So why not use the 'Auto' button?

The Auto button works very well and produces good consistant images (providing you've focussed and composed correctly!).  So why would you want or need to learn how to use the manual controls on your camera?

Well I've been running workshops for a while now and what's great to see is the absolute delight when a creative shot is taken, it might just be blurring some action or freezing some water but the result is sheer joy!  I get an awful lot of satisfaction when I see someone's face light up and that penny drops.  It's not often though that I get to go out and 'play' with the camera however on a recent trip to France I had the pleasure of doing just that!  No, I'm not about to share my holiday snaps with you - that would be very boring!  Instead though I'd like to use one or two to demonstrate how using the manual functions on your camera can create more interest in your shots.

Ok, so these could have been taken anywhere but it was a good opportunity to get up close and personal with these giants!  The first image has frozen the action so you would think that the windmill was stationery.  The camera would have considered the bright light and therefore chosen a faster shutter speed, freezing the action.  

In this image we've told the camera what to do, slow down! You can now see the movement of the windmill..

Ok, so what else can you do?  Take a look at these images, why do the flowers jump out at you?

By taking control of the camera you can create that nice blurry background which makes the flower jump off the page.  Great for people shots too, and bubbles....!

Learning how to slow down the camera in the evening can create some real drama in your photographs.  It's likely that the Auto button would fire the flash, destroying any atmosphere.  The tree in this shot was already lit...

And for this shot I fired a bit of flash to light up the tree.

Ideally the camera should be mounted on a tripod for these shots, I didn't have one with me so it was all about finding something to balance the camera on but you get the idea!

There's so much more you can do with your camera.  Learning the basics of manual control opens up many more opportunities to get creative!

Thanks for reading..

www.sallyparkinson.co.uk

Oh Mamma Mia....Here we go again!

We had so much fun in the Summer Holidays with the variety of experiences I thought it was appropriate for us to do some more....oh yes, here we go again!

Learning the routine

 

Feedback from previous dance experiences has told us that the children just loved to party so I thought we'd kick off with a Mamma Mia Dance Experience for a day. (well it gives me an excuse to bop along to some Abba dance tracks!). 

Children (7-11yr olds) will get the chance to learn a dance routine to a terrific medley of Abba songs...I'm sure Dancing Queen will be in there somewhere along with Waterloo and a few others.  I really do think this will be a lively (and slighly cheesey) party! 

We also learned that they loved (and I mean loved!) the dressing up part of the day.  So, this time there will be clashing colours and plenty of glitter to help them get into the mood.  We know how much they loved their costumes in the Summer so this time they're included...yes, I'm sorry but they can go home in them this time and apologies to those parents who had to dissuade their children from wearing them in bed!

Then later in the week, we hope to satisfy both dancers and film buffs with a 2 day Pop Video Experience.

Sarah taking them through their steps

Limited to 10 dancers (Zombies), they will learn a Thriller style dance routine. The next morning we will be joined by professional Make Up artists for a 'Special Effects' make up workshop.  This is when they will transform themselves into their Zombie creation and learn how to make cuts, bruises and all sorts of horrible things out of make up.  That afternoon their routine will be filmed as a Pop Video and the film location will be in a public place in Colchester! They will have their photographs taken and take home a copy of their video.

Colchester town centre is in for a shock!

 

So it's not just 10 dancers we need...no, we also require 4 camera crew.

This is an amazing opportunity for just 4 people to work with film expert John Worland (Fade to Black TV).  The video will be a live mix so the 4 camera operators will need to learn and rehearse techniques ready for filming.  They will spend the two days with John and work with the dancers to ensure all the angles are covered.  John also plans to produce a 'behind the scenes' film of the experience so they'll be very busy and hands on.

So, here's what's happening, where and when:

Mamma Mia Dance Experience at Highwoods Community Centre, Colchester.

Monday 24th October, 10am - 4pm.  £35 per person

Pop Video Experience (2 days). The Tree Room, Trinity Street, Colchester.

Thursday 27th & Friday 28th October, 10am - 4pm each day. 

Dance, special effects make up workshop, perform in the video - £125 (max 10)

Camera crew 2 day workshop with John Worland - £95 (max 4)

To book call me on 07849 854308 or email sally@sallyparkinson.co.uk

www.sallyparkinson.co.uk

Spray Can Art for Kids

It's been great to be able to offer such variety for the Summer Experiences.  Seeing so many smiling faces after a performance or hearing the laughter as kids watch their very own film is priceless. Of course, they're not over yet, we've still two more dance workshops to come and we've even thrown in some Rihanna!

The finale though will be on 25th August when the Graffiti Kings come to Colchester and run a workshop especially for 7-12yr olds.  This is really exciting stuff, The Graffiti Kings have featured on numerous television programmes including Junior Apprentice, DIY SOS and Jamie Oliver's TV School.  Take a look at the Graffiti Kings Blog to see their work.

Children will be able to create their very own canvas which they will take home with them at the end of the day.  They'll also have their professional photograph taken and take that home too!

The workshop will be from 10am to 4pm at the Quaker Meeting House in Colchester.  It's £55 per person, includes all materials and is for a maximum of 20 children.  At the time of blogging there are 9 places left.

I'm really looking forward to this workshop, it really is going to be great.  Oh, and don't worry Grown Ups, you'll get your turn in the Autumn!

To keep up to date with workshops, experiences etc, please visit my facebook page

www.sallyparkinson.co.uk

07849 854308

Caution - Low flying children!!

Fun at Fogfarts!

Standby, turnover, recording and...ACTION! The new Summer Experiences by Sally Parkinson Photography started this week and the doors finally opened to Fogfarts School of Flying.

Enthusiastic 7-12 yr olds gathered at the Headgate Theatre, Colchester for two days of hands on film trickery and fun. The workshop, run with John Worland Video Production, was a superb 'hands on' opportunity for children to learn how film trickery in films like Harry Potter is produced. Over the two days they learned how to disappear on camera, how green screen filming works and even took part in their very own flying scene. A short film was made and each child took home their own copy of the DVD which includes them flying over Colchester, Mersea and Africa! Plenty of participation with roles as director, sound, camera man all being keenly snapped up! All the participants had a taste of both sides of the camera and on day two, John let them loose on the equipment! 

John said “This is a great opportunity for children to understand and be involved in film making. I also spend alot of time in the corporate world so I'm lucky to have so much variety”

Sally took a professional photograph of each participant against the green screen so that everyone could go home with a print of them flying over Colchester.

A few places are still available on next week's workshop, maximum 15 places or you might like to try one of the dance workshops.

Here's a clip from the DVD made last week:

More images and video available on facebook

www.facebook.com/sallyparkinsonphotography

www.sallyparkinson.co.uk

Fun filled first week of Summer Experiences

The new Summer Experiences by Sally Parkinson Photography started this week with the Lady Gaga Workshop.

Enthusiastic 7-12 yr olds gathered at the Headgate Theatre, Colchester for a day of dance, costume and fun. The day started with learning the routine choreographed and taught by professional dancer, Sarah Khouchane (Dance 2the Beat). By lunchtime the routine had been learned and dancers pulled the names of their costume creation out of a hat. We even had a visit from Michael Jackson. One boy joined us as he was unable to come to the Michael Jackson workshop so the routine was adapted to forfill his dream, he loved every second!

MJ Gaga!

 After lunch the costumes were revealed to the eager audience and the transformation took place. Costumes made from old clothes, cardboard, tin foil, plastic cups...you name it, they wore it! And how wonderful they looked.

After posing for their professional photograph, it was time for the little starlets to perform in costume to their parents. Each child took home a photograph of their experience.

More Glee style dance workshops are coming up this month and include Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and Michael Jackson. 

Metallic Gaga

Little Red Riding Gaga

Bad Romance Gaga

 

www.sallyparkinson.co.uk 

Graffiti...without getting into trouble!!

So what can we dream up for children on their Summer Holidays?  Well there are various workshops they can go to, activity days etc but how about something a little different, a bit more exciting, something that they can explore leaving lasting memories to take home...

I'm very excited to announce new Summer Experiences for the 7-12 yr olds in August.  I've collaborated with some fantastic professionals to produce some new experience workshops this Summer.  Choose from 3 different workshops...Film, Dance and Graffiti..

Here's more about Graffiti...


Graffiti (without getting into trouble!)

This really is a one off...for one day only AND they can take their art home!  A chance to spend the day with professional Graffiti Artist, Scott King from Aroma Designs.  Creating their very own artwork on a large blank canvas with spray paints and pens, children can go home with their own work of art and a photograph of their experience.


Thursday 25th August only

Quaker Meeting House, Colchester

£55 per person (includes materials)

To book call Sally 07849 854308
MAXIMUM 15 PLACES PER WORKSHOP

www.sallyparkinson.co.uk 

Whoopeeee it's GLEE and it's not just for girls..

So what can we dream up for children on their Summer Holidays?  Well there are various workshops they can go to, activity days etc but how about something a little different, a bit more exciting, something that they can explore leaving lasting memories to take home...

I'm very excited to announce new Summer Experiences for the 7-12 yr olds in August.  I've collaborated with some fantastic professionals to produce some new experience workshops this Summer.  Choose from 3 different workshops...Film, Dance and Graffiti..

Here's some more about Dance...It's not just dance though, it's fabulous GLEE style with some costumes and a photograph of your experience. AND it's not just for girls!

DANCE your socks off with professional dancer, Sarah Khouchane.  Four different 'Glee' style workshops, perform to a different music mix and style for each one and learn how to make simple effective costumes.  Pose for your photograph and perform the routine to parents at the end of the day.

Monday 1st August - Lady Gaga

Thursday 11th August - Black Eyed Peas

Tuesday 16th August - Beyonce

Monday 22nd August - Michael Jackson

£25 per workshop. Headgate Theatre, Colchester

Call Sally on 07849 854308 to book.   
MAXIMUM 15 DANCERS PER WORKSHOP

www.sallyparkinson.co.uk