What’s Michelle doing now?

January 2011, Investigating High Dynamic Range photography

I've always been a perfectionist and found HDR contrived, however due to high demand in this field - especially for interior shots that show exterior views - High Dynamic Range is an excellent tool for combining low interior light levels with intense exterior light (especially here in Andalucia). It was simply impossible to achieve such a contrast on film without endless banks of lights and unattractive shadows. So just to let you know, I'm on the HDR case. So just to let you know, I'm on the HDR case. Sunset shots can also come into their own with HDR photography, I´ve commenced with Casares.

HDR image of the white village of Casares, captured at sunset

January 2011 Spanish Orange and lemon Harvest

The Andalusian countryside is alive in January and if you have ever had a fantasy of skipping through an orange or lemon grove, now is the time. If photographing citrus fruits is your aim, I would highly recommend a reflector, back lit angles work well.

January 2011, Snow in Andalucia, Spain.

Yes, believe it not, it does snow in southern Spain! Ronda, just inland from the Costa del Sol, received a really good covering of snow this year. Which made venturing out to the region, and surrounding villages of the Sierra de las Nieves nature reserve, a must for capturing the snowy landscapes. The villages of Yunquera, El Burgo and Alozaina were all captured on camera. Snow can fool your camera sensor - don't forget to allow for at least a third to a half extra stop for the added glare.

Snow on the Sierra de las nieves

January 2011, Parador Hotel, Ronda, Andalucia, Spain. Stock photography

Once a classic shot, always a classic shot.

This is one of my favourite destinations to escape to. The Parador is perched high above the famous Ronda gorge, so staying there brings guaranteed spectacular views.

The magnificent Tajo of Ronda