New Year, new galleries.

I've just added two new galleries to my website for the new year. 

Dance is a gallery that will be added to during the year which is part of an ongoing personal project on dance and movement that will feature lit, on location images of dancers in every day situations. Watch this space for some cool pictures as the year progresses.

Head Shots is a gallery that will feature my headshot and portrait work. My head shot and portrait sessions are photographed either in studio or on location, depending on the clients preference, using Profoto B1 monolights and light modifiers. To book a head shot or portrait session please email me at neil@neilfeatherstonephoto.com

I'm looking forward to a busy and fun year of photography IN 2017! #aintlifegrand

Water water everywhere!

Badly in need of a quick pre Christmas beach getaway I headed to Phan Thiet, four hours north of Saigon by road, for a three day break this week. A beach bungalow just 20 steps from the sand awaited, and I was excited. Unfortunately a typhoon off the coast of Vietnam decided to rain on my parade (pun fully intended) and it POURED rain for the ENTIRE duration of my stay.

Still, sometimes when the weather turns sour or even because of it, there are still beautiful photographs to be made. Below are a hand full of shots all made within a stones throw of my beach bungalow. Different looks in the same location thanks to the changing weather.  

2 second exposure, ISO 100, f22 with four stop ND filter.

2 second exposure, ISO 100, f22 with four stop ND filter. Cue a well timed wave.

2 second exposure, ISO 100, f22 with four stop ND filter. Cue local fisherman who stands on a rock looking out to see. One location, three different looks.

20 degree's camera left a local fisherman replete with motorbike helmet (presumably in case he slipped off the rocks) heads home to cook his catch for dinner.

Reflecting on the Infinity Pool.

After the storm. The view from the bar during "Happy Hour."

Head shots, profile pictures and the rise of social media.

The march of social media is fueling more and more headshot and portrait sessions as people recognize the importance of having a consistent and professional look across their social media platforms. Studio sessions or on location, available light or lit with strobes,  these sessions invariably turn out to be a lot of fun, and that's when the best photographs are made. Chris, a "suit' in the banking and finance sector needed some more casual, clean, high key images for his website and social media. And when the "must have shots" are in the can it's really cool when a client is open to having some fun.

Available light with silver reflector.

Available light with silver reflector.

Withdrawal Symptoms.

A day at the printers

It seems like an eternity ago now with a busy intervening time but back in September I made my annual pilgrimage to Hanoi for the printing of my second book, Saigon Ca Phe. It was a long day but very satisfying to see your labor of love rolling off the presses in a 2,000 copy first run. 

As "tradition" would have it, after a busy morning in the print room we adjourned to lunch for a 10 course feast and the drinking of much whiskey. The afternoon, spent sleepily back in the print room, it was good to get back to my hotel for a shower and a rest!

Always a never wracking when the presses start to run.

Plates.

Cover plate

Printing the cover.

Scrutiny

And here to comes.

Singing the rainy season blues.

I live two kilometers from Saigon's CBD, otherwise known as "District 1". The street that I live on is near the Saigon river and the water table under this main Saigon road is said to be high. Subsequently, during the rainy season that runs from July to November, when an unusually large downpour occurs the road turns into and extension of the river itself.

This happens two or three times each rainy season and usually makes for quite a spectacle. The frames below were made during this weeks regatta as motorbikes vied with taxi's and busses in the meter deep water.

These were all shot on a Canon 5D Mark iii with my favorite lens, the Canon 70-200MM USM 2. I shot using focus point expansion mode to make it easier to track the moving subjects in AI Servo mode.

An hour later the show was over, the water had disappeared and life and Saigon's crazy traffic returned to "normal."

Unexpected showers.

Stuck in the middle with you.

When you pray it doesn't stall.

When you really pray it doesn't stall.

Damnit it stalled.

And the race is on.

"Saigon Ca Phe" available now!

My second book, Saigon Ca Phe is now available at bookstores throughout Vietnam. A 150 page, hard cover photo book, Saigon Ca Phe "provides a glimpse inside Saigon's rapidly changing coffee culture." Published by Artbook Vietnam, Saigon Ca Phe is available through Artbook and Tribooks outlets nationwide as well as via distribution to other quality bookstores throughout Vietnam. Words and photo's are by me. Art Direction is once again by Paolo Maling.