Design in Industry: Guest speaker: Derrick Santini

Derrick Santini prefers to describe himself as a photographer who documents life whether that be people going about their everyday life or unpopulated settings, because life goes on regardless if the space is occupied or not.

Mr Santini posing for a quick pic

Derrick explained that he had not used any of his college work within his portfolio, because be wanted to express who he really was from the work he produced outside/after college. This shows how important it is to present one's personality through their work, as that is what sets each person out from the rest - thus creating a better chance for employability.

The early 90's is when Derrick graduated, meaning the type of technology used would seem outdated to modern day equipment. For example he used film cameras, whereas digital cameras are more standard, therefore the processes used to produce film are different to today. Using different process used today could have been a factor that may have appealed to employers and commissioners. This further enforces the point of being different and unique in order to show employees what you can offer them and how you can impact their work/company.

**RED-STREAM-S1 Derrick Santini October 2012 -** Eye on the Natives 'Read Stream' live photo stream from Beijing to BBlessing Gallery, New York.

**RED-STREAM-A Derrick Santini October 2012 -** Eye on the Natives 'Read Stream' live photo stream from Beijing to BBlessing Gallery, New York.

There is a significant difference between interning and assisting, Derrick goes on to explain: Interning is working for free and an assisting job means being paid. It can be said that employees will value the amount of interning that someone has done, since it shows the enthusiasm one has. Interning is important for networking as well, wherever there is an opportunity, take it..."If you do what you love, money will follow".

Derrick has assisted on jobs; for example gathering necessary equipment for photoshoots, such as props. At times he has had to undergo some mundane errands such as buying lunch and coffee, but its part of the experience. It shows that there is importance in everyones role... people have to eat!

Fashion Riot - Oyster Magazine Derrick Santini

ESP Photographic Agency support stylists and photographers like Derrick, who eventually approached him for work. They opened up opportunities for him, as they were able to introduce him to a range of sectors within the creative industry, such as music, fashion and film. Due to Derrick's growing experience, he has had the opportunity to be recognised in London, New York and Paris. He has also had the opportunity to photograph celebrities such as Helena Bonham Carter, Idris Elba, Rihanna and Lady Gaga. ESP was interested in the way Derrick formulated his photography with different types of people who came from different backgrounds:

DDS Crew Derrick Santini

Amish Crossing Derrick Santini

Its inspiring to see how Derrick is able to take a brief insight into these people's lives, who come from different ways of life and capture it in the moment.

This presentation has taught the fact that photographers cannot be 'just' photographers in this current age: Times are moving on and the creative industry is too saturated, therefore different sectors are collaborating into one. This also means even fashion designer cannot see themselves as just that, they need to embrace other creative fields, because the industry is much too vast.

Derrick presentation also explained the difference between press shoots and album shoots:

David Haye for KSwiss Derrick Santini

This is a press shoot. The pose of the muse is clearly displaying the product and brand logo. This is for advertising and publicity purposes.

Jetta Derrick Santini

This is a album shoot. The photo is much more conceptual and does not really include products to be advertised. The make up, styling and location is more experimental.

In addition, there is a difference between an editorial and advertorial, which Derrick further explained: An advertorial is different to an editorial in terms of a brand will give a magazine of choice money in order to produce a page or two with their products on it. The aim of this is to make the pages look like a legitimate story/article without making it look like an advert.

Example of an advertorial - dixonadvertorials.wordpress.com

The presentation went on to describe how Derrick produced online stills that were an early form of what is known as a GIF. It was interesting to see how these early GIFs have provoked a new way to display imagery. At the time it must have been quite revolutionary... not an image but not quite a film.

Disclosure - Twenty6 Magazine Derrick Santini

Derrick then goes on to explain what a lenticular is, as these two types of median are very similar in the way they are produced:

Lenticulars take up to 20+ frames. They are then imported into a program like Adobe Photoshop. A stop frame is used, the images are then stacked, then a loop is made. Derrick was asked how these lenticulars are marketed. He mentioned that he has used lenticulars in an exhibition called 'Metamphosis', which concluded in controversy. the exhibition did not last long because of the indecent images displayed. Despite this, the exhibition has beautiful imagery and the fact that the viewer has to interact with the photography, through movement, in order to view the entirety of it.