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Birmingham Loves Photographers
Run in conjunction with the independent coffee shop 6/8 Kafé, this is a space to promote Birmingham based photographers all of styles, both amateur and professional. We will also be a running events for photography around the West Midlands. If you want your work featured on here, please contact by Ask Me a Question, or go to our Twitter @birmlovestogs
Kate Hook
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.
style kaleidoscope
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.
Lomo Roadshow Birmingham - Fused Magazine Competition
Our beautiful and stunningly good looking friends over at Fused Magazine are running a competition along with the LomoRoadshow. The LomoRoadshow is a travelling event promoting the world of Lomography photography, defined by Lomography Shop as:
“The Lomographic movement started upon the discovery of the Lomo Kompakt Automat (aka the LC-A) in 1991. The compact-sized Russian camera became renowned for its unique effects such as light leaks, vignette shadowing, and rich, saturated colours. As its fan base grew overtime, the community expanded into a worldwide phenomenon, filling every space with a stream of Lomographs to build amazing Lomowalls. From then on, the community has not stopped coming up with all sorts of creative analogue ideas (and we have not stopped cooking up with fun and exciting Lomographic tools, as well!) that keep Lomographers busy tinkering with their special projects, exhibitions, and collaborations.”
The event, where you will meet fellow Lomographers and take part in a workshop, will be happening at The Victoria in Birmingham on the 2nd July, 12-3pm. It’ll be £10 entry, but head over here to enter a competition for 2 free tickets from at Fused buddies.
Hope to see you there.
