Michael Yarde’s Photo Blog
The Ramblings of a Teenage Photographer
Updates and Apologies
Apr 4th
Firstly, I start off this post with an apology. I’ve completely neglected this blog over the past couple of months. A mixture of finally getting myself employed and starting university means I’ve got very little free time. And as a result, my photography has massively suffered. Alas! I finish Uni (bar two exams in May) on Thursday. So, my aim is to get myself back out shooting. I’ve got a couple of things in the pipeline, all just needing time to mature. I’ve long wanted to do a shoot with my car (as any self respecting teenage male does), but I’ve always been under the impression that my car isn’t worth it, with its horrible matte black bumpers. However, all she needs now is a front bumper, and she’s in a photo ready state. Not completely finished, but enough to start experimenting with!
Like I said, with this massive upcoming break (once my exams are over, Late-May til Late September) I’m going to venture further afield to get “that shot”. So if anyone has any ideas of some locations in the North East of England, leave me a comment on this post or get in touch!
There’s potentially something massive going to go down in the summer. That’s all I can say at the minute, as I don’t know if its actually going to materialize, but if it does, lets just say…xD
And now onto the “update” that the title of this post promised. Strictly speaking, its not photography equipment, but I get myself an iPad2 (32GB WiFi in Black if anyone is wondering). Get it on launch day, and I’ve played with it ever since, its amazing! I’ve been asked to write a review by Marc over at ebuyer.com. I’ve promised him I’d have it done by last week. But Uni has taken over yet again. Come Thursday, I shall endeavor to write it! I promise Marc! I will!
Well, until next time…
Laters
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Just a quick update!
Feb 14th
I can’t really say that much about this, but potentially, this is epic of absolutely massive proportions! Nothing more beyond a first contact, but if this goes down, this is going to be an epic summer!
Follow me on Twitter (@michaelyarde) to get to know what this is all about as soon as I know about it!
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Back to the 70s!
Dec 12th
Well, the party went well last night, unfortunately, my YN460 II didn’t turn up in time, so no review for that.
Full set of the party can be found on the Michael Yarde Photography FaceBook page (link below)
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Michael Yarde Photography covers another event!
Dec 11th
It’s good to be out shooting again! It’s been fair too long since I’ve been out shooting properly. It’s not that I’ve lost the love for photography, it’s just I’ve not got the time anymore! Since getting a job and university, it’s just AAAAAAAARGH!
Anyway, tonight was a 70s themed birthday party for a family friend (and actually one of my primary/first school teachers!). So, due to being fancy dress, there’s plenty of cracking photos and people seemed quite happy to have their photos taken (which is nice, as a photographer, as it helps if the subject isn’t pulling a “Get that
So, indeed, I do believe event photographer is where I’d end up if I ever go into / make it in comerical photographry, with the aim at hitting some weddings as well!
Still a little disapointed that my new YungNuo YN460 II didn’t arrive in time! Ah well, never mind. I shall update again tomorrow when the photos are live on my FB feed.
PS: I’ve also joined the world of Twitter, but on a personal, not photography level, so if you fancy following me, I’m over @michaelyarde
For now, peace out.
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Some new gear on it’s way!
Nov 28th
It’s been a long time since I last posted. And I’m sorry, this is just a small update. But in preparation for my next event shoot on the 11th December, I’ve ordered myself a YN460 II flash unit! I’ve read nothing but positive reviews for this, and hopefully, I shall be getting a radio trigger or two off santa, it’s going to be a strobists christmas!
I might not have any more updates until the 11th December after the event shoot, or a review of the flash. However, I may suprise myself and get out in this snow and go shooting! Anway, the shot below is just a little taster of the snow I’ve got currently in the bay.
Shot taken using my mum’s Panasonic Lumx FS30
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There’s not a lot you can get for a fiver these days…
Oct 26th
Due to times a changing, there really is very little that you can get for a fiver these days. I mean, even an hour at Uni costs you £6.25 (yes, I worked it out!). However, last Thursday proved that there still are some occurrences when that is true. As some of you know, I’m a bit of a Polarsets fan and have vowed to see them live. Well, the launch of their latest single “Morning” at The Cluny allowed me to finally see them live, and by god was it worth it! There was a truly awesome vibe in The Cluny that night! Now, most artists are judged on how well they perform live. Well, let me tell you this, Polarsets are just as good, if not BETTER live! Polarsets played a mixture of their “earlier” stuff like ‘Leave Argentina’ and ‘Just Don’t Open Your Eyes Yet’ alongside their newest single (the one they were launching) ‘Morning’ and also a song that I’d never heard before (and unfortunately can’t remember the name of, something about standing maybe), but truly loved!
As a photographer and a lover of all things technologically creative, I can’t forget to mention the ‘Morning’ promo video that was made by DecibelPicturesLtd. Now, this is a truly epic video! Featuring a great use of slow motion throughout (and who isn’t a sucker for a bit of slow-mo!) and also some of the more unsavory sights of Newcastle city centre in the early hours of the morning (although nothing graphic or disturbing, don’t worry!) The video gives you just a brief impression of Polarsets Indie-Trance hybrid love child that has made them so truly unique and what will ultimately give them the break that they so obviously deserve. Prepare for serious eargasim!
Now, although this was a night organised by, and featuring Polarsets, I can’t forget to mention the support acts, Pilots, Tomahawks For Targets and Red Sky City. All 3 of these really impressed me, but the stand outs were Pilots. I’d never seen or heard of Pilots before (sorry lads!), however, I was massively impressed! I can’t put my finger on exactly what I like about their tuneage, but I can tell you this with 100% confidence, they are epic! Out of the tracks I’ve heard, OneTwoThree has to be my favourite. That intro just hooks you right from the outset and keeps you entertained throughout and demanding more once it’s over! Massive props to Luke who’s sent me two MP3 files so that I can have a bit of Pilots with me where ever I go. I hope you Pilots realise that I saved burning a new CD for my car today, purely hoping that I could have a copy of the tracks! And now I do, so I can burn my CD and spread your tunes to the people of Whitley Bay!
I really hope y’all go far, you really deserve it! As does all of the bands mentioned in this post, Polarsets, Tomahawks for Targets and Red Sky City. All of you are individual in your own way, and really what the UK music scene needs!
Just as a side note:Any record deals that come about because of this blog entry are entirely because of me and I expect 10% royalties cut off the sale of your first album!
|| Polarsets Myspace ||Pilots Myspace ||Tomahawks for Targets Myspace ||Red Sky City Myspace ||
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*tl;dr summary*
Polarsets and Pilots are epic, go buy their music! NOW!
EDIT: This post has been Polarsets approved!
Cheers Rob, I assume it was Rob? If not, thanks to either Micky or James! Or whoever the hell it was!
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Finally, some new photos for y’all!
Oct 17th
As the title says, I’ve finally got some new photos to show y’all! It was the 1st September when I last uploaded something to Flickr. I’ve been chomping at the bit to get out again, but with starting University and finally getting myself a job, I’ve had very little spare time. Finally, today, I was free of anything, and need to go and get my shot for the Ebuyer Forums Fun Photo Competition, in which the theme this month was Autumn (although personally, I reckon its about a month too early, the trees are only just starting to turn.
Anyway, I went up to St Alban’s church in Earsdon Village and what a quick walk around the churchyard. I’m quite pleased with the few shots I managed to capture. It’s been a while and it feels great to be out shooting again. As for the processing, I’ve gone for a slightly more extreme angle with this set, not entirely sure if it works or not. But that’s for you lot to decide.
Anyway, click the photo below to be taken to the full set…
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dSLRApprentice.com – For all your photographic needs!
Oct 2nd
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce you dSLR Apprentice, a new forum that’s being set up by me and Kevlar. Although I’m doing very little on the technical side of things, I’m just doing what I can to suggest items for the forum, getting new members and also moderating the site.
dSLR Apprentice is a site aimed for all abilities, whether you’re just the occasional holiday snapper, or a full-time professional. The aim is to get a massive hub of information and just general banter between people with shared interests. We’ve got a load of sections covering a massive range of photography styles and sub-genres, so we’ll definately have something for you. And if we haven’t, either get in touch with me or WebMaster (on dSLR Apprentice) and we’ll do our best to get something sorted out. Simply click the image above to be taken to the forums and begin our journey onto dSLR Apprentice. Go on, go out and spread the word!
PLEASE NOTE: This site is still under construction. So service might be slightly interrupted as the WebMaster updates certain aspects of the site
FURTHER NOTE: DSLR Apprentice has since closed
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Thar’ she blows!
Oct 1st
As I promised yesterday, here’s a picture of the might fine piece of kit I took delivery of yesterday…
Specs:
Apple MacBook Pro 15″
Intel i5 @ 2.4Ghz
4GB DDR3 Ram
320GB HDD
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256 MB
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Well, what have we here?
Sep 30th
Well, it’s official, I’ve cracked. I purchased my first Apple Mac! Wednesday was the faithful day, and finally, I was united with my MacBook Pro today after missing the delivery of it yesterday! Believe me, it’s one hell of a good looking machine! Can’t wait to give it a good proper run with some benchmarks and the like! I shall post pictures and more specs at some point tomorrow once I’ve had a good play with it!
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