Found myself at Dunstable Downs to put the Sony FE 200-600mm lens through its paces on a Sony Alpha 7R mkiv. Weather was changing all the time. Raining, Sunny, Stormy. I’m looking at purchasing this lens and the camera so I wanted to put it through its paces.
First thing i found is the lens is very comfortable to be hand held. Which is perfect as I wanted to capture images without being too obvious. Dunstable Downs is big place and the views are amazing. When I have photographed up here before with a smaller lens you will struggle to capture well what you see. Probably need to crop in a lot which will have effect on the quality of the image. The shot above is simple view and on a 600mm lens becomes very accessible.
The Dunstable Downs is a busy place. Dog Walking, Cycling Flying Kites, Gliders and Planes. Perfect opportunity to test the lens. The tracking was pretty much spot on. Tracking the plane and the glider was very easy and shooting into the sun amongst the clouds was not an issue. Using this lens really does open the opportunity of capturing images you probably would of thought about taking.
I was lucky enough to have tested the 200-600mm lens out in Turkey at the Gloria Serenity Resort. Perfect conditions lots of sunshine. But how does it compare to a overcast day in the UK. I’m looking at using this lens for my fieldsport photography which is seasonal from September to the end of January. The weather can change from sunny days to blizzard conditions. The day I chose was overcast very grey, subject was a couple of Buzzards I know fly around a farm up the road from me. I was impressed with what I managed to capture. The tracking on the Sony Alpha 7R mkiv was pretty good in some difficult conditions.
I’m a full time freelance photographer working now for 10 years. I cover many disciplines from high end Sport, photographing Buildings, Corporate Head Shots, Weddings, Field Sports, Theatre and Events. Every day is different, every week is different and during the year some of my work is seasonal. I get asked what do I photograph so I thought I would let you see what is happening this week.
This morning was spent photographing a dental practise Grove Dental Clinic in Aylesbury on behalf of Apollo Interiors. A lot of my building work is in London or 1 hours drive from my house. I will travel further if required but as I deal with Architects, Shop Fitters, Construction, Residential, Hospitals, Lighting, Retail, Commercial, Restaurants, Engineering, Car Showrooms and Civil Engineers I find there is a great variety of work I can photograph locally to me. Keeping an eye on my Carbon Footprint.
This afternoon I’m now on a train to Farringdon to photograph a CEO looking for some head shots for his website. Using a great location Spaces in Farringdon. This work came via the internet. So that’s great to see that people do search and look on the internet.
I’m a great fan of Think Tank bags I used them for years. So today I’m using the International and a Naked Shape Shifter to carry all the camera gear I need today.
Note : Its coming up for the time of the year where I will be on the stand for Snapperstuff at the The Photography Show 2020 held at the NEC 14th – 17th March 2020. Snapperstuff distribute Think Tank and Mindshift camera bags. So come along and say hello we would love to see you on the stand.
Tuesday I’m in Cobham photographing a residential house on behalf of Louis de Soissons who are celebrating their centenary in 2020.
Wednesday in London photographing a Dental practise for Apollo Interiors in the morning with a meeting in the afternoon.
Thursday meeting in the morning with more editing. The pheasant season has finished know, I need to get three books for three different clients signed off before printing. I have used Blurb for many years now and find their quality is great.
Friday is editing and responding back to emails if I have not already done so. Picked up 3 weddings this year so I need to get organised and confirm in writing.
The most important thing to me is to make sure I’m looking after my clients and supplying them quality images. I’m also looking for new clients and have a big list of people to contact. Networking is very important and a lot of my client base has come via this method. Some of my work is repeat business. I work with agencies in particular Wonderhatch who I have been working with now for 8 years covering events which tends to be seasonal.
We headed down to Milford Haven on the Sunday during the half term. On the way down Storm Dennis was hitting the UK west coast. We had the chance to go via Porthcawl and to see the storm in action. Porthcawl is on the coast and was taking a real battering. The first time I have visited and with a storm lashing the coast. The power of Storm Dennis was incredible and I managed to walk a round and take some images and video.
I left the big camera behind and bought down with me the Sony RXOii. The Sony RXOii I had won in a raffle after being invited by Sony to come out to the Sony Alpha Pro experience at the Gloria Serenity Resort in Turkey to try out the Sony range of lenses and the new Alpha9 mkii.
I secured the RXOii and shot some video. Zeiss lens equivalent to a 35mm. The smallest camera I have seen and used and I was very impressed with the results. Looking forward to testing this camera more.
Another Year another Gang Show. The 71st this year. I wonder if I will be photographing the 100th.
Next year is the last in the Public Hall / Eric Morecombe Hall. The following year the Gang Show will be performed in the new location being built in Rothamstead Park.
I photograph the show through the week. My favourite day is Saturday. Matinee back stage and the evening last Performance.
The matinee is great low light and looking for movement and expressions. Pushes the camera to the limits. Plus I like producing black and white images.
I was invited back again to the Roundwood Park Careers Investigator Day on the 5th February 2020. This the third time I have been asked back. I was a pupil here many years ago, I left 6th form 1982. The school has changed in many ways. I don’t remember when I was there having a great careers advise. Today it is a lot more organised and they appreciate people coming in to talk to the student about their experiences.
I was here as a freelance photographer, others were from Film Industry, Banking Sector, NHS, Construction, Engineering, Law, IT, Food & Drink Industry, Journalism, Civil Service, HR, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire Police.
The morning was set up to talk to 4 groups of 6 children 20 mins per group. I had time to explain my journey over the past 10 years. With time for Q&A at the end of each group. Managed to answer the questions put to me. I look forward to next year and another crop of interested students
Its that time again to photograph the Harpenden Gang Show the longest continuously running Gang Show in the World. Today is the Dress Rehearsal. Images above are from the Harpenden Gang Show 2019 www.richardwashbrooke.com
Another year and we are back in town for Harpenden Lights Up. Photographed the Harpenden Gang Show performing a few of their numbers. The Farmers Market was on and the shops stayed open late. Good to see there was a great turn out of people. www.richardwashbrooke.com
D.G.Shelley Master Thatcher, Hatching Green, Harpenden 15th August 2019
It was a great to see and photograph a thatcher at work today. Dan Shelley is a sixth generation thatcher based in St Albans. www.hertsthatcher.com
If you think this is a dying art you might be surprised to hear that they are as busy as they can be. The average cottage will take 2 people 5 weeks to complete. A good thatcher will have work booked for 1 year and sometimes 3 years in advance. They work throughout the year and rain does not stop them working.
The Hitchin Lavender Fields are looking fantastic. They believe in the next week to two weeks it will be at its best. If you get time go and visit. To get updates check out their website. www.hitchinlavender.com
Thanks to Sony and the team I was invited during October 2019 to test the new Sony Alpha 9 mkii in Turkey at the Gloria Serenity Resort photographing Olympic athletes training. The conditions were perfect and I was blown away with the quality.
I have been with Canon for many years and now looking to switch over to the Sony mirrorless system. This will be a game changer for me.
Here are a few images from the Turkey trip October 2019
I have currently on test the Sony Alpha 7 mkiv with the 200m-600m lens and the 100m-400m lens. I will be posting images later.
I have known Abbie for many years mainly through the Venture Scouts. The last ten years has been through her love of the working dog that I have photographed Abbie and her dogs being trained or picking up. It’s an area I specialise in as it fits in well when I’m photographing field sports.
A favourite image of mine is when Abbie commissioned me to photograph her dogs in action.
Recently I was asked to come over and capture some images of her dog called Sherman for an article that would be appearing in the Gundog Journal Volume 1 issue vi.
It’s a great read so look out for it. Always nice to see my images in print.
Year 2019 has been a great year for photographing, Architecture, Construction and Building; particular areas Commercial, Construction, Car Showrooms, Education, Food, Healthcare, Retail, Lighting, Engineering, Dental, Hospitals, Interiors and Residential.
I work for some fantastic clients and have photographed some great projects over the last 10 years. This year 2020 has started well with three new clients coming on board during January.
Always looking for new clients so have a look at my links and should you have an interest in using my services please don’t hesitate in calling me.
Richard Washbrooke Photography Blog 