PhotoLand C.M.S.

Case Study Focus

2013-04-25T06:13:00.000-07:00

I am being focused on by the college for a case study and have just returned from the portrait shoot which will accompany my statement already taken a few days ago, I look forward to seeing the result, very proud that I have been selected for this work, I didn’t expect it but am very blessed to be given the attention.

We decided that the shoot should take place in the gallery at the front of the building where light was good and there was plenty of space as suggested I got to show case the Cambo 23D of which I am very fond. An excellent experience and discussion which has educated me a little with regards on how to talk with the sitter, just little things that work.

Many thanks to all those that made this possible, i am touched by the encouragement

Thursday 25th April Review

2013-04-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

It has been a fantastic day shooting with Tony Cobley, focusing on head and shoulder portraits, we set the scene and completed all under the estimated time. I also enjoyed the opportunity to set the scene initially, working from the debrief and certainly from prior experience within this field.

The results were spectacular, lighting the background separately from the subject we used a Rotaflex octagonal soft box as the key light and rectangular as a fill light, obviously the independent power varied but generally hovered around 4.1-4.3 with the fill light outputting a little less.

The background light was flagged to ensure nothing spilled out on to the model themselves, a stop over exposed.

I found today invaluable, picking up on something I had not worked with before, exposure compensation, it importance and even entered a short quiz as the shoot was winding down, correlating changes in exposure with aperture, exposure compensation, i.e doubling the shutter duration from 1/60^th – 1/30^th required a double in the aperture to f/ 16 from f/ 11, its nice to know I can role these out when asked and throwing into the mix exposure compensation which goes in 1/3^rd increments up to 2 stops in either direction – must use this in my own work now.

Tony and I also made arrangements to meet during the next week to exchange information in lightroom manipulation and speedlight capabilities of which I greatly look forward too.

Image Display (Wednesday 24th 2013)

2013-04-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

I have been asked by Tim to submit an image that was featured in the Trerise Gallery at 2000 ppi, if you are curious what this may be, please follow the link to my website to view the langoustines.

Wednesday 24th April 2013 work experience conclusion

2013-04-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

Today is certainly a day to remember.

After a debrief with Tony to clarify the object of todays shoot he and I travelled to location scouting for the best place to conduct the shoot and when the group of people arrived we conducted on this location but continued the shoot by following the professional bartenders to a group event held on the edge of Dartmoor National park by the mother company holding Plymouth Gin.

This alone was superb experience, working with a variety of new equipment including a new pocket wizard and Speed light with attached battery pack. I felt on form developing scenes in conference with Tony as the shoot was progressing.

Following the completion of this at approximately 4pm, Tony and I travelled back to post produce this segment of the day before continuing on with the additional plans with the client and successfully performed a first edit in the time available.

As soon as this was complete Tony and I prepared for leave to be set up in the secondary location where we were expected to photograph the event, take group shots in the environment, house, chapel/ boat house all on the grounds, this was successful and did not require fill flash either on or held by me as required earlier in the day. Moving back to the house we begun to document the event as it involved, a very surreal experience Tony and I both agree as involved in the evening was a murder mystery act that spiced up the evening and was excellent to take part in.

It may have been so that I was mistaken as an 1920’s actor by one of the cast members, or at least as a bartender.

The experience from today puts into perspective the necessity to think on your feet

- Learning new equipment

- Techniques to utilize the equipment
- off camera flash
- Bounce of celling
- but the fact it is not always necessary

In some respects I regret investing in the Quadra kit because speed lights to me seem to produce a similar lighting capability, whilst far more maneuverable (this may be slightly untrue) but certainly worth the value, very capable of controlling a scene, perfect for discreet, on the move photography that requires controlled light and may be a piece of kit I invest in, in the future, perhaps replace a Quadra kit for functionality and get some wall mounted heads with money left over.

Press Release in co-ordination with Tony Cobley

2013-04-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.flameworks.co.uk/index.php?mact=News%2Ccntnt01%2Cdetail%2C0&cntnt01articleid=87&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=58

So this is the finished product, a press release, achieved on the 5th March after much planning and coronation, made possible by Tony Cobley.

Deeply appreciated by all of us, I leave this with the inspiration to generate my own publicity, things I am and have done, the success of this shoot proves to me that persistence pays off because even with this single publication.

This has benefitted us

23rd April 2013 Revelation

2013-04-23T16:33:00.001-07:00

Upon presenting my work and engaging in various meetings with Jessica and Monika I have come to the decision that I shall produce two books because the work I have produced falls under both commercial, which is very contemporary and now but also in experimenting I have stumbled across an aesthetic which seems to be coming in and may lead me on through my third year project which with take a more unique out look upon the food

‘Just how can he do this you may wonder’?

Treasury meeting

2013-04-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Thursday 18^th February 2013, I had an early morning meeting with the Proprietor of the Treasury, in this discussion we spoke about the work, finalized some forms and set a date to discuss commencing more of the proposed photo-shoots once I had prepped my books for print for my grading.

To this day I say ‘I look forward’

Thursday 25th April 2013

2013-04-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

I am the most fortunate to be given this opportunity, a two day continuous assisting Job with one of the greats in the South West.

The shoot is endorsed by a construction & Surveying Company and will require a portable studio set up for portraits.

This again is a full days work experience, commencing at 9am, I am very greatful for the opportunity and look forward to experiencing the process ( I believe it may resemble to some degree a photo shoot I assisted Tony with back in January which if the case, I will still enjoy, this should allow me simply to be more proficient and allow me to continue practice and really drum into me what it is to do in these situations

I shall be in contact soon and greatly look forward to this splendid opportunity.

WBL Evaluation

2013-04-23T15:57:00.001-07:00

I found this project a rich picking ground for gaining industry experience, and the diverse nature of my experience I believe to hold me in good stead for the future because I have practiced the medium in a variety of genres allowing me to formulate my own experience and decide for myself, what it is I am interested in. I am proud of the unit and the people I have met along the way, what I have achieved as a whole because it is a great learning curve developing from year 1, growing my confidence, ability and professional practice that was also reinforce by 204 (personal promotion).

In the search for work experience, not simply to fill out the requirements but to educate me in the industry for future benefit there was one constant issue I had to over come, particularly in the early days and this revolved around the topic of paying for the services I provided (I can understand this reluctance in the beginning because I had no practice experience with a client and this may have come through. My first work with Coffee Bean was done for free with cost of printing covered, this got me in the door and subsequent jobs with them yielded approximately £10 and hour but before I made even this I had to settle for minimum wage throughout the summer work experience which I realize is better than nothing but I am not here to simply settle for minimal wage, part of the problem is we live in a something for nothing culture). I believe it beneficial to receive first hand knowledge on how price yourself in the market and not be taken for a fool because much of the time, this is how I feel charging minuscule amounts.

In addition to this I at points found clients unwilling to sign contracts, model/ property release forms which prompted me to redraft them there and prompts me to re draw my contract – allowing for the same access and security but simplified – originally ten pages long a cut down version was needed for clients to easily sign, I find that transparency is the best solution.

I also found that some clients wanted things done that day, and I was happy to oblige but did rather miss the planning ahead of shooting but this taught me to think on my feet and certainly it forced me to try new equipment.

Even with the difficulties I encountered I found great success within the project. I am proud of the fact I tried such a diverse range of photography from documentary – food and portraiture – still life. The project has succeeded in honing my skills and my interest, forcing me to branch out and adapt to a clients wish. In particular I am delighted with the glasswork photo shoot, the control of light is brilliant and you can see from the attached images that the background is not blown but almost pure white creating this very clean and modern aesthetic that compliments the glass. This particular shoot, my client also won the commission he drafted me to shoot for which he says he wouldn’t have done without my photography which gives me reason to be optimistic about future work with the material, in addition he and his class mates have my contact details on the communal board so that I may be contacted for future work. It is worth mentioning that all of this was achieved within 3 hours of being contacted by the client, I was fortunate enough to get in the cove with short notice but was forced to work with a D200 and the closest thing to my 50mm, a 70mm which I had never used before, calling on my instinct with reference from my 101 I lit the scene and steadily got use to the camera equipment, taking photographs that were post produced later that day and with the client before the due date. I believe the fact I achieved this is a testament to my development and self-confidence, to try things and experiment without being given the full picture or much warning, I can cope under pressure and feel that I even thrive a little and I half hope to be given this pressure and fortune again, I found this a brilliant experience.

I would have to say that at the core of this project I have learned, if you don’t ask, you don’t get, the more you get involved with practicing photography and leap on opportunities the more work comes your way and I am beginning to slowly network broadening my horizons.

I realize from this experience that I have changes to make, with reference to my contracts so that it is easier for clients understand and sign, this was first pointed out to me by PCA head teacher and became a question I posed to the AOP upon there visit in the autumn term ‘Why are the release forms so complex’ because they are bias toward the photographer.

Given more time on this project I would like to continue broadening my activities and am in talks currently to conduct a hair photo shoot for a hair stylist but I believe something I should have participated in much more was competitions.

In addition to working commercially with food photography I also aspire to publish cookbooks, photo books, publish in magazines (of which I have some experience from 202 and organizing a press release, publicity shoot for Tony Cobley, Nikki Gibbons, Izzy and myself). I aspire bloat a client list and contact list, ever expanding my CV and develop my own definitive style, I don’t want to turn down any opportunity, I want to explore and experiment new fields and forever expand my skill base and knowledge for personal satisfaction if not business use because I discovered that life is a journey and to make the most of it is to take those chances, do the things that weren’t planned and see where it leads you and what you learn, I want to live constantly developing to be a better person as well as a better photographer.

To finally conclude this, the journey is more important than the finish and for me this ‘WBL’ is not going to finish because it has ingrained in me to do things on my own accord, discover the new, find contact/ clients and to really get stuck in and myself out there and known. Being confident is something I take from this and having the ability to contextualize what it is I visualize is something that has deeply grown within me as a whole from that shy person on the first day.

Continued talks with Hair Stylist

2013-04-23T15:55:00.001-07:00

A hair stylist is in the market for a photographer to document the hair styles of which she produces, naturally I leapt on the opportunity and now two weeks latter the conversation is starting to progress even if contact is a day waiting.

I have suggested a meeting to discuss at greater length and really get this project going which I am currently waiting on for a reply, in addition to this it would seem as though I was not the only photographer that expressed an interest and so two of us will go forward to document the events of which I eagerly anticipate.

I have not coordinated with another photographer on the same shoot before but it will be an experience I don’t back away from, the new experience will simply educate me, it will be interesting to see how the two of us bring diversity to the shot.

I have conducted research and now have a greater understanding of how to light the hair and pose in the studio and look forward to putting this into practice with the client, it may not take place before the deadline but as I say, this WBL doesn’t have a finish and I do apologies for the vast expanse of time where very little occurred on this blog, simply because so much was going on I didn’t have the time and couldn’t structure what was more important to put up in the minimal time. (I will try to back track but know I wont recall a 1/ 10^thof what happened and for that I apologies) – I can only say I have been following up emails such as this, investigating potential client, shooting, meeting new people, engaging with meetings and so on.

My sincere apologies

Wednesday 24th April 2013 work experience

2013-04-23T15:54:00.003-07:00

Time to continue cracking on with this work experience.

I have required a days work experience with Tony Cobley assisting to the Plymouth Gin endorsed photo shoot.

Now I cant disclose a huge amount of information but it will be more than a days work and I am greatly looking forward, this also so happens to be something close to my interest and it will be excellent to see how Tony goes about photographing the subject.

I will be sure to feedback later today (what an experience)

Treasury Behind the scenes

2013-04-12T13:06:00.002-07:00

Today I conducted a behind the scenes shoot at Treasury in aid of my final major project but also for personal development, as we continue to discuss the production of a cook book.

In addition to this shoot of which I learned to shoot using only natural light available, and remain out of the way in a busy kitchen (which will be continued Monday 15th April 2013) i begun talking with a few people at the bar, one of whom was the regional Advisor for pub is the hub, we begun talking about the work and I gave him a brief introduction involving my portfolio and what I had been doing during the shoot, we exchanged contact details and it will be interesting to see where this goes.
- I put into practice communication, talking about my work and techniques which reinforced my knowledge.
- Talking about the influences I was under

On top of this I begun talking with the DJ, who saw me shooting at the bar and asked for contact details, we discussed his vision for a portrait of him at work, something that expressed his personality, unique and not generic.
- I naturally asked to come to an event and get to know his style better before shooting
- I believe this a valid opportunity that I greatly look forward to because it involves the environment, in a different aspect, broadening my horizons is something I believe important and although I will have to research how to work on something such as this, it will be a terrific experience I don't want to shy away from.
- I don't want to encroach on anyone else's territory but would like to better understand the music photography industry so I can broaden my skills, I hope to assist on a fellow class mates shoot in the future to learn and practice.

A brief catch up of things missed

2013-04-11T17:19:00.002-07:00

Bellow are a few images, to act as evidence of activities partaken in over the past month that featured only on my linked in profile due to a shortage of time to post them on this blog, please enjoy!

4th April 2013 - The first of a three day session working with Treasury from 9am-6pm, on the third day, a friday, I not only networked with staff by cooking in the kitchen and filling in property release forms but networked to with James Avery, who works with photographers and after exchanging contact cards I believe this to be a great opportunity for the future.
- I also met up with Dave Studwick and caught up to arrange a discussion in the future of which we will discuss in greater detail what is wanted from a food orientated book in collaboration with the new primary school about to open up.

17th March 2013 - An excellent experience with PCA Principle Andrew Brewerton and the primary art school's head teacher Dave Studwick. The talk discussed various areas around the new school which was about to open up and through the talk I networked with a lady who had previously studied photography but was becoming involved in accounts. The viewers at the talk ranged from potential employees to parents and I was pleased to be apart of this.
- Following the excellent talk I had a 1-1 meeting with Dave Studwick, showing him the sort of work I had been doing for the final major project (books 1 and 2 of which I was impressed with the results, but I have progressed further from here and have a more personal style now, I look forward to the meeting coming soon to talk about the possibilities with the free school.

14th March 2013 - Further talks with Chas Halsey prove that the production of a cook book is a great possibility, we are continuing discussions, this may spire of from my final major project.

10th March 2013 - my developed style is teetering on experimentation, the clean and neutral style is something I will evolve from, perhaps first into use of pastel colours and the environment. I begun getting close to the subject, capturing the texture and filling frame

- The trip to focus was a superb experience, upon the journey I met in discussion with a varriety of people from epson, canon, various lighting and book production companies. I also met with a request for my contact details by one of the stalls (who as of yet have not contacted me, I dont hold out much hope) but learn from this that you must take there detail, not just give yours however in saying this, I picked up there leaflet and could approach them if need be - I may follow this up when more time is available.
- I took it upon myself to invest in a Manfrotto 055xprob tripod with a 410 Junior head which is a very precise instrument allowing for smooth movement on the axis, I am very pleased with the tripod, an investment in my future that has already paid of through my final major project but it will be around a long while yet.

- practice in preparation of subject matter, may not be used in my project for the unique styling however it has built my confidence and allowed me to broaden my horizons.

Focus exhibition

2013-03-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

An absolutely terrific day out on Wednesday the 6th March 2013, visiting the focus exhibition in Birmingham, it was exhilarating to see the range of photographic equipment from cameras, to lighting and print from home to publishers.

For me, a rich day of research and one I made personal investments in, I left with a new burning sensation for the industry, one that i will feed, one that wont stop

Exhabition Time

2013-02-02T09:15:00.002-08:00

Fortune favours me, the dates have been confirmed for the exhibition. 18th-28th March in Trerise Gallery. I have even drawn up a press release for this momentous occasion

Christopher Sutherland of Sutherland Photography announced today that he will be partaking in an exhibition at the Trerise Gallery found in the rock face of Plymouth promenade between the 18^th and 28^th of February. On the 20^th of February a private viewing will be held but on each of the other dates it will be open to the public.

Sutherland’s work explores the human connection with food, a topic close to his heart. Developed from his understanding of the production and retail of English sparkling wine at the farm in East Sussex in which he lived. By being able to grow up in this environment he has a complex understanding to capture beautifully arranged photographs of food and drink in settings that are familiar to many of us. Sutherland however takes this further by documenting the journeys undertaken and those individuals involved, a process he labels ‘source to plate’. The exploration of this topic remains humble, to raise the profile of social, political and cultural issues surrounding our sourcing of food.

Yet it is worth noting that Sutherland’s work in this event is commercial in appearance as we are presented with a clear and vivid image depicting prawns on a plate at a banquet, this relates to his career aspirations. Taken at a private land owners harvest celebration, Sutherland’s skills were utilized to produce this, an exquisite piece that is symbolic for the ever present mountain of hunger that humans feel for food and the desires that we each keep secret, yet drive us for more.

“For me, photography is an extension of consciousness, being capable of communicating with people what I see and how it makes me feel. I use it to tell the stories of others on location or in the studio, photography is natural and so is the desire to appear perfect so I do not remove the option for anything more corporate based. But food remains my inner passion.”

Christopher Sutherland, Sutherland Photography

7 Greenbank Terrace, Greenbank

Plymouth, Devon

PL4 8QF

07871 320729

www.sutherlandphotographystudios.com

chris@sutherlandphotographystudios.com

Meeting PCA School Principle

2013-01-31T15:24:00.001-08:00

Today I had a Splendid day meeting with the principle of the PCA school, over a coffee, myself and another from the university discussed the possible projects that could be derived from this new venture and I am pleased to report that we have many points to follow up on related to the sourcing and documentation of food.

This was something I found truly inspirational and during this same period I took some time to show my newly appointed website. The resulting feedback was excellent, the first point I have received comments from potential clients other than friends, showing that te website is up to a professional standard because both members were impressed.

http://sutherlandphotographystudios.4ormat.com

Splendid day 29/01/13

2013-01-29T13:04:00.001-08:00

I had an excellent day today, I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Tony Cobley only yesterday regarding an assistant position for a corporate portrait shoot. Myself I have a little experience in this field formed from my work with SMT and felt quietly confident.

I am pleased to confirm that these feelings were right, the shoot worked out great and I have more experience with high key lighting set ups and a better understanding regarding conversation with a number of models in quick succession.

I am very proud to have been given this opportunity so thank you Tony Cobley for this chance and turning to me.

During the set up and white balance calibration, I had a number of test shots taken of myself which I believe would be great to use on my own website as a profile picture. I am very happy with the results, contemporary, clean and smart, I am confident it will go down well.

Business Promotion

2013-01-27T13:15:00.005-08:00

After many weeks research into stationary design I begun designing my business cards today and I believe we have something, I am very proud of this selection.

The idea behind this is simplicity, simplicity is beautiful and honest, the following designs I believe to grab the viewers eye. I will be printing these on the best material available and I look forward to seeing the results because these few designs on a few pieces of paper are my portfolio for potential clients, these symbolically represent who I am and what I stand for.

Each of these are focussed on my food photography, although I am branching out into other areas, this is my starting point, in the near future I will produce more stationary that covers my corporate, fashion and lifestyle works.

201 Final Images

2012-12-18T05:22:00.001-08:00

(For purpose, promotion of photographer in recognition from PCAD)

202 Final Production

2012-12-05T09:18:00.002-08:00

I am very proud of the work featured in this posed and must say that I enjoyed every moment of its construction from thought to final production.
- I have met many excellent people who I thank kindly for allowing me to photograph and feature on this blog.
- I regret that this project has come to a close but i will not end it here as I intend to produce a body of writing that will be appropriate to the journey.
- I am pleased with the skills I have learned from camera right through to post production, the skills are in-valuable for my career aspirations and I will continue working with this form of output.

Thank you.

Coffee Bean Central Christmas

2012-12-04T18:20:00.002-08:00

I was informed of this shoot 30 minutes before conducting the shoot, it was very fortunate I had a few spare moments because at the time I was busy planning my 201, 202 shoots.

I am pleased with the shoot and in paticular these results, I learned to think on my feet and as I conducted the shoot, requesting different actions as I re-positioned myself around the object.

My confidence in producing good quality work on short notice has most certainly improved after having this opportunity which I am very grateful for.

Publication of work

2012-12-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

I am very proud to bring back news of fortune to do with PCA and the new primary school's uniforms.

Friday 30th November I was informed that a selection of images I took during a shoot with supervision from Luke Broadway had been used in the Plymouth School of Creative Arts Prospectus 2013/14. Upon hearing this news I became instantaneously ecstatic (the discovery came as I saw PCA's Principle PA Tima to discuss the shoot for later in the day with the PCA's school newly appointed principle) I was given a congratulations and a number of copies to archive for myself. The work in the books unfortunately were not accredited to me however I am in the process of getting proof in writing from PCA to confirm that the work shown was taken by myself.

I am superfluously proud of the work and the achievement and believe that this is simply the first step for bigger and better things in the future.

PCA School

2012-12-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

After working with SMT through my 201 project and handing in all finals with clients and models happy with the work I was feeling fantastic.

It so happens that a new member of staff was beginning, namely "Dave Studwick, the newly appointed principle for PCA school who I must say is a very likeable person who I found easy to talk with from the very first moment we spoke.

As you may have guessed by now I was asked to take the portraits for immediate use
- I learned valuable skills for the real world by undertaking this task

- time organisation - I was told of this shoot the day before having been left a voicemail and discovered it at 2am the day of the shoot.
- I learned to trust my in-stinks with less questioning or fear - I was given the opportunity because SMT were confident in my ability - they knew and understood my style, by the time the shoot came, I was calm and knew that all the client really wanted was what I produced before (the brief was short and snappy, "photograph the new principle for the primary school") - lacking definition I booked the studio for later that day and began to run through the process in my head (lighting set up, power levels, equipment, background and decided to challenge myself further by attempting use with a camera I had never used before.

equipment list:
- canon 7D (as the 5D was not available on such short notice)
- Octagonal soft box
- 50mm 1.4 prime lens
- 35mm prime lens
- canon 550D
- Seckonic L-308

I am proud of the results and undertaking this task.

I feel far more confident in my ability even under pressure (few hours to prepare a shoot and a 30 minute window to conduct)

I hope to continue this work and thank PCA for this opportunity.

201 additional tasks

2012-11-12T03:20:00.001-08:00

This is just a quick and simple update.

During my pastoral tutorial I was approached with the opportunity to photograph an additional something for my PCAD Client Brief - I was honoured with opportunity and leapt at the chance and I am pleased to come back and say that the shoot went well.

I have not been able to perform the volume of post production that I would have liked because I was there with Luke Broadway to photograph the session, from here they will be further developed on by someone more in the know of the project.
- for this reason I have two disks worth of images (TIFF's) so that they are easily manageable and although i am unsure what precisely the clients desired from this shoot Luke and I covered a number of basses and I am pleased with the results.
- They are featured in my projects sketchbook yet I fear I will not upload any of the work for the project remains under secrecy.
- I would however like to state that I now have a developed understanding on from my work with Coffee Bean Central, of how to work with children.

Onwards and upwards!

FDPH 202 Contacts

2012-10-04T06:19:00.000-07:00

My 202 project revolves around food.

I will be following the course of food from source to plate, this will require a few different techniques, starting with documentary photography orientated around the fishermen and their catch and finishing with commercial food photography of the subject on the plate, what you may see in a cook book, this will be very well lit and post produced. Photography is my passion and to photograph food is my aspiration.

To set the wheels of this project in motion I needed to make contact with the fishermen, something of which I have done this day. i spoke with a gentlemen who catches lobsters and crab and has granted me permission to photograph his ship unloading their catch for this study. i gave him my contact card and he has agreed to contact me when they are unloading which I believe to be a saturday.

I am pleased with the contact and I am looking forward to working through this project.