So my nan came up to me today and asked me if i could take a contemporary portrait of her and my gramps together, as it happened i had just that week built a small studio in my kitchen and i was immensely happy to oblige her request.
My studio was far too small for too people so ended up taking two images one of each of them and joining them together, this meant that i had to pose the two individually but make them look like they were having their photo done together. This was a real challenge and i decided to be a little more creative and to try and bring out the personalities in each of them, for example my gramps has this very old fashion manly man façade but underneath he is a loving and caring man so i tried to bring that out in the image. My nan on the other hand is very much the amazing traditional house wife, she will do anything for anyone and put everyone else before herself and so i really wanted to bring across her loving and giving spirt in the final image.
I hope i have done this justice and below is the image.
James Dowding Photography
This is my Blog for the work based learning section of my Photography course at Plymouth College of Art. Please Visit my website for updated images and services I provide as a freelance Photographer. http://www.wix.com/jedracing1/jamesdowdingphotography
Thursday 26 April 2012
Monday 2 April 2012
Fashion Week - Re-edits
After the mount wise shooting day i received an email on Facebook from one of the designers Tre Worsley asking me if i would be interested in performing some re-edits on the my photos i took of her dress from the day but also if i could print out some 10x8 inch prints as well. Naturally i accepted the job as i thought it would be great for my work based learning module to add another day to my increasing work count.
I was asked to colour process some of my images to a crisp colour output, and to turn some into Black and White as well, i was also asked to crop one of the images down to square format as the wall behind was distracting.
My folder will contain all the information with emails and costings and time scales etc.
Below are the final selection of images i sent off to print.
Friday 30 March 2012
Fashion Week - Mount Wise Pool Shoot
During march we had fashion week, there were lots of different activities to do and different lectures. Part of fashion week was the collaboration between the BA Fashion students and the Photography department to produce images for the fashion students of their final pieces before they have their final show.
The same thing was ran last yea too but it was so popular i wasn't able to get on it. This time however i was first in line as i have a huge interest in Fashion and Portraiture in my work and have never worked with a fashion designer so it was a really exciting opportunity.
All the paperwork was sorted out by the fashion department, including model release forms, property release, health and safety and insurance, however as seen in an earlier statement i do have my own public liability insurance with cover up to £2000000.
The day was really interesting but not as fast pased as i was expecting and hoping for, i prefer to work under a certain amount of pressure and to a time frame, its how i do my best work. This day was far too relaxed and not regimented enough for my liking but i think i got some pretty decent images out of it and in fact i got a job offer for some re-edits and printing from one of the designers which i will be writing about in my next post.
Below are some examples of images i took on the day.
The same thing was ran last yea too but it was so popular i wasn't able to get on it. This time however i was first in line as i have a huge interest in Fashion and Portraiture in my work and have never worked with a fashion designer so it was a really exciting opportunity.
All the paperwork was sorted out by the fashion department, including model release forms, property release, health and safety and insurance, however as seen in an earlier statement i do have my own public liability insurance with cover up to £2000000.
The day was really interesting but not as fast pased as i was expecting and hoping for, i prefer to work under a certain amount of pressure and to a time frame, its how i do my best work. This day was far too relaxed and not regimented enough for my liking but i think i got some pretty decent images out of it and in fact i got a job offer for some re-edits and printing from one of the designers which i will be writing about in my next post.
Below are some examples of images i took on the day.
Tuesday 28 February 2012
My Day With Nick Williams
Saturday 25th February, I spent the day assisting a professional and award winning wedding photographer, Nick Williams, on Bristol based wedding.
The wedding photography lasted just over 6 hours, with me being exhausted from the amount of learning I had achieved in the short amount of time. Nicks style is immensely fast paced and energetic with a great deal of emphasis being places on laughter and jokes to make the whole ordeal of having the photos taken, that bit easier on everyone.
Nick uses a huge amount of off camera flash and plays with natural light amazingly well, with well over 10 years experience in the bag he really has achieved a great platform in which to shoot fantastic weddings.
For me, the day has told me that I need to become a lot more confident in the way I shoot, and pay a huge amount of attention to where the light is in relation to the wedding party i am photographing. With such small time frames in which to shoot, positioning of people has to be done immensely fast, with the same happening when it came to camera settings.
With 6 hours worth of shooting and my own editing time nearer 4, I feel this should equate to 1.5 days towards my work based learning.
Above you will find a select few shots from the day.
The wedding photography lasted just over 6 hours, with me being exhausted from the amount of learning I had achieved in the short amount of time. Nicks style is immensely fast paced and energetic with a great deal of emphasis being places on laughter and jokes to make the whole ordeal of having the photos taken, that bit easier on everyone.
Nick uses a huge amount of off camera flash and plays with natural light amazingly well, with well over 10 years experience in the bag he really has achieved a great platform in which to shoot fantastic weddings.
For me, the day has told me that I need to become a lot more confident in the way I shoot, and pay a huge amount of attention to where the light is in relation to the wedding party i am photographing. With such small time frames in which to shoot, positioning of people has to be done immensely fast, with the same happening when it came to camera settings.
With 6 hours worth of shooting and my own editing time nearer 4, I feel this should equate to 1.5 days towards my work based learning.
Above you will find a select few shots from the day.
Friday 17 February 2012
Public Liability Insurance (continued)
I HAVE MY INSURANCE
WOOP WOOP!!!!
I decided to go with a company called Finsbury, reason being simply that they were the cheapest for the level of cover i required.
I have £2000000 cover which i feel is the safest amount, my dad works in insurance anyway and informed me that a large personal injury claim for something like back issues, would very quickly wipe out cover of only £1000000.
So i thought £2000000 was a better call :)
WOOP WOOP!!!!
I decided to go with a company called Finsbury, reason being simply that they were the cheapest for the level of cover i required.
I have £2000000 cover which i feel is the safest amount, my dad works in insurance anyway and informed me that a large personal injury claim for something like back issues, would very quickly wipe out cover of only £1000000.
So i thought £2000000 was a better call :)
Monday 6 February 2012
My Insurance Quotes
After much hunting, it would seem that so far a company called Finsbury are the cheapest for the 'basic' cover of £2000000. There are other companies offering just £1000000 cover, however i have been advised that if a big case was put against me then £1000000 cover would not be enough. I have a few other companies to search through.
Insurance Quotes
I have currently been looking into public liability insurance with a view to purchase. I have been in contact with Nick Williams, who is a wedding and portrait photographer in bristol, I approched him with a view to getting a work placement, however after a discussion we came to the conclusion that I needed public liability insurance and so began the search.
Wednesday 11 January 2012
Advert Posted on Gumtree
I have just posted an advert on the Gumtree website offering my services as a wedding, portrait and events photographer with the link to my page being
http://www.gumtree.com/p/business-services/professional-wedding-portrait-and-events-photographer/94456597
Hopefully this will start me on my way to getting a bit more freelance work, wish me luck :)
http://www.gumtree.com/p/business-services/professional-wedding-portrait-and-events-photographer/94456597
Hopefully this will start me on my way to getting a bit more freelance work, wish me luck :)
Communication Stoppage...
It is now 11/01/12 and i have yet to receive a follow up email from my client saying whether or not he has managed to overcome the file issue or not. I did send a follow up email on the 8th, so fingers crossed the issues have been overcome.
Monday 9 January 2012
The File Issue
30/12/11 The images were sent off on a cd to my client, because of the sizes we were working in i had to compress the image files into a zip folder before they would fit onto the cd, simple enough i thought.
5/01/12 I get an email from my client saying he cant open the zip folder... now this is where it gets complicated, and is still being resolved as we speak now, i had made sure that the folder opened on PC and on Mac which they did and so i am trying to figure out why they wont open on his computer... and that is where we are at the minute, i appreciate that it is the 9th of January as i am writing about it but my last correspondence with my client was yesterday, just exclaiming that it still isn't working...
5/01/12 I get an email from my client saying he cant open the zip folder... now this is where it gets complicated, and is still being resolved as we speak now, i had made sure that the folder opened on PC and on Mac which they did and so i am trying to figure out why they wont open on his computer... and that is where we are at the minute, i appreciate that it is the 9th of January as i am writing about it but my last correspondence with my client was yesterday, just exclaiming that it still isn't working...
After The break For Christmas
After the christmas break and a rather long editing process the images were finally ready to be sent off, all i needed was the final sizes of the (to be printed) images, so that i could resize the files accordingly.
28/12/11 I receive an email with the final measurements, the prints are to be blown up to 6ft on the longest side... quite large yes... in fact 72inches long, when the final images were created the were 986mb each, the largest files i have ever created.
28/12/11 I receive an email with the final measurements, the prints are to be blown up to 6ft on the longest side... quite large yes... in fact 72inches long, when the final images were created the were 986mb each, the largest files i have ever created.
Friday 6 January 2012
Falconry Continuation 2.
(12/12/11) I receive and email from my client asking if i could perform some photoshop editing work on the images, I was asked if i could remove the backgrounds from the images but also in one of them if i could replace the glove that was seen with a different one.
Naturally I accepted the request but at an increased charge for labour time. The final images took me over a day to produce which brings my total time for the project up to 2 days of labour; 1 day for the shoot itself and now another day for the editing time.
Naturally I accepted the request but at an increased charge for labour time. The final images took me over a day to produce which brings my total time for the project up to 2 days of labour; 1 day for the shoot itself and now another day for the editing time.
Tuesday 3 January 2012
Falconry Continuation
26/11/2011, The day I went to the centre was a very exciting day, I met Ben Long, the centres owner and operator. He began explaining what kind of images he wanted me to take, he was asking for motion shots, images of the birds flying etc.
It was a very dark day, from the outset i was on ISO 1600 to achieve a high enough shutter speed to capture the birds without any lens shake, at 500mm this becomes a slight issue. Towards the end of the day nearer 4pm i had moved up to ISO 6400 which would prove a problem come editing and final prints.
It was a very dark day, from the outset i was on ISO 1600 to achieve a high enough shutter speed to capture the birds without any lens shake, at 500mm this becomes a slight issue. Towards the end of the day nearer 4pm i had moved up to ISO 6400 which would prove a problem come editing and final prints.
Freelance Work Update... (Very Late) (but will be correctly dated within the post)
My most recent Freelance work has come form a Falconry Experience Centre, I was asked by the owner to take pictures of his Birds of Prey in flight, to put on the side of his new traveling display van. (email received 04/11/2011)
Naturally very excited about the project I accepted the job. (email sent back 05/11/2011)
Naturally very excited about the project I accepted the job. (email sent back 05/11/2011)
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Work Based Learning, The New Brief
So we got our new WBL brief today, looks a way more interesting than last years one; a bit more hands on instead of all writing. This defiantly suits me better as I respond much more to practical based learning projects. From what I can gather we basically have to get a job, in the simplest possible sense. We are required to have some sort of work placement, or do a industry job that would earn us money.
I am going to heavily look into getting freelance work for myself and focusing my project on that. As a back up however i do have a few friends, Kevin Poolman and Nick Williams who are freelance photographers themselves and has been for a number of years and have said in the past that they would be very happy for me to have a short term placement with them.
I see no reason not to include the wedding i assisted on below in the project as 2 days completed simply because it was such a relevant job.
I am going to heavily look into getting freelance work for myself and focusing my project on that. As a back up however i do have a few friends, Kevin Poolman and Nick Williams who are freelance photographers themselves and has been for a number of years and have said in the past that they would be very happy for me to have a short term placement with them.
I see no reason not to include the wedding i assisted on below in the project as 2 days completed simply because it was such a relevant job.
Friday 22 July 2011
The Baby Image Request
When i was shooting the wedding there was a young couple there with a baby, they approached me quite early on in the day and asked if throughout the day i would be able to take some images of their baby for them and they would buy a disk off me with the final images on at the end of it, it was just a random spur of the moment job that got me £20, on top of what i got paid for the wedding. It isn't much but they were only after candid images of their baby being happy and playful on the day.
Gladly i took the offer and spend a while shooting the baby as the day went on, always keeping an eye on it to see if it was doing anything interesting and capturing it when i could.
Gladly i took the offer and spend a while shooting the baby as the day went on, always keeping an eye on it to see if it was doing anything interesting and capturing it when i could.
Thursday 21 July 2011
England & Jones Wedding Continued
So after a day of shooting and a day of editing the images ready to be sent off to the happy couple, all i have to do is find Tom, put the images on a disk and he can take them to the couple. Now to work on the baby images that i received a request for on the day.
Below are just a selection of images from the day.
Below are just a selection of images from the day.
Wednesday 20 July 2011
England & Jones Wedding
July 18th 2011 myself and a professional partner of mine Tom Garrett-Downes, photographed a wedding at Bristols registry office. We spent all day following the couple around from about 9am, till well past 11 with a short break for lunch in the middle, a very long and stressful day but a great experience none the less.
The job was organised by Tom as he knew the couple from outside his professional circle, he rang me up one day asking if i wanted to assist him in this wedding he was shooting? of course i said yes as any experience is good experience. The couple wanted a very simple CD of the days photographs which was a slight letdown as i really wanted to produce a wedding album but sadly they didn't take to the idea.
Because the job was organised by Tom and he knew the couple better we decided that he would be the lead photographer and i would be second. Working as a pair on a wedding is always so much easier than working on your own, the reason i say this is that there were times when tom needed to be taking posed shots and so couldn't take some candid shots of the guests at the same time throughout the day which is where i came in and something that only a pair could do as a team.
The job was organised by Tom as he knew the couple from outside his professional circle, he rang me up one day asking if i wanted to assist him in this wedding he was shooting? of course i said yes as any experience is good experience. The couple wanted a very simple CD of the days photographs which was a slight letdown as i really wanted to produce a wedding album but sadly they didn't take to the idea.
Because the job was organised by Tom and he knew the couple better we decided that he would be the lead photographer and i would be second. Working as a pair on a wedding is always so much easier than working on your own, the reason i say this is that there were times when tom needed to be taking posed shots and so couldn't take some candid shots of the guests at the same time throughout the day which is where i came in and something that only a pair could do as a team.
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Public Liability Insurance...
It has suddenly dawned on me that i should probably do some research into public liability insurance seeing as i want to be working as a wedding photographer, which usually involves a lot of people. So i did i quick google search and the top result was http://www.insuremyliability.co.uk. Their advert was for liability insurance from just £40. Their website says that : The standard limits for public liability insurance are £1,000,000, £2,000,000 and £5,000,000. Unlike employers liability insurance which is a required cover by law if you employ any staff, public liability insurance is not compulsory but is usually considered a key cover for companies looking to protect themselves against unexpected claims that can put the future of the business at risk. Public liability insurance should be taken out by any business that deals directly with the public or works away from home at other premises.
Monday 7 February 2011
Kevin Poolman Interview Update
I have just received Kevin's answers to my question. He was really prompt, helpful and friendly with the interview process. I would have loved to have interviewed him in person but unfortunately he was a bit too far away. Anyway here are his answers.
1. How would you say you fit into the market place?
2. How would you describe your personal journey in photography?
For vague details of my career, see Q4. But otherwise, the type of photography I've always done has thrown up lots of interesting and surprising assignments, and there have been lots of money-can't-buy experiences including spending a day with the SAS on exercise, attending a function in Charles & Diana's living room in Kensington Palace, and spending a week with the under-16 England rugby team in Rome! I've also spent so much time photographing various members of the Royal Family that the Royal protection officers recognise me! That said, there have been countless mundane jobs including school fetes and hundreds of school Nativities. But there have been plenty of shocking jobs such as the Potters Bar rail crash and numerous car smashes. So all in all, my personal journey in photography has been very colourful!!
To be honest, with my type of photography, concepts are more determined by my clients. Usually a photographer is the last piece of the puzzle, as they've arranged everything else for an event and then you just have to realise their concept, rather then your own. That said, my experience allows me to make suggestions on the day and get shots that they wouldn't necessarily have thought of.
It was always a hobby from my dad, a keen amateur. After leaving school at 16, I did a BTEC National Diploma in photography at Brunel Technical College, then the NCTJ's (National Council for the Training of Journalists) press photography course at Sheffield College, the only course of its kind in the country. After spending a year at the Chester Chronicle, I was appointed chief photographer at The Reading Chronicle, where I stayed for nearly 10 years before going freelance three years ago.
No-one has inspired me to do one particular piece of work, but if there's another photographer who inspires me, it would be Joe McNally (www.joemcnally.com), a freelance photographer based in New York, who's done work for National Geographic, Time Magazine, etc. Technically, he's very good and they always say that "photography is painting with light". I feel he's very good at doing just that.
Yeah. Every day is different, and you do get to meet some very interesting people along the way. Going freelance a few years ago re-kindled my passion for photography as I enjoy working for lots of different people and not the same company every day.
1. How would you say you fit into the market place?
I guess it's evolved from my days as a staff newspaper photographer. Then I was obviously only doing newspaper photography but since going freelance, I still do some newspaper shifts but now newspaper freelance budgets have dried up because of the recession, I'm doing more PR and corporate work.
2. How would you describe your personal journey in photography?
For vague details of my career, see Q4. But otherwise, the type of photography I've always done has thrown up lots of interesting and surprising assignments, and there have been lots of money-can't-buy experiences including spending a day with the SAS on exercise, attending a function in Charles & Diana's living room in Kensington Palace, and spending a week with the under-16 England rugby team in Rome! I've also spent so much time photographing various members of the Royal Family that the Royal protection officers recognise me! That said, there have been countless mundane jobs including school fetes and hundreds of school Nativities. But there have been plenty of shocking jobs such as the Potters Bar rail crash and numerous car smashes. So all in all, my personal journey in photography has been very colourful!!
3. What are some of the concepts behind your work?
To be honest, with my type of photography, concepts are more determined by my clients. Usually a photographer is the last piece of the puzzle, as they've arranged everything else for an event and then you just have to realise their concept, rather then your own. That said, my experience allows me to make suggestions on the day and get shots that they wouldn't necessarily have thought of.
4. How did you get into photography?
It was always a hobby from my dad, a keen amateur. After leaving school at 16, I did a BTEC National Diploma in photography at Brunel Technical College, then the NCTJ's (National Council for the Training of Journalists) press photography course at Sheffield College, the only course of its kind in the country. After spending a year at the Chester Chronicle, I was appointed chief photographer at The Reading Chronicle, where I stayed for nearly 10 years before going freelance three years ago.
5. Has anyone inspired you to produce any certain pieces of work?
No-one has inspired me to do one particular piece of work, but if there's another photographer who inspires me, it would be Joe McNally (www.joemcnally.com), a freelance photographer based in New York, who's done work for National Geographic, Time Magazine, etc. Technically, he's very good and they always say that "photography is painting with light". I feel he's very good at doing just that.
6. Lastly. Do you enjoy what you do?
Yeah. Every day is different, and you do get to meet some very interesting people along the way. Going freelance a few years ago re-kindled my passion for photography as I enjoy working for lots of different people and not the same company every day.
Thursday 3 February 2011
Interview With Kevin Poolman
I have been in contact with a photographer called Kevin Poolman. He shoots a variety of styles including weddings but his passion is sport. I have sent him questions on an email to answer which he said he would and am now waiting on the response.
http://www.kevinpoolmanphotography.co.uk/
http://www.kevinpoolmanphotography.co.uk/
Wednesday 2 February 2011
Artist Statement
My work has recently changed direction, from landscape type photographs, picture post card images; to a more contemporary field. I have decided to begin a journey within portraiture and to somewhere new for me to gain experience in what seems to be a logical move in styles in terms of getting work at the end of it.
My portraits use classical medium mostly but with a contemporary twist, i enjoy bringing portraits to the world through the use of film, but mixed in with modern scanning technology. This creates a workable image in a file that can easily be edited but also transferred and shared with the world through the internet.
I feel this methodology of work is something that appeals to people because of the overall quality of the imagery being produced, see for yourself at www.jamesdowdingphotography.co.uk under Film Portraits.
My portraits use classical medium mostly but with a contemporary twist, i enjoy bringing portraits to the world through the use of film, but mixed in with modern scanning technology. This creates a workable image in a file that can easily be edited but also transferred and shared with the world through the internet.
I feel this methodology of work is something that appeals to people because of the overall quality of the imagery being produced, see for yourself at www.jamesdowdingphotography.co.uk under Film Portraits.
Tuesday 1 February 2011
Wedding Photography Investigation...
I have been slowly researching wedding photography as an industry and have noticed that there are two significant styles of imagery. On one hand there is the traditional, very good photographs with soft photoshop to improve the standard image that has already been taken, to just give it the edge on other images around.
http://www.nickwilliamsphotography.co.uk/portfolio.php?category=2&imageid=527
But on the other hand there are these new and up-incoming styles which include the use of 3D technology, heavy use of photoshop to physically change the entire photograph into something else entirely.http://youlookgorgeousphotography.blogspot.com/
This new wave of up and coming wedding photography is something a little scary. I only say this because its becoming less about the ability of the photographer to take a photo and more about their skills with a mouse and a screen. I am a very traditionalist photographer and i see myself sticking with the first example of wedding photography.
Photography as a Career Profile
Job description
Photographers create permanent visual images for an exceptionally wide range of creative, technical and documentary purposes. A professional photographer usually works to a brief set by the client or employer. Examples of image content include wedding, family and baby photographs, fashion, food, architecture, corporate photography, war zones and landscapes.
Most professional photographers specialise in one area, such as fine art, fashion, advertising, editorial or social photography. Around half of all professional photographers are self-employed. The remainder work for a wide range of employers, including creative businesses, publishers and photographic agencies, or in the education or public sector.
Typical work activities
Work activities vary according to specialisation. However, common activities for most photographers include:
- working with clients to discuss the images they require and how they want to use them;
- seeking out appropriate photographic subjects and opportunities;
- carrying out research and preparation for a shoot;
- working in different locations, and in different circumstances, to get the right image;
- using an extensive range of technical equipment, including cameras, lenses, lighting and specialist software;
- communicating with photographic subjects, putting them at ease, encouraging them and directing them;
- arranging still life objects, products, scenes, props and backgrounds;
- liaising with other professionals, including graphic designers, writers, gallery managers, picture researchers, commissioning editors and art directors;
- managing the processing and use of images, discussing technical problems, checking for quality and dealing with clients' concerns;
- preparing proofs for approval;
- compiling finished products for sale, including albums and framed prints, for example;
- understanding traditional film and digital photography and keeping up to date with industry trends, developments and new techniques;
- developing expertise with software to digitally enhance images by, for example, changing emphasis, cropping pictures, correcting minor faults, or moving objects around;
- managing the business aspects of the work, including administration, scheduling work, invoicing and basic accounting;
- developing a good portfolio, building a network of contacts, and achieving a reputation for quality and reliability, in order to secure future assignments;
- self-marketing by, for example, producing business cards, postcards and promotional materials, and creating and maintaining a website.
Many graduates start out as a photographer's assistant, spending a great deal of time on routine administration and helping out around the studio.
Monday 31 January 2011
Interview updates.. Transcription of interview with Nick Williams
How do u fit into the market place?
I find that a mixture of reportage and formal mixed in with good quality Photoshop there are people who look at my website and say you Photoshop everything I don’t but the ones on the website are the wow factors. I know guys who don’t photo shop anything but there really quiet. You got to be able to take there photo and make it look different. Shoot at 2.8 backgrounds out of focus and make sure you’ve got beautiful sky’s and stuff like that. About I think giving variety of pictures and showing some experience also on my website there a category of winter wedding and that brings in people for winter weddings and make the website a bit personal, a picture of me on the website and stuff like that.
How would u describe your personal journey?
I did it as a hobby for a long time. Decided to take it up pro it went very quick. Timing is a lot to do with that advertised on yell .com, with 17 photographers on. So yea when I decided to be a photographer full time when I left the army 8 months later I was full time. 27 weddings in first year, I know Photographers now who don’t do 27 weddings 2nd 42 3rd 50 something.
Do you have an artist background?
Nothing at all just started as a photographer. Had a practica mtl50 Russian camera….
What camera do u use now?
Cannon 1d mark 4 and a 5d mark 2
Do you only shoot Digital now or?
All digital and not film, Digital is easier to work with, clients prefer it because you can instantly see the results but also because I make a lot of wedding albums which I send digitally to a company to print, now if I had to scan on 400 35mm negs, edit then send them it would take me 10 times longer and really the quality of digital cameras now mean that in a wedding picture you couldn’t tell the difference anyway.
Did you just start with shooting wedding or did it start somewhere else?
No I didn’t start on wedding, I started on portraits because I was in the army and you can’t just book a wedding in there. Don’t kinda work that way.
Has any particular photographer inspired you to produce any certain pieces of work?
Um the only person, don’t tell him, David Mcgurr when I joined the masters photographers association I entered the first competition that guy beat me in both and I loved his work and now after figuring out his technique I use it myself, and that’s the only person I’m not really into these famous photographers, I’m not I don’t follow it, I do what I like, I do look at some peoples website and I’m an absolute addict for um… buying mags, you can never stop learning I don’t think. So yea I’m always looking through that. Damien Lovegrove actually I like him, he’s a nice chap, I looked at his latest work that he’s doing and it beautiful absolutely stunning, he ‘s got a good blog actually you should check it out, he used to be a BBC cameraman.
Last question really, do you enjoy what you do?
Um………….. Parts of it, I love taking photos, I could shoot 200 weddings a year and not get bored, I hate editing, and I especially hate editing studio work.
Friday 28 January 2011
My Skills and weaknesses as a Photographer and a person
Tricky question really. I have had to do a lot of thinking about this. I think that i am good at working under pressure, a good skill to have being a photographer because people seem to want you to perform miracles, in sometimes very shot spaces of time and this in turn adds pressure to your life. I also thing i have good soft skills, to be able to communicate correctly with people and not be too overpowering and invasive however with that i sometimes find it hard to tell people what i want in a modeling situation, but this is something that will be overcome with more practice I'm sure. My weaknesses are sometime that i can get a little bit controlling with everything and not let other people in a team for instance do work because i feel that if they let the team down i have no control over what has happened and if i let the team down i know its my fault.
When i find out more strengths and weaknesses i will update this post.
When i find out more strengths and weaknesses i will update this post.
Where i will be in 5 Years time-PhotoMontage??????
Well, as part of our work based learning, we were all asked to produce an image of where we want to be in five years time; and the truth is i really do not know. This made me thing about my life a bit and i discovered that i really only work for the day that i am living and that 5 years is a long time to be thinking into the future, of course i would like to have completed my BA and found a job but representing a job, something specific i would like to do, this is much harder and so the image i chose to take was a self portrait of myself holding a sheet of paper in front of me with question marks all over it to try and show that actually i have no idea where I would "like to be" in 5 years time.
Monday 17 January 2011
Photographer Interview Part one
Just after Christmas this year i interviewed my first photographer, Nick Williams. Nick is a Bristol based photographer who specialises in Weddings and Portraiture. I have kind of decided that wedding photography is where i should head towards as i have enjoyed the ones i've done and it seems like, if you can get the work, a good line of photographer to go down. So the interview, i arrived expecting a no if I'm honest but he was a very nice bloke, really friendly and inviting, which i suppose you have to be to take weddings, but we did it there and then as he was working on a wedding album.
I had prepared a list of questions to ask but the interview kind of went into an informal chat, with me asking anything that popped into my head which was really good but now i have to transcribe it. which I'm not looking forward to. I will be transcribing in the next couple of days and hopefully have it on here by the end of the week. But for now you have his image and his website to look at.
http://acorn-studios.co.uk/
I had prepared a list of questions to ask but the interview kind of went into an informal chat, with me asking anything that popped into my head which was really good but now i have to transcribe it. which I'm not looking forward to. I will be transcribing in the next couple of days and hopefully have it on here by the end of the week. But for now you have his image and his website to look at.
http://acorn-studios.co.uk/
Jobs that are out there if i wanted to try... From the extreme to the not so.
After a very small amount of effort looking on google, i came across what would be, for the candidate, a wonderful opportunity.
The opportunity i am on about is about getting to go over to Africa with your photography, voluntarily of course, but still a wonderful opportunity. If you are into story telling with your photography, journalism or video. Here is some information on the Scheme:
LearnAsOne is a charity which funds schools in Africa. We strongly believe that our donors deserve to see exactly how their money is spent.
http://www.learnasone.org/get-involved/storytelling-team/?gclid=CLr1x4fewaYCFVc03godpwegIw
The next job i think i should talk about is a schools photographer, the type you get when you were at school getting a class photo and what not, i have found many adverts for these photography positions. I can't see why this should be but i can only assume that it is a rather unliked photography job.
The best one i could find was advertised with Tempest Photography. (information below)
Tempest Photography
Require A Full-Time Photographer Working With Children
In West Lothian
Due to expansion an additional member of staff is required by leading Company of School and Early Years Photographers.
Applicants should have a good basic interest in photography although previous experience is not essential as full photographic and representative training is given. Applicants must have a pleasant outgoing personality, a natural rapport with children, enjoy being out and about meeting other people and the necessary drive and ambition to represent well.
The Hours Of Work Are In School Term-Time Only
The above position offers an interesting and challenging career during term time only, although it is salaried for 12 months of the year. The position also provides a Company car, expenses and other benefits.
The position will only be offered on completion of a Criminal Records Check.
The last Position which has interested me for a little while is the photography position of cruise ship Photographer. One interesting one i found was with Cast-Away-Jobs which specialise in jobs on cruise ships. They were advertising a job as a Ship Photographers / Videographers / Retail
The opportunity i am on about is about getting to go over to Africa with your photography, voluntarily of course, but still a wonderful opportunity. If you are into story telling with your photography, journalism or video. Here is some information on the Scheme:
LearnAsOne is a charity which funds schools in Africa. We strongly believe that our donors deserve to see exactly how their money is spent.
So we share stories, photos and videos from every community we work with and introduce supporters to the children whose lives they are changing. This creates an ongoing need for experienced (i.e. really good) storytellers to join us on our trips to Africa to document our projects.
We are looking for a photographer, journalist and camera op to help uncover and tell community stories in a very raw form, plus follow-up with the people we met on our previous trips. We also need video editors to edit footage soon after we return to the UK.
A small number of stories and photographs need to be uploaded onto our blog and twitter while we are in Africa. You’ll also be expected to contribute stories for at least six-months after the trip to provide regular content for our supporters. Rawly edited video needs to follow a week or two after the trip and again continue over the next six months. Please take a look at this photo story and the work of volunteers Adam and Brenda to see the type of stories we have told so far.
These opportunities are voluntary and will need to be self-funded.
http://www.learnasone.org/get-involved/storytelling-team/?gclid=CLr1x4fewaYCFVc03godpwegIw
The next job i think i should talk about is a schools photographer, the type you get when you were at school getting a class photo and what not, i have found many adverts for these photography positions. I can't see why this should be but i can only assume that it is a rather unliked photography job.
The best one i could find was advertised with Tempest Photography. (information below)
Tempest Photography
Require A Full-Time Photographer Working With Children
In West Lothian
Due to expansion an additional member of staff is required by leading Company of School and Early Years Photographers.
Applicants should have a good basic interest in photography although previous experience is not essential as full photographic and representative training is given. Applicants must have a pleasant outgoing personality, a natural rapport with children, enjoy being out and about meeting other people and the necessary drive and ambition to represent well.
The Hours Of Work Are In School Term-Time Only
The above position offers an interesting and challenging career during term time only, although it is salaried for 12 months of the year. The position also provides a Company car, expenses and other benefits.
The position will only be offered on completion of a Criminal Records Check.
The last Position which has interested me for a little while is the photography position of cruise ship Photographer. One interesting one i found was with Cast-Away-Jobs which specialise in jobs on cruise ships. They were advertising a job as a Ship Photographers / Videographers / Retail
This dynamic team provides complete shipboard photography services which include guest photography, portraiture, videography, guest film processing and onboard retail sales of photography equipment and accessories.
QUALIFICATIONS
Formal training in Photography / Videography / Retail or professional experience is preferable, but not essential. Must be sociable and enjoy working with people.
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Interview updates
I have discovered that a neighbors son is a sports photographer. I have never thought about a possible route as a sports photographer but it could be something to look at as i hear he is doing rather well and i will be hopefully getting in contact with him in the next few days.
Work Placement update
With a bit of research i have found a really interesting portrait and wedding service very local to where i live in Bristol. The Studio is called Acorn Studios (http://acorn-studios.co.uk/) this studio is in Staple Hill about 10 minutes from where i live and the work is really eye catching and contemporary. I will be attempting to approach the owner/photographer soon to hopefully arrange a meeting to do and interview and a portrait.
A change of tact
I have decided, very late in the day i know, that i would like to try and get a work placement within a portrait or wedding service. A move that i think could pay off as i have done weddings before and i have also taken many portraits which i have enjoyed doing and i think it would pay to find out more about the area just to see if it is for me or not.
Interview with Caroline Pilling update
I have just received a response from Caroline say that she cannot be interviewed as she is on maternity leave. This leaves me with trying to find another photographer to interview.
Thursday 30 December 2010
Photography Competition Entry
Pink Lips.JPG |
The competition was organised through SnapAlley Photo Contests at this website, (http://www.photographers.co.uk/html/photography-competitions.cfm). Below is a Screen Shot conformation of my entry into the competition.
Wednesday 29 December 2010
My CV
James Dowding
Œ Personal Details
Address: | 67 | ' Home: | 0117-9407181 |
07545525598 | |||
St George | e-mail: | jedracing1@hotmail.co.uk | |
Career History
Kart Marshal and Driver Trainer, level three trained, Drive Tech | November 2007 to Present |
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- I have been trained in the operation of every corner on the track, each has a different role.
- I am responsible for the smooth running of the pit lane area of the race track, interacting with the customers, checking their safety equipment and checking the safety of the vehicles.
- Lastly I am responsible for the safety and wellbeing of our child drivers; I have been trained to teach children how to drive the vehicles safely and quickly.
- Teaching children as young as eight to drive can be tricky, but it’s a rewarding challenge, which I enjoy doing.
Cleaner, | September 2008 to September 2010 |
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- I was responsible for the cleanliness of ¼ of the school for which I was praised for my efficiency and standard of cleaning.
- I worked as part of a small team, covering for any absences or illness of the other team members.
Paper Round, Hanham News | April 2006 to August 2010 |
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- I have been responsible for a daily delivery of papers on the same round for the last four years.
- My customers have been relying on me to deliver at a constant time each day, and have also been entrusted by customers to take money back to the shop to pay their outstanding bills especially for my elderly customers.
Cycles Sales and Maintenance, Work Experience | May 2007 |
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- I carried out a variety of jobs around the shop, for example building show bikes and helping customers with their choice of bike to purchase. I’ve had a small experience at working on the tills and dealing with a small amount of paper work in relation to bike checks.
Ž Education
School/College | Qualification 7 GCSE’s Grades A-B 2 A Levels Grades B-D 1 AS Level Grade D |
Training Courses and Skills Acquired
Other Training/Qualifications
|
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