Take A Picture

By Emily-Louise Duff

It’s very easy to grab a camera and take a picture of something. So what is it exactly that makes you a ‘photographer’? It seems that talent and originality is what makes you stand out from the crowd, which is why Ashley Hunte is grabbing people’s attention. At just 20 years old, Ashley has an impressive portfolio developing. With his busy schedule, we were lucky to get to find out what goes on behind his camera lens.

Interfusion: What inspires you?

Ashley Hunte: I get inspiration from a lot of different things like music, locations, films, other videographers and general life. At certain times I feel like being a videographer allows me to paint the world with my own view… and that excites me. My latest inspiration has to be Plan B’s movie, Ill Manors. The way the soundtrack is integrated into the story and the way all the different parts of the story end up fitting together made me really enjoy it. It was one of those movies I felt needed my full attention so I don’t miss anything.

IF: How did you get into photography and cinematography? 

AH: I started studying Media at GCSE level. After a while it was my favourite subject and I was sure I wanted to study it after secondary school and see what would happen. It’s definitely been the best decision I’ve made in terms of education.

IF: You’ve worked with a few up and coming artists - who has been your favourite person/people to work with and why?

AH: I love working with Casper Jones. As well as a client, he’s a personal friend of mine so the videos we make feel like they happen so much easier. We bounce ideas off each other on a day-to-day basis. I love working with different artists though.

IF: What do you think makes a great video?

AH: I think videos come as a package. I’m personally trying to work on my artistry. The way a video is shot, colour corrected, cut on the timeline, all comes into play and all of those elements have to compliment the music. It’s actually harder than it looks, especially when trying to stand out in today’s industry.

IF: Who would be your dream person to photograph or create a video for?

AH: I would have loved to do a music video for someone like Missy Elliott, Ludacris or Busta Rhymes 10 years ago where I feel like the rap videos were more abstract and engaging. Nowadays, I’d love to do a video for someone like Kendrick Lamar or Ab-Soul. Especially with the album that Kendrick released, I’d love to see a video that tells the stories that he does.

IF: Where do you want your skills to get you?

AH: Preferably, I’d want to make a career out of making videos under my own name/company. If not then I think I may end up in some sort of production company. I love working with different people though, which is a perk of freelancing

IF: What do you want to be doing in 10 years time? How do you plan/want to get there?

AH: To be honest, I feel like planning is the hardest part. Before media, I studied music and played Piano up to Grade 5 and that was the original plan. If I’d stuck to it, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I’d love to be a music video director but I’m going to stay open-minded and see where media takes me. There are always new things to discover.

Check out Ashley’s work on his YouTube page. 

 ————————————————————————————————————

Chime for Change

By Emily-Louise Duff

Chime for Change is a community of people working to promote education, health and justice for every girl, every woman, everywhere. The charity was founded by Beyonce, actress Salma Hayek and Gucci’s creative director Frida Giannini.

The Sound of Change Live was a concert put on at Twickenham Stadium on 1st June 2013, featuring the likes of Beyonce, Iggy Azaelia, Ellie Goulding, John Legend and many more great performers. The global concert was put on to put girl’s and women’s issues on the world’s stage, and was broadcast in 150 countries to an estimated audience of one billion people.

By buying a ticket, people received a voucher to use to support projects focused on girls and women all around the world. Using the voucher funds a project that matters to not only you as an individual, but also that impacts and improves the lives of the girls and women you choose to support. There are 120 not-for-profit organisations which promote gender equality to choose from.