Monapics - Glasgow Photographer

Photokina 2014

2014-10-05T18:24:00.000+01:00

Not long back from Photokina 2014 in Cologne, Germany. Some pictures can be seen on my Facebook page here: Photokina 2014

Now being a Canon user that stand was my first port of call especially as they had just announced the launch of the canon 7D MKll CanonEOS7DMarkII and the 400mm DO F4 lens EF 400mm F4 DO IS USM

Obviously had a try of both camera and lens and each impressed. The 7D MKll AF is exceptionally quick and has its own processor to handle the AF functions. Its a great camera, but a larger sensor at "H" might have made it stunning. The again I suspect that would have pushed the price up as well. It's all about compromises in camera design and an update the 1D MKlV would have been ideal for sport photographers.

The 400mm F4 DO is a beautiful bit of glass and handles superbly but its bank loan time if you want to own one. Your needs would need to be great or your bank balance very flush to afford this beauty. I am sure they will sell but not too many unless your employer was buying I suspect. A dream lens, and that is about as close as I will get to owning one.

The next stand to impress was Samsung. The NX1 Samsung NX1 Again another great camera with a lot going for it especially the AF and low light capabilities. Big problem as this is an SLR - do you switch for your current model to go "Samsung"? Most of us invest in a system and the usual swap is Nikon to Canon or Canon to Nikon. Now Samsung have some nice lenses for the camera with more to be announced but not at the cheap end of the market. New entry into photography? Give this camera a look - it will not disappoint.

Another item that interested me was the Nissin i40 Flashgun i40 Flash Small and lightweight this made a great addition to my kit. Yes, I actually bought one it impressed that much with its 1/8000 sync - all speeds.. It makes a great change to see camera gear going "lightweight! Check it out - very impressive. Not sure if there is a Nikon version, hopefully yes.

Staying on flashguns I also purchased a Caler 200 Jimbai Caler 200 which also impressed me. Battery pack that is incredibly fast and sync speed up to 1/8000 meant that I simply could not resist. Replaceable bulbs and a power unit that fits standard Canon flash guns mad it a no-brainer. The bulb end diffuser has 2 screens which can be removed if required but this does mean the end is larger than normal. Maybe not as easy to fit in the camera bag if space is tight but the usefulness far outweighs that issue.

Just a mention to GoPro: no announcement of the Hero 4 (that I heard anyway) GoPro and your stand was way too small for the event. You worldwide sales must run into millions yet most of us could not get near you! Lesson for 2016 - go big! Listen and learn from the audience that tried to hear what was going on.

Will be back in 2016 - yes, not to be missed. Technically you cannot buy directly from the exhibitors at Photokina but special prices for the event mean - Resistance is futile - just buy!! Delighted with my bargains and the companies that could not do enough to help. Did try to buy a bag for my gear - despite leaving all my details with the German supplier - not a word. Now purchased from Calumet Calumet UK who had a sale on - Glasgow store. We all love a bargain!

Neglected corner of my web

2013-05-13T19:50:00.000+01:00

It has been some time since this was updated and of course there is always an excuse for keeping it on the back burner. Time to jot a few words to "is it really worth it" immediately spring to mind.

Am not convinced it generates interest or income for most unless you are at the top of the tree or already well known. Readers or followers really do need to be interested in what you have to offer, or what you have to offer is generally interesting.

The good thing is my Youtube account is linked and all my videos appear on the page here as soon as they are published to the web.

Of course I have been very busy and a lot of what I have been doing is here: Youtube

Zombie Wedding was great fun and the music of Lou Hickey is very catchy indeed. You can see some footage here and above.

Doing a good deal of wedding work now that the season has started and some images can be seen on my Smugmug account. Again, of course you cans see footage on the Youtube channel:

Airth Castle Hotel

You can also see Michelle & Frank's First Dance video as well:

Balbirnie House HotelBalbirnie House

Like I said previously keeping very busy and doing a lot more video work so if you need a photographer or video work undertaken then visit the website

Usual number to get in touch: 07756926054

Remember to subscribe to the Youtube Channel to keep up to date.

Thanks,

George

Blogger, wherefor art thou, Blogpost

2012-02-14T17:16:00.000+00:00

It's getting more and more difficult to keep on ways to communicate these days. All this technology and only 24 hours in a day. Tweet, tube, book and blog, it's all getting too much!

The Youtube channel is getting used more often than anything else at the moment but I guess the bulk of the workm is done on your social networking site. Mine is FB and just keeping up with everyone else is a full time job in itself. Too many of the post are "look at me" rather than "this is what I have been up to" or "this is what is happening in the (my) world".

Do we really all have a message to pass on to others? Some interesting fact, news or knowledge? Or is it more of a case of "look at me" - I seek attention and need you to respond. Just recently seen so much of -"I jusy posted this to see how many of my friends really read my posts" - "please do this that or the other to respond! Oh yeah? Now the thing is, generally speaking, I will respond as I do read what you are posting. I am interested in what you are up to and you should keep your posts "interesting" so that I can enjoy the read.

Makes you wonder though. Is there anything these sites do not know about you? You likes, shopping habits, surfing experience, what you are looking for, shopping, gifts etc. I went looking for a microphone on E-bay for the new video interviews I do and now every time I look at a Youtube video i get bombarded with "microphone" adverts. So obvioulsy this information is shared across the internet. Quite scary really.

Anway that is my excuse for ignoring this Blog for a more than a month. Does anyone really read it? More to the point, do enough people read it to make it worthwhile continuing with it? That si not asking the reader here for as reply just my general musings. Is it a tool to market yourself that others can find you if they go looking? Why would they choose to read my written thoughts on how I am spending my time. Do I really have a message to pass over to you? Probably not!

It does give you the chance to showcase some of your work and that is something, but why not just view it on your web site, FB or Youtube account? Are we being swamped with information overload? I suspect we all are and it takes up more and more of our time to consume it. We really are turning into a nation/people of techo babble stuck at PC, phone or tablet. Should we really get out more, sleep more perhaps because the time has git to be deducted from somewhere within this 24 hour timeframe.

It's just as well my Youtube account is automatically updated to here, FB, Twitter etc. Saves me a ton of time!!? Yeah right!

Shoots:

Just completed this on Sunday and still editing images from the day. Cold day in Glasgow so must really thank our model Lesley. Great model and very professional throughout.
More Braehead Clan offerings but a big lull this month at the Arena due to the international tennis being played there. Next game on the 18th Feb. Pictures and videos on Youtube etc :)

More fashion work for Emulate Magazine Emulate Magazine

More to see in the next edition published on the 1st April.

Keep up to date on my FB, yes I do use it, too much probably. Youtube channel is updated automatically on this page - to the right pane.

Take care out there.

George.

Its Christmas Time

2011-12-23T19:58:00.003+00:00

Its Christmas time. Well very nearly and for some sooner than others depending on where you live in the world. Just a couple of days away for us here in the UK and at last the tills in the shops appear to be ringing out loud and clear which will come as some relief to the shop owners.

They reckon that some 9000 business will be insolvent by the time we get into the New Year all because consumer spending is way down with many people feafing for their jobs or future prospects. Photography is not immune to the recession and many have seen a real drop in bookings for wedding and the like. There will always be those that buck the trend but generally speaking the trend is for cheap, cheaper and cheapest. For many this is the only option left open to them as people really are feeling the pinch. If Christmas spending is at rock bottom then you can rest assure things are bad.

Not long until 2012 and sadly it looks like there will be no real improvement in personal circumstances for the majority in the UK. This is not a good time to be a public service worker and the private sector will not fare much better for the bulk of those employed in it.

Not much joy around, but Christmas with your family or friends should be a time of good cheer with of course some pressies and hopefully good food to enjoy. Let's make the most of the holiday and forget some of our woes. Relax for a few days and enjoy yourself as best you can wrapped up in the spirit of Christmas.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone. If you can spare a thought or two for those less fortunates than yourself. There are always those who are worse off than we will ever be and who have no welfare system to offer some comfort. Raise a glass or two to those no longer with us and who we miss, especially now and at the Bells on Hogmany.

May the light of the world shine upon you and keep you safe. Health before wealth, but don't forget the lottery ticket this and next weekend!

See you all in 2012

A little bit sick.

2011-12-11T14:31:00.001+00:00

No, really I am a bit sick. Have an infection in my lower lung which is being treated with antibiotics. Not as bad as I was but unable to do much in the way of photography.

Prior to going off sick I did cover the Braehead Clan hockey match against the Edinburgh Capitals and that can be seen or accessed via the Youtube bar on the right of this Blog.

Emulate Magazine goes from strength to strength with the "likes" on our Facebook page now well into three figures.
We also launched our model competition with the winners going on to make the Emulate Calendar for 2013. Really looking forward to that so please get involved if you can.

It's real easy to compete with all the rules on the web site. You submit three pictures for consideration and let the best one win :)

Emulate goes live on the first of January and we will keep you updated on that. Well I think we might be mentioning it a few times over the Xmas period and beyond.

Remember you must subscribe on the web site to get your copy. It's all free to receive.

Get subscribing now as Issue 1 will be a bumper issue which we will need to live up to for future publication. A challenge but one that we relish. Stories about sport, lifestyle and modelling. There is a lot in there and hopefully it will provide you with a great read in the New Year.

Videos

I have been updating my videos and slideshows and continue to do so as there are still quite a few more to render. They can be seen from the Youtube bar on the right of the Blog or you can visit my channel directly from here Check out Debbie Shaw modelling in the video slideshow "Night & Day". Black wigged she looks awesome and a real change from her normal Blonde look. Chjeck it out! Would also be nice if you would click the adverts that appear on the screen as they usually relate to something of your own personal interests. It does not pay awfully much but every little bit helps keep the production going.

Other videos are Vicky, Marlene, Nikola, Club 29 and Nadia. All worth a watch. Well you expect me to say that - the content is always worth a watch. The photography you can always comment on if you so wish.

Will try and get another Blog together before Xmas when hopefully I will have been able to get out a shoot a few images to post. Until then take care out there.

Cheers.

One must - when time allows of course.

2011-11-26T19:30:00.001+00:00

More than two weeks since I last updated this Blog and if I leave it any longer it will become too much like hard work. Now when you have been doing nothing much for days then updating anything is an easy chore. In fact it is no trouble at all. One however has been very busy indeed. Too busy to spend time updating here as a web based diary of my activity.

Predictably Blogging gets put on the back burner as does updating my web sites with new content which is not a good thing I'm guessing. All those lovely Gogglebots just eat up that new stuff at a tremendous rate scouring tinternet for new material. Well, ye have had nae luck at ma place ooer the last fortnight! Then again I guess all the copycatters (is that a word? - it is noo) will be stuck for things to do for a month - well at least until the late nights draw in again.

It is true to say that one (there will be an awful of "ones" in this post - hence the title) has moved away somewhat from the traditional web site method of advertising your wares or services to a wider public in favour of something different. Now taking another route to get wider recognition of the name and work currently being produced. Of course a lot of the tradional stuff will still be there, it simply has to be as that is how we currently find materials, goods and services offered by others. Moving away from the traditional web site will create its own unique problems but I am confident these issues can be overcome and others will move along with you.

A new venture is always fraught with thoughts of failure but I like the old saying; nothing ventured, nothing gained. Even if it does not take off all that will have been lost will be some time and effort which I have enjoyed a great deal. One has been working on many projects at a tremendous pace and the amount of output is is quite staggering fopr the time scales involved. Deadlines to meet, projects to complete - it's exciting times here in the sleepy hamlet of monapics.com. Wake up call will be announced real soon.

This might be a tad sad but I am really looking forward to announcing to few souls out there (they know who they are) - copy this - ya bass!

Sabotage

Another sad issue is the fact that someone (I do belive it is only one person) is trying to sabotage the "work" I upload to the social media sites like Youtube and Facebook.

Initially my Youtube videos started to be complained about and then that moved on to Facebook images. Now these sites tend not to check the content first or contact the creator of the work, they simply pull the stuff down. Now Youtube informed me of what they were doing but Facebook did not and as a consequence it took me some to realise "images" had been deleted from my photo galleries.

Now anyone who knows me and the publicly produced work that can be viewed by anyone else, knows that I have a "viewable by all" rating. Sure some of it can be models with few clothes on, but every one of them is equal to what can be seen on a public beach in the UK. At a level of bikini you can view more revealing images in daily newspapers.

It is hard to see what they find "offensive" in anything they see on those channels and you always have the option to "Unlike" someone or simply do not visit my Channel on Youtube. It really is simple stuff to avoid if you want to.

Since there is nothing offensive (If you believe differently please let me know) in the imagery I produce it leaves one with only the logical conclusion of sabotage.

Now it case of any doubt all the stuff I produce is my own copyright and any music used has been purchased with a world wide distribution certificate. Youtube are quite cagey in their mailings saying that this might be an issue for the prohibitation to the videos. That does not really hold water as all my videos are clearly marked and the music copyright is included, and indeed inbedded, within the video.

Now as a favour I did do a "video", use that term loosely here, in Alea casino for one of the dancers while Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was the background music to her dancing. That was quickly pounced on but rather that pulled they just stuck adverts on the video track. This is where a lot of people come unstuck. You simply cannot use someone elses work even if is is freely (that just means you can view it) available to others. Copyright theft is a civil matter and if you are making money from from it, that is a criminal offence.

Now I have done none of that and to give you an idea of what we are talking about one of the videos complained of was "Braehead Clan V Sheffield Steelers" - an ice hockey match! All it contains are my images and my licenced music, nothing else. So we now have someone who is reporting videos for nothing. It is time consuming to have to answer these challenges and get them corrected but one good thing in this is that the sites are hosted in the USA.

Now under their laws (USA) you have the right to know who is complaining about you and they do not have the right to remain anonymous. They obviously do not know that simple fact - this is not an FBI -V- The Mob case, it is simply something that spite driven.

I have not asked who the complainer is - yet. If it continues I will do, and "one" will react to the pettiness and spite shown. Please cease and desist, I really do not want to know who you are - I already know you are a small minded individual of no consequence. So wrap it!

Photography & stuff

One has run out of time, again. Just to let you know that I have been very busy and that you can still see a lot of the more recent activity on the Youtube bar to the right of these words. That is updated automatically by Youtube so something less to worry about by me.

Shot some models in the DP studios and would just like to thank Stuart Dreghorn for being so helpful in ensuring time to getting it done. A few hockey matches also covered and they have been uploaded to the web site and Youtube. The new calendar launches on Wed and pre bookings ahve been excellent. Kicks off at 1800hrs in Xscape at Braehead. Copies will be signed on the night if you want to drop in. Will make a great xmas pressie - go on buy one, or two!

Sorry no links to stuff, all searchable if you are really interested.

Have to say thanks yet again to the great team of G.L.S. - You will get to see some of the images real soon but thanks to Lesley Docherty for the hair styling and Stephanie Kerr for the Makeup. You can find them both on Facebook.

OK I'll post one image - guess what this is for: It's a cracker look here:

no it is not real.

See you out there.

Take care,

George

100,000 + and rising!

2011-11-09T20:38:00.003+00:00

Had been keeping track of the visitors to my web site and was delighted to see I was fast approaching the 100,000 mark for the year. Have now passed that mark and currently sit at 100,586 visits which while not exactly "global" numbers is a significant milestone.

It is always interesting to see where people are in the world and why they are reaching your site on the world wide web. Search terms used and global positioning help you determine if perhaps you have a potenial client for your services or, as is very often, another web entity harvesting your e-mail address offereing their particualr services.

I used to wonder why I got so many hits from American visitors until I realised they are at least seven other "Glasgows" in the States. Anyone typing in "Glasgow Photographer" in America would eventually find my ".com" web address here in the UK. Initially my web site was the standard "co.uk" address but I quickly learned that it was being bypassed in the Google search results in favour of the higher placed ".com" suffix. So I now run with both versions active but the ".com" site is always placed higher in the rankings.

It takes a lot of hard work to be highly placed in "Google" and I have done a "lot" to ensure I am up there with the best of them. It is little suprise to learn than a number of others copy (exactly) your mega tags and descriptions. Never mind creating you own, just rip off someone else and change the title to suit your own web address or name. That is part of the joys of the tinternet. Words and images appear to be "copyright free" and many feel it is OK to rip them off and pass it on as their own work. This is not the case as such actions are liable. Have already taken two newspapers, one record company and one "music download" site to task on this misuse and breach of copyright. The fact that it is on the tinternet does not mean it is free to use - as all Google searches now have to point out to you. So you cannot say you were not aware of the usage restrictions.

If you cannot use your own words and images or you are unable to produce them through your own efforts - then pay someone to do it for you. Plagerism is theft and as such can be liabled against you. Do the decent thing and ask for permission. You might be surprised at how many helpful people are on here.

Back to the headline. 100,000 site visitors. No mean feat, in "no mean city"! I presume that Glasgow would be like London in this regard (sorry have no stats for Glasgow). London has more "photographers" than taxi drivers. Glad I have a car then!

Gurlesque

Scott Garvie's new Girls sensation just launched - Gurlesque:

They will be supporting the X Factor losing finalists every Sunday in Campus, Sauchiehall St, Glasgow.

Dont miss them. See them on Facebook as new images are launched on a daily basis until this Sunday. Gurlesque This week supporting "The Risk" & "Johnny Robinson".

Braehead Clan

Another win for the Clan at Braehead Arena this time against the Belfast Giants who currently top the league. See the video images here:

You can also hear some post match interviews on the Clan web site with some questions from myself: Braehead Clan listen up Web static images can be seen here: http://www.monapics.com/Clan%20v%20Belfast

Once more with Nikola

Proving to be a very popular model and fitness trainer Nikola Bonova was once agsin called on to model in this latest project for two up and coming artists. Cannot say too much at this time but some images can be seen on my Facebook:

Shot in Alloa and then onwards to a local hotel who supplied some of the "buns/cakes" The great thing was I got some to take away with me to enjoy later with a nice cup of tea. Thanks girls, they were lovely.

A face for Radio

It would appear that I have found my niche - at last! A face for radio as I did another interview this time with a Clan favourite - Kyle Bruce. The interview will be appearing in print but the full voice interview will be available as a podcast in the new year. In the new year? Yes, it will all be revealed in your new online magazine to be launched real soon. Covering, sports, modelling and lifestyle topics it should appeal to a wide range of readers. Keep "listening" for more. Excited with this new project, more name dropping soon! Today Glasgow, tomorrow the "stars"!

You all take care out there. Speak real soon.

A car, a car, my camera needs a car!

2011-11-03T21:41:00.002+00:00

Made mention of my harping about "where can I park my car" in the last Blog so here it is, and why.

It's strange that as technology adavances and such things as aircraft, ships, buses, laptops, phones and the rest have gotten smaller and lighter professioonal camera gear marches in the other direction. It is true that more recently attempts have been made to rectify the professional market and downsize some of the current gear - albeit at a much greater price!

Fast lenses require fast glass to allow more light to enter the camera to capture the image but modern lenses also need motors to drive a fast AF, IS and micro processors to pass information form the lens to the camera. The camera needs to be robust and pro versions require to be dust and water resistant as they need to work in all conditions/weather.

Carbon bodies have helped but battery power to drive all this requires larger/heavier power packs which all add to this weight problem.

Most of us will cary a variety of lenses to cover various situations that arise on a shoot or even just to alter our angle of view. My usual gear would be a 28-70L F2.8, 50l F1.2, 16-35L F2.8. Might change the 50mm for an 85mm or the 16-35 for a 70-200L. Sports gear is always the larger lenses with the 28-70 for "Man of the Match" at the end of the game.

The same applies to camera bodies. At least two bodies are required on any professional assigment; this time to cover any mechanical/electrical breakdown to one of them. For myself I use two pro bodies while many will use a prosumer camera as a backup. No problem with this and prosumer badies are considerably lighter than their pro counterparts/upgrades. I will sometimes pack a 5D full frame camera if a wider angle of view is required. Landscapes are not my forte so the 5D does not get a lot of use, but building interiors might demand that wider angle of view.

Once again no pro would go on an assigment without some form of light modifier and usually this would be a flashgun. Flashguns require power, and power also requires to be backed up by carrying spare batteries. I always carry one, and often two flashguns with me. This is not just as a backup but to give me some lighting options when they are used with PocketWizards to fire in unison. PocketWizards required to be powered whci also needs to be backed up .....................

All in all a considerable weight load to be carried, usually in/on my backpack and these old shoulders are not as weight bearing as they used to be. (well thats's my excuse) Walking about a city centre with a monopod or a couple of light stands completes the load more suited for a pack mule than a photographer.

Now often you have to add a lot more lighting options that require "studio quality" lights and stands. My preferred option is the Elinchrom Ranger Quadra system which comes with its own carrycase and if used on its own is very portable. Unfortunately you still need a camer to take the pictures so man packing it all becomes impossible. I need my motor! I've given up, I can't carry it, the load is too great - I need my motor.

A car is essential for all of this and it has to be nearby or have some willing helper who will share the load to the venue.

So, now you know. Please consider parking options where possible, it makes it so much easier to add versatility to you shoot or assignment.

All that technology available surely someone can make this gear lightweight?

Shooting Pictures

Shot some "Actor" headshots in the city centre which went well with the client being "more than pleased" with the results. Always nice to get feedback on your images - not every client provides it; expecting you to give them the professional results they are looking for.

Also heard back for the wedding images and the couple who are from down south want me to shoot some more images for them in the new year. Another pleasing result.

Alea Casinos' Halloween night saw me team up again with Erin Gavin's dancers Debbie Shaw, Jade Anne Lindores and Linda Lui. The girls did a "Thriller" night dance which you can see here:

Now I did not come to this with any intention to video anything but on a last moment request from the girls used the camera handheld to capture this footage. Had a guy fall over me, people walk in front of me, talking and other nosie. For all of those restrictions - not too bad. Images will appear on Alea's web site in due course.

Braehead Clan:

Clan took on Edinburgh Capitals running out winners on the Saturday only to lose to them next day in Edinbugh. Images from the game are here:

Clan -V- Edinburgh Capitals

Also shot the charity Xmas Appeal pictures and the transport appeal which will appear in a programme at Braehead soon. Some pictures can be seen on my Facebook should you care to look.

It's happening real soon

Big shoot of the week was - It's all under wraps!! Big launch soon but the images have been shot and now delivered for the launch. Will reveal all real soon. Very "urban" look to the images which were shot in a Paisley warehouse. Cannae wait!!!

Another big launch will also take place real soon which I am really excited about. Our new online magazine "name released very soon" will be with you shortly. Hopefully you will all take to the magazine and subscribe as it will have a lot for sport fans, models, photographers and lifestyle advice.

Also happening real soon will be my 100,000 web site visitor this year. Now standing at 99,005 as I type. Now I realise in a global market these are not major numbers but more than 300 visitors a day hit my site so I am really delighted in reaching the 100,000 mark. It's probably even better as not every page on the site is recorded so some will be missed. All the image page links cannot be recorded as they are basically slideshows and not static enough. Will be there in a day or so. 100,000, th'ats' not too bad is it?

Need to finish now as another big shoot tomorrow in a hotel with an early start then a busy afternoon. Need to interview a few people as well for the new magazine. Keep you ears open for that launch - it's going to be good! Get subscribing!!!

Take care,

George

Is it that time again!

2011-10-29T16:46:00.001+01:00

Yes, time for a new blog post. A quick few words between editing the wedding images and heading off out to Braehead for the Clan -V- Edinburgh Capitals.

No doubt this is a theme that will run and run on my Blog posts. At least I hope it is or otherwise it will be a sign of the work drying up. There simply is not enough hours in the day so Georgian calendar comes to my rescue with an extra hour tonight as the clocks go back. Remember - the clocks go back tomorrow morning at 2am. Don't say you were not warned.

Ok, then. Hectic week with a wedding, image printers and of course a Clan game at Braehead.

Clan -V- Fife Flyers:

Great game with the Clan running out winners in this Challenge Cup Match.

Wedding:

Don't normally post images from wedding here but will pick one as the venue was a little different than normal for me. Brian Maule's restaurant Chardon D'Orr in West Regent St Glasgow.

Not a nice day so only a few pictures outside when the rain let up for a few minutes.

Well at least I got to park my car next to the venue so that is a big help. This is another theme that will probably run and run in my Blog postings so perhaps next time one can discuss why it is such an issue. That's a theme for the next posting me thinks.

More Clan:

Clan team picture goes on sale tonight along with all the individual player images. Hopefully all will sell well. Will be keeping an eye on the buying public over the next couple of home games to see if they are indeed selling.

Printers brought along a few samples during the week and they do look good - well I would say that, would't I?

It is always a worry how your images will be received by those who have to put their hands in the pocket to purchase the images. Will keep youn updated. My own Clan Poster is not doing too well in terms of sales so will have to try a bit more marketing I think as it is only sold online from Facebook. Might try a shot on Ebay - you never know!

Videos:

Posted another few videos which can be accessed through the video bar on the right of the page or visit Youtube direct. You could always "Subscribe" - gto on, you know you want to.

Right, have to head off to the shower as I have several events to cover this evening including party time at Alea Casinos. Life in the fast lane -eh! Busy, busy day tomorrow as well. Big shoot on in the afternoon. I am sure you will see some pictures in the next Blog Post.

Speak soon and take care,
George

Charity begins at home - but who is at home?

2011-10-18T20:31:00.004+01:00

Before the charitable comment a quick rundown on the last week's events. Braehead Clan played Coventry Blaze at the weekend running out 4 - 2 winners. Slideshow with music is here:

Great game with some brilliant defensive work for the Clan who were two men down at one point without conceding.

Superdiva Launch

Ashley Collins launched her SuperDiva single into the streets of Glasgow in what was one of the wettest days of the year in Scotland. Argyle Street and Buchanan Street before we moved into the St Enoch Centre and finishing under the Central Station Bridge to seek some shelter from the elements. Still well worth the effort as quite a few souls did download the track there and then to their mobiles.

Nice group shot prior to heading out and facing the driving rain:

Glasgow in the wet - not the greatest place to be in October. Have told Ashley that next time we launch it will be in July - well at least the rain will be a bit warmer! I wish her every success in her career and efforts to make the charts. Head over to her web site and download the track - you know you want too!

Charity begins at home?

Now let me say right from the outset that the comments made are not aimed at any individual, group or entity and are not directed at "you". Having mentioned in my last Blog Post charitable events a few people have spoken to me about the issue and most had the same opinion. Too much, too often and little gained by either parties involved, charity and contributors. So please don't fire back at me saying "my event is that that or the next thing" - this is general comments about the real surge in numbers of events for "charity"

Now there will always be the one off style charity where a child will need to raise money for treatment not readily available in the UK for example and this is mainly started with family and friends and if lucky or worked at gets wide recognition. This is not what I am commenting about. Then we have the national style charities, cancer, heart, Help for Heroes etc. These can be abused and some look more like marketing tools than fund raisers to me. So who is benefitting?

Now my introduction to Charity nights was some years ago when a model wanted to raise funds for a good cause in a venue in Glasgow city centre- sorry I need to be a bit vague in an effort not to indentify anyone involved. All going well until she asked a personality to host the event. Said personality wanted £600 stating that is what they charged for "charity nights". Venue hearing that said that will be £500 to host the night - if they are being paid we want paid! Cutting it short; the event never took place. Other hosts were asked - all wanted paid! Let me make it quite clear, they do not work for nothing and now often site "too many charity event and they have to cover their expenses etc". A lot will pick a "charity" in which they work for "free", after that it costs money.

You see the thing is we can all work for free, and do an awful lot of it judging by what is out there on offer. Now who benefits from these events? Well I have done a couple where after the event the organisers were pictured handing over a nice cheque to the charities involved and produced a full breakdown of their accounts to show where every penny went. A lot of benefit, a lot of the time, goes to the orgainsers by way of marketing their name, product or service with little being given to those who contribute. Even contributors benefits are watered down with, in my own sphere or work, half a dozen or more photographers invited to participate. All vie for the image and all produce the finished article at roughly the same time. Result - over saturation and little recognition to a wider audience.

Personally speaking that is what every event should end with. A presentation of money to the charity followed by a published accounting of how the money was raised and spent. It lets everyone see who is charging and who is giving of their time and effort for "free". Now a few have done that and I am glad to say that one has contributed both in money and time. Every charitable event should run the same way in that regard - a full accounting of funds at the end of the fund raising.

When we give of our time, experience, expertise, knowledge and creativity it comes at a price. Time literally does equal money. Travel to a venue costs money. Parking your car very often costs quite a bit on money. Editing pictures takes time and equipment. Equipment does need to be replaced, serviced etc. Do you the organiser have full insurance cover if my equipment is damaged or someone fall over one of my lamps for example? Let me guess - that will be a "no" then! That sort of cover costs quite a bit of money - do you have it or consider it for your event? (see above)

Is your event a marketing exercise to publicise you, your product or service? A lot of big companies or "names" do exactly that and get the participants to "pay" their way to enter or take part. Easy money for them - hard work for the rest of us.

Now if you want me to work for "free" ask me, as I readily help a number of people and generally those who have helped me over the years. I owe a lot to people who have helped me, and continue to do so, and would not hesitate to assist them in their endeavours. Hopefully we truly all benefit for each other. I now have a team around me I trust implicitly as they do me. Together we produce great results that are easily seen by anyone who wants to look at them.

Should you want me to work for charity then I would ask you to consider the following: Am I the only photographer? Will you produce a full account at the end of the fund raising? Will you confirm that nobody or venue is being paid to participate (I include expenses in this)? Do the charity know and consent to your event?

If you answerd "No" to any of those questions then that is my answer to you.

Does any benefit from the event pass to you or a service you provide? If it does then charity does begin at home

Good luck to all and no this Blog article was not aimed at "you"!

Take care,

George

Flakey Clients/Models - not a days work!

2011-10-12T16:16:00.000+01:00

I am sure everyone gets them from time to time; the client who books you, and then fails to show up or even cancel. Photography seems particualrly beset with the problem and especially with "Flakey Mawduls" syndrome.

Scenario always runs the same way: they contact you for a booking and a date is agreed while you discuss styles, dress, look there is plenty of communication. This goes along swimmingly until a couple of days before the shoot and all communication stops. This is where my early warning radar kicks in and you attempt to re-establish contact with the living. You never get a reply to e-mail, texts, FB posts, Tweets or any other form of message delivery including carrier pigeon (wonder who eats all those pigeons?)

Now the prospective client has been contacted by other members of the team, Lesley for the hair styling (Headstrong Solutions) and Stephaine for the make-up (Peaches & Paint) and like before this initially goes very well. Same again though, a few days before the event all goes quiet. Now a fair bit of this is now done through social networking sites like FaceBook so it's not exactly difficult to communicate with people or see what their activities are. We tend to create a private group to mesage each other with the client included and we knock ideas around to we get a look and style the client wants to try. It's a good way to stay in touch, its quick and easy and evryone gets to know whats happening within the team in minutes.

The bit that really gets to me is that the "client" never apologies, presumes that we have all now left this planet to live in some alternate universe where we can no longer see, hear that they are alive and well and just cannot be arsed to talk to you. You have simply disappeared from their existance never to be seen or heard from again. Scary that some people just dont give a monkeys about you or other people they have messed about.

Now while you have given up your day to work with the time waster you cannot take on other work so you get doubly hit, time and in the pocket both get it. The one thing you need in any business is your good name. You need to be 100% reliable. No good being the greatest model on earth if you are not there when the camera needs to start clicking. Just another flake of a time waster. If you are not going to turn up at least have the common decency to inform someone before hand.

On that note let me assure everyone that GLS is 100% reliable and professional in all the work we undertake for you. Start to finish we assure you of our best. George, Lesley & Stephanie (GLS)

Beardmore Hotel

Back again to the Beardmore Hotel in Clydebank for another wedding and aprt from the DJ blowing a fuse in his electricals all went well. Don't post wedding pics on Blogs or FaceBook as these I feel are not suitable for that type of public coverage. Couple of images will appear on my site in due course. Now while there guess who was also staying? Scotland under 21's training under Billy Stark and doing quite well. Have a game at St Mirren park so come on the boys! Well let's face it the adult team is a lost cause. Maybe next time - aye maybe!

Radisson Blu Slideshow

Part 2 of the event has now been uploaded to Youtube and can be seen here:

Few more parts to go yet but at least I have edited all the images from the day. Fantastic shoot which I throughly enjoyed and hope all the rest of the team did as well.

Braehead Clan

Back to the ice hockey and managed to complete a full team picture, a calendar front cover and head shot of every player in 20 minutes. Pressure, what pressure? I keep telling them, I might not be good, but I am quick! Thanks to all the team for their cooperation on this one as we quickly rattled through the images that had to captured for this season's publicity material

This is not the final picture but a tweaked image to give you an idea from the session. Pics will be published soon and be on sale at all the home games. Calendar in time for a great Xmas pressie.
Bring on the next home game on Saturday. Cannae wait! See you all at Braehead Arena - i's the place to be.

Think that will do me and sorry about the rant regarding non existant clients - it is annoying of course. Next wee rant will be about "charity events" and how everything now is all about "charity".

Where have all the hours gone?

2011-10-08T18:57:00.000+01:00

After one busy week I have a hectic 10 days or so and scarily enough it is continuing. I am finding the time spent editing images is just as long as a session taking the pictures. The Radisson Blu Hotel shoot was a bit special especially in the amount of images captured. More on that later. First up sports:

Braehead Clan continued their winning ways by defeating the Cardiff Devils at Braehead only to go down to defeat the following day at the away tie in Cardiff. The team are doing well and this is especially true when you consider how little ice time they had and lack of matches due to Braehead Arena being used for the international tennis matches. Team pics will be taken next week so look out for some of them in the next Blog - hopefully. Time flies these days.

Clyde 1 Live:

Lucky enough to cover the Clyde 1 Live (not sure how long that link will stay active) event at the SECC which was great if a little regimented in organisation. Behind the scenes, out front, wait here, behind the scenes, no wait again etc. I do appreciate these things are not easy but it can be frustrating as I have to use two camera bodies and two differing lenses to captures this fast changing event organisation. No flash is allowed front of stage for obvious reasons but it is required behind the scenes so one camera has to have a flash permanently attached. More weight around the neck and differing setting in each camera. Keep you on your toes though!

With having so many acts there is little time to edit as you go so it all has to be done when the gig finishes or in my case a fast car back home to site in front of the PC. Upload the images to the server ready for immediate printing wherever required. Once again no rest for the wicked. The days are starting to blend into each other as one shoot follows another. Some images from the event. You will appreciate these are quite small and heavily watermarked - again for obvious reasons. Link is for my FB page

Radisson Blu

Sunday the 2nd October saw me at the Radisson Blu hotel Glasgow in a great shoot lasting 10 hours. Must thank my team for their efforts and the great images captured. Nikola Bonova, Alexandra Prior, Lesley Docherty hair and Nazia Ali for makeup.

To be honest I could have added many pictures from the shoot as it is very difficult to pick just a couple or so for so many images Little video slideshow is linked here from the start of the shoot. Never taken so many images from one shoot before. Well over 2300 images - incredible amount of images but it was going so well. Must congratulate the team once again. Well done all.

Radisson Blu

Think that little catch up will do for the moment and hopefully I will be able to post some more from this shoot and add some extra from the week that has now gone. Saturday night now and I have to dash off. Will keep you updated. Not much chat this time but hopefully the images will help.

Bye for now. George

That was a week that was!

2011-09-28T11:16:00.000+01:00

Without doubt one of the busiest weeks I have had for quite some time. Was either out shooting or sat at the PC editing images that I had just shot. 24 hours sometimes is just not enough for one day.

Lets start at the end of the week - well why not - because the Elite League Hockey season is back! Braehead Clan kicked off their season with a shirt launch and meet the players night at the Sno!Bar in Xscape at Braehead Shopping Centre. Group pictures taken then individual head shots and of course each player receiving their shirt from the team coach. Got a chance to meet up with the two new "Braehearts" for this season Alexandra Prior & Amy Tweed who can be seen here

Then of course we had the first game of the season with our opener taking place at Braehead Arena against the Dundee Stars Great start for us running out 6 - 0 winners on the night. Match pictures can be seen here or you can view the Clan warm up routine and still images here 5 mins of warm up and then about 4mins or so of still images set to music. It's titled "So it Begins", for obvious reasons. The not so obvious is that is also the title of the music the video is set to.

Here they are in their new shirts for the season.

Also pictured are Kirsty Longmuir (right)(The Boss) and Lorraine Sands (2nd Boss :) A great season to look forward to and hopefully a winning one. Just realised you could insert Youtube videos in these Blogs so you can view the video directly from here. If you wish to see it in HD then please click the link above. I am writing this stuff that would suggest others might actually read it but suspect chance would be a fine thing!

The 50's Look

G.L.S. (George, Lesley & Stephanie) the Creative Team got together again with the Face of Glasgow Jade Leigh Hunt to recreate a 50's Hair & Make-Up Look for a portfolio shoot in Kilmarnock. Locations to actually work indoors tend to be limited unless you use the studio but we are trying to get away and use the great outdoors to work in. Hair & Make-Up was undertaken at Lesley's house where Dean Park was only a few minutes away and we had been given permission to shoot within the grounds. Of course being Scotland the weather is always a major factor and needless to say it poured from the heavens most of the morning.

Thankfully it stopped persisting it down long enough for us to get some images in our first look and evening dress. Late on in the afternoon it got a lot better and we did some great images in the grounds of the park. Then of course in no time it was dark o'clock when we had to pack up and head home. Would love to have done much more but you need some light to work with on the look we were trying to achieve.

More images and the video slideshow can be see Here Will add the video direct window below this.

Now I have to say I am not good with the video making, not at least with a 35mm camera but it will improve as I get a lot more pracrice in. Believe me I need the practice! That aside it gives you a good idea of the Hair & Make_Up used on the day.

SuperDiva

Final image for the Album cover has been selected and will be launched on Saturday night in Glasgow. Pictures on the Blog next week.

Football

Away to West Lothian to picture the local youth football team for all their publicity shots and images for their sponsors. Each individual head shot, team shot, team with the trainers, different tops with differing sponsors - it's never an easy job but the kids were great and we did get the images done in the end.

Slideshows & Videos

Trying different software to edit and create slideshows and video is no easy task. I guess the real deal would be the PS After Effects or similar but that is a real steep learning curve and I suspect it would take a college course to get the best out of it. The price of the software is frightening and really needs to be justified which I cannot really do at this time. Trying Power Director and it appears to quite good and easy to use. Like all sotfware is has its little foibles and annoyances. Like why would I want to insert one image over another in a slide show rathjer that just close the gap between video and still image? There is probably a way to view things in closer detail - just I have not found it yet. Ho hum, will need to try harder.

Coming Up:

Pixie Lott, Olly Murs, Sugarbabes and of course the wonderful Mobos. Mobos are next week and that should be fun but still have the Clyde 1 show on Friday, Hockey on Saturday and of course SuperDiva launch on Saturday night - right after the hockey. Should be fun - fast car anyone?

Hopefully update the Blog next week. Until then, take care out there dear reader. Well someone might read this!

2011-09-22T02:33:00.001+01:00

Another day, another dollar? If money makes the world go round then I am in deep trouble of grinding to a standstill. Thanks to the SNP (current Scottish government) we now have another year added to the pay freeze situation making it three years with no wage rises. To add insult to injury they have raised the pension contributions so you can pay more in, to get even less out! Then triple whammy they have raised a tax on those selling alcohol of ciggies. So you cannot even afford a drink to forget about your worries and the fact that due to pay freezes you probably couldn't pay for it anyway. I predict a steep rise in shoplifting as the price per bottle rises Now they have raised the retirement age those extra 1000 cops they promised us they will be in zimmers chasing bad guys in bikes - well nobody will be able to put fuel in cars by the end of this decade!

Another thing about those extra 1000 cops. Are the on a piece of elastic or something? You think they recruited them for "one year only" or will they join the zimmer brigade and retire as old persons? I have probably misunderstood the government message. What they really meant was an extra 1000 cops every year they are in office? Now that makes sense given that they keep saying "we will keep the etxra 1000 cops on the beat". Don't worry Minister; they will be too bloody old to walk a beat they way you keep raising the age of retirement. When they said we will look after you from the cradle to the grave, I did not realise they meant that was to be your working life. Die in work will be the norm by the end of the next decade - my prediction. Too old or too infirm - like over sixties cops just die and save the government your pension rights. Yes, only half goes to your next of kin. Great way to make money and I am sure the insurance companies will opt out covering you by the age of 67.

Right, enough about politics, this Blog is about photography - right!

Finished editing the images for Ashley Collins CD cover which launches on Saturday night live in Glasgow. Not allowed to show you the final cover image but I can give you a wee sneak peek at some of the stuff we shot of her during the day. Now lets see if I can insert an image here. Well not too bad it inserted above the paragraph and I guess that's probably close enough. Great creative team involved here of Scott Garvie who shot a behind the scenes video (click the links) of the action and of course hair and makeup artists Stephanie Kerr on makeup and Lesley Docherty on hair - see we are a wee group! Moi of course clicking the shutter button. You do get to see me on the video but dont let that put you off watching it. Ashley's other video for Super Diva that I took some stills of can be seen here. Dont miss Ashley's launch night on Saturday at Delmonicas 68 Virgina St, Glasgow, 9pm - be there.

Finished the slide show and first video for the Bennan House holiday home and I have to say that it is looking good. Check out the videos on my YouTube channel "georgemon" or click the link for the slide show Bennan House is situated in Straiton in Ayrshire and is a great place to holiday and relax in a very quiet area on the countryside. The beauty of the area is stunning in places and of course a short drive take you into Ayr or deeper into Burns country. House has five bedrooms and all you could possibly need for you holiday. Great place to rest in front of a roaring fire with the chance to put you feet up for a while. Mind you when I was the there the team used it to shoot a few model scenes and that link with give you a behind the scenes look at the preparations prior to shooting. Some stills for the day (I think there are 4 videos in total) can be seen here in a slide show Play them in HD and turn on the sound as some of the music is from the lovely Laura Kenny - love her sound. I hope you enjoy the music and videos.

While at Bennan House I also got to shoot with the "Face of Glasgow" miss Jade Leigh Hunt and some images from that went to the "Face of Europe" that Jade will be taking part in as a Grand Finalist at Disney World in Paris. Go Jade! Hope she does well and I have another shoot lined up with her before the end of this week as we broaden the appeal and looks of the creative team. Looking forward to that very much and as we are working outside hopefully the weather will be kind to us.

See the slideshow of Jade's shoot at Bennan House click here Enjoy in full HD and some great music to go along with the images. Post your comments if you have a mind to. I will try to answer all those do leave something positive in response to the show.

What else? I did the images for the Elite Ice Hockey team Braehead Clan and shot each players' head shot for a poster I had in mind. get the players to sign it and hopefully auction it off for funds for the association. First game of the season is on Saturday night at Braehead Arena against Dundee and it will be a rush from there into Glasgow to catch and photograph Ashley's CD launch in the city centre. Fast car on standby!

What a team! get yourself to a match, you will not regret it. Great for all the family and really excellent enjoyment for all.

Well time is marching on but I hope some of my musings have kept you reading to the end here. Plenty to see in the video and I hope you like the images - well at least some of them.

Speak soon. Probably in a few days when life slows to a frenzy. Dont forget to visit my main site at monapics.com

Regards,
George

It's a start

2011-09-18T11:30:00.001+01:00

I do have a Blog on my own web site at www.monapics.com but not a "Blog Spot" as such that might be better for recording my day to day activities, thoughts and musings. Not sure it will ever get too deep and meaningful or that anyone else will ever read what is the written in these pages. At least it will serve as a diary of events or moments in my photgraphic journey of producing images that others might just enjoy viewing. Well, we all live in hope!

This first post will be rather basic as I try to work out how all this workd with images, graphs, design elements etc. My interest being mainly photography I would expect this to be rather image heavy or at least link heavy to view images from elsewhere.

This is a fairly busy time for me with the start of the Elite League Hockey season and my involvement with the Braehead Clan www.braeheadclan.com I also have to produce images for the singer/song writer Ashley Collins www.ashleycollinsmusic.com for the CD Album cover to her "SuperDiva" record. Add to that the Bennan House holiday home web design and image/video production and yes, these are busy time for a Glasgow Photographer.

When I started to create this Blog was very surprised to find my moniker "Monapics" was not available for use - wonder who blagged that? Hopefully someone with a penchant for producing some images I can look at.

A little bit about me:

Am old, yeah it hurts me to say it, but you simply cannot deny the years written on your face, or in this instance what I see in the mirror every morning. Well, perhaps if you have the money to hire a good plastic surgeon you can look younger and try to fool those who do not really know the true you. Is it worth it? If it makes you feel good about yourself then why not? Lots of people do it, even at a low level with Bottox (spelling) etc?

I digress. Born in Paisley in a park, "Barshaw Park" Hospital to be exact which like many other things over the years has disappeared in the mists of time. Now living in Glasgow UK, I use the UK locator now, as I had no idea how many "Glasgows" there are in the USA! Which is rather good for my Google search results but I cannot see many US citizens hiring this "Glasgow" photographer. That said, I have been very lucky to cover a number of weddings here in the UK of Americans who decided to get married while visiting Scotland.

Had the usual schooling and managed to learn how to read and write which is a compliment to the skill of my teachers in a tennament based background of Glasgow in the 1950's. Me being a bit of a rebel and all round plonker did not help their cause any. I thank them all, but especially my English teacher who was a man of principals, sadly no longer with us. He did say I would make a good politician - due to the story telling of my youth. Well, we all had imaginations then in our early formative years. In many ways he was right, given my involvement with the Trade Union movement and the Labour Party. That as they say is another story, and, for another time. Knew and worked with all the big names from Neil Kinnock to George Galloway - is that a distance one can measure?

Anyways, at the grand old age of fifteen years I left school joined the Marconi Radio College to be a Radio Officer aboard some sailing vessel on the high seas. That lasted all of three days as I quickly realised stuffed shirts did not suit me. Funnily enough just a few doors down from the college was the Army recruiting office and since I had been an Army Cadet for years thought - why not, where is the harm in seeing what the Army is like? Seventeen years later I was back in civi street. A good bit older and an awful lot wiser. A lot of my friends and colleagues think I am still serving in the military, I have to agree with that. Don't think it ever truly leaves you after you have served all those years regular, TA and Cadet. I was a long time in HM Service.

There have been many events in my life that as with most people do not make for public profiling and all they do is make you the person you now are. For better or for worse, this is me, older, wiser, silly, stupid, laugh or cry this is who I am shaped by the events of my life.

Now I do a bit of photography that hopefully will take me into retirement and fund the ever increasing costs of equipment and allow me to continue this great journey of life. Mind you there is more to look back on than look forward to - not in in enjoyment, but in number of years ahead in life! Whoa, lets not get maudlin.

Plenty of images left me yet and hopefully some will enjoy seeing them and perhaps share with their family and friends. Nothing like an image to bring back memories or invoke emotions etc.

First hockey game for the Clan of season 2011 - 2012 is next week and already I have shot the player images and shirt launch. Have produced a team roster poster that will hopefully go for auction and help fund the supporters association - at least in a small way. Where would be be without fans? Yea, nowhere.

Lets hope I can keep you updated and if the wanderings of an old fart have any interest then you can see most of it on my FaceBook first - George Monaghan - am the guy holding the camera and hailing for Glasgow. Waves in welcome. Mind you I suspect they only person reading these pages will be myself but it will help as a diary of events in my photography.

Cheers,
George