205dpi Issue Dec’13
Freddie Strickland
Artist www.freddiestrickland.tumblr.com
This issue Dec’13
Who are we? We are photographers. Journalistic ones. We document, record and capture anything we find interesting, beautiful or captivating. Sometimes our stories may seem strange or unusual, but we are the eye behind it all; and that’s what this magazine is all about. From cakes to paralympics, graffiti to kickboxing, our editorial documentary style takes us around Cornwall, the UK and the rest of world. Follow us and our collective of photographers as we capture our adventures, our remarkable stories and our everyday lives.
What’ve we been doing? Celebrating! That’s what! It’s been a busy festive period for all of us at team205, but we still had time for reflection. 2013 has been a great year and we’ve come a long way since our first feature story with gritty interviewee Jim Mortram and his Small Town Inertia project. In fact, flicking through past issues of 205dpi we can honestly say the photography industry is alive and kicking - and there’s plenty more to come! Starting with the Marrakech Photography Museum’s exciting new project, there’s no doubt it’s going to be another good year. Watch this space.....
p.s. keep updated: 4.
6 Feature Story
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1. Ellen
2. Briony
Established music photographer HP Van Velthoven shares what it’s like working with the stars.
Met Lindsey and learnt about the touching charity she’s set up in memory of her daughter.
Enlightens us with her fresh approach to photography within her Flowers and Nudes series.
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- ‘Van Velthoven
3. Jamie Cook
Documented the FIA World Rally Championship and the final-leg action from the ‘Sweet Lamb’ stage.
Pearson
4. Lauren
Stevens
Visited the Red Sea, and explored the intensely captivating culture above and below water.
Teasel
36 5. David
Burnard
Met Cassandra Patten and learnt about her experiences in life before and after the Olympics.
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Real Talk with Hans Peter Van Velthoven
“Believe in the fact that your vision is unique. Your style is what they are after.” This issue we had a few words with Dutch photographer Hans Peter Van Velthoven. Best known for his work with musicians on stage and off, some of his regular acts include Muse, The Pogues and Stereophonics. Here he discusses the importance of maintaining a photographic personality, creating strong relationships with bands, and his eyeopening view on making money in our industry. His words give a great feel of his character, and hearing his positive and honest opinions won’t fail to put a smile on your face.
Feature - Real Talk with HP Van Velthoven
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Hi Hans! With a lot of our readers coming from a journalistic background, working closely together with our subjects is how we get our results – it’s often about the intimacy and raw connection. How do you create such a correlation with the performers you capture on stage? First thing is… dare to make a interpretation! Give the band the style they’re after, along with your own signature. If the artist likes the shots, they will get in touch. This is the reason I do work with bands like Stereophonics, Muse and The Pogues – they liked my style and through that we connected. Believe in the fact that your vision is unique. Your style is what they are after. Besides that, social skills are very important - you have to become a team member and work well like that. But it’s about feeling for what they want, and not pushing it - that’s the point of connection. You have photographed some of the biggest bands in the world from Muse to U2, and at some of their biggest concerts. Do you feel that you have ‘made it’ as a music photographer? Hahahaha… I’m still going for the kill :^) It is a fragile and protected world. Meaning that if you have worked with Muse or Stereophonics, not all the doors will open automatically. It helps because you are in a certain network, but you should never ever think, “you’ve made it”. The other answer is people are looking at me, following me on Twitter and Facebook. They find my meaning important and I love to share this, but I don’t like to be treated as a star. What in your opinion are the most important components of successful and striking images from a concert?
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It has to be a personal story of the photographer. Again… dare to make an interpretation!!!! When the band tells their story, you are the listener with a camera. Try to translate that, and if you do, your pictures will be awesome. The way we documentary photographers work is in a very close and friendly sort of way. Do you prefer to photograph the larger concerts or would you much rather be in a smaller intimate venue? Both! I like the smaller venues, but touring Muse is also BIG FUN :^) How would you describe the atmosphere you feel when photographing these live events? Or do you focus solely on the task at hand and just trying to capture that atmosphere? I feel like a band member. After a gig I am as exhausted as they are. Capturing the vibe of the gig is TOP-SPORT :^) Every night I will feel the different vibes. I feel the crowd and I keep an eye on the band. Before the band starts playing, I often talk to the fans. It helps me get the vibe and I like that a lot. Music is an obvious passion of yours, and it’s visibly passed down into your portraits. Why is music such a driving force behind your photography? Where did that passion come from? I play the guitar every day… and, if possible the piano! Music is a natural vitamin for my body. I can relax myself, express myself, exercise etc. I am not good enough to be a pro musician, so becoming a music photographer has been a dream come true! When photographing a concert does the type of music the artist is playing inspire the style
Feature - Real Talk with HP Van Velthoven
“When th you ar camera. T if you do of photograph? Or do you think you have a generic style, a ‘one size fits all’ approach? I have my own style, but the music and the band is the inspiration. For example when I shoot Stereophonics or Muse it’s a totally different experience to shooting anyone else! There’s no denying that music photography is a good way of making money in the industry, and quite a lot of up and coming photographers choose that path. Do you have any tips for aspiring music photographers? Never ever let money be the drive… The
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bigger the band, the better they pay? NOT!!!! The better your relationship with the band the better they take care of you! A personal relationship with a band means also you cannot be at other gigs… what I am trying to say is go for the best shots and relationships. Either with a band (touring) or as a journalist, touring yourself :^) If the passion is there you will get the best shots. I like to think I’ve been to a fair share of gigs – all of which have left some pretty strong memories. You must have photographed a hundred times more gigs than I can remember! Is there any particular unforgettable moment
Feature - Real Talk with HP Van Velthoven
he band tells their story, re the listener with a Try to translate that, and o, your pictures will be awesome.” that sticks with you and that will stay with you forever? Sure…:^) Being pulled on stage by Bono was an awesome experience. Also being pushed on stage by a Stereophonics roadie during Pinkpop! As a photographer you are always behind the scenes. When suddenly you are in the middle of all the attention, it feels weird! But after all…BIG FUN :^) Cheers HP!
Words: Lois Golding
Feature - Real Talk with HP Van Velthoven
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A Passion For Life
Ellen Pearson meets Lindsey - founder of a charity that helps disadvantaged children.
The ‘Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation’ is a charity dedicated to providing after-school activities to disadvantaged children.
16. Ellen Pearson
I met Lindsey through a friend. She is an amazing, fabulous and courageous woman. In 2010 Lindsey’s daughter Allie, died of cancer. To pay homage to her daughters memory, Lindsey went on to set up the ‘Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation’. The charity helps disadvantaged children in London by providing the after-school activities that Allie so loved. Earlier this year Lindsey transformed the basement of her home into ‘Allie’s Sanctuary’ - a treatment salon that raises money for the charity.
South London. Lindsey started supporting Chiedza while Alexandra was alive by paying for her ballet lessons and other activities. Now Lindsey takes Chiedza to dance every weekend and also helps her with her Kumon (extra Maths and English tuition) and other homework. Although she is much younger than Alexandra, only 14 now, Chiedza spent a lot of time at Lindsey’s house, leaving Alexandra as a sister like figure. At Allie’s funeral, Chiedza read out a piece she wrote about her; Lindsey said it was beautiful and Chiedza “cried big hot tears” as she read.
Chiedza Mutasa (pictured left), a friend of Allie’s, lives with her family in Balham in
Ellen Pearson
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Recognising Beauty Briony Teasel tells us about her journey within photography, and the organic approach she has to her work.
Portraiture has been my passion in photography ever since I began at twelve years old. I didn’t know much about art as such at this age - but knew I wanted to create images surrounding the beauty of the human body, and of people, generally. I fell in love with colour photography immediately after seeing the work of Marilyn Minter and the rich, seductive palette used in her short film, ‘Green Pink Caviar’. Since then, and during my time studying at Falmouth University, my work has continued to explore themes in beauty. I’ve ventured into fashion and artistic nudes, introducing a conceptual approach whilst continuing to portray a powerful aesthetic. However my floral series was a short project consisting of flowers I actually picked from the side of the road – some of them are classed as weeds, but I wanted viewers to forget this or maybe not even realize. A few were created where I burned the petals and coated them in artificial colour – but their fragility and beauty still shone out. I suppose in some ways, this relates back to the beauty of the human race as a whole and my interest in its portrayal through photography.
“I fell in love with colour photography immediately.”
20. Briony Teasel
Briony Teasle
“Without a mirror I would never have become a human being�
- Erwin Blumenfeld
FIA World Rally Championship In November 2013 Jamie Cook followed the World Rally Championship through North Wales, and documented the results.
Over four days (14th-17th November) the forests of North Wales came alive with the thundering roar of highly tuned rally cars competing in the concluding round of the 2013 World Rally Championship calendar. The crews took on 22 timed stages, the majority of which were new or hadn’t featured since the 90’s.
Jourdan Serderidis in his Ford Fiesta R5 drifting round the long bend of Sweet Lamb.
Dani Sordo gets air over the first jump of the Sweet Lamb stage.
2013’s rally was so popular that spectators were turned away from some stages with thousands lining the streets to catch a glimpse as the cars travelled on public roads before
getting to the start of the next timed stage, deep in the Welsh forest tracks. ‘Sweet Lamb’ was one of the shorter stages (SS5) at 4.26 km, but still managed to pack in a lot for the spectators. The Sweet Lamb complex featured a water splash, a jump and a hairpin bend, all within 500 metres although the cars were visible for nearly two miles as they negotiated the track. The Sweet Lamb stage was host to the top professional drivers and
also had categories for the WRC2, WRC3 and GB National Drivers. Cars ranged from a Volkswagen Polo R WRC with 315bhp, 1.6L straight four engine with a turbocharger, to a 1973 Ford Escort Mk1 with an 2.0L, 200bhp engine. There were two runs of the course, one in the morning - first car at 10:20am - and the second run later on in the day. The winner of SS5 was Spain’s Dani Sordo for Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT. Sordo finished the stage in 2:54.7 minutes, which was
1.2 seconds in front of the French driver and winner of the overall championship, Sebastian Ogier. This was reversed in the second run of the stage (SS8), when Ogier came in at 2:56.8 in his Volkswagen Polo R WRC car, 0.8 seconds ahead of Sordo.
Below: David Stokes powering through the water splash in his Ford Escort RS1600.
Jamie Cook
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Above and Below: The Red Sea Lauren Stevens explored The Red Sea and it’s surrounding communities, discovering sea creatures and different ways of life.
At the beginning of December 2013, I was lucky enough to stay at the Marsa Shagra diving resort in the Red Sea; and it’s one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever visited. In the two week visit I was able to experience a wonderful underwater environment, filled with hundreds of species of fish, different kinds of coral and even occasional Turtles, Rays and Sharks. I also used the opportunity to explore the Egyptian culture, meeting its people and taking in its vast history. When at the resort, most of my time was spent snorkeling in the South Reef. I also spent a lot of time in the shallows as that was where most of the marine life could be found. I had many amazing experiences in the water, photographing and exploring - mainly because it was as clear as tap water. On the especially calm days I was able to experiment with a wide-angle lens to take ‘half in, half out’ shots of the coral and the buildings on the resort to show the true scale of the location. I also had many encounters with
the fish that live in the coral. On one occasion I was approached by one of the more aggressive Trigger Fish, as well as a Surgeon Fish that circled me and tried to move me from out of its territory. Although most of my time was spent at Marsa Shagra, I also helped in the local area by taking part in a range of projects, one being a beach clean at Eglar beach. It was covered in huge amounts of litter, both on the land and in the sea. In just one hour, 30 bin liners were completely filled with rubbish. Whilst clearing, some Egyptian Bedouin women noticed our presence and came out to sell their handmade jewelry to us. This is one of their only means of earning so we were all quite willing to help them. I met the Bedouin people again later on in the Desert and undoubtedly felt that they were the most hospitable and wonderful people I have ever met. Their way of life, living amongst the mountains, with virtually nothing is awe inspiring, and I will never forget it.
Training Britain’s Future
Cassandra Lily Patten coaches swimming to a team of students, aiming to get them competing at international medal winning standards. Cassandra Lily Patten is a British freestyle and open water swimmer. She started swimming at 5 years old and was entered as a swimming scholar from the age of 11 - 18 at Plymouth College. Winning a silver medal in the 10km open water at the 2007 World Championship, she was only three seconds behind Larisa Ilchenko, the gold medalist. The following year, Cassandra Patten represented Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics of 2008, where she won a bronze medal in the 10km open water swimming event. Due to a shoulder problem, she unfortunately retired from competitive swimming a year before the London Olympics. Patten now coaches a young swimming team of University students to help them improve and reach a similar competitive standard that she was once at. She currently studies Health and Physical Education/Fitness (BEd) at University of St. Mark & St. John in Plymouth; and occasionally presents on Sky Sports.
38. David Burnard
David Burnard 39.
This issue’s stars 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 40.
Ellen Pearson
‘A Passion For Life’ 07792 848583 elle.pearson@hotmail.co.uk www.cargocollective.com/ellenpearsonphotography
Briony Teasel
‘Recognising Beauty’ 07792 958475 btphotography27@gmail.com www.brionyteasel.4ormat.com
Jamie Cook
‘FIA World Rally Championship’ 07428 900251 jamiecookphotography@gmail.com www.jamiecook1.tumblr.com
Lauren Stevens
‘Above and Below: The Red Sea’ 07503 901113 laurenstevens94@hotmail.co.uk www.laurenstevensphotography.wordpress.com
David Burnard
‘Training Britain’s Future’ 07722 299288 daveburnard@hotmail.co.uk www.daveburnardphotography.tumblr.com
With thanks to.. Lois Golding
Editor-in-chief http://somethingobnoxious.blogspot.co.uk
Production team Tristan Potter
Manager www.trisyp.tumblr.com
Tom Sandberg
Manager www.tomsandbergphotography.wordpress.com
Dave Blanks
Assistant djblank@live.co.uk
Matt Cox
Logo designer & sign writing god Instagram - mattcox904
Hans-Peter Van Velthoven
Special feature interview & photographer http://www.hanspeter.nl
Heather Golding Toby Ellis Support & advice.
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Freddie Strickland
Artist www.freddiestrickland.tumblr.com
To contact for requests, questions or more information: team@205dpi.com All images and text published in 205dpi are the sole propertry of the featured authors and the subject copyright. 2014 Š 205dpi