1. WWW.PROFESSIONALPHOTOGRAPHER.CO.UK FOR PROFESSIONALS, BY PROFESSIONALS
PROFESSIONAL SINCE 1982 OCTOBER 2011 £4.20
PORTFOLIO
Love Music Love Food
THE BIG
INTERVIEW
ANDY GOTTS
the Face Man
ONLINE
MARKETING
New six-part series
PPOTY MIDDLEBROOK
AWARDS
OUR FAVOURITE
what the French
do better...
UPLOADS SO FAR
COMPETITION,
GADGETS & HEROES
PLUS: BUYING USED,
WHAT TO CHARGE &
WHAT PROS WANT...
2.
3. Well, well, well, I must admit to it being
rather an interesting month here in the
office. From an email saying I look “bored”,
in my Editor’s picture (left: Really?), to
recording my first set of podcasts, to
putting out all sorts of ‘fires’ in the wake
of Mick Cookson’s The Undercutters
article in September’s magazine.
This is obviously a very important issue for many of you out
there – as you will see in the Feedback pages from just some
of the emails I had. And it’s a subject I will continue with over
the coming months.
Highlights in this issue, for me, have to be two features in
particular. First, Patrice de Villiers’ amazing set of
images for her book in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust,
Love Music Love Food, and, second, my interview
with Dr Andy Gotts. Inspiration a-plenty there.
We have had a great response to the PPOTY
awards, and you will see some of the team’s
early favourites on page 28. Middlebrook has
october
penned some pure bull, and Chris Frear lets us in
on life as a working pro in rural Scotland – he even covers
horses’ cocks (literally!).
Paul Tansey, MD of a company called Intergage, starts a new,
six-part series about online marketing for us, while Selina Maitreya
tells us to wake up and smell the coffee!
We have an interesting feature on second-hand gear for pros, with
a case study from someone who saved quite a few quid taking this route.
A competition to win Fluid Mask software and a bunch of neat
gadgets are also worth a look.
Oh, and I must not forget the cheeky monkey... you will know what I
mean if you take a look at page 63.
Enjoy the issue.
Adam Scorey, Editor
feedback@professionalphotographer.co.uk
FRONT COVER
Thanks to Dr Gotts for being alive! I love his
sublime images; from the stunning shot of Elle
THIS IMAGE AND COVER IMAGE ANDY GOTTS
Macpherson on the cover, to Orlando Bloom in
his boxers... apparently lots of folk think the actor
is a Yank (I even heard he was the brother of Steve
Bloom – the wildlife photographer). A lesson in
lensmanship for us all. www.andygotts.com
NOW YOU CAN BUY SINGLE ISSUES OF
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER ONLINE –
GO TO www.buyamag.co.uk/PP
4.
5. NEW PHOTOGRAPHY
8 Portfolio: Love Music Love Food
The recipe book for rock stars by rock stars – musicians and their favourite food
31 Editor’s Choice
PP Editor Adam Scorey chats about an image that has caught his eye from the online portfolio section
NEED TO KNOW
22 Professional Photographer of the Year 2011
We have full details of this year’s PPOTY awards and publish early entries for the competition
39 Middlebrook: A Bit of What You Fancy
Martin Middlebrook develops a taste for the French way of life while shooting bullfighting in Provence
44 Insider: The Price is Right?
Garry Edwards tackles the vexed question of how much photographers should charge for their work
46 Insider: A Country Practice
Chris Frear reveals the ups and downs of being a rural pro photographer out in all weathers
49 Bad Weather – Gear Buyers’ Guide
In association with Jessops, the most durable cameras and a few choice accessories
57 The Business: Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
Marketing guru Selina Maitreya advises pros to forget the competition and think big
60 The Business: Online Marketing Masterclass
In the first of a six-part series, agency boss Paul Tansey explains how to promote your business online
62 The Business: Monkey Business
Peter Stevenson takes an offbeat look at copyright issues when it’s animals that are taking the pictures
INTERVIEWS & CHATS WITH...
66 The Big Interview: Andy Gotts – Face Man
Andy Gotts describes his rise from Norfolk lad to Hollywood A-list photographer
106 Heroes
Travel photographer Tim Gartside praises Jean-Dominique Dallet and Mike Busselle’s work in Spain
NEWS & REVIEWS
17 Click
This month’s line-up of the best news, books and exhibitions
77 and 86 What Pros Want...
Craig Fleming tests the Lencarta Safari Classic Ringflash and Hama’s digital camera trigger
82 Second-hand Gear
Ten top tips for buying used equipment, plus a case study of a pro who saved thousands
91 Gadgets
Our pick of this month’s most exciting gizmos and gadgets
92 Competition
Your chance to win a copy of the Vertus Fluid Mask 3.2 masking tool, worth £99
103 Stop Press...
The latest essential news, gossip and kit from the pro world
KEEP IN TOUCH
PATRICE DE VILLIERS/LOVE MUSIC LOVE FOOD
33 Feedback
Your thoughts, your opinions, your pages
36 Podcast
Every issue we record a free podcast discussing a topic from the world of professional photography
76 Subscribe
Save 35% with our latest subscription offer and get a 432-page book worth £16.95 for free
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7. contributors
ADAM SCOREY REBECCA STEAD KELLY WEECH SIMON REYNOLDS
The new Group Editor of Archant Art editor Rebecca has five years’ Features assistant Kelly joined Simon was a sub-editor on
Imaging has eight years’ experience in magazine design the team in 2009 and continues newspapers for more than 30
experience editing and 10 years’ and has been with the PP team to be passionate about years. His knowledge means
as a professional photographer. since September 2010. all aspects of photography. our words are in safe hands.
JESSICA LAMB JEFF MEYER PATRICE DE VILLIERS ANDY GOTTS
Jessica is the guardian of our Jeff edits Photography Monthly. Patrice is a highly respected food Hollywood A-list portrait
website, Facebook and Twitter A journalist for 16 years, he photographer and the subject of photographer Andy is best
pages, and keeps the readers remembers using an actual knife our Portfolio, featuring her known for his black-and-white
up-to-date online. to cut and paste text! Love Music Love Food cookbook. images of actors and singers.
MARTIN MIDDLEBROOK PAUL TANSEY CRAIG FLEMING TIM GARTSIDE
Based in the Midlands, Martin is Paul calls himself an “online Specialising in editorial-style Author and stock photographer
a commercial photojournalist marketing geek”, and so he portraiture and beauty, Craig has Tim has been writing for
and has been a contributor to PP should as he is the MD of web been a professional photographer magazines for years. He pens our
for the past two years. marketing agency Intergage. for the past seven years. Heroes column this month.
SELINA MAITREYA GARRY EDWARDS PETER STEVENSON BUBBLES
American Selina has acted as Pro studio photographer and Peter has worked in insurance Up-and-coming pro photographer
a consultant to commercial Lencarta’s technical guru in the for more than 30 years and is now Bubbles is just starting his
photographers for 30 years and UK, Garry shares his experience director at InFocus, a specialist in career but has already made an
is also a lecturer and author. when it comes to pricing. insuring photographers. impression on the business!
Like what you see here? Why not check out our sister title, Photography Monthly?
The November issue will feature tips on how to pose family photos in a number of
locations, how to shoot autumn mist and tests of the Sony NEX-C3 and Olympus PEN E-PL3.
7
9. Love Music Love Food - The Rock Star Cookbook started out as a seed SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR: “Mr Fish,
of an idea after a chat with a musician. Over the last three years, where we shot Sophie, didn’t want to
close while we worked, so the chip shop
Patrice de Villiers has combined her passions for music, food and stayed open – I didn’t think it would be
photography to create a book designed to help raise money for busy at all. However, at one point
Teenage Cancer Trust. Patrice has photographed over 60 bands and around 3.30pm, an elderly chap came in
to get his daily order of hake & chips,
musicians, each masterpiece inspired by their favourite food... or whatever, and wasn’t going to be put
off by a camera crew, so we had to wait.
Sophie stood there, all ballgowned up
Above: Sophie Ellis-Bextor. “Fish and chips only taste right in England. and gorgeous, and the bloke didn’t bat
The rest of the world just can’t get it right.”
an eyelid; he got his food and toddled
Left: Espresso yourself. Paul Weller with his beloved lattes in Bar Italia, Soho. out as if it were all completely normal.”
9
10. Right: Marina and the Diamonds: “My dad was very
traditional and is quite against pop culture – so I’ve
always been very drawn towards it.”
Below: Trout and harmonica. “I wanted to illustrate
Heston’s recipe in the same way that I had approached
the award-winning Sunday Times’ series of images.”
Bottom: Eliza Doolittle: “I like to cook the beans slowly,
then they get super-mushy and sweet, then I overload
some standard white toast with butter – you got to get
this shit right.”
PHOTOGRAPHY & ORIGINAL CONCEPT BY PATRICE DE VILLIERS
10
12. Biffy Clyro.
Brandon Flowers.
Madness.
DEDICATION TO TONY WHITE
“These black-and-white bromide prints were handcrafted Top: Eggs and drum. “This is one of the
PHOTOGRAPHY & ORIGINAL CONCEPT BY PATRICE DE VILLIERS
by one of the best black-and-white printers in the MADNESS: Balancing Pies. filler shots I created for the book, inspired
by other content.”
country, Tony White. He generously donated his time and “The nutty boys are always
expertise to create the prints for us in support of Teenage a joy to work with and I knew I Above: Coco Sumner: “The toast has to be
Cancer Trust. Tony sadly passed away on 1 August, leaving wanted to get this shot all in mildly burnt. It’s got to have crunch.”
a legacy of the most beautiful prints for this project one. We had all the hero pies Right: Noel Gallagher on tea: “It’s got to be
and many others. No one can replace his individual lined up and sort of figured out the exact same colour as a Quality Street
craftsmanship, so these are truly original prints produced how to balance them between toffee or it’s going down the sink.”
by Tony for the good of young people with cancer. the lads’ heads. It ended up a
Our sympathies to his family and our thanks to a true bit of a pie graveyard on the
artist in his genre who will be greatly missed by all who floor – I had no idea it would be
had the pleasure of his craft and his company.” Patrice. so difficult to balance a pie
TONY WHITE: 1961-2011 between two fezzes!”
12
14. PORTFOLIO
Love Music Love Food
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH
PATRICE ON THE SHOOTS
THE KOOKS: “Mixing sheep
and rock stars in the same shot
is nerve-racking... Sheep are
Adam Scorey catches up with food photographer Patrice de Villiers, the quite skittish, as I now know,
but Hugh and Luke were
mastermind of the gorgeous book Love Music Love Food – The Rock Star immensely calm throughout.
Cookbook, which has been three years in the planning and shooting But we all had a moment when
the sheep started hurtling
As soon as we saw these amazingly stylised images, we knew towards a very expensive
we had to get them on the pages of PP for you to see. But it TEENAGE CANCER TRUST camera setup – and potentially
wasn’t until we delved a little more deeply that we realised the Every day in the UK, six young sheep-extinguishing lighting.
full story behind them – we had to support the cause. people aged 13 to 24 are told Fortunately, my fabulous
Essentially, Love Music Love Food is a recipe book, but unlike any they have cancer. Usually placed assistants defended the tripod
other you will have come across; it’s a celebration of food, music and on a children’s ward or with and power packs, and we all
photography – with recipes. The inspiration for the shoots came from elderly patients, young people lived to take the next picture.”
the musicians’ favourite foods. Patrice then came up with a concept often feel extremely isolated
based on these and Andrew Harrison, a renowned music journalist who while being treated for cancer. HUEY MORGAN: Another
helped massively with the project through his contacts, interviewed Teenage Cancer Trust believes animal tale. “I had two setups,
each band or star. Sarah Muir, a tour caterer for the likes of Radiohead young people shouldn’t stop basically, as I thought I couldn’t
and The Prodigy, used the ingredients to create a recipe. being teenagers just because shoot Huey without doing a
The whole project has been created by Patrice to help raise money for they have cancer. So the charity reference to the song Scooby
Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT), with all the cash raised, bar the builds units in NHS hospitals Snacks. Apparently, Scooby
production costs, going to the charity. “Food and music are my two that offer young people was a Great Dane... so I hired
major passions,” she says “and I was looking for a non-commercial, specialist care, bringing them the biggest dog in the universe
photographic project that gave something back – I wanted to do together so they can support – his collar was 27in! We had
something unique that was also a creative challenge. I was at a Muse each other in an environment the shot where the dog has the
gig in Manchester and got chatting with Matt Bellamy from the band suited to their needs. San Pellegrino and Huey has
and found out he makes his own pasta. The seed of an idea started to As well as specialist units, the pizza. It was all going well
form of musicians and food. But it wasn’t until I met with Heather TCT also funds a number of until Travis, our ‘Scooby’,
Burns-Mace, a regional fundraiser for TCT four or five months later services, all with the same goal: snatched the pizza and wolfed
that I knew I wanted to combine my passions for food and music with to help young people fight it all down; the pizza was
photography. Leaving that meeting I was committed to supporting TCT cancer. These include clinical donated by Marco Pierre
and their amazing work.” and research staff, an education White’s Frankie’s kitchen at
Three years later, and with a combination of serendipity, the programme for schools, family Selfridges, so Travis is
immeasurable help of more than 200 contributors and Patrice’s support networks and an maybe the first dog to eat
considerable hard work and talent as a photographer and persuader, annual conference for young Michelin-starred-chef pizza!”
Love Music Love Food – The Rock Star Cookbook has hit the shelves – cancer patients.
with a foreword by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. “It’s been a huge BIFFY CLYRO: “I delighted my
amount of work,” she says “particularly as the whole concept – inspired www.teenagecancertrust.org three female food-styling
by a poster I saw for a Muse album designed by Storm Thorgerson – assistants on this shoot by
was organised by myself; from persuading people to lend props and announcing that they would
spare studio time, to trying to find a publisher and just getting have to place haggis, neeps
everything organised. Some of the people involved took a little time to WHERE CAN and tatties on Biffy’s naked
get their heads around the pictorial concept, but with more than 60 I BUY THE torsos. When it came to the
bands/musicians involved, it has been a massive success and it’s for BOOK? shoot, I had 10 minutes as BC
such an important cause. The video I watched of TCT’s work that It is on general were due at the NME awards
inspired me to raise money for the charity, was an incredibly humbling release now; that night to collect the Best
and emotive experience, but the support I’ve had from the music you can buy it, Live Band prize. I got the first
industry confirms it was the right thing to do. I’d like to say a massive priced at £30, from shot, but tried to fit in the
thank you to everyone who has contributed and supported the project; www.teenagecancertrustshop.org band as a human plates shot.
I couldn’t have done it without you.” or www.lovemusiclovefood.org, We were all laughing so much
The Love Music Love Food book is now on sale from its dedicated and all good bookshops. that we only had time for three
website (www.lovemusiclovefood.org), which is definitely worth a visit frames, which didn’t make
for the behind-the-scenes stills and movie interviews, news and tweets. Twitter: @LMLF_Tweet the cut, but hey, the girls loved
You can also buy limited-edition prints from the book, all of which will Facebook: lovemusiclovefood.org it and the band had a hoot.”
help to raise money for TCT. PP
14
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23. SIONAL
RAPHER
2011
To celebrate the talent in the UK’s
photographic community, we are officially
launching our Professional Photographer of
the Year Awards for 2011. The response to
last year’s competition was amazing, and
we say a huge thank you to the sponsors,
judges and readers for their hard work and
THROUGH OUR WEBSITE commitment. We’d love to build upon this
WWW.PROFESSIONAL success and create a competition in which
PHOTOGRAPHER.CO.UK the whole industry wants to participate
23
24. 2011
OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Keeping things simple is often the best way photography magazines, websites and
to handle complex scenarios, and this year’s social media outlets. He was a professional
competition will be kept as straightforward newspaper and TV photographer for more
as possible. It will be hosted on the than 10 years.
Professional Photographer (PP) website,
and each issue of PP, from next month to ANDY GOTTS has been a photographer to
February 2012, will feature some of the Hollywood A-list actors, from Brad Pitt to
judges’ favourites that have been uploaded Daniel Radcliffe, for the past
so far. In April 2012 we will host an official 21 years, and many have become friends.
prize-giving ceremony and party for the He is also president of the British Institute
winners, judges and sponsors. More on of Professional Photographers (BIPP).
the party in future issues.
The May 2012 issue of PP will include TOM CATCHESIDES is one of the UK's
a PPOTY special edition showcasing images leading wedding photographers. He is also
from the winners and runners-up in the founder of Light Blue Software, which
a 24-page section, including interviews, develops award-winning business
comments from the judges and images from management software for photographers
the winners’ party. and is one of this year's PPOTY sponsors.
Opposite page: Winner of the Professional
THE COMPETITION Photographer of the Year title and of the Fashion
This year we are having 13 categories, award 2010, Arseniy Semyonov.
with a winner and a runner-up in each. Right: Winner of the Editorial award 2010,
Rebecca Litchfield. Below: Winner of the
There will then be a final judging to Advertising award 2010, Tim Wallace.
select the Professional Photographer of
the Year. To enter just log on to
www.professionalphotographer.co.uk
and submit your entries in the given
categories. You don’t have to enter all
of them; you may pick just the ones
where you feel strongest. The deadline
is Friday, January 27, 2012.
THE JUDGES
PAUL SANDERS has been the Picture Editor
of The Times since 2004. As well as being
a keen photographer himself, he is equally
obsessive about cycling, and blogs about it
at cyclingdisorder.blogspot.com
BEN DUFFY is an internationally renowned
commercial sports photographer who
has shot just about every A-list sports star.
His impressive client list includes adidas,
Nike, the Premier League and EA Sports.
ADAM SCOREY is the Group Editor for
Archant Imaging and is responsible for the
editorial direction of its portfolio of
24
27. 2011
OF THE YEAR AWARDS
THE CATEGORIES
We have 13 categories for photographers to
enter and the titles are generic to encourage
as many as possible to take part. There will
be a winner and runner-up in each category,
plus Best Portfolio winner and the
Professional Photographer of the Year title.
You may enter as many categories as you
like but are limited to one image in each,
with the exception of the Portfolio Award.
1. HIGH FASHION – from a head shot to
a full length, we want to see images
oozing style
2. STREET PHOTOGRAPHY – raw, candid,
colour or mono, a visual comment
3. THE WILD WORLD – show Mother
Nature’s true character
4. COMMERCIAL CLIENTS – from abstract
architecture to industrial Britain
5. IN THE STUDIO – show us your mastery
of light
Opposite page: Winner of the Travel award
6. ON LOCATION – from gritty urban scenes 2010, Paul Thurlow. Above: Winner of the
to polished city portraits, we want to see Weddings/Social Reportage award 2010,
Sacha Miller. Right: Winner of the Contemporary
you show skill at using the surroundings
Art award 2010, Sergey Lekomtsev.
to enhance your image
7. SPORTING ACTION – show us your
perfect timing, amazing lens control and
how you capture the passion WHAT DO YOU WIN?
8. REPORTAGE WEDDINGS – are you the We would like to think that becoming
next Jeff Ascough? Professional Photographer of the Year 2011,
9. STILL LIFE – let the judges see your or a category or Portfolio winner, are strong
control of lens choice, depth of field enough reasons for entering. Yes, there will
and composition be an exclusive winners’ party with sponsors
10. STUDENT OF THE YEAR – an open and judges, plus magazine staff, but we also
THE SPONSORS
category for anyone in full-time education feel that you need to get something a bit
studying a photographic discipline extra. So, each winner will receive an
11. EDITORIAL/NEWS – from hard to soft, exclusive logo to promote themselves to the
show us your skills at interpreting a brief industry and to their clients, which can then
and responding to events as they unfold be used to help market themselves through
12. BREAKING THE MOULD – another open websites, stationery and business cards,
category for everything weird, wacky and as a mark of distinction and a sign of quality.
avant-garde – have some fun! In addition, there will be a section created
13. THE PORTFOLIO AWARD – this goes to on the PP website profiling the PPOTY
the photographer with what the judges winners, using this logo as a reference point,
consider the strongest overall portfolio so potential clients can visit and discover
of three images. The category and their awardwinning photographer.
subject matter are open, and we This would be used as a click-through
encourage you to submit new images from the winners’ websites back to the
from one or more shoots PP website.
27
28. Marko Mestrovic,
Coralie
Andrew Cleminson,
Euljiro SK building, Seoul
Adam Scorey – Group Editor/PP Editor: “Marko’s image reminds
me of that Queen cover from yesteryear. I love the starkness and
central positioning of the subject. I’m sure it must have taken a good few
attempts and experiments to get it just perfect.”
Paul Thurlow,
Charlotte
Jeff Meyer – Photography Monthly Editor: “The light and contrast,
as well as the low perspective, all immediately stand out in this
picture. But I really like it for the way its wide angle shows the passers-by
and conveys a sense of interaction and shared community. This was a
difficult shot to make on several levels, and it’s been done extremely well.”
Ana Berger,
Nuvens [clouds]
of Manhattan
Luke Woodford,
Walk on by
Kelly Weech – features assistant, PP: “This image is composed
Robin Sinha, beautifully and offers a mixture of warm and cold tones. I like the
Ballygunge railway contrast of the man sitting still and the motion of the train speeding by.
station, Calcutta, 2011
To me, it suggests a reflection of his everyday life.”
28
29. 2011
OF THE YEAR AWARDS
SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE
ENTRIES SO FAR...
AND WHAT WE THINK ABOUT THE IMAGES
Luise Hannah Reichert, Wayne Johns,
Julia Projections
Rebecca Stead – art editor, PP: “I like the concept behind this image. It makes the picture
more than just a fashion shot. The photographer has taken a lot of care to choose the right
‘film’ to complement the model and styling, and ensure her face is not obstructed. Every time I look
I see something different.”
J Collingridge, Martyn Baker,
Empty underground II Waiting bride
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31. editor’s choice
Scorey’s favourite from this month’s Portfolio uploads
JEFF NG
I think everyone looking at this image, jump out of the page. over the various textures and
image will spot immediately To my eyes it almost takes on surfaces. Depth of field is
why it has been chosen. the bearing of a giant concrete spot-on and Jeff’s choice to go
The graphic shapes, the crocodile or dinosaur – but mono removes the temptation
contrast range of deep blacks perhaps I’ve just had too to look at the detail first; instead
and bright whites, and the much coffee... your eye is drawn to the graphic
Want your image featured interesting compositional I also like the ‘mathematical’ elements of his picture. PP
here? Upload your shots to tension that photographer Jeff element of the shapes created
www.professionalphotographer.co.uk Ng has used to create the and the way the light changes www.j5nowthen.com/hp
31
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IMAGE: KEVIN WILSON FRPS award winning Wedding Photographer
33. { feedback }
Tell us what you think via Twitter @prophotomag or Facebook Pro Photo Mag
or by email feedback@professionalphotographer.co.uk
feedback@professionalphotographer.co.uk
Dear Professional Photographer, wedding photography was the
Of course Mick Cookson’s piece perfect move, yet spends the rest of
about part-time wedding the article talking with a kind of
photographers [PP, September] is jaded cynicism for punters with not
quite correct, especially in regard to enough money to afford him and for
the need for a code of conduct and other wedding photographers who
decent regs. Problem is that in don’t work in the same way as him.
the UK it just ain’t ever going to All this after a mere three years in
happen. But his back page pic of the the [wedding photography] industry!
Morecambe Midland Hotel has to be His entry into the industry also
a leg-pull surely. Homage to Bill feels quite similar to many of the
Brandt, Mick… Now who’s taking photographers he is taking issue
the ‘p***’? with, the only discernible difference
Chris Smith, by email being that he left his regular decade with the advent of digital; When articles are written about the
employment to do weddings the consensus seems to be to state of the wedding industry, they
Dear Professional Photographer, full-time. But at some point, surely, diversify your income streams and tend to be in language that treats the
Just read, and laughed, at the there was a transitional period where work smart. I’ve got no sympathy buying public as visually illiterate,
Weekend Warrior article. I’ve been he could have been classed as a for anyone complaining about the uneducated and driven by price,
involved in a BIG argument (that’s Weekend Warrior where he charged loss of income from one small area with barely a consideration of what
still ongoing) about this very issue less for his work than he does of photography – the writing has their images will actually look like.
as I am now a seasoned WW, and now while he built his profile? been on the wall for years. Yes, some people are driven by
Mick spouts much of the usual Whatever, it’s wrong to assume that Shackling the wedding price, but so what? In this economy
rubbish aimed at us part-timers. all other non-full-time wedding photography industry with there’s no way I’d judge anyone for
Just off on hols but if you fancy, photographers are simply there ‘regulations’ and a ‘code of conduct’ saving money on anything, because
I’m happy to write an article as for a few quid. Some of these will not help at all. I notice that I do it myself every time I shop.
a rebuttal. photographers are the stars of the Mr Cookson made no offer of what But maybe some decisions are
David Goodier, by email future, just starting out and building these regulations might be; he just made on visual style and the owner
their confidence – we all start made a cynical comment about the of that style is a photographer
Ed: I have asked David to write his somewhere. Many will fall by the vitriol he knew he would stir up! who charges, say, £500 for a day.
rebuttal for the November issue… wayside but that’s the same in every Deep down I think he knows any Maybe, for whatever reasons,
can, worms, all over the show… other profession, bar none. suggestion is largely unworkable: pictures from a wedding simply
Photography is accessible to pretty one man’s trash is another man’s art aren’t that important to some
Dear Professional Photographer, much anyone, so you’re going to get and all that. The last thing we need couples and they’re happy to pay
I have to take issue with Mick a high turnover of people having a as photographers is a body telling us £300. Is that so bad? I wish every
Cookson’s article on the state of go; get over it. what is and isn’t a good wedding couple had £3,000 to spend on their
the wedding industry. The biggest Photography is possibly the most photograph – that’s what it will wedding images and I was picking
problem with this article is the democratic of visual mediums and come down to and any other up 25 weddings a year at that rate,
palpable sense of entitlement of pretty much always has been. To be regulations will just be extra but we have to get real; the industry
Mr Cookson. It seems anyone even lamenting the sheer number of bureaucracy; all it will do is stifle has changed massively. Simply to
considering photographing a photographers out there is a creativity. In the heavily codified blame the Weekend Warriors for
wedding or making the transition redundant argument. Yes, it makes area of wedding photography real undercutting the wedding sector
from a different career is simply extracting an income from the creativity is at a premium and feels like a gross oversimplification.
stealing potential clients from profession harder, that is without should be encouraged and nurtured. I firmly believe the industry will
Mr Cookson; how dare they! question, but the point has been I think it’s also appropriate to find its own level, even with this
He says the move to full-time debated ad infinitum over the past talk here about visual literacy. level of competition, and the
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34. { feedback }
savvy businesspeople who are also insurance side of the photography makes one or two stop and think, poor-quality work. However, I think
great photographers (in that order) fence the need to make sure your then it’s got to be worth saying. the problem lies with people’s
will survive. It’s not even about photographer of choice is insured is On the flip side, we do also say to inability to distinguish good
being ‘better’ than the others (for me paramount; my thoughts are purely a photographer only to disclose that photography from bad, which applies
another totally redundant argument based on that side of the fence. they have professional indemnity to some WWs too. They probably
where photography is concerned). In the past I have advised pros insurance if they are asked. have an over-inflated view of their
Sure, you can offer more fancy when talking to a potential client to The reason is that there a number own ability and believe that they are
add-ons, but really it’s about being mention that they are fully insured of people who will try to stiff the just as good as the professionals.
the best photographer YOU can as this may prompt the client to ask photographer after the event by Amateurs are taking over in other
be and giving that to the client. the next photographer they talk to if saying the work is poor and try to skilled areas. I recently had a quote
Rick Hanley, Bracknell, by email they are. If they say they aren’t, that get their money back, along with to tile my bathroom from someone
may be the decision-making point. a set of photos free of charge. who knew less about the job than
Dear Professional Photographer, Do you want to run the risk of Disclose public liability, as that is I do! We hear all the time about
I had to laugh at Mick Cookson’s a guest getting injured at your the cover that protects the couple shoddy workmanship from builders.
article, especially when I looked at wedding and not be able to claim and their guests; only disclose How do you tell good from bad?
the accompanying photographs. from the bloke you hired to take the professional indemnity if they ask It’s easy if they leave you with a
I suppose that, according to the shots? I have advised a number of – otherwise you could be advertising leaking roof, but the quality of a set
world of MC, I could be perceived mates/girlfriend’s mates always to to someone – whom you have only of photographs is very subjective.
as being a WW. However, there are make sure the one they choose is just met and you may not know their Wedding photographers are
no cheap, all-round zoom kits in my insured. Even in today’s market, true colours – that if they don’t like supplying a service like any other
gear and my photography is a great WWs can get an amateurs policy your work you have an insurance and it comes down to the consumer.
deal better than the ones on show. that gives public liability cover – cover on which they can claim Perhaps we need a ‘Jamie Oliver’
He seems to be a kit collector. I pay which should be the minimum cover against you. It’s your name that’s of the photographic world to
full whack for my lenses and do not anyone takes out. going to get dragged through the educate people to have more
claim back the VAT because it is not I agree that there is a market for mud – you must protect it. discerning tastes.
a perk of the WW. There are many WWs, but it shouldn’t impinge I hope what I’ve said is of There’s no easy answer to the
professionals who are substandard on the professional one. I have been interest and does back up your problem. It will be interesting to see
and a few amateurs who know what approached by WWs in the past for article and quantify your sentiments. what your respondents would like to
f/1.4 is and when to use it. If he is as insurance, only for them to say, Having banged this drum for a few see happen. I suspect the debate will
good as he seems to think, he should “Do I need public liability/ years, it’s good to see someone run and run...
have no problem with the WWs. professional indemnity as I don’t do raising its profile. It is something Sandie, by email
Peter Rogers (amateur as much work as a professional?” that can affect the whole industry.
photographer by choice), by email I’ve always said that if you’re going to From an insurance angle, there are a Dear Professional Photographer,
advertise yourself as able to do the few companies out there offering I’ve been looking forward to
Dear Professional Photographer, same job as a professional, regardless insurance to amateurs, the breeding receiving the September issue of
I’ve just read Mick’s article and of costs, then you are undertaking the ground of the WWs. As with young Professional Photographer, knowing
thought I’d drop you a line. same risks as a professional and so drivers, they tend to have more a new team is in place. Although
Brilliant piece! I have worked in should be insured appropriately. If claims (dropped cameras, kit stolen I’m not a pro photographer, I find
the industry for a number of years you cause an accident and wind up in because they’re not as careful, PL that ‘pro’ mags deal far more
now – not as a photographer – and court being sued (as you didn’t have claims when they’ve tried to pull off with my main interest, people
have on numerous occasions raised PL), the judge isn’t going to be a shoot and injured someone or photography, whereas mags for the
or discussed the matter of the lenient on you because, “You don’t do damaged property) and that in turn ‘amateur’ market are geared far too
Weekend Warriors and it’s great to as much work as a pro”; chances are means insurance companies will much to wildlife/natural history and
see someone putting out an article he’d make an example of you and fine push prices up to recover losses. landscapes. Unfortunately, though,
like this. you more. And so the pros could see prices rise I found that PP was getting tedious.
Having worked with professionals This alone should make everyone due to the amateurs’ failings. Although I know it is difficult as an
for a number of years, I have always (WWs and pros) stop and think. Steve Beveridge, CLiiK account editor to maintain freshness, it is
advocated to anyone looking for Do they want to pay for insurance, manager, by email. hard to wade through a magazine
a photographer to seek out a circa £400 per year, and put their that’s rather heavy on words and
professional. But how do the public prices up to cover that? Or do they Dear Professional Photographer, light on other things.
see the difference other than the decide the risk now highlighted There must be many excellent Anyway, my initial reaction to the
higher prices and more options in isn’t worth £350 once a month and photographers who can’t afford to ‘new’ mag is positive, as I see that
the style of album/portrait etc? so ‘retire’ from the arena and give up their day job to turn pro Adam Scorey is now in the hot seat.
It’s a question I feel I can’t answer, concentrate on shooting for fun? and are incensed at being lumped I say this because I met Adam at
I can only input my thoughts, and as Many will still continue, but together with the seemingly an event at Canon’s UK HQ in
someone who works on the by highlighting these points, if it growing band of WWs producing December 2009 and was pleased to
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35. { feedback }
PRO PHOTO MAG
Strange article bashing Weekend I’m with Gavin on the student
Warriors in this month’s mag. work thing. It’s very important to
It strikes me that most people remember that ‘emerging new
were WWs at one time or another. talent’ isn’t always the product of
Good competition and an open universities and colleges. In fact,
market only serve to raise the bar having viewed a good many
and ensure people keep striving student exhibitions, I’d have to say
for excellence rather than I’ve seen very little talent indeed.
stagnating. If you’re better, show It’s also very important to
you’re better, don’t bash the guy remember that the words
coming up for wanting a shot. ‘emerging’ and ‘new’ are NOT
Finn D synonymous with ‘young’.
There’s some fantastic ‘emerging
Enjoyed this month’s issue, new’ talent out there coming from
hear his views on how he would like particular wish is unlikely. love the article on The people who have made career
to see photography move forward Therefore, by whatever means Undercutters (oh how very true). changes or discovered a
were similar to my own. For me, necessary, I will settle just for I notice that Grant Scott is no wonderful creative talent they’d
Adam’s most memorable point at the activity of photography longer the Editor. I would like never previously had a chance to
that time was one he also alludes to returning to the limelight in the to wish him well on whatever explore, or discovered that
in the September issue. This was to way it was in the 1960s. From his project he has moved to. photography allows them to truly
ask why cooking, and the arrogant, comments in Feedback in the Looking forward to seeing Adam express themselves for the first
egotistical group known as celebrity September issue, I suspect that Scorey’s future editions. time. The deepest emotions tend
‘chefs’ receive the attention they do, Adam still feels the same as he did Tommy Cochrane not to come from those with the
while photography is ignored by in December 2009, and in that least experience of life!
the mainstream media. Probably respect, I wish him total success. Got my subscription already, very Avril Jones
because there are arrogant, Finally, articles on such things as good edition. I like the Middlebrook
egotistical people doing that job, blogging and social media would be article and The Undercutters – bit Hi Avril. Yes you are right, not all
I suspect, which is where I would appreciated; although I’m only an disappointed to see the regular emerging new talent is from
like to see the difference between amateur, I would still like one of my portfolio replaced with the work education, nor is it always young,
cooking and photography. pics to bring me my (non-arrogant) of students but assume this is but on this occasion we decided to
Based on what I know of certain 15 minutes of fame one day! a one-off. Gavin Hardy support The Photographers'
pro togs already though, that Rob Boler, by email Gallery Fresh Faced & Wild Eyed
Yes, this was to support the new competition to show the wide
talent emerging. Glad you enjoyed range of work (from old & young),
the two features mentioned; from the universities in 2011.
@prophotomag Middlebrook will be a regular Thank you for your thoughts.
columnist. Pro Photo Mag Pro Photo Mag
@atmoorehead @prophotomag @muluphotography Good article
Love the cover image, off to buy by @mickcookson on weekend Got to say it – your magazine used I’ve just read Craig Fleming’s
the magazine later! wedding togs in @prophotomag to be amazingly relevant to me article and he is right about
and also very aspirational. standing your ground. I still can’t
@prophotomag @atmoorehead @flemingcraig Lovely to see one Witty too with Peter Dench’s great believe a client asked him for the
Ben Duffy is a god, and a very of my all time favourites making diary. Now with the latest issue images so they could sell them!
nice chap too. full page in @prophotomag Shot it’s just like loads of the other Unbelievable! Can he recommend
using windowlight and pure luck ones that hold no interest how we photographers in the
@jamiewillmott Loving the photo yfrog.com/kjzvgxqj whatsoever. I’m sure you’ve done fashion world can get paid? The
of Rory McIlroy on the cover of your market research and exploitation of photographers who
the new issue of @prophotomag @francisambler Just read an maybe this is the way you need to need photos to show their work is
article in @prophotomag take it to grow your readership, scandalous. Natalie Lawrence
@aperturetweet New issue of that reflected the reality of but I hope you might bring
@prophotomag waiting on the being a photographer, a bit back some of the magic of the Hi, good new start, like
mat when I got home today daunting but I wouldn't have it old magazine! Middlebrook’s honesty, it’s much
#somethingtosmileabout any other way. Kerry Harrison needed. James Kriszyk PP
35
36. podcast
ON YOUR
WAVELENGTH
Every month we record a free-to-download podcast in which we discuss, debate and talk
around a subject featured in the magazine. We post them on our website and you can subscribe
for free and download them via iTunes. So if you haven’t listened in yet it’s time to join us online
THIS MONTH’S PODCAST the renaissance of street photography with great names of British photography through the
October 2011 Issue photojournalist Peter Dench. He explains his decades, stand up for their own personal
SPECIAL GUEST MICK COOKSON passion for this type of work and talks about favourites and ask why some periods have seen
Adam and Jeff are joined by Mike Witts, the photographers who have influenced and a proliferation of great British photographers.
team’s new intern, to chat about the latest inspired him. They are joined by editorial If you feel a photographer who deserved to be
issue. There is also a special guest this month: photographer and PP podcast fan Chris Floyd, included has been left out drop us an email at
Mick Cookson, author of The Undercutters who shares his thoughts on the subject. feedback@ professionalphotographer.co.uk
feature in the September issue, joins the team
to answer for himself... July 2011 Issue May 2011 Issue
HOW MUCH IS YOUR BOOKSHELF WORTH? CONVERGENCE AND THE FUTURE
AND THOSE YOU MAY HAVE MISSED… The podcast contributors talk about collecting OF PHOTOGRAPHY
September 2011 Issue photography books. They examine why some The impact of HD DSLR film making on the
NEW PPOTY AWARDS LAUNCHED books have not only held their price but world of professional photography is the podcast
New PP Editor and Imaging Group Editor dramatically increased in value while others have topic this month. With many stills photographers
Adam Scorey is joined by Jeff Meyer, who has been relegated to the dusty shelf of obscurity. now being asked to shoot video, the debate
just taken over at our sister title, Photography Long-time photo book collector Grant Scott focuses on problem areas such as narrative,
Monthly, to discuss the Professional explains his passion and the discussion turns to sound and editing, and how stills photographers
Photographer of the Year 2011 Awards and the ways of spotting a good investment. are reacting to this new world.
the latest developments in photography.
June 2011 Issue
August 2011 Issue THE BEST OF BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHY You can subscribe for free and download the
HIT THE STREETS The podcast discussion this month revolves podcasts from iTunes by typing professional
The previous PP Editor, Grant Scott, and his around the Best of British list published in the photographer into the search tab or listen via
deputy editor, Eleanor O’Kane, discuss PP June issue. The team look at some of the www.professionalphotographer.co.uk. PP
36
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Photographers
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