Boudist » celebrity

Photographing Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton

Daniel Boud — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:23:14 +0000

On returning from overseas one of my first assignments was to photograph Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton for a Time Out Sydney cover feature.

The feature is about their roles as Creative Directors of the Sydney Theatre Company and previewing the STC open day where the public can see backstage at the theatre.

I’ve shot a few famous faces in my time, but it’s still intimidating getting one-on-one photo time with one of the world’s most revered actresses. I’d photographed her before, but that was among an anonymous barking press pack.

In the lead up there’s no chance to actually speak with Cate or Andrew, all communication is via the publicist. It’s hard to get too conceptual or lock in shots when you can’t discuss ideas directly with the photo subjects.

I visit the theatre beforehand to map out some potential locations for pictures, but it’s hard to set anything in stone. It’s up to Cate and Andrew what they want to do. And i won’t know that till we meet and i have to start shooting.

True to form, when we meet, Cate suggests a spot underneath the stage that i wasn’t planning on using. But i’m flexible, so we head over and decide it’s worth a shot. If Cate’s keen, then so am I.

I quickly set up a single light, ask for some costumes to hang behind them, grab a nearby bloodied box as a prop and start taking pictures a few minutes from the moment we meet.

There’s no stylist, no hair and make-up. Just straight into it with my trusty 5D and 50mm combination.

I glance at the back of the camera to see how the shots look. I relax a little. Cate looks amazing in every frame. They have great chemistry and Andrew’s nice and playful.

After a dozen or so photos i figure i’ve got what i need from this spot and move on to a new location in a large backstage area where all the sets are built.

The interview is being done at the same time as the photos, so our editor-in-chief keeps them chatting while i set up.

I experiment using flash, but the natural light looks much nicer and i stick with that.

I’m aware of my time running out and try my luck at a few more shots in the props department. I shoot a few, but the momentum is gone and time is up.

I’m relieved. I didn’t reinvent the wheel, or get anything particularly outstanding, but I didn’t fuck it up. That’s the dread that always lurks in the back of my mind.

The magazine is in Sydney newsagents now and the story is online with a slideshow of more images.

Ladies of the Red Carpet

Daniel Boud — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:46:22 +0000

Here’s a few snaps i’ve taken on red carpets lately. First up is Cate Blanchett who turned up for the Sydney premiere of Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull.

Next was the opening night of the Sydney Film Festival. I spent much of the time scratching my head asking the other photographers who these people were that were posing for us. I don’t think i read enough gossip mags.

This is Laura Dundovic who was recently crowned Miss Universe Australia.

Rachel Taylor is a local actress who found some notoriety in the Transformers film.

As i like to do at these things, i took some wide snaps to show the scene. Below is Krystal Forscutt who’s really stretching out her 15 minutes of fame post Big Brother.

Ben Barnes aka Prince Caspian

Daniel Boud — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:42:15 +0000

Some man candy for you – here’s Ben Barnes who plays Prince Caspian in the new Chronicles of Narnia film.

This was one of those quick snaps in the hotel room jobs.

He was perfectly charming and seemed well practiced doing his brooding heart throb look. He’s well cast as Dorian Gray in a new adaptation.

Along for the junket ride was the director of Prince Caspian, Andrew Adamson. He was a lovely Kiwi chap, whose directorial debut was with Shrek, but moved onto live action with the first Narnia film.

The interviews with both of these chaps will be in this Wednesday’s Time Out Sydney.

Behind the celebrity pictures

Daniel Boud — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:56:19 +0000

You’re used to seeing photos of celebrities looking glam on red carpets and media events, but you don’t often get to see the bedlam of photographers that surround them.

I don’t often shoot those sort of events, but when i do, and when there’s opportune time, i like to throw the wide angle lens on to capture more of the scene.

A couple of my photos from an MTV Awards media call last week prompted me to pull together some of my other similar shots into a Flickr set.

Photo catch up

Daniel Boud — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:09:59 +0000

Here’s a trawl through the archives of my Flickr stream of photos that never made it to Boudist.

Most were shot for Time Out, but some are personal work.

Boudist » celebrity

Photographing Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton

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Ladies of the Red Carpet

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Ben Barnes aka Prince Caspian

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