1. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER MARCH 2011 G W. EUGENE SMITH G HERB RITTS G NICK HADDOW G BLOG PHOTOGRAPHY G
“Never complain, INSPIRING • INFORMATIVE • HONEST • ESSENTIAL
MARCH 2011 ONLY £3.99
never explain
just be it.”
Matthew Rolston
WWW.PROFESSIONALPHOTOGRAPHER.CO.UK
EXCLUSIVE:
YERVANT,
JASMINE STAR &
CRASH TAYLOR
FIGHT TO SHOOT THE
ROYAL WEDDING
& THE GREATEST
PHOTOGRAPHER
OF ALL TIME
IS REVEALED!
Cover image by
PLUS:
Nick Haddow
ISBLOG
PHOTOGRAPHY
ANEWARTFORM?
HERBRITTS
PROFILED,
&HOWTOKILL
AHARDDRIVEWITH
ASHOTGUN!
PERSONAL
PROJECTS SPECIAL
23 PAGES OF ADVICE, REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE & INFORMED OPINIONS
2. You pay a price for
switching to Hasselblad
medium format
The same one
you pay for a high-end
35mm DSLR
£8,995 + VAT
The new Hasselblad H4D-31. The H4D body, the 31 megapixel back, the 80 mm lens. A
complete Hasselblad system for just £8995 + VAT. For high-end 35 mm DSLR users who
know that image quality is everything but who thought they could never afford it. Until now.
Visit www.handsonahasselblad.com or call us on 020 8731 3250 to find out more.
3. welcome
march
I’ve spent a lot of time recently talking to photographers and readers, and I must say that it has been
particularly pleasing to hear how many of you are responding positively to what we are trying to do.
We have tried over the past year or so to create a magazine which not only inspires and informs but also
tells it as it is. No false promises, no false hopes, just the facts as they are from the people who know.
From what I have been hearing this is what you want, so we’re pleased to be able to bring you
another issue of what you say you want and need. One of the people who certainly doesn’t shy away from reality
is our sometime working pro Peter Dench. His diary seems to be building quite a following and, as ever, this
month he lays his photographic soul bare in the Dench Diary on Page 40.
Another regular contributor, Martin Middlebrook, this month shares his experiences of the camaraderie of
photojournalists in Afghan Café on Page 37. I share my experiences of shooting my first book in Being There
(and thanks for all the kind comments I have received concerning this monthly column) in Bringing it All Back Home on Page 23.
And Clive Booth discovers the importance of blogs in this month’s
Dispatches on Page 32. To round up this issue’s outpouring
of personal experience we take a look at the growth of extremely
personal photography which we are seeing in both book form in
Me, Myself and I on Page 78 and in the blogging world in
The New Kid in Town on Page 94, as well as its importance in
a photographer’s life in The Personal Project on Page 72.
The one name which most photographers agree on as being
among the true greats is W. Eugene Smith, which led us and
Peter Silverton to ask the question, “Was and is he the greatest
photographer of all time?” You can read Peter’s answer in the article
asking exactly that on Page 66. While we are talking about legendary
photographers who are sadly no longer with us it seemed like a good
time to reassess the work of Herb Ritts. He defined the visual aesthetic
of the 1980s and 1990s before his early death, but was being forgotten
until recently. You can find out more in Everyone’s Talking
About Herb Ritts on Page 58.
Add to all of this an exclusive interview with fashion and portrait
photographer Nick Haddow on Page 88, the holy trinity
of wedding photographers Yervant, Jasmine Star
and Crash Taylor in a royal wedding
EDITOR’S IMAGE: MATT HALSTEAD
head-to-head on Page 83 and shooting
THIS IMAGE: HERB RITTS
hard drives with shotguns on Page 97,
and I believe you’ll agree that we are
delivering on all fronts and hopefully
getting it right most of the time.
Grant Scott, Editor
5. NEW PHOTOGRAPHY
8 Portfolio
The best of your work posted on to our online portfolio.
57 Exposure
Robert Mapplethorpe returns to London thanks to
contents
march
the rock band Scissor Sisters.
NEED TO KNOW
23 Being There
PP Editor Grant Scott recalls the experience of
turning a personal project into an internationally
published book.
32 Dispatches
Clive Booth talks about developing his brand,
website and photographic touch points.
37 Afghan Café
Photojournalist Martin Middlebrook relives the
camaraderie he found in Kabul with fellow
photographers.
40 The Dench Diary
This month photojournalist Peter Dench judges a
camera club and survives January, just!
44 The World of Convergence
Film maker John Campbell’s regular news-packed
look at the world of convergence.
47 Frontline
We talk to legendary art director and former
Pentagram partner David Hillman.
55 Guess the Lighting
Ever seen a great image and wanted to know how it
was lit? Ted Sabarese explains all.
58 Everyone’s Talking About
Herb Ritts
The legend of 1980s celebrity portraiture is
remembered by those he helped make famous. Actress Carey Mulligan, taken by Nick Haddow. Discover his approach to photography in our interview on page 88.
66 The Greatest Photographer
of all Time...
The answer is simple. The answer is W. Eugene Smith. INTERVIEWS WITH... 98 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
. Is it a stills camera? Is it a video camera?
78 Me, Myself and I 72 The Personal Project Award-winning photojournalist Kieran Doherty gets
PP Editor Grant Scott has had enough of Dmitri Kasterine’s photographic life has been one. his hands on this gem of a camera to find out.
introspective photography and so has photography Now in his 70s, he is having his work rediscovered.
publisher Dewi Lewis. They both explain why and 103 Stop Press...
what they believe to be the reasons for the fashion. 88 Let There Be Light The latest essential news, gossip and kit from the
An exclusive interview with Scottish fashion and pro world.
83 The Royal Wedding portrait photographer Nick Haddow.
Slamdown
Three of the biggest names in wedding photography
tell us how they’d shoot the wedding of the decade. NEWS & REVIEWS KEEP IN TOUCH
26 Subscribe
94 The New Kid in Town 14 Click Check out our latest subscription offers across all
Blog photography is fast becoming the new platform This month’s line-up of the best news, dreams, our photography titles.
for photographic curation. PP Editor Grant Scott themes and photographic schemes, plus our pick of
wants to find out more about the world of reblogging. this month’s photographic exhibitions in the UK. 28 Podcast
Free photographic discussion for the masses.
NICK HADDOW
114 Legend 97 The Hard Drive Must Die
We look at the great lost talent that was British Take a hard drive and a shotgun and see which 53 Feedback
photojournalist Tony Ray-Jones. wins. It’s a simple formula with a surprising result. Your thoughts, your opinions, your page.
www.professionalphotographer.co.uk 5
6. CALUMET
t ow
us a
it L27 g sh
Vis nd gin 011
ta a 2
n s n Im arch
o o
s hM
cu 6-9t
Fo
Limited
offer
Save over Bowens Gemini 500R Twin Head Kit
£249 The Gemini 500R monolight retains the unique ability to be
powered from AC mains in the studio or the award-winning
Travelpak battery unit out on location as well as boasting a range
of new features designed to offer photographers not only ultimate
freedom but unmatched power, durability and control too.
This limited kit offer contains two 500R heads and Gemini
Remote Control, bundled together with an 80cm x 60cm and
Includes 100cm x 100cm soft-box, stands and kit bag.
extra softbox
£989.00
& remote
control* 500R Kit BW4812UK
Nikon Canon EOS 60D
D7000 DSLR Discover your creative side with the EOS
60D. Express yourself by producing
The new D7000 includes a range of
stunning stills or Full HD Movies using
new features to ensure superior image the vari-angle LCD screen and the
quality including 16.2 effective advanced creative features. Featuring
megapixels with the newly developed an 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor, 5.3fps
Nikon DXformat CMOS image sensor. shooting for up to 58 jpegs and a
9-point cross type AF System.
D7000 Body Only 355-875A £999.00 Canon EOS 60D Body 321-349A £829.00
D7000 w 18-105mm Lens 355-875B £1125.00 Canon EOS 60D +18-135mm Lens 321-349C £1029.00
Calumet Calumet 8000 Series
Reflectors Tripods with Ball Head
Calumet 32” (81cm) round, Amazing carbon fiber tripods, significantly lighter than
zigzag style Soft Gold & Silver standard aluminum models without compromising
reflector, with the reverse side performance. The 8x technology features eight layers of
pure white. The combination carbon fiber designed to provide maximum strength and
gives a mild warming effect on stability while keeping the tripod's weight to a minimum.
one side, with a reflective soft
even white on the other.
Calumet 8121 4-section Tripod
includes head
CK8121
£199.00
RM4030 £24.99
Calumet 8132 3-section Tripod
no head included
CK8132
£149.99
Calumet Pro Series Calumet Rolling
Wireless Transceiver Units Camera Case RC1188
This unique, multi-functional, 4-channel transceiver can be used Holds up to two or three DSLR camera bodies, three or four additional
either as a transmitter or as a receiver, in tandem with other lenses, a portable flash, and accessories, and yet it meets domestic
units to fire portable flashes, studio flash heads, or cameras. airlines carry-on requirements. An expandable compartment can
A choice of 4 channels offers a range of synchronizing options accommodate an optional tripod or lightweight stand case, and a
with multiple flash and camera setups, and prevents your flash pop-out rear prop keeps the case at a comfortable working angle
from being triggered by other flash units around you, making it and your equipment off the ground. Its exterior dimensions are
perfect for photographing events and other location assignments. 14 x 10 x 20.75" (36 x 25 x 53cm) and it weighs 14.4 lbs. (6.5kg).
CF0085 £84.99 RM2202 £149.99
All prices include Vat at 20%. Prices correct at time of going to press. E&OE.
Call: 08706 03 03 03
Click: www.calumetphoto.co.uk
Visit: stores nationwide
8. PORTFOLIO
Each month we share the best
of the latest postings from our
online portfolio with our
magazine readers, so for your
chance to appear in
Professional Photographer, go
online and start uploading
your best images to
www.professional
photographer.co.uk. If you
want to see more
of any photographer’s work,
go to their online profile to
access their website details.
JOANNA ZYSNARSKA,
POLAND
MICHAEL STUART-DALEY,
UK
DANIEL
LACROIX,
UK
8 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
10. PORTFOLI TONY LE-BRITTON,
UK
CHRIS THORNTON,
UK
TIM WALLACE, VLADIMIR PLUGNIKOV,
UK UKRAINE
10 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
11. BALAZS ROTH,
HUNGARY
TIM ALBAN,
UK
MAX EAREY,
UK
www.professionalphotographer.co.uk 11
12. PORTFOLI STUART DUNN,
UK
GIUSEPPE PIAZZA,
UK
STUART DUNN,
UK
KEITH JACK,
IRELAND
MONIKA GORKA,
UK
12 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
13. Let Park Cameras help you
expand your Canon system
We aim to replicate a consistent, unrivalled level of Free Cano
customer service ensuring that, no matter where your n/Park
Cameras c
photographic interest lies, you can always expect the leaning
cloth (RRP
very highest level of service: £4.99) wit
• Complete range of Canon EF, EF-S and MP-E lenses and every prom h
otional
DLSR bodies lens purch
• Official Canon EOS Professional Centre
ased.
• Award-winning customer service
• Dedicated Canon experts offering unrivalled product advice
• Touch and Try before your buy
• Canon hire stock facility
• Onsite test studio
• Next day delivery via www.parkcameras.com
• Open seven days a week
Tel: 01444 23 70 68
www.parkcameras.com/PP
Find your perfect Canon lens
Sport Photography Wildlife photography Portrait Landscape Wedding
EF 70-200 EF 70-300mm EF 50mm f/1.4 EF 16-35mm EF 17-40mm
f/2.8L IS II USM f/4-5.6L IS USM Standard lens featuring f/2.8 L USM f/4L USM
The all-new EF 70- Designed to deliver superb quality and High performance ultra L-series ultra-wide-angle
200mm f/2.8L IS II USM ultra-high quality images portability. wide-angle Canon zoom lens that’s ideal
increases the speed, along with lightning fast £299.99 L-series lens. It has been for weddings.
performance and optical operation, the new Canon specifically designed Great flexible wedding
quality of the mark I EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS Fashion & Beauty for improved edge-to- lens when used with an
while maintaining all of USM telephoto zoom lens EF 85mm f1.8 USM edge image quality EOS SLR cameras with a
the characteristics that brings a favourite zoom A highly practical medium that will meet the focal length conversion
have made it a legend for range to the celebrated telephoto lens with strict requirements of factor higher than
professionals. Canon L-series of lenses. superb delineation and professional user. £644.99
£1,978.00 £1,238.99 portability. Images are Great for capturing
sharp and clear at all stunning landscapes.
apertures. A flexible lens £1,217.99
for fashion and beauty.
£315.99
All prices include VAT @ 20%. Prices correct at time of print. E&OE
15. German photographers Frank Bayh and Steff
Rosenberger-Ochs are finalists in the lifestyle section
of the commercial category with this image, entitled
Don’t Touch My Universe.
Dench at Derby Sony World Photo 2011
In the last edition of Click we
short list announced
previewed FORMAT, the The Sony World Photography Awards 2011 short list has
Derby-based photography been announced with 15 categories in the professional
festival, from 4 March to competition under three genres: Photojournalism &
3 April. Fans of our regular documentary, commercial and fine art. Short-listed
feature The Dench Diary will photographers come from as far away as Afghanistan,
be pleased to know images Argentina and China, with several UK photographers
from England Uncensored making the cut from more than 105,000 entries.
by Peter Dench (one of which The winners will be announced on 27 April at a ceremony
is pictured here) will be at the Odeon Leicester Square, in London, marking a move
showing on a digital screen in the festival’s QUAD and Focus sections. Peter, who away from Cannes, which has hosted the ceremony in
is returning to the city he left 15 years ago, said: “When the world’s heavyweight previous years. The overall Photographer of the Year will
PETER DENCH
street photographers gather, it’s time to take notice. I’m delighted Derby is win $25,000 and professional Sony camera equipment.
hosting a festival fast becoming one of the most successful in the world.” To see a complete list of short-listed photographers visit
For more details on the festival visit www.formatfestival.com www.worldphoto.org
www.professionalphotographer.co.uk 15
18. Candid cameras Get up to speed
London gallery Neil Turner, a vice-chairman of the British Press
Yohji Yamamoto
the Wapping Autumn-Winter Photographers’ Association and regular contributor
NEIL TURNER
Project Bankside 1998-99 collection. to our sister magazine Photography Monthly, will be
never fails to running and teaching the new course in
bring something photography and photojournalism at Up to Speed
fresh and Journalism based in Bournemouth, Dorset. The course costs £4,000, plus £199.15
exciting to the exam fees, with students learning how to cover news, sport and entertainment events
art scene, and its using both stills and video cameras. They will also be taught writing skills and media
next exhibition, law at the centre based at the Bournemouth Daily Echo newspaper. The next
MONICA FEUDI
Yohji’s Women, course starts at the end of September 2011 and continues until February 2012.
sees them true to To enrol or find out more visit http://uptospeedjournalism.co.uk
form. Running
parallel to the
Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Foto Mags The Foto Mags Now app lets you enjoy our magazines
show features the work of seven international photographers who on your iPad. You can download single issues or
have collaborated with the influential designer to convey his vision Now subscribe to Professional Photographer, Photography
of strong women. The pictures, by leading photographers such as Monthly, Turning Pro, Which Digital Camera and World
Nick Knight, Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, Craig of Photography. Available in the iTunes store, the app
McDean and Paolo Roversi, perfectly match the spirit and vitality enables you to expand features, scroll around the
of Yamamoto’s designs. page, listen to podcasts and view video footage. It even
Yohji’s Women, the Wapping Project Bankside, 12 March to 14 May. works on your iPhone. For more information go to
www.thewappingprojectbankside.com iTunes or the App store. www.apple.com/uk/itunes
18 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
21. We have done the hard work for you and chosen the best photographic
exhibitions on show now or coming up soon. For a full list of exhibitions and
events visit www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
Angelheaded Hipsters:
Images of the Beat Generation
National Theatre, South Bank, London, SE1 9PX
020 7452 3400; www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/exhibitions
Until 20 March
The Beat Generation of writers and poets rose
to prominence in the 1950s in reaction to what
they saw as the conformity and materialism of
post-war America. Allen Ginsberg was a leading
figure of the Beat movement and his 1956 epic
poem Howl!, in which he celebrates his fellow
‘angelheaded hipsters’, helped to define the
generation. A collection of his photographs is Writer Jack Kerouac in 1953 making what Ginsberg described as
a “Dostoyevsky mad-face” or “Russian basso be-bop Om” while
now on show at the National Theatre and sheds walking through the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York.
light on this influential sub-culture. This free
ALLEN GINSBERG
exhibition (courtesy of Corbis Images and the Allen Ginsberg Trust) traces the early years and subsequent
fame of Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William S Burroughs, while images from other photographers show the
influence of the Beat Generation.
Tumi Figures and Fictions: Contemporary South African Photography
Mokgosi.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
020 7942 2000; www.vam.ac.uk
12 April to 17 July
This spring the V&A museum will host an exhibition of contemporary
South African photography, featuring more than 150 works which
represent the vibrant and thought-provoking photographic culture
that has emerged in the country since the end of apartheid. The images
show people within their community or family surroundings and
depict issues such as race, religion, gender, class and politics.
The 17 photographers featured in the exhibition include established
figures David Goldblatt and Santu Mofokeng as well as a new
ZANELE MUHOLI
generation including Zanele Muholi and Hasan and Husain Essop.
Each is represented by a series of photographs that question what
it is to be human in South Africa at this time.
Zed Nelson: LOVE ME
Impressions Gallery, Centenary Square, Bradford, BD1 1SD
01274 737843; www.impressions-gallery.com
4 March to 29 May
Award-winning photographer Zed Nelson’s show at the Impressions
Gallery this spring explores the cultural and commercial forces
that feed the global obsession with youth and beauty. The images
in LOVE ME depict cosmetic surgeons, beauty queens and
bodybuilders alongside everyday teenagers, businessmen and
housewives. Zed visited countries across five continents to capture
images for the cross-cultural exhibition, which questions our views
of what beauty really is and raises questions about our own vanities
and insecurities. We talked to Zed Nelson about his career as a
ZED NELSON
photojournalist in the June 2010 issue of the magazine; back issues
are available from www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
22.
23. Bringingitall
backhome
When PP Editor Grant Scott
decided to bring two strands
of his photography together
he found himself not only major eight-page articles and the occasional publisher Thames & Hudson, who were
interesting portrait. As always with editorial commercial enough to ensure my book was seen
having a book published but commissions, when you start working regularly but had a pedigree to ensure it was also
also travelling the world... for one title it is not long before rival publications
are noticing your work and the phone begins
well-designed and produced. I approached my
contact there who was fortunately in a position
ringing. I was soon shooting for LivingEtc, House to give the green light to the project if he
It is often the case that & Garden and Homes & Gardens magazines, believed it made both artistic and commercial
as photographers and getting commercial work for interiors and sense for the company and after a number of
we can easily become design clients. I was now considered by one set of meetings we got the go-ahead. I say ‘we’ because
pigeonholed. clients to be an interiors photographer who could I had soon realised when compiling the list of
After approximately shoot portraits and by another set of clients as possible shoots that I was going to need help.
five years of working a portrait photographer who liked shooting in Fortunately, my wife is both a novelist and a
as a pro I found myself environments but could work in a studio if writer, and she agreed not only to help me
in not just one necessary. This seemed confusing to me and to organise each shoot but also to oversee all of the
pigeonhole but two! my clients so I decided to do something about text for the book, including interviews with each
Since first making the switch from being an art it and started work on creating a project which person included.
director to working as a photographer I had would present me and my work clearly to both Although Thames & Hudson agreed to publish
been taking portraits with some success, shooting sets of clients. the book they were happy for us to do everything
celebrities and what I call “People you may The resulting concept was called Bringing it All else required to make it happen. Initially, because
have heard of ” for editorial clients as well as Back Home. Based on my love for design and of my design background, they were keen for me
doing a range of different portrait work for meeting people whom I admired I compiled a to design the book as well as photograph it, but
commercial clients. I had been lucky enough list of the world’s leading product, furniture, I was determined not to confuse these disciplines
to be successful in the now-defunct but interiors and graphic designers with the idea of and so I worked on the design with a friend,
then-important Kobal Photographic Portrait photographing each of them in their homes, Jonathan Ellery, at Browns, an award-winning
Awards and I was happy to be described as a wherever they lived, to see if the designs they
portrait photographer. created for us to buy and live with were the
Just as I was feeling content with this state of same ones they chose for their own homes. “I have always seen
affairs I was contacted completely out of the blue The locations would range from New York to
by the art director of Elle Decoration and asked Sao Paulo, Frankfurt to Barcelona, San Francisco photography as a passport
to shoot a portrait and interiors story for the
magazine in Turin. It was an exciting commission
to Milan, and Derbyshire to West Sussex. It was
not going to be a cheap project to complete;
to enter worlds and meet
and because I had always had a personal and I needed someone to help pay for it as well as people that I would never
professional interest in design of all types they
seemed like a great new client to work with.
a format in which to present the final project.
The answer to both problems would be a
have had access to if it had
I have always seen photography as a passport to publisher and a book. not been for my camera and
enter worlds and meet people that I would never
have had access to if it had not been for my
Fortunately, as an art director I had designed
and helped to edit a number of books for it is these opportunities to
camera and it is these opportunities to meet
people and share knowledge that keeps me so
photographers and about photography, so I had
a pretty good understanding of what a publisher
meet people and share
excited about photography. Anyway, the shoot in was looking for when commissioning a project knowledge that keeps me so
Italy went well and the magazine was pleased
with the images; so pleased in fact that it
and also some good contacts in the publishing
world. In my mind the perfect choice for
excited about photography.”
started to commission me regularly to shoot my project was the art, design and photography Grant Scott
www.professionalphotographer.co.uk 23
24. “Having done my sums I same day and no stay-overs. The American
sessions were going to require me to arrange the
Evidently Bring it All Back Home was not a
good title for Amazon, as it did not include
worked out that I would have shoots on the back of work I hoped to get over
there from my US or UK clients. New York
enough key words. At Home with the Makers of
Style was suggested and settled upon. I was
to shoot all of the portraits wouldn’t be too difficult because I was often neither happy nor convinced by the reason for the
and interior images with no working there but the rest would not be as easy.
We got a great response from the people we
new title. I felt the cold hand of a marketing
department being involved in last-minute
more than five rolls of contacted who we wanted to include in the book decision-making. I may be wrong but I had seen
12-exposure 120 film and and my schedule rapidly started to fill up.
Design greats such as Alberto Alessi, Dieter
this happen before and had to fight a similar
battle as a designer. The same was true of the
one pack of Polaroid per Rams (the man Jonathon Ive admits having cover. We wanted it to be type only; the publishers
been influenced by when designing Apple wanted some images on the cover. A compromise
shoot. Cheap hotels, no products), Karim Rashid and David Mellor signed was reached, which worked for neither of us.
assistant and the cheapest up and I started shooting. The adventures
I had over the following six months will have
Despite these last-minute problems the final
book was a success. On its launch it was
flights I could find.” to be saved for a future Being There column but, featured across 10 pages in Elle Decoration and
as you can probably imagine, plenty were 20 pages of Dwell magazine. Similar-length
Grant Scott experienced. I managed to get to both Sao Paulo features appeared in the Observer, Times and
and San Francisco on the back of commissions
design group in London. As I shot on Hasselblads for the San Francisco based Dwell magazine, for
at the time and never cropped my pictures, the whom I worked. It led me to shooting in the
square format was crucial to the images I created. favelas under armed guard on election day in
Thames & Hudson thought it was important that Brazil and playing football against the Apple
my approach carried through into how the book development team on a warm Sunday morning
should look and suggested a square format, which in California.
worked perfectly with the ideas that both Jon My four shoots in New York took place over
and I had for the typography. The design and two extremely humid days running across
format were agreed upon, the final list of whom Manhattan dealing with a number of fragile egos.
we wanted to photograph was confirmed and I did the shoot in Barcelona following coffee
the budget/advance agreed. Now it was time to in a rat-infested bar. In Frankfurt I drank a little
start the project. too much wine with Dieter Rams and on
It may surprise you to know that it is very returning from one of the Milan shoots in the
unusual for any photography monograph early hours I forgot where I had left my car in
(a book compiled of photographs by only one the Gatwick car park. In Paris I shot on a roof
photographer) to sell more than 1,000 to 2,000 in a storm and when it came to photographing
copies and many sell a lot less. When it comes to the legendary product designer David Mellor
sales a major publisher would expect to have to (traffic lights, bus stops, cutlery and so much Telegraph magazines. It had both French
sell more than 25,000 copies before they could more we take for granted) I discovered he and American co-editions and sold reasonably
begin to recoup their investment. So any form of was not as well as I had hoped and that he had well. Did it achieve what I wanted it to do and
advance or shoot budget you get will be based on to be supported by his son and carer. reposition my work with clients? Not really, I just
the commerciality of your project. Basically will While shooting the book I had also been became the photographer who shot portraits
it appeal to those interested in more than just the editing the contact sheets, deciding the pace and and interiors who could also travel. If you want to
photography? Suffice to say that the people at which images which we would use. As the book see the completed book you can now buy it on
Thames & Hudson were happy to advance me a was to be compiled in designer surname Amazon (find it via its Amazon-friendly title),
fixed sum and the rest was up to me. alphabetical order, the layouts were completed reduced from its original £19.95 to 1p and
Having done my sums I worked out that I as we continued shooting. The whole project upwards depending on condition. You may even
would have to shoot all of the portraits and was completed on time and on budget. When we be lucky enough, as I recently was, to pick up
interior images with no more than five rolls of delivered the completed work, however, the a copy from TK Maxx. Whoever said that
12-exposure 120 film and one pack of Polaroid only disagreement with the publishers came over professional photography was exempt from the
per shoot. Cheap hotels, no assistant and the two of what I consider the most important bargain bin? PP
cheapest flights I could find. The European elements when it comes to creating a book:
portraits would mean in-and-out shoots on the The name and the cover. www.grantscott.com
GO ONLINE FOR MORE EXCLUSIVE TALES FROM THE WORLD OF PHOTOGRAPHY, VISIT WWW.PROFESSIONALPHOTOGRAPHER.CO.UK
24 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
25.
26. SAVE
UP TO
£15! JOIN OUR
PHOTOGRAPHY PROFESSIONAL TURNING
MONTHLY PHOTOGRAPHER PRO
1 YEAR - 13 ISSUES 1 YEAR - 12 ISSUES 2 YEARS - 12 ISSUES
SAVE £15! £36.87 by Direct Debit SAVE £15! £32.88 by Direct Debit SAVE £15! £44.88 by Direct Debit
SAVE £10! £41.87 by credit/direct card SAVE £10! £37.88 by credit/direct card SAVE £10! £49.88 by credit/direct card
SAVE MORE!
WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO TWO MAGAZINES
SUBSCRIBER
BENEFITS
Save up to £15 on a
single subscription
or up to £30 on a
double subscription.
Save up to £30 on FREE access to fully
the cover price when searchable digital
you subscribe to two editions of current
magazines detailed and back issues –
above. Order online worth £15.
today. Every issue
delivered straight to
your door.
If you would prefer your subscription in digital format,
go online and subscribe today from just £15 a year at
www.subscriptionsave.co.uk/digital
Terms & Conditions: Professional Photographer is published 12 times a year and savings are based on a cover price of £3.99. Photography Monthly is published
13 times a year and savings are based on a cover price of £3.99. Turning Pro is published six times a year and savings are based on a two-year subscription and
a cover price of £4.99. Bookazines are available while stocks last. Free delivery to UK; add £3 to Europe and £5 to rest of world. Offer ends: 24 August 2011.
27. COMMUNITY
IT’S EASY TO AVAILABLE
APPS NOW
SUBSCRIBE FOR IPAD & IPHONE
ONLINE WWW.SUBSCRIPTIONSAVE.CO.UK/IMAGING Download all of them for free via iTunes
CALL US 01858 438840 AND QUOTE PPP1
FREE P&P TO UK
WHICH DIGITAL WORLD OF
CAMERA PHOTOGRAPHY
JUST £3.99 + FREE P&P TO UK JUST £4.99 + FREE P&P TO UK
Which Digital Camera informs you of World of Photography is an
the best cameras and accessories on exciting, inspirational and essential
the market. Purchase a copy today to addition to any photography
ensure you have all the information enthusiast’s library, featuring only
you need to make an informed images taken by the readers of
decision on your next purchase. Photography Monthly.
HOW TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE www.subscriptionsave.co.uk/imaging
FOLLOW US on Facebook and Twitter (@prophotomag and @photomonthly)
VISIT OUR WEBSITES www.professionalphotographer.co.uk and www.photographymonthly.com
28. podcast
ON YOUR
WAVELENGTH
Every month we record a free podcast discussing, debating and chatting around a subject
featured in the magazine. We post them on our website and you can subscribe for free
and download them via iTunes. So if you haven’t listened in yet, why not give them a try?
THIS MONTH’S PODCAST January Issue October Issue
March Issue ICONS OF PHOTOGRAPHY THE SECRETS OF BEING A PRO
THE PERSONAL PROJECT SPECIAL PP Editor Grant Scott and deputy editor Eleanor The team discuss the secrets of professional
This month the regular team grapple with the O’Kane are joined by regular columnist photography. Veteran pros Grant and Peter relate
importance of creating personal projects for and photojournalist Peter Dench to discuss the their experiences of working alongside other
sustaining, promoting and developing a importance of learning from the masters, and photographers and how these have influenced
photographer’s career. Should a photographer debate the point at which they believe a their working practices. With the days of the
approach the project in the same way as a photographer becomes an icon. The team talk communal darkroom and lab long gone, the
commission or adopt a different tack? We look about their own personal favourites and explain opportunity to share news and advice in person
at photographers who have got it right and why they think they deserve iconic status. has disappeared. The team looks at new ways of
discuss whether there’s such a thing as too networking, including the PP’s United States of
many introspective personal projects. December Issue Photography support group.
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS
AND THOSE YOU MAY HAVE MISSED… Grant Scott is joined by Eleanor O’Kane and September Issue
February Issue photographer Peter Dench to discuss the world of THE UNITED STATES OF PHOTOGRAPHY
THE BUSINESS SPECIAL competitions, the contentious Taylor Wessing The regular podcast team of Grant Scott, Eleanor
The regular podcast team talk tax, finance and Photographic Portrait Prize and whether there is O’Kane and Peter Dench discuss the creation of
marketing to coincide with the business special such a thing as a formula for winning. PP’s support group, the United States of
in the February issue. They look at whether Photography, which was launched in the
possessing business and photography skills go November Issue September issue. They talk about the origins of
hand in hand, discuss potential areas where SEXY OR SEXIST? the USP, which was a response to an article on
seeking professional advice could reap rewards Grant Scott, Eleanor O’Kane and Peter Dench the loneliness of being a freelance photographer.
and ask if current photography students are discuss why some images are seen as sexy while The team also asks if photographers are
aware of the importance of business skills when others are labelled sexist. Does it depend on becoming isolated in a digital age and why
choosing a career as a professional photographer. context or are there other factors at play? support groups are more important than ever. PP
28 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
29.
30. ADVERTORIAL
Epson paints a pretty picture
for photo and fine art prints
Professionals can reap stunning creative benefits from the new Epson Stylus Pro 4900
Every photographer and fine artist searches
for the holy grail of a printer that will give
better-than-lab quality results on a wide
range of media, accurate and consistent
colour and high productivity - yet doesn’t cost
the earth to buy and run, or take up too much
valuable studio space.
The good news is that the new Epson Stylus Pro
4900 ticks all the boxes. Whether you are
producing prints for display in photo and fine art
exhibitions, or selling your prints as collectible art,
this compact, 17-inch professional production
printer sets new standards in long-lasting colour The Epson Stylus Pro 4900 is an ideal
precision and productivity. printer for photographers wanting to print
Epson’s innovative Micro Piezo printhead high-quality photographs and fine art prints.
technology, ink expertise and many years’
experience in developing leading-edge printers for a wide range of media is used. Not only is the
the demanding photo and fine art market are colour extremely accurate but prints are durable,
distilled in this new printer. It features Epson’s with excellent scratch and water resistance
next-generation 11-colour UltraChrome HDR inks, and are lightfast for up to 75 years, with
including two blacks (matte and photo) plus black-and-white prints lasting well over
a green and orange for a great tonal range and 100 years*.
first-class results. Colours are accurate, reliable The Epson Stylus Pro 4900 prints on a
and repeatable, even when printed on wide range of professional photographic produce limited, certified editions of their
a variety of media such as fine art paper and and fine art paper, allowing you to create a original works, as well as guaranteeing exceptional
canvas, and the Stylus Pro 4900 can match completely individual style of work. Choose from image quality and durability.
98% of PANTONE colours. a range including roll media and high quality cut Complementing the superior quality output, cost
The UltraChrome HDR ink technology gives the sheet output, featuring various surface textures and savings come from the Epson Stylus Pro 4900’s
Epson Stylus Pro 4900 the widest colour gamut the latest fine art papers. incredible boost in productivity when compared to
achievable today so you can produce everything Building on the success of its quality-assured similar models. It produces prints at 30m2 per hour
from subtle greyscales to vibrant colours. The fine Digigraphie print solution, and responding to its and has minimum maintenance requirements.
brush strokes, skin tones and textures needed customers’ requirements for a dedicated, Not only does the printer give excellent results,
for fine art reproduction are all replicated to the high-quality fine art and photography media range, it does so at a low total cost of ownership
tiniest detail. Black-and-white prints benefit from Epson has launched its Signature Worthy brand and is ENERGY STAR® qualified for excellent
the addition of two black inks (light black and of media; a way for users to identify clearly the power efficiency.
light, light black) producing neutral greys, products in its premium line-up. The flexibility from this new printer gives
smoother gradation, enhanced shadow detail The Signature Worthy range will include Epson’s photographers and artists alike the power to
and denser blacks. highest-quality cut-sheet media products that produce stunning results and the freedom to
For anyone who wishes to produce prints to enable the best possible print results for artists and ‘exceed their vision’ and push creative potential
accurate and repeatable profiles, an optional photographers alike. When used in combination even further.
in-line SpectroProofer offers automatic colour with Epson’s Stylus Pro print technologies and
certification and calibration. You can be confident UltraChrome inks, the Signature Worthy media www.epson.co.uk
the colours on the print are identical to those in will deliver Digigraphie-approved results,
the original image, no matter which substrate from allowing fine art and photographic artists to *See www.epson-europe.com
30 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
31.
32. dispatches Clive Booth tales from the frontline of professional photography
This month: Like many of us I am acutely aware of the
importance of being far more visible online
and making sense of and using social
Clive ponders the networking to gain a regular audience, retain
it and ultimately generate more work and
importance of building an income. This whole subject raises more questions
than answers and I’m not sure if anyone can
online profile and shares answer with a high degree of certainty. It is most
his ideas and experience likely that our web and social media presence will
play an increasingly important role in whether we
on getting it right. win or lose commissions. The power of our
virtual presence cannot be underestimated; it is
the web that, as a friend put it, “represents us in
CLIVE BOOTH
our physical absence” to share with others our
work, thoughts and feelings, along with following
our career and, sometimes, life journeys.
32 www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
33. “Corporate giant Ernst & Young’s final decision to choose me from a short list of
photographers was in part decided from their reading of my articles for this magazine
which, although in print, are still in effect a monthly blog. They understood my passion for
photography, the way I shoot, my workflow and working principles...” Clive Booth
This was proved to me last year when corporate We want to learn as much as possible about a ways to an almost unlimited audience so easily
giant Ernst & Young’s final decision to choose me product or service and be in a position to know all and instantly. There may be billions of
from a short list of photographers was in part the available facts so we can make an informed conversations taking place at any given moment
decided from their reading of my articles for this purchasing decision. and yet it will always be the content that will
magazine which, although in print, are still in With the advent of the smartphone and, more make us stand apart from the competition.
effect a monthly blog. They understood my recently, the iPad, our web and social media With this in mind I have started a project of my
passion for photography, the way I shoot, my presence is quite literally at the tip of our own to create a far stronger web presence.
workflow and working principles, and felt that prospective followers’ fingers and the world is No matter how beautifully designed a gallery of
while I would be sensitive when working with moving increasingly towards delivering media on pictures or films may be, it’s no longer enough
different cultures around the world I would also demand. Even the humble TV is now a mixed and our followers are always hungry for more and
deliver. In effect, by sharing the experience of media device with not just Freeview and Sky, but more information. It all started as a blog and I
how I shoot, work and my feelings on previous the iPlayer, Demand Five, LOVEFiLM, YouTube, suppose the site will be loosely based on this
projects, both personal and professional, I had I could go on. concept as I aim to update it at least two to three
given them a glimpse of how I would work for So it’s clear that the web is more important than times a month. Whenever I try to explain this
them. What Ernst & Young did was no different to ever and there has never previously been a time project to friends and colleagues I fail to come up
many of us when making a serious purchase. when we could communicate in so many different with a name. Obviously it’s a website, gallery,
www.professionalphotographer.co.uk 33