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Life’s Robots Then and Now

Robots Then and Now

Life Science Centre has a new amazing exhibition! It is the story of robots progression from 16th Century mechanical automatons to the fascinating humanoids of today and the future. The exhibition was created by the Science Museum in London and after travelling to Manchester now us northerners are lucky enough to see it locally at the Life Science Centre Newcastle.

Last month Life promoted the new exhibition with a robot humanoid duo from Berlin being photographed in character all around Newcastle. It was my job to as event photographer to capture great PR and editorial shots of the robots as they mingled with perplexed shoppers in the city centre. They also travelled on the Metro to much amusement of commuters, shopped in the Grainger Market for their fruit and veg then relaxed and entertained on the Quayside Seaside with staff on their lunch breaks.

This type of event photography is so much fun and really keeps you on your toes as everything is so  unpredictable! The moving metro is a technical challenge as the light changes by the second but standing back and photographing genuine public reactions is what makes it so entertaining! Below are a selection of my images shared from that day by The Chronicle and the International Life Science Centre. Even an image of me shooting which was kindly sent to me via the press from a very kind Dariusz Brodowski who was trying out a new lens at the Monument!

Watch this space for more robot shots of the opening of the exhibition. If you havent been to see it make sure you make some time this summer!

Photographer newcastle shooting events in the city centrePhotographer newcastle shooting events in the city centrePhotographer newcastle shooting events in the city centre
Photographer newcastle shooting events in the city centrePhotographer newcastle shooting events in the city centre Photographer newcastle shooting events in the city centrePhotographer sarah deane in newcastle shooting events in the city centrePhotographer newcastle shooting events in the city centrePhotographer newcastle shooting events in the city centre

Photographer newcastle shooting events in the city centre

Durham Wildlife Trust’s Rainton Meadows

Outdoor shoots like this are so enjoyable when the sun shines as it did this day! I was invited to Rainton Meadows, part of Durham Wildlife Trust to capture photography of their nature reserve facilities and portraits of their volunteers. The imagery was to use for their marketing material designed by local design agency Intimation Creative, to attract more people to visit the local nature reserve.

The birds conveniently flocked to the sky whilst shooting the bird hide, disturbed by my venture into the marshes. The autumnal sun was low and striking, with light bouncing everywhere so there were some excellent photo opportunities for high contrast silhouettes and reflections.

The smiley happy volunteers were clearing the pond area of vast amounts of rushes and were happy to stop to have portraits taken for the “My Wildlife’ poster campaign that features strong photography of the people who make the Durham Wildlife Trust such a great place to visit. The sunlight was challenging as I used it to light my subjects and inevitably it caused people to squint, however pointing my camera in this direction away from the sun gave me the most fantastic rich blue sky backdrop. A handful of the shots from the day are below and I am sure you will see more rolled out across the website and at the Rainton Meadows and High Barns centres.

To visit a Wildlife Trust near you, visit http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/ to find out more.

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The All Seeing Eye, Fluid Group Newcastle

The All Seeing Eye opened two weeks ago by owner Oliver Vaulkhard of Fluid group in Newcastle. Heineken’s Star Pubs and Bars have invested in the refurbishment of what was The Blackie Boy’s rarely used function room upstairs. The historic features have been exposed with the roofs rafter’s, rustic red brickwork and 30’s satined glass windows creating a cool New York feel together with ornate Moroccan tables and velvet furnishings adding a laid back vibe.

The brief was to capture PR portraits of Manager Dave Walker and his staff along with photography of the bar interior design showcasing the large atrium, the light features and the relaxed low ceiling snug area. The lighting and colours created dramatic compositions perfect for PR & marketing photography for todays Journal to promote this fantastic new late night bar in Newcastle city centre.

The article is in today’s Journal on this link http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/popular-pubs-receive-240000-makeover-7120118

The all Seeing Eye Newcastle BarASE Newcastle  016ASE Newcastle 022All Seeing Eye Newcastle Fluid Bar

Arlo Cafe Bistro’s Food & Family

I LOVE ARLO! The food is tremendous the staff are just gorgeous and the place is run by one of the nicest families you’d hope to meet. Susan & Lucas are perfect hosts and the kids Otis, Lola, Arlo and Luna (a cool 4 letter theme) are often in there munching on the cakes looking super edible themselves.

The photography brief was to capture food, staff and family in a two hour window so luckily my experience in 2 of my specialist areas, food and portraits made it thorough yet enjoyable. I was shooting the kids (people often snigger when I use this term- but you know what I mean..) whilst the chef whipped up the new international menu.

The food photography was executed on the wooden tables in the cafe and I used a mixture of natural blue toned light to highlight the clarity of the food & with the warm glow of tungsten light in the back ground. For any budding food photographers, use a macro lens and a shallow depth of field for food photography. You dont need it all in focus, just the tasty bits and be prepared to work fast to get the freshest look.

The staff portraits were shot as the team worked which created a lovely informality with lots of fun expressions and movement. They then cleaned up then chowed down for a low key meal & meeting coupled with a predatory photographer. They seemed game (thanks Dan)! For more images taken of family & staff, or just to check out the food menu check out their site on this live link http://arlojesmond.com/category/general/

arlo's bistro cafe jesmond food photographyArlo & family

arlo's staff portrait photography in jesmond bistro newcastle
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EXTWENTYFIVE Digital at Newcastle College

Late last year a fantastic exhibition celebrating the work of alumni from the past 25 years was held at Newcastle college. It showcased ex students who have been successful in their careers using digital design mediums including animation, advertising, graphic communication, fashion & photography and I was really chuffed to be part of it.

It was incredible going back there as it hadn’t changed since I was last there is 1991, (yep I only just qualified for the 25 year period… yikes!) The work I chose to exhibit was creative, atmospheric and colourful.

Myself, ex colleagues and many old friends were part of this exhibition so it was particularly exciting. One of my longest friends (note careful not to say ‘oldest’) who exhibited is school friend Helen Lyon. We have been best pals for a quarter of a century!

Helen graduated from Middlesex Uni in Communication Design, worked in agencies, taught in higher education then later set up studio HB over a decade ago. Her company specialises in environmental graphic design and has worked with, amongst others, The Science Museum, The British Museum and The Natural History Museum in London.

Helen & I often work together on projects and studio HB recently commissioned me for shots of her graphic panels at ‘David Bowie is’ at the V&A (featured in EXTWENTYFIVE) and the Olympic Journey at The Royal Opera House. We also created some relaxed portraiture for her new brand website. Helen’s design portfolio can be viewed on this live link http://www.studiohb.co.uk

sarah deane photographic at ex25 newcastle college exhibition 2013

 

ex25 exhibition at newcastle college 2013 with studio hb helen lyon studio hb at ex25 exhibition newcastle college