I WANT TO SHOOT YOU... with my camera ;)

Auckland
#1

Hey there!

I work with one of your members, and he suggested I come here to ask around.

I have an idea for a photography set, and I’m hoping you can help. The conecept - “Real New Zealand” (or something like that).

I’m not really in to postcard photos, or shots of cute fuzzy animals. I’m more interested in photos of real people and events, doing real things. Encompassing all the colours of the NZ rainbow, and the building blocks of our communities etc. E.g. the homeless, gangs, retirees, cancer patients, the guys running the garbage trucks, LARPers etc etc

So… are there any events coming up that I might be allowed to attend? Are there any individuals out there that want to get dressed up for a couple of hours, and perhaps wanted some good shots for themselves too?

I’m working towards a portfolio for entry into the NZ Photographic Society, and I may use these shots for that. Some shots may end up on my website too.

For more info, or to put your hand up, please email me and we can go from there :slight_smile:

James Hancox
james@fearless.net.nz
fearless.net.nz

#2

FREE… this is for my own learning and experience, so there’s no charge for personal portraits etc.

#3

Hey James

Who do you work with? The photos on your site look pretty cool.

We’ve got some interesting stuff coming up, though I will leave it to other people to invite you along. We’re generally photogenic people, though we sure play in some ugly places. We’re always keen to get get photos we can blog, tag on Facebook and stick on the cover of Immersion (etc).

I’ve had good results before, playing with a short lens and getting close - although there’s obviously some trust to build up first if you want to capture it real. I’ve also had good results playing an in-character photographer.

I’ve been toying with the idea of running a larp for photographers where the whole idea is to snap that award-winning shot in a (simulated) dangerous situation. Would you be up for something like that?

#4

Hey James,

We’re running a weekend game in a few weeks you might be able to attend. It’s a pseudo-historical pulp fantasy adventure called St. Wolfgang’s Vampire Hunters.

Failing that, I think we could easily organise 10-15 people to turn up in their best kit, all genres, all time periods, for you to photograph!

#5

Looking good so far :slight_smile:

@Exquire: I’m still in the process of editing and posting images on my site. Most were taken a while back with a cheapish 5mp Casio, but I had been a bit shy about whether they were worthwhile.

Recently some life events prompted me to get over it and start following an interest. Now that I have a superior camera setup, things should get better.

What Ive done so far is around friends and events. Just taking my camera with me when I went out, and snapping off a few when I saw something interesting.

So… Im purely amateur at this stage, and looking for as many opportunities to learn and gain experience as I can.

I like your ideas, so would be keen to explore them further.

@Anna K: If I’m welcome, I’d love to pop in at that event. I wouldnt get in the way, and would try remain in the shadows so to speak. Often i find the best images come from candid moments, rather than staged.

I got the idea to approach you guys after seeing photos on Gene Ruggs Facebook profile. I liked the action shots, and the spell casting stuff too. I guess I mostly like that its a community of like minded folk coming together, and putting real effort into creating something you wouldnt normally find.

Getting some people together might be fun. I wouldnt want to put anyone out though… and if it was forced perhaps it might not hold the same “magic”? Would they get in to it as much as if it was a proper event do you think?

#6

Staged shots, if done right hold their own kind of magic. Mordavia (a campaign that has now finished) did some photo sessions for an illustrated rulebook and posters that came out fabulously and were an amazing amount of fun to be part of.

#7

For sure… If anyone wants those kind of shots I’m offering them too! So feel free to poke me with your sticks. Any new experience for me is a good one.

For my concept I need to capture real events. I guess I find a lot of tourism books and postcards can be a… mis-representation. Staged and generic. Not that sunsets are staged of course lol… I just don’t feel pretty sunsets are all our country is about. It takes, and we have, all kinds… and I suppose my concept is an attempt to celebrate that.

Oh… My wife is really keen to come along as well. A friend of hers was into this scene a little, and she’s interested in poking her nose in for a bit. Hope that would be ok.

#8

We’re not a spectator sport, that’s all. Your wife should come and play - and if you want good photos you should play too :slight_smile: That’s how we roll.

Out of interest, what kind of gear are you working with now?

I’m working on a very big photography project at the moment and I’m open to having guest photographers (next shoot is early October).

#9

I may not be in your league perhaps?

My focus is digital, web published. So I use a Canon 400D body, as I really dont need full frame etc at this point. I also like having the auto there, as many of my images “just happen”… I.e. events occur, and I hope to be there when they do. Later, I may consider dead tree publishing, in which case my wee eyes are already watering over the new D90.

Again, given the medium etc, I have only the kit lens, and a Sigma 28-300 DG. I’ve purposely kept things lite, as I need to keep in mind the sort of settings I will be in. E.g. clubs, raves, prisons, gang haunts, larp events etc etc… I do have a light cube and tripod etc, but thts about as far as my studio based gear goes.

I’m certainly no pro, being 100% self taught. So I guess my primary offering would be a good eye, and that I’ve seen it all so “taboo” is not a word Im particularly familiar with. Therefore, Im open to anything, and willing to roll up sleeves.

So there you have it… and short, impromtu CV of sorts?

I’m VERY interested in getting as much experience and exposure as possible. Working with other artists is a huge part of that.

#10

Just looked through that link too… I should add my background is “IT Geek”… soooo - Have good lapppie, will travel.

#11

Oh oops… sorry forgot to answer to the actual thread…

My wife wanted to pop in as its something she thought she might be in to. I think I menioned the friend? She kinda wants to suss out what its all about first though… and you lot seem to be very pro, and well organised… so who better to go to?

For me… its about documenting and capturing the people, not the event/story etc. Capturing another peice of the NZ puzzle.

For e.g., I don’t expect I’ll become a drug dealer before shooting this gang Ive been talking to, and I wont be dropping a bunch of pills before hitting some of the rave parties coming up. Being on the outside works for me for this project I think.

#12

Oh dear… seems the crowd fell silent?

Have just added some MSN’s, so hopefully that will make for more talks?

Also… since coming to this site… I’ve discovered three other people I know interested in getting involved… but other than sending them here, I wasnt sure how to direct them… Anyone want to put thier hand up and let me know what needs doing?

#13

Interested, as in interested in playing larp?

#14

Yeah :slight_smile:

My wife is one, and I think she already signed up here. Another is a friend of hers that I think was involved a while back but hasn’t done anything for a while… and the third is someone at work i was talking to today.

#15

[quote=“Splntr”]Yeah :slight_smile:

My wife is one, and I think she already signed up here. Another is a friend of hers that I think was involved a while back but hasn’t done anything for a while… and the third is someone at work i was talking to today.[/quote]

Send them to the nzLARPS website too, it’s a bit easier to navigate. The next big larp event coming up is St. Wolfgang’s Vampire Hunters on the 26th-28th of September. There’s more details online here: St. Wolfgang’s Vampire Hunters: Trinity - September 26-28th

Feel free to PM me if you’d like more help/details :slight_smile: