes after the trouble had left, with the building still protected by Police in riot gear, a que had formed for the cash machine as though nothing had happened.

Cash Dispenser

As the march had now moved on I decided to call it a day. A selection of images for sale may be seen here..

Sunday and it was back to The Brighton Centre to photograph Elbow. This was one of the nicest gigs I have photographed in a while. The low central walkway brought Guy Garvey (the lead singer) out in to the audience giving us a chance for some nice shots…

Elbow performs at The Brighton Centre, Brighton, 27th March 2011.

Elbow / Guy Garvey

Whilst the lights made things interesting on stage…

Elbow / Guy Garvey

A selection of Elbow images may be seen here..

A more contrasting 3 days I do not think I have had…

Limited Edition

I am pleased to announce a new limited edition print/canvas.

Peace over the pier (click to enlarge).

You may also view the image in the shop larger without a watermark here..

The photo was taken on Worthing beach on the morning of the 2nd January.

As with all my art prints, this will be limited to a total run of 25. This means unlike canvases or prints you purchase in stores, you are almost guaranteed that it will be unique among your colleagues. I also guarantee that once 25 versions are sold, that will be all, ever.

Business and Pleasure

It’s an old adage that one should not mix business and pleasure but I’m not really sure it applies to photography.

On Saturday night I left my family at home (as I do many weekends) to photograph K T Tunstall (and support) at Brighton Dome.

The Pictish Trail

First the support (Johnny Lynch / The Pictish Trail; very entertaining ). Having shot a the first couple of songs I relaxed at the back of the venue with the other photographers discussing upcoming acts and commissions.

K T Tunstall

Next up was K T Tunstall. Her show seemed to have more of an “edge” than shows in the past (looking at photos going back I think thats true).

K T Tunstall

She sounded really great and I have to say it was another of the gigs where I would have really liked to stay longer. My only disappointment from the evening is I did not manage to get a good iPhone crowd shot. (I got an iPhone for christmas and since then I have been trying to take unusual quick views of the audience and pit at every gig).

Sunday evolved like most Sundays along the coast, (although I started with editing the night’s before shots); A nice breakfast followed by a walk along the front (in the feeble attempt to walk off the eggs, bacon etc). As aways one camera is over my shoulder as we walked down Worthing’s to “Splash Point” which has recently been re-developed.

Splash Point

I captured this image of children playing in the mist/fountain with a small rainbow; a nice joyful editorial stock shot.

So you see, my work life and private life totally overlap, for me business IS pleasure (and visa versa in fact). The key is commitment, enjoyment and balance…