Photographer of The Week - Nigel Barker

Photographer Nigel Barker
(Source: nigelbarker.tv)

     For my Photographer of The Week project I chose to highlight the work of Nigel Barker. Nigel is a fashion photographer that really came to the fore front during his work on America's Next Top Model which was his claim to fame.

     Nigel was born in London in 1972. His mother was a former Miss Sri Lanka which ended up playing a large role for his own modeling career which he began by accident. Intending to enter the medical field Nigel attended Bryanston School. His mom entered him enter a model search on television called The Clothes Show where he ended up placing as a finalist which began his modeling career. That career lasted about 10 years and afforded him opportunities to travel to Milan, Paris and New York City.
     In 1996, Nigel opened his own photo studio and set off on his fashion photography career. He began making a name for himself in the fashion industry and eventually was cast on a reality show with Tyra Banks called America's Next Top Model. He served as judge and photographer on that show for 17 cycles which is where he became a household name. He made several guest appearances on a variety of Top Model shows. In addition to America's Next Top Model Nigel has expanded his career by beginning to direct and produce films, documentaries and commercials for different clients. He was awarded the "Film Heals" award for a film titled Dreams are Not Forgotten where he used his photography and motion picture skills to send a powerful message about humanitarianism. He has also produced two different books about the fashion and beauty industries.
     What drew me to Nigel's work is the way he captures photos. He as the ability to see the beauty in his models and capture their uniqueness. He pays attention to all four corners of his photograph and really helps tell a story with one single frame. Nigel is quoted as saying, "Someone who is comfortable, someone who is happy, you see them immediately sit up, stand up and feel better about themselves. If you're able to capture that in a picture, that's the most beautiful picture you can ever take of someone."

Image taken by Nigel Barker
(Source: nigelbarker.tv)

Source: www.nigelbarker.tv

Week Two - Shooting News and Feature Photos

Photo Credit: www.charitybuzz.com

Topic #1 - Photographer of the Week

For this assignment I have chosen to research photographer, Nigel Barker. Nigel served as a photographer and judge for 17 seasons of America's Next Top Model which is where I was introduced to him. In addition, he has his own show on VH-1 called The Shot and was awarded the "Film Heals" award for humanitarianism at the 6th Annual Manhattan Film Festival for Dreams Are Not Forgotten.

Nigel's claim to fame is his relationship with his models. Nigel began his career as a model and that seems to influence the choices he makes behind the camera lens. He is able to make his models look timeless through his ongoing ability to look at the bigger picture and makes sure that the model or subject of his photo is comfortable.

"Someone who is comfortable, someone who is happy, you see them immediately sit up, stand up and feel better about themselves. If you're able to capture that in a picture, that's the most beautiful picture you can ever take of someone". Nigel Barker

Topic #2 - Feature Photos

Two suggestions I particularly liked from the 22 Ways To Find a Feature list were:

1) Keep an idea book
2) Shoot from a unique vantage

These suggestions stood out to me because as I work my way through campus as a part time staffer and as a student I encounter many great story ideas and suggestions. Not always are they happening at that very moment so keeping an idea book would help me capture those thoughts and ideas and allow me the ability to preserve them when I have the time in the future to really process the ideas. Shooting from a unique vantage point is something I am working hard at doing this term. I want to make sure and not take the standard photos at eye level (or at least my eye level) and work to show my audience a different perspective that adds drama/emotions to a photo.

Over the next many week in this term I plan on implementing both of these strategies immediately. With all of my future photo assignments I will be making sure to take pictures with a unique vantage point whenever possible. Since we are required to turn in 3 different shots each week I am planning on making sure at least 1 if not all three really try to incorporate a unique vantage in the shot.

Weekly Photo Assignment

LBCC Benton Center offers multiple open studio hours for students currently enrolled in at least one ceramics class. Students can practice a wide variety of clay skills and firing techniques during these times.

Benton Center students Debbie Vandersomen and Susann Underwood (left to right) work on their clay skills during an open lab studio time at the LBCC Benton Center ceramics studio.

LBCC student Rebecca Suing adds design elements to a project for her ceramics class during open studio hours at the LBCC Benton Center. The state of the art facility includes stoneware kilns, raku kilns, electric kilns for bisque, salt kilns and motorized and kick wheels.