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Upon his return home at age 19, Bradford showed his travel work in his first gallery exhibition in San Francisco, and then went on to study at The Academy of Art in San Francisco where he majored in fashion photography. Among his influences Bradford counts the early fashion work of Irving Penn and Richard Avedon from the fifties and sixties, as well as the Hollywood era work from the twenties and the thirties by masters Hurell, and Clarence Sinclair Bull. After fourteen years of shooting for clients such as: Budlight, Joe Boxer, Reebok, LA Gear, Hard Candy and Urban Decay Cosmetics, Arizona Jeans, Levis, Microsoft, and Mercedes... to name a few...his style is strong and distinctive. His images are bold not only in their saturated color palette but in the composition, the energy of the subject and the posing. He attributes his dramatic flare partly to years spent performing in the theatre. When asked what it's like on one of his sets he replies, "If it's not a scene, I'll make it one, because who doesn't like a good show?"
Do you carry a camera all the time? No, not unless you count my cell phone which has a camera. What equipment do you use? Mostly my Elephant, (Mamiya RZ67) shooting on, god forbid that old stuff...what do they call it...FILM?
I would hate to think so...I'm sure I could intimidate people if I wanted to, I have sort of a big personality, but I prefer to make people comfortable around me instead, and especially in front of my camera. I'm really good at breaking the ice immediately and dispelling all the scariness. Some people are nervous about having their picture taken, so they put up a front. I like to cut through all that right away, and I do it by just being real, and making them laugh a lot. Children are the hardest because for sure, none of them have ever met anyone like me. The secret with kids is to treat them like adults, and not condescend to them...oh, and get rid of their parents right away. Kids love it when you tell their parents to go away and stop making stupid faces and noise. How would you describe your philosophy towards the work? Always do what you feel is best first, and then do what makes the clients happy...and after that do something completely different and unexpected and usually that ends up being the best. Were you the D.P. for the TV spots on your site? No, I have a production Company called Noblevision with my brother Cameron Noble, and he is often the D.P. for us. He's amazingly talented as an artist and filmmaker, and practically grew up working for Lucas at ILM. Our friend Patrick Longeway, if he's available, is often our first choice for D.P. so that way Cameron and I can focus on co-directing. My strengths are directing the talent, client relations, lighting, set design, and art direction, whereas Cameron is strongest in technical aspects, editing, and post production special effects. We make a good team. What are you most proud of? That I live and work in New York City, I do mostly only what I want to, and that I own my 3 bedroom apartment...oh, did I say FABULOUS apartment... on Riverside Drive... with views over the George Washington Bridge and the Hudson??? I think if I lived facing a brick wall with no light, I'd never be proud of anything. Have you reached the place you want to be? Are you kidding? In a city like New York where everyone begins as a speck of dirt, I feel I have only recently achieved "Dirt Clod Status."
They might see what kind of underwear I go to work in when I'm not shooting, since I tend to get out of bed, have my coffee, and sit down at my computer for the next twelve hours. If you ask Tamara, my studio manager, I think her favorite pair are the blue Frosted Flakes ones that say, "They're Great!" across the crotch. Looking back what are you most surprised to have discovered in the business? That you never get to a comfortable place in your career. No matter how successful you become, you will forever be struggling to get up to the next rung of a ladder that never reaches the top. Your mini-pincher Dexter, does he go on location with you? Dexter The Wonderdog goes everywhere with me. We have a deal that as long as I give him flavor tastes, he'll sit quietly hidden inside his bag at even the best restaurants. Dexter enjoys the theatre, night clubbing, and Opera in the park, especially if there is a picnic involved. - Contributed by Mary-Beth Holland >> See more work from Bradford Noble >> See other member spotlights on the member spotlight index >> Find out more on how to become an altpick.com member |
