DRIED FLOWERS shot by Ell on Earth
We were lucky enough to showcase our dried flower selection with the talented and unusual photographic styling of @ell_on_earth_360 Learn more about Ell below.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELVES
My name is Ell and in my spare time I take Little Planet Portraits using 360 photography techniques. Professionally I'm an International Virtual Reality Filmmaker for an award winning VR/AR creative agency, We Are Immersive (@weare_immersive), here in Norwich. I use my experience of weird fisheye lenses and cool tech from work to explore artistic potential of alternative capture techniques at the weekends. Visit some tasty places and meet new people who want to contribute to my wacky ideas.
HOW DID YOU START 360 PHOTOSHOOTS?
Always experimented with a range of art forms, in the mid 2010's I was trying some alternative photography techniques. Camera tinkering, custom lens building, macro, tilt shift, panoramas etc. I applied for a job in London to work with one of the first Google Street View Certified Agencies and got the role because I had a specialist understanding of the technicalities. My early work wasn't overly creative so I began pushing the boundaries. Light, subject, composition, all the classic photography elements. I did lots wrong to know what to do right and constantly refine to this day. I love the method as its alternative, makes you think differently, is creatively challenging and I'm always overwhelmed by the positive responses.
WHO IS PART OF YOUR TEAM?
I shoot solo but collaborate with Creative Directors, Make-up artists, Marketers, Content Creators, Actors, Performers, other Photographers and fantastic Models. Much love to those who support my work and introduce me to people, they mean a great deal to me. If you are a Photographer or Model, I recommend checking out the East Coast Creatives (@eastcoast_creatives) who run photography meet-ups. I actively shoot with them once a month.
WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR INSPIRATION?
Usually a visual medium, can be anything like old horror movie poster, sci fi illustration, Vogue cover or even hiphop music videos. My latest is the look Jack Nicholson has when he says "Boo!" in Tim Burtons Batman. I've been meaning to try something Pele Cass style too.
HAS THE RECENT PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOU AND WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Professionally it increased demand for content, especially VR. Headsets are more common in peoples homes and offer you the chance to see something you couldn't get to. An accommodation tour of UEA allowed prospective students to see the latest buildings before they went to Uni. Even the Luxury Resort island in the Maldives I shot secured holiday sales for when the world re-opened. I'll continue with my photography style while I still enjoy it. Professionally, I plan to explore theatrical direction as I believe new entertainment media will be rooted in space rather than frame. A good example of this is if you have seen a dancer in AR, even on your phone, you as the viewer get to decide how close or what angle you want to view from but the performance will still need direction. Whether that's through a pair of glasses or in the Metaverse.
WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT THE AREA YOU LIVE IN?
Having been inspired by George Plunkett I've seen the incredible places Norwich has to offer through the eyes of a lens. It really is such a fine city. Fantastic size, great people, high quality of living. But it is what you make it, seek out that rich history, explore underground tunnels, check out the highest heights, visit the art exhibitions, ask people questions in the pubs. It's all here when you know where to look, especially in 360.
Hope in the George Plunkett Room exhibiting a selection of dried eucalyptus, billy buttons, dried oats and broom bloom
Fantastic shot of Hope on the balcony upstairs over views of the market. They are holding a bouquet of billy buttons, dried daisies, broom bloom, gomphrena and achillea parker