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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
Andrea Chance-Hill
Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?
I have been in love with photography and the idea of creating, rather than taking images for as long as I can remember. After 7 years of amateur photography I decided to go pro, I bought my first pro standard D-SLR around 3 years ago and have never looked back
I formed AMCH Photography around 18 months ago, originally specialising in PR & Commercial images but rapidly fell in love with music and band photography (having been a Muso pretty much all my life!) and have started to expand my experience and knowledge in this area. My business has just started to offer wedding photography and I’m looking forward to my 3rd wedding of the year in August.
For fun I shoot under my freelance name “Andrea-Mai” and like to shoot almost anything; models, events, street scenes and club nights. As corny as it sounds, for me it’s definitely about the images and constant learning and improving my skills - not about making as much money as possible.
Q. How would you describe your style of photography?
Having turned pro just 18 months ago, I feel I’m still developing my professional “signature” style. This said, I do like to think of myself as quirky and I feel this comes across particularly well in the 6/8 Kafé photographic project.
My personal “Andrea-Mai” style can vary depending on the subject although I would describe some of my work as experimental as I love to experiment with colour and light in particular.
I’m looking forward to working with other photographers over the summer on many different projects and shoots, which will enable me to really get to grips with my personal style as well as make some great contacts!
Q. What equipment do you use?
Mostly I use my Nikon D90 and have fallen in love with a Nikkor 50mm 1.4f prime lens I bought in March which hasn’t been off the camera since! I find this lens particularly good when I shoot live gigs.
Have a fair few flashguns which I use with and without diffusers and a great general purpose lens (18-200mm 3.5-5.6f) which suits event and street photography.
Q. Who has influenced your work?
There are things that influence my work all around me, the subject I’m shooting, the atmosphere of my surroundings, the people I’m with (particularly if I shoot with another ‘tog). I also read endlessly, I read Photo Professional and Advanced Photographer magazines as well as any books I can get my paws on! I enjoy attending photography talks and seminars not only for the subject matter and the learning experience, but it also gives me a chance to network with other photographers which I LOVE!
Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?
It would be great to have more photography events in Birmingham such as organised shoots, meet-ups, talks etc.
Sites like this are fantastic but I think that spaces to present local photographer’s work in print are sadly lacking. I agree with Steve Cooper when said in his blog feature that we need to make more use of public spaces in order to do this.
Contact Andrea on:
Email: achill@amchphotography.co.uk
Blog: www.amchpix.posterous.com
Website: www.amchphotography.co.uk
Twitter: @AMCHPix
Meet ups - August 4th & 16th
The dates have been set!
August 4th
On August 4th there will be an informal meet up at 6pm, held at 6/8 Kafe. This will just be a coffee and a chat session, anyone is welcome to turn up and talk photography. This will also be a chance for Portrait Project pairs to get together at a set time and meet others taking part.
On August 4th, after the meeting finishes, everyone is welcome to head to one of the Ping Pong tables scattered around Birmingham and we will have a Birmingham Loves Photographers Ping Pong Tournament (don’t worry, it’s not really a tournament, just a bit of fun…I’m rubbish) This will give you ample opportunity to take some photos and enter them into the Ping! Photography Competition. Get practising!
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August 16th - 6:30 Start
Then on August 16th there will be another get together at 6/8 Kafe. This will be a chance for participants of the portrait project to share work they have done, show others who are interested in the project, have a chit chat and also a short lecture by a guest speaker on portrait photography.
This will be more chilled out then our last meet up, giving a chance to meet other togs around Birmingham.
Hope to see you at both and if there is anything you would like to see or contribute then just give us a shout.
Karl Held
Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?
I’ve been making photographs since I was a teenager, living in the Black Forest in south-western Germany. After initially shooting everything on colour slide film (this was back in the days of family slide shows), I starting developing and printing myself. About 7 years ago I lost a considerable portion of my sight. That changed the way I see photography too.
Q. How would you describe your style of photography?
Tending toward the abstract, I like to play with the idea of the sight unseen, half-seen, or just inferred. If the subject is a building, it has to evoke the sense that someone just jumped off it. If it’s a figure, then its intentions must be suspect.
Q. What equipment do you use?
A straightforward, analogue, SLR (a Nikon F75) and, exclusively, a 50mm lens. It’s the classic reportage combination: Robert Capa died with a Nikon and a 50mm round his neck. I’ll shoot on whatever’s lying around, but in practice that means Ilford HP5 (at 400ASA). In the darkroom I use a Japanese made Jessops enlarger and standard Ilford Multigrade papers, filters and chemistry. When I’m feeling frisky, I’ll manipulate the paper before printing, perhaps my scoring or marking it in some way. In order to abstract subjects from the fairly ‘straight’ negatives I often use multiple exposures during printing, changing the layout, the enlargement or the focus. I also use photogrammetry techniques, overlaying opaque or semi-translucent objects onto the paper during parts of the exposure.
Q. Who/what has influences your work?
A Marks & Spencer ‘How To Take Great Photographs’ handbook from about 1984. And a sense of futility.
Contact Karl on:
Twitter @karlheld
Web http://wantonandfurious.wordpress.com/
Mail karl@karlheld.co.uk
Portrait Project
Calling all Birmingham photographers! Birmingham Loves Photographers blog is looking to launch a Portrait Project which will aim to bring together togs from all over the city, from all levels and walks of life. The idea will be that each month the group will get together for tea/coffee and a chat at 6/8 Kafe in the City Centre, and pairs will be drawn. Each pair will then get together in their own time and take a photo of each other. The photo should reflect the photographer’s style, but tell a story about the subject and their personality. Then at the following meeting the group can see the results and then everyone will get paired up again!
There’s no rule about your level of photography - everyone is welcome, whether you’re a pro, or you’ve only just got yourself a camera. Digital or film, traditional or experimental, experienced or newbie - as long as you’re sociable and willing to commit to at least one round of pairings, then get involved. We’ll arrange the times and dates to suit everyone as far as possible, and we’ll make sure everyone gets plenty of time to get their photoshoots done.
We hope this will be a fun way to get fellow togs talking, and to encourage people to learn from each other and try new things. You don’t have to have been featured or been to any previous meet ups - we just ask that you are in Birmingham, enthusiastic about photography and meeting new people.
If you’re interested in taking part, please email BLPportraitproject@gmail.com and we’ll send you further details.
Luke Hinsull
Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?
I think it probably stemmed from my dad and grandfathers interest in
it, initially I never paid attention to it, I wanted to be a car
designer until I realized I wasn’t a stickler for math. Then in 1999 I
went to the British Grand Prix and borrowed my dad’s Olympus OM20 35mm.
Took some good shots, still thought nothing of it. It wasn’t until my
foundation diploma that I realised I might have some potential in it,
so I pushed forwards with it and took it through to university at
Falmouth. Since then I’ve had a more love/hate affair with it. I guess
I expect too much of myself and also lack a lot of confidence when it
comes to shooting. I’m getting better though, after finishing uni I
came back to Birmingham and started getting more involved with club
photography which has helped me break out of being so introvert about
my work.
Q. How would you describe your style of photography?
Aggressive, I guess. I like hard contrast, saturated colours, tough
subject matter. I’ve had to learn to coax and refine these ways into a
more balanced way of shooting, just to become a better photographer. I
guess you have to look at my works and just draw your own opinions. I
do like to try and take a subtle flip side to some things. Like my
landscape shots were never anything to be admired, my favourite shots
are the ones that make the landscape and nature itself something to be
feared.
Q. What equipment do you use?
Nikon D300, Nikon SB800 and a 16-85 Nikkor lens. I used to have a 10mm
Nikon fisheye and a zoom, but I sold them as I was overshooting and
relying on the fisheye slightly too much. I needed to teach myself not
to rely on just one look. I’ll get the fisheye back though some day,
she’s just on a break at the moment. As always you’re always window
shopping and lusting after the new piece of technical gadgetry.
Q. Who has influenced your work?
I can’t really work this one out, I draw influence from a lot of
things. Music, Advertising, Graphic Design all play a part beyond the
realms of photography too. Normally anything that’s going through my
Tumblr feed, I use that a digital scrap book. If I was to start name
dropping I think Jake Walters, Spencer Murphy, Sola, Banksy, Ryan
Hopkinson, Tom Horton, Ansel Adams and the f/64 group. The Dada-ists
and Futurists I will always have a huge respect and admiration for.
The Dada-ist for messing with the visual image, chopping up, the
original photoshoppers.
“According to its proponents, Dada was not art, it was “anti-art”.
Everything for which art stood, Dada represented the opposite. Where
art was concerned with traditional aesthetics, Dada ignored
aesthetics. If art was to appeal to sensibilities, Dada was intended
to offend. Through their rejection of traditional culture and
aesthetics, the Dadaists hoped to destroy traditional culture and
aesthetics.”
The Futurists for their frankly barmy but enthralling manifesto. Check
it out on the internet.
Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be
developed or ideas for events/projects?
Live jams were cool when I was at uni, live dj’s and live graphic
design, I’m sure there has to be a way to deploy that somehow through
photography. More communication and interaction between photographers
would be brilliant. I don’t feel like I know many other people taking
pictures out there sometimes. I’d like to see a group of Birmingham
photographers define Birmingham itself. Not what it means to them,
although it all shots will be always shot with a subjective eye (its
part and parcel of being in control of what you shoot), but actually
its own entity, what it actually is.
Contact Luke on:
Twitter - @lukalukaluka
Email - lukehinsull@gmail.com
Website - www.lukalukaluka.com
Tumblr - http://lukalukaluka.tumblr.com
In Focus - Portrait Photography
Birmingham Loves Photographers produces a series of ‘In Focus’ features where photographers from around the second city can submit photos and a maximum four line description on the chosen topic.
This In Focus is on the topic ‘Portrait Photography’
Portrait photography for me is allowing the viewer to see something they wouldn’t normally see, be that a hidden character, inner strength or vulnerability. This portrait was shot in infrared hence the unusual colour shift and wax like skin, which is typical of IR photography. James Tate
Although I appreciate and like contemporary portrait styles, my own limited portrait work is very heavily influenced by the work of 40’s and 50’s portrait photographers such as Horst and Karsh. Their work, particularly their lighting, never ceases to amaze and inspire me. This was one of a couple images I produced a while back seeking to emulate their style. It was shot on film and then printed by hand. Richard Southall
As a photographer I feel the main ingredients when taking a portrait are trust and rapport with your subject. I want to convey my subject’s personality and spirit. This shot was taken when I worked with a homeless charity in Birmingham. Portrait photography is about building a connection with someone and understanding that person or place. Portrait photography should lead the audience into a silent narrative with the images. Maria Reaney
This is my father. He’s brought me up through my teenage years, and without him I wouldn’t be able to be the person I want to be. I took this photo because I’d caught him in a rare moment of calm contentedness. Lauren-Jade Gilbert
A portrait is the search for the essence of a subject. It often includes the face, especially the eyes, seeking out a naturalistic effect. This is a conceit: there is nothing natural about a three-lamp lighting scheme or silver disc reflectors. This image emphasises the constructed nature of portraiture through the medium of fantasy, while still endeavouring to capture that essence: a contradiction of poise, sexual confidence and, well…what exactly? Arrogance? Shyness? Karl Held
It’s important to me that portraitphotography is not intrusive or a display of technical virtuosity or an alienating and deforming construction of the photographed person (put your arm there, eyes left, now 3h of make up), but just focus on the individual as the individual is that very moment. portraitphotography should “go” to where the other person is with the photographer being as restrained as possible and photographing only what one is able to see. as a way of maybe getting to know someone, to appreciate the gift that the other person is, just a tiny momentary glimpse of at/into the life of the other person. [this is a photo of Stan (I asked him whether it’s ok to use it for this purpose and he allowed it), taken with olympus om 1 & rollei retro 100 film & developed by the better half.] Flowerville
Photographing friends is something I sometimes find challenging Jonathan Cherry
I love photographing people - it is literally my favourite thing to photography - problem is I keep running out of people I know to photograph. So I decided to take to the streets and photograph someone I don’t know. I got this rather touching portrait of a father and his baby. The power of father compared to the fragility of the baby made this rather interesting to me. Dave Cox
This is a recent portrait I took of two students visiting England from Germany. I love this image because it shows the girl’s natural beauty (as I haven’t really edited it too much). This image speaks to me even though there isn’t a lot of activity happening in-frame. It just shows that images can move people without being over complicated and that keeping things simple is just as effective.. Andrea Chance-Hill
UK Rap artist Diamond White wanted a few portrait shots for promotial purposes, he is a colourful character and has that ‘urban’ rap artist look. So the back streets of digbeth as backdrop we took some shots while talking about our different musical tastes.
I love doing portrait photography as you can get to know the person you are shooting, the more you talk the better the ideas and shots can get. Rob Farrell
I was pretty much brought up by my grandmother. This is one of her crazy stories. It was my first roll of black and white. Richard P J Lambert
This is Scrumpy’s favourite chair in his garden because he can keep an eye on everyone and everything - and only he gets to sit in it! James & Kat Crockford
I’ve never really liked photographs that are too thought-out or set up, the most inspiring portraits for me are those that capture a moment with the subject almost unaware, even at times the image can appear posed, there’s nothing artificial about them – simply people being natural, often in their own environment. I actually prefer more candid documentary shots where you get past the public persona, often showing something much deeper. Lee Basford
As I walked the streets of London, camera in hand, this chap shouted out to me; ‘You want to photograph something real then photograph ME, I’m the real eastender’. So I did. Lisa Doubleyou
I guess if there’s any truth to the belief that a photograph can steal
a soul, it’s through portraiture. Fran Lane
The reason I like portraits is that they tell a story. Sometimes that story is clear, sometimes not. Sometimes it’s about the person, sometimes there’s a bigger message; sometimes it’s about what that person holds in their hand or where they are in the world, sometimes the face speaks for itself. That said, what I love about portraits is that sometimes the story is totally ambiguous, and will be different for everyone who views the picture. Sometimes more questions are left asked than answered; who is this person? What are they waiting for? Where are they going? Where have they been? I like that we don’t know who this person is or what she is waiting for; in this case the story is in the mind of the viewer, and never answered. Jill Evans
He slowly takes off his clothes, folding them neatly in a corner of the room. We don’t have much time because he has to collect his daughter from a piano lesson in a little while. He asks me how he should pose and I ask him how it is he’d like to pose. After the scenario, he ensures everything is back in its neat rightful place. Helen Flanagan
Picture Request: Portraits - In Focus
If you are photographer from Birmingham and would like to be featured in our In Focus feature on ‘Portraits’ then please either email with the details below (if I have already contacted you) or send your email through Ask Me and I will get back to you
Guidelines
Send one Portrait photo of your choice and no more than four sentences describing your thoughts on the subject or the photo you have taken.
Deadline for submitting pictures is Midnight on the 9th June
Thanks
SIMON WINNALL
Q. How did you get into photography/what is your background?
My mother is a very good photographer and I remember being surrounded by lovely old Pentax camera gear from a very young age. One of my strongest childhood memories is sitting in a dark room watching Kodachrome 64 slides projected onto a screen, seeing the dust suspended in the beam of light, and hearing the ‘clunk-click’ as the next picture advanced.
I went to college to study graphic design, but somehow ended up taking photography as it looked more fun and easier! I was too stupid to go to uni so started working at a Birmingham design company, then after 5 years I started my own business, initially just doing graphics work. Eventually, with a lot of support from my friend and fellow local photographer Ian Winstanley, the design work disappeared and I’ve worked exclusively as a photographer for about the last 4 years, which isn’t that long in this industry, but feels it some days!
Q. How would you describe your style of photography?
Snap-shot-y lifestyle?!
It takes a long time to become self aware of your photography and consider what style binds your work together. I’m only just getting a handle on it! I’m starting to see technically what I like, shallow depth of field, strong use of colour, people shot on location. The obvious commercial application of that style is lifestyle photography. This style suits my personality too, I much prefer flirting chatting with models in the sunshine instead to sitting in a dark studio lighting a dull inanimate object!!! Its very important all photographers shoot personal work for their books to develop a style, as your not going to find one while working for clients, as you objective is meeting their needs. 99% of the work on my site, I’ve shot for myself.
From a business & marketing perspective, Its important for commercial photographers to have a strong style and specialism, as we’re so close in the midlands to one of the best and largest photography markets in the world, London. The capital is full of photographers who excel in certain niche styles of photography. When big money is on the line, any client with a brain is going to want to hire the person who is an expert in the exact style of photography they want, not a jack of all trades who can do lots of styles of work to an OK standard. For example I was taken to Paris this spring to shoot an ad job for a french mobile phone company, just because the client felt my style was perfect for that specific project, which shows the effort some agencies put into sourcing the right photographer. Like all photographers, thats not to say I can’t point a camera at other types of work, I’ve done projects as diverse as shooting stop motion TV ads through to studio product shots of £100,000 diamond and gold stilettos in the last year. But I am happiest and market myself, as a lifestyle photographer.
Q. What equipment do you use?
I’ve got Canon DSLRs for snappy stuff and a medium format Contax 645 with a Phaseone back for more considered work (which means I never use it!), plus lots of lighting, grip, video, computer gear. I try very hard not to get seduced into buying equipment, you know you have problems when you get excited by C-Stands! Nearly all my work is handheld, unlit and shot on just two lenses, 35mm & 85mm. For my style of photography, the more complex the gear needed to make a photo, the less I like it. A simple approach is best when shooting with people.
Q. Who/What influences your work?
Initially from a professional viewpoint my mate Ian held a large influence. I didn’t spend much time assisting other photographers, probably as I was so rubbish at it! So having someone to give you an idea of how to deal with clients, cost jobs and develop your own style work is priceless. I certainly wouldn’t be working as a photographer without his help! Checkout his work at www.ianwinstanley.net
I do spend time looking at other photographers work, which some people don’t, as it gives me an idea of the standard I need to reach to get work. I’ve got folders full of bookmarked websites. For lifestyle photography the guys I admire are: Chris Sisarich, Pete Beavis, Gary Burchell, Nick Onken. Plus what photographer doesn’t want to shoot portraits like Nadav Kander?!
Q. Do you have any ideas on how photography in Birmingham can be developed or ideas for events/projects?
Just getting local photographers together is a great thing. We exist in our own bubbles, many working from home. So to see each other would be cool!
Contact Simon at:
Simon Winnall
