Rome in Winter

I recently spent some time in Rome! A map and good walking shoes are the best way to explore Rome. Outside the Pantheon on Piazza della Rotonda is a very good place to start.

Sometimes its hard to tell where the souvenir stalls end and the Trevi Fountain begins. But even with the noticeable drop in tourist numbers, everyone trows a coin in the fountain so that one day they might return to Rome.

While we in Ireland have been trying to cope with austerity measures for the past few years, cuts only began to bite in Italy before Christmas, when the Berlusconi government fell. The number of people sleeping rough on the streets has noticeably increased. These trainee priests were reciting the Rosary as they walked past the lady with the alms cup.

I don't know if it is a sign of cutbacks or just the immaculate taste of the Romans, but Fiat 500s seem to be the car of choice for weddings this winter. This beauty was on Piazza Popolo.

What I think makes Rome so special is the friendly people, be it in the markets, the streets and the amazing restaurants. Ciao Carolina, Fabrizio, Igor e Guido!

And then there are the cafes. The baristas become a blur as they make countless perfect espressos at la Tazza D'Oro.

Mind you it is a strange experience to stand beside a gladiator at a cafe bar! These particular warriors seem to be guarding the Spanish Steps!

For me all roads lead back to the corinthian columns of the Pantheon, on Piazza della Rotonda. It was built by the Emperor Hadrian nearly two thousand years ago and is still functioning as a church. The enormous dome was the largest in the world for almost 1500 years, until Michelangelo came up with his design for the dome of St Peters.

Sipping a spritz in a cafe opposite Bernini's fountain of the four Rivers, in Piazza Navona is a good place to finish any trip.  Arrivederci Roma - until the next time!

Portrait Photography in Dublin

When Catherine's parents gave her a present of a gift voucher for a portrait session with me, it gave her a great chance to experience life in front of the camera as well as behind it. Catherine is a very talented first year photography student and we had a lot of fun trying different lighting setups on a cool, damp afternoon. Here are just a few of the different looks we achieved. 

Catherine's friend Jessie, assisted for the afternoon and also helped to make one of my favorite images of the day.

Urban Landscape - Dublin

Another image from the "Coast" project. Blackrock Baths, Co. Dublin.

Noel Hillis Portrait Photography

This is a good time to revisit some of my favourite images from last year. These photos didn't make it to the blog for one reason or another and are a mixture of commissioned portraits, commercial images and personal projects. As always I begin with my favorite photograph of the year. A portrait of two friends in Kenmare.

This moody portrait of Conor was just about my last children's portrait of 2011.

A favourite portrait of Ann in the soft glow of beautiful window light.

Another Ann - this time photographed in December for a wonderful new project.

Echoes of the Far East at Ladies View.

As Frédéric pointed to a rock formation, in the Bibemus Quarries just outside of Aix en Provence, it reminded me of an artist stretching up to his easel. This was where Paul Cézanne created many of his masterworks.

A low key black and white portrait, from a commercial shoot to photograph milkmen.

An architectural landscape and proof (I hope!) that with the right light, over photographed sites can be made interesting - even at mid-day!

I felt very envious of the folk relaxing in this Perpignan cafe and escaping the 30 degree heat.

Occasionally I photograph products! Healthy Provencal food and amazing award winning olive oil from Le Mas Gran Cabano. Merci Franck et Brigitte.

Gone Fishing! The joys of fly fishing in the Yorkshire Dales!

For all of its challenges, 2011 was a really enjoyable year photographically! I'd like to say thank you to all of my clients, supporters and suppliers for making that possible.  I look forward to catching up with you again during 2012.

N.

New Year Greetings

"May the light on your horizon lead you to achieve your goals and fulfill your dreams!"

Wishing you health, happiness and peace of mind for 2012.

Noel

(From Cassis - Sept 2011)

Christmas Greetings

Conference Photography in Ireland

Working as a conference photographer in Dublin is one of my specialities. Here are a selection of images from conferences that I have photographed this year.

When I document a conference for corporate or PR purposes, one of my main aims is to produce strong images which capture the ethos and atmosphere of the event. Images that tell the story of the conference while fulfilling an agreed brief.

This includes producing creative images which show the branding in an appropriate light and setting.

It is essential that a conference photographer has the ability to fade into the background and not disturb the speakers and participants when shooting. Being able to produce strong images in often very poor light is vital, as using flash is usually not an option.

Then it is important to have the strength of character to organise and direct large group photographs very quickly, often at a moments notice and do so within a time frame of 5 minutes or less.

By knowing the brief and conference timetable in detail, the key images of important business professionals, politicians and academics - who are often under extreme time pressure - can be captured as a priority.

And it is important to be able to cover multiple speaker sessions in different quiet conferences rooms, both discretely and effectively.

Creating a variety of images showing how the venue is set up is another priority.

As is producing strong portraits of the main participants.

And then to be able to deliver the specified images which tell the story of the event and which are often needed in a variety of formats, on time - every time! - is essential.

Poster sessions and break times are often where the real business is done. I really enjoy producing images that capture the interaction at these times, especially under the challenging light and time pressures that come with a conference.

In the end, it is often the charisma and personality of the keynote speakers, as well as what they said, that people remember most from a conference. The images that capture this are so important, as they become those that help to define the event.

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Thank You: I'd like to say thank you to the companies and individuals who commissioned me to photograph their conferences and events during the past year.