At the age of 16 Paul Howard started 4-year “Tool making” apprenticeship back in 1972 but in 1983 a hobby changed his life. That of photography. 40 years on he has had published, photographs and stories in national and local newspapers some being on the front page of both tabloid and broadsheet newspapers also magazines. Paul has photographed over 500 weddings.

Living through the digital revolution in the photography world. He has had to keep up with the changes, which altered his working methods drastically. Trying to keep up with the latest camera or mobile phone can be daunting, but Paul helps guests understand how to use what they have and possibly improve on what they are photographing.

For over 15 years, Paul has been entertaining and educating guests on many cruises also organisations around Northamptonshire and has had many letters and emails from the passengers thanking him for his easy to understand talks. On most cruises Paul goes the extra "nautical mile!" and at the end of every talk, he gives (TT) a Tip and a Task for that day, also produces slideshows at the various ports of call to demonstrate the techniques he has shown in his previous talks.

Being self-taught, he knows how to put across his teaching skills in a very down to earth way that appeals to those that aren't technically minded, but also the serious amateur won't be disappointed. If needed, Paul can take small groups around the ship showing how different photographic techniques can be employed if time allows.

Everyday (camera, phone & tablet) Photography talks, by Photographer, Paul Howard
These talks can be rearranged in any order if required.
Guests can have “one to one” advice after the talk if they wish.
I have a library of photographs from many previous Lecture trips to most of the ports, if not all, which I can include within some of my talks and slides shows.

1. From Toolmaker to Image maker
How a hobby became a 40-year career and some of the celebrities Royals & personalities I have photographed and the background behind some national front-page photos.

2.What type of Digital camera suits you?
Explain to those who want to upgrade their digital camera or just want to know what’s on the market in very simple terms the pro’s and con’s of owning one of the new series of today’s cameras and which might be “best” for the cruise.
Illustrate simply what has replaced film within digital cameras. Various methods of holding a camera so as to get better results.

3. What? Take my camera or smartphone off Auto! Why?
Explain what most of the settings on modern day digital cameras and smart phones mean, also why and when you would want to use them. Seeing examples of what effect different settings have on a scene, which usually include photos of the different ports of call.

4. Sticking to rules, and breaking rules of basic scene composition.
Show what the rule of thirds means to a photo and when to break it! When to use flash, or reflectors, look at ways of taking a photo from the same position but making totally different scenes by changing the angle of view (using some destinations photos to illustrate) and other tips.
Explain the basic pro’s and con’s of owning one of today’s digital camera opposed to your mobile phone or tablet with illustrations as to which might be “best” for the cruise.

5. Get a Picasso from Picasa
Using a free program that anyone can download from the internet, show how simple photo editing can be achieved by just a few clicks of the mouse. Many times showing guests examples from their day in port.

6. Useful tablet and smartphone Apps.
There are many "apps" on the internet that can be used in connection with photography on your phone or tablet, and Paul demonstrates a few that are very useful, even showing how to convert your old black and white photos to colour and removing people from your photo!

7. Adobe Photoshop unwrapped in layman’s language!
Using Adobe Photoshop show how to clone out unwanted bits of your photo, replace dull sky’s, crop photos to different sizes, show how to “open eyes”, change colours and other tips on improving your photos.

8. The story behind the story.
Showing what lead up to a news story that I had published in either a local or national newspaper or magazine. Some sad some funny, and some that you’d never think would make news but did!

Over the past 10+ years I have had the privilege to be the "guest speaker" on various cruise ships and while there I have presented PowerPoint talks and slideshows, on the subject that touches everyone, be they beginners or seasoned amateur photographers.
I shed light on how they can look at subjects from different viewpoints and how to enhance what they have already taken. I have be fortunate to have received many emails from past guests complimenting me on how simply and easily I put across to them the pleasures of photography.
It's not only cameras these days that people take photos with, so demonstrate how to get the best out of "tablets and mobile phones". Also I can take limited size groups around the ship showing them “hands on” demonstrations.

PREVIOUS CRUISES:
Fred Olsen Balmoral L2328 In Search of the Northern Lights from Southampton 21st Dec 2023 for 14 nights.
Fred Olsen Balmoral L2324 Canary Islands £0th Oct 2023 from Southampton for 15 nights
Fred Olsen Borealis S2320 Discovering the Scenic Amalfi Coast from Southampton 17th Sept 2023 for 16 nights
Fred Olsen Balmoral L2219A Cities & Islands of Sweden, Estonia & Latvia 16th July / 29th July 2022
Saga Spirit of Discovery SD064 An Arctic Aurora - February 27th / 13th March 2022
Fred Olsen Black Watch W1929 Canaries Christmas & New Year Southampton - December 22nd / 7th Jan 2019-20
Fred.Olsen Braemar M1920 - Norwegian Fjords - Southampton to Southampton - 14 Aug 2019 / 22 Aug 2019
Fred.Olsen Balmoral L1909 - Best of the Fjords - Newcastle to Newcastle - 28 May 2019 / 4 June 2019
Fred.Olsen Balmoral L1839 - Canaries at Christmas - Southampton to Southampton - 21 Dec 2018 / 5 Jan 2019
Fred.Olsen Braemar M1815 - Arctic Russia and Northern Norway - Southampton to Southampton - 12 June 2018 / 28 June 2018
Fred.Olsen Balmoral M1805 - Caribbean and the Tropic of Cancer - Bridgetown to Southampton - 1 March 2018 / 17 March 2018
Fred.Olsen Black Watch W1702 - Around the World - Southampton to Bridgetown - 3 Jan 2017 / 4 Jan 2017
Fred.Olsen Boudicca D1718 - Exploring the Fjords of Greenland - Liverpool to Liverpool - 14 Aug 2017 /2 8 Aug 2017

Over the years as a Cruise Ship Guest Speaker I have gained a large library of photographs from different ports of call. I can use these to demonstrate some of the techniques that I talk about, which helps the guests relate to where they are going or where they have just been.This sometime helps when they are deciding to book "shore excursions".

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.