Ben Mullay - LSWPP

Low Light and Night Photography Tips

benmullay — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:00:40 +0000

1. Wrap up warm

This may sound obvious, but if you are dressed for the occasion you will be able to concentrate fully on photography and getting the best shots.

2. Stock up on Storage

Not having a good memory card inside your camera is like having a Ferrari with poor tyres. Having spent so much money on a digital camera, it doesn’t make sense to skimp on the memory card.

There are only three companies in the world that make digital memory, one of them is Samsung which is my brand of choice. Using non-branded memory cards is a false economy as these have failed the quality control check at the production line and are then sold off cheap for rebranding.

Samsung digital memory cards are water/dust/shock proof and safe from X-rays and magnetic fields. They have a very high transfer rate which ensures your camera can perform the way it should.

To purchase Samsung digital memory cards, click here or visit The Camera Centre.

3. Travel Light

Try to minimise the amount of gear you take as you don’t want to get weighed down with camera equipment. If you’re using a Digital SLR, try to just take one lens as this will force you to be very considered with what images you capture.

4. Charge your Batteries

Make sure all your batteries are fully charged (including a spare set) as at night your battery life can diminish in the colder conditions.

5. Switch to Manual Focus

Autofocus (AF) works best in good light. If you’re having trouble with AF and you’re not getting sharp pictures, chances are it is in low light situations. Switching to manual focus should solve the problem.

6. Turn off Image Stabilisation when using a tripod

If your camera is housed on a tripod, and your camera or lens has image stabilisation (IS), switch it off as having IS switched on can actually result in blurry pictures.

7. Read your manual

Darkness is not the time to be learning where your camera menu settings are located. Familiarise yourself beforehand with the functions which you will require and know how to access them quickly.

8. Use maximum aperture

If you’re using a Digital Bridge Camera or Digital SLR camera, try putting your camera on Aperture Priority (AV on Canon, A on Nikon) and set to the maximum aperture (smallest number). This will help you get shutter speeds which you can handhold in low light.

9. Use a high ISO setting

When shooting spectacles such as Up Helly Aa from a distance, your built-in camera flash is not going to be powerful enough to reach your subject. As a result, turn off your flash and increase the ISO setting on your camera. This increases the cameras sensitivity to light and will result in higher shutter speeds thus reducing the chance of camera shake.

10. Shoot, shoot, shoot

Digital memory is relatively inexpensive so take lots of photos – you can always delete them later on.

Good luck and have fun!

Ben

Professional Wedding Photography Award – Ben Mullay LSWPP

benmullay — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:00:54 +0000

I am very happy to announce that I am now Ben Mullay LSWPP. I received the certificate earlier this week indicating that I was successful in my licentiate panel application of 20 images. I can now add the professional qualification title of LSWPP (Licentiate of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) to that of BABS (BA Hons Business Studies). This award is the result of months of hard work leading towards the submission of my panel of 20 images.

This is a great personal achievement, especially since the standard of entry is so high these days. Panel submissions have also changed from 10 images to 20 images which make gaining the qualification even harder. The award indicates a photographer’s ability to produce consistent wedding photography of a high standard.

Ben Mullay LSWPP Certificate

Below are a selection of images from my 20 image submission to the judging panel:

If you are interested in booking Ben Mullay LSWPP photography for your wedding, please get in touch by emailing weddings@benmullay.com or calling 07786962221.

Ben Mullay Photography is also on Facebook and Twitter where you can keep up with all the latest news.

Highland Park Distillery

benmullay — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:00:55 +0000

You may remember that I blogged recently about a trip to Orkney (to see previous entries click here).

One of the highlights of the the trip was a tour of the Highland Park Distillery. The distillery was in its Silent Season which meant no production was taking place; however, we still managed to have an exciting guided tour with a couple of drams at the end.

To view more information about Highland Park Distillery, please click here.

Scalloway Castle in Silhouette

benmullay — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:00:02 +0000

(click on image for larger view)

The image above shows the outline of Scalloway Castle being perfectly silhouetted by a dramatic sunset in the background.

Wedding picks from 2011

benmullay — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:00:51 +0000

I was sorting through my images and decided to post the picture above as it is one of my favourites from wedding season 2011.

Capturing this image at the end of a wedding is very difficult to achieve as you have no idea where exactly on the dance floor the bride and groom will end up after they are hoisted in the air!

If you are interested in Ben Mullay Photography covering your wedding, please email weddings@benmullay.com.

-Ben

Shetland Visitor 2012

benmullay — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:00:36 +0000

Several of my images appear in Shetland Visitor 2012 which for the first year is available in a digital format. To view the online version of the magazine, click here.

There is an excellent welcoming video featuring BBC’s Simon King. You can then search through the magazine for information on trips, activities, arts and crafts, accommodation and what’s on. This magazine is a great reference tool for locals and tourists alike.

Ben

Festive Sunrise

benmullay — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:27:42 +0000

(click on image for larger view)

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is continuing to enjoy the festive period. Due to Camera Centre commitments I have not had too many posts during December. The image above was taken on my way to work one day overlooking Gulberwick. It’s amazing the variety of skies experienced as I drive over the hill from Scalloway to Lerwick each day.

Ben

The Westside News

benmullay — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:58:12 +0000

I had a welcome visit last week from Ray Ferrie of Michaelswood in Aith who presented me with the latest edition of The Westside News. I was delighted to see that the front page was dedicated to the Shetland leg of the Worldwide Photo Walk 2011 which I led recently.

The cover photograph is the winning image which was photographed by Anne Macdonald.

I had not been aware of The Westside News but found it a really good concept and a great way of keeping a community informed with current events and achievements.

To view blog entries from this year’s Worldwide Photo Walk, please click here.

Studio 4

benmullay — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:42:09 +0000

Pictured below are a series of images from last week’s photo shoot at Lerwick hairdresser Studio 4.

Studio 4 are working in conjuction with Babbs Clubb of Anesthesiashetland who specialises in make-up for weddings, special occasions, parties and groups. They are forming a joint alliance providing hairdressing/make-up packages to bridal parties.

The shoot lasted from 9am right through until 7.30pm although the time seemed to fly by. Everyone involved did a fantastic job and there was great camaraderie the whole day.

I hope you enjoy the images below. If you would like to find out more information, please contact Babbs Clubb on 07760168830.

-Ben

Children in Need 2011

benmullay — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:20:18 +0000

Tune into Radio Shetland’s coverage of Children in Need tonight where you can bid for a 30-minute Ben Mullay Photography portrait sitting including a 10×8″ print from the session.

Good luck!

-Ben