Food photography keeps taste buds alive in the studio

                            Westcountry food produce - All food images by food and drink photographer Guy Harrop

Bajan smiles and fresh fish in Barbados

A flying fish - official national fish of Barbados

Fresh dolphin (mahi-mahi) in Bridgetown fish market in Barbados

Barbados is filled with beautiful surprises and experiences, both in the ocean and on land. Photographer Guy Harrop was there recently, spending time with the locals in one of the busiest markets on the island in the capital city Bridgetown on the south west coast.

"Travelling in Barbados, and catching the brightly coloured reggae bus to the capital is an experience. It costs $2 Barbados dollars flat fee, crammed in standing or sat listening to the local soca reggae blaring loudly out the speakers - it was 6.30am and the driver was in a hurry. Time is money and the bus drivers on the morning routes across the island certainly don't hang around. You flag a yellow bus down, a conductor hastily beckons you on, you hop on, find a seat if you can and a conductor then comes round calculating fares giving change from his back pocket. Morning island life is fun and fast.

Bridgetown bus station is bustling, traders everywhere line the streets, fish cakes cooking in makeshift fat fryers, colourful fruits you have never seen, and an array of chillies to spice up the hottest appetite. Welcome to the capital where smiling people push supermarket trollies full of giant mahi-mahi, tuna, flying fish, shark,  kingfish - this is the hub they call Bridgetown fish market.

The first thing that struck me was the lack of smell and when the boats are literally 10ft away, fish does not get fresher than this. People queue up next to giant containers, rummaging through the ice to find the best cuts of fish, loading supermarket trolleys off to be weighed before loading up their vans/cars to then sell on to restaurants or smaller markets. Fishmongers skinned and filleted the larger fish with machetes, while the smaller flying fish were gutted and stacked in bowls for sale. On the dockside a man lectured the fishermen on the righteousness of God as they hosed off their boats. Bajan smiles everywhere, happy in their jobs."

delicious cakes keep devon food photographer happy in the studio

Westcountry PR photographer Guy Harrop loves nothing better than shooting food all day in the studio. So when a client recently asked him to produce and stylise a set of various muffin shots he had his hands full in the kitchen (camera in one hand and icing sugar and strawberries in the other) - beautiful. 

Devon PR photographer having fun with glass balloon lights in the studio

Several photos from a previous set taken in the studio with some fabulous glass balloons and a model

from a bespoke glass designer. All photos Guy Harrop

Devon and Cornwall food photographer enjoying fresh fish, cooking and local markets.

A couple of photos from a recent studio food photoshoot of fish. In the Westcountry we are lucky to be completely surrounded by saltwater which means the freshest and most beautiful fish are literally on our doorstep. International award winning food photographer Guy has a passion for fish, both as a subject for clients and an ongoing personal project travelling across continents photographing fishermen, their catches and fish markets. Also it tastes damn good, recently Guy was in Barbados learning some Caribbean fish cooking skills - marinading and frying fish in hot spices, herbs and fruit juices. 

Buying local keeps the fresh meat traceable in the Westcountry

Shapland and Searle butchers, South Molton , Devon. Westcountry family butcher John Searle outside his traditional butcher's shop in South Molton. Photos from a recent commission of meat producers in the Westcountry by food photographer Guy Harrop.

Snow blocks more UK roads as winter keeps it's hold across parts of Devon and Cornwall

        PIC BY GUY HARROP 24/01/13. Snow ploughs/blowers work to clear the A39 between Porlock and Lynton which was blocked overnight by snowdrifts.

PIC BY GUY HARROP  24/01/13. A signpost buried in snow drift on Exmoor which had heavy snowfall overnight

PIC BY GUY HARROP  24/01/13. A signpost buried in snow drift on Exmoor which had heavy snowfall overnight

PIC BY GUY HARROP  24/01/13. A frosted up signpost on Exmoor which had heavy snow overnight

    PIC BY GUY HARROP  24/01/13. A brave cyclist pushes his bike through snow on the A39 which was blocked due to snow causing havoc on Devon Somerset border

 PIC BY GUY HARROP  24/01/13. A frosted sign on the Devon Somerset border

 PIC BY GUY HARROP  24/01/13. Drivers dig out a van stuck on the A39 Devon Somerset border which was impassable overnight due to snow

PIC BY GUY HARROP 24/01/13. A quad bike on Exmoor as heavy snowfall caused problems in the area

PIC BY GUY HARROP 24/01/13. A farmer struggles across open moorland on Exmoor as heavy snowfall caused problems in the area

Devon PR photographer Guy Harrop was up early on Exmoor shooting weather pictures yesterday with several photos in todays national papers both in print and online. The roads were impassable due to fresh snow and drifts, but luckily Guy was able to walk to where the worst snow had collected to get his photos after abandoning his car in a lay-by. It was also a beautiful day for a hike.

Frozen trees on a winter's day

Gnarled trees on Exmoor frozen in winter. Photo Guy Harrop 21/01/13

The snow covered landscape keeps the temperatures low in the UK

PIC BY GUY HARROP 21/01/13. A car drives through a wintry scene on the A39 near Polock, Somerset

 PIC BY GUY HARROP 21/01/13. A car travels through a winter forest on the A39 between Lynton and Porlock, Somerset

     An untreated road still closed above Porlock, Somerset Photo Guy Harrop 21/01/13

PIC BY GUY HARROP 21/01/13. Exmoor cream tea sign in snow at Exford, Somerset

Devon photographer captures the beauty of winter on Exmoor

A winter scene at the weekend on Exmoor as a 4x4 vehicle passes under snow covered trees near Simonsbath, Somerset. PIC BY GUY HARROP