Laurence Dutton

Laurence Dutton has been a photographer all his life and is enthusiastic about moving image. He specializes in advertising and commercial photography. 

Dutton was one of the photographers listed for me to contact about photography and moving image. I sent the emails out on Tuesday 6th November and received a reply on the same evening, asking if I could ring him on Thursday. The responses given to the questions will be based upon the notes I made during the conversation, as I did not record the phone call. 

What inspired you to begin using moving image and why?

Dutton says he is forward-thinking and in the past has worked with graphic designers. He said that moving image is taking over from ink and that print has numbered days. 

What equipment do you use to capture your moving image work?

Dutton has previously used the Canon 5D Mark II, but has just bought a Sony video camera. The other equipment he uses is a dolly slider, a small crane (for swinging, up, and down shots), a focus puller, and a monitor to view his work on.

How much of your moving image work has been commissioned?

Dutton told me at the beginning of his career a lot of his work was commissioned. Production companies used him as a cameraman, however, he has had little commissioned work (he estimated around 10%)  in the last six months. He is currently working by himself creating stock footage.

Have you found that your photography skills have translated easily to a different medium of work? If so, how?

He told me it was very easily to translate his skills, especially lighting.

Has your moving image work influenced your still photography?

Dutton believes that his moving image work has not directly affected his stills photography. He feels that in fashion, moving image has pushed still photography in a different direction.

Do you think it is important for photographers to expand into moving image?

Dutton told me he believes it to be essential for photographers to get involved with moving image as there is less work for photographers. He also noted that photography work is less well paid, saying that a job that would pay £2000 a few years ago now would pay £300. 

Dutton also told me he believes that making a decent living from photography alone will be harder, and that stills that have movement (.gifs/cinemagraphs) have a certain elegance about them.