John Ingledew - University of Gloucestershire

John Ingledew has been commissioned by numerous magazines, newspapers, design groups and agencies including The Observer, The Times, The Sunday Times and The Mail on Sunday. He has photographed everything from open heart surgery to Oscar winners.He was for ten years Head of Photography at Central St Martins College of Art and Design, the University of the Arts London before joining the staff at The Dong Hua University in Shanghai, China in 2006. John is now Photography Course Leader at the University of Gloucestershire.
He has run projects and workshops with students in Europe, America, Japan and China including live briefs with Parsons school in New York, Vantan School of Art and TAMA Art University in Tokyo, FUDAN University, Dong Hau University in Shanghai and The Suzhou Art Design and Technology Institute.
Following projects in Tokyo and the London exhibition ‘Go Tokyo Pixelvision” he was awarded a Japan Festival Award for “outstanding achievement in furthering the understanding of Japanese Culture in the United Kingdom”.
Has instigated projects with leading creative companies and magazines including DIESEL, ILLY, JIGSAW, SUPERDRY, GETTY, Time Out, GAS jeans, VOGUE and ELLE.
His book PHOTOGRAPHY has been published in the UK, USA, Holland, Italy, Spain and China.
John is currently writing a  book for Laurence King Publishing on Sources of Ideas and Inspiration. To be published 2011.

(Please refer to the bottom of the page to find useful links to the field of Photography) 

Accademia Apulia has asked John Ingledew the following questions:

How did you first get into photography?
I went to St Martins school of Art wanting to be a designer and came out as a photographer. I was exposed to the work of William Klein, Robert Frank and Diane Arbus , their ways of taking pictures totally inspired me to want to take my own photographs.

What kind of equipment do you use now, and what equipment did you start with?
The first camera I really had fun with was a photobooth.  I’ve had hundreds of different cameras and killed quite a few of them. They get worn out, accidentally dropped or borrowed by my sons and never returned. I always have a pocket digital camera with me to record any visual treasure I stumble across.

You have published several books, ranging in theme from Chelsea Football Club to Photography text books. What project are you working on at the moment?
I’m writing a book about sources of inspiration and creative ideas. It looks at how and why ideas work and the common themes running through creativity. It aims to be the missile plans for having great ideas.

Apart from sheer hard work, what would you say has been the main key to the success of your work in print?
I’ve worked recently on books for Chelsea, Manchester United and Celtic . People seem to like these pictures because I photograph from the football fan’s perspective. Some of my favorite pictures were taken in the heart of the crowd.

Is there a photographer past/present that you particularly admire?
Living and working in Shanghai opened my eyes to some amazing new contemporary Chinese photography. I love the work of Yang Yonglang, Bai Yilou, Ai Weiwei, Hong Hao and Wang Qingsong. I guess though if I had to pick just one, I would choose William Klein. He’s been a street photographer, portrait photographer, fashion photographer, film-maker, documentary maker, sculptor, designer and artist.  He’s a maverick boundary spanning genius 50 years ahead of the game.  He’s the daddy !

What advice do you have for amateurs wanting to become professional photographers?
Maximum creativity is expected. Selected bibliography:
“Photography" published by Laurence King in UK. Published as “The Creative Photographer” by Abrams in the USA.
"And Now Are You Going To Believe Us" published by John Blake.
"A View from the Bridge" published by More than Ninety Minutes publishing.
"Once Last Can of Tango in the Paris of the East" published by Smith Studio Shanghai.

 

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