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.