Photography forum exclusive 2: Q&A with David LaChapelle

Darragh

Hello again,

Now sure how many of you saw the interview the soccer forum did with Damien Duff.

I've requested and been offered the same opportunity for members of the photography forum to put their questions to David LaChapelle which I will ask and video in an interview on Friday before his workshops.

So, put the questions that you'd like to ask David LaChapelle below and I'll ask them for you.

Cheers

Darragh

smash

can he give us some free lightroom presets?

smash

A serious question I would ask though:

His photos are great and he is my favourite photographer, but they contain a high level of PP and I'd like to know if he could survive by going back to basics? Have photographers gotten lazy, is there a point in searching for that perfect shot considering it can be edited later?

I was at a design conference a few years ago where the presenter said "photographers are the new graphic designers" - what he meant by this, it that they'd buy anything and as such are an easy target for adobe. They have to have the latest version of all image manipulation software, no matter if the upgrade is better or not.

Darragh

Excellent question, thanks. Keep 'em coming

dudara

He's one of the most inspiring photographers as far as I'm concerned. I love his scene composition and use of colour and contrast.

I know that his images are heavily post-processed but what I'd like to know is what influenced him to go down the path of post-processing.

Chorcai

Whats is he's next project & what inspires him on any given day ?

Thanks

Darragh

Great - anything else to ask?

Reoil

Which is better, Nikon or Canon?

Oriel.

trishw78

Reoil wrote: »

Which is better, Nikon or Canon?

Oriel.

He probably shoots Hasselblad

Interesting questions so far....

What is the one piece of advice you'd pass on?

homerun_homer

If you had to pick a late celebrity who you never had the chance to photograph, who would it be and why?

AnCatDubh

When's your cut off for questions Darragh?

melekalikimaka

trishw78 wrote: »

He probably shoots Hasselblad

Interesting questions so far....

What is the one piece of advice you'd pass on?

being a canon event... i'm gonna take a stab and say canon:D

melekalikimaka

What genre of photography do you dislike the most and why?

I'd also like to ask him if he's ever taken a photo of swans... if he has i'm walking out the door, if he hasnt, i'm gonna propose

dakar

An old chestnut but might yield and interesting answer: any historical figure he'd like to have photographed and why?

AnCatDubh

Darragh,

Here's probably a typical Irish question, but I don't know if it will travel (as they say).

Anyway here goes;

I've watched the "Making Pieta" video on David's website and wondered did he not want to give Courtney Love a kick before that photo shoot had ended?????

The jist of what i'm wondering is what is his approach when he has to work with a difficult model / subject - someone with an attitude that is not compatible with his artistic goals.

Thanks.

AnCatDubh

And so here's another one which doesn't involve kicking the models!

I've reviewed the making of "Deluge" from David's site. David's creations are large scale productions worthy of monumental recognition for their production values, but they are but creations.

Would David accept that his work is more production than photography and that he is an artist / director rather than a photographer.

chevron

AnCatDubh wrote: »

And so here's another one which doesn't involve kicking the models!

I've reviewed the making of "Deluge" from David's site. David's creations are large scale productions worthy of monumental recognition for their production values, but they are but creations.

Would David accept that his work is more production than photography and that he is an artist / director rather than a photographer.

That is a question i love to hear the answer to. with so much Post Production it is exactly that "production" more so than photography.

But still some great work he has done.

RCNPhotos

Is that making of Pieta still up, I can't see it anywhere on his site, would love to see it.

melekalikimaka

if i could ask, tho i doubt we'll get a chance few hundred there. id ask about how his meetings andy warhol had influenced his work and
how does he feel when critiques compare is work to be the andy pop art
of our generation

AnCatDubh

RCNPhotos wrote: »

Is that making of Pieta still up, I can't see it anywhere on his site, would love to see it.

It's in the behind the scenes section.

AnCatDubh

Darragh,

I don't want to be hogging the available time with David, so i'm happy for you to choose whether you use the questions or not.

Next Question:

The pyromanic scenes at the end of the 'Making Pieta' demonstrate an artist willing to take personal risk for his art (perhaps calculated risk). Has David analysed the extents of what he would conceivably shoot i.e. what are his personal boundaries, the line which he may not / won't cross? Are they subject based / are they location or environment based?

Darragh

Thanks all for this. The interview took place (eventually) after his Q&A. I have a bit of editing to do on it so I'll have to beg your patience but I'll get it done as soon as I can.

Cheers again for all the help.

Darragh