Surreal Photos With A $50 Film Camera

Oleg Oprisco from Lviv, Ukraine, is an amazingly talented photographer who creates stunning surreal photographs of elegant women in dream-like or fairy-tale settings, and there is one specific difference that sets him apart from other artists creating similar work - Oprisco shoots using an old-school film camera. 

“At age 18, I moved to Kiev, where I became an assistant to a well-known advertising photographer. We worked together for four years, but that work did not bring me pleasure. There was no creativity, only commerce. When I was 23, I started from scratch, taking my own photos.” - Oleg Oprisco

Shooting with film means that Oprisco has to create everything you see in these images perfectly as it could not be done digitally. Oprisco explains in an interview with Boredpanda.com that he has "found it ideal to do everything [himself]. [He] comes up with a concept, creates the clothing, chooses the location and directs the hair and makeup." "Before shooting, [he] plans the overall colour scheme. According to the chosen palette, [he] selects clothes, props, location, etc, making sure that all of it plays with a single colour range." He adds: “[Post production] takes several hours, but no amount of [photoshopping] can make a bad photo into a good photo. That’s a good rule to know. Hence, in my photos there is colour correction and retouching of dust only.”

“I use a Kiev 6C and Kiev 88 cameras with 90mm/2.8, 180/2.8, and 300/4.0 lenses. My favorite lens of all time is 300/4.0 by Meyer Optik Orestegor. I use medium format film.” “I often hold workshops and it’s very funny sitting in front of many photographers with $2000 – $3000 cameras and lenses, and on my table is an old Kiev 6C, which is worth about $50.”- Oleg Oprisco

It is obvious that Oprisco is increadibly passionate about his work as he states "each of my photos is a scenes from real life. That is the perfect source of inspiration for me as there is so much beauty to it." He adds: “Of course there are my own changes that I add to the reality, such as characters, props, location, and light… I am constantly involved in a search for inspiration and ideas.” Oprisco offered some inspiring advice for the budding young photographers, along with some tough love as well! He says to “shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. What else to say? Drop your job and shoot … if you feel that’s what you want. Freedom, happiness, money… all will come after you let go and just shoot.” 

EGPhotography x

Source: Boredpanda

Queen turns 88

Queen turns 88: David Bailey captures another side of the Queen in birthday portrait

This portrait of Her Majesty the Queen was taken by the renowned British photographer David Bailey and was released to mark her 88th birthday on Monday.

This beautiful photograph was taken at Buckingham Palace in March, and was commissioned on behalf of the Government’s GREAT Britain campaign. This campaign aims to create jobs and growth through highlighting Britain as a world-class destination for trade, tourism, investment and education. “I’ve always been a huge fan of the Queen,” states David Bailey. “She has very kind eyes with a mischievous glint.”

EGPhotography x

Source: Independent 

Novus 14 Exhibition Opening

The Novus 14 exhibition opening last night was amazing! Thank you everyone who visited and all the fantastic comments I received for my Nudescape work.

Also, I'd like to thank my friends and family for their support throughout the semester.

EGPhotography x

Copyright Emily-Grace Photography 2014

Emily-Grace Photography Interviews Location Photographer: Mike Caldwell

For my upcoming presentation on a genre of photography that interests me, I have decided to research freelance location photography. For this I interviewed location photographer Mike Caldwell.

Mike Caldwell has been capturing images for most of his life. After an upbringing in the North of England Caldwell moved to London, where he assisted many of the capital's leading photographers, in studios and on location. During this time he managed to create his own portfolio specialising in location photography. 

Early commissions came from travel business, taking Caldwell to many European destinations, followed by commissions from the editorial world, shooting a wide range of subjects. During the early 90s, Caldwell's clientele moved towards the design and advertising sector, which is the field he works in today. 

Caldwell's work has taken him around the world, and continues to do so. His projects have ranged from photographing luxury resorts in the Caribbean to steel mills in Russia; his location experience is second to none, and his client list is most impressive with many of them long standing.

Whilst having an invaluable background in traditional film and printing methods, Caldwell has fully embraced the digital revolution and now photographs in top end digital equipment - but is happy to dust off the film cameras should the occasion arise! He has also equipped himself with a multitude of lights and accessories to insure the success of every photo shoot, complete with a dedicated location vehicle and also assistants. 

Caldwell is a D&D award winner and a member of the Association of Photographers (AOP).

The Interview

Q: Do you use any specialist equipment, if so what do you use and why?

A: These images were shot on a Hasselblad flexbody, with Phase One digital back. The flexbody is great for architectural/interiors work, providing sufficient movements "in camera" without having to tweak the verticals etc afterwards. It's a mini view camera really. Phase One backs give fantastic image quality.

Q: Are there any key skills within location photography?

A: Understanding of light/time of day to shoot is important. Being organised is also vital!

Q: Who are your competitors in location photography?

A: I've poisoned them all. No, seriously - there are many good photographers out there that I'm always competing with; but it's not just about taking great pictures. You have to have good client interaction skills, be as professional as possible, and always deliver on time and within budget.

Q: What kind of marketing and PR do you use?

A: My website is my main marketing tool. I'm fortunate that most of my work comes via word of mouth, and I also have some very good long-standing clients. One must never be complacent however - as I've just said, there are many very good photographers out there, and many perfectly capable of doing the jobs that your are doing. I have a presence on the AOP website, and also advertise in Contact.

Q: What are the average rates and prices you charge a client for your work?

A: Approx £1500.00/day, plus post production and expenses. Plus vat.

Q: What kind of insurance do you use, if any?

A: All my equipment is insured. I also have public liability insurance.

Q: Finally, what are the highs and lows of working as a location photographer?

A: There are many highs - seeing the world, seeing things that you would never ordinarily get to see. The lows....probably when it's raining cats and dogs and you're waiting for good light!

Thank you for your time and helping me with my work.

EGPhotography x

Emily-Grace Photography Interviews Location Photographer: Paul Grundy

For my upcoming presentation on a genre of photography that interests me, I have decided to research freelance location photography. For this I interviewed location photographer Paul Grundy.

Paul Grundy is an Architectural, Interiors and Location Photographer. For the previous 25 years he has been living and working in London. Grundy works with a wide range of clients which includes some of the UK's most creative design agencies and Europe's largest property companies. 

The Interview 

Q: Do you use any specialist equipment, if so what do you use and why?

A: Shift lenses are useful substitutes to the 54 view cameras we used to use in the days of film. They allow you to control perspective and plane of focus. Sometimes I use a Gigapan Pro. (There is a picture of it on my "Welcome" page) It is a electronic programable tripod head that lets you shoot massive files. Last year I shot some 10GB images made up of 80 frames from a Hasselblad H4D 50.Portable flash lights are useful. I use Quadra Rangers.

Q: Are there any key skills within location photography?

A: Patience and more patience. Compose images with the physical things in the frame but then photograph the light. Always photograph the light not the object.On a practical level the skill of getting people on your side is handy. So you can ask them to move their car or switch the lights on or off etc...... When I was a young photographer I showed my best 200 architectural / location images of London to the owner of one of the worlds largest picture libraries at the time. He put the 200 67 mounted transparencies into 3 piles. In the first pile there was 170 images; "Waste of film shooting these" he said. The second pile had 27 pics; "These are OK " he said. The final pile had 3 images. "These are the best shots I've ever seen of these locations" he said, " Go and shoot more like these." Adding, " Never shoot anything unless you plan to shoot the best shot ever of it. Otherwise what is the point?"This is the only advice I can remember being given and 30 years laterit says with me everyday. 

Q: Who are your competitors in location photography?

A: I don't know, who else have you emailed??

Q: What kind of marketing and PR do you use?

A: Very little. I have my website with the brilliant APhotoFolio.Based in Denver USA(also a brilliant blog. Aphotoeditor. American-centric but well worth a read) they put me on the front page of google. This means I get lots of hits from students, other photographers and would be clients who haven't got budgets. But I'm not sure if I have ever had a decent job from it.....I get my clients mainly by recommendation. An Agency that needs, say, a building or view shooting will ask a mate at another agency (small world stuff) if they can recommend anyone. So it's important when you have a job to be on the clients side, never walk away from it when it goes wrong, pull him out of the holes he has dug with a smile. Build trust and confidence and friendship because although he doesn't know it he is going to be your agent. If you do great work and are a nice person, great jobs and nice clients will come and find you. Simple. This might sound flippant but It is the truth.With the internet there are thousands of sites for photographers but do any of them lead to meaningful work? It's so easy to stick some shots up on a site and wait for the phone to ring, only the phone never rings. Life is never that easy.....I mail out an A3 folded to A5 once or twice a year to clients, people I know, to show some of the projects I have been working on.

Q: What are the average rates and prices you charge a client for your work?

A: This is a basic guide to my T&Cs that I send to new clients. Often things are changed but it is a good starting point so when its all agreed everyone knows what to expect. Day rates etc are always kept confidential I charge different clients different amounts. Location shoots can vary so much it is difficult to explain costs and fees in a general way.

Q: What kind of insurance do you use, if any?

A: Public Liability is important, many locations will want to see your certificate before they allow you on their premises.

Q: Finally, what are the highs and lows of working as a location photographer?

A: Well, its a wonderful way to earn a living. I'm never at the same place for more than a week. While the British weather is amazing when it's amazing it is also crap when it's crap. Nothing you can do about it, just go back again and get it. Remember the days when everything goes so brilliantly well so you can sort of the days when it all goes wrong.

Thank you for your time and helping me with my work.

EGPhotography x

Emily-Grace Photography Interviews Location Photographer: Charles Ward

For my upcoming presentation on a genre of photography that interests me, I have decided to research freelance location photography. For this I interviewed location photographer Charles Ward.

Born and raised on the family farm in Earls Barton, Ward developed a keen interest in photography in his late teens. At that time, he was working in the shoe industry at Barker Shoes (started by his great grandfather) and used photography to record new shoe designs in Italy. Having mastered his craft, he went professional back in 1985 and hasn’t looked back since.

The Interview

Q: Do you use any specialist equipment, if so what do you use and why?

A: I use Canon EOS 1DX cameras and mostly prime lenses: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm and a few zooms. All cameras are good these days, so it's best to spend your money on really fast lenses. Remember - 'Cameras don't take pictures - people do' … so the talent is worth far more than any camera.

Q: Are there any key skills within location photography?

A: There are various types of location photography: aerial, architecture, interiors, industrial - I have covered them all over the years. I really like aerial and architecture and they both require a great deal of planning before you travel to the site. Aerial photography: you need to ensure you are allowed to fly over the site and at what height, what is the best time of day? Are there noise restrictions. The cost of the helicopter, the pilot and the photographer. Architecture also requires careful planning and a good knowledge of the weather and the track of the sun. For instance, you wouldn't want to travel to London to find the building faces due east and you have arrived at 2pm with the sun on the wrong side. Google Earth is handy here. If you are photographing interiors, you need to know about the lighting and if you need to take additional flash. In answer to your question: You need to be physically fit (you often need to climb, stoop, crawl and carry heavy loads to achieve the best shot. You also need to be highly organised and a good communicator to discuss the brief. I always try and suggest a recce (visit) if it's a big shoot, but again, Google street view is very handy here!

Q: Who are your competitors in location photography?

A: Never worry about the competition! Check them out and look at different styles, but in the end do your own thing.

Q: What kind of marketing and PR do you use?

A: I'm in the process of handing over my business to my son, having been photographer for 30 years. However, I'm an avid user of social media and it's the only way i advertise these days. I use Facebook ads and Google adwords and try to co-ordinate all my social feeds. Just read a brilliant book called 'Likeable Social Media' and it's fired me up. I do know that my main competitor (ex employee) has been using social media since 2007 to promote his business and I wish I had started earlier. Having been in business since 1985, I do get quite a bit of repeat business and recommendation vila Linkedin.

Q: What are the average rates and prices you charge a client for your work?

A: I always try and charge a minimum of £595 plus vat per half day and £1000 plus vat per full day. That's about right for my expertise and location. It would be 3x this in London!

Q: What kind of insurance do you use, if any?

A: The best! I insure with Towergate and have £5m public liability.

Q: Finally, what are the highs and lows of working as a location photographer?

A: Best job in the world. I made the decision to mostly work with business people as I find them much easier to deal with than the general public. Highs? Working outside in good weather, seeing wonderful buildings. Lows? Road travel :(

Thank you for your time and helping me with my work.

EGPhotography x