Hello everyone !
I have a new website design.
www.charlietphoto.com
Please check it out and let me know what you think. I designed it myself so I know its not perfect but I reckon its much much better than what I have had before.
Big Love
Charlie
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Leica By London
I have just finished my first book, 'London By Leica'
Inside you will find a selection of photographs taken with a Leica M3 Rangefinder camera dating back to the early 50s
Many thanks to Mark Morris for the loan of the camera.
Inside you will find a selection of photographs taken with a Leica M3 Rangefinder camera dating back to the early 50s
Many thanks to Mark Morris for the loan of the camera.
Friday, 6 February 2009
Pickpocket Film Production
I have just finished being the Cinematographer on a short, shot entirely on the Canon 5d Mk II DSLR.
The film is currently called 'Pickpocket' however this may change by the time the film is complete.
Filming took place over 8 days in various locations around London including, The Royal Exchange, Liverpool St Station and Spitalfields Market
Pickpocket, written and directed by Bjorn Tobiasson:
Gabriel, age 29, is a professional pickpocket thief who can pull anything from anyone. He occasionally does pulls on order for a low level dealer named Ken. Gabriel has reached a point where he feels he needs something more out of life, something else besides stealing. He goes on a blind date and meets Carla, a lonely but tough girl who immedietly takes an interest in him. At the same time a new job comes up, a pull where success is crucial. Gabriel’s profession and personal life clash and Gabriel has to make a choice.
For some of the liverpool st scenes we used a steadicam system. (glidecam v8)
Handheld work was achieved with the set up shown below. Rails, Handles, shoulder mount, matte box and follow focus.
The 5d Mk II ready to shoot!
We are currently in post-production and expect to have the film finished by late may. Keep checking my blog for a trailer which should be done within the next 3 weeks.
I am really exited about this film. We have a few pick-ups to shoot next week and we are also spending a day in Paris in April to shoot the final scene.
I hope to try and create some hype around this film. I have seen lots of really good video shot on the 5d mk II but so far nothing with this kind of production value other than the awesome Reverie by Vincent LaForet. This film is also going to be much longer, at least 25 minutes, possibly as much as 30.
For more information about the film send me a message on flickr or email me at charlie@charlietphoto.com
The film is currently called 'Pickpocket' however this may change by the time the film is complete.
Filming took place over 8 days in various locations around London including, The Royal Exchange, Liverpool St Station and Spitalfields Market
Pickpocket, written and directed by Bjorn Tobiasson:
Gabriel, age 29, is a professional pickpocket thief who can pull anything from anyone. He occasionally does pulls on order for a low level dealer named Ken. Gabriel has reached a point where he feels he needs something more out of life, something else besides stealing. He goes on a blind date and meets Carla, a lonely but tough girl who immedietly takes an interest in him. At the same time a new job comes up, a pull where success is crucial. Gabriel’s profession and personal life clash and Gabriel has to make a choice.
For some of the liverpool st scenes we used a steadicam system. (glidecam v8)
Handheld work was achieved with the set up shown below. Rails, Handles, shoulder mount, matte box and follow focus.
The 5d Mk II ready to shoot!
We are currently in post-production and expect to have the film finished by late may. Keep checking my blog for a trailer which should be done within the next 3 weeks.
I am really exited about this film. We have a few pick-ups to shoot next week and we are also spending a day in Paris in April to shoot the final scene.
I hope to try and create some hype around this film. I have seen lots of really good video shot on the 5d mk II but so far nothing with this kind of production value other than the awesome Reverie by Vincent LaForet. This film is also going to be much longer, at least 25 minutes, possibly as much as 30.
For more information about the film send me a message on flickr or email me at charlie@charlietphoto.com
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Live music with the Mark II
I totally suck at photography!
I learned a thing or two about the 5d and shooting gigs.
1st - Prime lenses are always going to be better. I used to always shoot gigs on my 50mm 1.8 on a 400d at ISO 800 or 1600 and get fairly decent pictures. Tonight I used a 24-70mm f/2.8 and found it much harder to get good images out of, despite it being a fantastic lens for many other purposes.
2nd - I don't know why I didn't think of this at the time but if I am shooting at very high ISO's like 2000 and over, any direct stage lights are just going to blow out and give me really horrible noise. Same goes for bright reflections on guitars.
So lessons have been learned. I really want to go out again and shoot another gig.
I did manage a few good shots. (with the help of several aperture plugins)
Black and White! AGAIN!! sorry people!
Have a great weekend!
I learned a thing or two about the 5d and shooting gigs.
1st - Prime lenses are always going to be better. I used to always shoot gigs on my 50mm 1.8 on a 400d at ISO 800 or 1600 and get fairly decent pictures. Tonight I used a 24-70mm f/2.8 and found it much harder to get good images out of, despite it being a fantastic lens for many other purposes.
2nd - I don't know why I didn't think of this at the time but if I am shooting at very high ISO's like 2000 and over, any direct stage lights are just going to blow out and give me really horrible noise. Same goes for bright reflections on guitars.
So lessons have been learned. I really want to go out again and shoot another gig.
I did manage a few good shots. (with the help of several aperture plugins)
Black and White! AGAIN!! sorry people!
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Serious Candy
I took the plunge and invested in a Canon 5d Mk II
First and foremost it was worth every penny. This is one hell of a good camera. As you may know this is only the second DSLR that is capable of capturing video. What makes this camera so special is the fact that it does this at FULL HD resolution 1080p @ 30fps
The quality of the images is simply amazing. It really has to been seen to be believed.
Editing the footage in Final Cut Pro was not with out its teething problems but I did manage to get there in the end after messing about with codecs all night!
In February I will be shooting a 20 minute short film with it as a final project for my degree, very exiting times.
Really like this London scene. Totally silly amount of detail coming out of a 28mb raw file!
1st 5d Mark II Test from Charles Thompson on Vimeo.
First and foremost it was worth every penny. This is one hell of a good camera. As you may know this is only the second DSLR that is capable of capturing video. What makes this camera so special is the fact that it does this at FULL HD resolution 1080p @ 30fps
The quality of the images is simply amazing. It really has to been seen to be believed.
Editing the footage in Final Cut Pro was not with out its teething problems but I did manage to get there in the end after messing about with codecs all night!
In February I will be shooting a 20 minute short film with it as a final project for my degree, very exiting times.
Really like this London scene. Totally silly amount of detail coming out of a 28mb raw file!
1st 5d Mark II Test from Charles Thompson on Vimeo.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Sleepy people and rain!
I was hoping to bring you some work from another strobist session today but it never happened. Heavy rain, a storm and a very tired Minh are to blame. Not to worry there is always the next few days to fix something.
In the mean time. I have discovered a way to make portraits look really punchy in a metallic, super sharp style.
This first image was taken in a pub @ f1.8 My friend from Canada. Mr Jared Shaw!
The next one came from the test shoot at Lovin Studios. Same photoshop treatment but this image started out much sharper as I shot it at f/14 I am still amazed at how much detail that £60 lens is capable of capturing.
More next week!
P.S.
If you have not already seen this you should have !
In the mean time. I have discovered a way to make portraits look really punchy in a metallic, super sharp style.
This first image was taken in a pub @ f1.8 My friend from Canada. Mr Jared Shaw!
The next one came from the test shoot at Lovin Studios. Same photoshop treatment but this image started out much sharper as I shot it at f/14 I am still amazed at how much detail that £60 lens is capable of capturing.
More next week!
P.S.
If you have not already seen this you should have !
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
A strobist workout!
Last Sunday My photographic partner in crime Mr Minh Vu and I headed out to the southbank with all our makeshift lighting gear to shoot Jessica.
Here is a list of the gear we actually ended up using:
Canon 5d
Canon Ef 16-35mm f/2.8 Lens
Canon 580EX II Speedlite
Vivitar 285 Flash
Sekonic 308 Flashmeter
A lightstand with umbrella adaptor
A white/silver umbrella
Ebay wireless triggers
The point of this exercise was really to test out the flashmeter which I had just recently purchased. It works a charm and I don't know how I managed with out it in the past. It removes all guess work from setting up your lights.
For this shot we used both the flashes bare, to create a hard light look and because we were standing in the middle of the road. The flash camera left provided the main source of light and the flash camera right was used to light the back of Jessica's head.
Very little post-production on this. I slightly over saturated the yellow lines and adjusted the levels and contrast.
For the second image we used the umbrella and the 580. No second light. The silver paint on the wall actually acted as a reflector and helped to give Jessica a little separation.
Again not much photoshop, just a touch of increased saturation, levels and contrast. I also played around with the shadow/highlight tool.
The shoot was really fun and a great learning experience. Thanks to Minh for all the gear and words of wisdom, Ty for helping out with gear and Jessica for being amazingly patient while Minh and I were messing around with lights and talking about focusing speeds of 50mm lenses (being serious geeks).
Hopefully, if I get organized and finish my university coursework soon there will be time for another shoot this coming weekend. Some rather exiting gear may also be involved.
Catch you all later.
Here is a list of the gear we actually ended up using:
Canon 5d
Canon Ef 16-35mm f/2.8 Lens
Canon 580EX II Speedlite
Vivitar 285 Flash
Sekonic 308 Flashmeter
A lightstand with umbrella adaptor
A white/silver umbrella
Ebay wireless triggers
The point of this exercise was really to test out the flashmeter which I had just recently purchased. It works a charm and I don't know how I managed with out it in the past. It removes all guess work from setting up your lights.
For this shot we used both the flashes bare, to create a hard light look and because we were standing in the middle of the road. The flash camera left provided the main source of light and the flash camera right was used to light the back of Jessica's head.
Very little post-production on this. I slightly over saturated the yellow lines and adjusted the levels and contrast.
For the second image we used the umbrella and the 580. No second light. The silver paint on the wall actually acted as a reflector and helped to give Jessica a little separation.
Again not much photoshop, just a touch of increased saturation, levels and contrast. I also played around with the shadow/highlight tool.
The shoot was really fun and a great learning experience. Thanks to Minh for all the gear and words of wisdom, Ty for helping out with gear and Jessica for being amazingly patient while Minh and I were messing around with lights and talking about focusing speeds of 50mm lenses (being serious geeks).
Hopefully, if I get organized and finish my university coursework soon there will be time for another shoot this coming weekend. Some rather exiting gear may also be involved.
Catch you all later.
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