Promotion and give away’s

May 2, 2012

Development, From the Archive, Opinion, Portraits, Wedding

The technical side of photography is not a problem for me. I know that may sound big-headed, it’s not meant to be. My photographic training was, let’s say, comprehensive. A seven month full-time course that in wider circles is well-respected, certainly gives you a grounding. I look back at some of the work from back then and cringe at it, but I also accept it for what it is and am still striving.

A personal first from ten years ago, the use of many layers, taking days to do and really pushing the computers boundaries.

Having been presented with the subject ‘shopping’, it made sense to mimic some of the visual inspiration of the time. Not great work now but it was a step.

When I graduated from the school, I felt a little bit like when I had just passed my driving test. I knew how to take a photograph but that was just the mechanics, I now had to develop that knowledge into a style, to give my images some character. This I think is where the real challenge of photography is.

I really enjoy shooting weddings, they are challenging and never easy, so you need your wits about you.

So ten years on, my photography has developed into its current manifestation and I now think I am a marketable commodity. This is where my next hurdle lays. All my training does not prepare me for self promotion. Some of you who have been reading my blog or follow my Facebook page may be surprised to hear that, or maybe not. I have in recent months been looking into the different ways to market yourself and mostly it is now down to the internet.

In the studio, you need to work hard to get the shots you want, you can never just turn up to a shoot.

Sometimes it is a shame that many elements used in the shot are hidden.

Inspiration is important to any photographer, we draw our inspiration from other image makers all the time.

Being in Germany does kind of limit my available market somewhat but this gives me the opportunities to try out marketing plans to get an idea about what works or doesn’t. Mostly though I just want to stay busy, producing new work. I have in the past organised a very successful studio open day where I allowed visitors to come in off the street into the studio, sample a micro shoot, see the product and as a result took bookings for bigger shoots. My next project is similar, but based on the pets theme. This one will be slightly different as it will be a kind of competition where people who have their pet photographed will then see their image on our Facebook page. This is where they vote (by liking) their pets image and they then invite their family, friends, anyone who knows them to also like their image. The winner will receive a canvas print of the winning image. Votes can also be included by the general public, so there will be a need to really push the Facebook page.

Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet, a studio full of animals is a daunting thought.

The idea excites me, I am intrigued as to how the project will work out. This does need loads of work to work, but it is just another step in the journey of building a client base and a reputation that is in this industry all important.

I don’t find self promotion easy, I find that at times I feel clumsy and awkward with it, I am always too critical of my own work, but I accept that in these times I have to get beyond that and just go for it.

Where do I go from here?

May 1, 2012

Afghanistan

2 Comments

Now I am back from Afghanistan I am hungry to work.. I have for the first time got a notebook to record ideas and concepts for personal projects. I am amazed that this is something I have not done before because I get a lot of ideas that I then forget about. So I have a book that I can write down ideas and concepts and include inspirational images that may have given me an idea.

An Afghan commander on a proud day as hundreds of soldier complete their basic training

I am not too sure where my Afghanistan experiences will take me. Part of me feels that as an alien in that land I could not help but see images everywhere (sometimes I think we can get a bit blase about what we see around us every day). Certainly the characters were plentiful. My personal work at home is more geared towards the studio setting. I like having the control but I now see that am able to control more in location work. I am now the proud owner of a fairly comprehensive studio setup and I have new ideas coming out of my ears. I just want to shoot.

A young soldier commands a vantage point as he scopes the area for signs of insurgency.

I think there is a part of me that wants to keep busy in line with the tempo I have been working for so long. At the same time I am trying to fit back into my family that have got into their routine without me. I have leave, too much leave but I have to take it. This should give me the opportunity to work while keeping my feet grounded. As my wife will agree, I do have a habit of being too focused on some things while neglecting others, something I am now aware of and do try to overcome.

Getting to know my children again is a hard reality as I have missed a huge part of their lives.

So, where do I go from here? Photography has been a major part of my life for coming up to ten years and I just don’t see an end to that right now. I am however fortunate to get paid for doing something I enjoy so much and find so rewarding. I don’t have to find paying clients yet, however now is the best time to look at systems I can employ when I do. I am fortunate that I can make business mistakes with the comfort that, for the time being at least, won’t have a negative impact on my families welfare.

Still seeing opportunity, it’s what drew me to this career.

So as I approach my photographic future, I am excited to see where I can go and just need to be bold and make the most of my situation. I still look back at some of my Afghanistan portraits and think some of them will look good in a book as a printed record where they can be arranged as a representation of the tour.

A local Afghan watches over as his home is searched by British soldiers.

All in all there is plenty to keep me occupied for a little while but I need to make sure I push myself more creatively too. So keep an eye out as I am sure I will be posting the odd thing on here.

A mass of faces, the new generation of the security of Afghanistan

Those left behind

April 1, 2012

Afghanistan

2 Comments

Back home with my family after being away for such a long time is a relief. I certainly cannot say I am not glad to be home but at the same time I am sad. You go through so much with people that start off as strangers, many will become strangers again so soon.

Those soldiers serving their country do get a lot of recognition for their sacrifice but that will never be enough. I have an understanding of the sacrifices that those left behind make. I am of course referring to the families, the husbands, wives and children.

When we are serving away, the soldier lives a basic existence much of the time, but the mentality is to just ‘crack on’. Something that works very well, although some find it easier than others.

My wife told me how she woke up in the middle of the night thinking she had heard the door bell. Sweating, feeling sick she went to the door scared about what it might be. She was petrified that she was getting the notification. As it turned out there was no-one there, but that does not matter as I have an understanding now just how tough it is on loved ones left behind. These fears are too real and a great many people do get those home visits.

I don’t know how they stay so strong, I suppose its necessity. I am sure some partners can go close too madness.

So next time you consider those servicemen serving, spare a thought also for their families who go through their own kind of personal hell.

Saving Private Ryan?

March 14, 2012

Afghanistan

9 Comments

This Steven Spielberg film “Saving Private Ryan”, is widely regarded as one of the best ‘war’ films ever made. Visually stunning and emotionally gripping it is a modern take on an event that is now sadly beyond most of our memories. One of the most memorable scenes for me is the opening, the assault on beach. The mood felt tangible. Was this what it was like? The scared to death soldiers vomiting through fear as they head towards a heavily entrenched enemy. I imagine there were plenty of instances of this.

Of course you cannot draw too many similarities between WW2 and what is in comparison almost a skirmish in Afghanistan (not to belittle the threats on the ground of our our soldiers). That said, for our guys on the ground it is immaterial as we all live our own experiences which don’t really ever draw reference from other’s experiences.

I recently went out to photograph a ‘HAF’, a Helicopter Assault Force with the Brigade Recce Force. I am not what you would call a fighter, not battle hardened, I do, however, go out on patrol with many of the guys and consider myself to have been very ‘lucky’ so far. This was the first time on this operation (I have done similar things in Iraq) that I moved into what is perceived as a hostile area by helicopter, to be dropped off in the middle of a field to then watch our transport quickly vacate.

What were the feelings like? Although only a couple of weeks have past now, those feelings are fading fast. The night before was a night without much (or any) sleep. I won’t lie, I was, you could say, a ‘tad’ apprehensive to say the least. These are normal feelings that I have felt on quite a few occasions. Adrenalin is good for you and keeps you alert.

We met up at early o’clock for tea (the staple drink) and a ‘bacon butty’, which we forced down. The operation was planned to enter an area believed to be an insurgent held area by helicopter, together with elements of the Afghan National Army, clear suspected enemy compounds and then extract all in time for lunch.

There was an atmosphere over the butties, one I have experienced before and no doubt will again. It was one of focus, bravado, morale, humour. The old ‘squaddie’ humour, though unique is very welcome. The coaches laid on to get us all to the helicopter were a squeeze as we were laden like donkeys with all we would need for the operation. The nervous laughter as each soldier tries and almost fails to find passage through the narrow aisle.

Waiting in the dark for our charriots, three Chinook helicopters with their distinct audio signature, line up ready to load. We wait in our order to cram in. On the order to move we all get in and sit. There is no strapping in here. Just sit, wherever you can, lucky if you get a seat. As a photographer I push the camera towards its limits to get an image, any image.

As we fly, the lights inside the cab are extinguished, the noise stops vocal communication and briefings come in the form of simple hand signals. 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 3, 2, 1! We land in the early morning dull light, GO! Quickly the helicopter spews its cargo into the middle of a mud field. ‘Fan out’, I know the shot I need, so move as quickly as I can to get into position before the helicopter takes off again.

Its still pretty dark, so I have to think quickly about exposure. It keeps my mind occupied. I still want to give some sense to how dull it is.

All too soon our transport has gone and all that remains is silence exacerbated by our ear defence. Then we wait………………………..in another bloody ditch!

Before long we move from compound to compound, we meet locals, chat, drink chai (Afghan tea), move again, more chat, more chai. All the time alert.

Exploring a compound looking for vantage points over the neighbours and there is always an opportunity for a photograph. Some of these places are so dark it is a constant battle with exposures. Challenging but rewarding.

After meeting up with our Afghan colleagues it soon becomes apparent that by turning up in such numbers and prepared to fight a common enemy, the insurgents have employed their only real tactic in these situations and have melted into the community. There is obvious frustration in this but there have been finds of weapons and no lives lost.

Before long its time to make our way to the pick up point and all the soldiers involved in this operation gather in their groups in the middle of a field awaiting once again our chariots.

As quickly as the disembark, we are all back in the Chinook and soon back to our temporary home, as we say in the military, back in time for tea and medals. As I look back, I don’t really think I can say I enjoyed the operation but I certainly cannot say I hated it either. I am glad I went, saw these guys operate and I am certainly glad that this time at least we all came back.

These images were all taken during the operation, some under quite difficult lighting conditions. This is what I enjoy doing so much that I feel so fortunate to be able to. I know how lucky I am to have these opportunities even though they come with a huge sacrifice to my family, I know I have their support, which means so much to me. I hope you like the images.

It’s all about the people

March 11, 2012

Afghanistan

8 Comments

Afghanistan is a country with a long and difficult history, like many other nations, including our own (the United Kingdom). Freedom comes at a cost and sacrifices unfortunately need to be made. On a basic level its just that people desire a simple life, they have few needs, but they crave a safe place to live to let their children grow up.

The Afghans are no different to us in this respect, but they are of course different culturally. Yes this is a Muslim country but yet the culture is very different to that of Iraq which is also Muslim. There is almost always a pride in any nation or culture and this place is no different. People are people wherever you go. They sleep, eat (although diets vary), socialise, crap, laugh, cry and dream Fundamentally they are the same as you or I.

Afghanistan will manage itself, it has to and it is naive to think that they don’t already, but their cultural make up is very different to ours. They manage themselves on a much more intimate level, where each village is an entity separate from other villages around them. Here in Helmand, the people don’t really care what is going on in Kabul, they have no desire to own a 50 inch plasma TV, almost all of them don’t even own a TV, few have radios or a car.

This is not a wealthy place in our terms yet is described as the bread basket of Afghanistan for its mineral rich soil. They will grow what they can sell here, poppy or wheat, what ever will help them feed their families. We would be no different I am sure. Should they really care what the west thinks they should grow? Existence here is tough, unbearably hot in the summer and freezing and wet in the winter.

This is a country of extremes. ISAF can not be here for ever, the government knows that, the people do too and the transition is moving on full speed towards a comprehensive security cover by its own forces. When the security forces are left to deal with any problems themselves which I am sure they will do, I have no doubt that they will manage. There will be hardships, but transition is a necessary step to grasp their own future. Only Afghanistan can ultimately choose its own path.

I wanted these images to show humanity, mood, character and highlight that upbringing notwithstanding we are the same. I don’t speak any Pashtun or Dari (the two main languages spoken here in Helmand), and as a photographer I like to communicate with people, to direct a little for light and composition (at times), this was quite hard initially and to be honest I found the Afghans play up to the camera a bit and pose with ridiculous expressions. I have over the weeks developed a basic sign language to try to direct them a tiny bit at least. A funny thing happened the other day when I was out photographing some local Afghans during an operation, I had been out a while and was tired and saw this young guy who I wanted to photograph, he was back lit (a look I really don’t mind), so I got the shot. After I showed him the image he gestured to me to take another, he pointed at the sun and changed his position relative to the sun. This was not something I thought I would have been able to get across in my basic sign language. I did prefer the second shot though!