Showing posts with label Freelance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freelance. Show all posts

17 Feb 2017

What Makes a Good Press Photograph?

A good press shot has to be nice and clean, and doesn’t always necessarily need to have the client’s brand in shot, as some of the following images demonstrate. 

Over years of experience I’ve learned that some pictures just happen right in front of you, while some need to be created. Sometimes I only have a few minutes to ‘see’ or create a shot, for instance if I’m photographing Prince Charles I can’t very well ask him to repeat a certain handshake. Part of getting good press pictures is being able to think quickly – I’m sometimes moving between two or three jobs in the same couple of hours so spending more than 20 years as first a press photographer and then a commercial photographer was good basic training.


When I photographed the Santa Run at Central Square in Middlesbrough I was high above the crowd and asked them to come forward so I could crop in tight and create a close shot with lots of cheery red and white making the picture very appealing to the media, particularly at Christmas.

When Redcar and Cleveland Council asked me to photograph County Durham artist and former steel fabricator Ray Lonsdale at the official unveiling of his weathered steel installation at the new £3.5m South Bank Eco Village I was pleased to see a great picture opportunity as the ‘Blank Canvas’ piece was in the form of two men holding a slab of steel between them. The artwork made an ideal bench that, shot from low down, created a very pleasing shape against the sky. The picture had much more punch than a group of dignitaries lined up and obviously appealed to press including the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette and Darlington's Northern Echo, and also appeared across online media such as Flickr and Pinterest and even on Ray Lonsdale’s own Facebook page.  If you haven’t seen Ray’s work do look him up – he is receiving increasing artistic acclaim and he’s also the creator of the now iconic WWI ‘Tommy’ statue that stands in Seaham, County Durham.

The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge over the River Tees is the longest working transporter bridge in the world, and this picture was taken at the opening of the new Tees Transporter Bridge Visitor Experience Project in November 2015. Artist Mackenzie Thorpe is very engaging subject, and usually attracts lots of interest from the media. First job was go up in the new glass viewing lift to get some shots of Mackenzie against some panoramic views, before descending to cover the official opening of the car barrier. My suggestion that he stood in front of the barrier and appeared to push it to form a frame for the picture worked well shot with a wide angle lens, and fitted with the ‘opening’ theme and the forward-thinking approach of Middlesbrough Council.

You might recognise Jason Bradbury from his time on the Channel 5 Gadget Show, and I took this cool photograph of him for the Tees Valley ‘Get your head into digital’ campaign launch in Middlesbrough. To create a fresh, original shot I asked Jason to take a selfie with his iPad and turn the screen towards me, so I could create a shot of the two halves of his face, one real and one on the screen.  Jason declared the results to be ‘awesome’ and liked my tweet about the picture, which was retweeted loads of times. 

To sum up what makes a good press picture I’d say it must tell a story in one shot, be different, get creative, and include some real energy. Sounds simple? I’ve been doing this job for two decades and I’m always learning something new every day!  

5 Feb 2017

Press Passes Giving You Access To All Areas.

In my years as a photographer with the Middlesbrough Gazette and then as a North East freelance commercial and PR photographer I must have amassed hundreds of press passes. These are the keys to the kingdom in terms of having unique access at sporting grounds, royal visits, arts events and music gigs where security is a key factor.

As you would expect, top of the tree when it comes to event security are those involving royal visits and I’ve probably photographed 20 royal visits to the region between Dumfries and Galloway down to Teesside in the last few years, including photographing the Duchess of Cambridge when she visited the Crime Reduction Initiative’s Recovery Service centre on William Street in Stockton on Tees. As well as capturing the Duchess talking to assembled guests this job involved moving into another area of the building to take some pictures of her chatting with service users in a private meeting away from the rest of the assembled guests, which was quite a privilege – it’s not very often that it’s just me and a senior member of the royal family in a room together but luckily having done this job for years I’m not over-awed by VIPs.

To get my press pass for a royal visit usually involves several conversations and meetings with various Kensington Palace staff, who require references, my passport and a host of other details before we even start planning the photoshoot.

It’s not just the royal visit organisers who prefer to have ‘invitation-only’ photographers covering their events. In 2005 I was really pleased to be selected by world famous news agency Reuters when they wanted a North East photographer to take pictures of the American artist Spencer Tunick and his naked people installation on the Newcastle and Gateshead banks of the Tyne. A chilly 3am start saw around 1700 volunteers stripping off for the camera and strolling around the streets in various poses directed by the artist. This was one of those occasions when the fewer photographers and bystanders around, the better.

At a celebrity or music event I’m often surrounded by other photographers of course, whether they are professionals or amateurs armed with camera phones, but my press pass gives me privileged access to all areas. I’ve covered gigs where I’ve looked out on audiences of around 10,000 people that are just a sea of camera flashes, most of which would generate grainy pictures of tiny figures on a dark stage, while I’ve been able to get close enough to the performers to get shots that have been used by all the major newspapers and news outlets the following day.   

Whether I need a specific press pass or not I always carry my British Press Photography Association card and my driving licence around. Together these make up some useful ID for a variety of occasions, particularly when I’m doing school photography or in environments where there are vulnerable people for instance.


Even though I’ve been doing this job for years I still get a real buzz from slinging my press pass round my neck and setting out to get something different, whether that’s a set of pictures covering a four-hour VIP visit or a handful of key shots that perfectly sum up an event and its atmosphere for my client.  

18 Jun 2015

Equipment Investment | Canon Camera Kit and Elinchrom Studio Lights

I started my career as a North East freelance photographer with a basic kit consisting of a couple of lenses and a Canon 20D camera.Over the last 8 years I have developed my skills working in many sectors including Editorial, PR, Commercial, Architecture, Portraits, Sport, Education, Corporate and Industrial Photography across the North East and Yorkshire areaTherefore over the years I've built up a extensive professional camera kit, now helping me produce the best possible pictures for clients ranging from advertising and PR agencies to industrial plants and local authorities. 

After cameras and lenses, studio lights are the next most important kit. A location magazine photography shoot might take 1-3 hours in total, to set up the right lighting and create the right look and feel – sometimes it could be a simple white or plain background for maximum flexibility. 

I often have to work quickly and effectively so I’ve fine tuned the kit that I use. I have a set of four lightweight portable Elinchrom lights, usually only using three of them, but carry a spare in case of emergencies. I’m often faced with fluorescent light issues which is a nightmare to work with as it gives a yellow cast and a flicker that totally ruins the images especially on the Canon 5D III. I invested in a powerful 1000w and 500w kit that can light up even the biggest of spaces, such as a games hall or a large gym beautifully. This helps me to strike the medium between needing good light and not wanting to battle with the mixed colour balance. 

I have 10 Canon lenses in my collection, from a 11mm extreme wide angle, tele-convertors to a 300mm F2.8 IS lens, giving me optimum flexibility and quality for sport, commercial or architecture work. One of my favourite and my least expensive lens is the 85mm F1.8 portrait lens that delivers fantastic quality portraits. I used the Canon 100mm F2.8 IS lens for commissions such as a recent Teesside photography job to document a jewellery exhibition at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA).   

The key to creating the right set of camera kit is to build a collection that allows the photographer to work fast without sacrificing quality. I have two camera bodies, a Canon 5D Mk III which delivers high quality performance in very low light.

I eagerly awaited the launch of the new Canon 5DS this year, but it’s proved a big disappointment for me! Canon have gone for increasing the megapixels rather than boosting low light capacity or other elements that professional photographers look for and since the quality remains really the same as the previous model I don’t see any benefit in spending £6600 on two new cameras. The changes seem to be aimed at landscape photographers rather than documentary and PR photographers.




My camera kit is versatile enough to produce pictures with a wide range of types and uses, and at quality levels good enough for large format work such as billboards, and for event photography ranging from indoor awards ceremonies and outdoor sporting occasions through to royal visits and night-time ‘fire and ice’ winter festivals.  

Continuous investment pays off as in most walks of life, but of course it’s not always about the gear, it’s about how you use it (cliche I know). Even a £300 camera can produce great quality pictures in the right hands and in good light. There can be an element of snobbery about what camera kit someone is using, but when you cover many jobs a week you want it to work well and not let you down. 




These days I’m not afraid to admit that I can get excited about camera bags than technical kit. Being able fit all the cameras, lenses, lights and other paraphernalia into two lightweight bags makes me one very happy commercial photographer.


Yorkshire and North East Documentary Photographer | The Decisive Moment

There are as many styles of photography as there are photographers, and every professional photographer will adapt to meet the needs of the job, but my signature style is documentary photography.

North East School and College Documentary Photographer

This style records real moments – not staged or posed, just as they happen and without interference. It requires a totally different skill to the world of press, PR and corporate photography. Shooting a subject who is not looking straight at the camera or a situation where people are unaware of the photographer makes a shot more real and believable, especially if it’s taken from further away, to leave some space around the subject.

Redcar School and College Documentary Photographer
I like to use natural light wherever I can, using flash would be intrusive when photographing a conference or a bunch of school students engrossed in a science lesson or a boardroom business event. At most events like these I introduce myself, then fade into the background so eventually they forget me and my camera are even there. Over the last 25 years as a north east commercial photographer I’ve found that’s how to get shots of everyday happenings and turn them into pictures that are a breath of fresh air.


A recent commission to cover the Positively Stockton on Tees campaign was a great example of documentary photography and saw me covering street scenes, visiting schools, a bike rally, a bowling green and a care home. At the home I took pictures of residents chatting, concentrating on a game of bingo, and using a walking frame to move around the lounge. By moving back from the shot I was able to use the walking frame as my shot frame – a good example of how documentary photography is all about seeing things differently.  

Stockton on Tees Photographer Town Centre Event
My vantage point can be crucial. When I recorded the re-launch of Stockton High Street, which was a great honour, I perched on top of a tall building to get a good viewpoint of the theatre crowds and the 50-foot high man walking through the town. Going down on foot to mingle with the crowds worked well too, I was able to get close enough to photograph people enjoying all the activities plus children – and some adults – splashing about in the street fountain.  This is another example of documentary approach, where it doesn’t have to be about recording a specific occasion, and more about capturing reality as it happens.  

Royal Mail Photographer Gateshead and Newcastle


I work simply, carrying two cameras and a discreet set of lenses that are not big enough for people to notice. Not lugging lots of kit about means I am free to scan a room or an outdoor event, looking for a person who might be laughing, or engaged in conversation. By blanking out the background sound I can concentrate on images. I tend to switch things off in my head so I can focus on getting the perfect composition and frame, it’s like switching on a different mindset.


Documentary photography can be very exciting, for instance working backstage at a fashion show at MIMA in Middlesbrough, where pictures of the goodie bags were just as important in picking up the atmosphere of the event as those of the catwalk models.  

A lot of the magic happens when you ignore the obvious and instead look around, through, up, down, light, shade, different lens, slow shutter speed and even use reflections. At a job to cover the launch of the £7m restoration of Preston Park Museum and Grounds at Eaglescliffe in Stockton I photographed the drummers from behind rather than in front, so they form part of the picture rather than being the obvious main focus of attention. The colours together with the night sky gives an alien look to the picture, particularly with the moon fragment just visible.




Cartier Bresson, regarded as one of the finest documentary photographers the world has ever seen, is passionate about the style and his book ‘Decisive moment’ is referred to as a masterpiece. Even if you never pick up a camera, give this book a try, it’s full of wisdom. Bresson entreats photographers to engage with their subject, otherwise, he says, the emotion of the moment is lost.

He puts it far better than I could but in my own small way that’s what I’m aiming for too. If documentary photography is good enough for a photography legend, it’s good enough for me.

18 May 2015

North East Press Photographer | Mackenzie Thorpe Middlesbrough Railway Posters

It was a pleasure to be invited to photograph the stunning work of local artist Mackenzie Thorpe’s at Middlesbrough Railway Station recently. He’s a world-renowned artist whose work has been shown in the US, Australia and Japan and sells for thousands of pounds and I’ve met him several times when I’ve been out on other Teesside commercial photography jobs.

Middlesbrough Council had invited the Middlesbrough-born artist to display two of his paintings at the railway station, and despite being busy preparing for a show in New York, he created a series of 15 pictures, 11 of which have been made into huge posters and displayed on the station platforms.


The theme was ‘Heart of the North’ and the posters celebrate some of the beauty spots and icons of Teesside and North Yorkshire. The posters reflect Middlesbrough’s heritage and include images of Saltburn, Seal Sands, Captain Cook’s Monument, the Transporter Bridge, Roseberry Topping and Middlesbrough Football Club.


We met at Boho One, the commercial flagship building for the DigitalCity project. Councillor Dave Budd (now Mayor of Middlesbrough) introduced Mackenzie and spoke about how the project had come about, and Mackenzie chatted to invited guests who were keen to hear more about his work.


Next it was on to the railway station to meet some of my old colleagues and friends from north east media outlets including the Northern Echo and Middlesbrough Gazette, plus the TV cameras, who were there to cover the event. 


The following day we went on to the Thirteen building, a light and airy gallery next to Middlesbrough Football Club, to see the full set of original paintings on display. A very down to earth artist who is passionate about the area, Mackenzie showed visitors around his artwork and took part in a question and answer session.

Thirteen is a lovely space, and as a fan of all things industrial my favourite painting was the image of Darlington Railway Station, which is almost monotone and has a dreamy quality that really appealed to me. The media choice that made the headlines over the next few days was an image of the Transporter Bridge with a big red heart in the centre adding the splash of colour that picture editors look for - a gift to photographers.  

As an ex-press staff photographer of many years I love a good headline, especially the Middlesbrough Gazette’s, which read: Mackenzie Thorpe finds new platform for work at Middlesbrough Railway Station.  If you’re travelling through the station, do keep an eye out for his work on Platforms 1 and 2.

6 May 2015

North East Sport Photographer | FlowRider Pro Am finals in Redcar

Clearing the snow off my car to drive through the snow and cover a national surfing competition recently felt slightly odd, but as a North East freelance photographer every day brings variety, from corporate portraiture in a boardroom to exciting outdoor events.

 The occasion this time was the FlowRider Pro/Am finals at the Redcar & Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, which saw competitors from across the country descend on the town. Heart offers a variety of ways to stay active, with a state of the art gym, a multi-use sports hall, group exercise classes, Flowrider, swimming pool and water confidence pool.


The two-day event saw flowboard and bodyboard riders put their colourful boards through their tricks, with 12 young riders competing on Saturday, and eight amateur adults plus seven professionals battling for top spot on the Sunday.



If you’ve never seen wave riding, you’re missing a treat. It’s a tough physical challenge involving breathtaking moves that take hours of practice to perfect. Surfers come down the waves pretty quickly so as a sport photographer my challenge was to keep up with the action as it happened. There is nothing worse than being slightly behind a shot and missing what would have been a perfect photographic moment.


I was so busy concentrating and looking for the shot that I forgot to look out for the water, and managed to get completely soaked at one point when a wave came over, to the amusement of the spectators. Fortunately the camera I was using is waterproof, so I carried on taking shots like a trooper, albeit a bit soggily.

I love photographing water and experimenting with slow and fast shutter speeds for different effects. A slower speed gives effect such as a trail of water, while a fast speed picks up the people action in sharp definition. It’s not possible yet, but I’m sure one day technology will move on so photographers can capture both effects in a single shot.

As well as shot of the action I mixed in some of the spectators and the facilities, including some of people taking their own photos on iPads and phones, to add variety.

Half a dozen students from Teesside University were also busy filming the event, using GoPro hand held cameras. Some of the surfers also took real action shots using selfie sticks – surfing and filming took some real skill and was amazing to see. 

I was pleased to see my photos used for PR and publicity purposes, and widely distributed across the North East media and across social media channels.

A summer-themed event held in winter, this competition was a great chance to get more people interested in the sport and and there is talk of it becoming a twice-yearly event, which would be a great chance to put Redcar Heart on the map.

30 Apr 2015

The Princess Royal, Princess Anne visit to Sulzer in Middlesbrough

A recent commercial photography commission to document The Princess Royal, Princess Anne’s visit to an engineering centre in Middlesbrough came via my website, and was based on my press photography experience covering many north east royal visits, including Her Majesty the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, the Duchess of Cambridge and even the Countess of Wessex.


 Royal visits are choreographed to the last detail, with the itinerary kept under wraps and usually known only to a few of the people involved. 


Careful briefings and at least one walk-through will take place in advance, and I had several conversations with my client the PR agency DMA Europe’s senior management, discussing the brief and their requirements.



Engineering equipment repair firm Sulzer employs 40 staff, and recently expanded into a £4.5m service centre in Middlehaven, Teesside, hence the royal visit.



A large gathering was massed for the occasion, including Middlesbrough’s Labour MP Andy McDonald and Middlesbrough councillors, and Princess Anne arrived on time in a helicopter fresh Northumberland to Acklam Grange School in Middlesbrough, which lead to a short drive to the service centre.




People can sometimes be over-awed by royalty, but Princess Anne is highly experienced at VIP visits and took the trouble to put people at their ease, talking to at least 80 people, including apprentice Josh Ferguson and Sulzer staff and management, and making it a special day for many of them. This was followed by a tour of the facility and the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the event.


The two-hour shoot mean working hard to vary the shots, rather than simply going for repetitive handshake pictures as I followed Princess Anne around the facility, and I included some interior and exterior shots of the building as well as photos of Sulzer’s marketing collateral and branding.


Reporters and press photographer from the Middlesbrough Gazette, Northern Echo and Tyne Tees attended, with all of us conscious of not getting in each other’s way. I was lucky in that as the commissioned photographer I had full access to all areas, while the rest of press were restricted. 


Many of my pictures were used in various publications and for social media, and it was my pleasure to be on hand to support Sultzer’s big day as its new facility was given the royal seal of approval.