Designing albums.

No news really today - broke ground on Ellie & Marcus` album (one of my Weddings at Mannings Heath Golf Club 20th Feb 2010) Managed to get five layouts done which is pretty good going, however they are, as always, subject to change - I find when designing albums I will start with a very rough proof, no more than laying out the key shots in a chronological order, then flesh them out with the other shots of the day. However the OCD in me will usually come rearing to the surface and I will end up scrapping multiple layouts as the album progresses and starting them over - its possibly the most time consuming part of the job for me to be honest.

Anyway, attached quite a cutesy shot from the day (click to view a bit larger).

ABIPP Panel

Just a quick update - I have an appointment at BIPP HQ on the 23rd of this month to present a preview of my potential ABIPP panel - its not the actual assessment, more of a chance to get some feedback from some of the guys who are on the grading panel and hopefully they will be able to tell me if its worth me putting a print panel together for one of the real assessments later this year.  The problem is, I am not entirely sure what they are looking for - I think its more a case of defining a style, both compositionally and the actual processing of the image - I like to think my work is quite distinctive in its general "ambience and feel" but its hard to second guess what`s `en vogue` with the panel this year - I don't tend to go for what is `current` - I`d rather my images look and feel timeless - nothing too quirky, images that couples will look back at in 10 or 20 years time and not feel embarrassed about.  Who knows?!    Saying that I have some great ideas I want to try this year - one idea in particular involves a unique group shot, but its going to be a big ask - it needs a large group of people who are willing to take 5 mins to pull off what could be an awesome shot - not giving anymore away in case I never get to do it.

However I will leave you with a shot I took in December at the wedding of Mr Pip & Lady Boo - the styling of the clothing on the day was very Edwardian, so for this shot I tried to process it to look like a hand-coloured photo of yesteryear - I had to do a bit of research on the whole colourised B&W style, but I think I came pretty close with this.  Awesome couple as well!  

Subnote - the dress was designed and made by one of my brides from earlier last year (Emily) who has now started out in the wedding dress business - all are original designs by Emily and look amazing - check out her website 

www.emilymacdonaldbridal.co.uk