As to my post about the quirky film about Brian Griffin, I would add here what I posted on the UK FADU site in response to some comments:
Thanks, David. Yet another I had never heard of. I'd have preferred if he had explained a little more about his ideas and what appeared to be darkroom manipulation but the video was never aimed at darkroom nerds.
Interesting that the video is shot in B&W
Mike
Virtually all of Brian's lighting effects were achieved directly on film using a lot of polaroids along the way and not in the darkroom.
yeah....
undoubtedly skilled creative talent but blimey, not at all likable.
Given how that film was made I can understand your point. However, in reality Brian is a very kind and friendly person with whom one can while away many a fine hour in the pub with delicious real ales. What the film makers were trying to present I think is that, despite the wide range of different work that he has made, the recent launch of his 'Pop' book (which showcases his work for musicians) has become the dominant focus of attention. Also they were trying to capture (badly) something of the style of the lectures that he used to do with Elvis Costello's keyboard player Steve Nieve.
What really set him apart from the other notable photographers working in London at that time was his brilliant use of light. He and his assistant Stewart developed amazing on-film effects using bits of string, elastic and flash/tungsten combinations.
Yes he does come across as somewhat arrogant but, heck, he is a major figure in British photography who revolutionised corporate, business, music and portrait photography. What really sounds over the top when he says "i was brave and those who were not have fallen into oblivion" is pretty damned accurate. There were plenty of other photographers around at the time who were earning a lot more than Brian and basically doing whatever the Art Director told them to do. I would suggest that Brian's vision and creativity should be an inspiration to all who love photography whether it is your hobby or profession.
Bests,
David.
www.dsallen.de
