Jamey Howard

Interview with Jamey Howard

- When did you begin photography?

J: Well I did photography as part of my degree and enjoyed it, but it was film-based back then and I was terrible at handling negatives. I could never get them onto the spool properly and kept dropping them on the floor so I quickly decided it was a disaster and forgot about it until digital SLR (DSLR) cameras started getting affordable. Then I sat up, took notice and got back into it all. I started photoblogging in 2005 and I’ve found it a great way to keep pushing yourself and stay motivated - apart from when you’ve just bought a new flat that needs doing up and then no amount of motivation will help, everything goes out the window.

- What have you been doing before?

J: Between buying my first DSLR and starting the blog I had a fairly short but intense period of getting to grips with photographic theory and learning Photoshop but apart from that, it’s all been about blogging so far. I guess I’m part of the newbie crowd who’ve got into photography on the back of DSLR prices crashing right down. I have done a few small commissions and assisted on a couple of pro shoots, both of which were fantastic experience, but the vast majority of my photos are personal work at the moment.

- What is your roots to take photos?

J: I’m definitely more into urban locations and people photography than traditional landscapes, still life, etc. I consider myself lucky to live around London because I think it’s a fantastic place to take photos and I try to wander around different parts of it with my camera whenever possible. But some of my favourite photos have been spontaneous so I try not to think about it too much either and just concentrate on being receptive to my surroundings. The best way to stay interested is to build it into your daily life. Keep your camera with you at all times (buy a specialist bag if you have to, it doesn’t matter what it costs because keeping your camera handy can be priceless) and just take inspiration from whatever is nearby. The worst feeling in the world is when you’re out and you see a photo opportunity but your camera is at home.

- Please explain how are you using Photoshop to change images for your photos.

J: I do use Photoshop quite a lot when it comes to post-processing my shots, but I usually try to bring out the reality and detail of the scene and maybe add a few subtle creative touches. Typically I’ll use contrast and luminosity to bring out detail in the important areas and colour to create an overall mood and feel. Occasionally I’ll dabble with more complex (and visually obvious) stuff like HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging but I’m a firm believer in the school of thought that says “when you do things right, people won’t be sure that you’ve done anything at all.”

- Who is your favourite artist?

J: I enjoy a lot of people’s stuff. Generally speaking I think that the editorial sector produces much nicer images than fine art photography at the moment. I certainly find them more appealing anyway, but I don’t really know a lot about the art side yet. It’s something I should read up on but part of me says that if you have to read a book about it then you don’t ‘get it’ and probably never will. Anyway, in no particular order, I’m a big fan of Jeff Metal, Mysterious Al, John Washington, David J Nightingale, Erwin Olaf, Julia Fullerton-Batten, Kieran Master, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Garry Winogrand and Jamel Shabazz. There are loads of other people with great photoblogs as well, I could go on forever.

- Which artist are you most influenced by?

J: I’m most influenced by the people directly around me - the people I go shooting with and the people I learn from. You can teach yourself a certain amount from reading books and trawling the net but nothing compares to actually going out with other photographers (particularly working professionals) and seeing them do their stuff.

- What is your favourite thing except photography?

J: I’m a nightmare when it comes to hobbies. I’ve got a trainer collection, a record collection and now a growing collection of cameras and lenses.

I have a short attention span so when I get into something I go nuts about it for a few months (sometimes a year or two) and then get bored. I’m actually amazed that I’ve stuck with photography this long. I think I’ve always really liked the idea of it (mainly because I was crap at drawing) but before digital photography became accessible it all just seemed like too much hassle.

- How do you want to carry on your work in future?

J: Until fairly recently, the vast majority of my photographs were all done with natural light but I’ve just begun to get a small lighting kit together so I need to start getting to grips with that.

It’s like a whole new world at the moment but I’ve seen what truly talented photographers can achieve with lighting and it’s made me hungry to learn. The only problem is that lit photography doesn’t really lend itself to blogging very well, since it takes a lot longer to get the result you’re after when you’ve got a load of lights to play around with. It’s difficult to keep to a daily target when you can easily spend half a day getting one frame to look right but I’m determined to work it all out. I’d also like to do more commissions and an exhibition at some point but wouldn’t we all?

- Message for reader please.

Come to London and take photos! It’s a great city as long as you don’t mind the weather.

Website : http://www.jameyhoward.com/

Written by Toshimi Takaishi