Inspire Me: Luke Chapman

September 6, 2013 | Mark Goldstein | Photography Techniques | Comment |

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What inspired you to become a photographer?

I have always had a love of photography ever since I can remember, but it wasn't until I finished my design degree that I took my love of photography to the next level.

I always remember being mesmerised by the photos I saw in magazines, and spent hours in bookstores looking at some of the great photography masters.

The catalyst to getting my first camera was seeing my cousin’s photography, which inspired me to buy a camera as soon as possible. High on enthusiasm and passion I bought my first camera without fully understanding the lenses that I needed or the style of photography I was going to do.  This didn’t matter at the time, all I was concerned with was that I had the opportunity to capture my thought processes in images and show the world through my eyes.

Can you remember the first picture that you ever took, and why?

I can't remember the first photo I took, but I can definitely remember the first photo that I took with my first DSLR camera. I walked into the garden and started taking photos of the flowers on a hot summer’s day. I remember downloading them straight away and viewing them all on my Mac. I still look at the photos to this day, as this was the epicentre of my photography career. Although they were not the greatest pictures ever taken, they did indicate the benchmark of my talents as a novice and showed me how hard I had to work to become acceptable as a photographer.

Inspire Me: Luke Chapman

Who is the photographer that you most admire, and why?

There are many photographers that I admire and inspire me to take photos everyday, but my favourite are fashion photographers as in my opinion this area of photography is the most creative. They have to control the entire environment by manipulating, lighting, picking the perfect location and choosing the right models. I would probably say Mario Testino who has a timeless quality to his work and Norman Parkinson who has taken so many iconic photographs.

Which photograph do you most wish you'd taken?

I love the photo by Norman Parkinson, Duchess of sevill Apple and horse, 1981 (See link http://crocsandjorts.blogspot.com/2011/08/duchess-of-seville-horse-by-norman.html).  The horse’s expression really makes this shot unusual and unforgettable. It asks a lot more questions than it answers from both a creative and technical aspect of photography. It is this photo that makes me work harder to find out how he achieved this style of shot. While the concept is simple the final image is very complex and inspiring.

Inspire Me: Luke Chapman

Which photo / series of photographs are you proudest of, and why?

I have taken a photograph of Battersea Power Station and for me this is one of my recent photos that I'm proudest of. The reason I like this photo is that although Battersea Power Station has been photographed thousands of times before, I have put my own twist on it, and have yet to see a photo of Battersea Power Station with the same concept. Having said that I do love the quote by Enzo Ferrari when a journalist asked him what his favourite car was and he replied   "The one that has not been built yet.” I think this is a perfect quote and I try to live by this motto.

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