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Emotional Visualisation

In almost all aspects of my life I am a visual person.  What exactly does that mean?  Well to explain, I have sat in numerous business presentations, PowerPoint decks full of words and in some cases delivered by a presenter re-iterating them verbatim.  Now I can read and listern as well as the next person but replace the words with an image I will immediately get it.

Think about some of the world problems humanity faces today.  How about our glorious oceans being filled with the plastic residue of our humanity, the innocent sea life living in a sullied environment not of their doing.  I have dedicated time reading articles and listening to experts on the news BUT nothing prepared me for the emotional response I had viewing graphic photographs. Images taken by photographers who are really passionate and relate to the essence of the issue. A fish eye view that hit home and left a lasting connection that absolutely visualises the impact and embodies me with the need to respond – a call to action.

As a photographer it is my purpose to deliver a strong emotional connection to my clients through imagery. They will engage me because they have a positive (hopefully) story to tell, a memory to capture or a key message to visualise and need my help.

When I first meet with a client, I will want to get to know them as a person, to understand the essence of what they want me to capture and story that have to communicate.  They will also have a context, how the images will be used, who the audience will be and what will achieve the greatest impact. Especially so in today’s fast paced connected world where powerful visualisation is critical on the pulse of the moment.  Once briefed, I will add value with my own adaptability, creativity and style to produce the shots that deliver and evoke the desired reaction. Put myself in the shoes of the viewer.

As well as a photographer, I have extensive experience in the commercial world of technology and business.  Having led many software product initiatives and web design projects, worked closely with product and marketing experts, I understand the mechanisms, context of impactful visualisation and power of the social communications platforms.  The right image with the right story to tell and at the right moment can deliver a powerful message, whether a call to action or that emotional trigger.

Previous engagements have included photographing festival events.  Arriving early at the venue to capture the anticipation of the set-up, providing teasing images of the prospect of a fun day out and establishing excitement on social media channels and generate interest. Pictures of the main acts are key but just as important is capturing the energy and fun of the crowds, documentary style images of people, conceptual and unique shots of the venue, branding and the little things that combined together form a narrative for the event.

As a professional photographer, I use professional camera equipment.  A bulky DSLR camera, weighty bag and lenses as the right tools for the right purpose.  Also, in my back pocket I carry my trusty iPhone loaded with a variety of camera apps and the rather brilliant Snapseed editing tool.  I apply my photographic expertise to take, edit and deliver (or post) creative visualisations within minutes. The ultimate resolution does not provide images for large-scale high-resolution reproduction, but the benefit of immediacy cannot be understated.  A subject perhaps for another blog!

I believe that this approach is important irrespective of the event; whether a commercial business event, a wedding, a stage shoot or a party.  It does not really matter, there is always a story to tell through creative images.

As a closing note.  Over the years I have posted many images of musicians.  My style is taking close shots with an editing approach to further amplify the raw emotion and individual character in the faces of each performer. These images have been ‘liked’ on social media but what is more important, they have attracted welcome responses and inspiring personal messages – perhaps even an emotional connection?

In short, I consume concepts visually and therefore I ensure my pictures do the talking.

You can view My Work and how I would Work With You then contact me on hello@neilmarshment.co.uk.

Snapseed is a complete and professional photo editor developed by Google.  It gives you a ‘darkroom’ in your pocket.

@Snapseed on Facebook.

Where it All Started!

It is 1980, Jimmy Carter is the US President, the Rubik Cube makes its international debut, Led Zeppelin formally announce they will break ip and I bought my very first SLR camera.  After working as a Saturday shop assistant for 6-months, earning a princely £6.90 a week, I had finally saved enough.  Dixons (remember Dixons anyone?), my regular lunchtime haunt was right next door.  I vividly recall the day that I purposefully strode into the shop with £139 cash in my pocket and bought a brand-new Pentax MX complete with f1.7 50mm prime lens.  My research had revealed this was the camera of the moment, the choice of professionals and now it was mine as well.  Excited does not adequately describe it!  I still have that camera today, 38 years later.

This was the start of my journey of photographic discovery.  First learning how to effectively use all the functionality of the camera; limited to a basic light meter, aperture control, shutter speed, manual focus and there was also a self-timer for ‘selfies’.  Then photographic techniques; composition, depth of field, motion effects gained through shutter speeds and light exposure.  I would choose which film to buy; slow or fast, colour or black and white, print or slides, 24 or 36 exposures, etc.  Once loaded, take the pre-allotted number of frames then have to wait and excruciating few days for the prints to return in the post before assessing my successes.  Apart from the wait, it cost £8 a go… you can buy an 16Gb SD Card for that!

Eventually, with access to a dark room I could develop my own film and prints.  This was really exciting but also slow, expensive and let’s face it, the chemicals stunk!   I even hatched a plan to create my own dark room in the cupboard under the stairs.

This was the start of my passion for photography.  I acquired an eye for composition, a skill for understanding the desired image and gained the technical knowledge needed to expertly handle the camera.  Times have moved on significantly.  Almost everyone has access to a more technically advanced camera in some form, whether a professional DSLR or the camera on a Smartphone.  Pictures can now be taken, edited and posted in an instant.  A relative on the opposite side of the globe can see the family holiday snaps in seconds.  No longer do photographs just reside dusty shoe boxes in the loft (or in the cupboard under the stairs), they are electronic files filling the internet.

Through a Smartphone

I too have all the modern technologies and as a technologist love the accessibility and connectivity.  I now own the great, great digital grandson of the Pentax MX, can take over 700 images stored on one memory card and have a power darkroom at home sitting on my desk and attached to the internet.  I also have all of this in my back pocket with an iPhone, which enables me to take a picture of the London Underground, edit, post to social media to receive view notifications and likes before I get home.  This technology that allows you to take picture and quickly make it stand out using clever editing tools, how exciting that would have seemed in 1980!

London Underground

Each time I pick up a camera today I remember my roots, where it all started.  I still think about the image I am trying to capture, the technical aspects and what it will mean to me later in my portfolio.  It is about capturing that very moment at the point of shoot but now I can share the moment so much quicker.  Conversations with other photographers reveal how they struggle with the concept of leaving behind a powerful DSLR in favour of a Smartphone.  I have enjoyed limiting myself to using a Smartphone, not only has it liberated me from the lugging around a heavy kit bag full of gear but helped me identify closer with my creativity and connect with the world around me.

My closing message.  There are lot of people today that own a vast mix of technology, some of it hugely expensive with added ‘brand awareness’.  For me, it doesn’t matter what camera is used.  It is the person that takes the picture and their imagination that drives creativity.

Enjoy, have fun and capture the moment!