"Charlton Corson: A Journey into Timeless Photography | The Style Researcher"

Hello Charlton! Welcome to the Style Researcher. Can you share with us your personal journey into the world of photography and how you developed your unique style over the years?

My unique style is Classical and Timeless.

My personal journey began when I was given an old used camera to take pictures of my bike and friends. As I grew older, I took all the photography classes available in high school. I was driven to develop classical, and timeless shots as seen through my camera as artwork. Because for class at the end of the week we had to hang our pictures in the school gallery.

After high school I pursued other interested but never completely forgot about photography and enjoyed it through my father. When my father passed away and I inherited his Pentax cameras and lens and starting taking meetup classes and joining clubs. Through the meetups and clubs I learned a lot about lighting and model interaction which enabled me to strength my vision of artistic timeless works.

What or who are your main sources of inspiration when conceptualizing and creating your photographs?

My main source of inspiration is the people I follow either on social media or catching up with them at local clubs seeing their shots. Next would-be Vogue Italia as a starting point adding to a mood board. I enjoy collaborating with others and using their ideas since I am not good thinking on my feet. I need to plan out the shoot first.

How do you establish a connection with your subjects and bring out genuine emotions in your portraits?

Wow this is an excellent question and probably the most important thought in my mind is to pull out of the picture who they really are. It is difficult for me to answer and even do but here is my process for establishing a connection. If it is someone I have never met, I introduce myself, and ask them how they are doing, to relax them, it is their shoot, to take a breathe, and their time before we start shooting. I usually ask them about themselves, and gradually start shooting. Usually, it takes at least 20 mins of shooting for them to become relaxed, open up, and find their true-self. I always try to be respectful, polite, kind, and a gentleman. Last year, took a girl’s senior portraits for high school and after I delivered all the shots to the client including enlargements, the young lady’s mom said you captured her as we see and know her. After I heard those comments which pleased me I know I did my job. It is the most challenging taking pictures of people, because everyone is different, unique, with various experiences, backgrounds, and thoughts. When it all comes together then it is really beautiful.

Could you elaborate on how you approach storytelling through visual imagery and what elements you believe contribute to a successful visual narrative?

This is an amazing question and I struggle to find an answer. How I approach story telling is through a series of shots, poses, looks, and themes for a shoot. Asking what is the message we are trying to achieve? Sexy, edgy, artistic, glamorous, funny, whimsical, fashionable, or abstract. If I have the opportunity to plan the shoot, story board, and pull example shots from the internet it helps direct what we want to do. Sometimes during a meetup or club meeting it is a free-for-all, anything goes, and I usually ask the model what do they feel like since they are the subject.

How do you balance your technical skills and creative vision when working across diverse subjects like fashion and landscapes?

This is a great question: I feel fashion and taking pictures of models is the most challenging technically. Lighting I feel is very important. I believe a successful fashion shot is: 70% model, 20% lightning, and 10% technical other. If you have an entire dedicated production team of professional models, makeup artists, creative directors, fashion designers, stylists, a fully equipped studio, and great camera gear then your job as a photographer is “easier.” The model knows her poses, the designer and creative director know the look they want, and you just need to work your side to achieve the look. The most challenging for me is working directly with the model one-on-one since we have to be all those other roles. Our vision is a collaborative effort.

Taking pictures of your pet, car shows, wildlife, and landscape is much simpler. Lightning is important you have to work with what is available. Technically it is easier in some ways because usually it is just you and the camera. If I took a picture of this would someone want it as art? Is it a good picture or just boring?

I always try to push myself to take more pictures of models to get outside my comfort zone and accept the challenge.

Can you share your insights on how you manipulate and work with light to achieve specific moods and effects in your photographs?

This is a wonderful question: I am still learning how to use lighting setup, gels, and painting. I love my studio strobes, and various soft boxes and almost never do a shoot without them. I have a large wagon which I take with me on every shoot, filled with at least three high wattage strobes, soft boxes, strip boxes, and reflector dishes. I generally use a three-light setup. A key light 45 degrees from the model with a beauty dish, a strip box on the other side for fill, and a rim light or background light to distance the back drop from the model. Then I use a light meter and take several sample readings on the model to set my camera. It is very challenging to match the lighting to the mood.

How have you adapted your approach to photography in response to industry changes brought about by digital technology and social media?

This is a good question: I am trying to adapt regarding shooting and cropping for Instagram’s very annoying aspect ratio. I recently acquired a used Hasselblad H4D digital medium format camera which is closer to the IG shooting ratio. I did not buy it for that but for the legendary image quality which this feature is shot with. However, the camera is very slow and finicky. My work horse camera a Nikon D800 which is a DSLR full frame is faster but I have to shoot the shot zoom out to allow for the IG crop factor which means I am either cropping in camera or in post and of course losing resolution hence pixels. In addition, I post on IG via my iPad. After I post process on my Mini-Mac I use Air Drop and copy to my iPad and post. I am old school and prefer seeing my pictures in print like magazines such as yours.

How do you approach collaboration with other creative professionals, and what tips do you have for effective teamwork in photography?

This is a very great question: If you have never worked someone before I am professional, respectful, open to ideas, and very flexible. The best method would be to meet before the shoot either in person or virtually like over Zoom and discuss what everyone wants from the shoot, their ideas, look over a mood board, and work all the logistical details before shooting. The next method would be to send all team members ideas and chat via social media. It is always best to plan and prepare for a shoot.

Could you share your philosophy on editing and post-processing, and how it contributes to your overall artistic vision?

This is an amazing question. Everyone has their workflow and what works best for them. I try to get everything right in camera first instead of “we can fix it in post later..” After the shoot I do not look at any of the shots, I may spot check but I create a contact sheet or small previews and upload to a site. Then I request the model to go through the ones they like and I post process those.

My photoshop skills are very beginner and only use it for in depth blemish removal, removing unwanted items (I did not see in camera) and slight touch ups. Frankly Adobe’s cloud subscription plans, and auto backups annoy me. I used to use Light Room but recently switched to Capture One. I use the buy one time version, I am not part of a subscription plan, and I find it is faster, my images look better. Capture One is not the one-size fits all but it works for me about 80% of the time.

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who want to develop their own distinct style?

This is a wonderful question: I would recommend shooting, and shooting, and shooting some more. If they want to work with models then find local meetups, or clubs and learn, ask questions, and explore. I find it is a much better value attending meetups and events as compared to doing everyone on your own. The studio rental fees will really eat into your budget.

Charlton, your perspective and journey have been enlightening. Your ability to capture timeless moments and authentic emotions is truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing your invaluable advice with us.

I appreciate the platform. It’s been great sharing my experiences.