Rick Davy

Just how good are Manfrotto products

Rick — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:54:56 +0000

When I look at upgrading my photographic kit or perhaps simply adding something to it, I like to make sure Ive read up on it, checked the reviews and feel the quality of it. We all make the odd mistake from time to time when purchasing, maybe we wished we'd gone with the cheaper option or maybe what we thought was good value simply didn't step up to the mark. That cant be said about Manfrotto. ....................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................................ .......................................................................................................................................................... In terms of build quality, price point and performance, my choice would always be Mantrotto. Ive lost count of just how many studio stands, tridops, video heads etc etc Ive purchased from them. Everyone of them do is says on the tin. I know, there are those of you out there saying "too expensive","much better options for the money". You might be right but its what you feel comfortable with,what works for you and most of all what lasts. ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................... Grazie Lino Manfrotto per presentare tale fantastico kit fotografico

Have camera will travel

Rick — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:42:09 +0000

After a long and difficult winter through injuries etc, I am now able to fly again. Sweet timing really as Ive managed to secure a few new briefs and clients so the first port of call for the spring/summer season 2012 will be Bologna. Bit of street, skate, bmx, product etc. I cant wait. Im so chuffed about it all, the fact I can travel again, and I get to shoot in the country I love the most. I get to see some of my family at the same time as well. A big bonus. .................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................... Amo il mio lavoro!!! ............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................

How do you view other photographers work

Rick — Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:55 +0000

Ive never really been inspired by other photographers work to be honest but there are times when you do see work that really has an edge and carries huge value in terms of quality and professionalism . Ive got a couple examples of what Im talking about. Both come from completely different era's. The first is Derek Ridgers. Shooting film only and capturing some of the biggest names on the planet. He's shot the faces of music, film,club and street culture that followed the 1980's. Some of the most iconic punk related imaging you will ever see was Derek's work. What I love about his work is that he shot it all on film, something that a lot of modern day photographers would have problems with. ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ The second photographer is what I would class as a modern day skilled artist. He shoots digi, but at the same time he understands how to shoot film with some really impressive results. For me, he is one of the best up and coming photographers out there. Who am I talking about? Mats Kahlstrom Mats is Swedish, self taught and based out of Norway. I met Mats some years ago whilst on a shoot in Sweden. He is a very clever photographer and has an ability to deliver super tight imaging. There's a lot of photographers out there that could learn a lot from Mats, they really could. ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ...

full frame and the advantages of moving up a gear.

Rick — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:14:50 +0000

There are a quite a few amateur and budding photographers out there that have this perception that shooting full frame will improve their work. Simply not the case chaps. I guess that the idea of purchasing a unit such as a D700 means that because its classed as a pro rig, it improves your imaging. Well, here's the in's and outs of it all to you give you a true understanding of moving up a gear, excuse the pun. ................................................................................................................................................................ The image below is an example of full frame in relation to medium frame ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ Lets talk sensors to start with. A full frame sensor is called a full frame sensor because it is the same size as a full frame of 35mm film. An example of that is the Nikon D700 and the Canon 5D. There are many advantages to the full frame format such as quality of the camera’s viewfinder, focal length and a higher ISO. By adding these tweek's to any camera doesn't mean your going to shoot images any better, it just means you get a bigger picture and can improve the resolution at the same time. Dont believe for one minute that if you go out and by a D3x that you are going to shoot any better because your not. .............................................................................................................................................................. Buying best isn't always the best way of getting more out of your work. Understanding how your camera works and how you get it to work for you is far more important to me.

Special K. The midly tweeked K70

Rick — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:54:25 +0000

This months copy of Volkswagen Golf plus features a 6 page commissioned spread I shot of Cornwall's only VW K70. In fact, one of only three in the UK. Rare to say the least. We shot it over at Lands End Airport where we were given full access to the runway and the apron. Great weather helped and the backdrop really made the shoot. Cheers Alan .................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................. ....................................................................................................................................................

beautiful, wooden and hollow........

Rick — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:17:06 +0000

Be honest, have you ever really thought what goes into a surfboard. Im not talking about the material, the choice of colour or the glass coat. Im talking those individuals commonly refered as "Shapers". These are the guys you seldom hear of unless your after a custom board with a certain specifications and your in the know. They are the engineers of surfing. James Otter is one such shaper. .................................................................................................................................................. I spent this morning with James chatting and shooting stuff in and around his workshop. Located outside of Mount Hawke, Cornwall, James has established a very bespoke business manufacturing what use to be refered to as "cigar boxes" or "the kook box." These are hollow wooden surfboards designed much like an airplane wing. Amazing to see and require an incredible amount of skill to build and shape. ................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... Why was I there? Well, it was to interview James, shoot and gather all the information I need for the next book project I looking to put together with Dan, "Shapers" the faces behind your boards. Im not going to post any more on this one as the book will speak for itself and its always good to keep the real stuff undercover till print. Really interesting morning James, many thanks for your time. ....................................................................................................................................................

A great week for swell and a legend too.

Rick — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:41:46 +0000

the later end of last week pushed some reasonable swell our way. The north coast was working well from Gwithian to Polzeath. I found time to take advantage of the conditions and pursue more content for the forthcoming "Surface" project. .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... ... ..................................................................................................................................................... I had no idea that a random encounter with a longboarder would turn out to be surfing legend Peter Jones. A very interesting man with some really great surfing stories to share. No more remarkable than a recent life threatening one. On February 11th 2012, Peter was out surfing Bluepool , Llangennith when he suffered a freak accident. He has hit in the head by a short board which puncuted his skull and pushed a piece of bone into his temple lobe. His son James was with him surfing and managed to pull him out of the water. Peter was air lifted to hospital and under went major surgery. Unbelievable was the fact that he still surfing now and has been for over 40 years. Thats what you call a real surfer........ .................................................................................................................................................

Protected: Ben Williams Furniture

Rick — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:50:09 +0000

the real wild food of Cornwall

Rick — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:03:42 +0000

There's something very gratifying about eating wild food. I spent today with a mate of mine Simon Green over at St Ives way mussel picking off some rocks I came across last year. I kept on saying I must go back there one day with a sack and knife and get stuck in. Today we did. We must of ended up with about 6/8 kilos of the little beauties. You can guess what lunch was. Fresh Cornish Mussels with Chorizo, garlic and cream - ding dong! ................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................

A mixed week of print, product and surf

Rick — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:55:47 +0000

Another mad week for this week. There doesn't seem to be quite enough hours in the day to cover all my briefs and commissions and ongoing projects. Anyhow, today's blog is really a accumulation of this weeks stuff. A bit of a mix really but all enjoyable. I don't ever get fed up with what Im shooting. I love my job. ..................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... Featured image: the print work of Dan Chamberlain. http://boldover.co.uk/ ............................................................................................................................................. . ....................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................