28.04.2011 The WVIL Concept Camera

After first seeing the new concept designs, released recently by the award-winning design team over at Seattle-based company Artefact, I was intrigued by the modern, slim line design and obviously interested by any new camera technology which I may use in the future. The WVIL Concept Camera was made to answer the question "what's next for camera design?" and I agree that it is a lovely design but after viewing the short video, which aims to illustrate the cameras functions I was distracted by the editing aspects of the interface where the user puts quite a distracting filter over the photograph she takes and posts it to her social network site. In some ways this could be a great opportunity to get everyone learning about camera controls and lenses but I fear that this camera will fall into the everyday snapshot category as there appears to be no control over the camera which seems to automatically adjust everything for the user. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see about this one!

http://vimeo.com/artefactgroup/wvil   

25.04.11 New Gadget!

Today, after shooting several reels of black and white 35mm I decided to treat myself to a new gadget and brought a negative scanner. I really like shooting on film and thought that the idea of being able to digitally edit and print the images I shoot on film will be a really fun exercise. After getting it home I scanned in a lot of old film and selected some of my favourites, here are a few but there are more on my website (link in title). 

22.04.11 Work Experience

For my final project of the year for university I need to complete five days work experience and write up a report on my findings. From the 19th to the 21st I went to Spot Studios to learn more about the professional photographic industry. The photographer Melvyn Vincent who runs the studio was great and really excepted me, introducing me to his assistants, teaching me new software skills and letting me assist him on location for one of his shoots. Melvyn specialises in still life but also shoots fashion/ portraiture. He shoots for shops such as Harrods, Ralph Lauren and Selfridges among many more producing stunning interior and exterior images. I really enjoyed the experience of working in a studio and would love to go back to see Mel and his assistants some time soon.

 

14.04.11 Niall O'Brien

In the current issue of Dazed & Confused, they have gathered together a group of influential young artists - such as musician Marques Toliver, actor Tom Hughes, model and musician Tara Ferry and photographer and filmmaker Niall O’Brien - to debut Original Penguin’s Spring 2011 collection. The behind the scenes film interview features the actors and musicians delving into what keeps them creative and original. The video interview with the talented individuals reveal all about their personal thoughts on creativity, originality and the roots of their own style. I found this video interesting but also a very visually enjoyable bit of film.

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/10025/1/original-penguin-fashion-film 

From this I started to look more at the photographer Niall O'Brian and found that although some of his own personal work was not overly appealing to me but the way he has drawn inspiration from and evolved it into his commissioned work has created some beautiful work which I am really interested in. 

His portraits and documentary work of youth are fantastic, because I can tell that he really connects with his subjects. 

He also seems to have found aesthetic which works with the content of his images and therefore complement each other, I think this can be seen most clearly when in one shoot he takes portraits of these same subjects in the studio and out of context. 

Here is some of his commissioned work and commercial work which I love!