John Spinks

I attended a talk and group discussion with John Spinks who does both commercial work and fine art projects. He is currently studying at Plymouth university and plans to do a PHD in photography with the university.

I gained valuable knowledge in how the commercial world works, the different positions you can work in and the amount of determination needed to work in the field and the time it takes.

One of his key quotes for me was

Practice makes perfect

Even now as a successful photographer in his own right he still assists on jobs and is forever learning valuable skills in his trade.

Another quote from a photographer his assists is

Commercial jobs are puzzles

This I feel shows how to look at the commercial world, not as a taboo subject but a way in which to be creative and to challenge photographic skills.

In the group discussion he was truthful and gave us valuable knowledge in who to contact, what to do and how to grow as a photographer. One key bit of advice was as an assisting photographer know when to speak and when to stay silent. You need to be a valuable and critical person to the photographer not a pain for them.