I have focussed on the work of editorial photographers in the Motoring Magazine space. Many of these photographers travel to various locations and work with a journalistic writer to produce images that will fit with the text and theme of an article.
Richard Pardon
"UK and Los Angeles based, Richard Pardon is a young, exciting and dynamic photographer who is fast earning a great reputation for himself within the photographic world. At just 23 Richard was asked by worldwide photographic manufacturers to display his work in representing their products thanks to his creative ideas and exceptional execution." (Richard Pardon - Car and Portrait Photography, 2018)
(Pardon, 2017)
911 GT3 RS
Client: Porsche
Darren Heath
"Darren Heath is a multi award winning photographer based in London England, specialising in Formula One and the automotive industry, endeavouring to cover events and commissions in a creative and artistic manner using natural light and colour to their maximum effect.
In 2005 The Royal Photographic Society awarded Darren their prestigious Honorary Fellowship as recognition of his excellence and evidence of distinguished ability in his chosen field." (Heath, 2018)
(Heath, 2018)
I am also attracted to Heaths definitive style of using lots of motion blur in his shots. He has perfected this style of shot, being able to have a pinpoint of sharp focus amongst the surrounding blur. This technique is effective in this area of photography as it draws the viewer's eye to the subject of the image - specifically the driver, which highlights their focus. Additionally the motion blur created allows for effective depiction of the great speeds involved.
Between Pardon and Heath, I feel like I have been given more direction by looking at Pardons work. Heath produces images that feel more documentary based, following a timeline more than a shot list. Whereas, Pardon produces more considered and planned editorial images. This aligns more with my own project outcomes, where I want to embed a story within my images.
Rainer W. Schlegelmilch
"Rainer W. Schlegelmilch 'RWS' saw his first race in 1962, when he photographed a series of portraits at the '1000 kilometers' at the Nürburgring for his final examination at the Bavarian State School of Photography in Munich. Eighteen months later, he opened his studio of photo design in Frankfurt, but racing has always remained a major aspect of his work. Right from the very beginning, initially in monochrome only, he photographed for numerous prestigious motor sport publications and in motor racing involved companies." (Schlegelmilch.com, 2018)
(Schlegelmilch, 2018)
Schlegelmilch is honestly one of my favourite photographers who works within the Formula 1 circus. Above are my two favourite images he has taken. On the left is arguably his most famous image. This perfectly captures the ferocity and rawness of the sport particularly through the huge flames exploding from the exhausts and being channeled by the rear diffuser. Just like many of Heath's images, there is a lot of motion blur, but the drivers head is perfectly in focus. The complexity of the background gives more of a dramatic, dizzying feel. The colours of the image are also very well balanced - there is a perfect combination of green, orange, red and grey.
On the other hand, the second image (the image on the right), is almost completely different. Rather than the drama of the left image there is an heir of calm and serenity in this one. This is achieved through the simplicity of the composition and objects in the frame. There are four main parts - the green grass, the dark tarmac, the blue sky and the car. The lack of motion blur and the car being suspended mid air freezes the image in your brain, giving it that calm feeling.
Importantly, I will take onboard the different techniques Schlegelmilch has used to create two images that are perfectly juxtaposed. My project is leaning in this direction, where I would like to juxtapose the different characters of each car.
References
Heath, D. (2018). [image] Available at: https://www.darrenheath.com/f1-showcase [Accessed 24 Jan. 2018].
Heath, D. (2018). Darren Heath: Formula One Photographer, automotive industry, McLaren Photographs. [online] Darren Heath Photography. Available at: https://www.darrenheath.com/profile [Accessed 24 Jan. 2018].
Pardon, R. (2017). 911 GT3 RS. [image] Available at: http://richardpardon.co.uk/911gt3rs [Accessed 24 Jan. 2018].
Richard Pardon - Car and Portrait Photography. (2018). About. [online] Available at: http://richardpardon.co.uk/about/ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2018].
Schlegelmilch, R. (2018). [image] Available at: https://www.autosport.com/netw/news/131170/motorsport-network-acquires-schlegelmilch-archive [Accessed 24 Jan. 2018].
Schlegelmilch.com. (2018). Rainer W. Schlegelmilch - Formula One Photography. [online] Available at: http://www.schlegelmilch.com/aboutme.htm [Accessed 24 Jan. 2018].