Peter Kemp is an absolutely fantastic photographer who builds visual stories out of fashionable life scenes. The photos that he takes are charged with glamour and mystery that gives the viewer a very particular feel.
He was kind enough to reveal some things about his life as an artist and not only, in an exclusive interview he gave for Pxleyes (Now moved to Grepless). This showcase is a tribute to Peter Kemp's work, presenting 45 of his masterpieces, along with the mentioned interview.
Keep in mind, the people in these photos are real people and not dummies! Let's get started!
Hello and welcome to the Pxleyes community. Please tell us who Peter Kemp is.
My name is Peter Kemp and I am a freelance photographer living in the Netherlands.
With my photowork I am trying to create story telling pictures with a smile.
In former days I loved to draw. But nowadays - with digital photography within reach - I got tools to fit in all details into my photo stories, which are running through my head all day.
Q: Your works of art are absolutely outstanding by the mood created and originality. Do you come up with the scenes ideas on your own or is there something that inspires you in a particular manner?
Thank you for your compliment. I see things in daily life and then all kind of ideas start running through my head. Then thy first steps to a new photoshoot concept is born. I have got too much ideas. More than I have time to realize... hahaha
Being born in 1960 the time between 30s to 70s got my interest. Vintage allows me to propose some glamorous and erotic touches into my pics.
First by trying to create " the old light" , which is well known by the Dutch Master painters like Johannes Vermeer. By the way I am living in the same place Vermeer he has lived and worked… in a town called Delft…
Secondly by asking my beautiful models to join me into my photo projects. They are a major factor in setting up my story telling pictures. Most of my models became my friends. They are not only good looking people, but – more important – they are beautiful inside. All credits to them…
Q: Do you use any post-editing software? If so, what is that?
I plan every detail and every step of my photoshoot. So working with Photoshop in post processing is important, but so is every other part of the process. Lighting is more important than production.
So I try to light it right in camera, then you just optimize the curves in post. My images are single shots captured in camera.
Q: Which do you consider to be the most important factor when creating your scenes?
Teamwork and careful preparation. With just a quick look, I try to create an attractive photo by using colors and scenery. But a deeper and longer look might open doors to other journeys.
In my scenes I like to focus on details. All details are thought of long before my camera clicks. It takes lots of preparation before everybody and everything is in place…
How? by talking and working together to my models, make-up artist, stylist and my photo companion Ron Meijer and Rudolf Vink. It is not the location, but the journey to it which creates the magic…
Living in a hurry...
Our life of nowadays is made of fast habits and attitudes.
With my photowork, I like to do the opposite. It is like a stopping by, a freeze in time. Trying to catch and captivate my viewers into "my world".
And hopefully people are able to create their own little story out of my picture… if they do...I reached my goal!
Q: Which is the very first advice that you would give to a photographer just starting out with the studio photography?
Create your own story from out of your own fantasy. Work with a team and use each others qualities. Don't be statisfied with 1 good picture, but push yourself to make at least 3 good pics in the your story... and "never" be satisfied with your own performance!
pxleyes.com wishes Peter the best of luck in his work and many more delightful pieces of art!
Pearls
Daria's Dress
Colorful Stranger
Broken MeMories
Got Y
LaDies
Russian Spy
TransFer
Happy Easter
Unbearable Lightness
FashioN
Playin Around
Out of Focus
Nude Photography
Oeps ... Who's There
High Tea
His Last Drink
What's on a Man's Mind
Mad at You
At Sigmunds
Trunks
The Box
Trombone
De Lach
The Rose
His Emperor's Wife
Her Mistress Feet
Broken
Cello
Fu... Them All
Octopussy
Stairs
Mirror
Posing
Sleep
82 ... My Best Friend
Weird Structures
Out of Focus
For more amazing glamour photography, visit the Peter Kemp Official Website