My RSS Feed

TWO YEARS IN A ROW !

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2012-03-02T18:12:00+00:00

International Garden Photographer of the Year Awards 2012 have just been announced and I am a finalist in the Garden Views Category for the second year running.
Also made a highly commended in the Tree Category.

'Borrowed View' - Finalist in Garden Views

'Poplars' - Highly commended in Trees category

The Garden Photographer

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2012-01-09T12:47:52+00:00

I have just started an independent website dedicated to garden photography. This is because I am getting more and more well known for photographing gardens.
I was amazed to be able to pick up the URL www.thegardenphotographer.com , do have a look.

Website Design

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-11-16T10:28:11+00:00

How often have you looked at a website and thought I could do better than that - photography awful, layout and design leaving much to be desired.....

I do not pretend to be a designer of amazing gizmo filled websites - I am self taught, but have been approached by friends to create small websites which are clear, attractive, easy to follow and well illustrated. So I am now offering this as another string to my bow, a one stop shop for your photography and website design and very competitive prices.

Do have a look at my web site design page for more information

Armscote Garden Photography Workshop

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-10-16T10:54:42+01:00

Sixteen enthusiastic photographers gathered at Armscote Manor for a Garden Photography Workshop. The high winds of the previous few days magically dropped allowing everybody an opportunity to photograph this wonderful Dan Pearson designed garden.

Everybody's efforts can now be viewed here

New Look Website

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-09-23T08:51:49+01:00

I have for sometime been thinking about some ways to improve my website and spent last weekend redesigning it . The background colour has been lightened and I have simplified and updated some of the images on the portfolio pages. Off to Venice with my camera next week and I am sure that I will be publishing some of the best shots on my return.

Armscote Lecture Series

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-06-21T18:02:28+01:00

A Garden Photography Workshop Wednesday 12 October 2011

I am giving a Garden Photography workshop at Armscote Manor, this is an unmissable opportunity to see and photograph this wonderful garden and learn some of the secrets of garden photography

Full details can be found on the Armscote Manor Lecture Series Website

All images from Armscote Manor Garden. © James Kerr

Industrial Commision

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-05-27T13:59:38+01:00

Approached by an engineering company that had just completed building this giant Bio digester unit at Trafford Park, Manchester, I took this shot from an elevated platform about 50 ft up to show the whole site.

Also this shot showing the giant chimney.

Brass Monkey Art Group

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-05-18T17:57:34+01:00

I am taking part in the Brass Monkey art Group Exhibition which takes place near Charlbury ,Oxfordshire over the Weekend of 3-5th June .

This is a by invitation show involving five painters - James Kerr, Wiilliam Mackesy, Netta Carey, Edmund Fairfax - Lucy and Marina Meredith Owen as well as two potters a furniture maker and some sculptors.

SOLD -18K WORTH OF ART AND POTTERY IN THREE DAYS! - BEST EVER SHOW

if you are interested in coming contact me

Working for a Communications Company

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-04-13T09:44:07+01:00

Commissioned by local company BDR Communications, a rapidly expanding telephone company that needed some fresh images for their new website and brochures. This involved a mixture of styles from office shots, product and exteriors of their office..

International Garden Photographer of the Year 2011

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-03-03T12:06:28+00:00

It may not be the Oscars but I have been shortlisted as a finalist in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 2011 competition . Most exciting news as this is The most prestigious award for garden photography anywhere. Garden photography particularly landscape and views are amongst my favourite subjects. Winners will be announced in May - can't wait

See other finalists work here

My entry : Pollarded Willows A Private Garden Warwickshire - designed by Dan Pearson

Holiday Let photographed

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-02-13T15:15:58+00:00

The moment I saw Custard Cottage between Chipping Campden and Mickleton I knew it was going to be pleasure to photograph. This perfect hideaway has been beautifully restored, equipped and styled by its owner Sarah Bevan. She was keen to have some of the images taken on the slant to give them an up to the minute look - I was only too happy to oblige. See sarahscottages.co.uk for more information.

Warwickshire Life Front Cover

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2011-01-13T11:16:42+00:00

Having just taken some images of the RSC - see last months blog - I just thought of sending in a photograph to Warwickshire life on the off chance

Its now cover photo for their January edition !

Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-11-27T13:16:32+00:00

It's not everyday that a multimillion projects gets finished on your doorstep but at last the RSC have completed their 4 year refurbishment and I could not resist getting my camera out. I have now put them on Alamy picture library.
I wished I could have got more swans to pose !

Top: F16 at 40th, Canon 24-70 zoom. Bottom: F14 at 60th, Canon TS-24mm
Canon IDS Mk3

Photographing Bed and Breakfasts

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-09-02T18:16:34+01:00

Good Bed and Breakfast websites are pretty rare and as for the photography, most attempts are obviously done by the owners and it shows. This year with the economic climate not in good shape I have seen a considerable increase in demand for my services from B&B owners. With fewer visitors about owners are looking at their marketing and realising that professionally taken images puts them ahead of the competition.
Here is one website which I did earlier this year which definitely raises the bar.

Exhibiting paintings

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-06-02T12:40:20+01:00

I have just hung 8 paintings in a pleasant coffee shop called Pastelleria on the edge of Warwick look at Paintings for information. Two or three more are going to be displayed in Stratford upon Avon’s newest Gallery This is all part of Warwickshire Arts Week.

Ely Palace shots on BBC website

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-05-13T11:12:16+01:00

Shots I took earlier this year of the old Bishop’s Palace at Ely in Cambridgeshire have gone up on the BBC website see here
Canon 1Ds + 17-40 zoom - Ely Palace

Estate Agent Photography

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-05-03T10:09:31+01:00

Late spring and early summer is the busiest time of the year for property photography, timing is essential to get the shots just as trees and gardens spring into life. Too early and the daffodils and spring bulbs can make the brochures look dated if the property fails to sell immediately, leave the photography too late and you will miss the market. Ideally take pictures one year in June when gardens look their best and sell the next.

Not the grandest house I have ever photographed but this remote beautiful Warwickshire farmhouse will be a rare buying opportunity for somebody.

Results: Alupro Photo Competition

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-05-03T09:57:23+01:00

I had an enjoyable day judging the Alupro photo competition ‘Love Where You Live’ at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and incredibly high standard of entries which made selecting a winner very difficult.

National Photo Competition

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-03-10T16:38:19+00:00

I am a judge at a national photographic competition with nearly 4000 entries to date, prizes up worth up to £10,000 to be won see LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE . Photographs must be from local landscapes,wildlife or ‘people having an impact on where we live’

Sponsors include Alupro - Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation and Trinity Mirror Newspapers.

Some great entries, I will post a link when results have been announced.

Ely Cathedral

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-02-06T14:41:23+00:00

I was commissioned yesterday to do some routine property photography at Ely in Cambridgeshire, it was some way to get there so I decided to make a day of it. If you are a photographer that is into interiors, then Ely Cathedral is an absolute gem. An additional £2.00 to the entrance fee secures you the right to use a tripod -essential for slow exposures where no lighting can be used - fantastic value. I spent a happy couple of hours chasing the low winter light to get some wonderful images. Finally, if you are still there when Choral Evensong takes place put you camera away and enjoy a wonderful spiritual experience as well!
Here are a couple of shots I took.

The Nave , 24mm T/S Tripod Mounted F9 at .8 second.

The Octagon - Tripod mounted, Sigma 12-24 mm at 12mm F9 at 1.6 second Cropped 2:1

HAPPY NEW YEAR

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2010-01-09T17:13:34+00:00

Welcome to 2010!
If you live in the UK its come with an icy blast - we are told it is the coldest winter in 30 years ! It is not often that you get large quantities of snow, sunshine and blue skies in this country . Like most photographers it always takes a week or two before commissions / work start to come in so get your warm clothes on, blow away Christmas, and get some library shots of the local area, if they are any good, they will sell at some stage.

Chesterton Windmill must be one of the most photographed buildings in Warwickshire - there were at least two other photographers lurking when I took this
shot -

F13/ 80th second -tripod mounted , 24mm TSE

How to prepare your house for Estate Agent photography

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2009-11-19T17:12:56+00:00

When selling your house it is important that it is looking its best.
You may find the following guidelines helpful.

GENERAL
Fine weather is essential for good outside shots, the vagaries of the English weather means that it is not always possible to keep to strict appointments, its often a telephone call to say that I am on my way.
If you are unable to be present it is helpful to have somebody to open up and allow access to the property. It is quite likely that the photographer will have to make several visits at different times of day to capture your property at its best.
Sunshine can be scarce and the photographer may have to work quickly as he will often have several houses to photograph if the weather is good.
Quite often interiors will be taken on a duller day, this can actually make the photographers job easier.

Flexibility is the key to success.

EXTERIORS
The Lawn - Freshly cut if possible, but within 3 days prior to being photographed is fine.

Tidy up and prepare - Cars, Horse boxes, caravans, trailers, skips, swings and trampolines etc . Move out of site as they will restrict angles that the photographer can use.
Swimming pools, stables and patio areas should also be tidy and prepared. If summer, cushions and good quality garden furniture can be put out. Avoid plastic chairs etc.
Essential repairs such as missing slates, painted windows and fresh gravel on the drive will all help in ensuring your property will look its best.

Curtains and blinds - May look good from inside but check from outside too, uneven or drawn curtains spell disaster.
Windows should be closed.

INTERIORS
It is not necessary to 'spring clean', however a good Hoover around, tidy up and declutter is essential. A bowl of fruit in the kitchen and some flowers will also help. Usually only the principle rooms will be photographed including the kitchen.

Fireplaces - Balls of old newspaper often photograph better when lit than normal firewood.

Shopping Centre

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2009-11-18T14:58:20+00:00

Taken as part of a commercial shoot for an insurance company, this is the interior of the West Orchard Shopping complex in Coventry.

17-40 mm F10 at 13th second - Tripod Mounted.

Winter Art Show

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2009-11-04T10:52:20+00:00

Starting 20th November at the Stour Gallery

See paintings for more details

Baddesley Clinton at Dawn

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2009-11-04T10:16:21+00:00

Baddesley Clinton is a moated manor house in Warwickshire. This image was one of many taken but not used in my book Shakespeares Scenery .
Taken at dawn a few minutes after the summer sun had emerged, it was a magical moment with the dawn chorus ringing out and the smell of a dewey damp morning.
My National Trust images can be found on the national trust image library website
F18 at 10th, 17-40 zoom at 17mm

Chelsea Flower Show

jk@jameskerr.co.uk — 2009-10-27T17:56:55+00:00

I shall endevour to change the front page of the website every week or so replacing it with another , and I shall put previous images in the blog under this heading

Taken at the Chelsea Flower Show , I like the abstracted qualities of the image. taken as the last rays of light hit the garden contrasting the orange and blue
F14/13th sec -24-70 Zoom at 66mm