Release Issued by Shugborough:
Estate Offers Photography Advice From The Late Patrick Lichfield
Editor's comment: As with all photo competitions, DPNow urges all potential competitors to read the terms and conditions before entering their work in case a claim is made on the use or copyright of your pictures. Also, beware of any subsequent offers that ask you to pay for items that result from competitions before parting with any cash.
The Staffordshire home of the late Patrick Lichfield has released a selection of his top photography tips to help entrants in a national photography competition.
Every visitor taking part in the Shugborough Photography Competition - which celebrates the life and work of Patrick Lichfield - will be handed his top ten hints during their time at the estate.
The Shugborough organisers are hoping the advice from the late Earl of Lichfield will help visitors to the tourist attraction get the absolute best out of their cameras.
The competition is being run in conjunction with Olympus UK Ltd, Heart of England Tourism and the world famous Lichfield Studios.
The category winners will receive very generous prizes from Olympus - who had a longstanding association with Lord Lichfield.
All photographs must be taken at Shugborough and judging categories include People, Gardens and Architecture. There are also categories for entrants below 18 years old.
Patrick Lichfield's Top Ten Photography Tips are:
1. "Remember that the person you are photographing is 50% of the portrait and you are the other 50%."
2. "You need the model as much as he or she needs you. If they don't want to help you, it will be a very dull picture."
3. "The last shot of the day usually is your best shot."
4. "Master your technique. This allows you to be as creative as possible."
5. "On sunny days shoot your model in open shade, not direct sunlight."
6. "When the sky is overcast use reflectors to bounce light onto the model's face."
7. "Interact with your model to put them at ease. This will help you get better results."
8. "Use a long lens for a more flattering perspective. Too short and it can make the model's nose look huge."
9. "For group portraits I keep a whistle in my pocket and quickly blow it and get there surprised looks then quickly followed by their laughter."
10. "A good photographer will know the most flattering angles but generally it is not standing square on to the lens. Most people look best three quarters facing the camera, with their shoulder towards it and the head turned."
Shugborough is also featuring a high profile exhibition of some of Lord Lichfield's most famous works. These were taken throughout his remarkable career from the 1960s through to his last advertising commission, photographing Dame Helen Mirren shortly before his death in November 2005.
The images span the globe from Nicole Kidman in Australia to Princess Margaret at home in Mustique, to the picture of Britt Ekland, which was shot at Shugborough.
Full details on the Shugborough Photography Competition, the Patrick Lichfield Exhibition and visiting the Complete Working Historic Estate of Shugborough can be found at www.shugborough.org.uk or by telephoning +44 1889 881 388.
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