What camera do you use? Do you shoot film or digital?
I shoot my personal art work almost exclusively on large format film, using a Horseman or Wista 5x4. 'Lilith' was shot on a beautiful 10x8 camera which I borrowed from a friend. Travel and editorial work is shot on a combination of Mamiya 67 rangefinders, Mamiya RZ67 and Canon 5D digital, commercial work is shot using medium format digital systems.
How much retouching do you do?
Most of my travel and editorial work is not retouched, simply printed, scanned and straight to the publication. Printing from negative is a great craft, and I use a wonderful printer called Mick Reay mick.photo@hotmail.com, who is based in Cornwall (a great excuse to go to one of my favourite parts of the country) and a lovely lab in London, Isis. My art and commercial work often involves some retouching, much of which I do myself, but for those things beyond my limited abilities I use a company called Happy Finish.
How can I become a professional photographer?
The traditional route is to assist established working photographers to learn your way around the industry. Think of assisting as an apprenticeship; it doesn't pay very well but you learn a huge amount. Depending on your experience, you may want to start by assisting in a hire studio, where you will learn about professional lighting and equipment, and you can meet other photographers. To gain assisting experience you will need to contact the photographers who you would like to work with directly, and with hard work and persistence you will begin to get work. When you have assisted for a while (usually around five years or so), the time will come when you feel you know your way around, your portfolio is pretty much there, and you'll know you're ready to go out on your own. Useful resources for the emerging photographer can be found at The Association of Photographers, the National Union of Journalists, Editorial Photographers UK and Pro-Imaging.
Can I have work experience/assist you?
I have a list of assistants who I work with regularly, so probably not immediately, no, but send me your details and I'll let you know if something comes up.
Can I model for you?
I work with all kinds of models and actors; it depends on what projects I am working on and whether you might be right for a part. Drop me an email with your CV and a recent headshot and I'll keep your details on file for new projects.