Redken Symposium 2014
Behind the curtain
I recently had backstage access to Lisa Shepherd's team at the Redken Symposium 2014 at Olympia. It's a while since I've shot a show - or even been near one of that scale - so took the opportunity to grab some candid shots of Lisa and her team of stylists, colourists, makeup artists and models...
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On Frames
Other people’s images
The following post might be achingly obvious to anyone who's walked an 'artistic' road through life. I'm a little lacking in the Fine Art History stakes. I know Van Gogh hacked an ear off and that a Picasso is a French car for people that don't like driving. And that's about it
I'm rarely completely satisfied with my own images. Most photographers I know feel the same about their own shots. Other people's frames are infinitely more enjoyable than your own.
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On Exposure
Food on the table
Originally posted in May 2011...but still just as relevant...
Photographers are driven by different motives to shoot. But one driver is common across every photographer I've ever met - the desire to have their work seen
There's an extension from that, to having their work appreciated and acclaimed, but the first step in the chain is simply having it seen.
At its most basic, what's the first thing that you do in the pub once you've snapped your friend having his eyebrows shaved off? You show the picture on the phone's screen. "That's a good one". Debatable, but the social pattern is set. The only person who agrees it's actually shit is the bloke with one eyebrow. And even then he means it's a shit picture of him, not a shit picture per se. There you have the digital workflow in a nutshell - identify a scene, shoot it, display it and get instant feedback.
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Best Camera Ever?
Adventures in Nikon
…or cynical title to encourage click throughs?
I'm not particularly into gear. I need it, I buy it, it gets serviced, it reaches the end of its natural life, I buy something else. Repeat. But this post is about gear. Probably only of interest to photographers. You have been warned. Just skip to the photos.
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10 Bad Habits
Being Real
We all do a little bit of self promotion. But every time you try and subtly mislead your market or indulge in a little bit of self aggrandising you raise a knowing smile from another professional photographer.
At one time or another, I've probably been as guilty as the next man. But, y'know, you live and learn...
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Photoshop Tutorial
Because nobody asked, ever.
Lots of people have never asked me about my photoshop technique, so to answer their lack of questions I've started a series of tutorial videos...
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Money Can’t Buy You Friends
Everybody hustling
...but it can buy you followers. For a few quid you can make yourself look like the most insecure and boring person in the room.
Admitting you had a penis extension is mildly less embarrassing.
Imagine walking into a party with a whole group of hangers on...who then completely and utterly blank you for the entire evening. That's what it's like when you have an army of fake followers.
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