ROYAL ASCOT 2011

So last friday I went to Royal Ascot for the very first time, organised by Debbie Gilbert of Viva Business Networking http://www.viva-networking.co.uk/    There's no two ways about it, the day could not have got wetter if it tried!  But the company was great, the outfits were amazing, the pimms/wine/champagne was flowing and I now have my very own picture of Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip - it's 18 years since my last opportunity to photograph them and back then, I didn't have my camera!

But for me, the best part was people watching and, of course, taking photos for pleasure.  One thing I just love is the tradition of it all, women in their finery and men in their suits, top hats and tails.  But one thing I was not expecting was just how 'chav tastic' the Silver Enclosure was! Beautiful girls in beautiful clothes, completely inebriated by midday, not caring about the rain, their muddy shoes nor their language!  Fights breaking out by the end of the day (one security guard said it was known as 'fight Friday'!) and the queues for the mens toilet were, I have to say, a first - never seen that before! To be honest, what with a live band (they were brilliant), big screen to view the races and all the alcohol, I'm sure there were hundreds of people that didn't even notice the horses, the Queen nor the fact that they were at Ascot for that matter!
However, myself and a few friends braved the weather, ventured out to the track a few times, put on a few bets, lost a few bets, drank some pimms, took some photos and generally had a good laugh.   Next year, same again but with SUNSHINE please!!

Poppy Field Shoot June 2011

I have always wanted to do a shoot in a poppy field but have never found poppy fields locally to me with enough poppies to make it worthwhile - but this year, there is one on my doorstep - and it's spectacular!
This is my latest shoot of a gorgeous 10 year old girl who is not only very photogenic but also so patient and well behaved, a real pleasure to photograph!   The elements were against us in so far as the sun was in and out like a jack in the box and it was pretty windy but I couldn't complain because at least it was dry - which is more than can be said for the latest weather!!  We just made use of diffusers, reflectors, bit of flash etc to hopefully get some ace results.....but funnily enough, one of the best was the last one done at home!  Again used a little bit of flash here to fill in the shadows.