Crash Taylor

Crash Taylor is a photographer's photographer, Simple as. Whenever I think of him I think of the quality and the expertise he brings to the table and that reputation he's earned - deservedly - for being of one of the UK's finest-ever wedding photographers. And that reputation isn't so surprising when you look at the portfolio of his work.

Watching Lionel Messi play football will inspire you. Crash Taylor is equally inspirational in his own particular field of play and - I guarantee.you this - looking through Taylor's website will make you want to grab your camera and be a photographer yourself.

To describe him as a photographer though is almost missing the point of what Crash Taylor is all about - he's a visual artist and with that in mind I put a few questions to him just to find out a bit more about his take on photography.


Q: Hi Crash, I've read so much about you over the past year with regard to wedding photography; looked at your websites; your interviews on youtube; your ambitions with film-making and your magazine contributions too. I've even had some really nice replies to various emails i've sent you. How hectic does your life get with everything you have going on and are you happy with where your career is at right now?

Crash: My life is very hectic but I have very good time management skills. I love where my career is right now and I have loads of goals to conquer over the next two years. I have just started a film production company (Taylor Winter Films) with a good friend so the future is looking good. I absolutely love what I do and wouldn't change a thing.

Q: I have to ask (because I'm nosey..) what's the most you've ever charged for a wedding and would you ever photograph one for free? I mean, if Prince Charles wanted you to do Harry's wedding for instance would you charge him or would you overlook the fee for the fame and kudos of being a royal photographer?

Crash: Wedding photography is my bread and butter and I'm lucky enough to attract clients that will pay £2500 + for my services. At this point in my career I would have to turn down Prince Charles unless he wanted to pay me some serious cash. I have bills to pay like everyone else.

Q: I'd like to ask you about your gear. I know you love the Canon 5d mark ii (i've got one too..) but would you ever swap it for a Nikon? Chase Jarvis has said he prefers the Nikon so what is it exactly about the 5d that you (and fellow photographers such as Jasmine Star for instance) love so much?

Crash: I get asked this question all the time. The camera to me is just a tool which captures what I see in the viewfinder. Obviously the better the camera the easier it is to capture certain situations etc… Canon and Nikon both make great cameras but for me I'm sticking with Canon and looking forward to the Canon 5D Mark III.

Q: I talk to some photographers who say they prefer prime lenses to zoom lenses in order to get that extra bit of quality for their pictures. The Canon 35mm is one lens in particular that gets good reviews, You're famous for going with the 16-35 and 70-200mm lenses so could you explain a little about why you never use prime lenses such as the 35mm on a wedding shoot?

Crash: I love the two zooms mentioned above and they fit my style perfectly for wedding photography. I know the focal lengths like the back of my hands. When it comes to filmmaking I prefer prime lenses.

Q: Okay, a couple of quick questions here. Have you ever photographed anyone famous?

Crash: Not yet.

Q: Do you ever get annoyed with wedding guests and their cameras getting in the way of a great shot?

Crash: Doesn't bother me.

Q: If you were getting married in 2012 and money was no object who would you want to photograph it?

Crash: Rankin.

Q: When you photograph a wedding I imagine there's a lot of work involved. Do you prefer to photograph rather than edit or do you enjoy both roles?

Crash: I enjoy both roles.

Q: You're an American living in Nottingham. Do you see yourself living in England for the long-term or do you have ambitions to move back to the States at some point in the future? And why did you move to Nottingham as opposed to (for instance) where I live, which is Hinckley?

Crash: My parents are British but I was born and raised in Santa Monica, California and lived the majority of my life in the Hollywood Hills. One day I hope to return, but the future is unwritten so who knows. Right now, business is good so I'm staying put. I chose Nottingham because it's where my father lives now.

Q: Just tell me something about any burning ambitions you have for the future. I know you have a talent for everything you do, but what would you like to be doing in say 10 years time?

Crash: 10 years time I would like for Taylor Winter Films to be a big name in the cinematography/filmmaking world.

Many thanks to Crash for the interview. And a big thanks to Chris Thornton for allowing me to use his photo of Crash.

https://www.facebook.com/crashtaylor
http://www.crashtaylorblog.com/
http://www.crashtaylor.com/
http://www.interviewsbycrashtaylor.com/
http://www.thestillimagewithcrashtaylor.com/
http://www.crashtaylorphotoworkshops.com/
http://www.photographsbycrashtaylor.com/
http://taylorwinterfilms.com/

Photographers on tv

I've seen a couple of tv dramas recently (Emmerdale and Hollyoaks spring to mind..) which have featured a wedding in the storyline, but no photographer to take pictures of it. How on earth can that be I ask myself?

A photographer is the first thing I always look for - just so I can see what camera he/she is using. I'm surprised the bride, groom and scriptwriter haven't noticed the absence of a photographer too.

Anyway, here's a clip of a budding photographer in a scene from Eastenders. No wedding involved here and the only reason I'm posting it is so I can mention the fact that the actor playing the photographer (Garry Roost) used to be one of my best mates when we were at school together some 36 years ago.

And before you ask...I've avsolutely no idea what camera he's using. No, actually it's a Nikon. I use a Canon.

Lynnette and a tripod

lyn1, a photo by Terry Stynes Photography on Flickr.

Whenever you've got a big job on it's always handy to have an extra pair of hands to help you out.
Using photoshop, Topaz Adjust software and a tripod enabled me to get this rather striking picture of Lynnette in her back garden.

There are more pictures here. Lyn's gardening blog is here.

Dave and Ethan ride again

18 (1 of 1), a photo by Terry Stynes Photography on Flickr.

There aren't many kids who have got two go-karts....to see more photographs click on the slideshow here

Dave and Ethan

My brother Dave and his son Ethan photographed at the Gravity pub in Hinckley.

Dave and Ethan, a photo by Terry Stynes Photography on Flickr.

Back to posting

It's been a while since my last post so apologies go to anyone who visits hoping to see regular updates. You could always leave one of those angry comments about how I'm wasting your time if you wanted to. As a self-confessed tinkerer though - and to make sure someone keeps coming back - I'm constantly trying to improve the overall look of the site. Whether I've succeeded in doing that or not is another matter.

One thing that has also kept me busy recently has been the discovery of an English photographer by the name of Larry Burrows. His outstanding photographs of American servicemen in Vietnam - captured in the line of fire - has really put photography onto a whole new level for me. I found out about Burrows from the Daily Mail website which is a great resource for anybody who has an extra-special interest in photography and photographers.

Something that has come to my attention over the past few days is the news that fellow photographer Pete - who i've had many an interesting discussion about photography with - is finally getting himself a website. Good luck with that Pete and if you need any help or advice you know where I am. That's assuming you want my advice.

I haven't posted a photograph this time around, but I'll be sure to make up for that in future posts.

Somewhere in Rotherham

rotherham2, a photo by Terry Stynes Photography on Flickr.

A picture of Pete and Dave at some pub in Rotherham town centre. The name of the pub escapes me (Pete'll know it), but I do remember it had a Harley Davidson motorbike inside. And electric guitars on the wall.