Want to get to know our Pro Team a little better? Check out the interview with Paul Harries
Our Pro Team is a fantastic group of talented photographers, many of whom have used 3 Legged Thing tripods and accessories for several years. Each month we introduce you to different members of the team, using short Q&As to give you some insight into how they work, what equipment they use, and how they became professional photographers.
Next in the series is Paul Harries, a renowned British photographer of rock bands who play their music at volume. Over the course of more than two decades, if a group has emerged that are loud and proud of it chances are its members have stood in the frame of this man's lens. Paul is also the author of a book of images featuring his work with Slipknot.
What is your earliest memory of handling a camera?
"I remember having a 110 Instamatic camera when I was very young but I don't think that really counts. My fascination with photography began when I was about 12, part of my art lesson was making a pinhole camera. My teacher converted the stock room into a darkroom and I developed the prints myself, it was like magic."
Was there a single event that made you decide to become a professional photographer?
"I love music but I can't sing or play an instrument, my next option of getting into music as a career was to take photos of it. I since realised many musical artists can't sing or play so maybe I missed a trick there."
What is your favourite location to capture?
"I am equally at home shooting live gigs or studio/location portraits. I obviously have full control over a portrait shoot whereas photographers are at the mercy of the lighting guy at gigs. Some LED concert lighting can be very problematic to post process."
Social media – love it or hate it?
"I like Instagram as a way of promoting my work and interacting with people, to a lesser extent I use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn."
Favourite camera you have ever used or owned, and why?
"Broninca ETRS medium format film camera. I definitely feel like a proper photographer when using medium format."
What's in your kit bag?
"Canon 5D MKIII & MKII. Various Canon L series zooms to cover 16mm to 400mm.
"Canon Speedlite."
Name 5 essential items in your photography bag.
"Earplugs, Pocket Wizard triggers, memory card wallet, spare AA batteries, phone charger."
Are there any strange/unusual items in your photo bag? Household bits?
"Toothbrush and toothpaste. Long shoot days drinking too much coffee just makes your mouth feel icky."
How would you describe your style of photography?
"Most of my work is editorial so it really depends on the brief. One day it could be clean studio portrait on a white background, the next could be a band shoot down a sewer. I actually did this and ended up in hospital with a lung infection."
What is one question you'd like to be asked and never have been?
"Are you free to photograph Kate Bush this weekend?"
All photos: ©Paul Harries
