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It certainly sounds glamorous, exciting and
‘oh such fund dahling’. Absolutely Fabulous in fact. But what is the reality.
During London Fashion Week I had exactly
this commission. Working backstage at the first major London Fashion Show
for the 30-year-old Polish Designer Arkadius. Touted by those who know
as the heir apparent to John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.
I am not a backstage or catwalk photographer
by trade, but had shot a portrait of him approximately a year before he
had left college, for Tatler magazine. So why was I there?
To capture some of the atmosphere and energy
created at such an event and hopefully produce images which would always
remind him of such an important day in his career. Not just to record
what the clothes and make-up were like, as this would be expertly covered
by professionals at this task.
I always work with a Hasslebad 500CM and
in this case an oldstyle chrome 120mm lens with no additional light. Not
the standard kit for this kind of job. No auto focus, no flash, no auto
rewind. Just pocketful’s of loaded backs and films.
Ok, so what was it like you ask? That would
be impossible to explain in just a few words. So instead here are my top
ten tips for survival. And if you ever get the chance, good luck.
1. Dress light, whatever the weather,
it’s hot!
2. Practice all languages. You will be fighting for space with
photographers from more than one nation.
3. Models getting undressed does NOT mean photo-opportunity.
4. It’s flash or fast film.
5. Take water and sandwiches and you become a model’s best friend.
6. Respect the designer. His life depends on that show, yours doesn’t.
7. A smile and a thank you go a very long way.
8. Pockets. More the better. But no photographer waistcoats, this
is not a true war zone.
9. However tempting it may be don’t shoot all your film in the
first ten minutes.
10. If it worked for you, send examples to the designer for free.
You never know if you followed up to number 9 you might even get asked
back.
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