Spain, the recce ~ Pictures, stories and techniques, part 2

February 25th, 2011

DL 57. A single Speedlight and a rather bland but blue sky made this picture a wow feel.

DL 57. A single Speedlight well placed and a rather vibrant blue sky gave this picture a wow feel.

Part 2: The Quarry, coastal artillery base and cliffs

Pictures: Damien Lovegrove & Martin Hill

Models: Katy McGee & Miriam Martinez Hidalgo

Our short trip to Spain was full of surprises. Each turn of the twisty mountain road revealed another striking view of a deep blue sea under an azure blue sky.

In the afternoon of the second day of shooting we went through the mining town of La Union and found ourselves in a landscape scarred in a beautiful way by earth workings. The rich vibrant hues in the rocks revealed the presence of minerals while the slurry runs and dried up river beds formed dramatic contours.

DL 33. The blue rocks of ultramarine surprised me. I lit Miriam with my new duo flash bracket thingy that we named 'Gemini' today. It will be on our stand at Focus on Imaging. Ask me for a demonstration of it's unique features.

DL 34

DL 35. The grass in the quarry floor was quite impressive. No sign of snakes though.

DL 36. Twin Speedlights rigged in my Gemini bracket provided ample flash power to cope with the Spanish sun.

DL 37.

DL 38.

DL 39.

DL 40. One of the many quarry buildings made an interesting background for this shot.

DL 41. We were in a cactus zone.

DL 42. The trees have a life of their own in the harsh environment

DL 42. Trees have a struggle for survival in the harsh, arid environment.

DL 43. I placed Katy in this vast arched window. An industrial relic with cathedral proportions.

DL 43. I placed Katy in the vast arched window of the engine house. An industrial relic with cathedral proportions. A single Speedlight provided the illumination.

DL 44.

We left the mining area at the end of shoot day two having barely scratched the surface of it’s potential. Some real gems of industrial relics and amazing landscapes are yet to be explored by Martin and I. That will be our key task when we return in October for the workshops. We will have the Sunday for final location selection and planning prior to the workshops.

DL 45 Shoot day three started at a military instillation. A gun emplacement on the rugged coast. The buildings made perfect portrait locations.

DL 46.

DL 47

DL 48. The light in the observation tower was fabulous. The view was great too.

DL 49. Martin and I experimented with both high key and low ket techniques. It was a fabulous opportunity to put in some shooting practice.

DL 50. I really liked the green tiles in this shower block.

DL 51.

DL 52.

DL 53. After a further half hour drive we arrived at a beach resort with some fantastic rock formations in the cliffs.

The whole area in this part of Spain has a striking topography.

DL 54. One of my favourite pictures from my set.

DL 55.

DL 56. It's a bit indulgent of me to post two pictures that are similar but I really love the bleached kick light look.

Martin’s pictures are below. Those of you who will be lucky enough to join us in Spain will really benefit from Martin’s no nonsense easy going approach to masterful picture making.

MH 28. Fabulously simple and simply fabulous.

MH 29. This simple wide shot of Martin's shows the scale of the landscape we are dealing with.

MH 30.

MH 31.

MH 32.

MH 33.

MH 34.

MH 35. I just happened to have some red voile in my pocket. Martin timed this picture perfectly. I tried and tried but was ultimately unsuccessful with this shot.

MH 36.

MH 37.

MH 38.

MH 39.

MH 40.

MH 41.

MH 42.

MH 43.

MH 44.

MH 45.

MH 46.

MH 47.

MH 48.

MH 49.

MH 50.

MH 51.

MH 52.

MH 53.

Well there you have it. My selection of the 300 or so pictures that Martin and I have in our personal collections. I expect some of the best shots have been omitted. I have a habit of missing the finest images from time to time. Photographers rarely make the best picture selectors.

I can announce that there are 10 delegate places for a two day shoot workshop in Spain on the 17th and 18th October 2011. Martin and I will have 5 delegates in each group and the groups will swap model and tutor every hour or so to ensure that everyone gets to shoot all the set ups. The locations are likely be those featured here and in my previous post. (Shooting permissions for the locations are being sought at the moment). Katy will be one of the models flying out from the UK with us. The event will use natural light and Speedlights for both Nikon and Canon shooters using Pocket Wizard triggers. We will all shoot superb fashion and beauty images in fabulous locations in a fabulous climate. More information is here.

You can also browse our range of upcoming photography training courses here.

Please feel free to comment below…

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11 Comments Add your own

1. Graham L | February 25th, 2011 at 4:43 pm

Damien, these are magnifico! You have found some stunning locations in Spain, and have used them beautifully.
I’m looking forward to the workshop with you and Martin even more now. I know it is going to be fun, and to see and learn some of the techniques used here will be a privilege.

Love DL57+DL33 also MH48, and MH35!!.. MH35?? Just superb! Seeing frames like this inspires me. I love it.
2. david cooke | February 25th, 2011 at 6:53 pm

I guess due to my circumstances 2012 will have to be my year, so I wish you all the best.
3. damien | February 26th, 2011 at 3:44 pm

Hi Graham,

Thank you for your kind words. Martin and I are fired up for the season now and look forward to seeing you in March.

Best regards,

Damien.
4. Mike | February 28th, 2011 at 7:16 pm

Two Words,,Simply Awesome
5. damien | March 2nd, 2011 at 12:53 pm

Thanks Mike
6. Lloyd Siddall | March 6th, 2011 at 8:01 pm

Hi Damien
What a fantastic set of images from Spain by you and Martin.
Thanks to you and your blog for the help with ideas for my posing, lighting and locational ideas.

Cheers
7. damien | March 23rd, 2011 at 12:16 pm

Thank you Lloyd,

You have been around throughout my photographic journey in recent years and it is great for me to have the continued feedback from talented photographers like yourself.

Kindest regards,

Damien.
8. Lloyd Siddall | March 23rd, 2011 at 3:18 pm

Hi Damien
I’m Sorry but I can’t take any responsibility or credit for talent.
I would not be doing any of the work I am if it wasn’t for your Winter wedding workshop, and the full set of DVD’s from you and your team which shows where the true talent lies.
I have learnt so much in such a short time people now pay me for what was once an expensive hobby, it is now growing into a business.

Thanks

Lloyd
9. Sarah Beaufoy | April 7th, 2011 at 10:20 am

Hi Damien,
Love, love, LOVE all these new photos this year! The locations, the light, the style- everything is gorgeous, fresh, crisp, yummy!
Best Wishes,
Sarah
10. damien | April 30th, 2011 at 7:38 am

Wow, Thanks Lloyd. I hope your business flourishes, Damien.
11. damien | April 30th, 2011 at 10:24 pm

Hi Sarah,

Thank you for your feedback. It really means a lot.

Best regards,

Damien.