Dan Bachmann

January 2012: week 3

2012-01-25T23:29:00.001Z

We are the dreamers of dreams., originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

We are the dreamers of dreams.

January 2012: week 2

2012-01-25T23:05:00.001Z

Dawn on a New World, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

I was invited to work with three photographers that I wanted to get to know better at the studio. The subject was something I would not have chosen, a pregnant woman, but I knew I'd find something in the challenge. The others had very warm, loving and somewhat classical ideas which I could appreciate and believe in; however, I wanted to try something different. This is the look of the sun coming around a planet in space... the dawn on a new life.

January 2012: week 1

2012-01-03T13:59:00.001Z

Faces of 2012, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

My new year's resolution is to resolve some of the simple issues that have been cluttering up my mind. The more complicated ones can wait.

Here's a shot from the New Year's Day Parade in London. I love the expressions.

December 2011: week 4 (revised)/week 5

2011-12-30T22:15:00.001Z

Wednesday was the finest day I have ever seen during a winter in terms of temperature and light. It was not a typical winter day at all, but a nice break from the typical overcast/rainy skies and cold. Not that I mind the British weather, in fact, I quite like the mild seasons; however, a change is like a new experience - something wonderful to try now and then.There was a fellow doing a fine job of drawing the Simpsons on a Southbank beach as I walked past.

December 2011: week 4

2011-12-27T15:33:00.003Z

It's Christmas Eve and the Christmas rush is suddenly over for me (at work) and I can now enjoy the holiday properly. THis is the only photo taken this week of our local flower shop passed while food shopping.

December 2011: week 3

2011-12-22T23:51:00.005Z

It is the busiest month of the year for us at work, but on one day I was able to get two photo shoots in.

December 2011: week 2

2011-12-11T22:10:00.003Z

Croydon had some great street performers - some just for the sake of being festive and others for charities. This giant toy soldier was incredibly in the roll with his impressive jerky movents. Thanks to Eric Hands for the Christmas Croydon Photoblitz.

The soldier was lucky enough to see this image... www.thefiremandave.com/my-work/high-impact-walkabout/clockwork-toy-soldiers

December 2011: week 1

2011-12-05T00:48:00.001Z

Inside Temple Church, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

A walk with Eric Hands and friends took us through Temple Church, famous from the Da Vinci Code book.

November 2011: week 4

2011-12-05T00:20:00.001Z

RRAS050psr, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to shoot from the air, but I was able to get a few worthy shots for friends at Urban Abseil.

November 2011: week 3

2011-11-20T22:27:00.002Z

I have to credit the model here for the fantastic outfit - it was her mother's from the 1960s. I used a camera based on 1960s technology and also a lens vintage of the 1960s. To my surprise, the benefit of the old rangefinder system made shooting tight portraits a bit more natural and the lens performed beyond my hopes!
I'm not sure if it was me, the lens, the rangefinder system or the model that was the winning ingredient. I'm going to credit the model (Ella Darling).

November 2011: week 2

2011-11-15T18:09:00.002Z

St. Paul's Cathedral, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

There are a few places in London that I have wanted to see for years, but never got around to it. Above the dome on St. Paul's Cathedral was one of them and this week I was able to make it up three times for some stunning views! The weather crippled visibility, but for me, this works in my favor giving me the moody skies so characteristic of Britain.

November 2011: week 1

2011-11-06T16:27:00.002Z

About 13 months after last year's visit to a housing estate scheduled for demolition, I was surprised to find little demolishished. The few dozen residence (of once hundreds) are now reduced to a score and access is even more limited. There are other transformations going on though. This place is a living ghost town in it's own special away.

October 2011: week 4

2011-11-01T01:30:00.002Z

It is creative studio and post production time.

October 2011: week 3

2011-10-29T23:24:00.001+01:00

Watch, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

On our little trip to Sicily, the other stop was Agrigento - a lovely place for the old streets and the main attaction of the Greek temple ruins. This one was from a winding little passage which gives the place such charm.

October 2011: week 2

2011-10-29T23:19:00.001+01:00

L1001592, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

We've been to Sicily this week, stop 1: Palermo where I try out some street shooting. This is something I find difficult and gives me a bit of anxiety, but on occasion I get a result I'm happy with. What it does help with is learning to shoot quickly and to some degree, being very open and visible but descrete at the same time.

October 2011: week 1

2011-10-06T23:20:00.001+01:00

I've been doing some candid photography of people as they walk past me. I thought they would be somewhat interesting, but I disliked all of them, except this one.

September 2011: week 4

2011-10-04T21:10:00.004+01:00

Is the conscious thought the least signigicant part of making an image? Sometimes I wonder. This week, I noticed the light on wall which appealed to me, so I composed a shot without thinking too much about it. I try to get to the point with both a camera and technique so I don't have to think much about the technical side when making a photograph, so I can concentrate on making the image. But sometimes I wonder if there's more going on that I am not aware of, since I tend to get lucky once in awhile. In this case, it was only after looking at the shot later that I noticed the positioning of the new construction of the Shard and even later, the reflection of the street lamp in the glass. I remember being aware of the red signs and the reflected light. That is, unless I had quickly forgotten these elements before I got around to reviewing the photo. That is not so wonderful and a little bit frightening if so. If I have far from a photographic memory, then at least I can still take a photo!

A quick studio shot later that day also had what I expected to be a throw away shot being my favourite.

September 2011: week 3

2011-10-01T23:35:00.003+01:00

Every year on this week there is the London Open House weekend where doors to all sorts of normally closed off parts of the city allow the public to have a look. Unfortunately it is the same weekend as the Japanese Matsuri in London, so we only have one day to explore what has opened. It's also about the last day of the BBC Proms for the season.

September 2011: week 2

2011-09-18T23:00:00.005+01:00

It was the week of the company charity bicycle ride. Due to my injury during training, I was able to participate with a bit of walking and got to meet up with the group. I've also had a week to use the rangefinder now that I can lift it to my face properly again.

I'm finding the rangefinder difficult in nailing focus; however, other that and a small flare issue, I'm enjoying the Leica experience and really hope it works out.

September 2011: week 1

2011-09-07T21:34:00.003+01:00

I'm experimenting with a new camera and while I hate to admit it, a new toy does make me playful and looking to try new things. While focusing has a learning curve, this cat, while startled, was comfortable enough for me to compose in the low light.

This week I was also lucky to be able to do some photography for Justin Fitzpatrick's latest art project and gallery installation.

August 2011: week 5

2011-09-04T22:12:00.000+01:00

It's the last half week of August and I'm preparing for a long bicycle ride, picking up some drinks and snacks (this photo was taken as I cross the street to the shop). The practice ride didn't turn out perfectly and will severly alter my participation in the upcoming event (fractured elbow).

August 2011: week 4

2011-08-29T22:20:00.001+01:00

BaisonLSS29c, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

There's a new group of artist on the scene and I was invited to take some photos at the Catford Arena. I was expecting a large indoor gym, but it was a large outdoor track. It was great fun, but I'd sneak my model athletes under a tree and near a wall out of the sunlight to work my the lights. This is Baison - my favourite shot of the day.

August 2011: week 3

2011-08-29T22:05:00.002+01:00

I booked myself for a "Leica M Experience" - something I always wanted to try. While the plan is normally to do this test drive first, I purchased an M a few hours before attending! This is going to be an interesting road as a tool going back to 1940 in several ways. There are several reasons why I wanted to try another camera, but mainly my Pentax DSLR based on a 1970 design was a style I appreciated and enjoyed to use.

August 2011: week 2

2011-08-29T22:00:00.004+01:00

We had 5 sets of Japanese visitors! All lovely people - we planned our summer trip (Iceland) to happen before their arrivals so we'd be able to see them.

This shot is of our friends, Sagami & Dyson - a long distance love affair.

August 2011: week 1

2011-08-29T21:21:00.003+01:00

Ritsuko has now joined me in Iceland to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary. We based our selves in Reykjavik and saw many of the typical natural wonders of the area such as Thingvelli, Geysir and Gulfoss. We also had good times horse back riding and at the blue lagoon.

It was very difficult getting the concentration to finsih picking the images and decided not to get them down to one per week because I couldn't get the selection down to even a few. As I look to bring back more from behind the lens, I loose interest the time needed in the development/post-processing of the final image.

July 2011: week 5

2011-08-29T21:00:00.009+01:00

This week I was in Þórsmörk (pronounced like Thorsmerk), Skogar and Vik. Since I wasn't well while in Þórsmörk, I tended to keep to my room. Vik was the only day spent with other people - and they were travelers. Two were through hikers who had just walked across Iceland, the other an American teacher returning to Colorado after four years in Moroco (married a Morocan) and two girls running a hostel (one from Spain, the other form USA - some of those years in Asheville, North Carolina where my parents live - small world!)

Constant rain now had come a backdrop for adventure and moody scenes.

July 2011: week 4

2011-08-29T20:46:00.007+01:00

I wanted to visit Iceland ever since I started gettng back into photography in 2003. The time had finally come! Despite having my bag lost, getting seriously ill and it raining for about every day execpt for the first and last, it turned out to be a good trip. Photographically, it is everything they say and even in the worst weather, the potential can be seen.

The Icelandic people are great people that get right to the point in the best posible way.

These shots are from Reykjavik and Seljandsfoss, a waterfall.

July 2011: week 3

2011-07-16T10:09:00.001+01:00

Tom's new camera, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

A friend at work got a new camera and with hours of him on boxing it, we were out for a photo walk. Here's my demonstration of a slow shutter speed with him brandishing his 7D.

July 2011: week 2

2011-07-16T10:00:00.001+01:00

LamBr61s, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

I've been trying to get a good shot of Lambeth Bridge. Due to the way it avoids the sunlight most of the time, it's been a tricky one. Here's the one I like best so far.

July 2011: week 1

2011-07-06T22:46:00.001+01:00

Hold on Light, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

Luca Monti always brings some great ideas to the studio. If covering a model in silver wasn't enough, a florencent light was also used as a prop for this Tron-tastic style. As the silver started to flake off, it gave a new look and texture.
(model: Tereza)

June 2011: week 4

2011-07-01T00:06:00.001+01:00

from a Walk with Eric Hands - June 2011, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

I took a walk with a camera loving friend this week. It's great seeing what he comes up with from just a stroll down the street. He definitely can "see" on the street better than I, but I do manage a few I'm happy with.

June 2011: week 3

2011-06-30T22:37:00.005+01:00

There was another interesting project/shot in the studio this week, but the most memorable highlight would have to be the Royal Ascot - Britian's most classy day at the races. I've never seen so many Rolls Royce cars of all ages in a parking lot!

June 2011: Something Different - riding my bicycle around central London naked

2011-06-12T21:56:00.003+01:00

Yes, I really did do this - along with about 1000 other people! See my previous post "June 2011: week 2". Another photo on the yet to be developed roll of film...

June 2011: week 2

2011-06-12T21:49:00.003+01:00

This weekend was the World Naked Bicycle Ride! The idea behind this is a demonstration for bicycle's rights on the road and safety, as well as oil dependancy with some tones of being green. While I agree with all of those things, it was just great to do something diferent. The best part of the ride were the surprised tourists and all the smiles along the way. Priceless! Why did I do it? Because I became a part of something that makes London the great city it is.

June 2011: week 1

2011-06-12T21:48:00.001+01:00

AJw263trip, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

Ayumi & Jon, who we did a recon trip with last month for the wedding had their big day this week. It was an honour for me to be the photographer along side Ritsuko who did a wonderful job with the flower arangements.

While there's stress and responsibility involved in a job like this, Ayumi and Jon were a great couple to record the memories for.

May 2011: Something Different - taking a kayak to work

2011-06-12T21:41:00.003+01:00

Here's an idea for a new mini-series - doing something different than most people and to make it photographically different, I'll shoot it on film.

Since I've been looking to push my photographic boundary this year, it makes sense to experience some different and exciting things from time to time that don't tie directly into photography.

For this month, I took an alternative way into work with two friends - an inflatable kayak up the mighty Thames. The photos may or may not come out, but if they do (I plan to develop them in a month), I'll post one here before the end of the year.

May 2011: week 4

2011-05-28T01:28:00.002+01:00

Thank you to Luca at the Camera Club for getting sod to cover the floor of the studio for a creative group. The background was added in post production (I collect boring backgrounds for this purpose).

It's been a long day - I came into work via kayak and ended producing this image. What a fine day it has been!

May 2011: week 3

2011-05-25T23:46:00.001+01:00

BPSLPMG064bw, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

I went on a walk from Vauxhall to Battersea and back with the London Photographic Meetup Group (LPMG). It was a good day just to get out with a group of other enthusiasts. Thanks to Alex and Neil for putting the day together.

This is my favourite shot. It looks unreal - like a photo of a painting, but except for a little darkening of the sky during black and white conversion, the image hasn't been changed.

Because of this day, I learned that Scottish relative of mine once worked in this building, the Battersea Power Station.

May 2011: week 2

2011-05-25T23:24:00.009+01:00

Kudos to models Sarah Jane & Dani as well as the make-up artist for this fun theme of black and white costumes. The two models had co-ordinated outfits before the shoot and they had not met before. I was not only impressed with that, but the make-up artist did such a fine job, there was no need for a touch up session later.

May 2011: week 1

2011-05-25T23:19:00.002+01:00

This weekend we took a look at the wedding venue for two new friends.

May 2011: week 1

2011-05-25T00:35:00.001+01:00

IMG_0728, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

It was World Photo week and while I tend to get excited about these things, once I get to the venue I wonder what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm not a beginner and I'm not going all out for pro. I took a look at one of the galleries then headed home to make a BBQ. Here's a shot as I was leaving having found where my very private photo festival would be - in my head and on the street on the walk home.

April 2011: week 5

2011-05-25T00:31:00.001+01:00

HadrianW137, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

Just after Easter in 2011, I made a pilgrimage of sorts to Hadrian's Wall, a place I had known about all my life. My mother had told me stories about the history as she talked about her home country of Scotland and the line between England, which was was the border of the Roman Emprire.

Ever since I moved to London, Hadrian's Wall had been something on the horizon. Someday I would walk or cycle a good stretch of it. This year it all came together and I imagined what it would be like for the people living nearly 2000 years ago here and how unimaginable it must have been for someone then to imagine me walking past their bricks so well made.

There was a disappointment, that my 'great wall of Europe' was not as grand as I'd envisioned. Much of it has been taken away to build homes, castles, barns, roads and other walls. Perhaps it was this reason that I seemed to find an interested in the lonely trees along the way. On the other hand, there was a surprise – the excavations taking place of the Roman sites behind the wall where significant discoveries are being made every year or so and the amount of work that remains to be done will take over 100 more years to literally get to the bottom of it!

April 2011: week 4

2011-05-01T19:25:00.001+01:00

DurhamCathedralRiverView51flickr, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

We spent Easter in the lovely town of Durham. It was perfectly compact with a balance of wooded areas and old town.

April 2011: week 3

2011-04-19T00:44:00.001+01:00

Mikako in kimono, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

A photo taken at a Japanese photography group where my lack of Nihngo is tolerated. It is a very different group from others I've been in and for that reason, I find it refreshing and fun when I can follow things (luckily a friend helps me out).

April 2011: week 2

2011-04-19T00:02:00.001+01:00

TowerBridgeFromTowerOfLondon12bcf, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

Another attempt at Tower Bridge for Tom's wall. Tom helped scout the location.

April 2010: week 1

2011-04-09T13:04:00.003+01:00

Our pigs were back in the office again. Luckily Ritsuko could come by to meet them before we headed out for an evening on the town.

March 2011: week 4

2011-03-31T17:05:00.002+01:00

This week I went out early to get a photo of Tower Bridge taking a long shot that light would beam through the morning clouds just at the right angle. It didn't beam through at any angle! So thus, my less than spectacular shot of the bridge this week. I will try again another day.

March 2011: week 3

2011-03-25T20:34:00.003Z

The model didn't show for today's shoot! It's bad, but it happens. We made use of the studio time trying out the idea for the next time we try the idea of the floating cloth. This would have been fun for a physics class as we worked on getting the cloth to fall and move into something useable.

March 2011: week 2

2011-03-23T23:27:00.003Z

Spring! I'm at the Wetland Centre in Barnes and there's sun shining (at least for the morning). I love watching the birds for awhile, but I enjoy the plants as a form of art even more so.

March 2011: week 1

2011-03-19T18:50:00.003Z

Another quick snap at the office for this week of the company micro pigs. These are the advantages of working for a creative company!

February 2011: week 4

2011-03-19T18:30:00.003Z

It's just a "happy snap" this week. After work we raced against the clock with the company helicopters.
On a more artistic note, I tried attaching my camera to the handlebars of my bicycle for something different. I'll try again with a more sturdy mount (this one broke off after 2 streets).

February 2011: week 3

2011-03-19T16:06:00.003Z

My photographic outlet this week has been in the studio. It's becoming a regular once a month practice. It took me a month to get back to processing the image and tried using a different background. The process ended up being different than I planned, but the result in the end was what I was going after. I like it enough though.

February 2011: week 2

2011-03-19T15:15:00.003Z

I've been in a slump since we got back from Norway. It was busy at work and then I never seemed to get ahead enough to loop above the surface. It might be the tail of Witner - I'm ready for a new season.

This week, Iona left work in London for Australia. It's too bad too, because I was really hoping to go to one of her theme parties. I think Ritsuko would have enjoyed them too.

February 2011: week 1

2011-03-17T22:46:00.001Z

TromsAurora20, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

How fantastic it is to be able to be transported into another world! Spending a few days in the Arctic Circle in the middle of Winter certainly delivers on that. It's good too, because this trip was a promise I had made - to share one of nature's most out of this world experiences with my wife, Ritsuko. It also became something to share with other friends. Iain, Jo, Dwane & Beverly joined us. Dwane was with me when I first saw the aurora and attempted to photograph it. It was a life changing moment - not just for the natural appreciation of it, but it got me to pick up my SLR camera again and start taking photographs with more care than I normally would for snapshots. I've not stopped since.

Mother nature delivered the promise fo me - we had a freezing cold night of "dancing" lights!

January 2011: week 4

2011-02-12T12:22:00.008Z

It was great to do a project together with Ritsuko this week. She prepared the flowers for the London Strobists meet up group.

January 2011: week 3

2011-01-29T08:58:00.002Z

EricaCCFG05, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

Another one from the studio in the Camera Club. I have just started my second year at the club. This year to get a little more involved, I've become a steward.

January 2011: week 2

2011-01-28T23:40:00.001Z

Barn Owl Landing, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

My first little trip of the year, I was on a birds of prey photography weekend. As you may know, this year I am searching for meaning in photography more than ever before. For me there is something to this image:
Stopping motion with the frame of the camera gives us a chance to take a glimpse into the face of God, a window into creation. It is not that the creature is possesed by God, but is an expression of nature. The wonder of nature - is that not God? Creation is a part of us, yet where creation has begun and ended is well beyond the scope of this lifetime.

January 2011: week 1

2011-01-06T20:07:00.002Z

While a storm tropper and a shop window were not my most emotive images, they are the ones that I like the best for the week.

It was the New Year's Day parade - a place where the British can see high school marching bands, something I always took for granted - high schools in the UK don't have them! I guess that's because they play soccer and don't have half time shows.

December 2010: week 5

2010-12-30T22:36:00.010Z

I think this image gives a feeling of a place, potential motion as well as stillness. I'm happy with the image because of the industrial feelings from the colours and textures.

I've wanted to take this shot for awhile, but never had a camera with me, was in a rush or it felt too busy to get the SLR and stable to have enough depth of field to show the stairs and keep the texture in the wall. Now that I got a compact for Chirstmas, I was able to get the shot!

Flipping through the calendar on the wall from the past year, here's a few of the notes on it from 2010:
January - joined the Camera Club, (London) Globetrotters party, volunteered as an advisor at the Adventure Travel Show
February - showed pictures in the "Digital Lounge", attended a robot club meeting, Strobist food shoot
March - Obscurities studio shoot, joined the Wetland Centre, to France with Ritsuko for her birthday
April - to "Bridgwater" with Ritsuko for Easter, had a BBQ
May - went to Albania & Macedonia with Ritsuko, continued into Kosovo, gave talk on Karamoja at the Chester Globetrotters
June - cleaned up the garden, Northumberland/birds trip with Iain
July - many more BBQs
August - Sagami visits from Japan, Ritsuko visits Japan
September - Mom & Dad visit!
October - 6 prints on display in the Chelsea Town Hall/Library, attend a HackSpace open day, toilet top arrives from Japan, finish bathroom
November 2010 - local comedy night with Ritsuko, busy at work in a bad way
December 2010 - 3 prints on display in the Camera Club/1885 Gallery, busy at work in a good way

Photographically, it's been a fine year too. Here's my favs from 2010:

December 2010: week 4

2010-12-27T17:48:00.004Z

On Christmas Eve, I made a list of things I'd like to do in 2011. One of them was to go ice skating in Lonodn. I told my wife this on the way to a party and at the party - when we got there another guest announced how they'd love to go ice skating - synchronicity! I suggested we all get together in two days - and we did! We all very much enjoyed it. In fact, I'd like to go again soon!

It was also a great opportunity to take out the nice little Christmas present from my wife - a small camera that can go with me anywhere.

If you are interested, after research on pocketablity, flexibility and quality, it came down to only a few models: Ricoh GRD III & Canon S90/95. I ended up with the Canon S90, which is about the size of a fat bar of soap.

December 2010: week 3

2010-12-19T23:04:00.002Z

We've had two good snows in London this year - more than we've had since I moved here. I've stopped cycling due to ice on the road, but getting around isn't too bad for me otherwise so I'm quiet enjoying it. The extra light it reflects, the extra quiet it brings and different feeling to the city I appreciate.

December 2010: week 2

2010-12-12T21:05:00.007Z

Largely do to staffing and company growth, I've been able to get out in December more than before. Combine this with an invite from a small group to go for a walk in the park and I'm out to "Winter Wonderland".

Perhaps it is the change of SAD or just a mild wistfulness that has come over me with a strange sort of contentment. Perhaps I am less distracted at the moment and return to the question of purpose. When I ask my self what is the purpose to my photography, I am also asking myself what is the purpose in life. It is not something I can face with all my energy, so taking an artistic angle is perhaps the way to go. There is the consideration of giving up photography until the meaning has been returned. Travel has done that for me before.

Over the past few years I have produced some photographs I am happy with. While it takes sometime, it is posible. Now I ask myself, what is the point of another pretty picture? What is the meaning? Is there a story? Is there something to say? Is there something to feel from this image? Unlike asking about life, these are questions more easily communicated, shared and understood by nearly everyone I come in contact with.

This lone figure on the horizon, in late twilight, walking out of the frame, not far from the bright lights of the Christmas market/playground has something to say. It echoes back my thoughts at the time and in capturing the moment, I feel have expressed something. Perhaps only to myself, only for this moment, I am satisfied.
If looking back at this in the Spring it can no longer speaks, it was a passing moment that wasn't worth sharing.

December 2010: week 1

2010-12-08T22:01:00.003Z

Here's a shot done for Ritsuko's potential new profile picture. Except for the enhanced lens flare, all the rest was done by the lighting used. Ritsuko was actually wearing a flash behind her neck to give the glow behind her!

November 2010: week 4

2010-11-30T23:06:00.006Z

Thanks to John E. I was able to see this incredible engine struct through a station while on the way to the Kew Bridge Steam Museum - and thanks to Trevor B. for making that happen. When it takes just a little more effort to get out (due to freezing cold weather), knowing there's some friendly wanting to join you makes it easy to get out with a schedule and plan. I wouldn't have got these shots without meeting some photography friends.

November 2010: week 3

2010-11-26T23:29:00.001Z

SamCCFG33, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

What is even better than a great photograph? One that you've discovered or learned something from. On this day, I had a play with soft lighting from above - a set up to remember.

November 2010: week 2

2010-11-20T13:38:00.001Z

Wild boar in the forest, originally uploaded by Dan Bachmann.

This week I was out on a fine little photography workshop trip in Bavaria, Germany. I was expecting difficult lighting conditions and cold weather. Luckily, while there wasn't much light, it was soft and while it was cold, it wasn't uncomfortably cold - expect for my feet, but I had electric socks to help keep warm and amuse the others!

November 2010: week 1

2010-11-06T10:02:00.001Z

HeygateEstate15, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

A few hours ago, I visited the Heygate Estate just behind the Elephant & Castle. It is part of a council housing estate built in the early 1970s that will be demolished in the first half of 2011. Thousands of people used to live there, now there are only about 3 units occupied.

Apparently this place was a great place to live in the 1970s; however, by the 1990s, it had become a place known for crime. There are a few more estates like this due for demolition with the plan to disperse the existing residents a bit and replace these buildings with another development twice as dense, more futuristic and run by associations where half of the units will be owned or patially owned and the other half paid for by the council.

One idea was to refurbish these buildings for £370M; however, it has been decided to redevelop the area for a cost of well over £1B with much of that as private investment.

Due to the central area, once things are cleaned up, this could be a desireable place again.

I plan to make a trip to another estate even larger in the future that is still inhabitied, but also on list for redevelopment.

October 2010: week 5 (4 1/2 actually)

2010-10-31T22:36:00.001Z

But Mother Says I'm Beautiful, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

A little something for Halloween. This was shot in a club not so far from where I live. Last year, I wanted to attend the same event, but we were moving on Halloween, so I was glad I got a chance to go this year.

October 2010: week 4

2010-10-31T22:33:00.001Z

The Dancer, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

It's always a good idea to try something different and this was different for me - photographing moving dancers. It was a long (1 second) exposure for the trail with a pop of two studio lights to freeze the moment.

October 2010: week 3

2010-10-23T14:57:00.001+01:00

EmmaCCFG103, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

Those of you who hear me talk about using a good studio are the limitations I find with it compared to being on a location. Perhaps I've found the answer to using the studio, which lacks so much ambiance because there background is limited. Add the background in to bring out the feeling! I first experimented with plain gradient backgrounds and then brick work before settling on this version.

For this I used some old images I shot for the sake of using as textures. The main background is of water and the other image is of some old wood on a small boat.

October 2010: week 2

2010-10-17T12:33:00.003+01:00

Here's another photo from the studio - another photo because another week has past. I think I have an idea of what these lighting figure studies are about, but I am increasing losing my excitement of working in the studio without props or still life. The street, or better yet, wild landscapes, are where it is at for me. With Winter around the corner, shooting indoors is something I will be doing more of, but in 2011, I will be doing less of this format where I look outside the studio walls that have become so accessable. You stop seeing if you stop looking beyond what has already been seen.

October 2010: week 1

2010-10-14T17:14:00.001+01:00

Darren, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

I make sure we have a photo of everyone at work for a company directory project so people in different locations can remember each others names when they meet. The only photos I took this week were for that project and this one was my favourite of the bunch.

September 2010: week 5

2010-10-07T23:04:00.002+01:00

When I originally was going to do the photo for the "bare" project, my first thought wasn't going to be a self portrait - I knew I had a model who would be perfect who was already in my diary. A few moments later, I realised the bare image was needed before I had the shoot.

Oh well, it still worked out. I found desaturating the colours worked well here and that led me into going high key as well.

September 2010: week 4

2010-10-03T23:40:00.002+01:00

RochelleB_LS0910_23, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

I was out with the London Strobists in my area of town. Teaming up with Matt Hunt, we were able to share lights and build on each others ideas.

Here's a photo from Matt that gives an idea of the lighting set up:

September 2010: week 3

2010-10-03T23:33:00.003+01:00

Easily the best week of the year has been this week. My parents had come to visit us/London and see the flat we bought in November. Every moment was great and it was good for them to be in town for the weekend of London Open House where we got to see some places I've not come across before.

September 2010: week 2

2010-10-03T23:28:00.002+01:00

After returning from the BBC Proms in the Park concert, I did my "while the wife's away" photo (you may remember "Dan Party" from last year). The main drive behind this was that I needed an image for a project, but also, Ritsuko would be back in less than 24 hours, so best to get this one done while things are quiet - alone and after midnight.

This photo was for Mango Lab's Bare exhibit. After spending a morning sketching classical nude statues in the V&A, we then were to come up with our own "bare" images.

This image represents the modern man in statuesque form. It was considered brave by some, humourous by others and delivering an important message by another few. I'd like to think it is all of these.

September 2010: week 1

2010-09-12T13:46:00.001+01:00

LijahN025, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

I was taking photographs of musicians and this one is clearly my favourite from the day; however, when I share a few from the shoot, I'm the only one the picks this as the best one.

I loved the way her hair caught the wind and the light. We tried to get her hair gently swept that way again, but it never hit the mark.

Lijah is also one of the few people who look better while gazing away from the camera.

August 2010: week 4

2010-09-03T17:26:00.001+01:00

JojoW57crop, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

Just over a year ago, I started to take control of light and for me, using flashes set up like a portrait studio outdoors has been exciting and full of possibilities. About twice a year I get a chance to do a shoot with the London Strobist group and this year I was on the same shoot as last along a disused train line turned into a walking trail.

August 2010: week 3

2010-09-01T17:53:00.002+01:00

Fifi Russo

This week I met Fifi in the studio. She's one of those models that knows what fashion magazines look for and can create that effortlessly. Our plan was to create some shots where a beach scene could be dropped into the background; however, I liked the flow of her hair and her shadow which complement the rest of this image well without being in a scene.

August 2010: week 2

2010-08-30T21:07:00.003+01:00

This week I was able to meet Dyson, who I have heard about with his exciting career involved with Formula One racing. One of Ritsuko's best friend came from Japan for a special visit and they allowed me to make a photo in the garden.

Relatives Douglas & Gertie from Scotland also came down for an afternoon visit. So that's been at least two BBQs so far this week!

August 2010: week 1

2010-08-08T10:36:00.006+01:00

For my official birthday, Ritsuko and I went to Wales until our anniversary. We didn't do much planning, but simply got a car, booked a B&B and off we went.

July 2010: week 5

2010-07-31T01:07:00.003+01:00

This week I had the pleasure of sharing Guernsey with some great guys from GlobalSoft Digital. The week also ended with my birthday on the 31st.

July 2010: week 4

2010-07-31T01:01:00.003+01:00

This week I popped into the studio for a Camera Club group with Katie JR. I'm not really a studio photographer.

Most of the background thoughts this week were on Jim since his funeral. What great a privledge I had to know such a humble genius.

July 2010: week 3

2010-07-18T23:08:00.002+01:00

This week started with both a friend in London and a relative I never met, but always hoped I would, passing away. As for my friend, Jim Kennedy, he was part of London for me and he will always be part of my personal definition of this great city. Somehow knowing Jim helped me know myself.

The photo for this week came from the Lambeth Country Show - something in London I've not been to before, but it is now a short bus ride from home.

July 2010: week 2

2010-07-08T22:01:00.002+01:00

Wink's Wings - work in progress.

I always get excited when the creative and artistic George Wink's asks me to do a favour and take a photograph for him. George's projects are becoming increasingly interesting and George is so laid back, he let's everyone take in his work as they do or don't. For me, I tend to appreciate it more by studying the art in a photograph either before or after seeing the real thing.

July 2010: week 1

2010-07-08T21:04:00.001+01:00

Gabbie Brown, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

I tried something new in the studio this week - here's the result.

June 2010: week 4

2010-07-03T08:18:00.005+01:00

While this week was originally focused (pun intended) on birds (arctic tern pictured here), I found the landscapes great to be out in.

June 2010: week 3

2010-07-03T08:04:00.005+01:00

My safari buddy Iain and I are out for 8 days in the North to get close to the off-shore gannets and puffins. When we arrived we were greeted with Winter weather and rough seas. The next day, the tranquility of mystical Lyndisfarne erased the anger in the water for excellent sailing conditions.

This was a trip where I could take my photography seriously again.

June 2010: week 2

2010-07-03T07:27:00.003+01:00

One of the coolest places in awhile to discover was where the artist group the Obscurities dwells. They held an open day, "Hide and Seek" which was something fun to see. Artists have colonised old industrial buildings and military bunkers to create another world. It reminded me of Christiania in Copenhagen, Denmark.

June 2010: week 1

2010-07-03T07:24:00.002+01:00

A little bit of jet lag recovery this week and then a great barbeque at our globetrotting friend Jacqui's.

May 2010: week 5

2010-06-29T22:43:00.007+01:00

This week I was on a business trip with a special twist - setting down some of the technology from the company I've been with for quite awhile in London looking to break into America. Fortunately, the strategic location that was chosen was New Jersey - my home state! I made a point of visiting as many friends as possible after work and during the weekend. It was great to see everyone. It seems the thing is now monster back yard grills. Apparently my pals have the small models - I can't imagine what the size is like in Texas!

May 2010: week 4

2010-06-18T19:44:00.005+01:00

This week I gave the Karamoja, Uganda talk to the Chester branch of the Globetrotters Club at the Grosvenor Museum. The town and the people were delightful. I'm glad we were able to wander around a bit before and after the presentation.

May 2010: week 3

2010-06-17T22:50:00.001+01:00

National and University Library of Kosovo, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

I found the National and University Library of Kosovo in Pristina one of the most fascinating designs in architecture. Bubbles in the roof let the light softly inside while the exterior concrete appears to be wrapped in a protective cage - a bit like backpackers wearing chicken wire around their bags.

May 2010: week 2

2010-06-10T00:28:00.002+01:00

After two days near the beach in Durres, we went to Tirana, then Ritsuko went back to London for four days. During that time I had my "adventure/solo" travel time and went on to Berat and then crossed the boarder from Albania into Macedonia. Going from Albasan, Albania to Ohrid, Macedonia was definitely a bit of a cultural shock as if I had walked out of an old western into Disney World.

This is an image made up of about 4 photographs put together to make a panorama style scene showing the lake, old town and lush trees.

May 2010: week 1

2010-05-20T22:21:00.001+01:00

Last Light on the Beach, Durres, Albania, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

Ritsuko wanted to go a beach. I wanted to go to a country I've never been to, but still be in Europe. Considering both these requests, Albania turned out to be the best place to be.

The beaches may not be the cleanest, but it was a warm and friendly place. We really enjoyed it. This photo was taken from the roof of the hotel we stayed at. A Cokin Vari-color Blue/Yellow filter was used to bounce the colors up a bit. This filter mostly gives a red result (instead of yellow), so it worked here pretty well.

While the government still has a long way to go to make it appealing for investment, they are starting to welcome visitors more than ever before.

April 2010: week 5

2010-04-26T12:16:00.001+01:00

The Boxer, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

This is subtle use of light that makes the subject pop out just enough without giving away there's more than sunlight being reflected down the street at use.

I call this photograph "The Boxer", but that is really just a way of saying this is a man fighting, perhaps on the street, perhaps in his mind. His expression shows he is struggling, but not defeated. For me, the hint of vulnerability doesn't detract from strength - it adds honesty. His look and build contrast him from the London surroundings suggesting he is not from this place, but this is where he is now and he's got a fighting chance.

Life throws all of us some punches once and awhile.

April 2010: week 4

2010-04-25T10:15:00.001+01:00

SouthwarkMeetupP13, originally uploaded by DanBachmann.

My shot of the week was taken on a little meet up along the South bank of London.

April 2010: week 3

2010-04-17T21:53:00.005+01:00

This week's photo comes from a little fashion shoot with a model who I thought would make the perfect Bond Girl in a film. One of the poses I tried reflects this.

April 2010: week 2

2010-04-09T10:35:00.003+01:00

My favourite from a lunch time shoot in the studio. This time only natural light was used mostly coming through the skylight.

April 2010: week 1

2010-04-08T22:44:00.006+01:00

For Easter we went to Somerset.

I grew up in a town called Bridgewater, Somerset County. That was in New Jersey USA. This photo was taken in Bridgwater, Somerset County, England/UK. We ended up vistiting simply because of the name, it was a great visit considering this randomness. Appartently Bridgwater gets hardly any tourists.

Bridgwater has over 1000 years of history (see here for more: www.bridgwater.net/Town/About_Town/history.htm) so that was great to explore the origin of the name. I always assumed it was because of the bridge built over this water. The name came from "Bridge of Walter" because the town was given to someone named Walter centuries ago.

We also went to Glastonbury and Wells. I really can appreciate Glastonbury - it is a celebration of open religion and eco-ethics.