Summary of the Brief

Upon receiving this brief, I was a bit worried about how well I would do with it. I also had a bit of a worry as to which route I would take, when asked to put ourselves into groups I initially chose the editorial route as I didn't think any studio work would be beneficial to me as a street photographer, but after speaking with my tutor I decided to give the work placement route a go. Although I am a street photographer, I would be learning the valuable aspects which come with running a business on a daily basis.

As I have mentioned throughout this blog, Photoshop is something that I don't really have a good relationship with, I think it's more something that I have never really had much experience with, as a street photographer I don't see I have much of a need with it, but I also realise that to go into any job as a photographer there is a basic amount of knowledge that I would need to stand any chance of landing this job. Whilst working on my placement, I had a great opportunity to see how someone with a great knowledge of it works, and to see the ease of use when you have this knowledge.

Since I've moved over to the interview route of things, I've started to think that maybe I should of taken this route from the start. That's not to say I didn't enjoy my placement, or get anything useful out of it, I just think now that I've reached out to people in my field, I could of made more use of the questions and the time I have had. The questions and answers would of been a lot more relevant to me and my practice.

I've enjoyed this brief as a whole, but as I have mentioned above, I know now that I should have took the route that would have been most beneficial to me in the end, there's nothing like hindsight eh?

Making Contact With an Established Photographer: Nick Turpin

For my second interview, I have been tasked with to making contact with Nick Turpin. This, for me, is something huge, I think if I hadn't already made contact with Howard Barlow as mentioned in a previous post, that would have been just as daunting, these two photographers are people I look up to as a student, so making contact is something that is kind of scary but something rather fulfilling at the same time.

After sitting with Nick's number on my phone for a couple of minutes, I decided to press the call button, deep breaths Mikey, deep breaths!! Answer machine... Now that's typical!
Having listened to the answer phone message from Nick, he said if he's not contactable via telephone, the next best way is via email as he's usually out of the country or too busy to answer the phone...

'Good afternoon Nick,

My name is Michael Colebourne, I'm a second year photography student at Salford University. For an assignment we've been given, I have been asked to make contact with a photographer who is established in my field. If you could spare me a couple of minutes I would just like to ask a few questions about yourself and your career if you don’t mind? I appreciate you must be very busy and I would be very grateful for any reply. I tried to reach you by telephone but got no answer. 

Just starting with something simple, who was your inspiration when you first got into photography? And who would you say is your inspiration now?

As an aspiring street photographer myself I often worry about the possibility of making a living this way. As an established photographer yourself, how do you see street photography as a career?

Who or what was your first commission?

How do you find your clients?

When starting out as a photographer did you always aspire to be a street photographer?

And finally, what is it that you look for when you are ready to create an image? 

As I mentioned earlier, I tried to make contact via telephone, if this would be easier for us to complete this interview, my telephone number is 07598 464386.

Thank you for your time, 

Regards,

Michael Colebourne

https://www.facebook.com/pages/M18-Photography/207081052661922

https://twitter.com/M18Photography'

I am still awaiting a reply from this email. It will be updating as and when I receive this reply.


Contact details:

http://nickturpin.com/
Phone: +44 (0) 7831 507 629
email: nick@nickturpin.com

Making Contact With an Established Photographer: Howard Barlow

I have been in contact with Howard Barlow in recent months, initially starting with an enquiry about a work placement, funny how things work out!

I originally wrote out the questions as if I was sending them via email so if it seems a little like a letter then that's why.

Having made contact with him already, I knew I could connect with him to do my interview. I contacted Howard by telephone and the following is the result...

Michael Colebourne,

Second year photography student,

Salford University.

Good afternoon Howard,

For an assignment we've been given I have to make contact with an established photographer in my field. If you could spare me a couple of minutes I would just like to ask a few questions about yourself and your career if you don’t mind?

Interview Questions:

Starting with something simple, who was your inspiration when you first got into photography? And who would you say is your inspiration now?

It definitely started with Henri Cartier-Bresson, most definitely! His work was just something to behold.

Nowadays, erm, I would say Sebastião Salgado is probably someone whose work I look at quite a lot. He's quite an inspiring person.  

Who or what was your first commission?

It wasn't really a commission as such but my first printed work was for a local magazine. The image was of David Bowie performing in Manchester at Maine Road.

How do you find your clients?

They’re usually all found personally, mostly through recommendations but yeah, I never really use agencies. I like to keep things close to home. 

As an aspiring photographer myself I often worry about the possibility of making a living as a street photographer. As an established photographer yourself, how do you see street photography as a career?

I think it would be rather difficult to make a living from street photography; you would most certainly have to try out other avenues to generate a living.

When starting out your career, what were your aspirations to be as a photographer?

I always knew I wanted to work for someone like The Guardian. I knew it would be a lot of hard work to reach that goal but I had the drive and determination to get there, and I did.

Thank you for your time. Have a nice day

Regards,

Michael Colebourne

*Arranged a meeting about an ongoing project we have been in contact with previously. 

Contact details:

http://www.howardbarlow.com/
Email:  howard.barlow@mac.com
+44 7977 401177 (Mobile)

Update...

So having done a couple of days down at my work placement, things seem to have fell through. Having spoke with my tutor at university, we have agreed that I can use the blog I have created so far and use the option of interviewing an established photographer. The requirements were set at 3 initially but as I've took the work placement route from the beginning, an minimum of one, possibly two if I can make the contact.

Having had this conversation I have had a telephone interview with one photographer and reach out via email to another, fingers crossed.

Work Placement: Day 2

Day two of my work placement was about shooting product shots with ghost mannequin editing. This is again, something that I have never taken part in and was actually quite fun to do.

As mentioned in an earlier post, Photoshop is something I have a kind of phobia of, whether it's just because I don't actually know how to use it or not I don't know, but today gave me the chance to sit down and watch someone who is an expert on it, get to see all the parts of it that need to be used for this type of editing, and then sit down myself and start working with it. At first I was slow and making mistakes, only natural I think, but as I worked away my work progressed and I was getting through the work with quite a bit of pace.

The only thing I can do with this is to keep at it and use every possible chance I get to keep practicing. I have my own version on my computer so I can keep playing around at home and honing my skills. Also I think I need to start making the most of the various tutorials that are available to me via YouTube.

My second day has been enjoyable as again, I've been learning about something I would never wise have had the opportunity. I'm glad I've been given the chance to work with Photoshop, I know it's something that every job requires now and it's a vital skill that every photographer requires in this day and age.

In my next session we will be working on ghost mannequins again, starting by going out shopping for clothes to put on display then shooting and editing so I'll see the full process from start to finish.

First Day on Work Placement

Sunday 24th March 2013

12pm-5pm

For my first day on work placement, I was due to assist on a photography shoot but when I arrived I was informed that the shoot had been cancelled about a half hour before. This gave me the chance to get a bit more of an understanding of the studio itself and how things get done there. 

We did agree that I would be given an overview of the editing process they go through at a later date but due to the cancellation, we used the free time today to cover this. Now, I'm no expert on Photoshop, far from it, so this was a perfect opportunity for me to get an overview of how things work. Turns out it's not as scary to use as I thought and had a good day seeing an expert at work! 

After getting to grips with the editing process that goes into the finishing of the images and a bit of lunch, it was time to meet the first customer who had come to collect their final images. It was good for me to see this side of things as I work in different field of photography where customers aren't really a part of things, unless I'm shooting a wedding or such event. It was a great experience seeing the pleased customers and their thoughts on the images they've purchased, aswell as the insight into the business aspect of it all. 

From my first day, I've came away with some basic knowledge of Photoshop, which is only going to get better over the next few weeks while on placement, a good insight into the daily running of a studio and the customer side of things, and a quite inspired feeling about working in the fashion side of things, something which I've been looking forward to getting in to very much, now it's just a case of building my knowledge of these things. 

Next session will be working on ghost mannequin editing for some product shots! Fun times ahead! 

Work Placement Agreement

After not having much luck with finding any work placements via emails, I took to using Facebook as a way of reaching out to other photographers/studios. I know I have got a few photographers on my friends list so I took my draft email and sent it out in a message over Facebook. Low and behold, the first message I sent out is the one that got my placement...
Mikey Colebourne

Good afternoon Ian,

I would just like to make an enquiry about a possible work placement within your studio.

I'm a 2nd year photography student, studying for my degree at Salford uni. We have a brief coming up, which is due to start in the next couple of weeks and we have been asked to arrange ourselves a work placement, which will be a graded module towards my degree.

If this were to be a successful placement, I would be available to assist you three to four days a week, should you need me for that amount of time; the hours would be set by you of course. All that I would need is a written summary from you at the end of the assignment which would run for roughly six to eight weeks, again this is if you would need me for that amount of time.

I appreciate you must be very busy, I would be very grateful if you could get back to me with a decision, good or bad.

Regards,

Michael
_

Ian Brooke

Hi Michael, I am presently looking for some help so would be delighted to have you help out in the studio. Can I ask who recommended you contact me? Cheers, Ian'

I went to see Ian on Friday 22nd March to see about starting my placement and if it would be beneficial to us both. The meeting went very well and I've been booked in to go to the studio for a few days over the next few weeks, starting on Sunday 24th March. 

The work I will be doing in my time there will be shadowing Ian at the start but then going on to editing and possibly taking part in some shoots. As I am quite a Photoshop-aphobe, Ian has pledged some of his time to run me over the basics of what he does for his work and get me up to scratch on Photoshop and the workings of it. 

First Replies...

'Good evening,

This is a bit of a long shot but here I am. I'm a 2nd year photography student at Salford university and for a brief we're due to start in the next few weeks we've been tasked with finding a work placement. The brief will run for around 6-8 weeks, with the days and hours to be arranged between yourself and I.

I'm a street photographer, recently getting into more documentary style. Here's a link to my Facebook page for you to see me and my work,

https://www.facebook.com/pages/M18-Photography/207081052661922

As I mentioned, it's a bit of a long shot with the time scale we have but I would be very grateful for a reply. I appreciate how busy you must be.

Regards,
Michael

_

Hi Michael

My work doesn't fit in with having anyone work alongside me for a period of time,

but maybe one off's.

At the moment I'm doing a project at MediaCity UK, is that where you are based at the MediaCity campus?

I'm at the campus there this coming Friday if you would like to meet up for a coffee at either 10am or 2pm.

I'm also about to start a community project in Charlesworth, Salford which may interest you.

Let me know if you are around Friday.

I really like the M18 photos.

regards

Howard'

(www.howardbarlow.com)

First Replies...

'Good evening Sam, 

I'm just contacting you regarding a possible work placement.

I'm currently in my 2nd year of studying for my photography degree at Salford university. For our latest upcoming brief we've been asked to arrange ourselves a work placement, which will be a graded module towards my degree. The brief is due to start around March 11th and will run for around six weeks.

If this were to be a successful placement, I would be available to assist you three days a week, the hours would be set by you of course. All that I would need is a written summary from you at the end of the assignment.

I appreciate you must be very busy, I would be very grateful if you could get back to me with a decision, good or bad. 

Here's a link to my Facebook page so you can see my work: https://www.facebook.com/pages/M18-Photography/207081052661922 

Regards,

Michael 

_

Hi Michael,

I have already taken on a work placement for this year.

Best of luck,

Sam'

(www.samfairbrother.com)

First Replies

Here are a few of my first replies I had back from my enquiries...

'Good evening David,

I would just like to enquire about a possible work placement. 

I'm currently in the 2nd year of studying for my photography degree at Salford uni. We have a brief coming up, which is due to start in around 4-5 weeks and we have been asked to arrange ourselves a work placement, which will be a graded module towards my degree. 

After doing a quick local search on Manchester photographers, I came across your website and have had a look around at your work. I do a lot of street photography and your work is very appealing to me. 

If this were to be a successful placement, I would be available to assist you three days a week, the hours would be set by you of course. All that I would need is a written summary from you at the end of the assignment which would run for roughly six weeks. 

I appreciate you must be very busy, I would be very grateful if you could get back to me with a decision, good or bad. 

Regards,

Michael 

_

Hi Michael,

Really sorry but I'm not really geared up for that. One of the things I love about the job is that I work alone.

But ..... if you're ever out and want to have an hour taking some shots please give me a bell.'

(www.davidlakephotography.com)

Draft Email

Here is a copy of a draft email I wrote up to send out to any potential places of work. I have left it quite generic with the option to chop and change any relevant parts that would help me in getting a work placement.

'Good morning/afternoon/evening *Insert name*,

I would just like to enquire about a possible work placement.

I'm currently in the 2nd year of studying for my photography degree at Salford uni. We have a brief coming up, which is due to start in around 4-5 weeks and we have been asked to arrange ourselves a work placement, which will be a graded module towards my degree.

After doing a quick local search on Manchester photographers, I came across your website and have had a look around at your work. I do a lot of street photography and your work is very appealing to me.

If this were to be a successful placement, I would be available to assist you three days a week; the hours would be set by you of course. All that I would need is a written summary from you at the end of the assignment which would run for roughly six weeks.

I appreciate you must be very busy, I would be very grateful if you could get back to me with a decision, good or bad.

Regards,

Michael'

Overview

Work Placement

You are to arrange a work placement with at least one professional photographic practitioner (or 

equivalent).

The work experience might take place in a concentrated block (eg two weeks) or be spread over a 

longer period, with you perhaps being in attendance one-day-a-week for a number of weeks.

As a minimum you should aim for five consecutive days or six non-consecutive days.

Whilst on your placement you are to write a reflective report (evidenced through a blog), which tracks 

your personal experiences and response to the place(s) at which you work – what have you learnt 

about working in the photographic industry.

Alongside this more general commentary you are also to identify one commission, assignment or 

project being worked on by your mentor and document the way in which the brief is fulfilled. In this 

review you must outline the brief, explore any constraints, review how the photographer interpreted 

the brief and then evaluate the final outcomes of the commission.