Just got back from a great last minute holiday to the Red Sea. Dived with Dolphins and the elusive Hammerhead Sharks. Wow did I have a great time. The undersea world is fantastic!

Hi guys, I've just come across this site called Groupon a couple of days ago, they offer some bargain Deals of The Day usually at about 1/3 of the normal price.
Just booked to go to a nice restaurant today and am saving £29.00 on a 4 course meal so only £19.00 with a glass of bubbly per person. Now that's not bad. Have a look by clicking the link below. You won't regret it if you like a bargain. http://ping.fm/FrWwQ

Nick Gregan is off on holiday - yes guys you heard it right I'm off to Sharm el Sheikh on Sunday for a weeks liveaboard.....yeee haaaa

I know it's twice in one day but here's a great interview I did with Photopreneur.http://ping.fm/uSWR7 I know it's blowing my own trumpet but it's really worth a read. da da dadrrrr..

Does your headshot photographer really care about the outcome of your shoot? http://ping.fm/K99dS

Great article here it's definitely worth a read. http://ping.fm/ecUJC

New post on my ever decreasing stats and ever increasing weight loss mission. www.myweightlossjourney.co.uk

Just heard that Herman Leonard did this week in LA aged 87. For those who don't know him, I'm sure you'll know his work as they've adorned many a living room and trendy bar. read more here www.ambiguousmisdirection.com/blog

Just made a great post here: http://ping.fm/Z1N4P enjoy!

Worked out by the docks this morning, it was lovely and sunny compared to yesterday. I've been working with my personal trainer Mark from DocksideFitness http://ping.fm/UgWYS
We've been working on using my considerable bodyweight as opposed to weights etc. Great fun - really!!

Heavy rain this morning meant my workout in the park was damp and cold. But like a trooper I struggled through it, discarded the discomfort of the rain and wind. But hey, if you're on a mission you're on a mission. And thats me.

I had some great headshots done today by Nick Gregan http://ping.fm/O6nZG I recommend him to everone who needs photographs.

Just confirmed a personal training session tomorrow morning with Mark. You're right guys I am on a mission to loose the belly.

the worst part of dieting or trying to lose weight is boredom. What do we do when we are bored - if you're like me you eat. One of the things I'm going to have to fight hard is the boredom threshold. I've got to find something to do in the evenings to combat the temptation to eat. Any suggestions????

I've been on the diet for a week now and suffered no real hardships. And the result is like magic I've lost a kilo or 2.2lbs. I'm really really pleased with myself. Come on man you can do it!!

Whoa this weight loss journey is going to be hard. Photographed a friends wedding today - it was great but the temptation of great food was hard to overcome. But I did, I stayed strong. Hopefully this bodes well for the future. Bring on those challenges 'cos I am equal to them. The pictures were great by the way!

Photography Exhibition Diary – Coming Up With Ideas

Photography Exhibition Diary – Coming Up With Ideas

The Creative Process

Like many artists or creative types, when I’m asked about the actual process of creating something – the birth of a project, it can be difficult to pin point exactly when it all started as it’s never really set out in black and white.

You have a germ of an idea, a passing inclination or fleeting notion that over time becomes less ephemeral and takes form and quietly shapes up in the back of your mind. Seldom by chance, but somehow clearly and subconsciously the notion becomes an idea that then becomes a possibility and without realising it you’re in the middle of creating. And once again without a conscious structure a plan is formed and eventually acted upon. And suddenly an exhibition is born.

Well that’s how it was for me.

It all started because of a comment by a friend and a bit of bravado by myself. (Read the previous post to find out).

I’d already had a few ideas turning over in my mind and I always find it best to sketch them out as soon as possible as for me it’s very easy to forget them. I’ve noticed that ideas pass in and out of my mind very quickly and if I don’t record them they’re often gone forever.

Here’s an idea I had for one of the shots (Sunset Ridge) for the Ambiguous Misdirection exhibition,

Ambiguous Misdirection Ideas © Nick Gregan

the shot turned out very close to my original idea as you can see below. Obviously there

Sunset Ridge © Nick Gregan from Ambiguous MIsdirection


was some refining of my initial idea and the use of light including the type of light I used, the direction and the intensity of it greatly influence the final outcome. Sunset Ridge has
received lots of encouraging comments and I have to say that I am very happy with the final result.

My model was thoroughly impressed with the shot, trying to explain my vision to her during the shoot didn’t really work, probably because I couldn’t articulate myself well enough. However she was delighted with the end result.
Photography Exhibition Related Articles

Fine Art Photography Exhibition Related Articles 

• Writing and photography - is a picture really worth a thousand words? | Sean O'Hagan (guardian.co.uk)
• Unique Digital Photography Light Techniques! " Model Photography ... (fastcashphoto.com)
• Dennis Hopper: actor, director and - yes - brilliant photographer | Sean O'Hagan (guardian.co.uk)
• Interview with Marvin Joseph (lostateminor.com)

Ambiguous Misdirection Photography Exhibition by Nick Gregan

Ambiguous Misdirection Photography Exhibition by Nick Gregan

There are many photography exhibitions showing on a regular basis. From established household names in the photography world to emerging talent in the form of students and younger people.

However it's not that often that we see an established photographer like Nick Gregan show a collection of his private work. Nick is best know as a headshot photographer in London.

In this fantastic exhibition entitled 'Ambiguous Misdirection' Nick reveals an unseen collection that will guarantee thought provoking discussion. In a genuinely awe inspiring body of work Nick investigates the female form. His creative process on this project has taken an unstructured formation, and is characterized by a series of abstract shapes carefully selected in celebration of the female form. This exhibition does not follow a linear path, instead the images should be viewed at the viewer’s discretion, with no specific shots chosen to mark the start or finish.
   
This exhibition evokes the profound misdirection of one’s mind, pushing the spectator to look beyond the obvious and question what they see at first glance 

Fine Art Photography Related Articles 

• Fascinating Double Exposure Photography (20 photos) (mymodernmet.com)
• 30 examples of perfectly timed action photography (holykaw.alltop.com)
• World Press Photo 2010 tour comes to Edinburgh and London (blogs.journalism.co.uk)

The Actors Headshot – Capturing The Real You

1 August 2010 | No Comments »

Image by nickgregan via Flickr

The Actors Headshot – Capturing The Real You
As many of my regular readers will know one of the most important principles of a great actors headshot photograph is that it must look like you.

Many time I have come across headshots that look nothing ike the person standing in front of me. I have on several occasions spoken to casting directors
and agents about this ridiculous phenomenon. The one thing they all state categorically is that unless the actors looks like their headshot they are wasting
every ones time.
And here’s a dramatic fact; no one likes to have their time wasted especially when they’re busy.
I found this great in depth article on the Backstage blog and thought it would be worth a read
for many people.

Here’s an excerpt that’ll wet your taste buds……

It’s a variation on the classic actor’s nightmare: You step into a room for an audition. The casting director is perusing your headshot. You exchange polite hellos, and a quizzical expression passes over her face. Her eyes move up and down between you and the frozen image in her hand. Her mouth tightens. You know it’s coming. You try to predict which line she will speak:
“So, are you here to read for the niece or the aunt?”

“When did you last have your headshots done?”

“Excuse me, do I even have the right person here?”

All because the person in the photo is younger, thinner, sexier, better looking, and/or more glamorous than you. You can rationalize: “Geez, everybody exaggerates. Casting directors expect that. Anyway, she should be more interested in my acting chops than my headshot.”

Related Articles The Actors Headshot – Capturing The Real You

• Roles Based On Past Projects (actorgrowth.com)
• Quick Tips and Tricks for Auditioning (teachstreet.com)
• Finding A Headshot Photographer (actorgrowth.com)
• Beautiful Photographs ( ambiguousmisdirection.com )