LIFE THROUGH A LENS
Photographer, Paul Cooper takes five to share stories of sword-fighting, creating the perfect shot and Deadpool
Paul Cooper first came to my attention last November at the North West Football Awards ceremony as a selection of his stunning portraits of the northwest’s finest went under the hammer, splitting the red and blue side of the room with boos and cheers. Needless to say, husband came home with one of his pieces which adorns the man cave today.
All these months later, Paul and I meet for me to discover more about the man behind the camera. “I started my photography career as a press photographer, working with some of my heroes and in far-flung places like Israel to report the news. But after eight years I was looking for a new avenue and challenge and moved to Paris where I set up my own agency.
“At the age of nine, my mum bought me a Kodak point and shoot 110-film camera for my birthday. It was one you had to wind the film into and send away to process... remember, waiting to see what you had captured. I took photos of my siblings sitting on fences staring into the distance and I made studio backdrops with tartan blankets. Some of these first pictures are my most precious.
“My passion started then and I taught myself colour and black and white printing the broom cupboard of the family home.
“At A-levels, I diverted from a career path in medicine and took my first job in a photo lab, printing black and whites. It was here I met photojournalist Tom Stoddart who taught me that it is all down to the eye, the concept of the shot as much as technical ability. I picked up so many tips working alongside these great photojournalists during my time at The Times of London. They still inspire me today, Sebastião Salgado and James Nachtwey, in particular and how they capture the injustice in this world.
“I loved the medium of photography. I was always interested in art but was not the most patient art student. The immediacy of photography appealed to me and capturing that one frame that tells a story or gives an insight into a person really interested me. I love the moment when you press the shutter and you know you have a great photo, you can’t beat it, and that hunger for that next buzz kept me interested in photography and wanting to get better pictures all the time.
“I’ve been doing this for over 30 years so I’ve seen first hand the transition to colour and then to digital and Photoshop. Alongside these changes, the quality of images, in my opinion, of the photography from professionals is much improved, you can do so much more with better lighting and tools like Photoshop now than I could do ever do with a roll of black and white and an enlarger in the past. Having said that, a great image is not dependent on the kit used, I believe that the idea is paramount, there are some great images on billboards shot with an iPhone!
Originally from London, and a West Ham fan, Paul moved back to the UK choosing Manchester as his new base. “I liken it to Paris, it’s a small city that you don’t get too lost in. And it’s where I met my wife, Luisa in 2008. She works in the industry and we are both very much into sport. I knew a few people in the sports world so that became my focus, plus, you get the best seat in the house. Golf is one of my passions and I have been travelling on the PGA European Tour and on the 18th-green with Jordan Spieth – you get to see and capture what others can’t see.
“I’m lucky in the fact that I’ve photographed a lot of high profile sportspeople on several occasions and they sort of ‘know’ me, having chatted with quite a few outside of shoots. I did a promotional shoot for the Deadpool movie with Rooney, Mata, and about six other Manchester United players. We had them sword fighting with Deadpool so that was pretty easy as they loved it and it was bit different for them.
“Over the past few years, I’ve got to know quite a few people at the clubs and the industry and this network has helped me get access to some great shoots. I am a great believer in that if you create great work, then work will come to you as a result.
“The Paul Pogba shoot which I did for his Manchester United unveiling was pretty cool. There was a real buzz as we waited for Pogba to arrive, it was all quite secret and I did not even find out who I was shooting until the night before! He was also filming a short film to be released at the same time of the stills, so there were quite a few people around from camera operators, stylists, make-up artists, directors, editors, sound engineers, Manchester United staff, plus his agent and family members. A pretty busy set.
“When he arrived he had the usual styling and kit changes and we then had about three minutes to do the first set-up the urgent first profile image, which we nailed in about six frames! This image was to be released at midnight with the announcement of his signing. We then did the home/training kit shots, he was really good to work with, great presence in front of the camera and he could switch between moods easily, which was handy as we only had ten minutes to shoot everything! I spoke and joked to him in French which I think helped with the rapport, and a highlight of the shoot was afterwards when he spent about 15 minutes playing an impromptu game of keepy-uppy with the crew.
“I always enjoy working with Rooney, he is the consummate professional and I have been fortunate to shoot him many times. He is always gracious and helpful and professional. I did a recent shoot at St Georges Park with him as part of an editorial piece for the NSPCC, which ran front cover and spread and again he was great to work with. People don’t get to see what a decent bloke he is and the many charitable things he does, so it was nice to be involved with him on that one.
“Finally meeting my childhood hero, Kenny Dalglish, was pretty special. Great sense of humour, I could not help getting a bit gushy - and I don't get gushy - and telling him when I was a kid playing football in the park I used to imagine myself as him, to which he replied “you better be kind with the Photoshop then!”
Whilst these tales focus on the red side of the north west I am pleased to hear that Paul's son, Toby (aged 6) is an avid City fan. So much so that he refuses to have a full team signed Manchester United shirt up in his room, favouring his sky blue hero Kevin de Bruyne.
“Working with top professional sportspeople is great as they are at the peak of their profession, in great shape and look good in front of the camera. Getting to meet them on shoots you get a small insight into their personality away from their workplace. I am inspired by the possibility that within that shoot there is an element of the unknown about what you may come away with. For me that is very fulfilling and inspires me on each shoot. The buzz of knowing I have a great shot is what photography is all about for me. I still get that feeling after many years in the business.
"A recent project I have been involved in, Soccer Aid was interesting in that the vast majority of the talent was not footballers, the challenge was getting the non-footballers like Paddy McGuiness, Brendan Cole and Kevin Pietersen to look good on the ball, which was actually easier than I thought, these guys are surprisingly multi talented!
It was great fun getting Usain Bolt to show some of his scorers skills and it was a thrill to meet Sir Mo Farah, he joked with Usain, that the match at Old Trafford in June ‘will be a marathon not a sprint’ so going to be interesting to see how that works out with those two Olympians."
Any words of advice for budding photographers? "Look at as much photography in the area that interests you, then shoot, learn and shoot some more until you feel and develop your own style. Style is important and defines you and helps people identify your work. And be careful about your marketing. It’s no use being the greatest photographer around if no-one knows about you. Start with a great website and work hard on the SEO so get you get well ranked and so people become more aware of you. As your business increases spread your marketing budget wider and try to specify in a niche area or location to start out with, this will help you compete in a very competitive field."
Before we bring our chat to a close I have to ask, who is still on your hit-list. "Having shot quite a few of the world’s best, it would be nice to get to do Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo next - so if anyone's listening... "
Gin & Jellytots
louisa@ginandjellytots.co.uk // 078 0308 4424
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