Space has always fascinated me.
The beauty of vast solar systems glimpsed through super telescopes and the idea of unchartered planets make for great sources of creative inspiration. So, for me, a photographic project exploring this theme seemed only natural.
Asteroids is the first instalment of a longterm studio project on the Solar System and started with an experimental test shoot bringing together water, ink, ice and coloured gels.
Collision and interaction between liquids is an ongoing theme in my work. I seek to present as permanent what the eye itself can never retain. Whilst unable to control each event in its minutest detail, meticulous planning means that I capture an instant of time never to be repeated; a fraction of a second earlier or later with the shutter and the result would undoubtedly be different.
There will be a few more finished shots on the site soon, but here are some ‘out takes’ showing the production in action. It is a very strict rule when shooting on U-Stage, that a full dive safety crew is in position whenever any model / artist is near or in the water.
When shooting on U-stage at Pinewood last Tuesday (the large tank mostly used for underwater work), Jonathan was asked to give a speech and photography demonstration to Li Changchun, a member of the ruling Chinese Politburo, and the UK Minister for Culture, Ed Vaizey MP, along with around fifty Chinese government and embassy officials. It was a great opportunity for Jonathan to show his fantastic technical and artistic skills on a large scale. It’s always exciting to be on U-Stage, knowing that recent visitors have been such legendary characters as James Bond and Harry Potter.
We worked with RKCR Y&R on their latest campaign launching Volvic Juiced.
A classic Jonathan shoot creating beautiful splashes and lots of action on set to illustrate the core Volvic value of ‘Volcanicity”.
Creatives: Tim Brookes & Phil Forster
Type design: Alison Carmichael
These great Liquid Triptychs are part of a personal project from Jonathan and you can see more of them on his Behance portfolio.
Last weekend, the front page of FT Weekend Magazine featured Jonathan’s portrait of David Cameron. The article is titled ‘The verdict so far’. It’s definitely worth a read. There are quite a few opinions!
We thought we’d share a recently designed PDF of some of our favourite Album covers from Jonathan’s archive. We hope you like them.
Here at Jonathan Knowles Studio we wanted to introduce you to new team member Zoe Morton.
You’ll be seeing her around town soon and no doubt have spoken to her on the phone already.
We asked Zoe to tell you a little bit about herself . . .
“After studying Graphic and Communication studies at Leeds University, I have spent the past year or so working within the creative industry, along with a few months spent out in South East Asia.
A few things I love are travelling, being by the sea (and in the sea), book binding, sewing, skiing, tennis, surfing, (even if I am not very good at any of them!) and the smell of freshly cut grass on a spring day! I obviously couldn’t forget my love of Photography and all things creative to keep me inspired daily.
I’ve now been lucky enough to start working here at Jonathan Knowles Studio, taking over from Michelle who has done a sterling job over the past 8 years.
It has been an exiting few weeks here at the studio, with lots of changes taking place with the help of Emma Taylor.
I look forward to getting to know everyone around me and within the industry. And I’m also looking forward to being a part of the exciting shoots here at the studio.
All the Best Zoe”
We thought you’d like to have a sneak peek at this shot before it goes live tomorrow on our Behance Account.
The series was done using traditional Kirlian Photography techniques, where the electrical ‘aura’ of a charged item is recorded on a piece of film (remember film, and happy trips to the lab and excitement when it all came out!), placed on a discharge plate. Photoshop was not involved in the production of this series; they are all straight scans. The intensity of the ‘aura’ can be controlled and changed on the amplitude and wave form which is put through the object, which will also have the by-product of altering the colours, though not in an entirely predictable way!
We worked with the design agency Form to create the images for The Restaurant Show. We had an amazing selection of cooking equipment and fresh foods to build the sculpture tower, which had to include items from all aspects of the catering industry.
Agency: Form
Creatives: Paula Benson and Chris Moore
Home economist: Lesley Sendall