I honestly can't see why you guys go so nuts for Ascough. Is he the only UK photographer you have heard of? Or do you just go for his 'wannabe Cartier-Bresson' schtick? (which, thankfully, he has turned down a bit on his website now).
To each his own of course - his appeal is just a bit of a mystery to me, especially after seeing his turn on the 'Masters' DVD - his motives seem entirely self-serving. "We don't let the clients get involved in the album - they don't know anything about photography" etc
Lord Fluff wrote:
I honestly can't see why you guys go so nuts for Ascough. Is he the only UK photographer you have heard of? Or do you just go for his 'wannabe Cartier-Bresson' schtick? (which, thankfully, he has turned down a bit on his website now).
To be honest, yes, he is the only world known UK photographer I know. I do know several US ones. That does not mean that he is the best. It is a well known fact that being the "best" does not necessarily mean you are also a viable business or well known, so don't take this the wrong way. There is plenty of talent in this forum alone.
To each his own of course - his appeal is just a bit of a mystery to me, especially after seeing his turn on the 'Masters' DVD - his motives seem entirely self-serving. "We don't let the clients get involved in the album - they don't know anything about photography" etc...Show more →
That is a misquote. He said that his clients are people who actually know a thing or two about photography and appreciate a his style (whether you, I or anyone else likes it or not). He also essentially said that his tyipcal clients are people who have more money than time, so they entrust him with their money to do the selecting for them. Plus, he said that he feels that as an outsider to the wedding he can put photos together that tell the story of the wedding better, than the B&G selecting photos of their moms, dads and friends. Anyway, his words, not mine.
Personally, I'm getting married next year and he was the first I contacted, but unfortunatelly he does not do weddings outside the UK. I like his style and I like the fact that he chooses the photos (even though I have more time than money ) as I know that personal influences will get in the way ("we really need to get distant cousin X in the album, don't we, they came all the way from the next village for the wedding" and so on...) I also found his prices more than reasonable for someone who is considered to be one of the best (still steep but I'd rather pay him more money than the guy who makes the cake).
Fair enough Panos - the impression I got from watching the DVD of him was they was that HE understood photography and his clients didn't (Like you need to "understand" wedding photography anyway!) He definitely mentioned them not knowing much, and that they might leave out a shot of the walk from church to reception - and that was a key part of the "story" so he shouldn't let them get involved. It seemed a patronising attitude to me at the time (and unlike other sections of the DVD, I've not rewatched his). He just seemed like had a huge ego and he wanted to be taking pictures purely for himself...maybe that makes him the pure wedding PJ....
Everytime the UK is mentioned on here, his name comes up, which irks somewhat since I'm not a fan. I guess it must be the same for Australian photographers who, until recently, felt the world thought Aus WP = Yervant.
Lord Fluff wrote:
I guess it must be the same for Australian photographers who, until recently, felt the world thought Aus WP = Yervant.
Of course overseas shooters would be more limited in knowing who is who in the industry over here so that is understandable and of course Yervant does put out top quality work.
If though you were asking the same question of Australian photographers on who would they recommend here the answers would be far more varied.
A few months back i actually checked the links of the sites of those who comment on Ascoughs blog and some excellent photographers came up there.
) as I know that personal influences will get in the way ("we really need to get distant cousin X in the album, don't we, they came all the way from the next village for the wedding" and so on...) I also found his prices more than reasonable for someone who is considered to be one of the best (still steep but I'd rather pay him more money than the guy who makes the cake).