Embracing the Mirrorless Revolution: A Photographer's Perspective

In the fast-evolving realm of photography, I made a pivotal decision two years ago that changed my entire perspective – I transitioned to mirrorless cameras, and the experience has been nothing short of transformative.

One of the paramount advantages that immediately drew me towards mirrorless technology was the ability to preview my shots with unrivaled precision through the digital viewfinder. Unlike the analogue viewfinders of traditional DSLRs, the digital viewfinder of my mirrorless camera provides an exact representation of the scene, allowing me to see precisely what I'm about to capture. This real-time feedback enhances my creative process and ensures that I can fine-tune my composition before pressing the shutter button.

The primary catalyst for this camera transition was the persistent focus issues I encountered with my digital SLRs. The analogue viewfinders occasionally struggled to nail the focus accurately, leading to frustrating instances of missed shots and the need for frequent lens calibrations. Enter mirrorless cameras, and this problem became a relic of the past. The advanced autofocus systems in mirrorless cameras have not only eradicated focus inconsistencies but have also saved me both money and time previously spent on sending my lenses for calibration.

Embracing mirrorless technology has not just been a shift in gear; it's been a game-changer for my photography journey. The assurance of precise focus coupled with the convenience of a digital viewfinder has elevated my creative process, making every shot a confident and calculated capture. As I reflect on the past two years, I can confidently say that I haven't looked back since making the switch to mirrorless – it's a decision that has enriched my photographic endeavours in more ways than one.

Ray

Capturing the Dark & Mysterious: Exploring the Trend of Dark Restaurant Interiors

Have you noticed the rise in popularity of restaurants embracing dark, almost black interiors? As a food photographer, I find myself both intrigued and challenged by this trend. It adds a captivating element to the dining experience, but it also presents unique hurdles when it comes to capturing the perfect shot.

Walking into a restaurant cloaked in darkness creates an ambiance that can be moody, cozy, or even a touch mysterious. The flickering candlelight and the interplay of shadows create a theatrical backdrop for the culinary delights that await. However, as I've discovered, these dimly lit spaces require some technical wizardry to beautifully capture their essence.

One essential tool that becomes almost indispensable in these scenarios is a sturdy tripod. With the limited ambient light available, long exposure times often become necessary to capture the details without sacrificing image quality. The tripod allows us to keep the camera steady and avoid any blurriness that might result from hand-held shots.

Another must-have addition to the toolkit is the trusty flash. While some purists might shy away from using additional lighting, employing a well-diffused flash can help perfect the shot. It can assist in illuminating those intriguing nooks and crannies, highlighting textures, and preventing any loss of detail that the low light might otherwise obscure.

However, it's important to use flash judiciously so as not to disturb the unique ambiance that the dim lighting creates. I strive to strike a balance between enhancing the features of the interior design and maintaining the integrity of the dining experience.

That being said, I can't help but acknowledge the occasional frustration when dining at these trendy, dark-themed restaurants. While the enigmatic atmosphere adds to the overall charm, it also poses a challenge when it comes to appreciating the culinary creations before us. The difficulty of discerning the dish's intricate presentation and colors can sometimes dampen the delight that comes from vibrant and visually enticing fare.

Nevertheless, as a food photographer, I relish the opportunity to dissect these dark ambiances and showcase their allure through the lens. It becomes a thrilling chase to capture the unique textures, contrasts, and hidden corners that make each establishment distinctive.

So, the next time you find yourself in one of these dimly lit establishments, take a moment to appreciate the carefully crafted atmosphere. And spare a thought for the photographers who navigate the shadows to capture the magic on camera. It's a challenging endeavor, but the end result is a glimpse into an extraordinary world where culinary artistry and dark enchantment intertwine.

Exploring Threads: Personalising My Social Media Experience

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media platforms, I recently stumbled upon Threads, a platform that instantly reminded me of the early days of Twitter. With a simple layout and a refreshing absence of the overwhelming focus on likes seen on Instagram, Threads offers a promising avenue for personalising my social media feed. As I embark on this new journey, I anticipate a myriad of changes in the coming weeks and months. In this blog post, I aim to share my initial impressions and aspirations for utilising Threads as a means to foster a more personal connection with my online community.

As a commercial photographer on Instagram, I have always felt the need for a more personal and intimate online experience. While my business thrives on showcasing my niche photography, Threads presents an opportunity to share snippets of my personal life and connect with others on a deeper level. I am excited about the prospect of revealing more about myself beyond the confines of my professional portfolio. By infusing my feed with personal anecdotes, thoughts, and musings, I hope to forge meaningful connections and engage in conversations that go beyond the surface level.

One aspect I appreciate about Threads is its departure from the idea of duplicating my Instagram posts. Instead of merely copying and pasting the same content, I view Threads as a platform to curate a distinct narrative, separate from my commercial endeavors. This separation allows me to maintain a clear distinction between my professional persona on Instagram and the more personal experiences I share on Threads. By offering unique content, I can cultivate a loyal following and attract individuals who are genuinely interested in the authentic moments of my life.

One of the downsides I have encountered on platforms like Twitter is the prevalence of negative and toxic conversations. The "pleasure vibe" I sense on Threads gives me hope that this platform will foster a more positive and uplifting community. I believe that by focusing on personal connections and shared experiences, Threads can encourage meaningful dialogues and inspire genuine interactions. I eagerly anticipate an environment where I can engage with others in a respectful and enriching manner, free from the negativity that sometimes plagues other social media platforms.

In these early days of exploring Threads, I find myself drawn to its simplicity and potential for personalisation. By leveraging this platform, I aim to create a more intimate social media experience that diverges from my commercial endeavors on Instagram. Threads holds the promise of connecting me with like-minded individuals and fostering meaningful conversations. As the platform evolves, I am eager to adapt, learn, and continue cultivating a positive and personal online presence. Together, we can shape a vibrant community centered around authenticity and shared experiences.

One of the pitfalls of being self employed: not getting paid

I’ve been wanting to write a blog post on this subject for a while now but I’m happy to being doing that now.

It’s been a busy year for my little business. I pushed it in ways I never thought possible being totally out of my zone of comfort but it has paid off in so many ways.

However, with the increased work load, I’ve experienced not being paid on now two occasions. I really don’t know why these businesses don’t pay up as they’ve received the promised and given digital products and are even being used online on websites and social media. It’s a strange experience, seeing ones photographs on the net and yet they haven’t been paid for!

I always pay businesses straight away because I know how important cash flow is to me and them.

On with the reminder emails because I won’t give up and I’m currently updating my terms and conditions which have unfortunately I’ve got to do to help prevent this from happening again.

If you’ve been in a similar situation, please do reach out to me. I would really find that helpful!

Ray

When chaos in my life lead to calm in my life!

Chaos

It was the end of April 2020 when things were beginning to change for me and not in a good way. When I say change, I’m talking about my body and my mind. Whenever I eat, my stomach would let me know painfully. I dreaded eating and was getting scared to eat. Mentally, it was stressing me.

My head wasn’t in the right place. That inner negative, that we all have, was fighting against me in a big way and taking over my world. After isolation was soon over, our friend David visited for dinner but I struggled to eat even basic foods like lamb and vegetables. The pain was like something I’d never experienced before. I was so concerned and didn’t know what was happening. I felt helpless.

Me meditating

Say yes to new adventures

Diet, Stress & Gastritis

When my dad was diagnosed with cancer about seven years ago, I developed gastritis which is a condition when the stomach lining becomes inflamed because of a bad diet and stress. I tend to neglect my diet and eat what can only be described as crap food, sugary foods.

Sleeping was difficult. Everyday, exhausted and stress with loosing lots of business with Covid 19 and with little government support, I sometimes think “how the hell did I get through it all?”

I knew, from experience, that I had to change my diet and approach new ways with dealing with my anxieties.

Jess, Lesley and Bobs

Working with Brockley Bean Cafe

It’s been over a year now that I started photographing and working for Brockley, a unique cafe and catering business down one of Wrexham’s quaint streets, Charles Street. It’s run by my friend and business owner, Jess Wills, a trained Chef and assisted by my other lovely friend, Lesley Wills (Jess’s mum) who is a trained nutritionalist. Some of my food images taken at the cafe have been shortlisted for Pink Lady Food.

A Blessing

I say, and continue to say, that I’ve been blessed because my eating issues and the solution for them was on my own doorstep. The solution was Jess and Lesley and their knowledge and experience with food, healthy food. I have had so much support from both ladies about my diet and what I should and shouldn’t be eating from drinks like slippery elm which coat the oesophagus and linking of the stomach, nature’s natural way without the need for liquid medicines from the local chemist. Foods like lean meats and vegetables like cabbage, carrots, etc which are full of antioxidants and which heal the stomach.

Brockley Bean Story

The story behind Brockley Bean Cafe with Jess:-

“I was born in 1979, raised and brought up in London in a place called Brockley on Coulgate Street opposite Brockley train station. This was where mum started a tiny whole foods shop (below photo) and eventually squatted next door as that was an 1980’s and squatting wasn’t a big deal like now.

When I was aged 5, mum decide to open the first vegan vegetarian cafe in London and the UK. I remember the day when I sat there in the cafe room designing menus for Brockley and I said why don’t we call the cafe Brockley Bean and on the front of the menu was the shape of a drawing of a round green face, a smiley green face rather like the logo they have been using before their recent brand change.

Old Brockley Bean Cafe, Brockley, London

Old logo

Rainbow Wraps

At age 7, I worked in the local Deptford Market and then from age 14 onwards we moved to Anglesey and didn’t do very well at school because of dyslexia and found it hard to fit in with schools that only spoke in Welsh. My passion was always with food and then went to work in catering and then being a chef in Bangor where I qualified to be a chef.

I later moved to Chester but unfortunately there wasn’t much work to do with catering or being a chef so I decided to give retail a try and worked for Next for 11 years and worked my up to Store Manager and then another 11 years at Top Shop as Store Manager.

In 2017 Skinnys opened in Wrexham which is a health food shop. I worked there for a really good guy called Kane and his family. It was like meat, vegetables, chicken, steak, etc and I was lucky enough that Kane gave me a position, after a few months, to run the shop for him. 2017 was a real moment for meal preps for people and cooking for people who haven’t got time but wanted clean healthy food and meal preps are for fitness, bodybuilder people. I later run Skinnys new shop in Chester and help support that shop also.

In October 2017, I wanted to do something else so I went to help mum manage her cafe in Bangor. Her cafe was called Follow Your Bliss. We both enjoyed working with each other and it was a real buzz and we had ideas to take Follow Your Bliss to Chester. However, it wasn’t working. In November 2017, I had calls from old customers asking me to cook for them. Before I knew it, I was cooking for 75 clients and working 7 days a week in a small kitchen. I was at this time exhausted.

Then with luck or maybe universal law, one day I was delivering to a customer, I couldn’t park in my normal place, so I walked down Charles Street and I saw the shop that we’re in at the moment, 20 Charles Street, The Brockley Bean and the rest they say is history.”

Keto Bread

Healthy Mind & Meditation

I remember calling in to the cafe one Thursday morning to visit Jess and Lesley and as my stomach health was starting heal with a new clean diet, my mind still wasn’t where it needed to be. I still had that inner negative voice. After a long chat with them both, they advised I read “The Untethered Soul” by Michael A. Singer.

I can’t remember the last time I read a book! This book changed my life in so many ways. I’ve learned to calm my inner voice with meditation, daily medication. I think of it like cleaning of my mind. I no longer waste energy with worrying but I focus on the now and look forward to my tomorrows.

I’ve also learned to meditate, twice a day and I’ve also found it even more rewarding when I meditate with with others.

Jess meditating

Wind chime

Please, if you are suffering with that negative inner voice, and are serious about it not ruling your life anymore, please read the book and please talk about your thoughts, no matter how crazy they may seem, it’s such a release to open and talk about everything.

A clean diet and a clean mind have released me from many months and probably years without knowing it, from years of chaos and confusion and I’m thankful and lucky to have two key friends who have changed me for the better in my new life journey.

Take care everybody. We are all going through tough times but stay positive, don’t follow the negatives in life. Choose you’re own positive way. It takes more effort to be miserable than to be happy.

Ray xxx

Four images shortlisted: Pink Lady Food Photographer 2020

Great recently discovering four of my images have been shortlisted for the most prestigious food photography competition in the world…

Taken for:-

Olive Tree Catering, Runcorn; The Swan, Marbury and Raymond Jones Images, Chirk.

Raymond Jones Images: Brockley Bean Cafe Plastic Free Status

It was such a pleasure yesterday visiting The Brockley Bean Cafe, Charles Street, Wrexham. I’ve been supporting this business for over a year and I’ve seen so many changes.

Jess Daniel’s, owner of The Brockley Bean cafe work’s so hard preparing healthy food options with an emphasis on “clean” with food and packaging.

The certificate was awarded by Hannah Blythyn AM, Lesley Griffiths AM and Carrie Harper.

Commercial Food/Business Photography in North Wales - Brockley Bean Cafe

At last time to blog about my commercial and wedding photography!

I've been helping Jess Daniels, owner at Brockley Bean Cafe promote her business in Wrexham, North Wales with great success.

I returned their earlier this week. "I'm a lover of food and eating well, with years of experience in health & fitness. Then in the '90s I spent my college days catering and working in restaurants.

Now 22 years on, I have finally achieved my dream of helping people feel good about the food they eat, with my very own Cafe! So here I am today, here to give you some food hope, ready to help you with your own journey and most of all eat some Yummy FOOD!!

Jess" ​

Commercial Food Photography: The Bakeoff at The Druid, Mold

A few weeks ago, the owner of The Druid got in touch asking for images of their upcoming new menu and some images of their rum and gin selection for social media, website, etc.

It’s certainly was an exciting evening and definately a winning menu.

Commercial food & business photographer covering all the uk

The commercial side of my business has expanded so much recently.  With food shoots for The Swan, Marbury;  The Alyn, Rossett, to name a few.  So enjoying photographing new menus and helping businesses create more sales and get more customers.  Most of my images are used on social media and websites.

A few images from my food and business portfolio.

Commercial & Wedding Photographer: the reason

Just to clarify my business.  I'm a wedding and commercial photographer.  Weddings are seasonal and mainly held during the summer.  However, my commercial photography keeps me busy all year round.

Just a clarification I thought you should know.

Happy Friday.