Birmingham Loves Photographers

Birmingham Loves Photographers Website

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 12:32:49 -0500

We have now moved to BirminghamLovesphotographers.com

Come check it out and get involved!

Photo Of The Week by Ian Winstanley: ‘Painted Priest -...

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:36:36 -0500

Photo Of The Week by Ian Winstanley: ‘Painted Priest - Kathmandu’

Kate Hook

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 16:24:16 -0500

How did you get into photography/what is your background?

It was when I was about 14 when my dad bought a camcorder where I started playing around with imagery, and then about a year later I got a compact digital camera. It was a really good camera to start with (it was a Fuji one but I can’t remember what model it was!) as it had manual settings so I taught myself the ins and outs of photography. I studied photography at Sutton Art & Design from 2006 to 2008, but due to personal circumstances I gave up photography shortly after I passed my course. Just over a year ago I was encouraged to get back into it and bought my first DSLR and never looked back.

How would you describe your style of photography?

Guess I’d have to say “fresh” as I’m still learning new skills with it and it shows in my work. I’m not known for having a certain style, just being able to do a small variation of techniques and being experimental. I’m quite edgy and starting to become a lot more risqué with my images.

What equipment do you use?

I use a d90 and I’ve started using a manual lens off an old Nikon SLR camera. Also I like to do Lomography so I use a Mini Diana and a Holga a lot too.

Who has influenced your work?

Terry Richardson & Ellen Von Unwerth I’d say were my biggest influences when studying photography. My friends are always throwing ideas at me for pictures, even models have given me some good ideas on shoots! I get a lot of my ideas from my surroundings, like I’ll walk into a scuffy lil corner shop and think it’ll be a great place to do a shoot. As well as different cultures, music, old books, even from old movies I get influenced by styles, colours, even just what an extra is wearing can influence me!

Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?

There should be exhibitions that don’t cost a bomb to get involved with! Also maybe start up some workshops with different photographers so they can teach their own tricks of the trade.

Exploring documentary photography - 3rd December

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:54:38 -0500

This is a discussion based workshop inspired by the current exhibition This is Not a House, by Edgar Martins at The New Art Gallery Walsall. If you have an interest in photography both taking your own photographs and in discussing photographic styles and would like to meet like minded photographers within the region please book a free place and come along, its ideal for new photographers and seasoned pros. This event will include a practical demonstration of how to use a 5 x 4 camera and the considerations needed for this; planning a photography project and the importance of this to continue your own personal development; and looking at the type of photography genre that you might usually expect to see on a degree level photography course. The session will also be looking forward to a future exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall by photographer Martin Parr. The session is led by Malcolm Brice, professional art & commercial photographer who has taught at Nottingham Trent University for the past two years.

Check out Malcolm’s book ‘Incontinent Nostalgia and Sensory Ghosts’.

This FREE event will be from 1-4pm on Saturday 3rd December.

To book a free place (places limited) please call gallery reception on 01922 654400

Coming to Light - talk by Pete James 16/11/11

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:35:43 -0500

Pete James (Head of Photographs - Bham Central Library) will be giving a talk on the Birmingham Photographic Library collection is Wed 16th November at Calumet Birmingham Branch. The talk is FREE and will prove to be an illuminating insight into the UK’s largest photographic collection.

With over 20 years experience as the curator of this Internationally acclaimed photographic collection, Pete James has a wealth of knowledge on many of the collections historically significant and more unusual images.

Birmingham Central Library holds one of the UK’s national collections of photography. Totalling some 3.5 million images, these internationally significant collections include work by some of the UK’s greatest photographers: Francis Frith, Francis Bedford, Roger Fenton, Edward Muybridge, Sir Benjamin Stone, Bill Brandt, Tony Ray Jones, Paul Hill, John Blakemore, Brian Griffin Peter Marlow and Chris Steele Perkins amongst others. The collection also includes a vast number images ranging from the less well-known to the downright bizarre.

In 2013 the photography collections will move into the Library of Birmingham where new facilities, including state-of-the-art gallery space, will open up full public access to these collections for the first time. In this, the first of a series of talks about the collections presented by Calumet and the Library of Birmingham, Pete James, Head of Photographs at the Library, will talk about some of the more obscure and less well-known photographs from the collections. Further talks by photographers and curators will follow in 2012.

More information

Lewis Maxwell Bloor

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 09:33:00 -0500

Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?

When I was around 18 I had no real interests apart from playing in punk bands, playing gigs and DJing parties and night clubs but I needed something to do between all these things to actually make some money to live… I applied for a bunch of jobs, one of which was as a photographers assistant at a commercial photographers. I trained as a commercial photographer for 5 years, starting with large format 5x4 film cameras and medium format hasselblads, then digital backs then dSLR’s. The boss retired and I went to uni to do a graphic design degree and used photography as my main medium borrowing cameras whenever i could. I left uni and moved to Birmingham to be a designer. I realised how much the company were spending on outsourcing so I started a photography department. Product photography, specialising in watches is my day job but always having access to a camera I’d never bought one or owned my own until last year when a friend asked me to photograph her wedding and I thought I’d have a go. the week I got a canon 500D my band were playing so I took the camera along to the gig to photograph the other bands and quite enjoyed it. from there I just took it with me everywhere and just started shooting.

Q. How would you describe your style of photography?

My motto is “point, shoot, hope…”. After working as a product photographer and training to be precise while using lots of lighting set ups, I enjoy just getting to somewhere, seeing what the lighting is like and going from there. I enjoy long exposures, movement, flash, available light, lens filters and having fun. I like to post produce as I used to enjoy cross processing and using different films, I see it as a natural progression from the dark room. I know there are a lot of people that swear by film still but after 5 years of 3 trips a day to the processors not knowing if the 8 shots of the day have turned out correct there’s no love lost where that’s concerned! I guess I like my shots to be slightly whimsical and show the viewer something extra than what they might see in real life.

Q. What equipment do you use?

I’m a bit of a canon fan boy nowadays, a 1Ds III in the studio, a 60D for weddings and location and a 500D for wondering around with. I buy whatever equipment I can afford, loads of lenses, flash guns, lens filters, lights, reflectors and daft add-ons that can add some sort of creative twist to any situation

Q. Who/what has influenced your work?

The first photographer that I assisted was a bastard, but I am eternally grateful for everything he taught me, his precision was unparalleled in studio environments although his manner left a lot to be desired. I love a lot of design based photography like Alexander Rodchenko and Josef Müller-Brockmann but I’m addicted to buying photography books and trying to work out how photographers light their shots. I guess from the younger photographers I enjoy the work of Tom Barnes and my good friend Joe Watson from the band Attack! Vipers! Check out his work and his rad music! then my band… Cannons And Tanks, obviously ;)

Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?

I’ve been a little scared to come to the meets as I don’t know anyone really and don’t have anyone to go with, I guess I’d like there to be a little club or get together on a Sunday afternoon where everyone can come and meet similar people in the same situation :D

Contact Lews on:

Website: http://lewismaxwell.carbonmade.com/

Tumblr: http://wentdownfighting.tumblr.com/

Twitter: @pointshoothope

BLP Portrait Project - Round 3

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:23:02 -0500

Below are the results of the third round of the Birmingham Loves Photographers Portrait Project. Snappers from around the Birmingham entered their names into a pool and were paired up to take portraits of one another and share tips and styles. There’s no prizes or competition involved, it’s all in the name of fun.

If you would like to know more or take part in the next round, then send an email to blpportraitproject@gmail.com and we’ll take it from there.

Kathryn Cartwright by Helen Flanagan

Georgina Robinson by Jon Bell

Craig Bush by Simon White

RJO Elmer by Ken Harrison

Helen Flanagan by Kathryn Cartwright

Jill Evans by Andy Reeve

Jon Bell by Georgina Robinson

Ken Harrison by RJO Elemer

Maria Reaney #1 by Malcolm Brice

Maria Reaney #2 by Malcolm Brice

Maria Reaney #3 by Malcolm Brice

Andy Reeve by Jill Evans

Simon White by Craig Bush

———————————————

More from the Portrait Project

style kaleidoscope

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:05:54 -0500

Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?

I’ve never had much of an ability to draw or paint, so I guess photography is my visual outlet. I used to take photos for Ocean Colour Scene when they played live or were in the studio, and that’s when I learnt how to use film and compose shots, and the various ways to shoot without flash in the pit. I was the two-cam girl - one camera would be loaded with b&w film, the other with colour, and I would literally shoot both cameras off at the same time while only looking through one lens. My love of fashion led me to the idea of a picture blog of people around town. Street style blogs are used by all kinds of people in the fashion industry for inspiration - designers, stylists……they are a big deal. I wanted Birmingham to be a part of that scene, and so the blog was launched with that in mind.

Q. How would you describe your style of photography?

I like images to have a dream-like quality to them, almost anti-reality, so I love using different effects on pictures.

Q. What equipment do you use?

My iPhone and some editing apps - this way I can enhance the pictures quickly while I’m on-the-go.

Q. Who/what has influenced your work?

Time definitely has the ultimate influence over my work - most people I take pictures of are in a rush to get somewhere, so I don’t have time to get them to pose perfectly or pick a great spot for the photo. I literally may have less than a minute to get their shot & give them my card. For the non-fashion sections of the blog, my influence is those pictures you see that make you think, that are not just factual shots. I love collages & close-ups so like to use this method a lot.

Style Kaleidoscope

Edgar Martins "This is not a House" 30 September - 24 December 2011

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:01:33 -0400

Exhibition at The New Art Gallery, Walsall

This extraordinary body of photographic work was originally instigated by a commission from The New York Times Magazine. The artist was asked to create a photo-essay that reflected on the collapse of the US housing market. Shot initially in 6 US states over a period of one month, the work focuses on 16 carefully researched locations, exposing the full extent and impact of this worldwide crisis. Martins has created a compelling series of images of neglected and abandoned houses, apartments, office buildings, golf courses and ski resorts. The subjects are effectively contemporary ruins, and the artist knowingly plays with these associations to create dramatic, poetic and often theatrical compositions.

Edgar Martins will give an informal tour of his exhibition, This is not a House at 12pm, Saturday 5 November

Magnum Professional Practice - Birmingham

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:26:53 -0400

IdeasTap have got 10 heavily subsidised places to give away on Magnum’s next two-day Professional Practice seminar in Birmingham on 3 and 4 December. This opportunity is available to IdeasTap members between the ages of 16 and 25.

With an emphasis on providing practical and vocational guidance to emerging photographers, this is an unmissable opportunity to gain tailor-made, impartial advice from specialists at the top of their profession.

Speakers for the Birmingham seminar include Picture Editor of the Observer, Tony Bell; Client Engagement Manager of 24 Productions, Rhiannon Reid; Head of Photographs of Birmingham Central Library, Peter James; Dewi Lewis of Dewi Lewis Publishing; Cultural and Education Manager of Magnum Photos, Fiona Rogers; and Head of International Picture Desk of ActionAid, Laurence Watts.

These seminars are always massively oversubscribed and photographers usually pay £250+VAT to attend. Not only will 10 IdeasTap members jump the queue, they’ll also pay just £50+VAT.

The seminar will take place at the Photography Department of Birmingham City University: School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham. Both days begin at 9.30am and end at 5pm.

To apply you’ll need to upload five photos to your IdeasTap portfolio and explain, in 100 words or less, how your career would benefit from this opportunity.

For full details of how to apply, head to this page

This brief closes at 5pm on Thursday 17 November 2011.

Dan du Cros

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:53:06 -0400

How did you get into photography/what is your background?

I started getting into photography when I was 16. Like many people my age I was introduced to my first SLR via my parents - I wanted a camera to take some pictures of my friends skateboarding (offsetting my utter failure a being any good on a skateboard myself!). My mother had a Canon AV-1 and I started shooting on that. I remember studying the manual from cover to cover, and after a few test shots I was hooked.

By the time it came to deciding what to do at college I found myself at a fork in the road. During secondary school I had a really keen interest in travel & tourism, and was seriously contemplating becoming a ski resort rep! But I decided to go to Solihull College to do a BTEC National Diploma in Photography. It was a great course and really gave a solid grounding in the basics of photography - plus our tutor at the time (Emma Clarke) was fantastic and really supportive. She was also the resident photographer at the old Carling Academy in Brimingham, which is where I got my first taste of music photography.

After the ND I went to the University of Central England to do a BA in photography, but after the first year I had decided that it wasn’t really for me. It was very fine-art based, which is all well and good, but I wanted to be actively working in the industry - so I headed back to Solihull College and undertook a HND in photography. I owe a lot to the the head of photography Larrie Tiernan, because unlike how I personally felt at UCE, it seemed like he really was invested in getting the most out of his students - really pushing them to find work experience and get a job in the industry. Via the course I managed to get work experience with Automotive photographer Ed Lee, as my interest had switched from music to automotive over the past couple of years. I spent a week with him at Junction Eleven studios in Banbury, learnt so much and came away from it very focused and determined to succeed in this field!

4 years later and I am now working at Junction Eleven (and have been since finishing the HND course) as a photographic assistant and second photographer. The past 4 years working here under head of photography Manvir Rai has really moulded how I approach my personal projects - the intense attention to detail required when working here has certainly rubbed off! We’ve shot a huge variety of things from Range Rovers to kitchen room sets to multi-million pound diamond necklaces.

Over the past year or so I’ve found myself drifting back into shooting music at the weekends - more promotional material then anything else. It’s become my primary focus outside of the work at J11 and what I want to become known for - I really want to push it this year and get some stuff into magazines. That’s the side I’m concentrating on in this blog! My aim is to provide unsigned bands with affordable professional photography that’s going to get them noticed and on the whole kick their image up a notch.

How would you describe your style of photography?

I’ve got quite an moody/dark style when it comes to my music promos, but that’s not to say it doesn’t change from time to time! In truth I’m still expanding my knowledge and I’m always trying out new things (aren’t we all?) so I find my style of shooting does tend to flow and get refined from one project to another. At the end of the day I want to create images that stand out, that make people want to look at them in detail instead of just glossing over them. I’m definitely going through a ‘movie poster’ type vibe at the moment.

What equipment do you use?

I still shoot on my college camera - a Canon 1DS MKIIn! It’s my workhorse and I know it so well I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to give it up completely. It suits me fine for the way I shoot - I’m not looking to blow stuff up to billboard proportions! At J11 I use a Phase One / Mamiya 645AFD with a Phase One P45+ back, and a Sinar P2 technical camera.

Lighting wise I use Elinchrom Ranger packs and an Elinchrom Deep Octa softbox, with a couple of strip boxes if I need them. Quick, simple and power when and where you need it! I used to shoot with flashguns like the Canon 580ex, but found that they just couldn’t give me the power and speed I was after.

Who/What influences your work?

We’ll stick the usual suspects here first - the Strobist blog was a massive influence when I was learning off camera lighting. I can’t recommend it enough to every photographer out there. Get the basics down and you’re set, you can apply it to everything - from shooting your cat in your living room, to CEOs of big companies.

Influence wise I’m a big fan of Dave Hill, Joey L, Adam Elmakias and Joel Grimes. If I end up being half as good as these guys I’ll be happy! It’s a great motivator to see the amazing images that they produce, and then watch the behind-the-scenes videos that they provide and realize that there is no witchcraft involved, just an intimate knowledge of their craft.

Contact Dan on his website:

http://www.danielducros.com/

BLP Meet Up - 1st November

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:46:20 -0400

We will be having our next get together at 6/8 Kafe on Tuesday 1st November at 6:30pm.

No guest lecture this time - it will be a friendly get together and a chance to meet other photographers and network.

….although we do have a couple of special things up our sleeves.

As well as showing the results from Portrait Project Round 3, there will also be announcements of several exciting new projects, events and opportunities.

I would also like to hear from YOU! BLP is all about inclusiveness and I want to hear about your ideas, what you think would be fun and what opportunities you would like to in order to engage and challenge yourselves.

This will be an open floor discussion, so if you have any thoughts then just come and talk to me after the announcements.

Look forward to seeing you there!

'Birmingham Will Break Your Art' by Pete Ashton

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:18:00 -0400

“This isn’t a rant about the fragile livelihoods of people who’ve chosen to make a living from photography. Times change and nobody owes you a living. Adjust your business model, add value, do something different. I don’t have a problem with Birmingham City Council not valuing photography. There’s evidence enough of that on their public information posters.”

Pete Ashton, a prolific photographer and blogger about the Birmingham scene, has recently published a post about his disappointing encounters working with arts funding bodies that aim to support creatives.

His examples of the unfair usage of his photography makes a great read and well worth considering if you are looking to work in the creative industries.

Read the full blog post here.

I encourage you to also read the discussion in the comments section below the post.

For more from Pete Ashton, please visit: peteashton.com

You can also read Pete’s interview as Featured Photographer on BLP here

Considerate Trespassing

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:06:00 -0400

Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?

With the photography aspect it’s hard to say really at first wanted to share the photos of these places with my friends but after a while it become more and more of a hobby I don’t really have a background in photography but I do have one in urban exploration, it’s really an extension of what I used to do as a child. I’m sure most people when they were young had a place near them that always sparked curiosity and fear in them whether it was the “haunted house” at the end of the street or what not. I had this in the form of what was left of the old north riding pauper lunatic asylum in York near where I lived and it’s like I’m extending that part of my life into now, Just this time around I’ve got a camera with me.

Q. How would you describe your style of photography?

I suppose I would describe my style as natural maybe, I don’t edit any of my photos in any way and I just take photos of things I think look interesting or give insight into what the buildings purpose was.

Q. What equipment do you use?

I use a canon 1000D with an 18-55 lens and a p7 lenser torch for light painting when I’m underground (not necessarily photography equipment but to me its just as important)

Q. Who/What has influenced your work?

I can’t really say anyone in particular influences me but I can say what influences me, For me its preserving some memory of the building I suppose you could also say its also like some new style of archaeology possibly. I want to show people what’s inside of the buildings that they may have seen a hundred times and thought “I wonder what it looks like in there” or for the people who say that somewhere is an eyesore and needs knocking down, to show them that these were a workplace for someone a place to meet a place that meant something to someone at one time. You could say to open people’s eyes to what’s around them.

Contact Considerate Trespassing on:

http://consideratetrespassing.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @c_trespass

Selling Dreams - Curator Talk at Light House

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:47:00 -0400

Ligaya Salazar, curator in the V&A’s Contemporary Team, will be visiting Light House to give a special talk about the exhibition on Thursday 27th October at 2pm. Ligaya Salazar has curated V&A fashion exhibitions such as ‘Fashion v Sport’ and ‘Yohji Yamamoto’. Previously a lecturer in fashion history and a freelance curator, Ligaya studied Art History and Fashion Photography and has published extensively on these subjects.

Tickets £3 available through box office in advance or buy online.

This exhibition will chart how fashion photography flourished with the rise of illustrated magazines and how influential editors and art directors collaborated with photographers to shape epochs of style throughout the past century. Exposing the medium’s evolution and the fascinating dialogue between fashion photography and fine art photography, this exhibition is beautiful and scholarly, glamorous and insightful.

The V&A is home to the UK’s National Collection of the Art of Photography. The Collection comprises over half a million works including many hundreds of fashion photographs. This is the first touring exhibition from the V&A’s Collection to explore the work of international fashion photographers and to draw together such a broad range of important historic and contemporary fashion images. This exhibition will be unveiled to the region for the very first time at Light House, as part of a UK tour.

The exhibition of Selling Dreams will be at the Light House from 14th October until 13th January 2012.

More information.

Exhibition organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Mark Salmon

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:32:01 -0400

Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?

During my school years I was always artistic and musical, I also enjoyed design. I eventually got into photography when I was eighteen and at art school. I remember being taught about the basics of photography along with learning about the great photographers, such as Henri Cartier Bresson, Richard Avedon and Robert Frank. I passed my course and that was it I stopped, I put down my cameras, I had lost my passion, motivation and direction. So I went travelling for a few years, during this time I ended up working in hotels in the French Alps. Washing pots in a kitchen at night so that I could snowboard during the day. It was through snowboarding that I got back into photography, as the videos and magazines at the time were very inspirational and they were pushing their boundaries.
I returned to the UK and to education after seven years of doing this and that, I started a degree at University of Worcester. My time on the course felt like I was jumping through hoops just to get the grades at times, however it allowed me to meet some great photographers and it helped me find my passion, motivation and direction again. During my second year at university I started taking photographs of bands, this escalated fairly rapidly until I was photographing some fairly large acts at Academy in Birmingham and at the LG Arena, this led me onto shooting for a variety of websites and magazines. Whilst at art school I had also studied fashion design so it was only natural that I began to develop my fashion photography during my degree, this is an area that I’m keen to pursue and develop.
Cut to now, I’m a working photographer, I contribute to websites, magazines and brands with my music photos. I’m also currently working on developing a solid and cohesive fashion portfolio, something which takes great time and execution. So if anyone out there that wants to collaborate. Fashion designers, make up artists, models, hair stylists then get in touch.

Q. How would you describe your style of photography?

My music photography is slightly different than most as I approach each gig from the perspective of a fan. I try to find an angle that most other won’t think of. I’d describe my fashion work as risky, art driven and elegant, with a hint of attitude.

Q. What equipment do you use?

Most of my gear is Canon although I use Nikon every now an then. I mostly use a Canon 50D, Canon 24-70mm 2.8 L, Canon 17-40mm 4L, Canon 50mm 1.4, speedlites and Nikon wise I use Nikon D3, Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 and Nikon 24-70mm 2.8. I also use Elinchrom Quadra lights and Macs.

Q. Who/What has influenced your work?

I adore photographers such as Marion Testino, Richard Avedon, Robert Frank and David Bailey they’re images are just timeless. I equally like and dislike the brash and unforgiving work of Terry Richardson, Rankin and Perou. A dated as they are I have a love for David La Chappele’s tongue in cheek style and Annie Leibovitz’s beautifully muted and elegant tones. Then I like the artistic qualities of some smaller photographers such as Matthew Preistley, Paolo Roversi and Sebastian Kim. Jim Marshall and Pennie Smith are both big influences on my music work.

Tom Hoops and Tony Wooliscroft have both been very kind with helping me out with advice along the way, I’m sure I wouldn’t be half the photographer I am with those two and their nuggets of info. I have taken great solace in Ken Robinson’s approach to creativity, his quote ”If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original’ is something that I try to keep in mind whenever I’m working.

Two friends that keep pushing me are Sam Roberts and James Whitty, both very talented and they keep me on my toes.

I find it useful to also take inspiration fro outside of photography as this helps develop and breed new ideas, at the moment I’m really intrigued by Francis Bacon, Roy Lichtenstein and Faile. It’ll be interesting to see how I use that in my work.

Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?

I think the best thing would be to arrange for a bunch of picture editors, art buyers from various agencies/magazine etc to visit and the photographers can get advice on their portfolios etc.

Contact Mark at:

Twitter: @i_am_marksalmon

Web: www.marksalmonphoto.co.uk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photomarksalmon

Pete - PS Photography

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:35:18 -0400

Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?

I don’t have a background in photography as such. I’m completely self taught and all my experience has come from being behind the lens, playing around with the camera I had at the time and seeing what the different settings do. I’ve purchased a variety of magazines / books along the way and picked up tips and techniques from there. As cheesy as it sounds, I’ve been interested in taking photographs for as long as I can remember. The definite turning point in my photography was a trip I took to America. I purchased a DSLR prior to going and knew that travelling on my own would give me the opportunity to mess about with the camera. I visited some amazing places and was always so excited at the end of each day to upload the photos onto my laptop and see how they’d come out. After that trip I started taking photography a bit more seriously – still as a hobby – but purposely going to places to take photographs and share the results. That’s pretty much what I’m doing to date. I work full time in a non photography related job but am longing for the day I can make the switch so that photography is my career – which is something I’m working towards with every photo I take…

Q. How would you describe your style of photography?

I guess the majority of my photography to date focuses around landscapes and landmarks with a bit of portrait thrown in. I’m always keen to move away from the ‘normal’ shots you’d see of something and try something new – either with a different Point of View or Depth of Field. A key part of my photography definitely involves playing with DoF. I love unusual focal points. I also like trying new things – be it new subjects or new techniques.

I’m trying to move away from the landscape side of photography and focus on portrait or fashion photography. I’ve recently done a few shoots of friends and family which I thoroughly enjoyed. Working with people and bringing their personalities out in the photographs I took gave me a real sense of achievement – as well as seeing their reaction to the pictures I’d taken.

Q. What equipment do you use?

Currently I’m using a Canon 7D - which I love. Lenses include Canon 15-85mm, Canon 70-300mm and Canon 50mm (1.8). The 50mm is a new addition which I’m really enjoying using and getting to grips with. For editing my images I mainly used Photoshop in the past. However I’ve been using Lightroom more so lately as I much prefer the usability and overall set up. The 7D is quite a new purchase, so a lot of the photos on my website were taken using my Pentax DSLR (K200D: 18-55mm & 55-300mm Pentax lenses). I’ve recently got an iPhone which is a lot of fun and very handy as its always with me. I also found a Kodak Six-20 ‘Brownie’ C in a junk shop a few months ago which cost a staggering £3! So I’m looking forward to getting some film for that and seeing if it still works…

Q. Who/what has influenced your work?

I don’t think any one person has influenced my work. A friend of a friend via facebook has massively inspired me and I always look forward to seeing his latest work. As previously mentioned, I’ve purchased quite a few magazines and have spent free time browsing other peoples work on social photography sites linked to the magazines to get ideas and learn techniques.

As for what has influenced me, I guess my surroundings on a general basis do. I’m constantly looking for a photograph in everything I see, especially if there’s a DoF to play around with. If I get a concept in my head for an image then I’ll strive to produce that image. Other than that, most of the photographs I’ve taken have just presented themselves in the moment.

Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?

I think sites like this one are a fantastic idea and a great opportunity to promote photography and photographers in Birmingham. I like the idea of having regular meetings with other photographers in the area, as well as having specific projects to submit photographs to. I like the format of this being not your run-of-the-mill photo sharing website, but more an informative place to go to find out about local events, future exhibitions and showcasing the work of different people. I agree with a previously featured photographer about having an archived section on the site containing the website, contact and social networking details of featured photographers to date so that they’re not lost in the blog.

Contact Pete on:

www.ps-photography.co.uk

hello@ps-photography.co.uk

twitter.com/psphotography79

facebook.com/psphotography79

Perspectives - Photography exhibition

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:18:03 -0400

This will display some excellent work from Birmingham photographers and runs until October 28th so go check it out!

BALLET IN BIRMINGHAM

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:45:32 -0400

To mark the start of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s new 2011-12 season, the company has joined forces with a Birmingham-based photographer in a city-wide photographic campaign called Ballet in Birmingham. The campaigncelebrates the world-class ballet company in Birmingham, the city it calls ‘home’. Based at Birmingham Hippodrome, the company has resided in the city for 21 years.

Photographer Richard Battye captured images of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s thirteen Principal dancers, the company Director David Bintley, Assistant Director Marion Tait and Chief Executive Christopher Barron in areas of Birmingham that mean something special to them, away from their work with the company.

The sixteen members of the company photographed over three days in and around Birmingham, selected a range of locations that highlights some of the city’s great treasures, buildings and large and small-scale businesses.
Regulars of the Birmingham Loves Photographers blogs and meet ups will remember Richard Battye from the first ever meet up!

Visit the Website: www.balletinbirmingham.co.uk

Find out about Richard Battye here

Andrew Pilsbury

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?

Well photography for me came around when I was at college, when I had the intention of studying illustration. However the illustration course wasn’t what I expected, so I took a gamble with photography, which proved to be a good choice. The photography course was great and soon I was hooked, it was an interesting medium to experiment with, completely different from pencil and paper.

After college I completed a degree in Visual Communication at BCU, where I was able to continue my Photography, whilst also exploring and refining other skills in illustration and design.

Q. How would you describe your style of photography?

I’ve not fully worked out my style yet, however I do know I am always looking to improve and experiment with different techniques, which has effect on my shooting style. I suppose my work falls into the ‘Reportage’ and ‘Documentary’ but I am slowly getting more into portraits, especially old people for some reason?!

Q. What equipment do you use?

I use a Mamiya C330 medium format and a Canon A1 35mm at the minute. I stand by film and its timeless qualities, and will hopefully always use, but for convenience and when the bank says I can, I will upgrade to digital.

Q. Who/what has influenced your work?

My peers and lecturers in education to begin with, most have influenced my work in some way shape or form, possibly good, possibly bad. I’m always looking at other photographers, whether my friends or professionals, Zed nelson, Joel Sternfeld, Stephen Shore and Joel Meyerowitz to name a few in photography. Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham and Shane Meadows in film. My surroundings and encounters become important to my thinking and theories, I’m always looking at people and places for inspiration.

Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?

I went to a lecture by Magnum photographer Chris Steele Perkins this week, as part of Birmingham’s ‘Take To The Streets’ events and exhibitions. The talk was incredibly inspirational, and there was a good turn out of photographers throughout Birmingham. It’s things like this that should be promoted more and arranged throughout the area. Events like this are great to discuss work and ideas along with checking out the competition. I think it’s healthy to see who, as a photographer you are up against, and the level of work out there at the minute.

Contact Andrew on:

Website: cargocollective.com/andypilsbury

Email: aphotographic@gmail.com