Alkemist Photography

10/08/2022

I had the opportunity to photograph a number of horses and there owners duting a course ran by Workingline Images, Dog & Country Life Photography the other week. Here is a selection from the day, Enjoy,

28/06/2021

Using your own dog for a photoshoot comes with its own set of problems. But its always fun,

11/06/2021

Well, where do I start. I haven't picked my camera up for nearly two years. But this week I finally got my 50th present off the better half, a fabulous one to one session with a wonderful tutor/photographer, and all I can say is I have had the biggest leap in confidence and expertise in 5 years. Thank you Nina Houslay and Caro Dell, of Workingline Images.

22/08/2020

Some favourites from last year. Enjoy!

Edited to add, find the non-Spaniel in there!

10/08/2020

Taken at Abbeystead

10/08/2020

These photos were taken 2 years ago at Abbeystead Estate. Enjoy!

06/08/2020

And double WOW!

06/08/2020

Wow!

20/07/2020

Shout out if you fancy some cards with your favourite breeds on.

20/07/2020

Just to remind you what you are missing, often copied, far from bettered.

06/06/2020

https://www.facebook.com/Lukes-Cancer-Kickin-Crew-102836058127820/

Follow Luke through his journey, and help us to raise funds as we go.

31/03/2020

When your wife is an artist.......

I went on a Cheshire based photography day a couple of years ago and I took this picture on my pretty basic kit. There were 2 guys with dogs who allowed us the privilege of taking their photos, i only know one was called David. Anyway, my wife decided that she loved this photo, and reproduced it in pastels.

Enjoy! And feel free to share. The missus will go mad if I dont mention her, Nina Houslay, Drawn By Nina, look her up!

20/03/2020

A photo from this time last year. I'm sure you'll agree it's a cracker! I could say natural light, manual settings and not over-edited, but I think you know that's how we roll.

Enjoy!

18/02/2020

Those ears!

01/02/2020

As we have moved into 2020 we have had some changes in the way we will use our photography in the future. Due to family illness Duncan will not be out taking photos for a while. We also will no longer be in a position to spend vast amounts of time promoting clubs by taking photographs, editing said photographs, and posting them for clubs to freely use for publicity and fundraising. We intend to focus on enjoying photographing our own and our very close friends dogs only.

We are available to photograph by prior arrangement either single dogs, groups of dogs, or events, but this will no longer be free of charge, and certainly will not be without prior arrangement.

Good luck in your ventures for 2020, whatever they may be.

Duncan and family.

12/12/2019

Black dog photograph. This is a lovely candid shot of one of my own dogs. While the background isn't great, this dog is particularly difficult to get a good photograph of due to her being solid black. But it Is a good example to see how the white flower pot in the background helps show off the dog. Yet she is quite lost on the grey as there isn't as much of a contrast.

07/12/2019

A lovely cocker pup to brighten up your day. This isn't a studio shot, it's just a shot holding a pup up against a black sofa, inside our home. It turned out ok though! Note, this pup is now 2 years old! Time flies

24/11/2019

As the winter nears and the light fades low light becomes an issue. Sometimes though you can get a really good shot and this was one of those times. As always my photos are taken on manual settings, always challenging in changing light, but this time I cracked it!

19/11/2019

I looked across the fields today and saw nothing but ice. Thankfully I have a few shots like this to remind me of summer.

17/11/2019

Autumn is well and truly upon us. Sometimes Autumn colours can be a great backdrop, here's a couple I have taken, both very different. Enjoy, Duncan

06/11/2019

It's a bit soggy out there!

Manual settings and a soaking wet dog, you wouldn't think it would make a good shot but it did.

04/11/2019

I tried to caption this. I came up with 'here's looking at you kid', 'on the lookout', 'thanks for watching', and 'reflections of you and me'
Manual settings, as always.

28/10/2019

Beautiful example of a spaniel, with a very soft look to the background. I love this portrait. As always taken on manual settings. Enjoy! Duncan.

27/10/2019

Hungarian Wirehaired Viszla photos, a small selection of. Enjoy! Duncan.

23/10/2019

One of my favourites.

22/10/2019

The German Shorthaired Pointer, as you can see, I am a fan! Enjoy some of the shots I have taken of this lovely breed of HPRs. I have lots more of GSPs so another time I'll post some more. There are a few headshots here that I'm particularly fond of. I don't really follow the trends of Insta style photography, preferring a more classical shot, but hey that's my choice and some of these shots in particular reflect that.

21/10/2019

I'm really lucky that this picture turned out so lovely, it's just our pup, positioned on a black leather sofa, and the light was just right, I love the soft sheen on her fur.

20/10/2019

I love this photo, such a cute one! Can't quite decide whether he is having a laugh or a yawn!

15/10/2019

The Clumber, beautiful dogs.

14/10/2019

It's not always black and white.

11/10/2019

Photos taken in a variety of light conditions. The light often changes very quickly and when shooting on manual, it can be a challenge to concentrate on keeping the settings right for the light.

10/10/2019

Go on then, just one dog today! Naturally lit, manual, no tripod, limited editing and as natural as it comes! The wonderful black Labrador!

10/10/2019

It's not just about the dogs! Sometimes I have to just stop and take something like this. No tripod, manual, low light levels, no over-editing.

07/10/2019

Action shots! I love nothing better than getting a chance to take photos of dogs in action. It's a challenge sometimes, especially in dappled light, but often I'll think if it was my dog I'd love to see it, rather than think hmm the lights not perfect I won't share it. Here are a couple of shots I really enjoyed taking. Again, no tripod, not overedited to look un-natural, and all on manual.

06/10/2019

Tonight Duncan is working his 5th 12 hour shift in 5 days, he is paying back a swap to take photos xx I am missing him, Nina xx

PS I think his photos are worth it xx

05/10/2019

Spaniels! Well what can I say.

My wife is the spaniel fan in our home, and think partly that's because they can be a nightmare to photograph! Cockers especially. They hunt in longer grass, bracken, and woodland etc, but that makes my job very difficult. You would not believe the number of times I've had to scrap a perfectly good photo of a spaniel, because half of it is lost in cover. They are fast, small and easily lost.

Here are a few of my spaniel photos. Get out there and give it a go, all this get down on the ground stuff ain't going to work with a spaniel! If I got down on the ground I'd never see the dog!

On the plus side, get a good photo of a spaniel and it can be amazing! Here are a few, again, no tripod, no lying on the floor, no auto settings, and no over-editing. Enjoy, Dunc.

04/10/2019

My wife and I were chatting with friends today. My wife (an artist, Drawn by Nina is her page name, check it out!), well she was asked if she had any portraits of our dogs. It started me thinking that, all too often, we take pictures of everyone else's dogs (or draw in my wife's case) but we never seem to publicise what we do with our own. Anyway, here is a short (and incomplete) selection of photos of my own dogs. I hope you take as much enjoyment from them as I do. As always, no tripod, all on manual, minimal editing and as natural as possible.

Oh, and please feel free to love, like, comment or share! Thank you, Dunc

03/10/2019

Black! Again both shots in different conditions, both taken on manual settings (no auto here!). No tripod, just me and my camera, and minimal editing. Black dogs can be tricky to capture, but if you get it right they shine. I think both of these photos show that. Enjoy!

02/10/2019

Another photo recently taken, again manual settings with no tripod using the same lens as the last shot uploaded. Not over-edited to give unrealistic colours, this is all dog and nature. As a Weimaraner owner of over 20 years (my last one died about 5 years ago now) I think I've captured a true representation of the breed, athletic, focused and beautiful.

02/10/2019

Taken from quite a distance, on manual settings, and still in focus. Telephoto lens, no tripod. This is a low res version of this image.