Au Naturel

When it comes to photography and, by extension, videography, natural light is the best. The photo below was taken with my phone's worst camera - the front facing one and cropped down to about 25% of it's original size. This represents a very low-rez, low quality shot, compared to what the phone can really achieve under perfect light. There is one window directly opposite my face, and one to my left (your right). There is a white wall to my right (your left) and a slanted ceiling overhead which creates a sloping back drop, ensuring there is no shadow at all. It's actually the attic room of an old cottage I'm staying in, and it somehow has the perfect light and acoustics for recording video - much better than anything I can set up in London with all my gear.

I'm actually here for a friend's wedding. There, mystery partly solved. I, however, left my Canon camera back home because, for a change, I don't want to be asked to "take some good photos" when I should be there having fun with my friends and living in the moment. It happens quite often. While it's a complement that people like my photos, it sometimes becomes a kind of chore. To be honest, I am the one that makes it that way since I end up wanting to create the perfect images for people. These events have professional photographers there. I'll just let them do what they're good at and being paid for. Most of these uncles with good cameras just end up getting in the way of the pro anyway.

I'm enjoying the freedom of just having my phone and not a proper camera around. I am able to just prop the phone at the window and talk. I've done a lot of talking head videos in my pyjamas. By the way, I'm in my pyjamas in the above photo :). I recorded three videos there since the sunrise light was just so good. I hadn't even brushed my teeth or had my morning coffee yet! Thank goodness the iPhone doesn't capture smell (yet😂).

The wedding is tomorrow, and the following day. I'm going to be wearing a dinner jacket for the first time in 10 years. It's going to be funny. I'll try to get some photos of myself taken so I can show you guys how I clean up haha.

Peace & Love,

Adé