Never too late

ne of the things I love about my chosen profession, and doing press photography in Newcastle is the variety of people I have the pleasure of meeting on a day to day basis. Recently I was lucky enough to be part of the Open University graduation day at the Sage, Gateshead. It’s always a lovely place in which to work, as it it’s filled with natural light, has loads of accessible bits to set up stunning shots, and is set on the riverside with the city skyline all around. My brief was to locate, organise, and photograph 4 mature students in various locations for their respective local newspapers, and national press for the OU. It’s really not work at all – it’s simply having fun, and watching loads of proud wives, husbands, partners, parents, and kids, all having a lovely day with their loved ones who have worked hard, while holding down jobs, in order to advance their careers, learn something new, or have a complete change. It’s something I did myself some years back now, and there’s no better feeling than getting the robe on, and standing in line for your certificate.

My victims included a working Submariner, a mother and daughter, a lady who was on her second OU degree, and a working mum who was changing career to work with kids. All really lovely people, with supportive families.

I worked on aperture priority at f8, and used auto ISO up to ISO 3200, as everything had to be shot in a short space of time, in various locations with different natural light. The D3 and Lightroom 3 make short work of any digital noise, and the press print process is also very forgiving.  I went against using flash inside, as the light was quite diffuse, but used a bit of fill outside just to lighten up the gowns that the students were wearing. My brief suggested mortar board hats, but the OU don’t like them nowadays, so that was a no-go. I chose a number of locations – outside the main entrance looking up at the Sage’s curves, on the rails with the Tyne bridges behind, inside looking up at the balconies of the interior, and from the balconies themselves looking out at the view.

All went really well – the weather held up, and I got everything I needed just in time. I even said hello to Tim Healey, who seems to be at the Sage every time I turn up there. Most importantly, the client, and students loved the images. I even got home to watch the England match. Jobs a good’un!