Skipper Update 2018

Here's an update to my Skipper Butterfly blog I posted earlier this year. I have photographed them for 8 years now. Hoping to do so for many years to come!

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Skippers 2017

Here's an update to my Skipper Butterfly blog I posted June '16. I have photographed them for 7 years now. Hoping to do so for many years to come!

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Saal Digital GalleryArt Print

GalleryArt Print by Saal Digital

 In this blog post, I will review the print I received from Saal Digital. They have numerous options for prints on their website including posters which come in Silk, Pearl, Metallic finishes and more. They also have an array of other products such as calendars, prints, books and cards. 

Today I am reviewing one of the Wall Decors. More specifically, the GalleryPrint. Here are the stats for this particular print.

• Thickness: direct print on acrylic glass (2mm), backed with an Alu-Dibond panel (3mm)

• Features: available in glossy or matte finish

• Sizes: 10 x 15 cm to 100 x 200 cm, custom size available
• Wall mount: different options available

Showing the two layers 

I ordered a 30 x 45 print. Ordering was easy & straightforward; all I had to do first was download install their own printmaking software. This took a few minutes. After it was installed & started up I then navigated through to the particular print I wanted to purchase. The software then took me to a screen with a blank canvas where I could upload my photos. I choose the option to upload from my PC & within seconds my print was on screen for me to see. With a few tweaks to the crop, I then went through the process of purchasing the print. I used PayPal which is relatively simple and within minutes my order had gone through. I got a little dialog reminding me to navigate back to the software so that my order could be uploaded successfully. Depending on your internet speed this could take a few seconds to a few minutes. After mine was finished, I got a confirmation email in my inbox.

Showing the beautiful mirror finish

A couple of days later I received my gorgeous print through the post. It was the first time I'd ordered anything like this so I wasn't sure what to expect. I wasn't disappointed, the quality of the print blew me away. I had chosen the gloss option and the finish was absolutely mirror perfect. The packaging was completely protective yet sleek, and there was a little film strip over the entire print that peeled away perfectly to reveal the gorgeous surface. The colours that presented themselves were true to life, exactly how they were on my screen & exactly as in real life.

Overall I was 100% satisfied with everything from this company, from the software to the design process to how easy it was to order. 

Cheetham Park, Stalybridge

Hello everyone!
It's getting chilly isn't it? I went for a little morning wander with my Dad and boyfriend on Sunday 2nd October. We do this around this time of the year. We look for conkers. It's fair to say we came home with more than a handful...

Here are a few images I took yesterday. Keep an eye on my Flickr for more coming in the next few days.

Skipper butterflies 2016

Here's an update to my Skipper Butterfly blog I posted June '15. I have photographed them for 6 years now. Hoping to do so for many years to come!

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Saal Digital Photobook Review

Hello all! I'm here today to share a review of a little photobook which I designed using Saal Digital's software! I'm going to review my experience from start to finish and I'll share a couple of photos too.

 So firstly, I'm going to talk about the software. I downloaded the software from their website (here) and it installed fairly quickly. I would say if you've got a quick connection then including install you're probably going to be up and running within 5 minutes. 

On opening the software you're pretty much thrust into the action. You choose your book size, your paper weight, your amount of pages & you're off to a flying start. You've got the option to import from a number of places but I would have liked an option of being able to import from Flickr. I imported my photographs and you have options to let the software auto-place your photographs onto the photobook or you can choose to do it yourself. I chose to do it myself. You then have many options of layout and design. I played around with a few of these but I prefer big wide open spreads. I played around and eventually put together my photobook. I designed my own front and back cover using Photoshop but I reckon it's probably easy enough to put together something using the software. 

The payment was so quick that I'd almost forgotten that I'd actually checked out! The book arrived 5 days later (it came from Germany so pretty speedy!). It came really well packaged, wrapped in a protective plastic wrap and then in it's own sealed plastic bag. 

 So now onto the book itself. I choose the option of landscape and it was the size, when open, of two A4 pieces of paper stuck together at the short side. I've added some images in below but it's hard to get an accurate view of how long it is. On first impressions I was impressed. The quality is really quite stunning. I went for a matte cover which on reflection requires some degree of care not to get fingerprints on it as they do show up. Inside is glossy and it really does show off your images! The colours are spot on and really do become eye-catching! I love that the book spreads flat too which really helps show of your images really well instead of having that annoying fold in the middle.

If I were to pay for this book (I got it free as part of reviewing it!) then I would find that £40 is a little steep. However the quality really is excellent and for a one-off then the price probably isn't too bad. If you were ordering quite a few of these then the price would probably be a bit hefty. Overall I'm impressed with how easy the software was to use and was impressed with the quality of the book itself. Do check out Saal Digital and give them a go!

If there's anything I've missed or anything you'd like to know, please leave a comment! 

My top 5 of 2015.

Thanks for coming to my blog. Here are my top 5 favourite photos from 2015. Check out my website for more of my photos. www.purplefacephotography.co.uk :)

#5 Blue Tit in Tree

This photo is one of those once in a lifetime shots. It was taken quickly & with carelessness but it turned out surprisingly well. The fact the bird is about to take off too makes the shot a little more interesting.

#4 Milky Way from Anglesey

This is a shot I've wanted to get for a long time. It is my no means perfect but to actually see the milkyway from a little town in Anglesey was breathtaking. I'll be going back here in 2016 for sure.

#3 Grebe in Golden Hour

I took this on a camping weekend with my Dad and my other half. I love this shot because it represents the weekend itself - tranquil, quiet & at one with nature. Lazy summer days.

#2 Blackpool Tower & Red Arrows 

I adore this shot because it represents my childhood of watching planes & being in Blackpool with my grandparents. I love the little bit of blue sky where the red arrows are. I love the whole composition & the vast amounts of people in the background.

#1 Aurora from Ashton-under-Lyne

This shot is something special. Never in a million years would I have expected to photograph the aurora literally up the road from where I live. And to actually see it with my naked eye was completely amazing. I have never been happier! I've seen the aurora in Sweden but to actually see it in Manchester was an experience I'll never ever forget.