The Professional and Community Practice module was very useful to me as an emerging creative practitioner due to the fact that it has provided me with valuable information regarding copyright, licencing, having an agent, becoming a freelancer and last but not least being self employed.
All these factors will help me in the future and shall surely influence the decisions I'll make as a working artist.
With regards to the assignments, I consider them to be appropriate for the module due to the fact that they prepare me for the situations I am going to face after finishing university. For example, I had to enter competitions, which means getting my name out there, exposing the work I produce to other experienced photographers and judges. In addition to this, producing bussiness cards which relfect my creative practice is essential beacuse they can create a successful first impression with clients.
Next on the list are prints and online portfolios. These are by far the most important elements when it comes to applying for jobs and commissions. Having produced a portfolio containing these elements means that I am on the right track towards obtaining work in the photographic industry. If a client was to contact me about a commision I would know how to respond to that and would also have the necessary knowledge about image copyright. Another key aspect is the well presented portfolio I would send him/her which is a result of the Professional & Community Practice Module.
Other tasks such as working to a brief have also provided me with experience and hints on how to manage stressfull situations, always have a back-up plan and make sure that the final outcome is the best possible. Matching the client's needs is by far the most important thing to consider when working to a set brief.
Thanks to this module I feel more confident about showing my work to other people, being a freelancer, being self employed and last but not least, having the successful career to which I aspire.
Estimate and Invoice
This is how an invoice and estimate would look like. It would have my contact details and would give the client and idea on what to expect with regards to pricing.
Interview for the Rockabilly.ro website
1. Rockabilly Romania Hi Andrada. Nice to meet you, with the ocasion of this photo session. Please Tell us under what circumstances you found out what a pin-up girl is? What is it like to photograph a pin-up girl? Is it simple, easy?Andrada Mihailescu: The first time I came across the idea of Pin-up Girl was in August 2011. StreetFest Fatzada Festival in Brasov gave me the opportunity to admire rockabilly accessories by Kustom Billy. I did not know exactly what the whole thing was about but the accessories that caught my attention. Therefore, I decided to learn more about the topic. A pin-up girl picture is an excellent thing and a unique experience. From
my point of view, the photographer must be able to capture the essence
of this culture, represented by clothing, hairstyle and makeup.
I
would not say it is simple as a portrait should reflect the
personality of the model, and that can be difficult to achieve in some
cases.
2. Rockabilly Romania: What do you think about adopting a pin-up attitude and a pin-up outfit at the office, something less extravagant, but more chic? Would you like to see more pin-up girls on the street?Andrada Mihailescu: The idea of wearing pin-up clothes at the office seems brilliant, as long as these items are something that the person identifies with. A pin-up girl dresses and arranges in a certain way to defiine her style. She does not want to attract the attention of others with her appearance. On the contrary, what she thinks is reflected in her behavior. I certainly would like to see more pin-up girls on the street.
3. Rockabilly Romania: What do the 50's mean for you? What positive aspects do you think they brought to our society and what makes them so special for women?Andrada Mihailescu: From my perspective, the 50's mean change in terms of music, clothes, mentality and attitude. This period was an alarm clock whose purpose was to awaken the people from the state of dreaming because the first instinct was to follow set rules rather than think before acting. For women, the 50s meant emancipation and independence, allowing them to become more powerful and involved in areas that until then were strictly reserved for men. Last but not least, trousers were included in women's wardrobes, and this says a lot about change, evolution and urban revolution.
4. Rockabilly Romania: Would you like to photograph rockabilly man? Do you think you could meet him on the streets of Romania?Andrada Mihailescu: Of course. I'm sure that would be a very exciting experience. The probability of meeting him on the streets of Romania is low but not nonexistent.
5. Rockabilly Romania: Is a rockabilly couple something exotic when it comes to the Romanian socitety? Andrada Mihailescu: Yes, rockabilly couples are exotic when reffering to Romanian society. The main reason would be the mentality that prevents people from seeing these couples through the same viewfinder as normal couples. Anything different is ranked as exotic and non conformist.
6. Rockabilly Romania: What about England? Do you see more rockabilly couples where you live and study?Andrada Mihailescu: In England things are a bit different when it comes to accepting that there are people who think and have a different lifestyle. Due to the location where I am now, I haven't had the opportunity to see many rockabilly couples. London on the other hand, is a different story. There I have had the opportunity to see such couples.
7. Rockabilly Romania: How important do you think it is for a woman to have rockabilly outfits in her wardrobe? Andrada Mihailescu: As long as this lifestyle matches her beliefs and perspectives, rockabilly clothing is essential. I say this because the clothes are an excellent element through which one can express without using words and may influence other people's opinions.
8. Rockabilly Romania: Do you think the attitude of pin-up girls is taught, inherited from the mother or is one born with it?Andrada Mihailescu: Any of these three options is possible. Attitude can be learned and developed as well as be inherited from the mother / grandmother. However, even if this element is inherited, that does not necessarily mean that person will adopt this lifestyle. Many factors influence this choice, including interest in the rockabilly culture.
9. Rockabilly Romania: What occupations or hobbies do you think a rockabilly pin-up girl should have?Andrada Mihailescu: A pin-up girl should have a creative nature which allows her to wear makeup and style her hair in a special way, respecting the set characteristics. The clothes also have to meet certain criteria but they must also be customized. Hobbies would include activities such as dancing, passion for cooking muffins, cupcakes and other goodies. Interest in rock and roll music and 50's - 60's culture should also be included in this list.
10. Rockabilly Romania: Do you think that the rockabilly lifestyle in Romania is more of a facade rather than a lifestyle?Andrada Mihailescu: For those who do not know much about this lifestyle, it is most likely only an appearance. In the case of people who really are interested in rockabilly culture and lifestyle, they are unable to see things from a different perspective than the one they have already chosen.
11. Rockabilly Romania: Tell us who are yout favorite pin-up models and why you have chosen them.Andrada Mihailescu: Tough choice! All pin-up girls are beautiful and have something special. Betty Grable is among my favorites because she is symbolic when it comes to pin-ups. Her attitudine, facial expression and appearance are excellent. The same principle applies in the case of Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner. Nowadays, Dita Von Teese is an absolutely gorgeous woman who manages to successfully capture the essence of pin-up girls. She's beautiful, independent, creative and last but not least, photogenic. I would dare to say that she is the ideal model because she knows how to pose and any photographer would feel honored by the opportunity to immortalize her.
12. Rockabilly Romania: What do you think about tattoos? Would you like to photograph girls having rockabilly old school tattooes?Mihailescu Andrada: I have always liked tattoos simply because they are works of art transposed on the skin. I look forward to having such a symbol on my skin in the near future. It would be a pleasure to photograph girls with old school rockabilly tattoos because I have not had this opportunity before.
Original interview in Romanian can be found here:
http://www.rockabilly.ro/2013/03/andrada-mihailescu-fotograf-fete-pin-up/
2. Rockabilly Romania: What do you think about adopting a pin-up attitude and a pin-up outfit at the office, something less extravagant, but more chic? Would you like to see more pin-up girls on the street?Andrada Mihailescu: The idea of wearing pin-up clothes at the office seems brilliant, as long as these items are something that the person identifies with. A pin-up girl dresses and arranges in a certain way to defiine her style. She does not want to attract the attention of others with her appearance. On the contrary, what she thinks is reflected in her behavior. I certainly would like to see more pin-up girls on the street.
3. Rockabilly Romania: What do the 50's mean for you? What positive aspects do you think they brought to our society and what makes them so special for women?Andrada Mihailescu: From my perspective, the 50's mean change in terms of music, clothes, mentality and attitude. This period was an alarm clock whose purpose was to awaken the people from the state of dreaming because the first instinct was to follow set rules rather than think before acting. For women, the 50s meant emancipation and independence, allowing them to become more powerful and involved in areas that until then were strictly reserved for men. Last but not least, trousers were included in women's wardrobes, and this says a lot about change, evolution and urban revolution.
4. Rockabilly Romania: Would you like to photograph rockabilly man? Do you think you could meet him on the streets of Romania?Andrada Mihailescu: Of course. I'm sure that would be a very exciting experience. The probability of meeting him on the streets of Romania is low but not nonexistent.
5. Rockabilly Romania: Is a rockabilly couple something exotic when it comes to the Romanian socitety? Andrada Mihailescu: Yes, rockabilly couples are exotic when reffering to Romanian society. The main reason would be the mentality that prevents people from seeing these couples through the same viewfinder as normal couples. Anything different is ranked as exotic and non conformist.
6. Rockabilly Romania: What about England? Do you see more rockabilly couples where you live and study?Andrada Mihailescu: In England things are a bit different when it comes to accepting that there are people who think and have a different lifestyle. Due to the location where I am now, I haven't had the opportunity to see many rockabilly couples. London on the other hand, is a different story. There I have had the opportunity to see such couples.
7. Rockabilly Romania: How important do you think it is for a woman to have rockabilly outfits in her wardrobe? Andrada Mihailescu: As long as this lifestyle matches her beliefs and perspectives, rockabilly clothing is essential. I say this because the clothes are an excellent element through which one can express without using words and may influence other people's opinions.
8. Rockabilly Romania: Do you think the attitude of pin-up girls is taught, inherited from the mother or is one born with it?Andrada Mihailescu: Any of these three options is possible. Attitude can be learned and developed as well as be inherited from the mother / grandmother. However, even if this element is inherited, that does not necessarily mean that person will adopt this lifestyle. Many factors influence this choice, including interest in the rockabilly culture.
9. Rockabilly Romania: What occupations or hobbies do you think a rockabilly pin-up girl should have?Andrada Mihailescu: A pin-up girl should have a creative nature which allows her to wear makeup and style her hair in a special way, respecting the set characteristics. The clothes also have to meet certain criteria but they must also be customized. Hobbies would include activities such as dancing, passion for cooking muffins, cupcakes and other goodies. Interest in rock and roll music and 50's - 60's culture should also be included in this list.
10. Rockabilly Romania: Do you think that the rockabilly lifestyle in Romania is more of a facade rather than a lifestyle?Andrada Mihailescu: For those who do not know much about this lifestyle, it is most likely only an appearance. In the case of people who really are interested in rockabilly culture and lifestyle, they are unable to see things from a different perspective than the one they have already chosen.
11. Rockabilly Romania: Tell us who are yout favorite pin-up models and why you have chosen them.Andrada Mihailescu: Tough choice! All pin-up girls are beautiful and have something special. Betty Grable is among my favorites because she is symbolic when it comes to pin-ups. Her attitudine, facial expression and appearance are excellent. The same principle applies in the case of Marilyn Monroe and Ava Gardner. Nowadays, Dita Von Teese is an absolutely gorgeous woman who manages to successfully capture the essence of pin-up girls. She's beautiful, independent, creative and last but not least, photogenic. I would dare to say that she is the ideal model because she knows how to pose and any photographer would feel honored by the opportunity to immortalize her.
12. Rockabilly Romania: What do you think about tattoos? Would you like to photograph girls having rockabilly old school tattooes?Mihailescu Andrada: I have always liked tattoos simply because they are works of art transposed on the skin. I look forward to having such a symbol on my skin in the near future. It would be a pleasure to photograph girls with old school rockabilly tattoos because I have not had this opportunity before.
Original interview in Romanian can be found here:
http://www.rockabilly.ro/2013/03/andrada-mihailescu-fotograf-fete-pin-up/
Multichrome Music
Multichrome Music is my website dedicated to concert photography, live reviews and promoting musical events such as concerts and festivals. The title aims to reflect the wide variety of musical genres, each of them having their own characteristics and therfore, specific color ranges. At the beginning, this project was entitled Monochrome Music and focused on capturing black and white images of musicians while performing. In order to be able to include color photographs as well, I decided to change the name and transform it into Multichrome Music. The term multichrome reflects the multitude of color shades in the case of color images as well as the multitude of shades of grey contained by a black and white image.
The images included in this portfolio have been shot in Romania and in the United Kingdom.
In June 2013 I will be shooting the bands performing at Hellfest ( http://www.hellfest.fr/ ) taking place in France.
Multichrome Music website: http://www.multichrome-music.com/
The images included in this portfolio have been shot in Romania and in the United Kingdom.
In June 2013 I will be shooting the bands performing at Hellfest ( http://www.hellfest.fr/ ) taking place in France.
Multichrome Music website: http://www.multichrome-music.com/
Personal website
This website contains my portraiture work, divided into different categories such as images taken on location, studio work, the pin-up project, monochrome images of musicians and conceptual photos.
On location portraits:
Portraits of musicians:
Studio work:
The Pin-Up Project:
Conceptual shoot: Pearl Boudoir
Website: http://www.andramihailescu.co.uk/
On location portraits:
Portraits of musicians:
Studio work:
The Pin-Up Project:
Conceptual shoot: Pearl Boudoir
Website: http://www.andramihailescu.co.uk/
Collaboration with Metal Forces Magazine
In September 2012 I have sent aproximately 100 emails to online publications in order to obtain collaborations which would allow me attend concerts in the UK and be present in the photo pit.
I used my portfolio build during the summer of 2012 in Romania, where I attended 4 festivals as accredited photographer.
Metal Forces Magazine was the only one to give me a postitive response and I have been collaborating with them ever since. My photographs have been published on the website and I intend to continue producing work for them. At the moment, I am not paid for this activity.
http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/
I used my portfolio build during the summer of 2012 in Romania, where I attended 4 festivals as accredited photographer.
Metal Forces Magazine was the only one to give me a postitive response and I have been collaborating with them ever since. My photographs have been published on the website and I intend to continue producing work for them. At the moment, I am not paid for this activity.
http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/
Plans for next year
My plans for the next year evolve around the MA course I have been accepted on at Westminster University in London. The course is based on Photojournalism and shall last 1 year.
I have applied for this course and January 2013 and the process included writing a personal statement, sending them my CV, references written by a tutor and an employer.
That was the first stage of the application process. After aproximately two weeks, I received an email from the Universtity asking me to send them a portfolio of images in order to be evaluate. I decided straight away that I was going to submitt concert photography related imagery.
The photos I submitted were the following:
I have applied for this course and January 2013 and the process included writing a personal statement, sending them my CV, references written by a tutor and an employer.
That was the first stage of the application process. After aproximately two weeks, I received an email from the Universtity asking me to send them a portfolio of images in order to be evaluate. I decided straight away that I was going to submitt concert photography related imagery.
The photos I submitted were the following:
Yet again, two weeks later I received an email informing me that I was selected for an interview via Skype with one of the tutors on the course. Words cannot describe how excited I was.
The interview was great. We talked about photography in general, what my practice is about, why I choose to submit concert photography in particular and what my future career plans would be.
After the interview, on the exact same day, I received a conditional offer letter informing me that I had been offered a place on the course, starting with September 2013. In order to achieve that, I have a 2.1 or a 1st degree. I am doing my best in order to fullfill that request.
Moving to London is going to be good for my practice and career because the opportunities and jobs are increased. In addition to that, concerts take place in London on a regular basis and attending them whilst living in the city would definitely make things easier for me as I wouldn't have to travel as much as I do at the moment, communting from Thanet. I am looking forward to that.
Reflection of proposal
With regards to the proposal submitted for the Live Brief I believe I successfully managed to complete it and obtain a series of images which represents the concept I was aiming for. Promoting the rockabilly culture and the pin-up attitude were my main points of focus.
The series of images was published on the rockabilly.ro website and I am glad that I was able to contribute to that by means of my photographs.
Completing such a project meant that I needed to put a team together. There was no way I could have achieved these results without collaborating with other artists, models and brilliant people. Ana Maria Oana, president of the Rockabilly Romania Association was the co-ordinator of the project because she could provide me with an essential connection to Romania. I planned the entire thing whilst being in the United Kingdom and only went back home for the actual shoots.
I also had two designers on board, who provided us with some of the outfits. They are both amazing artists and I wish to thank them for their help. One professional make-up artist also joined the crew and provided the make-up for the first shoot, which took place on 16th February. The other 3 models were in charge of their own make-up and hair styles. On the days of the shoot, they all looked perfect. Thank you ladies! It was a pleasure working with you.
I did not have access to a studio in Bucharest which meant that I had to get in contact with someone who ownes such a creative space in order to get the work done. I found a person who is also a freelance photographer, owner of an excellent studio. I asked him if I could use his studio along with the backdrops and lighting kits and he allowed me to do so.
On the days of the shoot everything went smoothly. There were of course some moments of increased stress and tension but in the end, it was alright. I also had a person assisting me on the two days and he did an excellent job helping me with anything I needed. From changing the backdrops, to testing the light and playing around with the different light sources.
I have realised how essential the role of an assistant is. He/she makes everything so much easier when the sufficient amount of experience is gained.
This shoots have by far been the most complex ones I have organized untill now. It was a brilliant experience and I would do it all over again if I had the chance to do so because it was all worth it. I met awesome people, collaborated with talented artists and practitioners and last but not least, managed to create some connections which will hopefully help me in the future with my career.
Were there things I wish I had done differently? Of course! There is always room for better. The first one concerns myself as a practitioner and my ability to connect with the model in front of my camera. At one point I was so focused on getting the exposure, framing and lighting right that I forgot to pay attention to the model and how she was posing. I only realised my mistake when post editing the images and by that time, nothing could be done. The consequence was that I couldn't use some of the images in my portfolio because of the unnatural feeling created by the model's pose.
The other aspect would be planning and telling the models what time they should attend the shoot. On the second shoot I had three models and I asked them to come to the studio all at the same time. Looking back, I should have done things differently. Allowing myself 1 hour between the shoots would have been a wise thing to do. The reason I say that is beacuse one of the models ended up waiting about 20 minutes, all dressed up and ready to pose. That happened due to the other two models being photographed. The solution to this problem was finishing half of the shoot with the first two models, then photographing the third model in her two outfits in order to avoid keeping her waiting. After that she was free to go and attend the other appoitments she had in her schedule.
To sum up, I would say that this live brief has brushed up my skills, developed my sense of planning and organizing shoots, dealing with under pressure situations and last but not least, learing how to a successful creative practitioner. I intend to continue experimenting with pin-up photography because it is a subject matter worth exploring. The final images were used by the models, make-up artist and myself in portfolios and by the co-ordinator on the rockabilly.ro website. I retain the copyright for the photographs and therefore, I am able to used them however I see apropriate. Two of the images produced were submitted to 2 competitions (Adobe Awards and Duggal B&W contest).
I'd also like to state that my target was reached and my mission of creating images with a 1950's feeling was accomplished.
The series of images was published on the rockabilly.ro website and I am glad that I was able to contribute to that by means of my photographs.
Completing such a project meant that I needed to put a team together. There was no way I could have achieved these results without collaborating with other artists, models and brilliant people. Ana Maria Oana, president of the Rockabilly Romania Association was the co-ordinator of the project because she could provide me with an essential connection to Romania. I planned the entire thing whilst being in the United Kingdom and only went back home for the actual shoots.
I also had two designers on board, who provided us with some of the outfits. They are both amazing artists and I wish to thank them for their help. One professional make-up artist also joined the crew and provided the make-up for the first shoot, which took place on 16th February. The other 3 models were in charge of their own make-up and hair styles. On the days of the shoot, they all looked perfect. Thank you ladies! It was a pleasure working with you.
I did not have access to a studio in Bucharest which meant that I had to get in contact with someone who ownes such a creative space in order to get the work done. I found a person who is also a freelance photographer, owner of an excellent studio. I asked him if I could use his studio along with the backdrops and lighting kits and he allowed me to do so.
On the days of the shoot everything went smoothly. There were of course some moments of increased stress and tension but in the end, it was alright. I also had a person assisting me on the two days and he did an excellent job helping me with anything I needed. From changing the backdrops, to testing the light and playing around with the different light sources.
I have realised how essential the role of an assistant is. He/she makes everything so much easier when the sufficient amount of experience is gained.
This shoots have by far been the most complex ones I have organized untill now. It was a brilliant experience and I would do it all over again if I had the chance to do so because it was all worth it. I met awesome people, collaborated with talented artists and practitioners and last but not least, managed to create some connections which will hopefully help me in the future with my career.
Were there things I wish I had done differently? Of course! There is always room for better. The first one concerns myself as a practitioner and my ability to connect with the model in front of my camera. At one point I was so focused on getting the exposure, framing and lighting right that I forgot to pay attention to the model and how she was posing. I only realised my mistake when post editing the images and by that time, nothing could be done. The consequence was that I couldn't use some of the images in my portfolio because of the unnatural feeling created by the model's pose.
The other aspect would be planning and telling the models what time they should attend the shoot. On the second shoot I had three models and I asked them to come to the studio all at the same time. Looking back, I should have done things differently. Allowing myself 1 hour between the shoots would have been a wise thing to do. The reason I say that is beacuse one of the models ended up waiting about 20 minutes, all dressed up and ready to pose. That happened due to the other two models being photographed. The solution to this problem was finishing half of the shoot with the first two models, then photographing the third model in her two outfits in order to avoid keeping her waiting. After that she was free to go and attend the other appoitments she had in her schedule.
To sum up, I would say that this live brief has brushed up my skills, developed my sense of planning and organizing shoots, dealing with under pressure situations and last but not least, learing how to a successful creative practitioner. I intend to continue experimenting with pin-up photography because it is a subject matter worth exploring. The final images were used by the models, make-up artist and myself in portfolios and by the co-ordinator on the rockabilly.ro website. I retain the copyright for the photographs and therefore, I am able to used them however I see apropriate. Two of the images produced were submitted to 2 competitions (Adobe Awards and Duggal B&W contest).
I'd also like to state that my target was reached and my mission of creating images with a 1950's feeling was accomplished.
Epica - Isaac Delahaye
I got the following message from Epica's guitar player Isaac Delahaye:
This was the requested image:
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