Calum Corby's Reflective Journal

I decided early on to work hard on finding decent research for both my industry report and for the practical work of my visual logbook. 

I found some of my favourite photographers again and also looked at some people I hadn't found before. In all honesty I love the idea that I'll continue to discover brilliant photographers as I progress through my career. 

However due to many of my subjects obligations I've only been able to access them in the last week or so. I knew from the start of this project I'd have to postpone shoots till late in the process. I'm quite pleased really as this has allowed me the chance to put together photoshoots in a short space of time and it feels similar to a professional experience to have a brief and shoot in a short space of time. 

I think it is an indicator of my skills and time management to be able to quickly put together exactly what I need for my own work. 

I'm looking forward to working with Steve Turner as a subject, But I'm going to make use of my main family again, to craft some specific images. Refining what I'd done in BA8. 

As the title suggests I'm struggling to find research that applies to this report. They just isn't any content out there that talks about Image Researchers and their importance to  the industry. 

I'm glad that there are many different elements that I can apply to this with concern to different aspects of the industry, but it's very difficult for me to not worry that because theres no significant research specifically about image researchers and their effect I just worry that it may be derogative of my Industry report. 

My boss has given me a description of the business which I can use to explain here and now what it is about, I must admit that I'm incredibly excited to work on this new business and to see how far it goes within the time I'll be working for them, as I am currently on a two month probation period and I'm looking forward to working hard and impressing my boss by doing the job well.

Here follows a Description written by my boss as to what the company is about.

"The is a taboo breaking and funky... (Had to remove the general basis of this text to protect the ideas of the company.)

 This is a unique market, and this company is disruptive, nothing like this currently exists in this industry. "

..

...

...

...

......

"The development of huge corporate image banks such as Bill Gates's 'Corbis' and 'Getty Images', which buy up photo archives and commission stock images, are having a huge impact on the uses of photography."

Mr Edwards goes on to explain how these are multi-million dollar corporations, that control the views and usage of historical imagery. They have the monopoly on what part of history people can see. Many different publications utilise these places as their sources for this content. whilst on the one hand this is brilliant as it makes sure a lot of history isn't forgotten, on another hand it is subject to what these companies wish to allow to be used.

Getty Images Recently released Millions of images for free use that don't have copyrights or owners. These images may not be used for monetary gain, but can be used for free within certain contexts. Which is a fascinating concept and caused a massive uproar from creative practitioners who felt this would undermine their work and services. However it is currently not clear whether this has really undermined the current practitioners, but it remains to be seen in the coming year. 

I just found an interesting element of Alex Bailey's website. His youtube channel, which he used for a video filled with images from the film Snow White and the Huntsman.

This is definitely something I could consider doing, to give a general overview of a months work perhaps whenever I've made commissions etc... A month of highlights perhaps. They can be fairly short videos.

Upon finding his name and seeing his work, I realised that he's responsible for some of my very favourite images. I'm going to leave some here to show his work.

I found this interesting individual with a website that explains the sort of skills a picture Researcher needs/has. I'm not sure how to use this info with regards to my own practice. As what I'll be doing isn't totally Defined yet. I'm waiting on my new boss to write up something to do with the job role so I may think further about it and discuss it in more depth

Here is a link to her page so that I can refer back to it later if I need to.

Introduction to Ned Scott.

Find out some background info on Ned here - Ned Scott the Man 

Some of the most intriguing aspects of this image is the use of Gradient, it’s  soft focus, the off centre camera angle. Together they all entice the audience as they’re against the norm of how you would look at someone. His direct gaze, amongst a flat mid tone and high key back lighting that creates a halo around his head really grabs the attention. The photographers, decision to use such a soft focus really makes the mans face that much less angular, it doesn’t strip him of his masculinity, but it does show the softness and gives a slightly effeminate quality. 

I have always loved Black and White Images as they are not as we view the world, but instead takes away the distraction of colour and replaces it with crisp dark tones and contrasts that really show the startling gaze from his dark eyes.

This image of Janet Blair has all the qualities that i want to achieve when photographing my female subjects, a soft focus, with a soft gradient in the transition between shadow and highlights. I also love the simplicity of just the necklace and no upper body clothing being visible. This also continues the use of a slightly off centre camera angle which works quite well with the shape and lines of her body.

 I picked this image of Ian Hunter as I felt it was a candid studio shot, something which isn’t massively refined in the process of lighting. But I quite like how raw it feels as an image, with its extremely soft focus. With the use of lighting that throws a subtle shadow across the face and the pose which presents him in a coy way is rather interesting.

These Two images of Ann Miller fascinate me as they really do define such beauty and feminine grace. The lighting within these images and the choice of focal point has really helped to further maximise the smooth quality of her skin, This most likely utilised a mixture of make up artistry as well as different effects that can be created by a photographer using their particular skills, which can help immensely towards beautifying and increasing the femininity of the image. 

I love the framing thats been chosen, it’s clearly been framed as a half body so that it can show her figure, whilst also allowing the lighting to really play across the subjects body. 

Both have a Central framing, whilst also making use of the space to show their strength as an individual but also their delicate and soft touch.

The Subject is very beautiful and because of the photographers work and attention to detail this is made even clearer and amplified due to his choices of visual elements. 

Link to the Website Here: - Ned Scott's Draft and Articles

"The motion picture photographer is truly a jack-of-all-trades in the field of photography. He operates any camera at a moment's notice"

Whilst reading through this article draft I find myself falling in love  with the idea of being able to pick up a camera or equipment and use it at a moments notice. working in any and all situations being able to accurately react to it and capture images of suitable standard and quality. This is something which I aim to achieve in my lifetime, but photography will forever be something I can learn a new skill or ability whilst working in this field for the rest of my life. 

"help glut Mr. Public's insatiable curiosity and appetite for the mystery of hollywood's loved ones, the stars, and their lives at work"

I find this entire paragraph incredibly interesting, as on the one hand I am still one of the public being insatiably curious about the stars. But also I find it interesting that the "stillman" is basically a small element of the industry who is working against a larger function, to deliver a stack of glossy prints inevitably to an overseer.

However this doesn't put me off, a high maintenance and velocity job where constantly taking photographs seems like a fantastic work place. Hard work yet still absolutely fascinating to see the intricacy of behind the scenes.  

This paragraph serves as a beautiful reason as to why this job is so very fulfilling, the fact that the stillman's job is so very integral to production of the film industry. The idea that they generate the most interest and get the audience in to the theatre to see the finished film is both enlightening and grandiose. As it will most likely make and photographer feel that they've done a good job if the film does well.

I have always been deeply interested in movies and their stories, and being presented with a defined subject like that to be creative and capture different images would be absolutely thrilling, as it would always provide new opportunities to capture something of intrigue. 

It would also bring me up close to stars and celebrities who I've always wanted to meet or observe in real life, due to photographs I've seen of them or films I've seen them in. What fascinates me about these Actors and other celebrities is that they have a celebrity act which the world perceives and then their real self, I'm not saying there is a massive difference between both, but rather there are subtle differences or choices. 

As I've explained before with people like Marilyn Monroe where they have a public and a private persona. The reason this fascinates me is because I love the idea of how changeable and complex humanity is. On a daily basis we change how we react to each and every person we encounter. Knowing to be polite to checkout assistants when shopping or knowing when to ignore someone else. 

But with Still Photographers the main appeal is working with such a highly visible creative output. Like television or film there are the interesting moments where the sets, production that is around or the interactions of people presents these many different opportunities to photograph worthwhile images. Further to that is the possibility your work will be used in conjunction with advertising and marketing the film you are working on.

This is something which is increasingly interesting me as I feel there is such a scope for creativity and also recognition in this field, as your work will most likely be seen by millions as it will go towards promoting and marketing the films or television you work on. 

Currently I want to look at the following photographers:

Murray Close

Jaap Buitendijk

Nick Briggs