Why I Chose Photography as a Subject

Photography was never really an interest of mine until I took it as an A level at college. I chose photography because I didn't really want to do anything else, and I thought it would be a chance to slack off. However, I was completely wrong. I didn't realise how much time and hard work goes in to photography, even more so now. Despite this, I got really into it and put a lot of effort into my work. I found I could have a voice using photography, by showing opinions or producing imagery that was in my head. It also seemed to be the first thing I seemed to be quite good at.

Another one of my choices in A level was media studies. I created magazine articles for one of my projects, which consisted of editorial and fashion photography. For my photography projects however, I was more into Surrealism, so this difference was quite daunting to me. My media teacher showed my photography teacher the final photographs I had produced for the magazine articles, and I was told that my editorial and fashion photography was better than my surrealist approach. Since then, I haven't gone back to creating surreal photography, though it does still interest me. 

I'm not sure yet whether I want to take photography on as a career. I know that it is very hard to get into the fine art industry that I would choose to go in, and that I would probably have to have a second job to help myself financially. It's the post-production part of photography that I enjoy the most and get really stuck in, so maybe I will choose to be a retoucher in the near future. To really get what you want out of a career in photography, if you want to be truly successful, you have to be 100% committed. I love photography, but I know that I want to work to live and not live to work. Hopefully I will find some creative work to do down here in the south west and not have to travel all the way to London, where the majority of the work is.

Where I Might Be in 5 Years Time...

 

Make-up artist? Author? Singer? Photographer? In another country? All that matters is that I'm happy. 

Photos I edited for a Seth Lakeman Gig

My Photo Edited By Lee Hickman

Tip From Michael Leckie

• Be tidy
• Be polite
• Be prepared
• Backup
• Be approachable 
• Reply to emails asap
• Get your first shot sorted, everything else will flow after
• Be aware of whats around you
• Offer something the client hasn't thought of

Michael Leckie

Michael Leckie is a photographer based in London, whose ability to work in, and adapt to, wide-ranging styles and subject requests have seen him work with some of the biggest names in music, fashion, designers and politicians.

Originally from Belfast, Michael’s love of photography led him to study photography at the University of Westminster in London, where he graduated with 1st class honours. Michael’s approach to photography is that it should be spectacular and show its subject in the best possible light. He is instrumental in the planning process of each and every shoot, and helps his subjects decide on a theme and style if needed particularly for bands and models.

Recent projects include a circus-themed shoot with dancers from the Royal Ballet, covering the Royal Variety performance and shoots for Elle Magazine, Columbia Records and Warner Music. Along side work for the RNID and Whizz-Kidz

Michael is also a seasoned live music photographer, with a portfolio of official press images from events like Glastonbury and Offset Festival, and gig reportage with bands like Bombay Bicycle Club, The Futureheads, Mick Jones and Billy Bragg.

Above all he is professional and efficient. His work also includes event and reportage photography. Michael has worked with some of the biggest celebrities and public figures in the UK, including shoots with London mayor Boris Johnson, pop stars Michael Buble and Katherine Jenkins and R&B superstar Toni Braxton. He works quickly and is friendly and approachable, ideal for putting his subjects at ease and getting the best out of them.

• Penny Smith inspired him to be a photographer
• His photo taken of Bombay Bicycle Club live at a gig is an example of her inspiration in some of his work- this photo has gone all over the world
• He has a style that they come to him for
• A in Art- he thought he wanted to be a painter but the darkroom is what started his love for photography
• He dropped out of photography for a bit to work in interiors as he lost so much money building sets and such
• At university, he photographed bands playing at gigs for fifty pounds a night

Michael Leckie Website

Lee Hickman- retoucher

After graducating from a BA (Hons) Photography at the University of Plymouth, Lee went on to work for Goldenshot Photos working his way up through the departments; scanning, printing, and onto retouch. Finally leaving in 2005 to work as a freelance retoucher joining Happy Finish in 2006.