My Photography
Image © John Clements
I have been able to tackle a vast range of subject matter as a professional photographer. Maybe such diversity makes me something a little unfashionable today, but was once a common thing, and that is in principle a general-purpose photographer. But historically, it was not unusual for a town to have one or two professionals, who tackled their clients needs, pretty much across the board.
While much, but by no means all of my earnings directly from photography are today people orientated, looking back at the work and invoices raised, it’s actually been quite an amazing mix over what is approaching three decades in photography. Thats a lot of shots and a wealth of experiences to draw upon.
I certainly dont shoot anything and everything, and enjoy the non-people stuff just as much. At least this is what has worked for me so far. It certainly has kept me motivated and on my toes. But some things we no longer shoot. That may be because the market has changed, or I simply felt I wanted the challenge of new areas. And you can only do so much at anyone time if you are to do it well.
I often find it fascinating though to contemplate how people often do not think outside ‘the box’. Some only know or see me as a people photographer, others for example a product shooter, while some, because of the magazine and book writing I have done, or the events I run, not as a photographer at all. And in truth, thats my fault, as I dont always fill in the blanks, but you certainly can quite easily become stereotyped.
As for the people photography I have photographed royalty, actors, politicians and other well-known people on many occasions. Add social photography of the great British public for portraits, weddings or at numerous events. Then the fashion stuff and numerous other kinds of people work. For many clients I work with professional models, but I also have shot images for medical and insurance uses. These are obviously not something you hold up for people to critique.
Much photography has been done for various high street names and goes unaccredited as a consequence. But working for well know companies over time, has certainly given me an insight to other business professions and practices. In turn, this has broadened my knowledge well beyond my industry. You certainly as a people photographer can get to see the full scope of human nature on a regular basis.
So what about that less conventional stuff? Well, there are things as diverse as scene of crime imagery through to photographing such things as laser beams. Throw in architectural imagery, low light work, then some landscape and close-up images, and it has been an interesting mix to say the least so far.
Good things have come out of all this for me. It has enabled or motivated me to keep a mindset willing to learn about new technology. But at the same time I use the tried and trusted craft accumulated over time, by the generations of photographers that have gone before.
That knowledge is unequaled by any camera’s electronic programming. But for me, the bottom line is if you don’t understand the basic principles of image making – I call it ‘the craft’ — how can you truly judge any bit of technology or get the best from it? Certainly without some basic craft skills, I dont believe you will be around long term as a pro photographer, or reach your potential as an enthusiast either. But with those skills, you can be pretty adept as a photographer when you need to be. And it gives you that invaluable asset called confidence.
But just to clarify my thoughts, technology has never been better, so I acknowledge just how far we have come. But it still cannot reach its potential without a competent shooter driving it. That said, for the beginner there are often more hits than misses in an acceptable technical sense from the off today. And that’s no bad thing.
The good news is that anyone can learn the basic craft skills for competent and creative photography. It is simply about putting in some time. This is one of the reasons I have become so heavily involved in running workshops, or giving seminars. Simply to help people in a step-by-step way shorten that excessive learning curve, and pass on that hard earned real world experience for all to use in an interesting and informative way and with confidence.
Alongside my experience of actually using the tools, my technical background enables me to demystify much the technology, so people can decide what is or is not for them. Then get the best from it. I dont think everyone should become a technical ‘anorak,’ as too much theory can get in the way. So I aim for a balance. Photography should not be a chore.
Image © John Clements
From studio environments with significantly large numbers of people to organise and work with. Too very much time constrained work on airport runways, well known sporting and historical venues, Ambassadors residencies, open fields or coastlines in bright sunshine too icy cold and wet days, at night or with artificial light. It is certainly true, that as a professional photographer you do get to lead an interesting and variable existence. Not forgetting people’s homes, city streets, Navy battleships and many other locations I have been at work.
I am pleased that my photography hangs on peoples walls as the centre piece of their homes decor, has been published countless times in books, magazines and in our nationals, let alone in other media and around the world. Yet for all that, while I am not looking to be in photography’s all time ‘hall of fame’, I still feel I have not quiet achieved much yet. Guess I had better put some effort in:).
