Jonathan's Blog

New Work - Portraits

2012-01-27T15:09:00.001Z

So towards the end of last year Mr Elliot Harris and I were banging our heads together to come up with a nice little personal project to end the year on, I was thinking still live's he was thinking portraits.
The inspiration came when Elliott was watching his family use the iPad at home and he saw (any parent will be able to relate to this) how motionless his children became when engaging with it, so he asked if I would take some portraits of his children using the iPad. Sticking to my current way of thinking of getting out my comfort zone and collaborating with people I said yes.

Along the way the idea was discussed with the all knowing and rather fantastic Emma Taylor who pitched the idea to Stanley's Post who loved the idea and wanted to use the images for a recruitment drive aimed specifically at recruiting female interns. So we went from a personal and experimental shoot to having a possible client to please, this altered the idea slightly from the girls using iPads to them using a larger computer but with the same result.

The girls were all fantastic and in fact the shoot ended up very similar to a still life one. The children's faces were predominately lit by the screen so the exposures were a few seconds long, which meant they had to remain motionless. We experimented with different coloured desk top's which lit the girls faces in different hues and everyone was allowed to watch their favourite film on the screen, resulting in the glazed expression. We could move the movie window around the desk top which gave us total control of the eye line of the model. Perfect.

Here's the out come:

Who said never work with children? Fools, it went like a dream.

The only hitch? The equality board are not impressed with the strap line so, at the time of typing we have no idea if they are going to run. But hey, we all had a good day, achieved some great results, which is what we were aiming for and learnt something along the way, can't be bad.

Heres some pics of the making off:

Sneaker Test

2011-12-14T10:45:00.000Z

Slowly progress is being made with the sneaker project. This time Chris leant me a pair of Adidas Torsion Specials in Gor-Tex. Every time I sift through his collection he's added too it and we find more and more interesting shoes, the next set of shots are all planned, we just need the time.

Recent shoots have been for Orange magazine, Neighbour, a first of three book covers for Hachett UK and more sales in the US with Gallery Stock one of which is a cover for The Dead Witness by Michael Sims, you can pre order a copy here for Christmas, make sure you get the paperback with my shot on.

Quotes are coming thick and fast for the end of this year and beginning of next which could mean a busy finish and start to next year, if not I will be able to enjoy myself at various Christmas parties which seem to coincide with possible shoot days. As well that Vue and I have been pitching for a project which came direct from the client, a whole new experience, for me anyhow. No agency involved means not only coming up with the ideas and mood of the shoot but also explaining how the whole process works from timing and why retouchers are important to yes they do have to pay for usage, makes you realise what agency people have to put up with.

Have a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

New Stuff

2011-11-24T11:31:00.001Z

Here are some new images some from just me and others from the start of collaborations mentioned in a previous post.

I'm finding that after the initial excitement of meeting up with new people and getting our ideas down on paper keeping the ball rolling takes along time and a lot of effort, with so many people involved and their own lives and work it takes a lot of balancing. The main difference, I suppose, is the fact that when commisioned you are collaborating with Art Directors, Stylists etc but you are all working to the immovable deadline, not having one and fitting personal work around 'real' work takes time and perserverance, but the rewards of working with new people are great and it easily leads to new friendships as well as new exciting imagery. Of course even when everyone is ready and in the studio shooting things can happen that are out of your hands.

I recently collaborated and shot a series of 5 portraits with Elliot Harris from DLKWLowe and Stanley's Post we were all chuffed to bits with not only getting Elliot's daughters into the studio for the shoot but with the final results and the fact that Stanley's are using the images for an intern recruitment drive, the problem? The equality board were unhappy with the strap line on the ads and it's now having to be rewritten. Once it's been approved they will be posted up here so although we managed to get it all together we are still waiting to see the final results.

One such collaboration that has taken off to a flying start is with Chris Aylen a designer, sneaker aficionado and collector. He is kind enough to let me go through his prime sneaker collection and take away a couple of pairs at a time to shoot. He collects rare unworn examples of all the major sneaker brands. Together we are building towards doing something together with my images and his sneaker knowledge and have already had interest from publishing companies and magazines and we've only just started.

Next up are some new planet pictures. Using various nail varnish's and a macro lens the illusion of deepest darkest space was created in my studio just off Kingsland Road, not really that far away.

Finally a product shot with personality attempting to prove that a shot like this can be visually interesting and look beautiful rather than just your bog standard pack shot.

New Tests

2011-09-08T12:18:00.001+01:00

So another week flies by and with the children off into new schools and nurseries it's all been rather busy at home but they are happily facing new challenges and making new friends.

It got me thinking of new ideas and also the fact that often it's the blank page that's the scary part of any new thing and maybe the hardest part to conquer so that's where I started with this set of images. No idea what's going to happen to them they may only make it on the blog and not the book but I enjoyed getting the ideas and jumping in and shooting straight away spontaneously, almost.

Recently I have been approached by, as well as approaching, people to collaborate with on personal work, it maybe my idea or theirs but everyone involved wants to achieve the best they can for all involved. It's a great feeling working alongside people and something often lacking in a still life photographers working day especially in this busy, busy digital and e-mailing world. So I'm looking forward to posting some new shots up, the only problem being with many people involved getting everyone in the same place at the same time takes a bit of diary planning.

Work wise has seen some editorial shoots for John Brown Media. Christmas came early to the studio with a spread on Christmas gifts and drinks for Sense magazine, we had to open and shoot the champagne around lunch time and could not let it go to waste and this Friday I am shooting Helium filled balloons for Neighbour, so no doubt at some point in the day someone will be speaking in a squeaky voice.

New Personal Work

2011-08-18T14:22:00.008+01:00

Finding my feet in the new studio and experimenting with new lights and technology for some new portfolio work.
This short film was shot to sit next to my Ishihara colour eye test shots and the post work was all handled by the The Operators.

Ishihara Colour test from Jonathan Minster on Vimeo.

Final Head Look Book

2011-08-18T14:02:00.002+01:00

Here's some pages from the Head look book that I shot for those talented people at Neighbour recently:

New Personal Jesus's

2011-08-17T11:46:00.000+01:00

So after settling in to the new place, unpacking and buying what I think I will need, I am trying to be minimal but, you can never have enough bits and bobs in the studio, I set about testing and catching up on some Jesus's.

Here's the first lot of PJ's suggested by some Tweeters:

Bill

Jesus

Jack

From old work to new work

2011-08-16T18:29:00.002+01:00

So here's an oldie but a goodie test of mine being put to good use as the paperback cover image for Mary Gordon's recent book Reading Jesus. The book has received some great reviews, no doubt due to the cover image and you can buy a copy here, though make sure you get the paper back as that's got my picture on the front.

Along with the above image Gallery Stock have sold several more of my images to Newsweek as full page images to illustrate articles in the magazine here's a couple of recent ones:

Creative Review Tweet Up

2011-07-28T14:38:00.002+01:00

The 21st of July saw the Creative Review Tweet Up at Tate Britain organised by the fantastic Emma Taylor, Jenny Ellery, Vue Represents and Neil Ayers from Creative Review. It also saw me getting out of my studio and comfort zone, packing what seemed to be a very small amount of kit into my car and shooting all the creative types that came to the evening.
The event was based on the game of Consequences, nearly 200 people arrived had drinks, nibbles enjoyed the Tate Britains current exhibition on the Vorticists. They then got on to play the game by drawing and playing interactively with the help from Specialmoves. Everyone had a great time, met new people and left with a fantastic goodie bag so all in all, a great evening.

Here's some of the many entries from the evening and to see more of them and the event have a look at the Creative Review Blog and watch out for the next Tweet Up.

New Studio

2011-07-04T17:21:00.001+01:00

After 10 years is was bye bye Mallow Street and hello Ermine Mews a studio just off Kingsland Road E2, it took a while to find a new space that I liked and was shared with like minded people. Last month I ended up shooting from studios across London as I was too busy to find anywhere. I even attempted to work from home and came to the conclusion that it was impossible with 3 children there. As I type I am still unpacking boxes but looking forward to shooting in a brand new space with new gear.

Here's the studio:

Here's where it is:

Marstons Pedigree part 2

2011-06-21T13:39:00.001+01:00

Well here is the second of the Marstons campaign as promised.
Looking at the bar surface now it was well worth the last minute dash to see Elliots Mum and Dads pub, it's all in the details.

Marstons Pedigree

2011-06-20T18:00:00.002+01:00

Well I had a great day on Sunday, Fathers Day. I was thoroughly spoilt by my 3 children though, I was still woken at 6.00 am. However not only was I allowed to read the Sunday papers the Marstons ad was in there too.

Marstons Pedigree

2011-06-15T15:13:00.003+01:00

Well here is the first from my recent Marstons Pedigree shoot with DLKWLOWE.
We shot in the art directors parents pub which was being refurbished, a real result as not only was it the perfect location more importantly it did not have any punters milling around.
When the second one is ready to go I'll post it here so watch this space.

The Guardian

2011-06-14T13:29:00.003+01:00

Well it's nice to be published writer too.
The Guardian asked me for any advice I could give to aspiring assistants and after a lot of reminiscing here it is.
Click the link to read the full article: Insiders Guide

May

2011-06-13T17:42:00.007+01:00

Well what a busy month May was.
Here is just a taster, not everything can be posted as some of it has not run yet but I will post it as and when.
We start with this shot to illustrate an article on the summer's must have gadgets for John Brown Media's client Sense Magazine.

Followed by a days shoot for Neighbour and their client Triumph for a new range of underwear soon to be launched.
After that, two days for Nokia shooting handsets and their new promotional items for JWT London.
I then had to create a popcorn planet in a popcorn galaxy for Orange.

Next up was a four day shoot for Head who are soon to re-launch their classic sports bag's from the 1980's, shot with the great team from Neighbour once again. Shooting a mixture of studio still life, close up detail's, location shot's in a loft apartment and documentry style images whilst on the move around London.

Finally we get to the end of the month which was topped off with another location shoot, this time in a pub that was being refurbished. Two great ads for DLKWLOWE and their client Marstons. Shot with the ever so talented Mr Elliot Harris, the creator of The Happy Harris blog. Not only do we both have a great deal of children, we also managed to wear matching clothes to the shoot, a clear sense of two minds working as one.

Not only did all this happen I also found time to experiment with the wonderful team at My Brother Bob retouchers on what maybe the beginning of a new series of unbreakable things breaking. As well as looking for a new studio to shoot from, as my time in Mallow Street has come to an end after ten years.

After all that I need a break, though I best make a start on packing those boxes, anyone want to buy some Strobe gear?

Interview with F2 magazine

2011-05-11T10:49:00.000+01:00

F2 Magazine interviewed me the other day regarding all types of important information assistants and young photographers need to know. Have a look and a read in Mays issue out now.

Hotshoe Blog features my Personal Jesus Project

2011-04-28T14:07:00.002+01:00

Great news the Hotshoe blog has been spreading the word about my ongoing Personal Jesus Project.

Take a look at: http://tinyurl.com/625ehr3 and then e-mail me your own suggestion.

Personal Jesus Spread in 125 Magazines Religion issue

2011-04-14T11:11:00.001+01:00

More shots for the wonderful ShortList magazine

2011-03-23T14:41:00.000Z

Masters Cup Nomination for the Stuffed Project

2011-03-07T12:26:00.002Z

Recent Commissions for ShortList Magazine

2011-03-07T12:23:00.001Z

Reflection's

2011-02-10T17:26:00.000Z

East Coast Trains

2011-01-06T16:10:00.001Z

Not a case of out with the old and in with the new this New Year. We kick off 2011 with a re run of these great ads I shot with Andy and Joe from the wonderful Dentsu agency last year. We have been shooting this campaign for the past three years, this year though they are re running the beauties you see below.
No doubt soon to be seen on every train and tube in and out of London. I am not sure if they will be commandeering every single poster site in Kings Cross St Pancras Station like last year but, if they do you'll never miss them.

Ishihara Colour Vision Test

2010-12-07T16:34:00.000Z

Wood Study#2

2010-12-07T16:18:00.000Z

More New Targets

2010-11-16T15:48:00.001Z

Johnny doing the do.

We even had our own desk.

The Real Cluedo

2010-11-16T15:28:00.001Z

Specimen Jars

2010-10-05T12:28:00.000+01:00

Wood study

2010-10-05T12:26:00.000+01:00

The first three from a new series on targets

2010-09-29T12:55:00.000+01:00

Nothing like a drunk football fan getting in the way of the camera

2010-09-29T12:53:00.000+01:00

Ash Cloud - the force of nature over us mere mortals

2010-08-12T18:03:00.030+01:00

Recent years have marked a massive shift in the way we worship. With our icons now fashionable and our idols American. Today's society looks to the cult of celebrity and consumerism rather than any particular religious group. Not necessarily a bad thing but do they deserve our faith and adoration? With this project I want to create a visual exploration into who and what we worship and adore today.

So are you an Angelina aficionado, a Drogba devotee or a Paris partisan?

Email over your suggestions and I will create Your own Jesus in 7 days.

My Dog - if only I could be as excited by the world as he is

2010-08-12T18:03:00.009+01:00

Sleep - it's a place where dreams come true

2010-08-12T18:03:00.008+01:00

Led Zepplin

2010-08-12T18:03:00.005+01:00

Logic - I love and idolize the idea of reason and order to the universe. So logic puzzles and those that create them

2010-08-12T18:02:00.001+01:00

My Computer - They make more sense than us humans

2010-08-12T18:01:00.002+01:00

Fox

2010-08-12T17:13:00.001+01:00

Owl

2010-08-12T17:12:00.001+01:00

Stag

2010-08-12T16:59:00.002+01:00

Squirell

2010-08-12T16:40:00.000+01:00

Seal

2010-08-12T16:30:00.000+01:00

Lost and Found

2010-08-12T16:08:00.005+01:00

Lost and Found

2010-08-12T16:06:00.001+01:00

Lost and Found

2010-08-12T16:04:00.001+01:00

Lost and Found

2010-08-12T16:01:00.003+01:00

Memories & Mementoes

2010-08-12T15:45:00.034+01:00

'Memories and Mementoes' explores the emotional responsibility you inherit when given the task of clearing property and sorting through the lifetime's possessions of a loved one. Seemingly trivial items stored away for years adopt a sudden weighty importance though simultaneously leave you very few clues to their original significance.

The subjects in this project beg the viewer to open their secrets and consider what they themselves will leave behind to be found.

Memories & Mementoes

2010-08-12T15:44:00.005+01:00

Memories & Mementoes

2010-08-12T15:43:00.003+01:00

Memories & Mementoes

2010-08-12T15:40:00.003+01:00

Memories & Mementoes

2010-08-12T15:29:00.004+01:00

Lady Ga Ga - for originality and weirdness

2010-06-05T10:33:00.003+01:00

Yoda - Yoda, my own personal jesus is, yes

2010-06-02T13:17:00.003+01:00

Ewan - is Gorgeous

2010-05-28T13:09:00.001+01:00

Stephen - A fountain of knowledge

2010-05-25T14:03:00.001+01:00

Rolf - Hoorah for Rolf

2010-05-07T13:31:00.001+01:00

Kevin - 1970's Only

2010-05-07T12:57:00.001+01:00

Cthulhu - a Cosmic Entity

2010-05-07T12:36:00.001+01:00

Tom - Welsh Legend

2010-05-07T11:14:00.001+01:00

David - Football Hero

2010-04-20T14:00:00.001+01:00

Andy - Pop Art King

2010-04-18T12:01:00.001+01:00

Santa - Because he brings presents on Jesus' Birthday

2009-12-14T18:24:00.001Z

Elvis - He is simply the burger poping KING of rock and roll.

2009-09-23T13:29:00.001+01:00

George

2009-09-23T13:27:00.001+01:00

Mums Sunday Roast

2009-09-23T13:24:00.001+01:00

James

2009-09-23T13:22:00.003+01:00

Andrew

2009-09-23T13:22:00.002+01:00

Ozzy - not sure if he is God but he is sky high

2009-08-04T13:08:00.003+01:00

Homer

2009-08-04T13:07:00.001+01:00

William

2009-08-04T13:03:00.001+01:00

Katie not Peter

2009-08-04T13:02:00.001+01:00

Double Deckers and Cherry Coke

2009-08-04T13:00:00.001+01:00

Australia

2009-08-04T12:59:00.001+01:00

iPod

2009-07-21T15:06:00.001+01:00

The Stig

2009-07-21T14:58:00.001+01:00

Mohammad

2009-07-13T18:22:00.001+01:00

Yoda

2009-07-13T18:20:00.001+01:00

Ice Cream

2009-07-13T18:19:00.004+01:00

Sunshine

2009-07-13T18:19:00.002+01:00

Ronald - Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, all on a sesame seed bun or anything really from the Golden Arches

2009-07-13T18:18:00.002+01:00

Neil

2009-07-13T18:16:00.001+01:00

Mickey

2009-07-13T18:14:00.001+01:00

Michael

2009-07-13T18:09:00.001+01:00

Bono

2009-06-29T12:58:00.001+01:00