Influences…
What started me off in photography?
I don’t mean taking snaps but actually trying to take ‘proper’ photographs (whatever they may be!)
In the mid to late 70s, I saw a book by Hipgnosis, a book about their album covers. In those days (I sound as if I’m hundreds of years old!), when you bought an album, a vinyl record, you bought the cover too – and if you were lucky, it was a gatefold cover as well: even more to look at.
If you’ve never heard of Hipgnosis, go and Google them now – you will be amazed.
Hipgnosis’ album covers were generally very photographically oriented though rarely featuring any members of the band. Their work most often showcased various darkroom tricks, airbrushing, literal cut and paste, multiple exposures and re-photographing images.
I was fascinated by their work but also by the stories that accompanied the various photos in the book. I knew I’d never make it to their heights of fame, but I did love their work.
Hipgnosis got me thinking about photography – and that was important. I bought a few books on the subject covering use of colour and getting the best out of landscapes and so on, nothing very spectacular.
I didn’t have a darkroom or even access to one so if I wanted a ‘clever effect’, I had to do it in-camera. I spent many hours trying double exposures. I also spent a lot of time photographing in close up. I remember reading somewhere about reversing your lens (I only had a 50mm prime at that time) and then you could get a kind of super-macro. Depth of field was just a few millimetres if that but it was fun experimenting.
I later moved on to an Olympus, their OM-10. What a terrific camera that was. This allowed me to experiment further, especially using a second hand Vivitar (I think!) flash gun, mostly off camera using a wired connection and again quite close up stuff.
I continued to buy the occasional book and then came across “White Women” by Helmut Newton. To begin with I didn’t really ‘get’ his photos – and some even now make me shake my head! But, whether I ‘got’ them or not, I found them fascinating and soon realised that I wasn’t just looking at the pictures. I was starting to look at the shadows and working out where the lighting (or sun) was. Then I was looking at composition and backgrounds. The more I looked, the more I saw. I’m still a huge fan of his work now. I don’t like everything he’s done, but most of it yes, definitely.
Someone lent me a book by Bob Carlos Clarke, the title of which escapes me. I remember it being quite fetishy in places but a few images struck me. I have no idea where the book is now but I’m pretty sure I never gave it back!
Newton’s images, unlike Clarke’s do remain with me and many are probably some of my favourite images of all.
Fairly recently, I bought a copy of Hipgnosis’ “Portraits”. Another fascinating read and just as fascinating look too! This book contains, as you might expect, quite a few band portraits. Some terrific photos, but they were rarely if ever used but, as you might expect, I love ‘em.
Who else has influenced me? Well, when I say influenced, I’m not sure I mean that although I am probably influenced in one way or another by whose work I like. So, who else do I really like? Don McCullin: amazing photos and not just of Vietnam or other war ravaged places. Richard Avedon’s fashion and portrait work.
Who else? Lots of people on Instagram: too many to list here but I’ve put a few links on the ‘Follow’ page. Try ‘em out: great photos.
Who inspired you? Who are you following now? Let me know in the comments.