27th June I sit here in the hotel in near White Chapel. I have chosen to stay at this hotel because it is near the AOP student awards exhibition held at Wex photo and video. But enough this poetic moment lets rewinds a few hours.
I arrive in London at 7:45 am really early I have left my camera at the Leica Mayfair store for a new viewfinder as mine was suffering from condensation build up. I travel on the DLR and the Central line to get Mayfair store I arrived at the store collected my Leica Q to find the list of fixes where amazing, the was covered under warranty the staff at the sorts are so helpful it makes the high prices of the camera worth expense when you get a top service like I had.
List of fixes.
Viewfinder - needed a fix
Sensor clean - maybe need
New leather outer- not need
New hot shoe plat- not needed
Even though I listed items that were not needed the camera is now feeling brand new and I’m very happy with the service quick turn around.
AOP EVENT.
About the AOP and how it will befit the street photographer.
‘The Association of Photographers was first formed in 1968 as the Association of Fashion and Advertising Photographers and is one of the most prestigious professional photographers' associations in the world.
The Association's aims remain the same today as they were almost 50 years ago: to promote and protect the worth and standing of its members, to vigorously defend, educate and lobby for the interests and rights of all photographers, especially in the commercial photographic industry.’
I traveled by Underground to the AOP event ‘beyond the lens’ this was an event for AOP members and students starting out on in photography. The venue was amazing it was a storage unit underneath the Overground it reminded me of a WW2 bunker inside every time a train passed overhead the room almost shock. The unit was a big photography studio with a back drop that was painted white this was one of the biggest studios I have been in it was HUGE!
This is the brief overview of the day I may go into more depth in another blog.
Being an assistant photographer for a studio photographer sounds like it would be very rewarding work but difficult as well, long days and lots of running around if the photograph asks for the lights in the studio to be made here this is what the assistant will assist with amounts other things. I believe that my view of where I want to be is not assisting a studio photographer because of I that the street is my focus at the moment and if I could be an assistant for a documenting photographer or help with an ongoing project focused on street photography this would suit my needs more.
I have learned that photographers are very chatty when talking about different events a networking so my advice would be when meeting photographers and other people of influence that help you on your photography career are to very helpful and polite and always ask no matter small and silly it may seem. The more you smile and network the easier it will become to eventually break out professionally.
The student Awards night!
7:00 pm I turned up to the Wex Photo & video 200 guests had been invited to this event including agents and magazines editors this was going to be a great evening. I was very excited and nervous I believe in the work I have now been shortlisted for may exhibitions and events over my short street photography career just over 3 years. Once in the event, it was very busy loads of people talking and networking it was very hard to tell who was part of the exhibition and who was there because of business. The drinks were flowing with an open bar, the time had come to go downstairs and here the announced winners the speaker staid on the second floor which was a balcony overlooking the store. This was it! I will finally win an award for my photography, but to my surprise I did not win the competition, this was a strong year with 15000 entries 60 shortlisted and only 4 winners overall just to be there was amazing to see my work in London exhibition, I needed to take five minutes out of the store to gather my thoughts before going back into the event to talk and mingle and enjoy the rest of the night.
Street photography time.
I arranged to meet a friend who is local to long and a friend through Facebook we both share common interests in the genre street photography and Leica brand. I meet Darren at the Wex Photo & video store at White Chapel at 10:30. We walked from here along tower bridge and around the Thames and the Business areas with really interesting architecture. The day was really bright and sunny I really enjoy meeting people with a passion for Photography as I do.hopefully, I will be able to meet Darren next time I’m in London.
