It's always difficult writing a page like this without sounding egotistical and if I come across that way then I apologise... lots! To make the problem worse, I'm about to continue as if I've been interviewed... I haven't... these are just questions I get asked the most and it's the easiest way I can think of to present myself here. Once again, I'm sorry, but I hope at least some of it is worth reading :)

Most asked questions...

How would I describe my photography?
What is a 'Composite Image'?
Film or Digital?
What equipment do I use?
How much do I cost?

And finally (the really egotistical bit)...

How would I describe my photography? (back to top)

I feel there are three aspects to my music photography:

1 - creativity - either in-camera, in the darkroom, or using Photoshop.

2 - studio or location shoots (for press / promotional images and merchandise, etc.);

3 - on-the-fly images (such as live gig photography and behind the scenes pics, etc.);

Whenever I click the shutter I always try to catch a 'look', an emotion, an energy or a feeling... something the viewer can hopefully make some sort of connection with... and when I process the final shots I do each one manually by eye. I have a traditional darkroom based training so try to produce individual images with plenty of tonal depth while at the same time keeping the punch that a healthy dose of contrast can add to a shot.

A few moments spent looking through my pics will tell you I don't like to use on-camera flash especially in a live gig setting. It has the potential to annoy everyone except the person using it and any chance of recreating the look of the show tends to be destroyed somewhat. To my mind, if a band wants a light show that only shows them as silhouettes then who am I to start lighting them up with the flashgun?! That's not to say I don't reach for it on the very rare occasion... but only as an absolute last resort for the purposes of fulfilling a brief and even then through gritted teeth. I do admire those who use handheld flash to achieve interesting light angles though - that does make for some cool images.

I like to keep things simple but I've been known to bang on a bit in emails and messages (and here on this page). It's a habit born from a desire to avoid confusion. Sometimes I suppose it's easier to talk through an idea and I'm always happy to go through any questions over the phone. If you spend a few minutes in my company I'm sure you'll agree I'm an approachable, easy going, okay sort of chap!

What is a 'Composite Image'? (back to top)

It's an image created by putting together several photographs specifically taken to produce the final picture. This process can create large images that can capture plenty of detail. The final image is therefore suited to life-sized or even billboard sized reproduction and of course looks excellent at smaller poster sizes.

The process of creating a Composite Image means that there is a huge amount of control over how the final image looks. On the more intricate pictures everything that makes up the final image is photographed seperately... background, various lighting set-ups, individual band members, various on stage details such as setlists, a dry ice layer if it was used in the show... everything needed to capture the overall feel of the show and to give the viewer a good feeling of actually being there. Because each part is photographed individually several times to get lots of options, the final image can also have far more depth of field than is usually possible in low light concert photography and lots of creative control over perspective viewpoints and general scale. With this kind of image making there is freedom from the limitations of a split second shutter release and any visual restrictions of the lens in use at the time. In fact it is possible that a final image could use several different lenses and angles of view.

To put it in music terms a Composite Image is kind of a visual version of a multi-track recording where each part is recorded seperately and then mixed together to create the final song, or in this case... image. Hope that makes sense!

Here's one of my favourite Composites... We Are Knuckle Dragger.
Click the picture to see the individual photos that made up this image.

Film or Digital? (back to top)

Both. Each has it's advantages. Digital is king when it comes to providing images quickly (sometimes needing to be ready by the morning after a gig) and especially if the images are for web use where perhaps quality isn't quite so important. However, if there's more time and the final image might actually be printed I still like to use 35mm film. It's subjective but I still think good film in general has a nicer 'look' with more pleasant tonal graduations, random grain and highlights that don't suddenly 'white out'. I enjoy processing the films myself and the whole problem of not being able to check histograms or see the image immediately forces you to think properly about the shooting process. I spend far less time on the computer editing the things too!

What equipment do you use? (back to top)

Stuff that I trust and know very well...

I have accumulated alot of gear most of which only ever gets used occasionally depending on circumstances but one thing that is always necessary is of course a camera and a lens... virtually all my photography is done with a 30mm or 50mm lens on one of these cameras...

Canon EOS 1v (35mm film) - my main camera
Canon EOS 1n (35mm film) - backup
Canon EOS 10 (35mm film) - has a built in interval timer, and like the others, does not fog IR film.
Canon EOS 40d (digital)
Sigma SD9 (digital) - has a foveon sensor for a slightly different look.

How much does it cost to book you? (back to top)

Firstly, you only pay if you're happy with the finished image(s). You wouldn't buy something in a shop if you didn't like the look of it so the same applies here.

Secondly, I will work to YOUR budget. Everyone knows what they have available to spend on a project and if you like my work enough to get in touch with me then I will do as much as I can to give the best for that budget. Tell me what you want to spend and I will tell you if it's achievable for me depending on factors such as film or digital, studio or location, travelling, time and any need for specific post processing to create the final image. If it just isn't possible for me I'll say what I CAN do for you and let you decide from there.

To get the ball rolling, send me a text, give me a call, email me or message me on facebook or myspace... my contact details are at the top of this page (and every other page too). Thank-you :)

Finally, I'd like to say... and with the geatest of respect... If you feel a photographer is someone who just turns a dial to 'auto' and presses a button, or that all photographers are as 'interchangable as their lenses', or you've "had trouble" finding someone who will give you the 'Testino with just a hint of Bailey' look... then to avoid wasting your time and mine it's probably fair to say I won't be interested thanks :)

Every photographer, like every musician, has their own invidual style. I wouldn't go to a Slayer show and ask the band to sound like Justin Beiber, and by the same token please don't expect me to copy another photographer's style either. (bit of rap for ya there... ish :D)

If you like a particular photographer's style... use that photographer. They'll give you exactly the results you want! However, if you like the look of the images that I create... thank-you, I would love to hear from you.

That's all for now - I'll probably update this or change it altogether at some point but for now I hope this has given you a bit of an insight into the way I operate. If you'd like to get in touch my contact details are on every page of this website. Thank-you :)

If you like the images I create please give the Facebook or Google+ buttons below a click and help spread the word!
If you would like to see my updates on your facebook newsfeed then please click the 'follow' button too. Thank-you! :)

© GREIG CLIFFORD. ALL IMAGES ARE SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT LAWS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.