Ambiguous Misdirection Photography Exhibition by Nick Gregan

Ambiguous Misdirection Photography Exhibition by Nick Gregan

There are many photography exhibitions showing on a regular basis. From established household names in the photography world to emerging talent in the form of students and younger people.

However it's not that often that we see an established photographer like Nick Gregan show a collection of his private work. Nick is best know as a headshot photographer in London.

In this fantastic exhibition entitled 'Ambiguous Misdirection' Nick reveals an unseen collection that will guarantee thought provoking discussion. In a genuinely awe inspiring body of work Nick investigates the female form. His creative process on this project has taken an unstructured formation, and is characterized by a series of abstract shapes carefully selected in celebration of the female form. This exhibition does not follow a linear path, instead the images should be viewed at the viewer’s discretion, with no specific shots chosen to mark the start or finish.
   
This exhibition evokes the profound misdirection of one’s mind, pushing the spectator to look beyond the obvious and question what they see at first glance 

Fine Art Photography Related Articles 

• Fascinating Double Exposure Photography (20 photos) (mymodernmet.com)
• 30 examples of perfectly timed action photography (holykaw.alltop.com)
• World Press Photo 2010 tour comes to Edinburgh and London (blogs.journalism.co.uk)

The Actors Headshot – Capturing The Real You

1 August 2010 | No Comments »

Image by nickgregan via Flickr

The Actors Headshot – Capturing The Real You
As many of my regular readers will know one of the most important principles of a great actors headshot photograph is that it must look like you.

Many time I have come across headshots that look nothing ike the person standing in front of me. I have on several occasions spoken to casting directors
and agents about this ridiculous phenomenon. The one thing they all state categorically is that unless the actors looks like their headshot they are wasting
every ones time.
And here’s a dramatic fact; no one likes to have their time wasted especially when they’re busy.
I found this great in depth article on the Backstage blog and thought it would be worth a read
for many people.

Here’s an excerpt that’ll wet your taste buds……

It’s a variation on the classic actor’s nightmare: You step into a room for an audition. The casting director is perusing your headshot. You exchange polite hellos, and a quizzical expression passes over her face. Her eyes move up and down between you and the frozen image in her hand. Her mouth tightens. You know it’s coming. You try to predict which line she will speak:
“So, are you here to read for the niece or the aunt?”

“When did you last have your headshots done?”

“Excuse me, do I even have the right person here?”

All because the person in the photo is younger, thinner, sexier, better looking, and/or more glamorous than you. You can rationalize: “Geez, everybody exaggerates. Casting directors expect that. Anyway, she should be more interested in my acting chops than my headshot.”

Related Articles The Actors Headshot – Capturing The Real You

• Roles Based On Past Projects (actorgrowth.com)
• Quick Tips and Tricks for Auditioning (teachstreet.com)
• Finding A Headshot Photographer (actorgrowth.com)
• Beautiful Photographs ( ambiguousmisdirection.com )

Ambiguous Misdirection The Exhibition

Ambiguous Misdirection The Exhibition is a truly awe inspiring viewing. The photographer says "its a chance for the viewer to let their imagination run wild" - well he's right.

Brilliant use of light, shadow and shape make this collection of creative fine art photography intriguing, compelling and inspiring all at the same time. I loved it and want to see more.

I even bought the book that goes with the exhibition entitled 'Ambiguous Misdirection' and got another 10 images making 40 in total- superb!

Nick Gregan the photographer admitted that" this is a new direction for me, a step alongside  and not away from my normal  from but headshot work. It's a chance to express myself in a different way"

Related Articles On Photography Exhibitions

• Telling Time at Madrid Photo Exhibition (intransit.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Artist's photos capture cozy worlds within worlds (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Stone Crandall: Big Picture Photographer #1 (thedenveregotist.com)

WeirdandWonderfun TV | Imagine...TV about the really weird and wonderful things going on

This a great site with some really cool content. Guaranteed to make you laugh - you've got to check it out.WeirdandWonderfun TV | Imagine...TV about the really weird and wonderful things going on: "Dreams of martial arts movies - not for these guys - more like comedy movies."

Shakespeare’s Third Top Tip

Shakespeare’s Third Top Tip


‘A walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets this hour upon the stage and is then heard no more’ – Macbeth…..

…..In other words show some personality.




A great actors headshot needs to show loads of personality – your personality.

Remember there are thousands of actors out there and there may be quite a few with a very similar look to you. You need to make your shot stand out from the crowd and when a casting director looks at it we want them to think ‘yes’ this is exactly what I’m looking for.

Casting Directors see so many shots all the time and they can spot a good one straight away, equally so they can spot a poor one a million miles away and they usually end up straight in the bin. When your shot lands on their desk it only has a second or two to make its impression and we want that to be the right impression as first impressions do count.

This is the time to show your depth of personality, your vivaciousness, your vibrancy or your professionalism. It’s the time to show what makes you special and makes you stand out from the crowd.

So remember the words of the Great Bard don’t be………A walking shadow…..



Look out for more inspirational words from the Great Bard himself coming soon!

Where Are The Eyes In That Actors Headshot

I was searching a well know casting site today and came across a headshot of a guy that was taken outside. I noticed it in particular because it was a similar style of shot to one that I do for some of my clients that works really well. A shot that most of my clients really love.

When I looked at this shot one thing jumped out at me - THERE WERE NO EYES - what I mean is that the poor actors eyes could not be seen. They were simply large black holes in the face of the actor. ( Great for a Zombie movie )

As you know I have posted many times on how important the eyes are in an actors headshot. They are critical to making your headshot stand out.

Why hadn't this photographer not seen that there was not enough light on the subjects face, why hadn't they used some kind of reflector, was it they couldn't be bothered or didn't understand the concept of lighting.

Which leads me to another point. Maybe the photographer was part time or cheap or a friend, either way they should have known that they weren't doing justice to the subject or themselves. But more on this in another post.

Back to the main point. Why didn't the photographer do something about this, AND more importantly why didn't the actor realise that his eyes couldn't be seen and say something to his photographer AND just as important why would he use this headshot to promote himself?

Didn't he realise that his eyes were the most important part of the shot? didn't he understand that he was selling himself short in this ultra competitive market where you only have seconds to impress?

I also wondered if he knew about this stuff and if his photographer had ever mentioned or knew themselves how important the eyes are in an actors headshot?

I am saddened when I see this kind of poor photography, partly because it brings my profession into disrepute but mainly for the actor who has wasted their money and is unknowingly promoting himself with a headshot that is doing him no favours at all. He should be on the phone asking for his money back - not a reshoot in this case as the photographer clearly does not understand on of the most fundamental rules of photography.

Needless to say I would never in a million years shoot a shot like that.

Well that's my rant over for the day.

Click Here for my free guide to the 7 Secrets Of A Great Headshot

Eliana Tomás // Interior Design & Interior Styling: Stripe it.

http://www.nickgregan.com