Paul Wilkinson a talk on portrait photography, Tuesday 27th September

Hi Folks,

Paul Wilkinson a talk on portrait photography, Tuesday 27^th September.

Last night opening my wardrobe door to this new autumn’s season collection that I have of a black shirt and coloured jumper I never realised what fate would bestow me should I have picked the wrong garments to wear for the evening lol. Well the black shirt makes one look slimmer but it could be a cool evening this evening so I would also wear my coloured jumper over it.

Paul introduced himself and then his wife Sarah who was sitting in the front row describing her as his Debbie McGee and they together with two other staff run a studio in Haddenham.

Their office photographs were being displayed on screen allowing Paul to describe his upstairs studio set up. On the picture of downstairs we were shown a nice relaxing area for the customers to sit and discuss details whilst perusing over photographs.

This is the way Paul likes to run things giving a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere for the customer.

Paul said at his studios the client will often show him a picture on an Iphone saying, they would like the photographs to look like this, their photographs are often poor and of course Paul can do much better but believes creating memories for clients is the most important thing and it is the memory on the photograph that is appealing to the client.

Paul’s main interest is portrait photography but he can do landscapes but loves all photography involving people. He is very involved with the Master Photography Association and has won many National competitions. He is not a judge but has looked at some of his photographs that have come second over and over again to try and find any flaws that may have cost him the first place.

As a youngster photography wasn’t his passion but he wanted to be a drummer and even got into a group. He had a best friend at school that was into photography in a big way and was brilliant but Paul always thought drumming would pay more.

Paul showed us his first ever shot he took using a Kodak Brownie of his brother falling out of a tree after persuading him to jump. His brother wasn’t hurt but the picture looked to me in the style of modern art lol.

Paul’s father was into photography and would spend hours lining up his Zenith camera and fiddling with the light meter or settings whilst his family waited patiently to be photographed. This did frustrated Paul and his father said, “If you think you can do better, you have a go” and that is how Paul started in Photography. Twenty five years later he met his school pal photographer who had now become an Aero Space consultant so neither followed their first dreams.

We were then shown a series of photographs where Paul just uses the natural light available to him and allowing him to capture the atmosphere. Paul pointed out things to watch out for in a taking a portrait like having a uneven profile of the face. In another photograph we were shown a strong kung fu fighter holding a first child and pointing out to us how the baby/ parent connection can be achieved.

Paul described how involving members of wedding parties will help get a friendly atmosphere going which can change any miserable faces waiting for their picture to be taken as they do not make great pictures. Also important is getting the poses natural for the photographs and not asking for model poses with their arms hanging over their heads seen in newspapers.

Paul mainly uses a camera with a 70m-200m lens but the size of the lens looks much bigger than any I have seen. Paul also works using humour and initially described himself as Paul Daniels and then as George Clooney but has never got the right pose yet whilst looking in the mirror lol.

Paul went on to mention a German convention where he was the speaker and the German audience started laughing. Paul wasn’t wearing a suit but in casuals and wondered if his flies had come undone but it turned out they thought he was a complete take of Mr Bean.

I didn’t think the Germans had a sense of humour but I could see the resemblance lol

We then had a Coffee Break

During the break Paul and his wife Sarah set up a grey screen with lighting. There were various prints and books on display during the break.

The second half started and Paul began selecting people dressed in black to come out and have their photograph taken as a group. Phew glad I wore my bright jumper. As Paul had mentioned earlier people often tell him they do not take a good photograph, well I don’t lol

The last time I was dragged out on stage was by Pantomime Dames at the Beck’s Theatre in Hayes but at least Paul didn’t ask our volunteers to do ‘pat-a-cake’ as I had to in front of the whole Hayes audience lol

Anyway, Paul went on to show us that he tries a few shots and if they don’t work the first time he moves the lighting until it is just right. I think that all comes together with experience once one becomes more aware of the light and settings. However, if it were me taking those photographs I wouldn’t have had Paul’s father’s skills but Paul would still be standing in line waiting for me to get that perfect picture by trial and error. How many hours have you got Paul lol

Men in black,

take 302, now can you switch the backlight on and move the front light a tad closer lol

Thank you to Paul for an entertaining evening

PS Paul that sunset picture of yours that came up that had the figures in silhouettes, now if it came second I wouldn’t worry as I have the same problem, the judges didn’t care for my sunset silhouettes either lol

Next week is the

Competition Evening – Winner on the Night