ViewBug community member Thedesigner doesn't have a specific style but when we asked Konstantin, his answer was the following "without it sounding cliché I would like to think 70s style editorial fashion, slightly soft images like the Pirelli calendars of the time and those Cadbury Flake adverts.". Let us know what you think... read below!
What inspired you to be a photographer?
Seeing the likes of David Bailey and Norman Parkinson shooting beautiful people/models and producing stunning results inspired me to be a photographer. It was common to see black and white photos in those days and you only needed a camera to emulate these photographers. Reality was slightly different in the fact that as a boy models were a mere dream so trees, animals, and landscapes had to do.
What was your first camera and what do you shoot with today?
I learnt on a Rolleicord TTL 110 film camera but my first camera I owned was a Canon AV1, I now have a Canon 6D and a Canon 1Ds Mark II.
When someone looks at your photos, what do you want them to take away from it, what are you trying to communicate?
Wow! This reminds me of the questions I used to have to answer in History of Art in college. Naturally I’d like to hope people just like my photos. It’s hard to explain without sounding pretentious but when you shoot that perfect picture and you get that ‘tingling feeling’ where all the elements are spot on and you want to share it with others. If you can connect with your viewer just some of that ‘tingling feeling’ weather they have an understanding or none at all you’ve shared something special that can only be expressed in a picture.
What is it that you love about photography?
When I first took up photography it was mainly black and white film, as you could process it oneself. I found it easy to visualize in black and white and enjoyed producing images with this limited and dramatic light range. In those days not only were you limited to black and white but you had to know how to crop and compose in the viewfinder and set the camera settings as the camera was manual and you generally only had 24 exposures to the film - 36 exposures if you were feeling rich! It’s all those elements that I love about photography. I still try to bring those habits when shooting digital but now incorporate my art side using photoshop.
What has photography done for you?
It has enabled me to express myself without actually having to socialize. When I’m behind the camera you get to see the world slightly different. When my daughter became a model for a short time, I was asked to do promo shoots for some major films, what more could I have asked for films, photos, red carpets and actors, I was in heaven.
Do you try to be conceptual or do you prefer to show the feeling behind a photo?
I would love to be conceptual but at the moment I’m trying to hone my skills in editorial fashion photography. I really enjoy the whole fashion shoot process.
How do you describe your style?
Without it sounding cliché I would like to think 70s style editorial fashion, slightly soft images like the Pirelli calendars of the time and those Cadbury Flake adverts.
If you had to choose one lens which one would it be and why?
It would have to be my Canon 70-200mm 1:2.8L series 1. Even though it can be a bit temperamental, it covers the focal range for all situations and has that wide open f2.8 aperture.
What are your 3 tips for others who want to become photographers?
1. Do it for yourself and nobody else - enjoy it.
2. Know your camera really well - all settings and buttons, take it of Automatic.
3. Find your own style - don’t be put off by making mistakes.
Have you received negative feedback from your work? What did you do about it?
Luckily I haven’t received much negative feedback apart from the other day doing a Harley Quinn cosplay shoot where the person took a fun photo way too seriously, complaining the final look not looking like Harley Quinn and some of the editing was overboard. As for what did I do about it; I just laughed it off! At the end of the day Photography is a form of art and not everyone will like all your work.
Where did you learn to take photos?
It was at school when I was about 8 years old. I was that loner child so they made me join a after school activity ‘to interact’. I chose photography as it was the closest thing to art and there were not many children doing it.
Raw vs jpg and why?
Sorry to say I’m on the fence on this one. Most of the time I use JPEG as it’s easy to use, smaller file size and good enough to use for most publications submits and the web. If I need to shoot for printed work I use RAW with JPEG option just in case I really need to do a high end edit on it.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
Apart from my Canon 6D body, I have a Canon 1ds mark 2 body which I use as a back up camera or when I shoot in a busy place and need a robust camera. I only have 2 lenses, the Canon 70-200mm 2.8L and the other is the Canon 24-70mm 2.8L. The rest of the stuff in my bag is a Manfrotto LED light, a x2 extender, lots of spare batteries, bulldog clips, plasters and a knife. My 6D has a battery grip as I prefer a heavy well weighted camera. The Canon 1Ds Mark II is just fantastic when doing street photography, when it's raining, or when at a fashion show in the photographers pit and you need something that will take the punishment - let's face it you could drive a car over it!
If you could have the gift of a great photographer who would it be and why?
Apart from Norman Parkinson and David Bailey I would have to say it would be the late great Bob Carlos Clarke. His style and understanding of photography produced stunning images. His conceptual style was unique and although I have the ideas I could never match or get close to his style of photography.
What is the most common mistake you see people making when shooting these days?
That’s simple! Looking on the back of the camera screen after every shot. If you know how to frame a photo correctly you shouldn’t need to look on the screen - feel the force Luke!
What is your dream location to shoot?
Living in England I would say somewhere warm and sunny - that way I could shoot at ISO 125 for a change! A disused amusement park would be ideal as you would have the rusty old rides as backdrops for the models.
How do you decide on where to shoot a photo?
Usually I look for a model I’d like to shoot, decide on the style of clothes and then work out a suitable location. This last summer in England was unusually sunny so it was mainly Boho themed shoots while the sun lasted.
What is next for you? Any planned adventures with your camera?
I’m just organizing a editorial fashion shoot in London that I have planned in my head for some time. Always sounds simple but when you work for yourself you need to sort out a theme, organize at least 6 clothes styles, make up for the model, sort out a model, timings, locations, suitable places for the model to change, travel costs, work out a budget and then work out how to half the cost as it always ends over budget. Seeing that these shoots are self funded every penny counts. The things we do to get published!
What is your goal with your photography?
It would be to be asked to shoot editorial fashion shoots for magazines, oh! and have a budget and if I could have Cara Delevingne in one of those shoots all the better. Realistically though just to get published. When you see your shoots published, it makes it all worthwhile.
Check out Thedesigner's profile to see more of his images.
