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work : drapers |  |
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I always look forward to annual awards ceremonies; it's nice to have a regular job, and of course I get to wear my dinner suit for a change. The Draper's Awards cocktail reception begins at 6.30pm and the presentations start at 9.30pm; CD of images have to be handed to EMAP production staff before they leave the event at around midnight. It's only possible to meet this kind of deadline by using digital cameras and using a laptop to process the images on site. Even then, logistical planning is the key to success - the pictures have to be transferred to the computer and processed in batches throughout the evening. If all the production work is left until after the photography is complete, the CDs won't be ready on time. Using the latest version of Photoshop on the laptop, I can record my improvements a representative image and apply those changes to all the images automatically, as well as adding captions and copyright information; while the computer does this I can shoot more pictures. It's high-pressure work with no time for mistakes, but because I've planned the evening out I can enjoy it. I've developed a unique twin flash arrangement on my camera, which produces even, shadowless lighting that's very flattering. Eric Musgrave, Managing Editor of EMAP Fashion, writes "Drapers, the fashion business weekly, holds its annual Awards ceremony to celebrate excellence in fashion retailing. Categories embrace all aspects of the business from the smallest independent boutique to the largest multiples & department stores. In 2003 some 19 categories were awarded. The Award itself is modelled on a traditional tailor's dummy, and is made from transparent Perspex-type material, which allows excellent light effects to be projected through it. The Awards gala dinner at Grosvenor House, London attracted more than 900 people. The commission from Drapers was for Ian to photograph best-dressed women guests, to photograph as many significant guests as possible in the social setting, and to do the formal photographs of the presentation to the winners. He was also asked to photograph the Awards themselves with the idea of using the image as the cover shot on Drapers. As usual, Ian's results were excellent. He presented the Drapers team with two CDs of hundreds of images before the night was over and the next day - hangovers permitting - five pages of photographs and the striking cover were laid and captioned. The whole effect was to bring to Drapers' readers the essence of what is the high spot of the magazine's calendar".
