The principles and theories in photography and videography are not too far apart, in fact some theories specially with composition and lighting of both disciplines intersects with one another. Let’s not forget that if we strip a video down to it’s very basic elements we can see a series of still images shown in a split second. This is why for most photographers transitioning from photography to videography is cake walk in terms of composing compelling images. With that said there are some famous photographers who has traded their roles from the one who takes the shots to the guy who calls the shots.
Some dabbled with movies such as Ken Russell who’s know for his eccentric images before he created The Devils and Tommy. Another famous photographer turned director is Stanley Kubrick who used to photograph showgirls and boxers in New York. Apart from directing movies, directing music videos has become another outlet for photographers who want to dabble with video.
One notable music video that captured the eyes of many publications was Roger Ballen’s I Fink U Freeky video for Die Anterwoord that features Ballen’s weird, freakish imagery in black and white. In fact, it was awarded with the Best Music Video in Plus Camerimage International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography in Bydgoszcz, Poland and 20th Short Vila do Conde International Film Festival. On top of that it also gained so many positive reviews in various publications.
Finding visual inspiration from music videos does not only come from notable photographers cum directors. There are also a number of visually inspiring music videos that when paused and broken down into still images one can still find amazing imagery. That is why in this post we are going to quench your thirst for visual inspiration for your photography.
1. Radiohead’s Street Spirit (Fade Out) directed by Jonathan Glazer
2. Bjork’s Moon directed by Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin
3. Duran Duran’s Girl Panic directed by Jonas Akerlund
4. Aloe Blacc’s Femme Fatale by Alan Algee
5. Spank Rock’s Car Song ft. Santigold by Luis Gispert
6. Pulp – This is Hardcore directed by Doug Nichol
7. Die Antwoord I Fink U Freeky directed by Roger Ballen
8. Janet Jackson – Love Will Never Do (Without You) directed by Herb Ritts
9. Spoek Mathambo – Control by Peter Hugo
10. Lana Del Ray – Ride directed by Anthony Mandler