SPOTLIGHT: Powder & Plot

1. What made you want to start up your own clothing line?

I spent 10 years of my life playing music in bands and being creative.  When that chapter of my life ended I wanted to still bring something creative to the scene and had always taken a big interest in fashion

2. Where do the influences for Powder & Plot come from?

I've always been a big fan of British history and culture, mainly the Victorian era and golden age of exploration.  We've got so much to be proud of as a nation but we also have lots of villains and pretty incredible characters in our history too.  That's also where the idea of the name comes from - Powder & Plot - The gunpowder plot of Guido Fawkes or 'Guy' as we know him.

3. You've got some interesting designs amongst your collection, can you talk us through some of them? How do you come up with the design ideas?

I wanted to put designs together that have the ability to strike an emotion from people or intrigue them.  Having somebody coming up to you and compliment what you're wearing or ask where you got it from is one of the reasons people want to buy nice clothes and feel good in them.

4. Many of your lookbook images have a countryside/forest backdrop, is this something that inspires you? 

I think one of the best parts of our heritage is that we live in a beautiful country and I'm a country boy myself so I wanted to show that in our lookbook and video, that we take great pride in where we come from and the natural beauty that surrounds us outside cement and bricks. There will always be a lot of cross over from the countryside and wildlife in our designs.

5. Do you have a favourite tshirt design? If so, why?

I've heard lots of people pick different designs as their favorite but for me my fave has to probably be the Aleister Crowley tee.  He was a really nasty piece of work and not many people know about him but he's very interesting to read about.  I recommend anybody to look him up to see what I mean!

6. I've spotted your clothes on some pretty marvellous music types, how did that come about?

Coming from playing music for a long time, I have had the pleasure of playing with many fantastic bands and artists and I keep in good contact with them.  When I told them what I was doing now and showed them the designs, they loved them and the concept behind the brand and it's nice that many were some of my first customers.

(Pulled Apart By Horses)

7. How would you describe the Powder & Plot style? 

Tshirts inspired by British history, loveable rogues and villans.  Edgy, yet elegant.

8. What can we expect from the line in 2013? 

We are currently developing more products such as embroided polo shirts, vest tops, sunglasses and hats so keep checking back throughout 2013 as it's going to be a very exciting year for us. We plan on putting on lots of competitions for our customers and followers and also have our 'Sunday Sessions' being launched later in the year.  I'm keeping that a secret for now but it's pretty exciting stuff!

Check out Powder & Plot HERE:

http://powderandplot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/powderandplot

Photo Credit: Dom Meason 

Video Credit: Rachael Lewis

SPOTLIGHT: Tom Langford - Photographer

1. How long have you been a photographer?

Well I have been taking photos since I was teenager, but no more than snapshots until I began my AS Photography back in 2004. However I would only really say I'd been a 'proper' photographer since 2008 when I began taking on small commissions and photo jobs alongside my University projects, so about 4-5 years.

2. What inspired you to get into photography?

Well as a child I was always interested in art and was an avid sketcher (and still am to an extent!), copying pictures from magazines or drawing from my own imagination. As I grew up my imagination and ideas for drawings expanded and almost outgrew my drawing capabilities, so I found myself looking for a new medium to satisfy my creativity. Around the same time it was suggested by my GSCE Art teacher that I take some photos of people and their emotions as source for my drawing. After this I became more fascinated with capturing something real with film, rather than replicating it in a drawing. But although what I was capturing was real, I could manipulate it with the light or giving my subject instruction. 

3. Do you have a particular favourite style of shooting?

As I nearly always photograph people, whether it be a gig, a portrait or a wedding I always try to chat to the person first so I can get a feel for their personality and make them feel more comfortable around me, as if their is an awkwardness its really reflected in the images. However in terms of style I always tend to shoot and retouch my pictures in a certain way so that people can tell the image is by me without reading the credit underneath. I think if you can acheive this, there is no greater compliment to your style than this. As somebody who really favours prime lenses for portraits, I always tend to shoot them wide open with shallow DoF to really highlight the subject and make interesting compositions. In terms of retouch; I try to do minimal technical editing, with a focus of getting it right in camera but mainly adjust the colours and tones in Photoshop to put my own twist on it. Nearly all of my images have colour tweaks in them from how they are shot to create a mood with the image, which in its self makes it more of a 'portrait' than just a document of a person in a certain place.

4. What would you say makes your photography unique?

I think the things we have spoken about in the above question cover this really, its about my approach to the image and the relationship I develop with my subject really. In terms of styling or production the images I make are quite simple in that respect, but its HOW I photograph that person and how they react to me that really makes it. I want people to feel like they know something more about the subject by looking at my photographs. This is especially the case with my Scooter Rally series, as it calls on so many senses, the smell of the petrol, the noise of the engines; I want people to be able to envision this by looking at my images.

5. Where do your main inspirations and ideas come from? 

In terms of inspiration I am quite selfish and I know what I like to shoot, and this provides the main basis of my photography. I am a crazy art/fashion magazine collector and have every issue of Dazed & Confused from mid 2008 to present, as well as countless copies of i:D and 125. These stimulate me and push me to experiment with new ideas or retouch techniques. I am a firm believer of working instinctively and seeing something I like and tirelessly trying to use it in my work, or work out the method behind it. 

As a huge follower of Mod & Skinhead movements and the young people like myself who are part of them, they form a large section of my portraits. I like to find people who are interested in something so much that it is outwardly reflected in their style and fashion but also inwardly as if it is more than just a phase for them and they 'feel it' inside. Its capturing this, that inspires me most. 

6. Have you got a favourite image? Talk us through it if you do.

I wouldn't say that I have one single image that is my overall favourite, because I think that some images work off of others and give each other strength in a series. However as I have got older I am more fussy about the images that make the cut to my portfolio so the images that are on my site are a collection of my best work, from the many frames that come out of each shoot. 

7. Have you got any exciting projects on the horizon?

Hmm, I have a couple of Model test shoots booked in for a few weeks time where I will be working with some new people which is always exciting to collaborate with different people. Away from my portrait/fashion work I have also been commissioned to photograph at a new Big Ska festival working with some legendary names in that genre, which is a big deal for me. This event is also supported by Teenage Cancer Trust which I am very happy to support.
As the festival season draws to a close, the gig scene around Portsmouth always hots up and has some great gigs booked in, which I will endeavor to get to and photograph as many as possible.

8. What are your goals for the future?
As every month and year goes by that I am in Photography I seem to learn more, and do more and fall in love with it all more!! At the moment, all of my work is primarily based around the South, although I have worked in London a little this year. For the future I'd love to get the opportunity to work in London more. Get taken on to a music magazine(s) or blog and do more musician portraits and editorial work as well as getting Live Photos published.
In its simplest form, I would just like to expand my reputation and branch out to new publications and clients and produce new and exciting work for them! (Shameless plug if anyone wants to book me!) If I can continue making a living and being as happy as I am now taking photos then I'm doing alright!!

9. How can we look at your work and contact you?

All my work and contact details can be found on my website: www.tomlangfordphoto.co.uk
Or if you are looking for Wedding work : www.weddingsbytom.co.uk
Lastly I do upload previews of new work and behind the scenes stuff on my facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Langford-Photography/321735111204976?ref=hl