I won’t be popular by making this comment but can I ask Darren why he needs to virtually obliterate his images by watermarking and self promotion? Your air to air photography is outstanding, but is nonetheless on a par with other photographers who appear not to feel the need to self promote to the extent that you do. It absolutely ruins the shots you choose to share and detracts terribly from the experience of viewing them.

If it is an attempt to discourage the right click save as merchants then I don’t see that it really has any purpose. If someone wants to purchase your images they will, however, by the same token, I don’t expect that those who would save your images would be inspired to buy one because of watermarking.

Regards,

kev35

Kev,

I think you know me well enough to be aware that I enjoy feedback and will happliy respond. I am not offended by what you have said, and to be fair, it’s not the first time that such comments have been made. I do appreciatte your positive comments about the images as well, but please let me explain my reasons for the watermarking and self promotion.

Many of my images have comercial value, and I can not therefore take any risk of them appearing in publications or on someones website without my permission. I know this type of watermarking can distract from the image, but it’s a case of doing this or not posting the images on the net. I like to share the images on this site, and indeed on a few others. Generally most viewers appreciate just seeing the images, and don’t object to me promoting myself in this way. On non comercial images such as airshows, I do not watermark the images in the same way.

As for the self promotion, I am a professional photographer who gets business from peaple viewing my work. My website is an important element of that. I am sorry if this is not ideal, but I feel it neccesary to protect and drive my photography. I do the same with my model portfolio work, which also gives me a significant return.

Best regards

Darren:)

Thanks for the feedback one and all – it’s a pleasure to share the images.

The Guinot shot is over Rendcombe REF, it was taken on a very cold day back in February. I felt very sorry for Lucy, as she was very cold on the wing!

As for this next year, there are a few projects already pencilled in, so I hope to bring you more images as the year progresses.

As to my ultimate air to air – well after the Spitfire, which was always top of my list I guess the DH88 would be quite high, but the BBMF fleet would be one that I would love to shoot, as also the Red Arrows. I can but hope!!

Prints of these images are available from the Grace Spitfire website (Spitfire images obviously) and the Shuttleworth shop sell prints of thier three airframes. We hope to offer a selection throughout the season.