I have just found this fun blog, which promotes sharing of photos and ideas. It also has weekly contests. All about photography of faces, I hope to be able to add a few photos according to category requirements, as this is where my passion lays.
My entries to this blog will be identified by the button in this entry.
Charlie

It is with excitement that I introduce my adult portrait collection to you.

Cotswold Charlie Adults portrait collection

Having concentrated on children and families over the last year, I have recently completed a course on "portrait photography using natural light" with BetterPhoto.com

Tutored by a great natural light professional; Ibarionex R Perello 

I received some fantastic critiques on the photos I submitted for my assignment including these:

Great use of light. The light for the image of Lori is just bloody stellar. I wish I could keep a batch of the kind of light in my camera bag to have with my whenever I went. It's just luminous. Gorgeous. Like you noted the color compliments allow you to build on that strength. The triangle implied by her hand and arms really serves the image well as it guides our eye to her face. You make good use of the limited depth of field and the tack sharp focus on the eyes. Kudos on this one.

The light in the first shot is good. You make excellent use of the tree shade to contend with the quality of the afternoon light. It's an excellent move. 

The warm directional light that you use for the photograph of your husband shows a diffused and directional quality of the light really serves him well. The color contrast between the shirt and the door really work well together creating a color contrast that help frame his face and expression.. 

I thank my many wonderful friends who willingly posed for me, allowing me to complete my assignments, and build this album.

Photography competition success

2008 Arlington Heights Almanac Photo Contest Winners

announced!

In November 2008 I entered three of my photos into the Arlington Heights Almanac photo contest. This publication has a circulation of around 80,000 city residents, and the competition was judged by three professional photographers in the NW Chicago land area.

Imagine my delight, when I opened up the January (first quarter of 2009) edition and found that one of my most treasured photos had earned its self first place in the action category!

Category 2 - Action

Winner: Charlotte Bellamy

From the panel: 
Personally, I love everything about this shot (the rest of the panel did, too). Composition is wonderful, and the action is clear. We liked how the child is through more than half of the photo, so you see not only where he is running to, but also where he's been. Lighting is perfect—if you look at the sha

dows, you can tell the shot was taken in late afternoon, which is a perfect time for flattering lighting on people.

Action category web page

Category 1 - Overall composition

Entry: Charlotte Bellamy

From the panel:
This is a classic shot and an excellent example of using the rule of thirds and a diagonal (very powerful for composition). Great job! This photo didn't make the final list not because there is anything wrong with the photo, but the others were just a bit more interesting.

Overall composition web page

Category 3 - Perspective

Entry: Charlotte Bellamy

We are so glad that you have found a way to capture the type of photo you've always wanted! This is a beautiful shot, illustrating the soft, gentle eye of a horse. Depth of field is perfect, too. 

Perspective category web page

Links to my photography albums

I do not yet have a web site, so below, please find a list of links to my albums, which show case my best work in each of the areas I cover.

The Girls Collection

The Boys Collection

The Youngsters Collection

The Newborn Collection

The Siblings Collection

Special moments with mum or dad

The Family Collection

Welcome

Welcome to my blog for 

Cotswold Charlie Photography.

About a year ago, my hobby of family vacation photography developed, with the present of a great digital SLR camera. Ever since then, my photography skills have been developing, and now I take photographs for others as well as for myself.

I am passionate about my photography, and following much success in 2008, I am happy to complete individual sessions in 2009. I have had so much positive feed back from those who have my photos in their possession , that I feel sure that any photos I take of you and your children, will provide you with life long memories of a special time in yours and theirs lives.

A few comments on photographs I have produced for others:

These are AMAZING!!!!  Better than I imagine.  Thanks so much!  You are the best. - Caroline

Charlie, LOVED the pics! Thanks again for doing these. - Rosie

Charlotte--Thanks so much for doing the pictures.  There are some really cute ones in there!  I just ordered my Christmas cards and the birth announcements using the pics. Enjoy the holidays! - Mary

Charlie, They're gorgeous!  You have such talent and I really appreciate you taking the time to come over yesterday to get these done.  I definitely have some good ones for his birth announcement and also for his scrapbook eventually.

Thanks again! - Heidi

Charlie, I LOVE them--the ones of the 2 of them are just so cute and there are a couple of shots where it looks like she is smiling!  You are so wonderful! - Fran

Charlie, I still can't belive how much less stress is involved with you taking the pictures, rather than being in a studio. Thanks so much - Toni