Photographic Genius Dean Stockings

Does this man ever stop… Cover, after Cover, after Cover.

Who are you?

Primarily I’m a fashion and portrait photographer based on the south coast of the UK. I also shoot music promo videos and do civil ceremonies and weddings too.

How did you get into photography?

I had my first camera at around the age of 6 or 7 as a Christmas present from my parents. It was part of an “Adventure Kit” which also had a pair of binoculars, a compass and a water bottle included. I wanted to join the camera club at school, which ran in the lunch breaks, but it was over subscribed and so I didn’t really start to take it seriously until studying it in Brighton in the early ‘90’s. I think the “Adventure kit” may have sparked my love of travel, as well as my passion for photography.

Are you a self-taught photographer or did you have a mentor that showed you the ropes?

I never had anyone to show me the ropes – I always wanted to assist somebody, just to see how things were supposed to be done, but nobody wanted me! As time went on, I had to find my own way of working, which isn’t a bad thing – rejection always makes me more determined to succeed. I did an ‘A’ level in photography at the Brighton College of Technology – that taught me the basics, but everything else has been self-taught. I did lots of experimenting and learning through trial and error, especially when it came to photoshop. I still spend way too much time on the computer trying out new techniques!

What sort of equipment and software do you use?

I think if you stick to the ABC rule of thumb, you can’t go far wrong. A is for Apple, B is for Bowens and C is for Canon. I work on an Apple, which is just so reliable and user friendly, I would never go back to using Windows. I use Apple’s Aperture to manage my images and Adobe’s Photoshop CS to edit them. Camera wise, I use a Canon EOS 5D, I’ve had it for around 3 years now, and I swear by it, it’s a fantastic piece of kit. More recently I’ve become accustomed to using Bowens lighting, but for years I managed with just 3 Jessops portaflash heads and a couple of Canon Speedlites – they were quite limiting in the amount of control I had over them, but because of that, I learnt to be really creative with bits of A4 paper and masking tape, to get the effects I was after.

Who would be the person you would most love to shoot?

Rufus Wainwright or Queen Elizabeth 2nd – And I’d never turn down the opportunity to shoot with Francois Sagat!

What is your opinion on post-processing, especially enhancing pictures?

I’d say a lot of my images are 50% camera generated and 50% post-processing – so I’m all for it! I think it’s important to have a good image to work on in the first instance though – you can’t make a silk purse from a sow’s ear… I also became so used to working in confined spaces with no budget, that the only way to create the images I had in my minds eye, was to heavily photoshop them afterwards, to create the rich and sumptuous backgrounds that I desired. Montage has now become an integral part of my work.

Black & White or Colour photography?

Colour – I love vibrant images that jump out of the page at you.

Where is your favorite location to take pictures in your studio or on location – and how do you decide on locations and subjects?

I love working on location with my Bowens studio lights and a power pack. That way I have the excitement of working somewhere different, with loads of new possibilities, but I still have full control over the lighting. Quite often, both the location and the subjects are chosen by the magazine editor – I always keep my eyes open for potential models though, on building sites, or on the beach, even on gaydar, and I’m always looking for new and interesting places to shoot.

Where is the most spectacular place you’ve ever been?

Machupichu, Peru.

What would you say to other enthusiast photographers out there who aspire to what you’ve achieved?

You have to live and breath photography for a very long time before you start getting any recognition, unless you are extremely lucky, so never, ever give up!

Whom do you look up to in the photographic world?

James Bidgood – by far my biggest inspiration, Robert Mapplethorpe – for breaking all the rules, and David LaChappelle – for his sheer exuberance!

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Something in the music industry – something influential, like being the person to select who appears on the current Top of the Pops, if it ever returns…

What is the ONE lasting impression you want to leave with your photos?

A certain ‘WOW’ factor.

Your top 5 websites you think people should visit?

Surely no one can exist without a myspace profile, so MySpace.com
mapplethorpe.org – The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation
davidlachappelle.com – David LaChappelle
myspace.com/winkledog – Sean Chapman, a fantastic make-up artist I regularly work with
ellisofficial.com – One to watch!

How do people see your work and get in touch?

www.myspace.com/dean_stockings
www.deanstockings.co.uk
www.biggerpixel.co.uk

Telephone +44 (0)7766 374178 Email deanstockings@hotmail.co.uk

Images © and courtesy of Dean Stockings

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