Kibbutz Urim in Israel, including Far East & Europe bike ride.

Sorting through some of my thousands of photos recently, I came across the photo journal of my almost-gap year, when I worked as a volunteer in the Kibbutz Urim, Israel in 1989, and then cycled home 3000+ miles across Europe.  

 This was one of the best experiences of my life. Being interested in photography since I was a teenager, I’d gone from working as a Butlins holiday camp photographer to getting a one way ticket to the Middle East. It had all the excitement and buzz of being at university but without the studying.

The Kibbutz Urim was near the town of Beersheba and was home to a mixed bunch of people from all over the world. Like many other news to communal life I was matched with a set of adopted parents who looked out for me.

My job was to help to irrigate the land with a series of giant hoses, all done under the supervision of a rather portly Egyptian Ishtak and Maurice. It was a hot summer and we kibbutzniks combined that with going to events and festivals whenever we could, enjoying being young and carefree and just having fun.

Although we worked really hard we got time off too, which we spent seeing the sights, including visiting the spectacular Negev desert, near Yeruham, which covers more than half of Israel. 

Before I left Dad gave me some great advice, saying it would be the trip of a lifetime and I should keep a journal. Alongside this I built up a big photo library, armed with my trusty camera.  It was a Olympus OM1n 35mm and also a zoom - nothing fancy, but it did its job and survived the trip. Amazingly, the quality of the slide photos is still good, especially considering they are 24 years old.

Dead Sea and Masada on the eastern edge of the Judaean Desert 

Being only 20 miles from Gaza and knowing we had a weapons store on site brought its own worries and we learned to trust our instincts when we left the site. On a solo three-day hitchhiking trip I ended up on the West Bank, where people were concerned about my safety and I sensibly took their advice and made a quick exit!

In those days it wasn’t common to see people with cameras, and I was careful not to flash it about, but the locals were always interested (sometimes too much!) in my gear and happy to have their photos taken. I took roll after roll of Fuji 50asa slidefilm, documenting how families lived and worked and sparking an interest in reportage or ‘as it happens’ photography, a style I’ve since made my own.

At the end of summer one of my friends suggested we extend our trip and cycle home across Europe, and it sounded like a great idea.  I borrowed a girls bike from Matt Carr (above left) ex girlfriend on the Kibbutz and it really was no frills travelling - shorts, panniers, camera, bikes and a tent were all we needed and we left full of excitement and a dash of trepidation about what lay ahead.  We covered Israel, Cyprus, Rhodes, Greece, Turkey, and Istanbul and squeezed in a two day stopover at the Black Sea. 

View of the Bosphorus just before Istanbul, Turkey

Grand Bazaar in Istanbul 

21st Birthday Photo in Greece (top right)

As it was my 21^st birthday we celebrated with a bottle of the local equivalent of Lambrini, and at 10.02am, the exact time of my birth, I posed for a photo for my mum back home.  That’s now turned into an annual tradition for me and I’ve built up a photo journal of birthday pictures over the years, which are fascinating to look at.

In what was then Yugoslavia we hopped onto a train as one of the bikes was broken. We got some bad vibes and left the train at the invite of some local police, who waved their guns at us and made their instructions clear. When we continued our stint by train, we ended up bikeless at one point thanks to our bikes going to Italy while we were heading for Belgrade, which was very inconvenient.

Austria was one of my favourite countries and one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited. The contrast between lakes, sun and snow was beautiful and I got some stunning landscape photos. All the way across the continent we swam in lakes and camped in forests.  It was a matter of pride never to stay on a proper campsite, even when we got eaten alive by mosquitoes.

In Germany I managed to get into the middle of a bunch of 40 semi-professional bike racers on the road. It must have been a fine sight, them in their sports gear on smart racing bikes, and me pedalling my way through the group on my pale blue girls bike, in my cut-off jeans and with my panniers flapping either side. Mr Bean rides again! (link)

In those days there were no mobiles or email, just good old fashioned airmail letters – when I remembered to send one home. So when I finally landed on my parent’s doorstep my mum hardly recognised me, I was brown as a berry and about two stone lighter than when I’d set off.

It was an amazing experience. I still feel very lucky to have done it, as it opened up my mind to different people and other cultures and ways of life. It also taught me how to use a camera, work fast and put people at their ease. All qualities that have stood me in good stead in my 25-year career as a press, commercial, wedding and portrait photographer.

I’ve still got my old faithful hat and my cycling shorts, and thanks to the many boxes of photographs I’ve got stored in the loft I can easily slip back on a nostalgic journey into what was a fantastic summer in my life. 

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Direct Website Link to Dave Charnley Photography

North East Stock Library Photography: Stockton on Tees in the Snow

When we are all so busy doing our jobs, looking after family, seeing friends and dealing with whatever life throws up at us, it’s easy to forget to kick back and just have some fun with no deadlines. 

 At the start of the year the snowfalls here in the North East gave me an irresistible chance to grab my camera and go photograph the beautiful countryside near my home base in Stockton on  Tees, and around Teesside. I took my biggest lens, the Canon 400mm, which I’ve had for a while. It’s mega powerful and the quality of photos it produces is amazing. It’s the sort of thing you see royal photographers or sports photographers using, as it’s perfect for when you can’t get close to the subject.  

It was lovely to be out in the fresh air, with no pressure and no brief, just observing life through my lens. I took a mixture of generic shots, picture opportunities that caught my eye, plus photograph some iconic North East landmarks with a few quirky shots thrown in just for fun.

 Armed with my big lens I was able to get some photos of a flock of geese in flight.  Back at the studio the detail on the feathering was pin-sharp and made me feel I could reach through the picture and touch them. The stark black steel of a set of giant electric pylons against a pale blue sky presented a dramatic shot. Even though pylons are not generally regarded as things of beauty, I loved the resulting picture and its clarity.

The day was cold but bright so there were plenty of people out. Runners, cyclists and dog walkers on Castle Eden walkway were all wrapped up against the weather, kindly providing me with some splashes of hot colour against the snowy conditions. I’ll be using some of the shots for my new service offering, which will be a photographic stock library of images for mainly north east designers & agencies to use.  I’ll be offering a mix of North East landmarks such as Roseberry Topping, the Angel of the North, the Transporter Bridge at Middlesbrough and many others.

If you’ve seen the latest bridge over the Tees, the Infinity Bridge at Stockton, you’ll know that thisand other regional sights have been photographed to death, so I’m always looking to get something a bit different, whether it’s for my clients or my own portfolio.

My new photo library will be available in various formats - low resolutions for web use, medium resolution for brochures, leaflets and press work, or high resolution for large format work such as boardroom pictures, vehicle signage and billboards.

Designers will be able to use the same secure online ordering system that clients who come to me for portrait and wedding photography use, and download their chosen images instantly. I’m hoping to offer something the big stock libraries can’t match and I’ll be constantly updating my library too.

Having spent 25 years as a press, commercial and wedding documentary photographer in the uk, I know the little touches that designers appreciate when it comes to buying commercial photography. For instance, I’m careful to arrange the shots so they can have some clear space where they can drop words on top of the image if it’s vital to the page layout. Things like this may only be small details but it’s the sort of thing that designers want, and that means they will become regular customers. 

Being out and about was great, as a busy North East photographer it’s not often I get the chance.  But having no particular aim in mind except to have some fun with my camera keeps my work fresh, so I make sure I do it whenever I can find the time. 

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Direct Website Link to Dave Charnley Photography

'Free Charity Photography for a Year' with Stockton Commercial Photographer

A TEESSIDE based photographer is celebrating five years in business by offering one North East charity the chance to Win Free Photography for a Year*

Stockton-based photographer Dave Charnley set up his business Dave Charnley Photography in 2008 after a 20-year career as a press photographer, including a 11-year stint with the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.  Specialising in commercial photography for businesses and PR agencies, and natural reportage weddings, his client base stretches from North Yorkshire to the Scottish border

 To celebrate five years of photographing everyone from celebrities and the Royal Family to brides and business people, he is giving away a full day’s photography time*, worth hundreds of pounds, to the winning local charity.

Dave said: “In my years as a North East photographer I’ve worked with lots of charities, and I know how hard it is for the smaller ones, particularly at the minute when everyone is cutting back and donations are at an all-time low.

“There is so much great work going on in our region but it’s hard for small organisations to afford professional publicity pictures.

“I’m giving away a full day of my time, and that can be taken in one day or split into shorter sessions over a period of a year if that’s what the winner prefers.

“If you look at the bigger charities you can see a picture really does tell a thousand words, and this is my way of marking five years in business and giving local charities a chance to compete with the big names.

“I’m hoping a great set of pictures that they can use on posters, leaflets and websites or send to the media with news stories will help encourage more support and donations to come in.”

Entries are open to any charitable organisation within a 50 mile radius of Stockton, approximately from around Durham down to Redcar, and from Hartlepool across to Northallerton.

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Entries close at midnight on March 31^st 2013 and to enter, charity representatives should visit http://www.davecharnleyphotography.com/contact.html and leave... 

• Name
• Daytime contact number
• Charity’s name (including registered charity number)
• Email address 
• Website address (if you have one)

The Free Prize Draw will be carried out by an independent person, and the winner will be notified by phone and email in April 2013.

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Terms & Conditions*

• Must be a registered local charity (number requested)
• 8 hours photography which can be broken up into 5 different shoots, from April 2013 to April 2014 or all one full day ...the choice is yours!
• 50 miles radius from TS18 
• Draw will be by an independent person
• Full details must be complete or could be void: Name, a daytime contact number, the charity’s name (including its registered charity number), email address and its website address (if you have one)
• Commercial Photography could be pr event, commercial images, charity day/night event, press launch or portaits.

Photographers Prove Powerful Advertising: North East Retail Photography

Look at successful businesses, and ask yourself why they are doing so well. It’s likely to be because their marketing is strong. And a big part of a successful marketing campaign is the imagery you use, which is why an experienced commercial photographer can be your greatest ally. 

Stock shots are not always a bad choice, but they can be a false economy if you are trying to create a living, breathing brand that people will identify with.Compare the Pound Shop with Apple. See how they are both very visually aware, but how different and distinctive the imagery they use is? That’s because both organisations know their customers - and what will appeal to them - very well indeed.

You can describe a product, a service or a mood very easily with the right pictures. Just by creating a certain look you can encourage people to eat, visit, donate or buy.I was out shopping recently and was struck by how simple but effective the Clarks Shoes photos are. They use clean, crisp shots of the product being used, not just in the box or artfully posed on a point of sale stand. Children are shown playing around in trainers, or setting off for school in smart shoes, creating an aspirational lifestyle feel that works really well.

You can portray something honestly, but still put your best foot forward. For instance if you own a cafe with a reputation for first class full English breakfast, you don’t want to put lettuce in the photos and pretend to be a healthy option or something you are not. But you don’t want to look like a greasy spoon cafe either, and that’s where keeping your imagery ‘real’ comes in.

Experts say we are all exposed to hundreds of marketing messages a day. That’s a lot of information to process, especially online, where you are relying only on your visual sense to get a feel for the product or service. Online imagery has to really earn its keep.  A good example is Argos, which recently posted results that show that 42% of its business is now done online, and it is re-organising its business model to account for customers who prefer to shop online rather than in-store.

A big number of Ebay sellers who sell high-value branded goods will now invest in good photography too. Financially it’s an astute move. When the product shows to its best advantage the buyers start bidding.  

It’s not always about having the product in shot though. Look at Coca-Cola – they don’t sell the drink, they sell the life, and they do that through clever use of images. You don’t have to have a big budget to create pictures that are unique to you. Small businesses can stand out just as much as the big boys if they work with a photographer who is skilled at planning out a shoot to get best value.

Using my cafe example again, I might suggest to the client that we shoot mouth-watering ice creams for use in summer, some hearty soups for winter and a purple and gold table dressing theme for Christmas. Those images could be used on menus and in advertising, on canvas boards around the cafe or even blown up to form an eye-catching wraparound graphic on the outside of the building.

Advertisers say the best way to reach time-pressed consumers is to try to catch their eye at every turn, and I am in full agreement. It actually pains me when I see a small or start-up business taking a phone pic, adding an Instagram filter and blowing up a grainy pic to use in their publicity.

It’s such a shame when all it takes is a bit of thought and the right photographer to create memorable, show-stopping images that make your business stand out. 

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Direct Website Link to Dave Charnley Photography

North East Commercial Photographer: Corporate Art Proves Boardroom Bliss

If you are looking for great location opportunities for commercial photography, the North East is far and away the best place to visit. We have some of the most beautiful castles, coastlines, bridges and buildings in the UK, so I’m spoilt for choice when it comes to venues for wedding photography as well as commercial photography.

A recent job came about following a conversation with Karl Pemberton, Managing Director of independent financial services company Active Financial Services. I did Karl’s wedding photography at Rockliffe Hall near Hurworth in County Durham so he had already seen some of my other work at www.davecharnleyphotography.com 

When we got chatting about my experience as a commercial and PR photographer, he asked me to photograph three of Teesside’s famous bridges, reproducing them as high quality canvas prints. He was looking for something with a local link that could be used as centrepieces for the company’s meeting rooms, following a move from Guisborough to prestigious new Active Financial Services offices in Thornaby, Stockton on Tees.

The deadline was tight, with little time to get the photos taken and mounted in time for the new building’s launch. Sadly for me, light and weather are oblivious to photography deadlines and I had to make several visits to each bridge before I was happy with the light conditions.  The ideal time for a commercial photography project such as this is either what I call the ‘golden hour’ of dusk, or early morning when the light is soft. For all three photos I used my favourite Canon 5D Mark III which takes fantastic pictures in near darkness, on a slow shutter speed and balanced on a tripod to get nice clean images.

My first visit was to the Grade II-listed Victoria Bridge, which was built in 1887 to celebrate 50 years of Queen Victoria’s reign. Its wrought iron arches give it all the majesty and grandeur you would expect from Victorian architecture, and the resulting 6-foot wide print of this stunning piece of architecture has incredible impact and now forms a great talking point in the client’s largest boardroom. 

To get the shot I was determined to have of this bridge, I had to balance in the undergrowth on the river bank while trying to avoid creatures around me – just one of the perks of the job they don’t share with you at photographer school!

My next visit was to the Teesquay Millennium Footbridge, which links Teesdale Business Park with the University of Durham’s Queen’s Campus. The result of a design and build competition held by Stockton Borough Council, its 40-metre high mast and cable-stayed design results in clean, delicate lines that belie its tough steel construction and which gave me some great linear perspectives to work with.  

Finally, I went to the award-winning Infinity Bridge, which stands downriver of Stockton town centre and was opened in a blaze of publicity. The name derives from the infinity symbol formed by the bridge and its reflection, and having seen the spectacular sound, light and animation show at its launch I was keen to capture the same atmosphere and bring it to life for people who have never visited Teesside.

Lit by the same company that designed the lighting for the Burj Al-Arab luxury hotel in Dubai, the blue and white LED lights change as pedestrians cross, and it presents a fantastic sight against the night sky. I reflected as I put away my camera kit that any professional photographer who can’t get a decent picture of this bridge should pack in the job.

Back at the studio I removed some of the small distractions such as ‘for sale’ signs on nearby properties, adjusted some small details and quality-checked the images before sending the electronic files off to be mounted and finished with a low sheen lustre. I prefer to support local companies where possible but this time I had to use a firm outside the North East to get the professional finish I needed. 

Karl was very happy with the results, and several people at the office party included my twitter handle @charnleyphoto in tweets about how much they loved the photography. There is nothing nicer than unsolicited client feedback – love it!

I really enjoy using my skill as a professional photographer to meet challenges like this one. Karl knew exactly what he wanted so this was a very specific commission but I’m always happy to chat about ideas, find out what the client wants the images for, and suggest locations and shots for them to consider. 

The Original Poster                                                           Converted Onto Canvas 

Corporate photographic art is a growing market, with many companies seeing what a great talking point it can be, and with iconic landmarks and scenery from Teesside and Durham through to Sunderland, Tyneside and Northumberland, this region is picture perfect for producing original artworks.  

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Direct Website Link to Dave Charnley Photography