I Am Martin!

Grandad

2010-05-13T15:37:00.001-07:00

Grandad, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

I love this candid shot of my Grandad, it's actually a menu at an italian resturant which he is looking at. The light from above was fantastic and makes this picture in my opinion.

The Debate!

2010-04-16T03:20:00.001-07:00

The Debate!, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

I'd been looking forward to this event since the debates were comfirmed a few months ago.

Looking forward to the controlled environment where, hopefully, the viewers would get to hear what each Leader had to say without the input of spin doctors and media alliances.

The result, British politics doesn't seem to be a 2 horse race and that a vote for the Lib Dems is no longer a wasted vote.

Me, by Barbie Lindsay FBPE

2010-03-15T16:28:00.001-07:00

Martin looking cool in his 3D glasses 12-03-2010, originally uploaded by AOBD.

I love this portrait, thanks Barbie!

www.barbielindsay.co.uk

On the property ladder!

2010-03-15T16:04:00.001-07:00

My life has taken a couple of different directions in the last few months and I believe everything happens for a reason, in my case the result has been being able to get on the property ladder and purchase a 1 bedroom apartment in Colchester.

It seems as if my life has been on hold over the past month whilst the exchange of contracts went through and now I have my keys and all the painting is done, I look forward to moving on with my photography.

iMartin

2010-01-07T14:35:00.001-08:00

iMartin, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

Due to the snow, we've been sent home early from work both today and yesterday so I thought I' take advantage of the spare time to do some photoshop homework.

Here's my attempt at an iTunes style portrait. There is also a comic book strip style portrait on my Flickr photostream which is quite cool.

Morning Mist

2010-01-05T00:04:00.001-08:00

Yes, it's cold but yet again the media stirring up their own panic umongst the public.

It's winter! What do they expect?!

Happy New Year Ya'll

2010-01-03T15:45:00.001-08:00

The Blockheads, Colchester., originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

Seeing as we've enterred a new year I thought I'd do a little spring cleaning of my website. A lot fresher now!

www.martinbright.co.uk

Also, being christmas meant The Blockheads were in town. Took my camera and managed to wiggle our way to the front where I got some cool pics.

Happy new year,
Martin

Press day 2008

2009-10-13T13:23:00.001-07:00

Press day 2008, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

I'm sure you fellow photographers agree that every now and then whilst looking through your archive, you'll find something you like which has avoided your keen eye for a couple of months or in this case; year and a half!

This was shot during the Colchester United press day july 2008.

The squad were in a formation, ready to be photographed by Rob Sambrook, the U's official club photographer. The helicopter is that of the club's sponsor, Mr Weston, of Weston Homes. He popped in to say hi and have his photo taken with the chairman and players. Oh by the way he sponsors the stadium and the teams home kit!

This is a case of right place, right time. The players' stance whilst the helicopter took off behind the stand was perfect.

Barside, Layer Road

2009-10-01T23:43:00.001-07:00

Barside, Layer Road, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

A very nice man on Flickr added my photo to his 'Street Inspiration' gallery and wrote this lovely piece about my image.

"markwaddington says: This is one of many great people shots on Martin's photostream.

His photos get intimately close to the situations and subjects he is photographing - it's almost as if he taking the photos from the inside.

The emotional content is very strong; in each photo you can easily identify the prevailing emotion - jubilation, solitude, comfort, stress and so on."

Thank you Mark Waddington!

You can view Mark's flickr photostream @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadds/

and the gallery @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadds/galleries/72157622320168565/

Interview In Matchday Program vs Hartlepool United

2009-09-22T00:01:00.001-07:00

Interview In Matchday Program vs Hartlepool United, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

So recently I've been photographing models for the first ever Colchester United merchandise catalogue.

All thats left is to photograph a couple of players for the front cover.

Matt, media manager at the club was kind enough to dedicate 2 pages to a feature about the photoshoot.

I'm so happy with this, and thanks to Lee and Matt.

2009-09-14T23:49:00.000-07:00

Brought this song on Itunes last night and haven't stopped listening since. The chorus guitar riff is so simple but brilliant. Might buy the album now.

Matt Pond PA - So much Trouble

Beyond Group Exhibition '09

2009-09-14T05:31:00.000-07:00

This weekend I attended my first exhibition, the Beyond Group annual exhibition of 2009.

I was really glad to see my image on the big screen during the 'mono' section! Although I wish I'd had more accepted now!!

Also got to meet some of the memebers from the Beyond Group family, which I was really looking forward to, as well as Flickr friend Angie Adams and one of my greatest influences..Colin Summers.

It was brilliant to meet him and talk all things photography!

The exhibition itself was much better than I had imagined! Colour images were shown first followed by monochrome. Refreshments were first class, especially the scones! Special mention to Chrissie Gamble!

Unfortunately I didn't win anything on the raffle :( I had my eyes on the 'arena' book but didn't win.

Such a great afternoon.

Martin

New Banner!

2009-09-09T06:45:00.000-07:00

I've made myself a new banner.

I'd just like to say, the image and text (I Am Martin) may make you think that I'm the man in the image..I am not!

Photoshoot went really well by the way!

Martin

Colchester United Catalogue

2009-09-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm currently preparing to do something different. Shooting models for a merchandise catalogue! Can't wait. I always enjoy trying something new and this is certainly new. The models were chosen from Colchester United fans via the club website.

I've done tonnes of research and location scouting for this..Probably too much as I already had both location and composition in mind. But its always good to look about.

I've seen a 4 page - first draft of the catalogue, which will contain 32 pages and I'm really impressed with the design. If the production company can improve from the first draft it'll be brilliant! I really can't wait to get my hands on a few copies.

I'll take some photos when it's done and post them for all to see.

Take care,
Martin

Avignon

2009-09-02T00:09:00.001-07:00

Avignon, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

This is Avignon.

Lovely city with an ancient city wall which is still intact unlike Colchester's! The palace and the height of the image is the palace of the Popes, a grand building - rich in history.

Straight Faced

2009-08-27T16:19:00.001-07:00

Straight Faced, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

Arrived back home from the south of France last week. Avignon to be precise.

I'd never been to Avignon before but had heard many good things about the city. It has an important past in terms of religion as 'The Papacy ', home of the Pope was based there for 80 or so years. If my memory serves me correct, 7 different Popes served as leaders of the Catholic faith over this 80 year period.

Avignon is also twinned with my home town, Colchester. Which made the holiday even more worthwhile! (despite not seeing any signs pointing it out, unlike Colchester.)

We stayed here... http://www.autourdupetitparadis.com/ Highly reccommed it. The owners are such brilliant people and would make your trip x10 better.

Anyway, the gentleman in my photograph.. A homeless man who posed for my girlfriend whilst she was looking through her pictures. Up to that second I was so frustrated with the lack of photography I had done/attempted whils being away. I knew it was my chance to get a decent image. So, in mid-pose he turned and looked at me to see me pull my DSLR out of my satchel and looked horrified as what turned from a comical pose turned into my favoutie portrait.

The lighting was perfect, background was rugged and the texture of his skin and beard was a photographers dream.

I took the image, gave him one of my 'business' cards on, shook hands and carried on walking. Amongst the commotion of taking the photograph I realised that he had told me his name. I couldn't remember it. I was gutted because he seemed quite happy that I had taken his photo.

My favourite thing about this image, is the lack of post processing needed. Cropped the right hand side, a touch of vignetting around the edges and slightly sharpened his face. Oh, and lightened his eyes a little. The backdrop was perfect and suited his roughness entirely.

www.martinbright.co.uk

2009-07-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

So, over the last few months my friend Daniel has been building me a website and today he came over to show me how maintain it myself.

I've been looking forward to this for a while, it means I can upload images and make little changes without having to ask Dan.

Just spend the past 2 or so hours making little changes and updating the galleries!

Its fun, I hope you enjoy!

Martin

p.s I also have a new email address martin@martinbright.co.uk

No inspiration, no ideas, no images.

2009-07-16T02:38:00.001-07:00

Lack Of Ideas, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

I'm desperate to get photographing again, work has been so busy recently we've hardly had time to breathe!

I thought of this though, to illustrate my frustration at the lack of my photographing.

Although, the prospect of having August of fills me with all sorts of photoshopping energy.

Take care everybody!

p.s http://www.martinbright.co.uk/

A Year Ago Today..

2009-07-02T09:34:00.001-07:00

The Chosen One. Part ii, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

I was in Madrid and shot this image, quite significant for me as it was my first exhibition quality image.

Learning The Exhibition Way

2009-06-29T11:06:00.001-07:00

The Ever-Present Nun, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

Since the turn of the year Rusty and Barbie have been encouraging me to enter various exhibitions. I think to date, I've entered 7 and received 6 (est) acceptances. Which is good, I hope.

It has transformed the way I go about taking a photo and totally reformed my mindset when mentally thinking of an image. Which is good, and I enjoy photography alot more since entering the BPE circuit.

I keep meaning to organise and record which images achieve acceptances, just to see how my new 'stuff' is doing. Images which I thought would make a good exhibition image back in december I wouldn't consider to send away for selection, except 2...

The Ever-Present Nun, taken in Vatican Square last June/July on my travels. This image seems to have done well for me in the way of acceptances.

The other image is The Chosen One.. taken in Madrid train station around the same time, also gaining a couple of acceptances.

As I previously mentioned, compare these images to my recent 'works' and I think you'll find more cognitive thinking has gone into them rather than point, shoot and hope for the best.

I thank Rusty and Barbie for pushing me and daring me to do better, going out on shoots with them is great fun and provokes alternative ideas rather than the obvious. Which then installs the same thought process when photographing on my own.

The Blessing

2009-06-27T09:02:00.001-07:00

The Blessing, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

Church! Now, I'm not religious at all but I like the sense of community within our area. (Old Heath, Colchester) And of course, the Church is at the heart of the community!

I recently attended my friends' newphews' Christening (hope that was clear..) and took my camera along. At the end of the service I had a chat to the vicar, a friendly chap named Richard.

Since that day I have been to a couple of services at the local church (St. Barnabas, Abbots Road) It hasn't persuaded me in any way of becoming a religious person. What I think is important is that everyone knows the fundamental beliefs of their state religion and, although Great Britain is incredibly diverse in terms of religion I see Christianity as this country's 'natural' (not quite sure that's the correct term) religion.

In relation, I fully admit to knowing absolutely nothing about Christianity and in some ways have enjoyed learning some basics.

The image is during the important date of 'Corpus Christi' on the Christian calendar.

Rest In Peace

2009-06-26T06:03:00.001-07:00

Rest In Peace, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

This man's music, along with my dad constructed my taste in music. I spend many hours listening to his tapes on my cassette player. His music is the soundtrack to my childhood.

..thank you for the music.

Read Not What My Mind Says...

2009-06-04T07:21:00.001-07:00

Read not what my mind says, originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

So today I'm going to vote for the first time. I'm not sure who I'll be voting for as yet.

The recent (and I hate to use media speak but..) 'global recession', 'credit crisis' and 'expenses scandal' don't really encourage first time voters like myself to journey to the polling station.

I think it's important to vote, despite not voting in previous local elections. I heard a lady on the radio yesterday encouraging everyone to vote but then she said "Even if you go and just spoil your paper".. Surely theres more point in not even attending rather than going and spoiling your paper?

Odd isn't it, recent scandals and such...Now we have to vote different thieves in. Tarnishing MP's the same brush? Probably. There are more than likely some honest MP's, but in the minority.

Depsite my best efforts, I've tried not to let the media manipulate my decision making when it comes to voting but as the only outlet of news and information regarding politics it's been hard not to. Over the past 2 or 3 days I've seen nearly every media outlet upping the pressure and speculation on Gordon Brown and rebel back-benchers signing a notion of 'no confidence' in their leader... An indication on how powerful the media is.

When it comes to making my decision I believe there needs to be a change at the top i.e. Labour being defeated in the next general election. Do I have confidence in voting Conservative? No. Cameron reminds me of one of those annoying kids at school who think they know it all, always quick to pick up on other people's faults. I know he has to do this in order to get people liking him and disliking G.Brown but I'm not keen on his style.

The country needs a charismatic leader, someone to excite the nation and make the public want to vote for a particular party to gain power rather than voting for a lesser party in order to get the current powers out of office. That would be 'change', a true reform of government and modern politics.

I look forward to the results.

Laptop Mayhem.

2009-06-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Another week, another laptop. To cut a long story short...I brought a laptop for my birthday, a week after I brought it we had to return it as it wouldn't recover from hibernate mode; get a replacement albeit from another shop and two weeks later I find myself with the same problem.

(Don't buy a Packard Bell easynote lj65)

This time I think it's going to be a Toshiba P300 (http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/537241/TOSHIBA-P300-23L) £50 more than I paid for the previous laptop and less disk space but 'hey ho'

I think I'd better sleep on it.

Martin

Get A Grip..

2009-06-03T08:43:00.001-07:00

Get A Grip.., originally uploaded by I Am Martin!.

An addition to my 'street' photographs, taken at Colchester's north station. There were a host of advertising boards like this along the platform but I loved this one best.

Compliments to the model, my Dad! I would have loved to catch this shot candidly but I'm 99% sure it would be impossible.

I like this, and think it's a good reflection on my style of photography.

Martin