Andrew Huggan: music, photography & video

Musicians are talented. They create vibrations in air which make sense to the ear. How does a photographer using light capture a creator of sound ?

Andrew Huggan is a Scottish Folk singer songwriter from Clackmannanshire who wanted new promotional visuals. He didn’t want a white studio look (as if lit by a thousand suns) which was peachy with me. After nosing around online for ideas and listening to Andrew’s thoughts, I decided we would do a ‘stop and shoot’¹ in open and nature-rich settings. This gave me a selection of backdrops, perspectives, tones and lighting.

Shot on a pavement in Dollar with two strobes to give nice shadow drama

During this shot (above) children walked-up to us and offered some money, wee souls. Must bring a hat on future street shoots

low key

high key

My goal is to create gold within a rectangular shape. Outside that shape is visual trivia, but can add spice. Context matters if it affects what appears in the frame. Since we are greatly affected by our surroundings I find unusual surroundings can add an edge. I used that here. These two shots above were taken in front of a Toilet block ! The door is finished in a fantastic dimpled aluminium finish which can add gorgeous light to a shot. Here its main effect was to set the Client off-balance when told “now we’re going to shoot in front of a block of toilets”. In the first shot there is mild suspicion and doubt, perhaps even distrust and adds intensity to the expression. This worked well with bundled-up clothes and a low key (dark) tone. Even though it was in full direct sunshine. The high key shot was taken less than sixty seconds later on the same spot, and a lighter relieved expression is revealed.

I was worried the pink cherry blossom might be too ‘cheesy’, but it does work. Andrew sings often of the elements in nature (Free spirit, Selkies² and smouldering peat).

Sound from the environment

Musician Photography

What does this man do ? With that guitar he must make music.

So can you see the vibrations, the prelude to sound and music in our ears ? Live music – the best!

We ended the day shooting scenes in forrest settings around Gartmorn dam.

I must thank @mrmacmusic, @MitchellDesigns and @Landscapess365 for sending Andrews Twitter appeal for a photographer my way. Social rules Oh and I knew that photographing musicians was not a path to riches thanks to Brad Trent on David Hobby’s site. I enjoyed the experience of shooting a musician playing live in my outdoor studio.

Behind the scenes video

1. like a “stop and chat” as invented by Larry David [↩]
2. I bufooned saying Andrew could hook-up with sculptor Andy Scott who is making two large Kelpies for Falkirk. Selkies are seals whereas Kelpies are Horse heads, slip of the mind! [↩]

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