Through the Lens: Photo tips from the professionals

Phillip Blackman, of Crowfield, has received international attention in the last few weeks after starting a new business making Undead Teds, or zombified Teddy bears, and selling them on the craft site Etsy.com. This teddy was a customer's childhood toy and sent to Blackman to zombify. (Image: Archant)

The Archant Suffolk photographer said: “Modern day shepherd for the National Trust, Andrew Capell and his dog, Kite, led their flock from Orford Ness to Dunwich Heath before the area got too flooded for them to graze.

Amanda Moore is going to attempt to break the hula hooping world record. Amanda is pictured in Sudbury. (Image: Archant)

“I really loved shooting this feature. It was a very cold, cloudy day but that added to the atmosphere of the piece. It is always interesting going over to Orford Ness and is different every time.

Shepherd Andrew Capell and his dog, Kite, preparing to drive his herd from Orford Ness to Dunwich Heath before the area gets too flooded for them to graze. (Image: Archant)

“My favourite photograph from this feature is where I have gone up high and shot Andrew walking along with the sheep and Kite. I feel this encapsulated the whole story in one photograph and just has something about it that I love.”

Sharing her expertise, Sarah added: “Always be prepared. Warm clothes, wellies and waterproofs for yourself and your gear. Once you are there you can’t just pop back to the car!”

Phil Morley was this week set the task of photographing a hula-hooper who is attempting to beat the world record.

He said: “It was a freezing cold afternoon when Amanda Moore arrived at the office. Armed with her legwarmers and an armful of hula hoops we went to the Market Hill in Sudbury.

“We were already drawing strange looks before she started hula-hooping. Once she started people kept stopping to talk so the photo shoot took longer than anticipated and Amanda, who was wearing a strappy top, was starting to shiver.

“Despite this, she offered to lie on her back and twirl the hoop on her foot.

“How can a photographer refuse such an offer? One of the images was used on the front, with two more photos used inside. It still makes me smile when go into a shop and see my photo on the front page of the newspaper.”

Sharing his secret for the perfect shot, Phil said: “I opted for a low viewpoint for a dramatic angle, and made sure the shutter speed was fast enough to freeze the hoop.”

Su Anderson was set a very unusual assignment - photographing the creator of Undead Teds.

She said: “I photographed Phillip Blackman, of Crowfield, who has garnered international attention for a product he calls Undead Teds. The artist and illustrator has found a niche in the market selling his zombified teddy bears on the craft marketplace Etsy.

“Mr Blackman took to tearing off teddy bears’ limbs, eyes and other body parts then converting them into undead creatures, using polymer clay and a lot of red paint to make them even more gruesome.

“As you can see, Mr Blackman’s training in movie effects is clearly coming in handy. One bear is based on a zombie from the first season of The Walking Dead. I think he should name it The Crawling Ted. “

Su’s tip: “Mr Blackman’s workshop is in his spare bedroom making manoeuvring a bit difficult. Try using a wide lens in these situations or lean against the furthest wall to fit the subject into the frame like I did in this photo.”

See our gallery, top right, for more shots from these assignments.