Photography: Actor Profiling – Martin Copping

For some time I have been involved with TV Shows, Films and Feature films in different aspects, just recently I was asked to profile an actor of which I photographed Martin Copping

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 146mm @ F/2.8, 1/100s

Martin had his first role at the very young age of three weeks on the film Patrick were he was a baby in a hospital. The list of credits from then on include TV Programs such as Rush, Blue Heelers, Stingers and Neighbours so its only a matter of time before we see Martin breaking into the blockbuster movies that we see on the big screen.

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 70mm @ F/2.8, 1/100s

Recently Martin played “Phillipe” on set of the production Personality Plus which is produced by Sure Fire Films

 Until the next photographic adventure, Thats all for now – Brett Robson: Freelance Photographer

When “Personality” can be a “Plus”

Not so long ago Sally Arnott recommended me to a Filmmaker of a film to work as a “stills photographer” on set. Initially then this was discussed I had no indication what this would require from a photographer as such so there for I scoured the web for information on the role and requirements.

Information from various websites, including Wikipedia stated that most stills photographers use a “sound belly” which encases the camera and therefore  illuminates all sounds during operation, this means you can shoot while the Film Crew/Director are filming. I coerced with Clem Maloney and also the main Cinematographer: Nicholas Sherman to confirm locations to shoot from and aspect ratios. Most of my images were taken during rehearsals so the sound belly was not required.

I worked on various locations of the production, some included well known actors such as  Michael Carmen who co-stars along side Clem Maloney in a boxing scene.  Other actors include Peter Hosking, Randall Burger, Sally Arnott, Clement Tang, Brett Robson to name a few, further information can be found on IMDB: Personality Plus

Clem Maloney, Sally Arnott - Personality Plus

I even had some camera time myself, this happened after meeting with Clem Maloney for production stills, and after showing him my IMDB profile he noticed that I had worked on other productions more as an extra then crew, and with a featured role in “The Pacific” with Jon Seda, my role on Personality Plus changed to that of crew/actor and I was given the role of “Nicholi” a Russian Thug, and I was used when we filmed a scene in the National Gallery of Victoria.

Martin Copping - Personality Plus

I also worked on the production on a third location this mainly had me working again as the Stills photographer, after a good days filming we wrapped waited  in anticipation the arrival of the much anticipated teaser trailer for the film.  If you watch carefully you can pick me out, the teaser can be viewed on Sure Fire Films website.

Until the next Photographic Adventure, thats all for now – Brett Robson: Freelance Photographer

Discovery – Uncovering the Potential Within

Its not often, but sometimes I get to work with people who just have raw talent when it comes to being infront of a camera, this at times is unknown to themselves or those around them, however all is needed is a trained eye to pick them out of the crowd.

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm, 55mm @ F/8, 1/125s

A very interesting experience happened to me just recently, about two years ago I came across a father and daughter in the Melbourne CBD, the father was taking photos of his daughter who just knew how to speak the right language to the camera and knew all the right poses.  I took notice of this and waited a few moments and when I felt the time was appropriate I gave the father the card for my work advising that they should give them a call and then left, not knowing if anything may come of this chance meeting. A day or so later  I received a call from the mother of the child who asked various questions of which I answered.

Note: Need I mention that unfortunately in this day and age there is somewhat of a “stigma” with handing out a business card especially if its in relation to “talent agency” which is why I only do this once in a blue moon and usually at times when I see talent that is undiscovered, and at the very least I leave the final decision to the other person, I dont do the “hard sell” or anything, they will make the call when its right for them.

Two years on, my boss received a phone call from the same mother who queried if I was still with the company, it had taken some time, two years to be exact but she had decided to take the next step as her daughter had been approached by more then one person since my meeting and so it seems I had recognised some true beauty. I felt priveledge to have been the first to do a professional photo shoot with her and I wish “Ella” all the best in her endeavors and also on her acting/photographic career.

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm, 39mm @ F/8, 1/125s

More photos from my work can be viewed at Real People Models 2009

Until my next photographic adventure, thats all for now – Brett Robson: Freelance Photographer

David Jones Half Yearly Clearance Sale

Well some days for a photographer can start very early, and on this day in question my time to be at the location was 6:30am so there for my day started at 5am, most self respecting persons are still asleep at this time of day, except if your a baker, little did I know when the PR department contacted me who handle David Jones events would later reveal the media call.

With a hot coffee in hand I wandered down Burke Street in the Melbourne CBD, like what I see at times on Film Sets there was a commotion of people, vehicles and some general public (wanting an early bargain) After making my presence known with the Public Relations persons on site, I took up a good spot on the Media Riser and entertained myself until Megan Gale arrived.

Canon EOS-20D with 50mm, 50mm @ F.1.8, 1/400s

Canon EOS-20d with 50mm, 50mm @ F/1.8, 1/80s

The key shot for the day was the “ringing” of the bell which I obtained a  nice candid shot of Megan full of laughs as the resounding bell was heard, almost deafening Megan in the process. Shortly after we were lead into the store before customers were allowed in so that we could get crowd shots and some more promotion photos with Megan Gale, I have to admit that I don’t think I look that good posing for a bargain, but then I gather thats why stores have flagship models to represent there companies.  See more in our David Jones Half Yearly Clearance Sale Gallery

Stay tuned for our next photographic adventure – Brett Robson: Freelance Photographer

The 51st Annual TV Week Logie Awards

Australias TV night of nights came about again this year and all the celebrities came out to dazzle and bedazzle the crowds and media alike. Frocks came from various designers some of which we saw most recently at L’oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Canon 20D with 50mm, 50mm @ F/2.8, 1/125s

Canon 20D with 50mm, 50mm @ F/2.8, 1/125s

The stars came in there droves which included Sarah Murdoch, Kristy Hinze, Rove McManus, Lisa McCune, Mathew Newton, Dave Hughes, Shaun Micallef, Wil Anderson, Liz Hayes, George Negus, Rodger Corser, Steve Bisley, Dr Chris Brown, Roy Billing, Josh Lawson, Ed Kavalee and The Umbilical Brothers, just to name a few.  International Stars in attendence included Rachel Griffiths, Annie Lennox and Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso AKA Bo and Hop from “Days of our Lives”

My pick for the “Best Dress” came down to three finalists however after much deliberation I chose:

Canon 20D with 50mm, 50mm @ F/2.8, 1/160s

The red carpet was a glitz and glamour of men in taylored suits and women in dress to die for, but you shall see all these and more in our  TV Week Logie Awards Gallery

Until our next photographic adventure, thats all for now: Brett Robson – Freelance Media Photographer

L’oreal Melbourne Fashion Week 2009

With only few months of rest from the David Jones Fashion Launch the fashion doors opened with a plastering of colours, celebrities and champagne for a weeks run of various fashion shows at this years L’oreal Melbourne Fashion week which showcases fashion from various designers.

Up on the catwalk were some of the latest creations for the general public to get there first hand look at what will be in stores in the non to distant future. This year there were some splashes of colour so it it seems that our new black has changed  who knows I think from some of the photos it could be “pink” for this season.

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 70mm @ F/4.0, 1/320s

 

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 117mm @ F/2.8, 1/640s

  I have a Fashion Medium who are interested in publishing some of my images from the L’oreal Melbourne Fashion Week, I will keep you informed over the coming weeks so that you can look out for it.  You can see other images in our L’oreal Fashion Week 2009 Highlights Gallery. Oh by the way take a good close look at the images as you may notice “Nick Caves” son on the catwalk.

However on a side not I had a brush with some high ranking celebrities over the week, Doetzen Kroes who is a Victoria Secret Fashion Model and Miss J. Alexander from America’s Next Top Model.  It was a privileged to have been able to meet such people, and not only that but to have my photo taken with them, the dream shot is one with Miranda Kerr which is a work in progress, though for now I am happy to have images of her in my portfolio.

Until the next photographic adventure, thats all for now

Brett Robson – Freelance Media – Fashion – Model Photographer

Victorian Bushfires – A Country Mourns

Its with a heavy heart that I write this, as some of the areas that were affected in the bushfires had personal connections. In my younger years and specially around the time when I was getting more involved in photography I was based in Myrtleford, surrounding towns are Eurobin, Bright, Beachworth, Wangaratta just to name a few. I also had close connections later on in life to the KingLake and Yea area.

I had offers to be taken through some of the worst hit areas however after being bombarded with the media and also having my family affected by the fires I opted out however, I still was able to photograph something that was related. My boss at work is an interesting person to say the least and meets all sorts of people from different walks of life, and on an seemingly ordinary day, he met one such character, I had a short call on my mobile and I scooted down St Kilda Road with my camera, not knowing what to expect ..however part of the phone call stated there was a goat and a blue heeler present. The  following photo was the only one that really worked well, it almost reminds me of the childhood story “Bicycle Bill” due to the background, however his face shows alot of character and life experience, after a short time of speaking with him I found out that he was a firefighter from Myrtleford and had been involved with the efforts around Kinglake and some of the other hard hit areas.

Canon EOS350D with 18-55mm, 55mm @ F/5.6, 1/125sec

My heart goes out to the families that were affected and also to the many animals that lost there lives, however nature is hardy and has a way of coming back.

Thats all for now – Brett Robson: Freelance Media Photographer

David Jones – Autumn/Winter 2009 Season Launch

Yet again Melbourne showed its true fashion colours when David Jones released its Autumn / Winter range, which included the return of the muched loved Miranda Kerr. Miranda’s boyfriend Orlando Bloom tagged along to see what the catwalk show was all about.

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 117mm @ F/4, 1/400s

Designers included Lisa Ho, Willow, Gorman, Zimmermann, Fluer Wood, Calibre, Collette Dinigan, Trelise Cooper, Alannah Hill, Akira, Anna Thomas, Sabatini, Thurley, Harry Who, George Cross, Ginger and Smart, Alex Perry, Easton Pearson, Kirrily Johnston, AG by Arther Galan and also Sass n Bide.

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 70mm @ F/4.0, 1/60s

A range of Australian TV Celebrities and Identities were in attendence to get a sneak peak of the latest ranges to hit stores around Australia.

Colour was the name of the game this time, so we can hope that the new “black n grey” will be pinks, blues and greens.

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 70mm @ F/4, 1/400s

Further images can be seen in our David Jones Autumn Winter 2009 Launch

Until the next photographic adventure: Brett Robson – Freelance Media Photogapher

Animal Photography – A world of Unpredictability

Im always told by alot of photographers that I meet to never work with children and animals, I dont understand the meaning to there plight, I find children and animals to be such creative subjects and a endless joy to work with.

Just recently a close friend of mine asked me to photograph her 11 month old Purebred Ragdoll Kitten of which I delightfully said yes, not only was I happy to photograph the kitten, the owner was no other then Sally Arnott who I have worked alot with in the past. Armed with a single softbox and my trusty Canon EOS-350D + Canon EF-S 18-55mm and a single 500w flash and a softbox it was off on another photographic adventure, this time in the studio

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm, 48mm @ F/8, 1/100s

Canon EOS-350D with 18-55mm, 39mm @ F/8, 1/100s

We used a multitude of toys to grab the attention of the kitten, however as most photographers may have encountered and even with people, they tend to turn away at the final second which kills that particular photo, which to the photographer may have been the perfect shot. However the kitten was definitly camera friendly and we created some incredible works of art.

Until our next photographic adventure, thats all for now: Brett Robson – Freelance Photographer

High Fashion Shoot – “A Silent Love Affair”

 Well yesterday I had a situation to work with two models, a makeup who has worked with L’oreal and a Fashion Stylist with experience in the fashion industry, and included with that was a reliable photographers assistant. What started out as litte rough in the morning as it can be sometimes working as a photographer turned to something golden and with a silver lining in the afternoon.

I have worked with Sally Arnott now for close on 12 months and we always seem to lift the level of our work each and every time that we meet, and we really lifted it this time. And I have to say with the addition of Adam Browner the scene was set for some creativity to flow. The theme of the shoot was “A Silent Love Affair” the entwining of two souls in the language of love as descibed, “When love is spoken between two souls, it has no sound, but two connect even with others around” and as the story unfolded so did there passion in front of the camera.

 I felt priveledged to have so much expertise at hand, Jacinta’s makeup was flawless and she was very enthused and excited to work with such people and a gem to be around, I definitly recommend her and will definitly use for future shoots. Sila, my stylist who I can only compare to Martin Short from Father of the bride is insane to work with, he see’s the images I see which I think is so unique and there for I can spend more time with the camera and making sure that I am looking at my lighting while my stylist creates what I already seen. An a final thank you goes to Raymond, the photographers assistant who was able to tag along with me for the whole day and spent the morning in a Rolls Royce Phantam, not a bad start of the day, was there to fetch lens and reflectors, hold cameras and make sure I didnt forget my bag.

 

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 70mm @ F/5.6, 1/125s

 

Canon EOS-20D with 70-200mm, 126mm @ F/5.6, 1/200s

 

All in all, I owe a debt of gratitude to all those involved and to the venue “Moored” on Docklands who basically allowed us to gate crash there venue, without you such a shoot would not be possible, I think we are all still realling in what we created. More can be seen in the Gallery

So until the next photographic adventure, thats all for now – Brett Robson: Freelance Media Photographer.