Craig introduced himself as a documentary photographer who began his career in the early 90’s in newspapers, namely the Independent. He described learning his trade as being thrown in at the deep end, and I find it encouraging to hear professional, award winning artists talk openly about the early part of their careers. Likewise, Craig explained that documentary work isn’t where he makes his money and went on to show his commercial work for Barclays, Windsor and Newton, Heathrow Airport and Land Rover.
Craig supported his presentation throughout with his own images and quoted several ‘greats’; including Robert Capa, American war photographer, credited with taking some of the greatest combat photography in history “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”
Whilst my Fine Art degree studies and chosen medium do not include photography I was fascinated by Craig’s work, he described the irony of staging photographs despite them being set in real places, he discussed the elements on which a successful shoot is dependent, and he highlighted the need to be aware of regional and national legislation that might affect your work. Craig described the process of ‘Idea – Test – Evaluate’ which could easily apply to Fine Art.
Collaboration plays a large part in Craig’s work and amongst the most interesting to me was the Sixteen Project, https://www.craigeaston.com/blog/2019/8/14/sixteen-exhibitions-liverpool which arose from a series of pictures made with young people during the Scottish Independence Referendum.
Craig closed his lecture by encouraging anyone interested to join ‘Six by Six’ that meets at Ropes and Twines in Bold Street Liverpool, for networking, presentations, projects and support.
