In the age of AI, selecting the most engaging image from thousands can feel like a task for algorithms. But as an experienced photographer, I know there's more to it than just data points.
After most shoots I will always quickly provide my client with a set of “greenies”. Basically a quick first edit, really useful to initially show an overview of what we have achieved for the day…… called “greenies” as they are labelled with a green tag in Capture One!
I can go through thousands of images really very quickly.
Years ago when I first started out I would get back to the studio, after a busy shoot day, and want to pull out a quick edit, more for myself to see if I was pleased with how the day went. I found that I would do this really quickly in a state of complete and intense immersion.
Having done this first quick edit, I would then worry I’d missed something and would spend the rest of the day studying hundreds of images!
I found increasingly that I would pick the same images every time that I had from the inital “greenies” edit!
I repeated the process after many shoots.
But now with years of experience I have honed my ability to read the nuances in an image—the subtle emotions, the perfect lighting, the story behind each frame. This intuition can't be replicated by algorithms.
It amazes me how quickly as humans we can read and take in information, the creative industries are more than technical analysis and AI regeneration
it's about recognizing the composition, color balance, and the unique artistic elements that make an image stand out. Understanding the client's vision and goals allows me to choose images that align perfectly with their brand and message. AI lacks the ability to grasp the deeper context of what the client wants. Experience brings a refined judgment to recognize what works and what doesn’t, what rules can be broken. I can identify the shots that evoke the right emotions, tell compelling stories, and engage viewers on a personal level…..and really quickly!
AI tools are remarkable for sifting through large volumes of data quickly, but the heart and soul of good commercial and advertising photography, for me at least, needs us humans to bring along a bit of magic!
#Photography #ExperienceMatters #AI #Artistry #CreativeVision #ClientFocus #HumanTouch #ProfessionalPhotography #ImageSelection #VisualStorytelling #advertisingphotography #lifestylephotopgraphy
“ Repeat Clients and Relationships”
“ Repeat Clients and Relationships”
Throughout my career as an advertising and commercial photographer one of the things I value most highly is the value of repeat clients.
Interflora is one of many such clients who I have worked with for years.
Not only do repeat clients bring a much needed regularity to a freelancers diary it has also created a lot of life long friends.
These repeat collaborations have taught me invaluable lessons. They remind me that photography isn't just about capturing a moment but about understanding a brand's evolving narrative and helping to shape it. In the world of advertising and commercial photography, where trends change rapidly, and new opportunities are always on the horizon, repeat clients offer a sense of stability and continuity.
Every shoot feels like a reunion with old friends, filled with trust, mutual respect, and a shared excitement for what we can create.
I think it's important to remember that your relationship with your clients is as important as the work you produce. As in many industries, its a great foundation for a long lasting business.
So thank you "Repeaters"! Keep believing in the Magic!
#Photography #ClientRelationships #CreativeJourney#ProfessionalGrowth #AdvertisingPhotography #RepeatClients #Partnerships #Interflora
#Gratitude #Storytelling
The Wall
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time in Berlin.
I visited C/O Berlin and the Helmut Newton Foundation which are both great places to take in the greatest works.
I also found myself drawn to The Wall. Built in 1961 and was ripped down in 1989.
It has now been down longer than it was up. When it finally came down it came down really quick, and now you wouldn’t know if you were in East or West Berlin. The Wall has become a Memorial, a gallery, and a Tourist attraction…… at Checkpoint Charlie you can have a Big Mac one side and a KFC the other!
Berlin feels like a city that is no longer divided, we all know the history. Look out at the rest of the world at the moment and we are becoming more and more divided. We don’t need anymore walls.
Here is a few pics of The Wall and how people react to it.
Black and White Rainforests
Since the majority of what we shoot is now digital, I for one don’t shoot or process much in Black and White anymore. These are from a trip to St Lucia, where there is an abundance of colour but look lovely processed carefully in Black and White ... thank you Capture One! Still miss tri-x t-max hp5 though!
Calm
Calm day looking at Mount Olympus in Greece