Ruth Lovell photographed for NEWS | University of Exeter

The University of Exeter are an especially high profile Higher Education client, who this month have published their Autumn edition of University News. Many of our photo shoots from a busy summer of photography at the University have found their way into print in this issue, so we’ve uploaded a copy for you to download as a PDF (3.1MB).  It will also be available shortly via the University’s own news area.

So we know there’s a bumper crop of our photography in this issue, but here’s a bit more detail of who’s been photographed:

• Professor Steve Smith: Vice Chancellor pictured with Luis Juste, Director of Santander Universities (UK/Portugal)
• Professor Tim Niblock: Journalist / Academic in Middle Eastern Studies
• Simon Greenberg: Public Relations Manager, Chelsea FC (Alumnus)
• Dr Elena Isayev: Historian of Ancient Italy, Dept of Classics & Ancient History
• Ruth Lovell:  Broadcast Journalist (BBC / Exeter FM) (Alumnus)
• Becky Williams: Sports scholar at opening of Sir Christopher Ondaatje Devon Cricket Centre
• Child on beach with flags for piece on Global Warming (page 3)

The photos were all taken with a Canon 5D mk2 which with it’s superb RAW file handling has given the University a library of dynamic and crystal-clear photos for their use. The shoots are often in confined spaces, so we coupled the Canon to Elinchrom’s Skyport sytem to trigger a group of craftily-placed Speedlite’s attached to an Ezybox Softbox.

Sandhurst School (Berkshire) is now distributing their new prospectus for 2009 featuring our photography, which we’re really pleased with (and OK, maybe a little biased).

Cover shot needed a very wide angle, and lots of smiles!

Having been commissioned as photographer, we worked with Designer Nick Cox who worked tirelessly to make sure all requirements of a new prospectus were adhered to, and involved the pupils in the process to boot.

Taking photographs in schools and colleges is thought to be near-impossible in these times, but Sandhurst School prepared their staff and pupils well, sending a letter home to all parents to inform them of the photo shoot, with an option to ‘opt out’ on the day if necessary.

Working over 2 visits we were able to capture a huge amount of shots thanks to careful planning from the school. They produced a wishlist of photographs required at our suggestion, split between ‘Must-have’s’ and ‘If-there’s-time’, so we could see the priority of each scenario.

We shot on a Canon, using 3 prime lenses, a variety of Metz & Canon strobe lights, and as always, utilising the Ezybox portable soft box. Time was tight, so we stuck closely to the brief and wish list. In many instances a very quick decision had to be made – as soon as entering a classroom in most instances, so the portability of the Canon EX Speedlites and Ezybox Softbox was vital, as well as plenty of caffeine ;-)

Why not have a look yourself at the final document – download the Sandhurst School Prospectus (PDF file 3.9MB)

“Tim Pestridge Photography impressed me throughout the process of producing our school prospectus.  Tim understood the brief immediately and was able to produce a stunning collection of images that really did showcase our school at its best.  Communication was first rate and images were processed with astounding efficiency – the website was excellent as a method of previewing the results of the shoot.  I was particularly impressed by the way that Tim worked with our students, enabling them to relax in front of the camera and therefore achieving a really genuine and relaxed quality in the final images.  I would thoroughly recommend Tim Pestridge Photography, they did an outstanding job for us.”
Deputy Headteacher, Sandhurst School, Berkshire