one more shot: photographer profiles - part 2
The One More Shot Exhibition is back for another spectacular night of photography at Kingsize Studios. Now in its fourth year, the One More Shot Exhibition will showcase the works of eight upcoming professional assistant photographers. Because we just love the emerging photographers who help bring the pages of Remix to life, we’re a sponsor of the One More Shot exhibition alongside Kingsize, Canon, Hancock & Co, AIPA, Red Bull and Resene Ponsonby. Word on the street is that this year’s exhibition is going to be bigger and better than ever!
In our second week of photographer profiles, here are the photographers we caught up with for a chat...
JOEL FORSYTH
What is your background in photography?
I only shoot for fun (personal work) so in that sense I have been shooting for ages…say twenty years?
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
I have assisted over the last few years in Sydney and Auckland, every photographer you work with can teach you something new if you're open to ideas.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
I like to shoot things pretty much as I find them. If something appeals to my eye and I'm in a photo-taking mood then I'll take a picture.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
Location because on location is where you find things to take photographs of. In studio is where you put things. It’s like prospecting in that sense.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
The shots are from Great Barrier Island, where a number of Land-rover graveyards exist.
MICHAEL COATES
What is your background in photography?
Essentially I’m self-taught with a couple of short courses thrown in for fun. I’ve always found the best way to learn is just to get out there and give it go.
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
Assisting for an amazing Photographer (Morgan White) in London taught me a lot about how the industry works and a variety of different methods to get your desired result. I’ve been shooting for about five years on and off and I still have the same passion for photography as the day I started.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
Although my subject matter is constantly changing, my style of photography/process tends to be very 'grass roots' or 'Ghetto'. My kit is kept very minimal and my techniques used to create my desired effect tend to be.....unorthodox. That’s one thing I’ve always loved about photography…there are always LOTS of ways to achieve the result you want and there really are no rules.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
There’s defiantly something to be said for the complete control that you get from shooting in a studio environment however I still prefer the uncertainty and randomness that comes with shooting on location. In a way shooting on location forces you to be a little more creative with the whole process.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
I’ll be showing images from a shoot where I wanted to do to create a kind of surreal woodland area that’s eerie and a little spooky but also quite stunning and really draws attention to the natural beauty that’s all around us. It shows things that people rarely take the time to appreciate in their busy lives.
NIC FLETCHER
What is your background in photography?
My entry into photography’s been slow but steady. I was only a keen amateur but don't remember a time when I didn't have a camera. 6 or 7 years ago I bought a decent camera and I started to get a little more serious. I went through my pre-mid-life crisis at 30 and decided that after 15 years owning and/or operating Body Piercing studios it was time to put down the needles and pick up my camera. 5 years later, I’ve finished a photography degree and have been focusing on assisting to get some "real world" experience.
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
In the last year or so I’ve assisted a few Auckland based photographers including Toaki Okano, Todd Eyre and Simeon Patience all of whom have taught me a lot about the realities of professional photography.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
I feel like my "style" is still evolving. It changes depending on the genre. My aesthetic considerations alter when I shoot fashion or documentary and are very different when I’m exploring more artistic themes. What I enjoy most about photography is problem solving. I enjoy coming up with a concept or end goal and then using the appropriate contacts, environment and technology I create an image or series of images that convey a message.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
I have no preference regarding studio or location shoots. They both offer different challenges. I enjoy the chaotic nature of location shoots. There’s always a multitude of elements to be aware of which can be exciting and rewarding if and when you achieve a desired result. Studio work is more methodical where images are built rather than captured and each step is more considered.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
The works I’ve submitted for OMS are part of my 100% Pure series. I’ve been exploring the correlation between a corrupted visual system with a corrupted environmental one. In NZ we present ourselves as a clean green country but I think it would be fair to say that’s untrue. The impact of 150 years of humanity on the environment has not been benign. I’ve been exploring this in an aesthetic context so I travelled around NZ taking images of the beautiful landscapes we present to the rest of the world and then using the "Glitch" process I have corrupted the digital files so they more aptly represent the modern world. The resulting image is random, difficult to control (except in the broadest sense) and unique. In my opinion this is an interesting parallel for current environmental practices like frakking, introducing GM crops or global warming for example. We have some idea of what the effects will be but reality is there may be side effects we never expected. This series isn’t designed to provide answers but to create a catalyst for discussion, debate and self-examination.
ANDREA BEDNAREK
What is your background in photography?
I come from a large extended family so I was lucky enough that from early on they were my obliging subjects which is where my love of photographing people started. I studied photography at Massey University in Wellington where I graduated with a Bachelor of Design with first class honours. Recently I’ve completed a Master of Fine Arts at Elam School of Fine Arts.
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
I have learnt from some amazing university supervisors, skilled commercial photographers and valued friends. I continue to learn more about photography all the time.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
There is a strong formal aesthetic to my photography. My personal work is usually conceptually driven whilst using documentary-style photography.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
I enjoy both, depending on the desired outcome.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
The photographs I am exhibiting formed part of my graduating work from my Masters of Fine Arts. I focused on identity in my research. In my work I try to utilize humour and the absurd to engage with heavy topics to make them approachable.
JOEL FORSYTH
What is your background in photography?
I only shoot for fun (personal work) so in that sense I have been shooting for ages…say twenty years?
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
I have assisted over the last few years in Sydney and Auckland, every photographer you work with can teach you something new if you're open to ideas.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
I like to shoot things pretty much as I find them. If something appeals to my eye and I'm in a photo-taking mood then I'll take a picture.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
Location because on location is where you find things to take photographs of. In studio is where you put things. It’s like prospecting in that sense.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
The shots are from Great Barrier Island, where a number of Land-rover graveyards exist.
MICHAEL COATES
What is your background in photography?
Essentially I’m self-taught with a couple of short courses thrown in for fun. I’ve always found the best way to learn is just to get out there and give it go.
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
Assisting for an amazing Photographer (Morgan White) in London taught me a lot about how the industry works and a variety of different methods to get your desired result. I’ve been shooting for about five years on and off and I still have the same passion for photography as the day I started.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
Although my subject matter is constantly changing, my style of photography/process tends to be very 'grass roots' or 'Ghetto'. My kit is kept very minimal and my techniques used to create my desired effect tend to be.....unorthodox. That’s one thing I’ve always loved about photography…there are always LOTS of ways to achieve the result you want and there really are no rules.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
There’s defiantly something to be said for the complete control that you get from shooting in a studio environment however I still prefer the uncertainty and randomness that comes with shooting on location. In a way shooting on location forces you to be a little more creative with the whole process.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
I’ll be showing images from a shoot where I wanted to do to create a kind of surreal woodland area that’s eerie and a little spooky but also quite stunning and really draws attention to the natural beauty that’s all around us. It shows things that people rarely take the time to appreciate in their busy lives.
NIC FLETCHER
What is your background in photography?
My entry into photography’s been slow but steady. I was only a keen amateur but don't remember a time when I didn't have a camera. 6 or 7 years ago I bought a decent camera and I started to get a little more serious. I went through my pre-mid-life crisis at 30 and decided that after 15 years owning and/or operating Body Piercing studios it was time to put down the needles and pick up my camera. 5 years later, I’ve finished a photography degree and have been focusing on assisting to get some "real world" experience.
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
In the last year or so I’ve assisted a few Auckland based photographers including Toaki Okano, Todd Eyre and Simeon Patience all of whom have taught me a lot about the realities of professional photography.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
I feel like my "style" is still evolving. It changes depending on the genre. My aesthetic considerations alter when I shoot fashion or documentary and are very different when I’m exploring more artistic themes. What I enjoy most about photography is problem solving. I enjoy coming up with a concept or end goal and then using the appropriate contacts, environment and technology I create an image or series of images that convey a message.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
I have no preference regarding studio or location shoots. They both offer different challenges. I enjoy the chaotic nature of location shoots. There’s always a multitude of elements to be aware of which can be exciting and rewarding if and when you achieve a desired result. Studio work is more methodical where images are built rather than captured and each step is more considered.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
The works I’ve submitted for OMS are part of my 100% Pure series. I’ve been exploring the correlation between a corrupted visual system with a corrupted environmental one. In NZ we present ourselves as a clean green country but I think it would be fair to say that’s untrue. The impact of 150 years of humanity on the environment has not been benign. I’ve been exploring this in an aesthetic context so I travelled around NZ taking images of the beautiful landscapes we present to the rest of the world and then using the "Glitch" process I have corrupted the digital files so they more aptly represent the modern world. The resulting image is random, difficult to control (except in the broadest sense) and unique. In my opinion this is an interesting parallel for current environmental practices like frakking, introducing GM crops or global warming for example. We have some idea of what the effects will be but reality is there may be side effects we never expected. This series isn’t designed to provide answers but to create a catalyst for discussion, debate and self-examination.
ANDREA BEDNAREK
What is your background in photography?
I come from a large extended family so I was lucky enough that from early on they were my obliging subjects which is where my love of photographing people started. I studied photography at Massey University in Wellington where I graduated with a Bachelor of Design with first class honours. Recently I’ve completed a Master of Fine Arts at Elam School of Fine Arts.
Who have you assisted/learnt from?
I have learnt from some amazing university supervisors, skilled commercial photographers and valued friends. I continue to learn more about photography all the time.
How would you describe your artistic and photography style?
There is a strong formal aesthetic to my photography. My personal work is usually conceptually driven whilst using documentary-style photography.
Do you prefer shooting in studio or on location?
I enjoy both, depending on the desired outcome.
Tell us about the shots you will be exhibiting.
The photographs I am exhibiting formed part of my graduating work from my Masters of Fine Arts. I focused on identity in my research. In my work I try to utilize humour and the absurd to engage with heavy topics to make them approachable.
Advertisement
