Header photo: People watching by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor  

CLP.Photography is a part-time photographer based in Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, with over 9 years of experience.  

After recently sharing their photoshoot (featuring model rubenwhitteractor) with the PurplePort community, Chris from CLP.Photography generously gave us his time for a quick interview to go into more detail about the shoot.

Check out the fabulous images created during the photoshoot, and find out what inspired Chris for the shoot, how he planned it, the camera gear he used, and more.

This is my world by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor  

SHARE A SHOOT with CLP.Photography on PurplePort

How did you come up with the concept? Did anything inspire you?

After a hiatus due to Covid, starting a family and more, it was time to get the creative juices flowing, and what better way than to diversify your portfolio?

I put out a casting call for a style I hadn't tried before (urban), and Ruben answered. We were both looking for a city/urban vibe with our shoot and discussed the final images we were after (all pre-shoot communications took place on PurplePort).

I have a very relaxed style, preferring on-location shoots with plenty of time to talk. Life is stressful enough, and I don't want to add to it for either party. This should be fun, after all!

I work day-to-day as an events planner, and for me, photography is a creative outlet and a chance to observe the world as it is rather than try to control elements of it.

Chill and watch strangers by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor  

What did you do to plan the shoot?

It was a collaborative effort with Ruben, and we discussed multiple ideas on locations of interest. We had a theme, so it was a case of finding an interesting environment in a location I hadn't been to before. 

After researching the area online, I proposed the Great Western Arcade as a potential meeting place. From what I had seen in photos of the area, it could be a photogenic environment with its reflective flooring, high ceilings and storefronts.

My thoughts were to play with shutter speed to take longer exposures that would see anybody walking past blurred, putting more focus on Ruben as the subject. This also presented an opportunity to experiment with kit in a way I hadn't done before.

Another agreed stop was The Grand Hotel Birmingham. The lounge is particularly atmospheric and would lend well to a city-slicker vibe. This would also present an opportunity for a change of wardrobe.

Confidence is a belief in oneself by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor  

How did you arrange the shoot?

Once we'd settled on some venues and a theme, it was time to discuss availability.

After talking over potential availability, it became clear that for one of the possible dates, I was nearby for an Awards Dinner I was hosting and could tie the two days together… should be simple enough, or so I thought.

Sadly, traffic would have other ideas, which meant timings slipped slightly, but thankfully, Ruben was more than accommodating. Once I had fought through the traffic, I parked and quickly walked to our meeting point.

Imagine by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor  

What was it like shooting at that location?

In a word, great. Ruben is fantastic and tied the concept and location together with a well-considered wardrobe.

The first challenge we faced was a lack of footfall in the Arcade on a Sunday (to my surprise), but this allowed us to capture some more intimate moments. We even utilised a surprise Christmas tree, which was not on the cards beforehand but still very much appreciated.

We were in no rush, and patiently waiting, we pounced when a group in high-vis vests walked past, leading to my favourite shot of the whole shoot. This was exactly what I was after, using a long shutter and features of my camera in a way that I hadn't before.

Making our way to the second location, we grabbed a couple of shots in a busier street environment, which led to my first-ever FPI (front page image)!

Finding the spirit by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor  

Tell us about the gear you used.

I'm a fan of equipment that I can take almost anywhere with minimal inconvenience that I don't have to worry about should the weather turn, so for years, I have used Olympus (now OM-System) equipment.

All my equipment is weather-sealed, which is perfect as I like to use the same system whether it be on water, outdoors hiking/mountaineering or when on assignment for events/weddings.

For this particular shoot, I used an OM-System OM-1 with a combination of the m.Zuiko 45mm f1.2 PRO lens and the m.Zuiko 7-14mm f2.8 PRO lens.

The OM-1 has a feature called Live-ND, which was used to allow the use of even longer shutter speeds with a wider aperture whilst allowing me to quickly change the ND value on the fly (without the need to fumble with physical filters). I've used this before but not in this environment, so I was pleased to see it could open additional creative options in a way that it may not have necessarily been intended for.

People watching by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor

What's your favourite image from the shoot?

My favourite image from the set must be The calm amongst the noise (shown below).  

It's a reminder that no matter how busy things can appear if you focus, you can always find something that stands out, a juxtaposition of its environment.

This is exactly what I was looking for when I planned this shoot, with the reflective floor of the Great Western Arcade and the longer shutter speed in mind. It pulls you into Ruben as the subject while creating an intriguing effect with the passers-by wearing high-vis vests.

The calm amongst the noise by photographer CLP.Photography  with model rubenwhitteractor  

Thank you, Chris, from CLP.Photography, for sharing your creativity, experience and images with us. We loved learning all about your photoshoot with model rubenwhitteractor!

We hope you all loved it, too. Don't forget to check out the links below to see more of CLP.Photography's work!

Here's where you can find more of CLP. Photography's work

PurplePort: CLP.Photography

Website: www.clp.photography 

Instagram: chris.leach.photography

Facebook: CLP  (Christopher Leach Photography)

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