It's funny how a night out with a friend can have so much impact and change your life drastically!
One evening I went out with my friend Soirai to watch Krystle Warren performing at Foyles Cafe Bar, a well known jazz venue in Charing Cross Road.
The venue was busy - we shared a table with many people and then got chatting to a man called Greg. He was very interesting telling us about a meeting later that evening of actors and performers at the Phoenix Artists Bar across the road. Sometimes you just know when you meet someone there is a reason for you to connect. At first I thought of my friend who was looking for work and told her - I think he has a job for you!
So after Krystle had finished her set and we had praised her performance, we headed over to the bar Greg had mentioned. We had nothing to lose! We had spent so much time chatting to Krystle, that we couldn't stay too long at the Phoenix. I was interested to meet so many arty individuals, it had been a long time since I had been in this type of environment. Everyone was passionate about their art and bringing together a London Fringe Festival. How exciting I thought! I loved photographing performance and dance and thought this is an ideal opportunity for work and arranged to come back for the next meeting. At that time, I really had no idea how involved in the Fringe I would become!
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Friday, 25 June 2010
To Assist or Not To Assist
This is a question I hear all the time. Should I become an assistant or should I go straight out there as a photographer? I truly believe every photographer should assist another photographer at some point in their career. We are all learning, with every job, so why not learn how someone else does it. You may pick up some invaluable pointers!
Some people think they won't be taken seriously as a photographer if they spend all their time helping someone else further their career and reputation. The fact is, if you are assisting someone, it's because they have got to a certain point in their career which warrants the use of a 2nd person and wouldn't you want to be in that position yourself sometime soon? So you see it makes a lot of sense!
Of course you have pressures, you cannot stuff up, but it's not your head on the line if you do. You are assisting, you are not in charge! You need to develop confidence as a photographer to deliver briefs. It takes time to understand what clients want and expect and every one is different.
While assisting you may feel like a general dogsbody, carrying kit, usually lots of it, running around with props, setting up and testing lights, loading backs, chasing models and make up artists to get a move on, racing to Metro and waiting for proofs. It can be hard, but someone has to do it! Get over the victim mentality, it's a job in photography and lots of people would give their right arm for it!
Ok so it's busy, you're always on the go... USE THE OPPORTUNITY to take everything in. What kit does the photographer use, what flash set-up does he/she use? You have the advantage of seeing everything from concept to completion and you can use this knowledge in your own work.
When you assist, you are working with someone else's creativity, it doesn't have to stop your own! Some photographers I know let their assistants use their studio and equipment for their own projects. Don't you think this is a good idea? It saves on hire fees and you can always bounce your ideas around with someone who has more experience and may be able to help YOU!
Lots of photographers rush 'out there' and then fall flat on their face! You need to learn business acumen as well as how to take photos, so why not learn from a professional so you know what you're doing when it's your turn!
Some people think they won't be taken seriously as a photographer if they spend all their time helping someone else further their career and reputation. The fact is, if you are assisting someone, it's because they have got to a certain point in their career which warrants the use of a 2nd person and wouldn't you want to be in that position yourself sometime soon? So you see it makes a lot of sense!
Of course you have pressures, you cannot stuff up, but it's not your head on the line if you do. You are assisting, you are not in charge! You need to develop confidence as a photographer to deliver briefs. It takes time to understand what clients want and expect and every one is different.
While assisting you may feel like a general dogsbody, carrying kit, usually lots of it, running around with props, setting up and testing lights, loading backs, chasing models and make up artists to get a move on, racing to Metro and waiting for proofs. It can be hard, but someone has to do it! Get over the victim mentality, it's a job in photography and lots of people would give their right arm for it!
Ok so it's busy, you're always on the go... USE THE OPPORTUNITY to take everything in. What kit does the photographer use, what flash set-up does he/she use? You have the advantage of seeing everything from concept to completion and you can use this knowledge in your own work.
When you assist, you are working with someone else's creativity, it doesn't have to stop your own! Some photographers I know let their assistants use their studio and equipment for their own projects. Don't you think this is a good idea? It saves on hire fees and you can always bounce your ideas around with someone who has more experience and may be able to help YOU!
Lots of photographers rush 'out there' and then fall flat on their face! You need to learn business acumen as well as how to take photos, so why not learn from a professional so you know what you're doing when it's your turn!
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Watching and Learning - Part 1
When photography students ask me, how I became a Photographer, I tell them the process of how I became a photojournalist and how I was continually learning all the time with each situation I entered. Also my fantastic colleagues who never tired of giving me little pointers and advice along the way.
Working for newspapers, you never know where you will end up or what each day will bring. They can include the more mundane stories such as a Ribbon-Cutting event with the local Mayor, angry residents complaining about speed humps in their road, environmental issues such as dumped rubbish, Fish and Chip Shop features as in my last post and so much more.
But it's not all boring. The advantage is you can meet so many interesting people and be invited into events you could only dream of attending. There are so many amazing people out there and I feel priviledged to have met so many of them and share their stories in my job.
There are so many press jobs I remember and think wow, that was amazing! The feeling of hugging Wembley Arena stage, when I photographed the Gurjurat Earthquake Appeal Concert, walking around Watford with John and Norma Major meeting the people before having a one-on-one Q&A session with them. The excitement on children's faces as they let 100 red balloons into the sky for Comic Relief, the emotion of siblings seperated as evacuees reunited 60 years on, going underground into a reservoir which you know will be filled with water a few days later, sitting on the edge of the pitch photographing your favorite premiership football team!
Watching how other photographers work is invaluable training. You could be in any situation, at a wedding, at a Festival, or even in a local photography studio. The trick is to watch and learn! Make notes - how many cameras/lenses does the photographer use? Ask questions about their preferred equipment. How does the photographer interact with the subjects? You need confident people skills as well as competent technical skills to succeed at photography. How long did the photographer take to photograph each subject? Most of the time you need to be very quick, from meeting or viewing the subject, assessing light, which equipment to use, exposure, shutter speed, composition. A photographer has a lot to think of while he/she gains the confidence of the subject in order to direct successfully to create the shot.
One of the best ways to learn about photography is to look at exhibitions. Galleries provide the best viewing experience as you can see the image in context, framed and sometimes you can meet the photographer or curator and ask questions. The internet on the other hand is an amazing tool, you can view thousands of photographers' work without leaving your own home!
I have to say the best way to learn is by taking lots of photos and learning from your mistakes. Enrol on a good college course or join a local amateur photography group. Show your photos to others and get feedback. This is how I started and with constant positive feedback and my ability to take constructive criticism, is how I persued my hunger for learning more. To this day I am still learning. Although technologies are changing constantly, the fundamentals of photography remain the same.
Look out for my next post on becoming a Photographer's assistant.
Working for newspapers, you never know where you will end up or what each day will bring. They can include the more mundane stories such as a Ribbon-Cutting event with the local Mayor, angry residents complaining about speed humps in their road, environmental issues such as dumped rubbish, Fish and Chip Shop features as in my last post and so much more.
But it's not all boring. The advantage is you can meet so many interesting people and be invited into events you could only dream of attending. There are so many amazing people out there and I feel priviledged to have met so many of them and share their stories in my job.
There are so many press jobs I remember and think wow, that was amazing! The feeling of hugging Wembley Arena stage, when I photographed the Gurjurat Earthquake Appeal Concert, walking around Watford with John and Norma Major meeting the people before having a one-on-one Q&A session with them. The excitement on children's faces as they let 100 red balloons into the sky for Comic Relief, the emotion of siblings seperated as evacuees reunited 60 years on, going underground into a reservoir which you know will be filled with water a few days later, sitting on the edge of the pitch photographing your favorite premiership football team!
Watching how other photographers work is invaluable training. You could be in any situation, at a wedding, at a Festival, or even in a local photography studio. The trick is to watch and learn! Make notes - how many cameras/lenses does the photographer use? Ask questions about their preferred equipment. How does the photographer interact with the subjects? You need confident people skills as well as competent technical skills to succeed at photography. How long did the photographer take to photograph each subject? Most of the time you need to be very quick, from meeting or viewing the subject, assessing light, which equipment to use, exposure, shutter speed, composition. A photographer has a lot to think of while he/she gains the confidence of the subject in order to direct successfully to create the shot.
One of the best ways to learn about photography is to look at exhibitions. Galleries provide the best viewing experience as you can see the image in context, framed and sometimes you can meet the photographer or curator and ask questions. The internet on the other hand is an amazing tool, you can view thousands of photographers' work without leaving your own home!
I have to say the best way to learn is by taking lots of photos and learning from your mistakes. Enrol on a good college course or join a local amateur photography group. Show your photos to others and get feedback. This is how I started and with constant positive feedback and my ability to take constructive criticism, is how I persued my hunger for learning more. To this day I am still learning. Although technologies are changing constantly, the fundamentals of photography remain the same.
Look out for my next post on becoming a Photographer's assistant.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
First step into Photojournalism
I always wanted to produce work like the great documentary photographer Don McCullen after studying his work at college.
I approached one local regional weekly newspaper for work experience who told me I had lots of potential but they would like me to have gained experience before starting with them. Catch 22 situation!
Determined not to be put off, I approached another regional weekly (different area but still local to me) as one of my photos had been sent to them from a client. I always remember taking far too many photos with me to that first initial meeting. Less is definitely more when you are showing your portfolio!
I was given the chance to go in for a couple of days experience. On the first day I was left to my own devices and given 5 or 6 Fish & Chip shops to photograph for an Advertorial piece on the best Chippy in the area. After the fourth one I was starving so I took advantage of the free chips they offered. Returning to the office with my processed film, I was shown the ropes on how to scan the negs and had my first introduction to Photoshop!
They were happy with my photos and asked me to go back. I will never forget the moment when the Chief Photographer said to me, 'Don't forget to invoice us!' I was elated!
The newspaper was the Harrow Observer which incorporated Wembley, Willesden, Stanmore and Pinner Observers and the Watford Leader. It had a reputation for some of the best photography in the country and won Awards year after year. I learned from the best and will be eternally grateful to Edmond Terakopian, Gareth Beard, Stuart Emmerson and Sophie Ward for sharing knowledge and for giving me the chance in the first place.
Needless to say, I have since freelanced many times with the first newspaper I approached, as well as all the North and West London Regional Newspapers for many years.
I approached one local regional weekly newspaper for work experience who told me I had lots of potential but they would like me to have gained experience before starting with them. Catch 22 situation!
Determined not to be put off, I approached another regional weekly (different area but still local to me) as one of my photos had been sent to them from a client. I always remember taking far too many photos with me to that first initial meeting. Less is definitely more when you are showing your portfolio!
I was given the chance to go in for a couple of days experience. On the first day I was left to my own devices and given 5 or 6 Fish & Chip shops to photograph for an Advertorial piece on the best Chippy in the area. After the fourth one I was starving so I took advantage of the free chips they offered. Returning to the office with my processed film, I was shown the ropes on how to scan the negs and had my first introduction to Photoshop!
They were happy with my photos and asked me to go back. I will never forget the moment when the Chief Photographer said to me, 'Don't forget to invoice us!' I was elated!
The newspaper was the Harrow Observer which incorporated Wembley, Willesden, Stanmore and Pinner Observers and the Watford Leader. It had a reputation for some of the best photography in the country and won Awards year after year. I learned from the best and will be eternally grateful to Edmond Terakopian, Gareth Beard, Stuart Emmerson and Sophie Ward for sharing knowledge and for giving me the chance in the first place.
Needless to say, I have since freelanced many times with the first newspaper I approached, as well as all the North and West London Regional Newspapers for many years.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
A little history
Ok here goes with a little background info on me.
I grew up in the Midlands, moved to London in 1992. Originally I came down for dance auditions (yes I'm a trained dancer too!) then got caught up with the whole 'London life' thing and didn't go back. Sometimes I wonder what if; but then I wouldn't have become the person I am today.
In between temping, I was doing lots of promotional work (as resting dancers do) and started doing Model portfolio headshots for the people I met along the way. I had already been to college to do City & Guilds, GCSE & A Level Photography so I had an inkling back then of what I wanted to do.
My daughter was born in 1995, I went back to college to do more photography and media courses and was hooked. I decided this was what I wanted to do professionally. I went freelance before going to University to study Contemporary Media Practice.
Next post... how I got into photojournalism....
I grew up in the Midlands, moved to London in 1992. Originally I came down for dance auditions (yes I'm a trained dancer too!) then got caught up with the whole 'London life' thing and didn't go back. Sometimes I wonder what if; but then I wouldn't have become the person I am today.
In between temping, I was doing lots of promotional work (as resting dancers do) and started doing Model portfolio headshots for the people I met along the way. I had already been to college to do City & Guilds, GCSE & A Level Photography so I had an inkling back then of what I wanted to do.
My daughter was born in 1995, I went back to college to do more photography and media courses and was hooked. I decided this was what I wanted to do professionally. I went freelance before going to University to study Contemporary Media Practice.
Next post... how I got into photojournalism....
Welcome to my world :)
Hi all
I just wanted to welcome you to my blog. This is the first time I have done this so I will try to make it as interesting as possible so you keep coming back for more! I'll keep you updated on things I do, things I see and hear about. I'll tell you about me very soon!
Come back soon
PixelVixenUK
I just wanted to welcome you to my blog. This is the first time I have done this so I will try to make it as interesting as possible so you keep coming back for more! I'll keep you updated on things I do, things I see and hear about. I'll tell you about me very soon!
Come back soon
PixelVixenUK
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