Latest photos from Claude Schneider
Personal
I purchased a new macro-adapter for my camera, so headed out into my parents’ garden to try it out. It may not have the sharpness of a dedicated macro lens, but for £5, it’s definitely a great way of getting even more practice after my first forays with damselflies a few weeks ago.
I was invited to photograph Alex and André’s wedding in Devon, and they and the whole family were most welcoming and helpful. The room used for the bride’s preparations was bright and cleanly-decorated, the ideal location for natural photos.
As Tyra Banks would say on ANTM, “Fierce!”
The bride’s dress hanging in the window
The bride’s hair and make-up, with her bridesmaids
I was in Devon for 3 days, covering a wedding, and the Bed & Breakfast where I was accommodated was only 10 minutes’ walk from the beach, the famous Slapton Sands. So in the hour I had before I was picked up for the wedding preparations, I took a leisurely stroll down to the beach and took a few photos. Here are two of my favourites.
After my travels through the forests and lakes in Sweden, I found myself in Stockholm with no cash and a few hours to kill. Having already visited Stockholm the previous year, I didn’t feel I need to do any rushed sight-seeing, and knew my way around a bit. After an hour of walking around, it struck me how strongly so many people have similar facial features – the “Scandinavian Look” that Sweden is famed for. So I set myself a challenge, to take street portraits of several young people that, combined, would exhibit the Swedish look. Here are 6 of my favourites:
One girl in particular caught my eye, not only because of her skateboard, but also her piercing blue eyes and striking red hair. In a nation full of blondes, that definitely stands out.
For the third summer in a row, I travelled to Sweden for an intensive dance workshop. Unfortunately, I sustained an injury in the fortnight before flying out that rendered me unable to take part. Not one to waste an opportunity (or a non-refundable flight), I hired a car and drove around the myriad forests and lakes in South-Eastern Sweden for 4 days.
In addition to a dozen or so huge national parks, Sweden has hundreds of small nature reserves, all (relatively)-well documented, mapped, and sign-posted. So it was rather easy to hop from one to another, walk freely through the forests, feel at one and alone in nature, and admire the breathtaking scenery. Two main images remain firmly implanted in my memory – forests where every boulder, rock and patch of ground is covered in multi-coloured mosses; and expanses of blue lakes bordered by forests on all sides.
Many more forest and lake photos from Sweden can be viewed at CantabPhotos
After the outdoor photos with friends, we had some fun taking photos diving into the swimming pool.
Dancer
Supermen
Superman
Superheroes
Dancer 2
Back Arch
I enjoyed the recent sunshine at a friend’s house, with a few other friends. Needless to say, some of them were actors, so wanted to try to get a few headshots in case any were usable for Spotlight. And of course one of my favourite muses, Sarah, was there, and I’m always happy to photograph her.
Crashing a headshot photoshoot – great result though!
Maybe it was getting up at 4:30am two days ago to take photos of damselflies in Grantchester Meadows, but my body clock’s a bit messed up.
Went to bed at 2, still awake at 3, playing piano didn’t help, so at 4 I cycled to Fen Ditton meadows in search of more damselflies to photograph. I didn’t find as many this time, but got some artier photos of the beautiful bugs I did find :)
I must be crazy…
It was still dark enough to require flash, which really shows off the iridescent colours
This crafty critter was surprisingly awake – he’d always move so he was on the far side of the plant stem from me. You can run, but you can’t hide…
Sunrise over the River Cam
Weevil on a nettle leaf
4:30am, stirring after 2hrs sleep. Greg calls – “Want to come photograph damselflies?” Sure. Cycling to Grantchester meadows 5 mins later at sunrise. Wading through the nettles on the riverbank, start spotting lots of black wing-tips. Snap snap snap. As it warms up 3 hours later, dozens of damselflies fly around you as you stir the nettles.
Sunrise over the River Cam, Grantchester
Mayfly at sunrise
Close-up of male demoiselle damselfly
Male demoiselle damselfly, covered in dew drops
Female demoiselle damselfly feeding
I went to Scooterworks Café in Waterloo with some friends – it’s a fantastic combination of a scooter workshop and coffee shop. Lots of character, great decor, and really good coffee – from an authentic 1957 Italian coffee machine.
Sarah, being a great model, as usual
Coffee ripples and brownie
Sarah, coffee ripples, and the coffee machine
Behind the bar
The coffee menu