Edits

What a year !!  Totally insane…..  Where to start..  Well.. I took this ?

 That was fun !!  In 2012 I shot with all the new cameras and what a year it was for new cameras indeed.. the D800, the D600 the 5D mark 3 the 6D, the 1Dx, the 1DC, before even starting on the Fuji’s..   I guess some of them were 2011, but who is counting. For me the CSC camera really took hold in Marrakech and New York city.  Talking of new things in fact, both Marrakech and NYC were added to the list of cities traveled as well as Washington DC in 2012. RMG added myself of creative’s they look after and Westcott took me on as a Westcott Pro. Sigma and I did a joint workshop with Advanced Photographer, Nikon Magazine N-Photo and I did a rather cool shoot at Stoneleigh Abbey.  The Duotone article for Practical Photoshop was a great hit and had many follow up articles looking at editing on the road and editing styles for clients. Photo Pro ended up with many interesting articles looking at portfolio and such.  February will see the Fuji shot Cover of Photo Pro which will be interesting ! Almost three Covers for them this year so good news on that front.  Digital Camera magazine asked me to write a little wrap up column for them about a photograph I admire. I choose of of Neil Snape’s amazing photographs. 

Which . .. .

Takes me into the subject of 2013, ish…   So some people take photos and some people make photos. In the article about Mr Snape’s amazing image I spoke about the wonderful balance in the particular shot and how these things are hallmarks of world class photographers. I have noted that my photography over all lacks some things that great photographers like Francois Berthier, Patrick Demarchelier, Tess Feuilhade, Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, Steven Meisel, Cecil Beaton, Peter Lindbergh have. They seem to have this skill to arrange, create,  nurture , cultivate feelings and emotions. It sounds crass, but like a puppeteer performing, pulling the strings above the expected audience.  We see the images, we love the images  I love the images, but ..  I am beginning to really feel a great admiration for how these images are taken.  Anyone can use a camera, anyone can do what these people have done, but.. the thing that sets them apart is why they do it. For me.. this gives them the edge and the room to be in the mental space one is needed to be in to totally give your self to the art.  These people show us that Photography is one thing, but the Art of the Photographer is something next level.
They had the total trust of the camera to work with them and not against them, to use it as a way to express rather than a tool to impress. This is something I am really going to take forward with my own work this year.  In the deepest possible way, trying be a photographer maybe is the wrong mental head-space  Maybe… one is a photographer anyway and should just deal with it.   Well, that makes sense to me anyway.   I think I am trying to say, I am who I am, the label should not matter and just do what you need to do.

This was really a great year in terms of portfolio shots.  I have had some great help and been in some fun places to get them shot. Shooting the beach images with the Horse was totally a nightmare, but, worth it I think.  Shooting the Pool shots with Laura & Mark was fun, almost trashing a D3x into a swimming pool was interesting as was almost dropping a Pentax into the sea. Sigma have been totally nice to me this year and I think I now have shot with and used every lens they make. So big thank you to Ray & Paul over at Sigma.   The SD1 has been outstanding also, quite the rare and interesting camera for when you need that x-factor.  Sigma have had quite the interesting year actually and totally worth a note. The new range leadership at SIGMA JAPAN seem to of really been working hard and the new Line up of Art lenses look set to be real game changers when it comes to quality and design.  the 35mm f1.4 is quite frankly stunning on every level and a marked step up from any other lense  they make.  Considering I rate the 105mm 2.8 the best lens ever made, that is quite some praise.  I just really hope they release the 120-300mm 2.8, 105mm and 70-200mm pretty soon !

I am not sure of the truth of this.. But I think this is first Cover of a photographic magazine using the X-Pro ??  Not sure.. I am sure If I am wrong someone will comment .  Either way it was pretty fun to shoot.  The lighting was a careful Mix of Westcott and the Orbis.  I know it was released this yea, but it was taken last..

Fuji have been super busy making some major noise on the CSC front, again.. thank you to Fuji for being super nice to me !  Major noise for the lack of noise I should say, and when there is noise…. it’s nice.  The update to the X-pro was just amazing in two ways.  I guess it show the amazing pressure they are on to get the camera on the market, that they could make such a big upgrade for it ?  Why not get in right first time out ?  Anyway. the very start of the new year so the announcement of another camera. the X100s, it looks pretty amazing on the write up, the new focus systems are pretty amazing and sounds pretty much like the system I asked for on my last review….. I may have to contact my lawyers about that one in fact   Maybe they should just call the the New X-Pro the DKP signature edition…  but yes, it looks like we now have a split screen focus system for a digital camera, I have  not had my hands on one yet.. but.. rest assured I have already left a voice mail with Fuji HQ.  The X-pro was just so suited to the streets of NY, it was just about the perfect camera.

So the other two covers for Photo Pro…

For now I am off to try and make a 2012 gallery. I think one photo for each month might be a fun project. We wish you all the best for the coming year and in which I turn the grand 30. Let’ all really make this count. I for one have a clear aim and goal in mind to setting my work up and really pushing my self. I would love to say more about my plans..  but one must wait.

 |Download Course PDF here |

Photographer / Teacher:
Dave Kai Piper

Model:
Chloe-Jasmine Whichello

Full Styling & Makeup team

19th January, 2013
Catchlight Studios, Conway Mill, Conway Street, Belfast

www.catchlightcameraclub.co.uk

WWW.WHAT-IS-PHOTOGRAPHY.ORG.UK

The Concept:

• Couture theme Fashion workshop with Chloe-Jasmine Whichello
• Tuition provided by Dave Kai Piper
• Complimentary guide to editing Fashion Photography

 The Outline :

• A brief introduction about shooting High End Fashion
• Bespoke Couture Jewelry & Couture Gowns to shoot for your Portfolio
• Free Guide to editing for Fashion from WWW.WHAT-IS-PHOTOGRAPHY.ORG.UK
• Full make up & styling provided
• Technical & Lighting Guidance

The Details:

• Meeting at Catchlight Studios (Conway Street) 9:10 approx.
• Lunch at local Public House / Studio.
• Shooting until 4:30 with a Q&A with Dave & Chloe until 5
• You will need to bring a DSLR or CSC Camera. (Bring your normal selection of lenses)
• It is advised that are already confident with a camera and light Post Production.
• Full Studio lighting provided, Dave kai Piper will ready to help with any technical set ups

Costs:

• €305 per person
• Group of 6 Only

For Bookings please contact
Dave@Davepiper.co.uk

Can all photographers teach, or Should all photographers teach. These could of all been other names for this blog.

Being creative for a living is tantamount to being paid for being a bit ‘off center’ or different shall we say. We are paid to think unlike other people think.  People have a stereotype and place us in genres of different descriptions. Being a ‘creative’ is going though a shift in the hierarchy of social ladder. Nerdism and Geekism combined with the creative spark is pretty much near the social equivalent of having blue blood these days. It is funny how times change. This new ‘power’ geek owes much of the rise due to companies like Apple and Google. The reason I mention this is that there seems to be a new shift of photographer too. Long gone are the days of getting it right, it is now a race of how fast you can deliver your content not, how good the content is. The problem is that the new ‘power geeks’ are able to do both leaving some photographers still worrying about the quality of digital. Come’th the day where we are using app based editing in your X-pro camera and streaming content to a website. Instagram app built into your X-pro anyone? 35mm sensor in your iphone? FUCK YES! Sign me up for that. The clock is ticking and the camera companies are very well aware of the direction we want to go. Remember they only make what they think we want.

So, where do we need to look to be ahead of the game. Well, recently I have been thinking about this and I ask you, what would you do if you could make your own camera? Do try and forget that today’s cameras are built on an ageing idea of what a camera is. Lets embrace the future and shape it how we want it.

So, I would have a camera that could give me an analog based shutter dial and an sliding continuous  f-stop with a continuous ISO value. Give me a shutter speed of 1/120 not 1/125 , give me an f-stop of f2.9 not force me to have f2.8 and an ISO of 325. I want to have more choice and let me take control. I just still do not know why we have to limit the way we use cameras in the old style of film based cameras. Give me a wireless connection and a proper OS that we can have third party apps for. Give me a set of cameras I can sync wireless for proper remote shooting. Also, while we are at it, let start to have the focus systems that really work. The next generation of cameras should be about useability not mega pixels.
What about the idea of inbuilt grad filters or color filters ?? Lets have some cameras that have inbuilt filters that can click down and really let the creative power of the photographer rock and roll. I am sure additions like these over touch screen gimmicks is a far better use of R&D money. But we have to show the camera companies that we don’t want gimmicks.

I have this book by Paul Arden and it is my little book of wonder, I want to share a favourite paragraph (book is called ‘Whatever you think, Think the opposite’)
When I was creative director at Saatchi’s I gave a young man a grilling for producing am under whelming piece of work.

Later in the day somebody told me he was in his office crying.
I went to console him.
I said `Don’t worry, I was useless at your age too.`

Just priceless advice in my eyes. It reminds me of the idea of don’t be kind, be constructively honest. In the same book there is a little tale how he used to commission work, it goes as follows:

I used to commission a lot of photography. Consequently, people were keen to show me their work 99% of the portfolios I saw were of a very high standard. But 98 percent of them contained pictures I had seen before. Obviously not the same subject or compositions, but I had the general impression that I was not seeing anything new. They didn’t have a point of view. If they did, it was that the viewer of their pictures ( me) should like their work.

Very occasionally , I saw the work of someone who did have a point of view, whose work was like no one else’s.
These were often difficult people, almost unemployable because you couldn’t tell them what to do.
Sometimes it went wrong.
Sometimes it didn’t.
When it didn’t go wrong, it more that made up for the times it did.

I love this little book of pick ups and inspirational wisdom. The idea that we don’t peak at the same age and it’s OK to not be where we need to be. We all have our own path and don’t freak out that you are not doing the same as the person next to you. It’s OK to fail. Just don’t make a life long habit. My idea is this. Fail young, fail often but make sure you learn why you did. Be new, try things when you have the time and space to. Document your failure it is what makes you different. We should not be worried about being adventurous or bold. If you ever need to see why I have this idea just Google Abraham Lincoln’s past. The man was an utter failure, until he was in office that is.

Another way to look at this is… Who inspires you and what really inspires you about them. When asked about this I tend to say the same thing again and again. I quote people like Sir Cecil Beaton and Tim Burton. Helmut Newton and Tim Walker. But, why, I don’t know these people and I have never met them. I am only inspired the things they have been successful at or the things that other people have told me. Mostly I am inspired because other people tell me that is what I should be, and that way I am cool via proxy. Personally, I think this is a much harder question than most people think and when tasked with having to answer the question do so in the easiest way they can whilst avoiding follow up questions. We all love to sound educated about the arts and come up with these names to look as such, but, really… Could you really answer the question and not try and sound like a failed art student? The truth is this. Beaton doesn’t inspire me half as much or if he does he really does not shape my actions as much I think. But there are people who do. My brother does. My Mum and Dad do. People who actively, day to day challenge and contribute to me as a person. People who shape my world. People who pick me up when I need to be helped, and encourage and push me when I need to be pushed,and trust me that is often. People like Chloe-Jasmine who pretty much single handed, built my portfolio you see today. It is easy to be cool to pull superstar names down and use them to empower our self but Tim Burton has done nothing more than show me what he can do when empowered by the people around him. Maybe we should not be so dismissive about the people who do the same for us. Using Rock start idols as a source of inspiration can be very damaging indeed. If you combine this idea of inspiration and what Paul Arden was saying when talking about looking at people’s portfolios there is a very interesting idea that comes into view. If everyone is looking in the same way for inspiration everyone work, no matter how good, is going to be the same. Maybe we should look closer to home and in a more individual basis. So next time someone asks who inspire you, try and answer in an honest way, even if it makes you look like a dork.

Not that is this a rant in any at all, but I would like like to ask why photographers do not seem to play nice with each other, stupid question I know. But why, we only hold each other back with silly comments. So the teaching thing was brought up the other day. Part of the DKP brand we offer bespoke teaching and educational days. As with the whole industry there seems to be this Professional Over the last four years I have been working on 3 core ideas and moulding them over the years. I am am forever reading old books and talking to new photographers and camera companies to find and gain as much info as I can before stuffing into my brain and creating the teaching plans. Anyway, the problem seems to be price. How much should these courses cost and are they really worth it? Well no matter if you are paying top dollar for a bespoke one to one workshop or a meet up and shoot day, you will only get out what you put in and this means really looking at why you are spending any money at and and who are you are spending it with. Just blindly chucking money are great photographers and thinking that will bring you success in your own line just will not work. Investing your time and being super aware of what you need to learn and chucking money will. Some people can afford to do both and some can not. I was never in the place to afford to pay someone to teach me, so I have had to work and graft while staying aware and putting in the hours on my own. I guess back then I was time rich and cash poor. There are people who just need a guiding hand to ensure that the investments in camera gear and time are not being wasted. These people just need a nice safe and comforting environment from time to time and have will to spend thousands on the long windy road of being a professional photographer. Educational methods on creative subjects is always going to be a contentions issue. I for one think have many problems with many people who do teach. Not the teachers them self, but the things they are asked to teach and the way they have to grade students. I feel you can not teach the arts, but only help craft them. People in this area should only ever act to enable not to lead. This is one of the core ideas behind the Book Project. Each person that take on the project is choosing to actively push there own ideas and fuelling there own path. There are not rights or wrongs, its a method to promote self learning. Which is the ONLY way any creative art can be taught. Give a man a fish and he can eat but teach him to fish and he will be selling fish fingers in no time at all.

If you do decide that paying someone to help you on your journey to help relight that fire inside, pick someone who will let you be you only enable you to channel that you already have inside. Pick some one that will make sure to understand your goals and keep that in mind. Try and be clear about what you want and do not be worried about voicing this. Above all, if you aspire to be a professional photographer, you probably don’t need to be on any creative courses at all. It is all business and can be a nasty one at that. Avoiding getting lost in the creative side and be a talent in its self, I for one know that I spend more time worrying about my portfolio and that I am not good enough than I should. Trying to focus more on bringing business in is the hard work and seems to be put to the back of the mind while we focus on the fun side of the job. Shooting Stunning models is always going to be beat working on tax and marketing. Much of this is all personal choice and who you turn to for advice and help can really make such a difference. I guess the best way is to be open about things when you can and spread your net far and wide when looking for information and keep in mind that at the end of the day, anything you do is totally your choice. There is nothing wrong with being different, but on the same note, there can be better ways to get to the same places. One key skill I like to work on with people his helping them be able to ask the right questions in order so that they can get in right information when they need it. But I could be totally wrong and we should be chucking more people into University and the Professional photographer should stick to taking photos. I shall leave you with this thought, Do failed photographers turn to teaching to provide an income?

We shot this summery shoot quite a while ago now, the shoot was put together by Chloe-Jasmine for me to test out the new Canon 5d Mark3 and the new Nikon D800. As you might of well guessed, both cameras are pretty stunning. All these shots are from the Canon. There will be a review of both the cameras soon.

We shot these using Sigma lenses in the orchard , we pretty much used the RAZOR sharp Sigma 105mm for all of these shots the wider shots are using the 28mm Sigma lens. The 105mm and Mark 3 are an amazing combination. The super fast camera and focus system is very trusting.

The 5d Mark 3 is one of the most responsive cameras to date and has the best focus systems I have ever used. Combined with a sensible file size, amazing high ISO performance, clarity, tonal gradation and wonderful colour balancing Canon have maybe created the best ever all round camera. The Canon is pure joy to use. Getting usable files at 12,800ISO is nice, but, last year I don’t think I took many files over 1600ISO. Video tends to be shot at Higher ISO’s on average due to the different photographic styles needed for video and film, meaning the 5d 3 needed to excel in this area to keep the huge indie film maker fan base happy. No one will be disappointed with this new camera . . . Super fast, super responsive, super sharp and being able to confidently deal with anything. The 5d mark 3 could be a camera that will improve your photography. Being able to forget about the camera and being able to think in a purely creative direction. The 5dm3 is nothing remarkable, nothing to really get excited about, on paper it seems unimpressive, however, this is one of the most refined cameras on the market today and will be loved for many years to come because of this. It is totally on my shopping list . . . A wise investment.

On the day of the shoot we had be blessed with the most amazing sunshine. Sarah Beaufoy had arranged with Chloe-Jasmine to be able to shoot in the most stunning Blossom orchard, Lizzie Conner supplied the wonderful dresses and styling. Having such bright back lighting was amazing as the the bright blown-out details just looked amazing when shooting at 2.8 on the 105mm Sigma. I used my trusty Duotone editing process to remove some colour and warm the overall look to give them a nice golden yellow feeling.

On the 1st of September we had N-Photo Magazine pop down to Stoneleigh for a wonderful shoot. One lucky reader had the chance to come and along and shoot too !  Make sure you pick up a copy in next months N-Photo Magazine !

Full Blog coming soon when the magazine is out with BTS shots and the guides to the editing processes used, ( if you was wondering that is ) !!

Photography: Dave Kai Piper
Assistant Photographer: Paul McKelvie
Hair & Beauty: Roseanna Velin
Lingerie: Lucile & Co
Model: Kasia Bober

Stoneleigh Abbey | Warwickshire

I have a question, well, not a direct question more a concept idea statement or rhetorical question if you will. Over the the last couple of months (years) I have been writing my about ‘What Photography is’. Breaking it down into bitesize chunks and keeping things really simple, I set about creating trying to explain the art of photography in my view. In the main this has been pretty much easy, When explaining what a speed light is, there are defined limits to what ‘it’ is. When explaining what low light photography ‘is’, again there are defined areas and concepts that things fall nicely into. If I may, I would like to explain the problem then ask you the question that is troubling me. Art, Photography is a craft, a thought, a way to measure feeling and energy using the given environment before us. We can interact, react, communicate, change, ignore, challenge, connect, disconnect or embrace the word around by just using a still moment in time. A powerful concept indeed. How these elements are bound together, compacted and interpreted by the photographer is, in many ways the craft that usually coined by the ‘non-creative’ as ‘having a ‘great eye’.  Being aware of the world around you should be normal and not praised. I digress, my point is this. Photography is a name used for a chemical reaction that was used to transcribe an image thought the media of light. Photography is a physical event, where as photographers are not. Just being aware of the world around you does not a photographer make.
I think being a ‘photographer’ is a very strange way to introduce yourself, maybe there should be a new term. Why ? Well, the term is to board and really does not say anything about what you do. If you ask a lady what she does and she says a Dentist, you pretty much know what she does. Ask another person and they say bus driver, you can be assured they have something to do with buses. Ask a security officer what they do and they would pretty much say they look at CCTV all day. Ask a Photographer what they spend 90% of there time doing, bet it is not camera related, maybe image related, but the process of photography ? Not a chance. My question is this, What is a Photographer ?

I guess, one would say, a Photographer is someone who takes photos. Just like a Baker is someone who bakes, ish. Are you still a Baker if you are making cookies for the kids to take to school ? no.. you are just making cookies. Being a Baker implies you are paid for said activities. A strange thought I know, but the idea of a level of professionalism coming into play changes the game. Most successful photographers are better business people than photographers. Maybe they should be businessmen that deal in Photography, not Photographers. Digital Artists that work within Photography? Salesmen that sell Photography? Social Media guru’s that specialize in photography ? Enterprises that focus on imaging services? Teachers that teach creative media? You can be many things to do with photography these days, but there are very, very few photographers. The next problem is, what am I ? Well, I think, that from now on, I am going to have, ‘sometimes’ a Photographer on my business cards.

Being a Photographer in 2012 is a complicated thing. There are many challenges and flights of fancy that one must endure to even survive. The photography aspect is the least of your worries if you are planning on, or thinking about Photography as a job prospect. As a good advice as any working (sometimes working) Photographer will tell you, get your business in order first, this is a business world and it takes no prisoners. You will need to roll up up your sleeves and get down in the mud.

So the what ever you do, however you approach your photography, be mindful and aware. These are interesting and changing times for image makers of all kinds.

House of Herlihy | Fashion shoot

Full Shoot @ http://davekaipiper.500px.com/sheerlake/

I was super excited about this shoot, not the 4am call time though.

Shot with a mixture of Strobe and Studio with some good old fashioned hard work, This shoot was shoot with the Sigma SD1 and the 105mm HSM lense. Lighting from Orbis with a Nikon SB910 and a 200w head from Elemental.

Huge thank you to the whole team and super proud to sail though the first round of the l’oreal colour trophy.

Photographer: Dave Kai Piper
Assistant photographer : Paul Mckelvie

Beauty: Chloe-Jasmine Whichello &  Sara Lou Thomas.

Models from Alpha Agency & Mustard Models.

Hair by AKA Hairdressing – Bristol

I just wanted to share a couple of shots taken in a hotel lobby after a winter/snow shoot in Manchester.

The rest of the shoot is coming soon.

Photographer: Dave Kai Piper
Hair & Beauty: Samantha Mercer
Models: Alpha Agency (thank you to Liz for all the hard work getting this shoot together)

Salford Quays | Manchester

Huge thank you to Mark Evans & Chloe-Jasmine Whichello !

All these are shoot with a 50mm, Nikon d90 and lit using the SB910 / Orbis

A while ago…

I met a man called James, he showed me a flash adapter called the orbis^® ring flash, I got my grubby hands on one and its been love ever since.  I was asked to do an interview for the website and blog, This is shown below.  If you know me or have seen me shooting, you will kn0w how much love and use my Orbis. I am not just trying to sell the thingy or be a promo spokes person. It’s something I actually enjoy using and suits my style very well. It also just happens that the Orbis people are uber cool people too.

All the photos on this blog are shot with a Nikon camera (D90 and D700)  a fast prime lens, an SB900 with an orbis^® ring flash mounted via my frio™ (on Eddie, the 3 Legged Thing tripod.)

“Do you want the truth or something beautiful?”

When you get a man like Dave Piper to sit down and answer questions for you, what do you ask him for an exclusive orbis^® ring flash interview? Perhaps, something about his equipment? Or maybe the work he did at The Cannes Film Festival? Or perhaps instead, like us, you’d ask him what he thinks about before he presses the shutter button (and read quite possibly the most eloquent answer to that question we’ve heard in a long time…).

We chat about his muse Chloe-Jasmine Wichello, shooting in London the day after The British Music Awards and how he thinks photography holds up against the heavyweights of digital media. Ladies and gentlemen, Dave Piper…

Q: How long have you been a photographer?
All my life I have had a love for art and story. I have spent my last four years shooting weddings, bands, portraits and fashion editorials. My time is balanced out with many other things. Most photographers have a number of incomes and I am no different. Much of my time is spent split between my re-touching service and bespoke one-to one workshops.

Q: Are you a pro or amateur? What was your breakthrough, either when you knew you were in love with photography or when you became pro?
Well, I have had a romantic link with photography in all its shapes and forms for as long as I can remember. People like Tim Burton have had an untold influence on the way I see the world, it’s all about the artistic vision for me. How could someone not love the world of photography, it shapes and drives everything around us?

I remember during a photo shoot at Cannes Film Festival this year, pausing and thinking, am I really here?… This year alone I have been to more places than I ever thought possible, all of it due to photography. One of my first breakthrough shoots was…. … a shoot with celebrity Aussie designer, Joe Challita. We took three beautiful models in these amazing dresses and did a shoot in the middle of London the day after the British Music Awards.

Teaching with Bryon Pa ul McCartney on his Tuscan based workshops was a good step forward. Bryon was the first person to show big trust and faith in my work, both shooting and teaching. Another big turning point was meeting my partner and muse, Chloe-Jasmine Whichello. 90% of my best work is with Chloe and a constant source of inspiration.

In 2009, I was walking around the Focus on Photography (Birmingham, UK) event thinking how amazing it would be to have a portfolio made by Epoca. Last year I got a phone call. It was from a lady called Terri Romolo; she works for Album Epoca. Terri had called me to ask if they could use some of my photography for the books on display at the exact show I was at the year previous. Terri and Epoca have been amazing to me since and continue to produce the most stunning wedding and portfolio books. My Epoca portfolio goes everywhere with me.

Q: Tell us a bit about the setup for your photo shoot(s) – lighting, equipment, post processing?
“Content is King”, Sir Cecil Beaton showed us this. Simplicity is the key for me and I shoot with Nikon cameras and fast prime lenses. Very simple kit and lets me be super mobile. A lot of the time I shoot with reflector or the orbis^® ring flash on a tripod.
There is a clear difference between digitally editing photos and digitally developing them. I work to an Adobe workflow system. Bridge > Lightroom > Photoshop. Over the last year or so, I have started to implement a system using a Duotone and Tritone colour palette and have found some inte resting colour effects. There are many great plug-in’s perfect for weddings and such; I’m using the Nik Software plug-ins. Although a lot of people might think so, I don’t actually use a Mac set up. I use Dell workstations, Wacom Tablets and Dual Dell screens. Lighting wise, I love to try and be as natural as I can, but when shooting in a studio or working with flash, I currently use the new Trinity Lights from Elemental, very nice lights indeed.

Q: How did your orbis^® help?
I do love the orbis^®, I might use it in a strange way though. My orbis^® pretty much lives mounted via my frio™ (on Eddie, the 3 Legged Thing tripod). I use it to provide back lighting and extra light to shape and illuminate people. I find the orbis^® is great at creating mixed lighting (natural & flash). With a quick flick of a button you can have an instant soft box. Stand behind it and shoot through it, you have a ring flash, stand someone in front of it, you have a backlight. Kids love it too as it doesn’t get hot. I’m about to start taking two orbis^® flash units with me to instantly create fast simple lighting solutions. It’s comforting to know that the orbis^® will bail you out of tricky low light problems. The orbis^® is perfect for those close up macro photography shots too.

Behind the scenes with Chloe-Jasmine (Make up Artist) & Oliva Ward (model)    Gingersnap Models

Q: The orbis^® is designed to give photographers an edge. It’s very challenging to make a living as a professional photographer, what are your tips for staying competitive in the industry?
Produce things that people need and want. Be in the right place at the right time. I guess it’s just that simple. Which is why it’s so challenging at the same time. It’s about getting the job done. Get the job done in the most stylish way possible.

Q: Your photos have a particular quality to them, how would you describe your personal style?

My work has started to develop a style that is both colourful and playful while keeping a high impact and vintage ethic. I like to give an element of story and drama. As a designer, this concept of story and narrative is always close by. I want to be entertained. Many of my artistic influences are film makers and musicians.

My Dave Piper photography website has the tag line :

“detail and clarity, fused with narrative form and function”.

Q: Are you a self-taught photographer, did you go to college or university, or did you have a mentor?
Fully self taught, sitting down and learning things does not come naturally to me. I learn best by observation. I cut my teeth with a wedding company called Prestige Photography. One day I walked in and asked for a job. A year later I was asked to assist on a wedding with them. Darren Rudge was the man that took that gamble. He looked after me for a while until I turned to the fashion world. Most of my awareness has come from the pages of Vogue, 125 Magazine, Love Magazine, Hollywood and MTV.

Creative minds like Tim Walker, Robert Voltaire, Sylvie Blum, David LaChapelle, Sally Mann, Jerry Uelsmann, Sir Cecil Beaton, Rankin and Woland continue to teach me.

I have never had a mentor as such, but lots of people have looked out for me. Bryon Paul McCartney would be one person who went out of his way to give me a break, I owe a lot to him.

Photo © Dave Kai-Piper. Model: Chloe-Jasmine Whichello

Q: Is there something you always ask yourself/think just before you press the shutter button?
It’s usually “Is this photo going to sit on my hard drive forever, untouched and just wasting space?”. With the Digital Age, its very easy to shoot 1000`s of frames. This is a pet hate of mine. If I shoot 50 frames, it would be nice to have 30 usable photos and 10 great frames. 80% of photography is done before you press the shutter. The thing I tend to think about before pressing the shutter is “Am I ready to press the shutter?”.

Q: What is one last impression you want to leave in your photos?
That’s an interesting question. Many people these days just see photography as something that is used to paparazzi celebrities. I want to leave the idea that, with all the many forms of digital media today, the still photograph is still king.

Q: Do you have any tips for those looking for advice from recognised photographers?
Have a vision, have an idea and have respect for the people around you.

Follow photographers’ blogs, send them questions, and ask to help, ask to assist. I love to get questions via e-mail and my blog. Many photographers will take the time to get back to you, as long as you ask sensible questions. Ask the normal, what brand camera do you use, and don’t sit about waiting for a reply. Be open and interesting, ask those questions that get people engaged. Above all, be confident in yourself.

Q: Where can we hear more from you or see more of your work?

Check out my blog and website, or come say hi on Facebook. My website also has a contact page for more info.

Email |dave@davepiper.org.uk?         500px | http://500px.com/DaveKaiPiper

Dave Piper is but one of the many amazing photographers that we’ll bring to the forefront through a series of orbis^® blog interviews. We’re stoked to have a diverse range of photographers equipped with the orbis^® and even more so that we can share their tips and insights, because sharing is caring!

For stunning results like Dave, get your own orbis^® in the enlight photo pro store and check in next month to see who’s getting amongst it with the orbis^®!