Actor Nik Howden Photo Session In A Stream!

Live-8 at The Eden Project: Paul’s Photos Recently I was reminded of the legendary Live-8 concert “Africa’s Calling” in 2005 and I’ve dug out the pics to have a look, and show you. I covered the event for Comic Relief as they were involved in the day, and I got to go to The Eden Project to photograph the superb concert held there, which featured many amazing artists like Youssou N-Dour, Peter Gabriel, Geoffrey Oryema, Mariza and lots more. I was fortunate to be there for the whole day, including being in the press area when Peter Gabriel was explaining about the event and I photographed him being interviewed by TV and radio stations from around the world. Thomas Brooman from WOMAD and Tim Smit the creator of The Eden Project were also interviewed, a proud moment in The Eden Project’s history. Two noticeable moments… at one point in the day Nelson Mandela spoke to the concert through a television link up, everybody was very emotional. Also, Angelina Jolie popped up for one reason or another, I’d entirely forgotten about this, but the pic is below, so it must’ve happened! I hope you enjoy looking through these pictures, the event was special for […]

The OWLS have landed – lovely BIG pictures Stunning Photos of Owls and Birds of Prey Capturing Majestic Birds of Prey – Up Close with Barn Owls and MoreOwls are among the most fascinating birds of prey, captivating us with their powerful wings, expressive faces, and silent flight. Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph some beautiful owl species, along with a hawk, and these striking pictures capture the mystery and beauty of these nocturnal predators. A Special Photography Session with Birds of PreyThese images were taken during a session at the International Centre for Birds of Prey in Newent, a project near Gloucester and Bristol. The center is dedicated to raptor conservation, education, and rehabilitation. Although it isn’t open to the public, I was lucky to capture these incredible creatures in close-up detail for a project focusing on raptors. Two of the color images here were shot on what I call my personal “Owl Safari.” I came across a magnificent Eagle Owl perched high atop a tree, calling loudly across the evening sky. As the light was low, these photos have a unique grain that I think adds to the wild, natural feel of the moment. Why Barn Owls […]

Clevedon – Photographing the beach and pier A very enjoyable evening was spent (with fellow photographer friend Aaron Weight) in Clevedon near Bristol this week. The pier there is a superb bit of architecture, so beautiful, and extremely photogenic. First of all I concentrated on the jetty, beach and pebbles surrounding the pier, trying to get in so close that they reveal their own patterns and textures… I was really waiting for the sun to go down….. whilst waiting I enjoyed the photo opportunities the low sun made with shadows upon the walls. Of course, the sun set shot isn’t the only shot to be had of the pier. I tried a black and white one here with the seaweed looking nicely dramatic. Eventually, though, the sun did indeed set. I got into position in order to put the sun behind the pier structure (almost standing on somebody’s barbecue in the process) and got this shot… Once I’d ruined their barbecue I decided to get the sun to the side of the pier, this seagull thankfully chose that moment to fly, which I like to think gives extra interest. Finally the sun entirely set, and I was left with a peaceful scene in which the sea suddenly takes on […]

THE DEEP – An underwater photography adventure in Hull, UK. A Visit to The Deep in Hull: A Bristol Photographer’s Experience Recently, I had the chance to visit The Deep in Hull, an incredible facility that proudly calls itself a “Submarium.” Essentially, it’s a massive aquarium with a main tank and several smaller ones. According to their Wikipedia page, The Deep contains thousands of sea creatures, including seven species of shark, and holds a staggering 2,500,000 litres of water! The building, designed by Sir Terry Farrell, is truly impressive. Being a Bristol-based photographer, I was excited about visiting this superb attraction and taking on the challenge of photographing marine life in such a unique environment. The Challenge of Photographing Sea Creatures Initially, I assumed that photographing sea life would be simple, but it turned out to be far more challenging than expected. Fish swim, sharks glide, and jellyfish drift – none of them stop for a photo! Coupled with the dim lighting, it created quite the photographic obstacle. I quickly realized that capturing these swift creatures in motion would be a real test of my skills. Experimenting with Lenses and Techniques To get the best shots, I experimented with different […]