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~Cashub

Marius
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About Me Member Antagonist CashubMale/Ireland Recent Activity Deviant for 3 Years
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Interview with Tate Hemlock

Journal Entry: Tue Sep 29, 2009, 1:44 AM
One day I was browsing DA and his works :icontatehemlock: just appeared. I though "Wow! This is a hell of a good job". And I wonder who's this guy anyway?
So his name is Tate, he is a very skilled young and professional photographer and... oh yeah, he like robots.
What you will read below is the interview I did with him sometime ago.



Cashub: When did you started being a photographer? Have you got any inspiration, thinking about this for a long time or was it more spontaneous?

Tate: Interestingly enough I started out with photography by accident in the mid-90's. I was doing music journalism and booking small punk shows and this band was on tour and they crashed at my house and the label needed some promo photos for them ASAP because they had a new drummer. They were like on the second stage at like Lollapalooza or something. So they asked me if I'd ever done any photography and I totally bullshitted and said, "Yes!" So anyway I borrowed a camera, took photos of them and that would have been the end of it except once the photos started being published the label was sending the newspapers and magazines to me and I thought it was cool to see my name in print!!! I ended up buying a little cheapie camera thinking I could take more pics of bands but I wasn't very good at it.
Anyway, I did it as a hobby for a bit. Mostly shooting buildings and stuff in black & white on film. Then I bought a cheap digital camera around 2000 or 2001 and I started taking pics of girls I knew so I could draw them. I guess around 2004 or 2005 I ended up taking some photography classes at a community college so I could learn to make prints and have access to a dark room. Then a couple years ago I met this model named Jessi that I was shooting for some of my art and music projects and she kinda pushed me to put my photos on the Internet and introduced me to other model and photographers. I started shooting more often and stopped showing up for band practice. It kinda just blew up after that.



C: So you had no problems with finding your first models? That's very handy. From that time what was your greatest failure and greatest achievement?

T: Gah, no, in the early days it was not easy to find models. Even if I wanted to shoot sometimes I had no choice but to shoot buildings or flowers or even myself! I was lucky that early on I befriended some really amazing models. Jessi Frances was amazing. She no longer models but her kindness and advice I can never repay. And I also worked with Fallon of GodsGirls way before she was ever Fallon of GodsGirls. Again, I can never repay her for everything she did for me in the early days. Jessica Claire was another early model who was a big influence. Not only was she ridiculously beautiful but she had been modeling for years. The camera loved her. In some ways it was just about hitting the button thingie on top of the camera at the right time. She would get on me to "think outside the box" more often. To challenge myself more. Cuz early on I would experiment more and focused on a wider range of subject matters but by then I'd sort of got in a rut and was shooting what was easiest for me.
Achievements? Gah. I guess that depends on when you ask me. Getting paid for the first time was a major turning point. But then taking a pic that I was super proud of in a way was so much more fulfilling. I already spent the money but I can still look at some older pics and be like, "Hells yeah!" Getting published is also very cool. Being recognized by people who have already achieved success/fame, etc. is also rewarding in some ways. I think it's a culmination of achievements. Just the fact that some people care, or that other people see the humor in my work when others just see it as pictures of boobies is also very rewarding to me.
Greatest failure? I don't really think I have had any failures, maybe fucked up a few shoots or had some not turn like I had expected. More disappointments really but nothing major.



C: You have mentioned that being paid was a real turning point for you. But many people have no idea about how this business works in regards to 'money making', so in order to earn your living, do you have to hire a model, or perhaps model hires you? Could you reveal some secrets?

T: Well that depends on the situation and the photographer. You can charge models to shoot pics for them for their portfolios which they can use to try and get paid work or to get signed to an agency or to just look cool on My Space. Not much money in it though. Models always seem to lack money LOL
Shooting paid work for clients is different. Sometimes they will give you a model to shoot, sometimes they have you search for a specific model. Other times a client will approach a model and then they will recommend you as a photographer.
There are tons of ways to make money as a photog though. Some of it I won't do because it bores me shitless. I prefer work, like say more adult work that doesn't require any work!! LOL You take the pics and give them to the client and that's about it. But you can also offer your services to shoot events, weddings, portraits, etc. But you really have no choice in the matter about how you can shoot it or who you choose to shoot. Wedding photos are big money but it's the most horrible thing in the world!! LOL I pretty much refuse to do it.
Like I got offered some gig to shoot some people for a reality TV show or something equally stupid and it was really good money except I had to be on TV too so I said, "No thanks." It would have been huge exposure and money too!



C: You have recently posted some words of advice to young models and photographers ([link]), and for a few times pointed there how extremely important is to get the copy of a model's ID, and a model release. Can you say few words on how this can turn against someone who is unaware, or who is ignoring this on purpose?

T: The most important thing is verifying the model's age. Esp these days when age is harder to tell. Someone who is unaware could easily find themselves in hot water!!! Someone who ignores it on purpose is probably either incredibly reckless, stupid or up to no good!!!



C: Can this end with a fine or jail? Or anything more serious?

T: Well it could put some photogs in jail if they are deliberately going out there and breaking the law. You only need a model release to sell the pictures to a website or magazine. That's why it's called a release. Buy signing the model agrees to give you a certain amount of rights over the pictures which the photog then in turn assigns to the purchaser of the photos. And there is a big difference between publicizing and publishing. Like you can promote your photos on websites without needing a model release. To sell the photos to say, a tattoo magazine, then you need a release form. Shooting minors ALWAYS requires a release signed by a parent, no exceptions! Which is why you should always get a photo of the model's ID. This is true whether the work is nude or not. You just want to know your model is an adult and able to make decisions on her own. if a model has no proof of age then you should not shoot her! My advice to photogs is consult with an attorney. If a website or magazine offers to buy photos off you and doesn't have any releases to sign I would recommend avoiding them.



C: I have noticed that some photographers often credit a make up artists who help them, some of them prefer when the model does the make up all by herself. Do you have any favourite MUA?

T: I have a couple favorite MUA's and I try to collaborate with them or find models willing to pay their kit fees when I can. However, sometimes I am more than happy with the make-up the model does herself. It depends on the type of shoot honestly. If a girl is just gonna get wet in a shower than paying for an MUA is unnecessary. And I always try to credit the MUA. It's easier on Model Mayhem where they look for such info but I forget to do so on other sites sometimes and if I notice I always try to correct that. Sometimes I wish I only had one MUA that worked with me on all my photos but I know too many who are fantastic!! Plus they are cool people and it does make things interesting to see how they do things differently and put their own unique spin on it.



C: You are great with nude and sensually tempting photography, but have you ever encountered a situation when your model has declined to do some shots?

T: Oh yeah. I never expect models to shoot anything they are uncomfortable shooting though. If I ask them to try something and they don't want to, it's all good. There are different models for different reasons. Models who shoot with me obviously know my work and expect to show some skin if they come shoot with me. I think some are surprised if I don't ask them to! LOL



C: So the "pizza" session is usually OK for them? ;)
What about the delivery guys? I assume they must be stunned, but have you ever had a pizza delivery girl?

T: Amusingly, some models who do not pose nude have been more than happy to do the pizza trick! Honestly, the most common reaction is embarrassment. Some guys turn red and cannot look them in the eye. Though one or two steal a glance back! And yes, have had a female one day but such wasn't upset at all. Couldn't care less honestly LOL And only one person was angry. Just seemed to inconvenience him, like he didn't have time for any shenanigans. Plus he had a thick Russian or Eastern European accent so he was a bit intimidating!!



C: Well, some people are just strange. Me for an example would be freaking happy or speechless...
OK, Let's talk about your workshop.
I heard that a real photographer can shot great and awesome pictures with a webcam, but to be frank with you I don't find it very reliable. So please tell me what sort of a cameras are you using and can a really great and awesome camera improve your skills?

T: Well people claim as much! I don't believe it though. Well not 100% anyway. You definitely need a professional camera if you want any control over your pics. No control means anything you do that turns out good is random and lucky. I've seen cool pics taken with "point and shoot" digital cameras and I liked the pic but didn't make me think a damn thing about the photographer. In the same breath, I'm not a gear head. I don't really care about that stuff.
I used to shoot with this little Nikon before I went digital. Then I got a Canon Rebel which people frown on. It's a professional camera but it's like a cheap one. I shot with that thing until Feb or March of this year. So I would use myself as an example of "it's the photographer, not the equipment" because I know photogs who have bought top of the line everything and I think that the photos they do are boring and pedestrian. And I love it when some big name photog messages me and says, "Wow! This is so sharp and colorful. What kind of camera are you using?" And I'm like, "Canon Rebel." LOL
But now I have a Canon 20D which I have had to get used to a little bit but now I think I am doing some really good stuff with it. I only have two lenses and occasionally borrow or rent another if I need it for an idea. Back when I had no equipment I would ask a guy I know who does cinematography for films, "How did they do this shot?" And he'd explain it and I'd go, "OK" and then try to figure out a way to do it without the same equipment.
One time I showed him a photo and he said, "Wow. How the heck did you pull this off without lights?" And I was like, "Shined a flashlight through the model's shirt and pointed it as far behind her as possible, then used a longer exposure." And he started laughing.
The genius of this is that not only did I make it look like I was using lights that at the time I didn't own, but I also got the model's shirt off.
So yeah, equipment is overrated. It's what you do with it that's important.



C: Overrated you say? What about Photoshop-a-like tools? How often are you using such apps to "enhance" your photos? Can you actually recommend any specific software?

T: I use Photoshop but Photoshop is why graphic designers think they are photographers. I use it for weird pics and stuff that I think is cartoon-ish or deliberately unreal. I would never use it at all if models weren't persnickety, self-obsessed individuals who cry over the littlest flaws. Nothing angers me more than models who know Photoshop and use it to do plastic surgery on themselves in my pictures. That's a good way to get me to never shoot you again and/or delete your photos from my port once they've served my use.
I pretty much only use Photoshop. Adobe Lightroom is for photogs who suck to make themselves look better. It's so obvious when you see Adobe Lightroom on a photo. It bugs me. I use Photoshop for Curves, Brightness, Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation. If I go beyond that I am deliberately doing art and no longer look at the image as a photo. Though I have found some cool actions that replicate cross-processing and other non-digital photo processing techniques. Those are cool because they are photo shit and not graphic designer shit.
Honestly the thing I hate most about taking pics is Photoshop. The photo is important, not the photog, not the model, not the technique. A photo is forever. The person taking it and the subject is just the means to an end.



C: Where is the most of your photos created? Do you have your own studio, or just shooting anywhere? Any favourite locations?

T: Most of them are created in a condo that doubles as my studio. Sometimes shoot other places or outdoors. I def like shooting at the Legacy Resort which is a fancy resort near my house but otherwise I don't really have any fave spots.



C: Your plans for the future?

T: Gosh, I don't know. I don't really have any and whenever I think I know what I want to do, I change my mind in a few months time. I wouldn't mind being a photojournalist someday. I wouldn't mind immersing myself in a photo project kinda like how Jane Atwood works. Too early to tell. Still learning.



C: Any final words?

T: Just that I appreciate all the support of my fans and followers. They all rock!!!



To see Tate's Gallery just click on his icon below
:icontatehemlock:

2 Comments | Previous Journal Entries
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  • Current Residence: Dublin (Poland originally)
  • Interests: Everything I see
  • Favourite movie: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
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Comments


:iconlourey:
*lourey Jun 18, 2009, 4:27:38 AM
thank you:)

--
Ozgun M.Turan



my profile:[link]
my gallery:[link]
my website:[link]
:iconcashub:
~Cashub Jun 18, 2009, 5:57:17 AM
you're welcome :)

--
"There are no limits..."
You can visit my gallery here: [link]
:iconthewildokinawan:
*thewildokinawan Jun 16, 2009, 11:14:00 PM
THanks for the fav!

--
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today."
:iconhappyfruitcake:
~happyfruitcake Apr 6, 2009, 8:41:52 AM
thanks a lot for the fav! you make my day Marius :)
:iconcashub:
~Cashub Apr 6, 2009, 11:49:40 PM
It's always a pleasure, Christie! :D

--
"There are no limits..."
You can visit my gallery here: [link]
:iconhappyfruitcake:
~happyfruitcake Apr 7, 2009, 12:15:54 AM
oh gosh! how do you know my name! uuhmm..shuush I forgot you're friend with Alex too! hahahaha ^_^
:iconcashub:
~Cashub Apr 7, 2009, 1:15:49 AM
hahaha
Your true identity will stay safe with me.
:D

--
"There are no limits..."
You can visit my gallery here: [link]
:iconscruffyronin:
*scruffyronin Feb 4, 2009, 1:40:27 AM
Wheeee!! I'm faved with Leinil Yu and Adam Hughes, thanks!

--
Commissions • • Sketch Blog • • Tutorials
:iconcashub:
~Cashub Feb 4, 2009, 2:49:42 AM
Well, you have totally deserve it.
I'm watching you for some time now and your skills are very impressive!
You have a very unique style, very expressive and distinguished with an extremely huge potential.
I think I've told you before, that it reminds me very much of Bill Sienkiewicz.
I wish I could draw like this, but... I'm still an amateur.
And Photoshop hates me... :P

--
"There are no limits..."
You can visit my gallery here: [link]
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