Unit 305 - Photographer, Iain Hutchinson

Photographer - Iain Hutchinson

While looking for some inspiration for Urban photography on the internet, I came across the site of Iain Hutchinson (iainhutchinson.co.uk). There is not much information about him personally, but it seems fairly clear that he is from the Manchester and Salford area of the North West of England.


Like Peter Marshall, Iain likes to work in black and white, but Iain includes more people and movement in his photographs. He captures the general hustle and bustle of life in a raw, true format. The fast film speed or high ISO setting produces a graininess in the images, which adds  to the atmosphere.


Below are some of his images, from which I shall draw inspiration for my assignments.

This image is beautifully framed by the trees and the use of the low natural light to show the lights inside the church is well done. The crucifix stands out as the focal point, as it appears to float above the scene.

The low light is used to good effect again in this image. The car lights giving the image the sense of urgency. The 'rule of thirds' is applied, and the low camera angle gives the viewer a sense of being in the thick of it. I like this image, and I tried something similar in my low light research. As long as there is some object that puts the location in Hull and is recognisable to locals, I might try to include an image, similar to this in my Theme 1 assignment.

A similar technique is used for this image as the previous one. The shot from within the car helps the viewer to feel very much a part of the environment. The theatre is the focal point. Even though the theatre sign is not completely visible, one knows what it is and you want to look at the play that is being shown and want the taxi to move so you can peek inside the foyer.

Framing plays a big part in this image. The archway of the bridge draws the viewer through to the buildings the other side. The image has lines, shapes and patterns. On the negative side, I think there is too much blank space in the lower third of the image. Hands on the steering wheel, or less of it, by raising the camera might have worked better for me.

View points are used to good effect in many of Iain's images. Here he has got a vantage point over looking the scene.It gives the viewer a broader, more voyeur view being taken out of the street. The buses take the viewer off in to the distance. I will look for different or unusual angles to apply to my images.

This picture differs quite a lot from the previous ones. Without the poster picture on the fence, I would see the building going on behind the fence. The fence itself giving lines and pattern to the image. The poster however,suggests that the children are missing and gives a sadness to the picture and the fence symbolises protection which has now been lost. There is a lot of story in this picture.

I like these quirky shots. We don't know what the graffiti means, but it puts us in a specific location that means lots to some people. You look at the writing first but are drawn by the road to the next bridge. Good use of the 'rule of thirds' and lines.

The previous images have not included many people, but the next 7 images get close up. This image portrays movement and energy, particularly in the blurred hands and the slight angle of the camera.

Another candid shot of every day life. The camera was put at a low view point which gives it a feel of people moving around oblivious to things around them. It looks as though through the eyes of a child observer.

I like this image a lot. At first you are drawn to the girl in the centre of the shot, looking to the side, but then notice the girl holding the cup looking straight at the camera. I start to want to know more about her, she has an air of mystery.

Nicely framed by the two children, one is drawn right up to the door of the building to show what is happening in the scene. Again, good use of the 'rule of thirds' and nice exposure, sets the image off.

The lighting in this image singles out the woman wearing the scarf, and the fact that everyone else in the image is walking in the opposite direction. Although in a busy street, she looks like she is unaware of her surroundings. The location is unique to those familiar with it and I would like to emulate this in my own work.

Just a nice, peaceful scene, no hustle and bustle. Good exposure. The viewer is drawn over the heads of the two women sitting in the foreground to the focal point of the bandstand.

More of a dynamic scene, with patterns and lines underlying the street scene. The high view point again takes the viewer away from the scene in a voyeuristic way.

Good use of the 'rule of thirds', lines and patterns. The shutter speed used just captures the movement of people well. I like this image, as it shows a familiar landmark in a casual manner.

I love this picture. I think the temptation would be to come back out and get the whole statue in the image. By keeping close in and a superb camera position looking in to the eyes of the statue, the figure almost comes alive. Great use of framing and 'rule of thirds'.