What I Wish I Knew When I Started Photography with Ian Corless
7 questions with Photograper, Ian Corless.
As I get deeper into my love for photography, I want to speak to those whose work is not only technically profound but unique. Being unique is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities and experiences that others can learn from and see what is possible. That is why I reached out to connect with Ian Corless.
Photography enthusiasts, if you’ve ever scrolled through Ian Corless’s Instagram feed, you’ll understand why I was eager to connect with him. His extraordinary work stands out, but it’s not just his talent that sets him apart. Ian’s remarkable willingness to engage and network, both with clients and during this interview, is a testament to his character. He takes photography to the extreme, whether it’s capturing high-profile commercial assignments, scaling a mountainside for a passion project, or sharing as much knowledge with the photography community as he can. Check out his work and the words he shared with me about his journey in photography.
What was the defining moment or experience that initially drew you to photography?
Funnily enough, I don’t think I had a defining moment. I went to art college after school, I knew that a creative career was what I wanted but in what direction I would go was unknown? In all honesty, I was more of an artist before photography. At art college, I was constantly asking the question of myself, art is great, but how will I make a living? I then focussed on the more commercial side; fashion design, graphics and photography. I progressed and chose photography and then did a 3-year course that specialised in commercial photography. When I graduated, I immediately moved to London, assisted some of the top name commercial photographers and then had my own studio. I was very much interested in the skill, the craft the ability to bring an idea to life in a studio. For years (many) I shot cars, room sets, people, food, fashion. I suppose at some point it became a job and sport became my passion, firstly cycling, then triathlon and then running. In around 2009 I merged my passion for sport and photography together, the rest is history. Now, I have the best job in the world.
During that moment you were drawn to photography, what’s one piece of advice you wish you could give your younger self?
The line between creative freedom and commercial success is very fine. It’s difficult to find the balance between the two. You need to believe and commit.
What do you believe is the right balance between technical know-how and creative intuition, especially for beginners?
In this day and age, with digital photography and basically cameras that can do all the thinking for you, a grounding in good technical knowledge and skills pays dividends when working professionally. I was grounded with learning with film, I know what, where, how and why things work, many today have no idea, it’s a kind of magic for them. However, rules are meant to be broken to allow for creative freedom. I do feel though, knowing the rules makes breaking them easier.
Learning from mistakes is an essential part of growth. Can you share a memorable photography mishap from your early career and the valuable lesson you gained from it?
The professional answer is mistakes do not happen. Of course, that is not the case. However, I need to emphasise that being prepared, planning, anticipation of problems and problem solving is what makes a professional photographer professional. Forgetting a SD-card, not having a spare battery, needs to be thought about and planned for. Same with a camera, Pro’s rarely have just one camera because of the ‘what if’ scenario. Having said all that, I have had my moments… Many years ago when working as a studio photographer, I was asked by a client to photograph her wedding. I don’t do weddings! But I felt obliged, it was a client after all. I had been shooting for a few hours and decided to change memory card, this is when memory cards were very expensive. I transferred the data to a computer only to find the card was corrupted. I had NO-images. This is why I hate weddings…
Many aspiring photographers struggle with finding their unique style. As an established photographer known for your distinctive style & connection with trail running, landscapes, and motion shots, could you share your journey in developing this unique style?
Style changes and evolves constantly. My style changes and I consciously decide to make changes when I feel my work needs new impetus. However, a style should look natural, not forced. The more natural a style is, the more believable it will be and the longer it will last. So, don’t force a style, let it evolve.
How would you challenge someone to find their community or unique style?
Style and community, for me, comes from a complete understanding of the subject I am working on. I am a runner, I spend all my time in the mountains, my life is my sport. So, capturing it is an extension of me. I think this is one crucial element of connection both artistically and on a personal level with the viewer.
Can you describe a particularly challenging or rewarding experience you’ve had while capturing moments in those remote or extreme environments you find yourself in?
You have no idea how many special moments. However, I will pick on top the most scary and frightening. I work in extreme situations very often, up high, on ridges, in snow, ice and often with a great deal of exposure and danger. In 2017 I was photographing Tromso SkyRace in Norway. It’s an extreme skyrunning race. I was on the Hamperokken ridge, we have a saying, ‘you fall, you die,’ this is one of those places. Hillary Allen, a friend from the USA was approaching me and I was shouting out to her, I call her ‘smiler.’ She disappeared behind a rock, I heard rocks move, I heard her scream and she fell like a rag doll down the mountain. Harrowing! I eventually climbed down to her with two others and we coordinated a rescue via helicopter. Gladly, she lived and the memory haunts me still. You can read more HERE.
