Oliver Edwards Photography Blog

Did a shoot a while ago of a Hot Air ballooning experience over the Usk Valley. Very much looking forward to working at the Balloon Fiesta in August.

Photos are very warm as I am still playing around trying out new looks and styles. Enjoy

Have been playing around with some new post techniques for bth Landscapes and people recently – trying to find a new look to add a bit of diversity to my services. I always try to show everything in the most positive and happy way which works very well for tourism, charties and events etc.

However I have been looking through all my old personal stock looking for stormy days to try out some moody dark Landscapes. I have also got a cracking portrait shot I did recently which I have processed in a similar way and I love the look of it – but unfortunately cant post it until the original (brighter and happier) version is published in Countryfile next month.

Anyway here is a sneak peek at what I am talking about.

Finished a job a few weeks ago for The George Inn with Ravenswood Media. The George is a large traditional looking pub in Wedmore just outside Bristol, however when you get inside it is full of really quirky interiors and boutique accommodation rooms. It was great to photograph as every room had many interesting and different points of interest.

I will definitely have to go back there in summer as they serve great food and have a great looking beer garden. Highly recommended for a day out as the food is also made to a very high standard as seen below.

A few months back I did a job for the Mud Dock Cafe  and Bike Shop. The brief was great as it was very open and I was encouraged to get to know the place then photographs it how I see fit.

I often have a set list of many photos I have done in previous restaurants before to repliacte in some way or another, but tried to not use the list as this job was more about capturing the place and the Story behind this very unique Lifestyle Bike Establishment. It was a bit of a challenge at first as I was trying to go back to the way I used to shoot years ago before taking photos commercially.

After a few Visits I started to get some ideas and thoughts on the people, place and story and then Knew that it would be a great short book documenting the three areas of the establishment – Workshop, cafe and shop.

Please View the book Full Size

I have recently been doing some work for BBC Countryfile Magazine. I have always wanted to work for the magazine and they were one of the first places I tried when going freelance in Bristol as I think my style of photography suits the the magazine and being from rural Devon myself I have always seen the magazine and studied the photographs.

I was delighted when I heard from the staff at Countryfile with some assignments and I have  now done a few commissions for the magazine but cannot post any photographs until they are published. There are some really exciting ones I have done wont be posted until next year as some of them are done now before everything looks cold, dark and wintery.

Here are some of the assignments Which have been published in Print.

The first Assignment was a feature on market towns in Ledbury and Ludlow and there was a potential front cover shot along with a nice story of photographs taken while getting to know the towns. Below is the spread, cover and a selection of the images from the day showing the markets and the town on a busy summer Saturday.

Please view photographs in Full Screen (click the icon on the bottom right of the photograph below)

The scond Commission which is in this months Countryfile was a Food Hero called Liz Knight who forages for ingredients to make Christmas puddings and many other products. Liz was really nice and gave me plenty of time to get some great photographs and had an amazing kitchen for photography with great light and rustic cooking surfaces and props. Below is the Feature and a selection of the images from the day.

Please view photographs in Full Screen (click the icon on the bottom right of the photograph below)

The Third Commission I have had published which is also in this months Countryfile is a feature from Natural History TV presenter Mike Dilger who works on The One Show every week. Mikes feature was on how to turn an urban garden into a mini nature reserve and what to put in the garden to encourage wildlife to inhabit your garden. Mike was also very accommodating and  great in front of the camera as he is used to working in TV. Below is the spread and a selection of the images from the day.

Please view photographs in Full Screen (click the icon on the bottom right of the photograph below)

UPDATE

Had another two features in Countryfile this month. Yet again very happy with them, the choice of photograph and the spreads.

The first was with Jimmie Hepburn, an Organic Fish Farmer at http://www.aquavisiononline.com in Devon for the Food Hero feature.

The Second was a Christmas Tree Farm called http://www.dinmore-christmas-trees.co.uk in Wellington near Hereford. I photographed Colin and davina who run the family business.