Filming from the Sky and an Illuminated Bus

Two exciting projects this month. Testing an aerial filming system in the Langdale Valley and shooting a new short documentary film in Windermere, both in the sunny and very hot as it was Lake District. The first project was working alongside Dave Hipkiss from Up Above Ltd. who owns and operates a variety of aerial filming systems to offer an alternative and more economical alternative to helicopter shooting.

The second project was for the South Lakes Youth for Christ and involved working with Director / Producer Tina Taylor to film and edit a short documentary about the life and work of the Light Bus which is an exciting new project centred around Windermere. We shot some amazing footage of the children who come along to enjoy this great venture.

Yummy Yummy Chocolate

April and May saw a couple of interesting jobs at opposite ends of the spectrum. A new client in Kendal in the Lake District, the famous 1657 Chocolate House was in need of some new product shots for a variety of websites... and no, I didn't eat any of the subject matter... Honestly, I didn't..!

And a little further away was the very hot destination of Bahrain for another Formula 1 race weekend. We got a very friendly reception thankfully despite the continued unrest, and there were no incidents to speak of. A very entertaining race too and some very yummy lemon and mint drinks to chill off in the evening. Not forgetting of course the very welcoming and cooling sight of the hotel swimming pool which was made good use of. Driving was interesting, my first time in Bahrain. Normally I love driving abroad but this was just plain crazy, they have no idea at all and how there aren't more serious accidents, I have no idea.

Russian Ark

Just been watching a film called 'Russian Ark', remarkable if only for the fact that it was shot entirely in one day, on a Steadicam, and in one continuous shot. Not entirely sure what it's all about but all respect to the crew and the cast, you can only guess at the logistical nightmares that kind of shoot would entail, not to mention physical exhaustion, as they were on take four by the time they got it in the can. To make matters worse, the director only spoke Russian and the DoP only spoke German so they were both followed around by a translator. Must have been a fascinating day.

Directed by Alexander Sokurov. DoP and Steadicam by Tilman Buttner.

Fishing on Watendlath Tarn

Fishing is a popular pastime at this lovely and serene spot, some 863 feet up between the Borrowdale and the Thirlmere valleys. Also a good stop off point to get a cuppa at the tea room next to the Pack Horse Bridge.

Winter Climbing in The Lakes

Some winter walking last week in the beautiful and inspiring mountains of the fabulous Lake District... High Pike was my destination but I only made it to the summit of Low Pike before I ran out of time to get back in daylight. Still, an amazing day as the sun cleared through the cloud on the way up.

The scenery was spectacular, as was the snow, and it had drifted heavily in several places. The crampons were on for most of the climb and it was pretty icy in places, not to mention the peaty bog that I inadvertently stumbled into, right up to my knee. Managed to escape its clutches though thankfully.

Stuff like this is just great for the soul.

Commercial Photographers Lake District

Adrian Turpin is a Commercial Photographer Lake District Cumbria based. We cover Cumbria, Manchester, Glasgow and the North West. A background in lighting design for BBC Television, Theatre, Film and Photography work spanning many years, we offer you a wealth of experience of quality image making and creativity second to none. We specialise in a variety of genres with our unparalleled and innovative approach. Studio and location work. Based in Kendal and available for bookings nationwide. Please visit our website at www.adrianturpin.co.uk to see images from our portfolio and for further details. We look forward to talking to you and working with you. By Adrian Turpin

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2013

The Snowman Returns

Fantastic news, and perfect timing, just as I get my Christmas tree decorated and lit up for this years' festivities. The Snowman, one of my all time favourite Christmas stories, is returning for a sequel. Called The Snowman and The Snowdog, it is dedicated to the late John Coates, the producer behind the original Raymond Briggs classic from 1982. It's going to be shown on Christmas Eve on Channel 4 at 8pm. Can't wait.

http://www.thesnowman.co.uk/the-films/the-snowman-and-the-snowdog.html

Legacy

November has been one of our busiest months ever, the first week of which was spent doing final pre-production work for the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland's new show 'Legacy'.

The show itself was performed at the Old Fruit Market in Glasgow on Saturday 10th November. Produced once again by Alisdair McLaren and with a wealth and variety of original music with a theme running throughout.

Then it was straight onto a plane to Austin, Texas and a double bout of Formula 1 frenzy to end a very exciting season with the penulimate race at the new circuit in the States and the season closer at Sao Paulo in Brazil. There was some very wise wildlife living at the circuit in Sao Paulo....!!

Commercial Photographer in the Lake District

For a Commercial Photographer Lake District based, you can't do any better than come to ATLD Photographic, www.adrianturpin.co.uk/photography, we offer the best service and creativity around. We'll listen to your requirements, interpret them in a way that gives you images that are going to work hard to sell or promote your business or product. Vast experience in photography and lighting, a skill essential to successful commercial photography, ensures the best for you.

The sky has fallen... have now seen the new Bond thriller, enjoyed it immensely, a very different kind of story, some great scenes, fantastic title sequence and awesome title track from Adele. Out of the new films, Casino Royale is difficult to beat but a cracker all the same.

'Legacy' the new show from the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland.... coming very soon to the Old Fruit Market in Glasgow.

New Delhi, India

New Delhi, India....
Tuk Tuk's, noisy, dirty, slow, chaotic... what a crazy place... but what lovely people.
Fab..!

25 Years at the BBC

25 years ago today, I joined the BBC. There's a lot of water gone under the bridge since then. There have been some great times both at the Beeb and in Glasgow, a lot of happy times, some great friends made and life changing loves found and lost, some memorable trips, lots of laughs. There have also been some sad times and, yep, a few tears along the road too. Life has moved on during the last 6 years post BBC, and the road is still twisty and not always smooth. But it is still a lot of fun, most of the time, and you never know which corner of the globe you'll be sent next or what's around the next corner.

I really don't know where all those years have gone though....

'It is certainly not a normal life, travelling and all that. But it is a nice abnormal life.'

Linda Thomson, from an interview published in People magazine, January 1975.

Singapore is Slung

Singapore night race.... hot and humid.... sleep in, stay up late....

Storms, lightning, sun, rain...

Fascinating place......

50 Golden Years

Mum and Dad celebrated their 50th Anniversary this month, an amazing milestone. They spent the week up in the beautiful Lake District where they honeymooned all those years ago. My brother Andrew also came up and spent some great days on land and on the water enjoying the scenery and some tasty food and drink too.


Congratulations Mum and Dad...!! Thank you to all friends and family who sent them messages and cards, they loved them all and were also treated to not one, but two mentions on the radio, their first ever, thanks to Tony James and Dan Beale at Lakeland Radio, www.lakelandradio.co.uk

An excellent week.... we all love the Lakes...!!

A beautiful day for a climb up The Old Man of Coniston, a new climb for me and a fab view from the top. Walking along the ridge to Swirl How also reveals an amazing panorama across to Scafell Pike and the Crinkle Crags. Fantastic...!!

Turnberry Seniors Tour won by Fred Couples. Pics here of the Turnberry Resort, Langer putting on the 8th and Lyle teeing off on the precarious 9th. It's been many years since I worked on golf, back in the old BBC days at Gleneagles in fact.

Born to Run

A great Springsteen gig down at the Isle of Wight festival. He has so much energy, what a great entertainer. Non stop hit after hit and a Beatles cover and fireworks to finish too. Fantastic entertainment. Also loved Madness, Big Country and Joan Armatrading.

A great afternoon was spent today in Keswick catching up with my great friend (and mentor from the old BBC days) George Ferguson and his lovely wife Stella... who I've never met before. It was brilliant to see them both and reminisce about some of our memorable moments at the Beeb.... when George added a rather vivid #111 bright Pink to all my carefully orchestrated blues during Edwyn Collin's performance of '50 Shades of Blue' is a moment I will never forget..!

So funny... a great Lighting Director, a great friend and he is certainly one of a kind.